The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that 1 in 3 people in this country will have diabetes in their lifetime. According to the CDC, there are currently over 35 million Americans with diabetes and 88 million with pre-diabetes. Every year, 1.5 million Americans are diagnosed with diabetes.  Furthermore, the CDC reported that the financial cost to the US is $327 billion dollars/year, and that cost is growing each year. This critical health care issue of the time must be properly understood so that it can be effectively addressed.

What is diabetes? Essentially, it means the blood gets “sticky.” Diabetes is an imbalance of the sugar balancing systems of the body—meaning that your body doesn’t metabolize sugar properly. It causes a breakdown of one or more of the body’s self-regulating hormonal mechanisms. This, in turn, affects multiple other organs and body systems. Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes often caused from an improper diet high in sugars and carbohydrates. Type 1 diabetes is when the body can no longer produce insulin on its own due to destruction of the pancreatic cells responsible for producing insulin.

Here’s why that’s important. Diabetes has severe complications that can be life threatening. This process may happen over many years. Diabetes creates inflammation in the body which, left untreated, causes further damage to vital organs of the body such as eyes, kidneys, heart, circulation, and nerves.

Controlling blood sugars is the key. The best way to do this is using the power of healthy organic foods. The goal with a diabetes-friendly diet is to ensure the blood sugar stays in the range of healthy individuals. This is feasible and realistic for most people. If your blood sugar, as a diabetic, stays in the range of a non-diabetic then your chances of developing secondary complications of diabetes—kidney, eye, cardiovascular, nerve disease—are remarkably reduced. Most people can effectively control their blood sugar levels with healthy eating and exercise.

6 Key Points to Follow:

• Eliminate Sugar - Doing this one thing ensures success.
• Minimize Carbohydrates - This will help regulate blood sugar levels. Avoid simple, processed and refined carbohydrates (cereals, crackers, bread, pasta). Limit complex carbohydrates (whole grains, beans, legumes).
• Eat Healthy Fats - Nuts, seeds, avocado, oil, coconut oil, ghee, raw butter.
• Optimize Protein Intake - Organic, wild, free-range, pasture-raised, grass-fed/finished.
• Increase Raw Vegetables - Aim for at least 50% raw food.
• Limit Fruit - 1-2 pieces per day. 

The good news is that diabetes and pre-diabetes is 100% treatable, reversible, and even preventable, with a few pieces of key information. The secret to the cure for diabetes is the food we eat. Food IS the best medicine.

Dr. Adam Tice is a naturopathic doctor at Beachside Natural Medicine. He specializes in healing complex metabolic conditions, including diabetes, pre-diabetes and disorders of digestion. He offers 12-week programs which remove the obstacles to cure and rejuvenate the body and accelerate the healing process. For more information, visit BeachSideNaturalMedicine.com or call 321-848-4914.