Diabetes And Sugar

Diabetes And Sugar

With sugar a common adulterant of all processed foods it is hardly surprising that Diabetes, a disease related to high blood sugar levels is epidemic among Native Americans and at very high rates in the rest of the population.

Although genetic factors are important in the onset of the disease a diet high in refined, processed, fiber-depleted carbohydrates is believed to induce diabetes in susceptible people.

In diabetes defective carbohydrate metabolism results in reduced pancreatic insulin production causing the glucose normally transported by the insulin into cells where it is turned into energy to continue to circulate and accumulate in the blood.

Dangerous symptoms occur when the body attempts to dilute sugar levels in the blood by pulling water from cells.

With the water comes potassium, deficiencies of which may produce coma even death.

The seriousness of the disease cannot be stressed enough and anyone suspecting that they may be pre-or sub-diabetic should immediately seek the care of a physician.

Classic symptoms include increased thirst, hunger and urination. Some describe a sick feeling in their stomach after eating simple refined carbohydrates, at the early stages of lowered pancreatic function.

Dietary treatment that can reduce or eliminate the need for insulin injection will increase the diabetic's ability to avoid serious symptoms and will decrease susceptibility to heart disease, stroke, kidney disease and other common complications.

If you have any of the above symptoms, please seek immediate medical attention.