Just 50 years ago, less than 3 million Americans suffered from type 2 diabetes, a condition that, in its time, was a rarity mainly treated in hospitals. Fast forward to 2014 and now we’re dealing with a staggering epidemic–a chronic disease affecting nearly 30 million Americans.
And it’s expected to get worse.
“The incidence of type II diabetes has been rising among all Americans, but especially seniors,” says Craig Desoer, M.D., who practices family medicine at the Pittsburg Health Center in Pittsburg, CA. “Because of increasing amounts of body fat, and depending on ones genetic makeup, the body may eventually become resistant to insulin. So, glucose becomes trapped in the blood, levels start to rise, and diabetes sets in.”
And the cure for diabetes? Ask this question to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and they’ll say it doesn’t exist. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) agrees too, along with countless scientists and doctors in the United States.
But a group of doctors aren’t so sure yet.
Why Diabetes May Be Reversible
For most scientists, they all agree about one thing: Diabetes can’t be cured. But for a group of doctors from the Duke Lifestyle Medicine Clinic, led by renown diabetes specialist Dr. Eric Westman, a cure does exist–just not in pill form.
“Diabetes and obesity is complicated,” says Westman. “There are lots of factors that are involved, but most experts agree that it’s the foods and the beverages that people eat that are the major cause for diabetes and obesity in the U.S., and so that should be the major focus of treatment.”
Westman’s treatment isn’t a matter of simple calorie counting and exercise, however–he takes it a step further by eliminating sugar and increasing the intake of fat, something he believes fixes the insulin imbalance caused by an out-of-control sugar intake.
“I took someone off 180 units of insulin for their diabetes in two days,” says Westman. “And the doctor, the clinical doctors, put him on insulin without addressing the food component, the cause from the foods. I instructed him to take away all the sugars, the starches in the foods and in the drinks. He never needed insulin again. It’s pretty amazing.”
For one particular client, Janet Huffstetler, she also feels this diet helped her overcome diabetes–in a way that made her feel good again. Eight years ago, doctors diagnosed her with diabetes, the same illness that made her uncle blind.
Seeing how it was taking over her life as well, Huffstetler decided not to become a statistic–and visited Westman at the Duke Lifestyle Medicine Clinic.
There, Westman recommended his diet, and within days she began to see changes.
“I was insulin-dependent, five injections a day,” says Huffsteler. “The third day of my diet my blood sugar dropped to 150 and I asked Dr. Westman, ‘What should I do about my insulin?’ I didn’t want to go over. And he said, ‘Get off of it.'”
Although taking sugar out of her diet wasn’t easy–like many diabetics, Huffstetler was fond of sugary treats–she maintained the diet and lost 20 pounds in just three months. But what’s even more remarkable is that she was also able to stop using her diabetes drugs, a $400 expense that took a huge toll on her finances.
“Now I was so amazed with this program,” she says. “After a while you don’t crave those things any more. You don’t want it.”
What You Should Do
If diabetes too is taking a toll on your physical or mental health, defeating the disease may just be one diet away–by taking the sugar out of your diet and replacing it with fat. Make sure to do this under doctor’s supervision however, like Huffstetler.
Readers: Do you think diets can cure illnesses?
Sources:
Why Diabetes is On the Rise – CCHealth.org
Dump Sugar, Eat Fat, and Cure Diabetes – CBN.com
About The Author: Zero to Hero Fitness
Our mission at Zero to Hero Fitness is to help you to finally lose the weight and keep it off, strengthen your body and mind, and experience naturally high levels of energy throughout the day. We believe everyone, regardless of your past or current struggles with your health or fitness, can greatly improve on your existing condition and live life in your best body possible.