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Portrait of a Healthy Family: Pass the Turkey, Hold the Diabetes - MarketWatch
Drugs Or Lifestyle Change
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I just read an interesting article from the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) that begins with, "taking prescription drugs to prevent diabetes cannot be justified when lifestyle changes are just as effective, say US scientists.
The article goes on to say, "Trials show rosiglitazone pills do work, but so does weight loss, which is a safer and cheaper way to avoid type 2 diabetes, the researchers argue."
"Read Anti-Diabetes Pills 'Unjustified'
If you are pre-diabetic do your homework. Read about this topic and prepare to discuss with us and your physician.
Prescreening - Thats The Answer!
After researching many non-profit and for-profit medical websites I have learned that approximately:
Consider this. If we can convince our family and friends to undergo screening for pre-diabetes and T-2 diabetes, we will be offering them the gift of good health - seriously. Avoiding diabetes the epidemic is such a major bargain. We will have to encourage them to take a fasting glucose test. At least they can have the test done as part of their annual physical.
This is more important for people with:
As you probably know, test results:
Your only request will be that they tell you they had taken the test.
LETS DO THIS in person, via telephone, e-mail, any mode of communication.
Screening Cheaper Than Treatment
The cost of screening for elevated glucose is a lot cheaper for the patient, the government, and self-insured corporations than treatment for Type 2 diabetes and its complications.
You don't have to be a math whiz to see paying for treating complications like stroke, amputations, kidney failure, insulin shots and pumps, support for poor vision or blindness, infections/wound care and many others.
The average cost of treating the complications of diabetes is $10,000 per patient per year. Patients pay nearly $1,600 out their own pockets.
The cost of screening test goes from free to approximately $500.00. The simplest test involves a prick of the finger after a 6 to 8 hour fast. The drop of blood is analyzed with a glucose monitor. The more accurate and complex blood test like HbA1c will cost several hundred dollars.
...........................YOU DO THE MATH............................
What Do The Preachers Say?
With the present diabetes epidemic occurring, I wonder out loud what are the religious leaders are doing to reduce the number of diabetics? I sense that pastors, preachers and others have great influence on their congregation. Are they focussed on the state of health of their flock?
If not, why not? Can't help save people's health and their souls?
The Price is Too High!!!
So now these researchers have discovered "The Fat Gene". Clearly the profit motive is driving the drug marketers. They are betting that overweight people are too lazy to change their lifestyle. So they want to sell us the instant solution of the pill. Years ago, people like these researchers and marketers sold overweight people "Phen-Phen". The other instant pill for overweight people.
What did the consumers get for their money??? Damaged or destroyed Heart valves. Many people underwent open heart surgery to replace their damaged heart valves. The less fortunate ones died.
How about:
You get the picture. It is so much cheaper emotionally and monetarily to prevent the onset of Type 2 diabetes. I cannot put a price on my lower leg. I will do all I can to prevent T-2 and its catastrophic complications.
Nutrition Instead of Diet
Let's stop using the word diet when we really mean nutrition. The problem with diet is the American public has interpreted that word to mean a short term, a quick fix , an almost unnatural event. Such as, "Boy, I can't wait to finish this diet."
Good nutrition means a lifestyle that involves eating a balanced blend of nutritious foods. This is a combination of high fiber carbohydrates, low-fat protein, polyunsaturated fats, and flat water. For those of us living to avoid elevated blood glucose or the onset of T-2 diabetes, we should only use nutrition instead of diet. Then, we may influence others to adopt the healthier word and mindset.
Prevention is All About Nutrition & Physical Activity
My life experiences have helped to conclude that preventing pre-diabetes and the onset of T-2 diabetes is all about nutrition and exercise.
All 3 of my older siblings have T-2 diabetes. My mother was a T-2 diabetic. My father suffered from cardiovascular disease partly due to high cholesterol levels. He also had high blood pressure. As an African American over 50, my chances of developing T-2 diabetes are pretty high. However, my recent fasting blood glucose level is 95mg/dL.
Good nutrition and a physically active life has enabled me to avoid T-2 a preventable disease. I have always been active, from my enlistment into the Marine Corps to currently walking 5 miles per day in addition to weight training.
My wife has effectively managed our nutrition so provide balanced nutritious meals. She keeps fruit on the kitchen counter, almonds in different locations in the house. We read package food labels. We do not eat fast foods.
Once you are committed to doing the right things, achieving good health is easy.
Good Health is a Marathon
Achieving good health is a marathon race where good nutrition and physical activity keeps you ahead of metabolic diseases like T-2 diabetes. If you have T-2 in your family you have to run harder to stay ahead of the disease.
Family and job responsibilities compete for scarce time to cook/eat a nutritious meal and exercise. Poor health will greatly reduce the energy you need to provide for family and excel at your job. In other words, poor health will make you weaker, more dependent on your:
We lose the ability to deal with many foods and beverages. We have to run even harder. However, we are less able to. We can't exercise as aggressively and our food choices are fewer and less interesting.
Lets win the race against T-2.
easier said than done
I have tried being committed and I find that there is always some reason why it is not that easy to do. Something always comes up.
calypso
www.imtypefree.com
live your life
Provocative idea!
this would be a good topic to discuss with your doctor - especially if you are in the prevention mind set.
calypso
www.imtypefree.com
live your life