(02-11-10) Natural Lifestyle Changes Cut Diabetes and Heart Disease Risk, Assist Weight Loss Goals

by John Phillip, citizen journalist


(NaturalNews) Diabetes is the seventh leading cause of death in the US as new
cases continue to be diagnosed at a rate of 4000 per day. This sobering
statistic places millions of people at greatly increased risk of coronary heart
disease, stroke and sudden death from a heart attack and contributes to the
obesity epidemic. Diabetes is characterized by metabolic instability as a
result of wild blood sugar spikes and insulin resistance which damages the
delicate inner lining of the coronary arteries. New research demonstrates that
intense lifestyle changes to diet, exercise and the surrounding environment can
prevent both heart disease and diabetes initiation and progression.

Intense Lifestyle Changes Required to Prevent Diabetes
The results of a study published in the Archives of Internal Medicine show
that intense lifestyle changes including diet and exercise demonstrated
significant decreases in body weight and lowered blood pressure and A1C blood
glucose readings. Cardiovascular health also improved as blood pressure was
reduced and HDL cholesterol levels increased.

The study continued over the course of four years and found that compared to a
control group the lifestyle intervention participants experienced a
considerably lowered risk of cardiovascular disease, as well as biomarkers
which predict diabetes. The study also found that the prescribed lifestyle
intervention group also lost an average of 7% of their body weight. This is
significant as research has shown that losing as little as 5% of total weight
can reduce the risk of mortality from all causes.

Diabetes is Caused by Poor Diet and Inactive Lifestyle
The New England Journal of Medicine concludes that `the majority of cases of
Type II diabetes could be prevented by the adoption of a healthier lifestyle`.
Diet is the single most important factor which leads to metabolic dysfunction,
loss of blood sugar and insulin control and excessive levels of triglycerides
which become stored as abdominal fat.

Many other factors contribute including lack of physical activity, smoking and
environmental pollutants and toxins. Diabetes is a lifestyle disease which can
be prevented by following a natural diet, getting regular exercise and limiting
exposure to household and environmental toxins.

Improving Blood Sugar and Lowering Cardio Risk Factors
Diabetes and heart disease are closely linked as diabetics run twice the risk
of developing coronary artery disease and dying from a heart attack. In large
part this is due to the damage caused by rapid swings in blood sugar after
meals, which are high in refined and processed carbohydrates and are
immediately released into the bloodstream. This damages the delicate
endothelial lining of the coronary arteries leading to plaque buildup and
vascular deterioration.

Following a natural diet which excludes all sugar, processed carbohydrates,
wheat and hydrogenated fats is the best strategy to prevent diabetes and
related cardiovascular disease. Monitor your blood sugar at 1 and 2 hour
intervals after eating and be sure that the reading stays below 140 mg/dl.
Readings above this level are associated with dramatically increased risk of
diabetic complications and promote heart disease.

Modern medical science has been slow to uncover and reveal the real cause of
diabetes and heart disease. Alternative health advocates have long known the
healing power experienced by switching to a diet void of processed foods and by
eliminating household and environmental toxins. Those with the true desire to
make permanent natural lifestyle changes will be able to prevent diabetes and
heart disease while naturally promoting weight loss.

Article References:
http://diabetes.niddk.nih.gov/dm/pu...
http://archinte.ama-assn.org/cgi/co...
http://www.nejm.org/doi/pdf/10.1056...
http://www.idf.org/node/1410?unode=...

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