The Effects of Weight and Diabetes

According to Dr. Simeon Margolis, M.D., Ph.D., professor of medicine and biological chemistry at The Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Obesity increases the risk of diabetes, coronary artery disease, high blood pressure, high blood triglycerides, low HDL cholesterol, osteoarthritis, gallbladder disease, sleep apnea and colorectal cancer.Although the exact mechanism varies with the complicating disease, in general, obesity interferes with the action of insulin, the hormone that regulates the level of glucose in the blood. Tissues become insulin- resistant, which causes the pancreas to have to pump out larger and larger amounts of the hormone. It’s thought that high insulin levels adversely affect blood vessels, raise blood triglycerides, lowers HDL cholesterol, and may cause hypertension. If the pancreas wears out because it can’t keep making all that insulin, the person gets diabetes. According to Dr. Margolis: Many studies show that hyperinsulinemia- or high blood insulin levels- can put people at risk for high blood pressure and heart disease. High blood insulin hastens the development of atherosclerosis and enhances the formation of blood clots. This combination may block ablood vessel and cause an ischemic stroke; high blood pressure is the greatest risk factor for the other common types of strokes that rupture bloods vessels in the brain.The Negative Effects of Insulin Several hormones have been directly linked to arterial wall damage and insulin is one of them. Keep in mind that the ingestion of table sugar (sucrose) triggers the release of insulin from the pancreas. Insulin helps transport sugars from the blood stream into the cells where it can be used forenergy. Even though the sugar is utilized rather quickly, insulin may continue to circulate in the blood for hours. Although the exact mechanism isn’t fully understood, insulin somehow promotes the deposition of fats and cholesterol into the walls of arteries. (Lancet 87;1077-1079) (Prog.Cardiovascular Dis. 84;26:355-372)

The three most common complications of diabetes: blindness; amputations; and heart attacks; are all linked to blood vessel damage. Further more, by disrupting blood flow, diabetes has become the number one cause of impotency, as well as, making the diabetic seven times more likely to experience severe kidney damage. Diabetics who are able to control their blood sugar through diet and nutritional methods, rarely experience these complications, whereas those using insulin almost universally do unless they follow all of the guidelines and maintain stable blood sugar levels, exercise regularly and eat a healthy diet. Keep in mind that 85% to 90% for all adult-onset diabetes can be controlled by weight loss and diet alone. Toxins and DiabetesWASHINGTON, Mar 30, 2000(Reuters)