Diabetes is growing exponentially among both the adult and child population.
According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics: “The rate of diabetes in Australia has shown a steady increase from 2.4% in 1995 to 3.8% in 2007–08 (Graph 1). (1)
In 2007-08, the majority of people with diabetes reported they had Type 2 diabetes (88% or 721,000 people). A further 10% (82,000 people) reported they had Type 1 diabetes, while 2% of people with diabetes did not know which type of diabetes they had. (1).
Around 77% of people with Type 2 diabetes were aged 45 years and over when they were first diagnosed, compared with 16% of people with Type 1 diabetes. Just under a quarter (23%) of people with Type 1 diabetes were diagnosed in childhood (under 15 years), and a further 24% in early adulthood (15 to 24 years). (1)
So….What does all this mean?????
Australia is today ranked as one of the fattest nations in the developed world. The prevalence of obesity in Australia has more than doubled in the past 20 years. (2) The following are some very scary statistics. In 2007 it was stated that:
- In Australia, more than 17 million Australians are overweight or obese.
- More than four million Australians are obese (BMI > 30.0 kg/m2).
- If weight gain continues at current levels, by 2020, 80% of all Australian adults and a third of all children will be overweight or obese.
- People dealing with diabetes face the possibility of the following:
- Heart disease and stroke
- Fertility problems
- Kidney disease
- Dental disease
- High blood pressure
- Blindness
- Nervous system damage
- Amputation
For the last 13 years at our Centre we have been using the ZONE Diet to help people with blood sugar imbalances and those with diabetes.
The Zone Diet was developed by Dr. Barry Sears, one of the world’s leading authorities on the hormonal effects of food and their effect on cellular inflammation.
The Zone Diet is a way of life that helps you lose fat and increase wellness by reducing cellular inflammation. Dr Barry Sears believes that it’s cellular inflammation that is the underlying cause of not only weight gain and the acceleration of chronic disease, but also the reason behind decreasing physical, emotional, and mental performance. (3)
So What Contributes To Diabetes?
Diabetes is caused by many things. The most common type of diabetes is Type 2 diabetes which is generally caused by insulin resistance. Insulin resistance is most frequently caused by fluctuating insulin levels, a direct result of a rollercoaster diet of high sugar and high carbohydrate foods which flood your body with sugars.
You only have to look at the “average diet” these days and it’s full of processed convenience foods that are eaten quickly with a glass of soft drink, tea or coffee or alcohol. These high carbohydrate foods get used quickly or are stored as fat, which leaves you at a deficit. This deficit causes cravings and the process is repeated. Eventually your pancreas starts missing the signals and you become insulin resistant.
The good news is that the Zone Diet’s main goal is to balance hormone levels and reverse insulin resistance.
The key factor in the Zone Diet is the hormonal balance you achieve while eating each meal. With a food plan comprising an accurate balanced ratio of carbohydrates (40%), fat (30%) and proteins (30%); you actually get to eat foods, which control your body’s insulin production.
The Zone Diet’s main function is to combine proteins with low-glycaemia load carbohydrates to produce optimal insulin levels, digestion and metabolism. When this balance occurs, you feel sustained, have even energy levels and no longer crave the sugary snacks that have directly contributed to the problem.
The Zone Diet encourages foods such as fresh vegetables, fruits and nuts, leafy green vegetables, sufficient protein consumption, and a balance of essential fats (as the fats and oils have the effect of reducing inflammation and inflammation in your muscle cells have a direct effect on your body’s ability to produce optimal levels of insulin) and of course eight glasses of water every day.
There are NO processed foods . . . IT IS BACK TO BASICS!
The Zone Diet also recommends regular exercise. This is particularly important for sufferers of diabetes, because as muscle mass is improved, metabolism is improved. Quite simply, your body is better able to process the foods you consume and to use them for energy. Exercise need not be a chore, make it fun and involve your family and friends.
Have a Wonderful Week and Be Well,
From the Team at Hervey Bay Wellbeing, Anti- Aging and Longevity Centre
P.S. So to wrap it up…… the Zone Diet (a balance of carbohydrates, protein and fats) is directly aimed at balancing hormone levels. As hormone levels are balanced, Type 2 diabetes can possibly be reversed or avoided all together. Think 40% protein, 40% Good Carbohydrates and 20% good fats and oils.
P.P.S . If you are a client and would like more information please call us on (07) 4128 2899 and make an appointment with Clarence or Libby to talk to you about the Zone Diet.
P.P.P.S. If you are not a client and would like to make the changes to your health, please call us on (07) 4128 2899 and make an appointment with Wayne our Naturopath..
REFERENCES
- http://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs@.nsf/Lookup/4820.0.55.001main+features32007-08
- http://www.modi.monash.edu.au/obesity-facts-figures/obesity-in-australia/
- http://www.zonediet.com/
