sugars that have infiltrated our modern diets, that delicate balance is drastically disrupted and we experience increased levels of glucose and insulin. This insulin imbalance can be particularly troublesome as we get older. Aging cells become insulin resistant or insulin sensitive so they are unable to absorb the insulin and utilize glucose; blood sugar levels then elevate along with blood pressure and start a downward spiral of age-related diseases like atherosclerosis, hypertension, lipid abnormalities, chronic inflammation, Type 2 Diabetes, obesity and cancer.
Two Major Types of Diabetes
Planning Holiday Celebrations The Healthy Way by Marilyn DeMartini
T
he holidays offer us time and reason to gather with family and friends to celebrate all the goodness in our lives. We take pretty pictures of decorations, smiling faces, hugs and laughter—all while gathered around a bountiful spread of holiday food and toasting each other’s good health with holiday spirits. And that’s where the danger begins. Our bodies endure an approximate two-hour jolt from high glucose and insulin after a normal meal—but that rapid increase is even greater with holiday portions and menus. Glucose-spiking
foods like mashed potatoes, bread stuffing, rolls, corn and multiple desserts and cookies make traditional holiday meals a rollercoaster nightmare for our bloodstream. The pancreas secretes insulin while the liver stores it. Insulin is an important hormone that regulates metabolism and helps our cells to absorb glucose to create energy or store fat. The liver releases insulin to maintain the delicate balance of glucose in our blood, enabling us to utilize the proteins, fats and carbohydrates we eat. However, when we ingest the amounts of addictive simple
Type 1 Diabetes can occur at any age but is most commonly diagnosed from infancy to late 30s. People diagnosed as such find their pancreas produces little to no insulin and the body’s immune system destroys the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. They must inject insulin several times per day or infuse insulin through a pump as well as manage their diet and exercise habits. Type 2 Diabetes has recently become more common in children and in adults over 40. Their bodies still produce insulin but cannot balance insulin and glucose levels, causing metabolic issues that may show no symptoms. However, the imbalance and high levels of insulin and glucose lead to many disorders and even death. Diabetes is reported by the American Diabetes Association as the seventh leading cause of death in the U.S. and they also report
Hepsharat Amadi, M.D., L.Ac Wholistic Family Practice Physician Specializing in: • lntegrative/Functional Medicine • Bio-Identical Hormone Replacement & Western Medicine • Detoxification • Health Optimization & Anti-Aging • Quantum Biofeedback • Medical Marijuana • Allergy Testing & Treatment
Dr. Hepsharat Amadi by appointment only
24
Broward County, Florida
10189 West Sample Rd, Coral Springs, Florida 33065
DrAmadi.com • 954.757.0064 • DrAmadi@DrAmadi.com naBroward.com