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Atkins and Diabetes

By: Julia Hanf Diabetes is a disease that affects millions of Americans, children and adults alike. There are two major types of diabetes. Type I is a result of the body's inability to produce insulin, a hormone that allows the body to convert sugars, starches and other food into energy. Type 2 is associated with insulin resistance and insulin deficiency. Unfortunately, most Americans are on the road to this type of diabetes due to a diet of highly-processed, rich foods. However, there are simple detours one can take to manage, delay or prevent Type 2 diabetes.

To begin with, Type II diabetes is a disease that is a direct result of insulin resistance. This means that the body can no longer produce sufficient insulin to lower blood sugar levels. In youth, our bodies were able to digest and metabolize food more efficiently. A then-healthy pancreas worked to produce and release adequate amounts of insulin, no matter how many carbohydrates or sugar we ate. Of course, there may have been other consequences of unhealthy eating habits such as weight gain or mood swings but it didn't matter that much at the time.

However, as adults, the more sugar and carbohydrates we consume, the harder our pancreas has to work. Foods high in refined sugar and processed carbohydrates create a surge of glucose in our blood stream. The pancreas releases large amounts of insulin in response to the surge. Our bodies react by releasing adrenaline to correct the imbalance. Thus a pattern of sugar-insulin spikes and valleys is created. The longer our bodies continue in this pattern, the more likely we are to develop pre-diabetes and full blown Type II.

A large part of the problem is the average American diet. Hidden sugars and highly processed carbohydrates work against our body's natural metabolic processes. Certain foods are known to have a high-glycemic index. A glycemic index is a number that refers to the effect a carbohydrate has on our blood sugar levels. The higher the number, the more insulin the pancreas has to produce to convert the sugar into usable energy. Unfortunately, the American diet is rich in high-glycemic index foods.

The Atkins diet was designed to assist individuals wanting to lose weight, reduce cholesterol levels or control blood sugar fluctuations. The Atkins diet emphasizes a high protein, low carb diet. Carbohydrates have the most impact on blood-sugar levels. Depending on how efficiently they are metabolized, a carbohydrate is ranked with either high or low-glycemic index. The higher the rank, the more insulin the pancreas has to produce to convert the sugar to energy.

After years of using a high-carbohydrate diet, you will finally become fully diabetic. Insulin is the body's primary fat creator and extra pounds usually accompany late onset diabetes. Pre-diabetic conditions, if not treated effectively, will lead to diabetes indefinitely.

The Atkins diet directs a person through three stages that will allow them to regain control of their blood sugar levels, cholesterol levels and weight problems. These include the Introductory Stage, Ongoing Weight-loss Stage, and the Pre-maintenance/Maintenance Stage. Good carbohydrates or low-glycemic index carbs are used to supplement the program and provide energy to the individual. The result is a manageable, healthy eating plan that does not lead Americans to obesity or other serious health risks.

The Atkins diet helps effectively control blood sugar. The combination of proteins, fats and good carbohydrates will keep your body satisfied without the roller coaster effect. Controlling carbohydrates in quantity as well as type will help limit the insulin spikes. This will let your pancreas work in the way that it was meant to be, and it will decrease the likelihood of your developing pre-diabetic conditions. It's a vicious cycle that, if left unchecked, can lead to diabetes later in life. When the Atkins diet is followed effectively it produces stable blood sugar throughout the day and helps you stay off the road to diabetes.

Article Source: http://www.lifeweightloss.com

Julia Hanf author of the book How To Play the Diabetes Diet Game and Win Through a real life crisis Julia figured out how to live diabetes free. Visit www.yourdiabetescure.com and learn more about your solution for diabetes.

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