Although heart disease and cancer still remain our top 2 killers, there is another disease that can definitely shorten your lifespan and that is experiencing unprecedented, explosive growth.

I’m talking about diabetes.  

I remember when I was a kid in the 60s and 70s, diabetes was something that was not all that common.  One of my mother’s friends had it, and all I can remember is that she had to limit sweets. 

Well, once the 80s hit, things started changing dramatically.  Diabetes prevalence rose SEVENFOLD in the 30-year period from 1983 to 2013 and it’s still going up!   

Although the US population also grew during that time period, there was only a 34 percent increase. 

It’s time to call this what it is—an EPIDEMIC—and do something about it! 

The numbers

Currently, about 35 million Americans have diabetes (with the overwhelming majority of those being Type 2), and another 88 million have elevated blood sugar levels (called prediabetes) and likely don’t even know it. 

What in the world is happening? 

Well, to answer that, you need to understand about blood sugar levels, what diabetes really is, and the many factors that are in the diabetes “recipe.” 

Not too much, not too little—just right

Blood sugar (glucose) is essential for all your body’s cells, especially your brain! 

That being said, maintaining proper blood sugar levels is crucial to your health and life, and any variances from “normal” ranges can have devastating consequences.   

Blood sugar levels can be considered abnormal in two ways: 

Hypoglycemia (too little) 

Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) is a blood sugar value of less than 80.   

When your blood sugar plummets to between 60-80, you will feel shaky, jittery, anxious, sweaty, and confused.  If it dips further between 40-60, these symptoms become more severe, and under 40 you may slip into a coma and die.    

Thankfully, when your sugar level drops below 80, hormones come to the rescue--adrenaline helps make more glucose available to your cells, and glucagon helps convert fat into sugar.    

Hyperglycemia (too much) 

Elevated blood sugar (hyperglycemia) is a blood sugar value over 110.   

Chronically elevated blood sugar can lead to heart disease, kidney disease, retinal degeneration/blindness, neuropathy, pain and burning in the extremities, foot ulcers/gangrene, and a high risk of infections. 

Here too your body has a hormonal safety net (insulin) to reduce blood sugar levels…but some people have shortages, plus many others have been pushing the envelope with their pancreas’ insulin production and are facing diabetes. 

Diabetes = too much glucose + too little insulin 

Type 1 diabetes is the less common type of diabetes, representing only 5-10 percent of cases.   

With Type 1 diabetes, there is a problem with the pancreas, causing inadequate insulin production.  Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition; plus it can also result from damage to the pancreas from an injury or illness. 

Type 2 diabetes is the form of diabetes that is exploding off the charts. 

It’s all about supply and demand.  Type 2 diabetes occurs when blood sugar levels are repeatedly higher than what your body needs to burn for energy.  

This forces your pancreas to have to produce increasing amounts of insulin to bring your sugar level down, and eventually it may have trouble keeping up with the demand.   

Insulin resistance adds a twist to this scenario.  After repeatedly being barraged by insulin to absorb the sugar from your bloodstream, eventually your cells become like a saturated sponge, and they simply can’t take in any more sugar—a condition known as insulin resistance.   

Fight back and don’t become a statistic!

To fight back at Type 2 diabetes and avoid becoming a grim statistic, you must address the underlying issues, as well as support your body’s efforts to maintain proper glucose levels! 

Here’s how: 

Start with your diet 

As much as people hate to talk about their diets (believe me, as a nutrition coach, I see it all the time), you simply MUST acknowledge that diet is far and away the number one cause of the Type 2 diabetes explosion.   

To prevent diabetes (and an early death), you should strive to avoid sugars, sweets, grains and starches as much as possible.   

This also includes beverages—especially soda, sweetened coffee and tea drinks, fruit juices, sports drinks and energy drinks.   

Instead concentrate on proteins, healthy fats and non-starchy vegetables (all vegetables except potatoes and corn), and drink plenty of filtered water each day.   

Say no to artificial sweeteners 

Artificial sweeteners promote obesity by increasing hunger and motivating food consumption beyond satiety.  In turn, obesity dramatically increases your risk of Type 2 diabetes. 

If you want a calorie-free sweetener, try stevia. 

Support your microbiome 

Insulin resistance has been linked to imbalances in the gut microbiome.  High levels of harmful bacteria (dysbiosis) in the gut can trigger a cascade of inflammation, weight gain and insulin resistance. 

But a potent, full-spectrum probiotic formula like Super Shield PLUS can help turn that around and support a healthier gut microbiome balance.   

Super Shield PLUS’s complete blend of 15 potent, well-studied probiotic strains will go to work lining your intestinal walls, fighting off harmful bacteria and yeasts, and helping to keep your population of friendly bacteria strong! 

Note that your helpful gut microbes are not “permanent residents”—they only reside inside of you for about 12 days.  So it’s crucial to help maintain their stronghold in your gut environment with probiotic supplementation. 

Move it 

Exercise is probably the second-most dreaded topic for many people (behind your diet), but again you must face facts. 

Regular exercise has been shown to help increase insulin sensitivity in your cells, which is exactly what you need to fight and reverse insulin resistance!   

Pick the activity that’s right for you, get your doctor’s OK, put on those sneakers and get going! 

Get enough sleep 

Studies suggest lacking sleep can raise stress and blood sugar levels, encouraging insulin resistance.   

If you have trouble sleeping, try drinking chamomile tea in the evening (and avoiding caffeine, sugar and alcohol); take a warm bath with Epsom salts; or try our Soothing Zzzz’s Blend melatonin gummies. 

Engage the power of turmeric 

Research has shown that turmeric can help maintain proper blood sugar levels by increasing insulin secretion by the pancreas and supporting the absorption of glucose out of the bloodstream into the cells. 

Let our Optimal Turmeric Blend help support your healthy blood sugar levels!  Each 2-capsule dose provides 750 mg of pure organic turmeric plus black pepper extract for increased absorption. 

Now you have an effective plan to reduce your risk of becoming part of the diabetes epidemic! 

To your health, 

Sherry Brescia