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“Before 1920 and the rise in the new Diabetes problem, coronary heart disease was rare in America; so rare that when a young internist named Paul Dudley White introduced the German electrocardiograph to his colleagues at Harvard University, they advised him to concentrate on a more profitable branch of medicine.

The new machine revealed the presence of arterial blockages, thus permitting early diagnosis of coronary heart disease. However, in those days, clogged arteries were a medical rarity, and White had to search for patients who could benefit from his new technology.

During the next forty years, however, the incidence of coronary heart disease rose dramatically, so much so that by the mid fifties heart disease was the leading cause of death among Americans. “

Diabetes
In 1900, Diabetes II had a per capita incidence of 0.0028%, and by 1933, it zoomed 1000% in the US

In the 40 years from 1965 to 1997 diagnosed cases of diabetes II went from 1 million to 10 million people. Do the math for the increase.

Then in the 5 years from 1997 to 2002 it went from 10 million to 17 million. That is almost double the number in only 5 years. Diabetes is now being identified in westernized nations as an Epidemic. 1.3 million new cases are diagnosed each year in the US.

Here are the numbers we need to think about NOW

1. Those numbers with full-blown Diabetes 2
2. Those numbers diagnosed or estimated to have Metabolic Syndrome
3. Those numbers who currently suffer with Insulin Resistance and don’t know it

Those numbers with full-blown Diabetes 2
In 2003 the US had diagnosed and added an estimated number of undiagnosed cases to produce a total of 18 million diabetics. However some experts believe the estimated undiagnosed diabetics numbers are considerably higher than the CDC estimates. If we look at the new numbers, it means that in the US there could be as many as 28 to 30 million diagnosed and undiagnosed cases of diabetes 2. Why there are so many undiagnosed cases of diabetes can be directly related to the fact that many people have full-blown diabetes for up to 10 years before an actual clinic diagnoses is made.

Those numbers with Metabolic Syndrome (Frank Insulin Resistance)
Consider, it is estimated 25–50% of the US population has Metabolic Syndrome (AKA, Syndrome X, Pre-diabetes) the major precursor for full-blown diabetes. This syndrome is not only headed by Insulin Resistance, but caused by Insulin Resistance. By the time a person is diagnosed with Metabolic Syndrome they are a very short distance away from diabetes 2 or their test results may determine they already have the disease. It means their bodies’ have been dealing with Insulin Resistance for possibly 10 to 30 years.

Those with Insulin Resistance – Long Prior to Metabolic Syndrome
Studies have shown that Insulin Resistance may be present in one out of every three apparently healthy adult people [1] in the US (2000.) Insulin Resistance can begin in teen years and develop into diabetes 2 possibly by the time the person is in their early 30s. If we consider that the CDC and NIH estimated that 1 out of every 3 children born in 2000 will be diabetic by the time they are 30 it means that, at any given time, very large numbers of people can be on the insulin resistance ladder – anywhere from its early beginnings to the point of diagnosable Metabolic Syndrome and/or full-blown diabetes 2. [2]

What are the Known Totals?
It is estimated that upwards of 64 – and as high as 93% of the US population has sugar/insulin metabolic imbalances.

Could you be one of these numbers?

Could your children?

It is too likely to ignore – and you DO NOT have to be obese.

Have you and your children been tested?

Why Wait to Develop Metabolic Syndrome or Diabetes 2??


TESTING FOR INSULIN RESISTANCE AND DIABETES
As strange as this may sound, in spite of the newly recognized dangers that sugar/insulin problems have on the development of premature degenerative aging diseases (including cardiovascular diseases) – testing for this hardly ever takes place. In many cases, the patient may have had full-blown diabetes II for years, before doctors signal for a test.

Even though there is now a major shake up occurring, it remains to be seen how much influence this will have at the patient/doctor level, OR how soon testing will become commonplace. Many, teaching hospitals are now training their doctors to include a test for diabetes as part of a routine check-up after age 40. This is too late an age to begin testing. This is an excellent diagnostic tool in determining if you are already diabetic or close to it– is an inadequate tool for prevention. Testing for Insulin Resistance is vital. Finding insulin resistance can enable a person to make necessary changes that will keep them from developing full-blown diabetes.

Insulin Resistance and Diabetes are now being found in Children 5 and 6 years old. Waiting until these children are 40 is ludicrous. Some will already be dead by this age.

Taking Charge of Your Own Health
Unless your family practitioner is a Natural physician, you must be the one to request these tests. Make sure they are comprehensive tests and that they are done more than once - and make sure your fasting insulin is also a part of those tests – no matter how much “evidence” your doctor might produce to explain why testing for insulin means nothing.

Scientists say something altogether different about this. Fasting insulin is actually a disease prevention tool – it can give you an idea where you might be standing on the “insulin resistance – diabetes ladder”. Another test that needs to be done is a 5 hour Glucose Tolerance Test, along with the standard 2 hour. We discuss testing for diabetes and insulin resistance, including fasting insulin and give you the numbers and explain what they mean in the article “Metabolic Syndrome.”

Kidney disease
This is another disease that is not routinely tested for and you should include a test for this as well. It is one of the fastest rising causes of death today. The biggest part of this rise is directly linked to the rise in Diabetes and high blood pressure. Compare the diseases the diabetic and insulin resistant person is expected to develop with just the conditions associated with Metabolic Syndrome. All these relate to cardiovascular disease, kidney dysfunction, high blood pressure, and inflammation. It is a very silent and sneaky disease. You can be losing function over many years and not know it.

If you have high blood pressure – you may already be losing kidney function. If you have also been battling insulin resistance or diabetes – especially if you have not been tested for these, kidney failure is an even higher risk. Loss of Kidney function cannot be regained. Scarring of the tissues takes place and as of now no one can fix that. It is a disorder you want to find out about while you still have as much of your kidney function left as possible. Kidney function loss precipitates a huge metabolic imbalance.

Chronic kidney failure due to diabetes skyrocketed by 194% during 1990-2001. Kidney failure related to high blood pressure (found with Insulin Resistance/Metabolic Syndrome) increased by 99% in the same period.

Another thing that causes kidney function loss is pharmaceutical drugs. The worst of these just happen to be NSAID’s and Acetaminophen. Drugs routinely prescribed for people with back and neck pain and inflammation. The World Health Organization recommends a trial of these types of drugs for pain control of no longer than 2-3 weeks. Uncontrolled pain after this period of time means a move to Opioids. Opioids have no know adverse affects on the body’s organs. NSAID’s have been known to cause complete kidney shut-down after one dose. Granted, this is rare, however the fact it occurs in the first place is an indication of the dangers of this class of painkillers.

There is No Doubt About the Links Between These Degenerative Conditions (Diseases)

It does not matter if degenerative disease changes are due to “normal aging” or “premature aging.” If we are to have any hope of curing or reversing these disorders it appears that we need to - First: Stop thinking about the Specialty Diseases” of today as if they were separate from one another. Both aging and premature aging occur with the same type of metabolic changes in our bodies. Second: we must stop trusting our westernized food supply for its ability to help our bodies make the vital repairs they must if we are to maintain our “Health.” There isn’t a scientist that is not aware of the damaging contribution our westernized diets are having on our health. Well, except for the chemical/food industry who have a big financial stake to keep us eating this “garbage.”

Review all the causes that can lead to low, upper back and neck pain. Look at the article on Degenerative Spinal Disease. Without the Genetic aspect, all these pain causing “conditions” including degenerative conditions of the back and spine, should not be happening to younger age groups. Insulin/sugar problems appear to be a major contributor to this. Even if it turns out that you do not have a sugar/insulin problem as a part of an underlying metabolic imbalance – you will find that no matter what the metabolic imbalance is - it will have some or all of its roots in the diet you eat.

It is interesting to note that today some of the most prestigious medical model teaching hospitals are now recommending changes to the diet as a treatment aid, especially cutting sugar, empty carbs and bad fats, making sure to increase the levels of omega 3 fatty acids. In fact, changes in dietary fatty acid ratios, which include changing to higher ratios of omega 3’s are now being found to improve almost every condition and illness. It has actually reversed the nerve and vascular damage that happens to diabetics. It cuts down on inflammatory processes, helps reduce levels of pain – its list of accomplishments in correcting and repairing disease and their symptoms grows every day.

There are good biological explanations for this. Cells (all 70 trillion of them) require a fluid and slippery membrane for the healthy “in and out” transport of all the required constituents that keep cells functioning properly. Cis-fatty acids such as omega 3 are a major contributor to the fluidity of the cell membrane. Diets today are made from primarily bad fats that actually make the cellular membrane stiff and sticky and inhibit the in-out transport mechanism. Transportation of glucose into the cell is especially affected - the interior biochemistry of the cell is changed and glucose remains elevated in the bloodstream creating the need for higher levels of insulin. Change the fatty acid ratio and cells begin to function better and are able to then accept and make use of the glucose.

Scientists may be right in their identification of sugar/insulin disorders as the chief underlying cause of every disease

We know that Insulin resistance is primarily initiated by poor diet – made worse by certain genetic factors. Which is why some people are more prone to developing it than others.

IDENTIFIED CONTRIBUTORS TO AGING & PREMATURE AGING METABOLIC CHANGES
Sugar/Insulin is not the Only Factor: A chronic high sugar/insulin level is not the only factor contributing to system wide changes leading to mitochondrial and DNA changes.

1. Our westernized diet of today, including all nutrient poor processed foods, bad fats, high sugars, poor quality carbohydrates, including toxins and hormones used in foods, and excess caloric consumption
2. Exposure to the 80,000 toxic chemicals and artificially created hormones from those toxic chemicals, and heavy metals produced by the chemical/pharmaceutical/food industry.
3. Stress of every kind
4. Inflammation
5. High Levels of Free Radicals.
6. Inappropriate or lack of healthy levels of exercise.

Put them all together and there is no wonder about the high rates of these premature aging diseases that maim and kill our population long before their time.

Amazingly, just a simple change to a proper nutrient rich diet can help to manage every thing on this list but the “lack of appropriate levels of exercise.” Exercising you have to do for yourself. Give the body the decent diet it requires and it will be far better able to manage all the rest on the above list.

Unchecked, the factors (causing “premature aging”) in this and other western nations are certain to see an ever increasing number of people contracting and dying from these diseases.

Studies have been done that show those countries who begin to move toward a more westernized diet soon begin to develop these disease, especially diabetes 2– the numbers only increase the more they adopt the “western” food diet.

Developing Diabetes cuts between 17 to 27 years off your lifespan. It is the ultimate premature aging disease.

Don’t Forget the Children: It is almost incomprehensible to us that children are developing “Adult” onset Diabetes and are suffering from insulin resistance. This is a recent development and it is directly attributable to the diet they eat, the excess calories they consume, and the drop in their exercising that has occurred over the past 10-20 years. Insulin Resistance and diabetes are being found in children as young as five and six. Children are being born with insulin resistance, passed on from their mothers’ diets before and during pregnancy.

What we do know with certainty that just a century ago many of these illnesses affecting us today were either rare or nonexistent. The rates of increase over the past 50 years have been nothing short of shocking. The reasons for these increases are unforgivable.

A Historical Perspective on Health, Nutrition and Centenarians
The lifestyles of our ancestors kept them free from the modern maladies that currently plague people today. Yes, there was much less environmental pollution even as recently as 100 years ago. Ancient life styles included food quality that was definitely fresher and more nourishing. Even without all the new data supporting diet as the prime factor in our poor health today, it’s only logical to conclude that the ingesting of fresh and more nutrient dense food is a major factor in the retention of good health.

If our ancestors had access to MacDonald’s, donuts, sugar, refined foods, “functional foods”, aspartame, and chemically created bad fats, we simply would not be here today as a species. If we don’t do something to change the factors leading to pre-mature aging and death, we won’t be around much longer. Science has actually tried to evaluate how long it would take us to evolve to the point that our bodies might be able to “live” off the foods we eat today, and maintain an ability to fight the current level of environmental toxins. It would take hundreds of thousands of years - and no one is sure it is even possible.

These Factors Create Hereditary Changes
Now That’s Scary! What often does not make headlines about these factors is they not only make DNA changes leading to premature aging and disease in ourselves, but many of these DNA changes are being passed onto our children and to their children.

Comparing Our Westernized Diets with Centenarians Whose Diets Still Remain “Primitive”
Today, we can study people who reside in isolated areas and eat a somewhat primitive diet that is not refined. These people routinely live to be 100 to 120 years of age. A lifespan to one hundred years of age and beyond is not so infrequent. Scientists studying aging have determined that all of humanity should be able to live to 100 years of age, at a minimum. Peoples living off these primitive diets don’t manage to just “hang-in there” to statistically reach these ages with the “help” of modern medicine. Most of these societies never see an orthodox medical model doctor in their lifetime.

What is Their Secret?
There is no secret to the centenarians’ longevity
There are 3 consistent blood metabolic indicators common to all centenarians, regardless of where they live or what they eat; low sugar, low insulin, and low triglycerides. Some live off high protein meat and milk diets, others more vegetarian. Many consume alcoholic beverages, many also smoke all their lives. None of this seems to make any difference in their life span so long as those 3 factors are low.

All 3 factors are relatively low vs. chronological age. Among these 3 indicators/factors insulin is the common denominator. The level of insulin sensitivity of the cell is one of the most important markers of lifespan.

Common dietary denominators shared by long-lived cultures such as the Ecuadorian Vilcabambans of the high Andes; the Georgians of the new Russia; and the Hunzas on the steppes of Pakistan, is their consumption and absorption of massive amounts of "living" enzyme-rich, nutrient-dense foods, with high levels of natural anti-oxidants, good fats, fish, meat from animals grazed on grasses and seed – not grains. And clean water.

Outside of the toxins that are everywhere throughout the world - all of their food and water is virtually free of contamination – no hormones, pesticides, herbicides, artificial fertilizer are ever used in the growing of their foods.

Water
Clean water from pollution free streams and springs are what these octogenarians use as well. Clean water is required for a healthy system. Something that today is almost non-existent in western cultures and cities. Unlike our farm soil, their soil contains high levels of minerals from the water they use.

How Does the Western World’s Diet Compare?

There is a staggering amount of information regarding the western world’s poor diet. Everywhere one looks today there are references to this poor diet and its links to all our diseases. Everywhere you look are recommendations to change things in our diets. We can’t possibly put all this information in our article, and it is not really necessary, but there is some information that bears repeating.

The US Dept of Agriculture estimates that 90 cents out of every dollar spent on food is spent on processed foods. And you might be surprised what constitutes processed foods. For example, “functional foods” are foods that contain added vitamins, so called healthy fats, anti-oxidants, etc, but they are still processed foods. For some people these “functional foods” can cause greater problems for a current health condition. These foods are processed by removing much of the living parts of the food for any number of reasons. The food industry then adds a few vitamins, minerals, so called healthy fats, etc to make the food sound as if it will aid in improving your health.

Unfortunately, many of the additions in conjunction with what has been removed can tip you over the edge in developing a condition or it can add to the disordered metabolic condition you already have. This is just a bad for you as taking “Natural Supplements” without the consultation of a Natural physician or Nutritionist.

Nutritionists estimate an adult living in North America or Europe consumes approximately 4.8 pounds of food daily. In an eighty-year lifetime, about 70 tons of “edibles” pass through the average person—an immense quantity to consume and for the body to process. Especially when one considers this food is mostly garbage to the body. (Its no wonder so many people are on Prilosec)

No one denies the human body requires specific nutrients to repair and maintain itself in a healthy way. But, when the majority of those 70 tons are made up of processed food (essentially “dead food”) with their basic nutrients missing; or worse; dead foods that contain added unnatural brain toxic chemicals for flavor and color, or plant based hormones, bad fats, and high fructose sugars it is not hard to see what a difficult time the body will have making important and healthy repairs while also trying to deal with all the toxic residue.

With This “Life-Stealing” Diet Comes Sugar
We have already discussed the damage from sugar/insulin. Sugar/insulin metabolic dysfunctions are the thieves of life.

Consider that on the typical American diet 168 pounds of sugar is consumed on average by each person every year. That is the equivalent of eating over a 5 pound bag of sugar every week. You may be surprised to know that some of those “Healthy” - “complete meals” in your store that say “cholesterol free” or “low fat” – have simply substituted high fructose sugar in place of the fat to help give the food some ‘taste.’ Fat is what makes food taste good.

One Last Predictive Marker for Aging and Premature Aging
Chronic Inflammation:
Previous research has offered evidence suggesting that chronic inflammation is one of the most important biological mechanisms underlying the decline in physical function that is often observed over the aging process. The plasma concentration of interleukin-6 (IL-6), a cytokine that plays a central role in inflammation, tends to normally increase with age. High serum levels of IL-6 are a predictive factor of disability in the elderly.
A measure of levels of interleukin-6 vs your current age can give a good predictive view of where you stand on the ladder of aging. Higher than expected levels can indicate your body is experiencing any number of premature aging changes.

Regaining Health – It’s Not As Hard As You Think
We know that everywhere one looks today is information about all the changes one needs to make in order to regain health. It can all be terribly overwhelming and most of it impossible to accomplish. This is especially true when you attempt to make radical changes to all aspects of your lifestyle.

What we have discovered is that with a few simple (well not so simple) tests, from a Natural (Holistic) Medicine physician (ND) you can tell you if you are looking at premature aging factors and exactly where your metabolism is disordered. Another, easier group of tests by an Orthodox Medicine physician (MD) can determine where if anywhere you stand on the Insulin Resistance – Diabetes II ladder.

From there it looks as if changes to; a healthier diet (less empty carbs, sugars and bad fats;) and a little exercise can not only save your life – reduce or prevent diseases and their complications – restructure causes of degenerative back and neck conditions, but also help to eliminate the pain caused by these conditions while possibly extending the length of life in a “state of health” that would make anyone happy.


It Does Not Have To Be Difficult
No one needs to start with mega sweeping changes. Sure, there are many other changes that can be made, and should be made, eventually – but no one can do it all at the same time. Its important to make a start. The best place to start is to just lose some of the sugar and empty carbs from your diet. Watch your processed food consumption and the use of those unhealthy fats and oils. If you don’t like fish – take salmon oil or other omega 3 oil capsules.

So what if you don’t have the energy or drive to get into “heavy duty exercise” activities. They are not too good for you if you have been inactive for a while. Try some strength training with rubber tubing – it can be fun - and it’s cheap. When you do strength training, you will end up burning fat for hours and even days after your exercise session. Buy an old $10.00 exercise bike at a garage sale – even if you can’t set the “tension” on it any more, it doesn’t matter, just get peddling even for 2 mins, a few times a day. Every time you flex or use a muscle, you decrease its insulin resistance. You would be surprised how fast you begin to feel better, have more energy and develop a desire to get even more active.

Words of Warning. If you can’t afford, or don’t wish to be under the care of a Natural physician, please do not attempt to self-diagnose any type of metabolic imbalance. Do not take self-prescribed vitamins, minerals and the like. In many cases you can make an imbalance and illness worse. Under these circumstances, it is best to attempt to make changes within the body by providing it the nutrient dense food it requires. And a little exercise.

Deciding on which medicine model you wish to use in your health care is very important. Specialized metabolic testing provides the best possible way to ensure you maintain the best possible health. Have a look at our article on the three medical models – it may help you to decide.


Don’t Forget to Use Your Backpack

• Keep your back and neck pain under control with consistent use of the Heat Treat Backpack System, a revolutionary heat pack for back pain, and neck pain. And remember its stress relieving ability during a treatment. Anything you can do to keep pain, inflammation and stress under control will help to stop or improve some important types of metabolic changes that interfere with homeostasis.

We will have more information and other articles that look at how to help your body get healthy enough to heal itself, including fun and easy ways to exercise. Reviews of various diets and what they can and cannot do for you. For now all you need to do is start small. Your body gratefully accepts small changes, and it will reward you for your care.

References:
[1] Thomas Smith, "Insulin: Our Silent Killer", Rev. 2nd Ed. July, 2000 p20 Thomas Smith, PO Box 7685 Loveland Colorado, 80537, Tel: 1 (970) 669-9176 His website: http://www.healingmatters.com
[2] Yeni-Komshian H, Carantoni M, Abbasi F, Reaven GM. Relationship between several surrogate estimates of insulin resistance and quantification of insulin-mediated glucose disposal in 490 healthy, nondiabetic volunteers. Diabetes Care 23:171-175, 2000
Facchini FS, Hua N, Abbasi F, Reaven GM. Insulin resistance as a predictor of age-related diseases. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2001; 86:3574-3578.

Recommended Reading from Here:

There were a number of times we talked about Premature Aging in the above article. For those who would like more information about this we would suggest to go to “Aging and the Mitochondria”. This is one of those “information-heavy” articles we mentioned. We included it for people who wish to evaluate the science behind Aging and Premature Aging. It is more scientific in language, but it is full of excellent information. We also included it so people might evaluate for themselves how we arrived (in part) at our “Concept.” Skip this article if you can take our word that we can back up our information with scientific data.

Comparing the medical models is helpful for making the decision about which model is best equipped to provide you with the health care you need and want.