ARE YOU REALLY DIABETIC?

American College of Physicians has a large number of specialist working for it. Its branches are spread in approximately 145 countries around the world. 152,000 patience across the world are its members. This institution has recently recommended new levels of HBA1C. Before coming to my caption topic I would like to draw your kind attention to the fact that in 1979 American national Drug Association stated that if the blood sugar level of any person is below 200mg/dl they are not diabetic. This recommendation had been widely accepted all over the world. However, the American Diabetic Association which was founded in 1992 discarded the earlier study of the American National Drug Association in 1997 and gave its new finding that whoever has a blood sugar level up to 126mg/dl in fasting is diabetic and should start taking steps. In 1999, the World Health Organization WHO stamped its confirmation upon the recommendation of the American Diabetic Association. In 2003 American Diabetic Association once again revised its earlier findings and stated that fasting blood sugar level should be below 100mg/dl and post fasting blood sugar level should be less than 140mg/dlHBA1C should be between 5.6 to 6.2.

 

Now because of these new findings which lower the blood sugar level from 200 mg/dl to 100mg/dl approximately 450 million people who were non-diabetic are now inside the bracket which creates a massive window of opportunity for the pharmaceutical players as the number of patients increased drastically.

 

Dr Gerard Bazile, in his study, found out that in type 1 diabetes body produces less quantity of insulin than required while in type 2 diabetes body produces more than the required quantity of insulin. He suggested that in type 2 diabetes no external insulin should be prescribed to the patient but his study was rejected. However in 1989 when he gave his theory of insulin resistance the world realized how many patients were mistreated or were at risk. A new set of studies was conducted in which two categories of diabetic patients were created, the first group was given insulin as recommended and also they were suggested to control their diet. The other group of type 2 diabetes patients were given a normal lifestyle with no insulin and diet control. The result of this experiment was that the mortality rate in the first group increased by 22% and 36% gained weight.

 

A think tank of the American College of Physicians reanalyzed the study for decades and they came up with the latest conclusion that a person of 60 years of age having a blood sugar level of below 250 mg/dl and HBA1C of 7 to 8 doesn’t need any medication, all they are required is to change their lifestyle. But unfortunately, the interest of pharmaceutical companies was at stake if this recommendation of the American College of Physicians would have been accepted. The point is to avoid medicine for as long as possible. This medicine creates an atmosphere where your body becomes reliant on the chemicals and does not fight on its own. The same was the case with blood pressure as the normal level of blood pressure was 120/140 in the 1970s which was lowered down to 80/120 to increase the number of patients.

To minimize the chances of diabetes these things should either be discarded or their consumption be reduced.

Vegetable Oil

 

Vegetable oil such as soybean oil causes obesity weight gain fatty liver and resistance to insulin. Coconut oil, mustard seed oil and olive oil are the better substitute. Vegetable oil helps in cardiovascular disease so keep a light hand on it.

 

Sugar.

 

It is a popular belief that sugar can cause diabetes, which is wrong in the case of type 1 diabetes, for type 2 diabetes the answer is a bit complex as too much sugar can make you obese which in turn can be very harmful to your body bringing you at high risk of cardiovascular disease and may lead to type 2 diabetes. Since completely cutting off sugar is difficult as sugar is found naturally in fruits and vegetables it is advised to use cautiously.

 

Carbohydrates.

 

Carbohydrates are known to be a major cause of diabetes especially when consumed in irregular proportions. Baked items such as white bread bagels cakes pastries should be avoided, rice too are a major source of carbohydrates and should be consumed in small quantities. French fries are also among the group of high carbohydrate foods that shouldn’t be consumed in large numbers.

 

Before the latest findings of the American College of Physicians, it was suggested that a fasting blood sugar test is the most appropriate but unfortunately, it has been proven wrong. Why? Because of the down phenomena of nature. Around 5-6'O clock in the morning our liver produces glycogen due to which blood sugar level increases by 20 mg/dl to 25 mg/dl as fuel to perform our daily routine. Now a person who is suffering from insulin resistance when tested will show a higher level of blood of around 150 mg/dl to 160 mg/dl without any substantive reason. Hence average blood sugar level test should be preferred, which is to check your blood sugar level in the morning after you woke up and then check right before you go to bed, add both the readings and then divide it by 2. For example, let's suppose your sugar level after getting up from bed is 160 mg/dl and before going to bed is 170 mg/dl. Now add the two values 160 + 170= 330, divide 330 by 2 the answer is 165 mg/dl which is below then 200mg/DL.  Hence you are not diabetic and do not need any medicine at all. Similarly, HBA1C is also an average test of blood sugar level. It is the average blood sugar level test for the last 3 months.

 

But don't get excited you still have to follow a proper lifestyle, take a walk at least half an hour a day avoid foods/drinks that can cause diabetes. Also, maintain fasting of at least 8 hours between two meals. Make a diet plan and keep yourself happy.