Dr. Mercola November 03 2004 7,149 views
Although it has been discovered that obesity plays a role in the onset of type 2 diabetes, scientists aren't certain how the excess weight triggers the disease.
What scientists do know is that obesity causes stress in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), a system of cell membranes found inside cells. This stress results in the suppression of the signals of insulin receptors, leading to insulin resistance. Insulin is a hormone that converts blood sugar to energy.
The ER has been compared to a synthetic machine of a cell, responsible for processing proteins and fats. Scientists have also referred to the ER as a factory for producing protein, as well as the site where excess blood fats are processed.
When the body is bombarded with nutrients the following occurs:
Another downfall of ER stress, besides obesity, is that it triggers inflammation in cells. This inflammation can be linked to heart disease.
Studies have revealed that if people can find a way to reduce ER stress, generate less ER stress or find a way for the body to handle stress more efficiently, type 2 diabetes might be easier to manage.
Science October 15, 2004;306(5695):425-6
Obesity on its own is a dangerous condition. Add diabetes to the mix and you have an even deadlier combination. As a matter of fact, in a past newsletter I wrote about how obesity cuts down the life expectancy of diabetic patients by eight years.
If you have diabetes and have weight issues, statistics show that you have double the risk of dying, however the excess weight is the most avoidable risk factor for type 2 diabetes.
The key here is preventing obesity before it manifests into serious health conditions like diabetes.
The good news is that overweight and obesity are nearly 100 percent preventable by following my:
Putting it simply, you need to replace grain carbohydrates with vegetable greens in amounts suitable for your metabolic type.
The first step to preventing obesity is through insulin production. By limiting grains and avoiding sugar you can keep insulin levels low and correspondingly also minimize your risk for diabetes.
Grains and sugars are often an overlooked addiction. The way to manage any addiction is though complete abstinence.
Since many people struggle with this grain/sugar restriction, I have been using Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) to successfully treat emotional stresses, including food cravings such as those related to sugar and grains.
Although often overlooked, emotional health is essential to your physical well being. No matter how devoted you are to a healthy lifestyle, it is nearly impossible to reach your goals if emotional barriers stand in your way. EFT uses a combination of kinetic energy input and positive affirmations to release you of your emotional "blocks."
Exercise without a doubt is the other significant component to preventing obesity and diabetes. The benefits of exercise are twofold as it will help with both weight-loss and normalize insulin levels.
To show you the power of exercise, without it I would be a type 2 diabetic. Running 20 miles a week seems to keep my blood sugar in a nearly ideal range.
When I reduce my exercise to less than 5 miles per week for any extended period, my blood sugar gradually rises to the diabetic range. That is why I have only taken a brief period of time off from exercising five years ago over the last 40 years. I simply need it to keep me healthy. One does not have to run 20 miles per week, but most diabetics will benefit from one hour of intense exercise at least five times per week, and more if their blood sugar is currently out of control.
For many people the biggest roadblock to exercise is simply getting started. A great motivating tool that allows you to build a customized exercise program is detailed in Paul Chek's book, How to Eat, Move and Be Healthy!, which is also a perfect complement to my nutritional plan. Chek's book challenges you to take control of your health and gives you the steps to designing your own individual nutrition and exercise program. You will find the many descriptive "how to" illustrations both easy to follow and implement into your exercise routine.
Right now, you can get both my bestselling Total Health book and Paul Chek's book together and receive 25 percent off their regular price!
Related Articles:
Obese Brains Obesity and Diabetes: A Growing Problem Among Americans Cure For Sweet Cravings How Diabetes Can Impact Your Health, and What You Can do About It Diabetes Epidemic Could be a Worldwide Catastrophe
Obese Brains
Obesity and Diabetes: A Growing Problem Among Americans
Cure For Sweet Cravings
How Diabetes Can Impact Your Health, and What You Can do About It
Diabetes Epidemic Could be a Worldwide Catastrophe