> Health and Disease > Diabetes and Hypoglycemia > type 2 diabetes (adult onset)

Staggering statistics show that more than two million Canadians have diabetes and another 11 million or more unknowingly suffer from it. It’s now a leading cause of adult blindness, kidney failure and death by disease. But don’t let this scare you. Rest assured that a genetic predisposition does not cause diabetes. It is preventable. Diabetes is a disease of our civilized culture: it was virtually unknown in aboriginal societies until our eating and lifestyle habits were adopted. The cause lies primarily in the empty calories and processed, refined foods we choose to eat and in the stressful, sedentary lifestyle we seem to enjoy. However, if we return to a more natural way of eating and living, consuming predominantly whole, raw and natural foods, we can conquer this disease.

Our pancreas normally supplies adequate amounts of insulin, a vital hormone, which allows cells access to the energy in foods. But in type I diabetes, virtually no insulin is produced, hence the term "insulin-dependent" diabetes. Type II diabetes, a slower, insidious form, affects 90 per cent of sufferers. The body grows accustomed to the gradual increase in blood sugar, so the signs are subtle and may go unnoticed for months, even years. These high levels of sugar in the blood cause havoc and destruction, attacking cells everywhere, markedly speeding the aging process and damaging vital organs including the heart, kidneys and eyes.

The common type II diabetes affects more people over the age of 40, although it now strikes an alarming number of adolescents and children as well, as denatured foods and poor lifestyle choices become further entrenched. While type II diabetes is easier to treat naturally, type I diabetics will also reap the benefits of eating well and exercising.

The pancreas suffers most from foods that destabilize blood sugar levels, especially processed, packaged products containing sugar and refined grains such as white rice, flour and bread. These foods increase blood sugar levels too quickly and the pancreas responds by secreting large amounts of insulin. Not only is this severe insulin response hard on the pancreas, but it also leaves blood sugar levels lower than before the meal.

The overly high blood sugar levels in a sweet snack produce the well known "sugar high." The rebound effect of low blood sugar levels causes the crash–that tired, hungry feeling after a brief burst of energy. The more balanced your blood sugar, the longer your mental and physical energy lasts. Continually stable blood sugar levels also ensure healthy weight and prevent sugar cravings, food binges and mood swings.

To keep blood sugar balanced, you must significantly reduce, or better yet eliminate, refined sugar in your diet. Buy unprocessed, whole foods instead of packaged goods that contain sugar along with a host of other additives. Read labels on packages for sugar content. Also be aware of the sugar contained in commercial beverages, especially juices, alcoholic drinks (beer and wine) and pop. In fact, pop is one of the worst offenders when it comes to developing diabetes. Drink water instead, adding a hint of lemon, lime, orange or mint to improve the taste if you desire. As a general rule, the more processed the food, the higher it sends blood sugar levels.

Help from Whole Foods

Nicole Duelli began her training as a naturopath in Germany and found her passion in homeopathic medicine. Certified in classical homeopathy, she practises in Vancouver, BC.

Source: alive #229, November 2001