Solving the Diabetes Puzzle

Obesity is public health epidemic worldwide. Obesity can be linked to almost every lifestyle related disease known to man, from cancer to heart disease and everything in between. However in this article I will focus solely on Type 2 Diabetes. From the central location of fat around the belly in men, to yo-yo dieting obesity can almost always be directly linked to Type 2 Diabetes. The nice thing about diabetes if there is one, is that in many cases it can be avoided and in almost all cases managed.

THE PIECES

Resent research shows that the Type 2 Diabetic has increased levels of plasma-free fatty acid concentrations in their blood. These patients also show higher concentrations of Cytokines, Leptin and an increased level of the newly discovered protein called Resistin. But how can we decrease these levels? How can we cure or control diabetes?

THE GOOD NEWS

Recent studies suggest that even a modest loss of body weight, say 10% will drastically have an effect on diabetes and insulin resistance. It does not matter how we accomplish this weight loss. This weight loss can be done by simple lifestyle changes (diet and exercise) or through medical intervention (surgery and medication). In either case, this weight loss has shown in study after study a significant improvement of insulin resistance and improvement in diabetes control. The treatment and the control of obesity is an essential part in the management of patients with type 2 diabetes.

EASIER SAID THAN DONE

Ok so we understand that weight loss is the single most important part in controlling or even avoiding the onset of diabetes. But how do you get started? Research has shown that setting a small and manageable goal is key-crucial in any successful lifestyle change or weigh loss endeavor. The first step is to see your doctor and discuss a diet and exercise regimen. Once you have the medical clearance you should get started right away, the sooner the better. Begin with a simple caloric reduction and exercise program using this simple formula below.

THE FORMULA

3500 calories = 1 pound of body weight. A simple reduction of 250 calories a day (one soft drink) X 7 days = 1750 calories a week and or a half a pound of body weight lost. Now if you add a gentle 30 minute walking routine that burns say another 250 calories a day X 7 days that’s another 1750 calories burned and or another half pound of body weight lost. Now you are losing 1 lb per week. If we run this out over a year’s time that’s 52 lbs lost, give or take a few pounds for the holidays and an occasional stumble along the way.

This guest post is contributed by Alexis Bonari, she regularly writes on the topic of onlinedegrees.

Comments from Cyn Bagley - editor of Sierra Sage - Most vasculitis diseases use high dosages of prednisone to get the disease under control. In this usage of prednisone, vasculitis patients can have problems with gaining high levels of weight and diabetes. Alexis Bonari has given us some great points to remember when dealing with diabetes and our own disease. Those who have induced diabetes from prednisone, remember there are resources to help with diabetes diets. You don't have to go it alone.

Gamma Globulins and me

The last half a year I have been talking to several doctors about white blood cells and my lowered gamma globulins. Because of my vasculitis disease and chemo-suppressed immune system, my rheumatologist wanted to make sure that I didn't need a transfusion to bring up the gamma globulin levels.

The gamma globulins are part of the immune system. And believe me, I have a hard time trying to say it. Of course this new concern meant that I needed to see an immunologist. The Encarta dictionary defines immunology as the study of the immune system: the scientific study of the way the immune system works in the body, including allergies, resistance to disease, and acceptance or rejection of foreign tissue.

It also means that I went to get a lot of blood labs done after I had a flu shot, H1N1 shot, and pneumonia shot. After a lot of discussion of what I needed to do to keep my immune system in balance, my immunologist (Dr. Shapiro) sent me to a top immunologist (Dr. Goetzl), who was practicing in UCSF (University of California, San Francisco) Medical Center.

Although the trip to get to this place was long and arduous, and although the medical center was in the middle of downtown San Francisco, I did have an enjoyable time with Dr. Goetzl. I will not say the same to the strange up and down, one-way streets that had lanes that went kitty-corner to other streets. Even with a map we got lost at least once.

I will be nice and say the scenery was beautiful and I really enjoyed seeing the San Francisco bridge. It brought back memories of my early childhood when we lived near Oakland and would used to go to downtown San Francisco to ride the trolleys and eat the food.

There were a few interesting things that I learned about from Dr. Goetzl other than our scientists know very little about the immune system. One of the things I learned was that if you have a compromised immune system, if you try to bring it back, it might bring back the auto-immune disease. Also because I have a compromised immune system, I will always deal with tiredness and fatigue caused by an overworked immune system.

He did mention that a person with auto-immune disease should take extra vitamins because it is hard to absorb nutrients. Once again he pointed to the cytotoxic drugs that are used to keep the disease under control.

It was a great visit. Thankfully I didn't need to do any more blood tests, plus if I ever need to talk to an immunologist again, I pick him. He takes some complex subjects and is able to tell it in laymen terms. He didn't talk down to me. Our conversation was person to person instead of doctor to patient. I like that.

So the point is no more transfusions-- yet.