Diabetes

Charles Hallquist, PhD, DN

According to the scientific community, the endocrine glands, especially the pituitary, adrenals, thyroid and pancreas, control the sugar level in our bodies. The pancreas secretes insulin and insulin activates the movement of glucose to leave the blood and enter the cells. Insulin also stimulates the liver and muscle cells to convert glucose to glycogen, which is a carbohydrate and the main storage compound of sugar in the blood. Cellular uptake and utilization of glucose begins with the binding of insulin to the cell surface receptors. Normally, in a healthy person, the cells are capable of sensing the binding of insulin to the cell receptors on their surface. The problem arises when the cell loses its ability to sense this binding of insulin on its surface. In an attempt to overcome this decreased sensitivity, the body will secrete an ever-increasing amount of insulin, which may lead to various levels of metabolic problems. Various names have been applied to this resistance, such as: Syndrome X, Metabolic Syndrome, and Insulin Resistance Syndrome (IRS). Clinical signs of insulin resistance may be characterized by very high cholesterol and triglyceride levels along with glucose intolerance, excessive thirst, dizziness, increased urination, high sugar intake, and high starch intake. All of these should be checked along with the glucose level.

Evidence shows that diet can be very effective in reducing IRS. Diets high in carbohydrate starches should be avoided, or any food that is white, such as potatoes, white bread, and sugar (including products containing sugar). Research has shown vitamins, minerals and phytonutrients will improve insulin sensitivity for the stability and improvement of glucose blood levels. Diabetes is a growing concern for everyone in the health industry. Diabetes has been on the increase for several years and the rate of people being diagnosed with diabetes is staggering.