Got weed?

Whether you’re a pot smoker or not, there are clear benefits of regular marijuana use.  A new study published The American Journal Of Medicine, which was conducted by epidemiologist at Harvard School of Public Health, the University of Nebraska College of Medicine, and Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center have found that regular use of marijuana has clear beneficial metabolic effects for diabetics.

This specific study looked at marijuana use and its affects on fasting insulin, glucose levels, and insulin resistance.  It examined previous statistic from 4,600 plus individuals in the U.S. – 12% of participants were regular pot users and 46% of participants were previous pot users, and 42% had never used pot.

The research indicated that pot smokers have a smaller waist circumference and higher HDL (good) cholesterol than non-users.  Marijuana users also had a 16% decrease in insulin levels and 17% increase in insulin resistance.

At this time, the mechanics of how marijuana impacts these factors (waist circumference, insulin levels, and insulin resistance) are not completely clear but it is likely related to marijuana’s affect on the cannabinoid receptors in the brain inducing positive neurological, cardiovascular, and hormonal changes.

Medical Marijuana Use

Currently there are over 18 million Americans who are regular marijuana users (2-3 million are registered medical users) and 19 states and the District of Columbia (and 10 pending legislation approval) that have legalized the use of marijuana for medical purposes.

Marijuana or medically known as Cannabis sativa was once viewed and used as “medicine” no longer than a century ago, not as the illegal drug that it is today. It was used for hundreds of years to help with pain, stress relief, headaches, mood enhancement, appetite stimulant, nausea, insomnia, and dozens of other uses.

With the increased use of marijuana for recreational and medical purposes, researchers are turning their focus on understanding the positive therapeutic effects of cannabis.

You can read the full study titled “The Impact of Marijuana Use on Glucose, Insulin, and Insulin Resistance among US Adults“ via the The American Journal of Medicine.

Let me know you thoughts, questions, or opinions.  Leave them below…

We have all heard the dietary advice that you must eat a “low-fat, low-cholesterol” diet to stay healthy and prevent heart disease and other chronic conditions. It has been promoted as the “go-to” dietary recommendation for over five decades.

Tens of millions of people and dozens of food companies have followed suit with this BAD advice.  The store shelves to this day are stocked full of “low-fat” foods and millions of people still follow a low-fat diet, thinking it will improve their health, when it really won’t.

Let’s face the facts, “low-fat, low-cholesterol” doesn’t work as a diet.  Obesity is an ever-growing pandemic and type 2 diabetes is spreading like wild-fire.

Current research proves that the total amount of fat in your diet is NOT linked to ANY disease/illness or weight gain.  Actually, it’s the carbohydrates in your diet that are linked to heart disease, chronic diseases, and weight gain (whole other subject on its own).

The important thing to focus on is the type of fat that you are consuming in your diet.

There are 3 categories of fats that we can choose to consume:

• Saturated fats
• Trans fats
• Unsaturated fats

Let’s examine each of these more closely…

Saturated Fats

These are the fats that are solid at room temperature. They can be found butter, animal meats, coconut oil and dairy products. Despite what you may have heard.  Saturated fats are NOT bad for you!  They are what we call a “neutral” fat. This is not giving you permission to start eating sticks of butter and pounds of bacon in a sitting.

Again it depends on your source of saturated fats.  I recommend getting your saturated fats from “grass-fed” animals and from natural sources.  Saturated fats are balanced in Omega-3 to Omega-6 ratio, great source of vitamins (A,D,E,K, K2), great source of lauric acid, medium chain triglycerides, and CLA.

If you are diabetic, consuming about 20%-30% of your diet from saturated fats can help reduce inflammation, thus help with blood sugar control.

Here is list of saturated fats I recommend:

•      Coconut oil
•      Grass-fed butter
•      Grass-fed beef or bison
•      Raw milk from pastured cows
•      MCT oil

Trans Fats

Trans fatty acids or hydrogenated fats are simply “evil”. These fats are chemically altered to prevent spoiling (increase shelf life) and to prevent breakdown from high heat temperatures (allowing them to be reused).  They are linked to an increase risk of heart disease, insulin resistance, stroke, and other chronic conditions.

You can find trans fats in margarine, most processed foods, salad dressings, shortening, junk foods (pizza dough, pie crust, cookies, biscuits, crackers), and many of the foods at fast food restaurants.  I caution you to read all food labels in the grocery store and ask how your food was cooked when eating out.

Unsaturated Fats

Unsaturated fat is liquid at room temperature and are mostly from plants sources. Unsaturated fats are “good fats” because they can improve blood cholesterol levels, ease inflammation, protect your heart, and offer many other health benefits.

These fats should make up 20-30% of your diet.

There are 2 types of unsaturated fats:

• Monounsaturated fats – found in high concentrations in olive, peanut, canola oils. Also nuts such as almonds, hazelnuts, and pecans. As well as, seeds such as pumpkin and sesame seeds. Lastly, my favorite hass avocadoes.

• Polyunsaturated fats – found in high concentrations in flaxseed oil/seed, walnuts/walnut oil, and many fish/seafood.

The two types of polyunsaturated fats are omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids.

• Omega-3 fatty acids are found in foods from plants like chia seeds, flax seeds, walnuts, and oils such as flaxseed and canola. They are also found in fatty fish and shellfish like salmon, anchovies, herring, sardines, Pacific oysters, trout, Atlantic mackerel, and Pacific mackerel as eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). EPA and DHA help with cardiovascular health, brain function, and the nervous system.

• Omega-6 fatty acids are found mostly in liquid vegetable oils like soybean oil, corn oil, and safflower oil. Which I DON’T recommend consuming because they lead to increased inflammation.

Choosing foods with healthy fats (saturated, monounsaturated, and polyunsaturated) and avoiding trans fat is the key points here. You want about a total of 40-50% of your diet from healthy fats.  Following this prescription can improve your lipid profile, reduce your chances of chronic diseases, prevent inflammation and keep you diabetes in check.

 References

Appel L, Sacks F, Carey V, et al. Effects of protein, monounsaturated fat, and carbohydrate intake on blood pressure and serum lipids: results of the OmniHeart randomized trial. JAMA. 2005;294:2455-64

Beresford S, Johnson K, Ritenbaugh C, et al. Low-fat dietary pattern and risk of colorectal cancer: the Women’s Health Initiative Randomized Controlled Dietary Modification Trial. JAMA. 2006;295:643-54.

Howard B, Manson J, Stefanick M, et al. Low-fat dietary pattern and weight change over 7 years: the Women’s Health Initiative Dietary Modification Trial. JAMA. 2006;295:39-49.

Howard B, Van Horn L, Hsia J, et al. Low-fat dietary pattern and risk of cardiovascular disease: the Women’s Health Initiative Randomized Controlled Dietary Modification Trial. JAMA. 2006;295:655-66.

Mente A, de Koning L, Shannon HS, Anand SS. A systematic review of the evidence supporting a causal link between dietary factors and coronary heart disease. Arch Intern Med. 2009;169:659-69.

Sacks FM, Bray GA, Carey VJ, et al. Comparison of weight-loss diets with different compositions of fat, protein, and carbohydrates. N Engl J Med. 2009;360:859-73.

Mozaffarian D, Micha R, Wallace S. Effects on coronary heart disease of increasing polyunsaturated fat in place of saturated fat: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. PLoS Med. 2010;7:e1000252.

. Mozaffarian D, Hao T, Rimm EB, Willett WC, Hu FB. Changes in diet and lifestyle and long-term weight gain in women and men. N Engl J Med. 2011;364:2392-404.

. Hooper L, Summerbell CD, Thompson R, et al. Reduced or modified dietary fat for preventing cardiovascular disease. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2011:CD002137.

Siri-Tarino PW, Sun Q, Hu FB, Krauss RM. Saturated fatty acids and risk of coronary heart disease: modulation by replacement nutrients. Curr Atheroscler Rep. 2010;12:384-90.

Hu FB. Are refined carbohydrates worse than saturated fat? Am J Clin Nutr. 2010;91:1541-2.

A neurotoxin can be defined as an external substance that inhibits the neuron function.  Neurons transmit information through electrical and chemical signals, which are the core components of the nervous system – brain, spinal cord, and peripheral ganglia.

Neurons control touch, sound, muscle contraction, and hormone-secreting glands. When your neurons are not functioning properly, neither is your entire body.

Neurotoxins are found in a majority of foods found in your local grocery store. These toxins can lead to symptoms like migraine headaches,  asthma, sleep irregularity, anxiety and depression, fatigue, and have even been linked to disorder like Alzheimer’s and ALS.

I See You

Neurotoxins are found often labeled as “food additives” in many processed foods.  If it’s packaged, it likely contains at least one or more food additives that are toxic.

Some of the most common neurotoxins most people have heard of are Monosodium Glutamate (MSG), Aspartame, Sucralose, and Fluoride, which can be found in hundreds of products.

This leads me to stress the importance of reading food labels.

Look for the following ingredients:

I know this seems like a long list of items to always watch out for… which it is.  That is why we at The Diabetes Authority are proponents of avoiding ALL processed and many pre-packaged food items.  Food manufactures try to be deceptive it their processing and packaging of food so it is best to just avoid them all together.   Whether a product is labeled “healthy”, “natural”, “all natural”, it couldn’t be further from the truth, so don’t fall victim to clever marketing tactics and corporate propaganda.

If it is canned, frozen, bagged, bottled, boxed, wrapped, in a carton, or offered in a take home dish or container needs to be closely examined, most of them contain harmful neurotoxins. If you suspect a product may have added flavoring, definitely read the label. It will make you nauseous how many products that you likely consume fall into this category.

Resources:

Excitotoxins, The Taste That Kills by Russell Blaylock, M.D., and Is This Your Child? by Doris Rapp, M.D.

http://www.cspinet.org/reports/chemcuisine.htm

http://agriculturesociety.com/tag/neurotoxin/

Most of the aspartame that is consumed today is in the form of diet sodas – Diet Coke, Coke Zero, Diet Pepsi, Pepsi max, Sprite Zero, 7up Free.  Most people believe that this is better alternative to regular soda, thinking it will help them lose weight or prevent weight gain.  But does it really?

Here are the dangerous facts about consuming aspartame:

1. Regular consumption of aspartame has been shown to increase tumors, specifically brain tumors.  The chemical components that make up aspartame are converted to formaldehyde in the brain wrecking damage on your brain tissue.  Similar effects have been seen in laboratory tests with animals.

2. When you consume a product with aspartame, your brain actually craves more of it because your body receives no satisfaction. This can actually contribute to not only overeating and weight gain, but also an addiction to artificial sweeteners.

3. A 22 year human study of aspartame found a clear association between aspartame consumption and non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma and leukemia in men; leukemia was also associated with diet soda intake in both sexes

4. Aspartame is an unnatural chemical structure (not found anywhere in nature) that your body doesn’t know how to handle. It causes toxic cellular overstimulation aka excitotoxicity which damages all cells (especially brain cells).  Similar to Monosodium Glutamate (MSG), which is also found in thousands of products.

5. Aspartame has been included on the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) roster of the pollutants likely contributing to increases in learning disabilities, autism and related neurological disorders like lupus and MS, which have dramatically increased since the introduction of aspartame.  Coincidence?

Here is a list of other side effects that can occur with aspartame consumption:

• Headaches
• Ear buzzing
• Dizziness
• Nausea and gastrointestinal problems
• Weakness
• Vertigo
• Chills
• Memory lapses
• Numbness
• Shooting pains in the extremities
• Behavioral disturbances
• Neuritis.
• Vision problems – misty vision, progressive contraction of visual fields, blurring of vision, obscuration of vision, retinal damage, and blindness.

Aspartame is the number one source of side-effect complaints to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), with over 10,000 complaints filed and over 91 symptoms documented that are related to its consumption. I know what you’re thinking.  Yes, it’s still allowed on the market!

What’s a safe alternative?

Stevia or Lo Han (derived from monk fruit), both of which are safe natural sweeteners. If you struggle diabetes or extra weight, then you have insulin sensitivity issues and would highly benefit from avoiding ALL sweeteners.

References:

1. http://beverageinstitute.net/us/article/aspartame-safety-adi-metabolism-estimated-intakes-and-common-concerns/
2. http://www.greenmedinfo.com/toxic-ingredient/aspartame
3. http://ajcn.nutrition.org/content/early/2012/10/23/ajcn.111.030833.abstract
4. http://www.madehow.com/Volume-3/Aspartame.html
5. http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2011/08/03/just-how-bad-is-aspartame.aspx

One of nutrient that most of us are deficient in is chromium, especially diabetics.  About 90% of the population is deficient in this nutrient.

Let us breakdown the 8 reasons why diabetics should supplement chromium in their diet.  Before we do that, let us explain what chromium is?

What is Chromium?

Chromium is a naturally occurring mineral found in your body and in trace amounts in foods (meat, poultry, vegetables, and fish).   This nutrient is vitally important in the regulation of blood sugar and balancing blood sugar from the foods you eat.

So how can supplementing chromium benefit a diabetic?

When your body is deficient in chromium the insulin function in your body is not at optimal levels and is unable to handle sugar properly.   This results in poor blood sugar control.

Besides the main benefit of helping with blood sugar control, chromium has a list of health benefits.

1. Chromium picolinate supplementation has been shown to decrease weight gain and fat accumulation in type 2 diabetics.
2. High doses of chromium have demonstrated the ability to lower cholesterol and triglycerides.
3. It has been shown to improve moods in individuals who experience mild depression.
4. Helps with food cravings and appetite control.
5. Boost energy levels.
6. Prevent acme and skin blemishes.
7. Increase muscular strength.

So how much should you take?

Consider a dosage of 200 micrograms (mcg) of chromium polynicotinate in tablet form before or during a meal. Taking it with other supplements or meds may interfere with its’ effectiveness.  Use a high quality supplement, is possible, look for the Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) certified symbol or any other quality assurance seals/symbols.  This will prevent you from wasting your money and ensure your body is getting what the bottle label says.

You may need to adjust your medications (if on any) when taking chromium, so visit your doctor first.  You will likely decrease your dependence for medication to control your blood sugar. Overtime through diet modification, lifestyle changes, and supplementation with chromium, you could eventually wean yourself from using meds at all.

1. Yazaki Y, Faridi Z, Ma Y, et al. A pilot study of chromium picolinate for weight loss. J Altern Complement Med 2010;16:291-9.
2. John-Kalarickal J, Pearlman G, Carlson HE. New medications which decrease levothyroxine absorption. Thyroid 2007;17:763-5.
3. Singer GM, Geohas J. The effect of chromium picolinate and biotin supplementation on glycemic control in poorly controlled patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: a placebo-controlled, double-blinded, randomized trial. Diabetes Technol Ther 2006;8:636-43.
4. Lydic ML, McNurlan M, Bembo S, et al. Chromium picolinate improves insulin sensitivity in obese subjects with polycystic ovary syndrome. Fertil Steril 2006;86:243-6.
5. Martin J, Wang ZQ, Zhang XH, et al. Chromium picolinate supplementation attenuates body weight gain and increases insulin sensitivity in subjects with type 2 diabetes. Diabetes Care 2006;29:1826-32.
6. Kleefstra N, Houweling ST, Jansman FG, et al. Chromium treatment has no effect in patients with poorly controlled, insulin-treated type 2 diabetes in an obese Western population: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Diabetes Care 2006;29:521-5.
7. Wani S, Weskamp C, Marple J, Spry L. Acute tubular necrosis associated with chromium picolinate-containing dietary supplement. Ann Pharmacother 2006;40:563-6.
8. Wise A. Chromium supplementation and diabetes. JAMA 1978;240:2045-6.
9. Freund H, Atamian S, Fischer JE. Chromium deficiency during total parenteral nutrition. JAMA 1979;241:496-8.

Here is the profoundness of all this; the human body is two-thirds water, the brain is 95% water, the blood circulating in your body is 82% water, and your lungs are 90% water.  You kind of see the connection water has to everything?

We all know that several days without water results in a painful death.   A slight drop in our body’s supply of water (just 2%), or better known as dehydration, results in memory loss and confusion, fatigue and lack of muscle control.

If those aren’t reasons enough to make sure you are staying hydrated, here are 7 Reasons Why You NEED to Drink Water.

1.     Water is the WD-40 for the body.  Water acts as a lubricant.  It helps with digestion and all major bodily functions.  It facilitates saliva production which helps with chewing and swallowing and the digestion process. It also helps lubricate our joints and cartilages, thus allowing them to function properly.

 2.     Water regulates body temperature.  Blood plasma is 92% water, it plays a vital role in maintaining a pH balance, moving antibodies from the immune system, and helps regulate osmolality which regulates your body temperature – preventing you from over-heating or freezing.

 3.     Water is the garbage man taking out the trash.  It removes dangerous toxins from your body through urination and sweat. Water helps relieve and prevent constipation, aiding in bowel movements which removes other toxins in the gastrointestinal tract (GI).  As waste sits in your bowels (which is what happens with constipation), it seeps out into the bloodstream through the capillaries in the GI tract causing the body to become a toxic environment.  This can lead to fatigue to skin problems to cancer.

 4.     Water is the delivery man.  Since a majority of your blood is water, it carries important nutrients and oxygen throughout the body. Most of the foods we consume are broken down into water-soluble form and then “delivered” through the capillaries within the intestines into the blood, where the nutrients and oxygen can be “dropped off” throughout the body and used, maintaining proper bodily functions.

 5.     Water prevents fat storage and controls your blood sugar levels.  Without adequate amounts of water, the glucose from food remains in the bloodstream (high blood sugar levels) and then is stored as fat once reaching the liver.  Also when you are dehydrated, your body will pull water from inside cells (including fat cells) in effort to compensate for the lack thereof.  Lack of water inside fat cells result in an inability to metabolize fat for energy.

 6.     Water “superman” to your heart and blood vessels.  Insufficient amounts of water in the bloodstream results in the closing of capillaries, making your blood thicker, thus making you more susceptible to clotting, making it difficult to circulate blood through the vascular system.  This could result in hypertension, elevated cholesterol and triglycerides, and ultimately heart disease.

 7.     Water is a natural “Jenny Craig” for the body.  As mention earlier, it helps metabolize fat for energy and prevents fat from being stored in the body.  But, water also acts an appetite suppressor, preventing you from consuming unnecessary amounts of food.   Drinking 16-24oz about 20-30 minutes before a meal could decrease your food intake by half.  

There are 3 ways we humans get water in our bodies – food intake, fluid intake, and as by-product of metabolism.  But the obvious best source is through drinking water alone.

We recommend getting your water through a high quality filter (Absolute 1 micron filtration or ozonation filters) or bottled filtered water to eliminate metals and other potentially harmful contaminants.  Also artesian/spring water and mineral water can be good quality sources with very low levels of contamination.

If you are limited to tap water, contact your local water utility. The Environmental Protection Agency requires all water suppliers to issue an annual report to their customers, called a Consumer Confidence Report.

Learn more:

Look for your water report on the EPA’s local drinking water information page at www.epa.gov/safewater/dwinfo/index.html.  If it’s not posted there, call your water company and ask for a copy.

Find out how to read and understand your water report with a guide from NSF International, a standard-setting and product certification organization for food, water, and consumer goods. You can download the guide at www.nsf.org/consumer/drinking_water/dw_quality.asp?program=WaterTre

If you would like to find out more great information on what to do to better manage, control, and even reverse the ill effects Type 2 diabetes in your life, GO to TheBloodSugarBlueprint.com

Animal sources of protein have the highest nutrient quality, compared to all other protein sources.  But there are some non-animal sources of protein that are great to consume on a regular basis as well.

Protein (animal and non) assist the body in weight control.  It can also help with disease prevention through controlling cholesterol, blood sugar levels, and inflammation.

Getting adequate amounts of quality protein is a MUST for diabetics.  So, we want to provide you with the 5 best sources of protein for you.

• Eggs – They supply a large amount of complete, high-quality protein (containing  all essential amino acids for humans), and provide significant amounts of several vitamins and minerals, including vitamin A, riboflavin, folic acid, vitamin B6, vitamin B12, choline, iron, calcium, phosphorous and potassium. They are also one of the least expensive single-food sources of complete protein.  Adding eggs in your meals/snacks helps sustain your energy level and curb hunger, cravings and unhealthy snacking.

• Organic Grass Fed Beef – Not only a very good source of protein. It serves as a good source of vitamin B12 and B6, needed by the body to convert the potentially dangerous chemical homocysteine to benign molecules.  Organic beef is a good source of selenium and zinc, which are antioxidants that help reduce inflammation, protect the immune system and cardiovascular system.  Grass-fed beef is higher in Omega-3 fatty acids, which have been found to reduce risk of heart disease ( don’t worry it does NOT raise total blood cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol levels). Also, beef is rich in phosphorous and iron. Phosphorous is necessary for strong teeth and bones and iron helps carry oxygen in the blood, to all cells and muscles and prevents fatigue.

• Whey Protein – Whey protein comes from cow’s milk, is efficiently digested and absorbed and is the most nutritious protein available.  There are 2 types of whey protein,  isolate whey  is the most pure form (it contains 90 percent or more protein) and it has little to no fat, lactose or cholesterol. Whey concentrate has anywhere between 29 to 89 percent protein, and as the protein level decreases, the amount of fat and lactose increases (so be aware if you purchase). Whey protein is a rich source of naturally occurring branched chain amino acids, which are important for those who have an active lifestyle.  The high concentrations of branched chain amino acids are specifically responsible for the whey protein’s optimal maintenance and repair of muscle tissue. Glutamine and leucine help stimulate protein synthesis after exercise and reduce tissue damage and improve endurance. Cystine helps to produce glutathione, an antioxidant which helps to maintain muscle mass.   You can find whey protein in snack and energy bars, pre-made shakes and powders, and also pills.

• Organic Turkey – A nutritional powerhouse!  Turkey is loaded with B vitamins, phosphorus, potassium, iron, and zinc.  Plus it’s rich in selenium, an antioxidant necessary for thyroid metabolism and boosting immunity.  A serving of turkey meat has 36 percent of the daily allowance of Vitamin B3 or niacin, which plays a critical role in the processing of fats in the body and 27 percent of your recommended intake of B6, a vitamin that helps maintain steady blood sugar levels.  Plus the neurotransmitter serotonin is made from tryptophan. Serotonin helps to improve mood and eating food such as turkey can improve your mood.  So don’t just think of turkey during your holiday season, it can be an all year-round choice.

• Hemp – Yes, I said “hemp!”  Hemp protein can supply any diet with a vegetarian source of essential fatty acids, antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, fiber, chlorophyll and a complete, balanced gluten-free source of the essential amino acids.  Hemp protein supplies enough of each of the essential amino acids to meet the human body’s requirements. It is a quality source of the sulphur-containing amino acids methionine and cysteine, both of which are needed in the production of vital enzymes. Hemp protein also contains relatively high levels of the branched-chain amino acids that are crucial in the repair and growth of lean body mass.

Edestin (found in hemp) is a type of plant protein that is similar to protein found in the human body, and aids in meeting the body’s cellular needs for things like DNA repair. Since much of hemp’s protein structure resembles that found in human blood, hemp protein is very easily digested and utilized. Also, another one-third of hemp’s protein is albumin, another high quality protein also found in egg whites.  In addition, the fat in hemp is also one of the few food sources of the fatty acid known as gamma-linolenic acid (GLA). GLA is showing promise in helping the fight against chronic diseases (like diabetes).

You probably already know that refined, processed carbohydrates are not great choices of foods to pick from (given what we have informed you of in our past posts) when you are planning a meal/snack.

Today we want to take some of the guesswork out of your diabetic diet.  We are going to focus on the 3 most dangerous foods for diabetics.  These foods not only cause your blood sugar levels to rise but a result in plethora of health problems if consumed for a long period of time.

1. Fruit. A lot of fruit that are produced nowadays are larger and sweeter than in the past (new farming methods and fertilizers) due to the large global demand of our ever-growing population. As a result the concentration of fructose in these fruits is higher than fruits in the wild. Fructose is a monosaccharide, aka simple sugar.  It is processed differently than other sugars. Fructose is processed in the liver and then converted to very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL), which contains high amounts of triglycerides and cholesterol.

Having a high VLDL level means you may have an increased risk of coronary artery disease, which can lead to a heart attack. Higher amounts and large VLDL particles are also associated with an increased risk of high blood pressure and stroke.

Along with increased VLDL production, fructose can lead to inflammation, insulin resistance (further diabetic complications) high blood pressure, abdominal obesity, oxidative stress, renal damage, and increased production of uric acid (gout).  It also contributes to fatty deposits on the liver similar to effects of alcohol.

Let me stress, eating SMALL amounts of whole fruits is perfectly fine if you are diabetic (2-3s servings a week), the best fruits are small berries and coconut due to their high antioxidant, nutrient, and bioflavonoid content. But you MUST avoid any products with high-fructose corn syrup.

2. Dairy.  Pasteurized milk products (majority of products in grocery stores) have caused more health problems than we humans care to think about. In fact, pasteurized milk products are the #1 allergic food in the U.S.

Today’s cow’s milk contains 50-60 plus hormones, along with allergens, pain killer drugs, and antibiotics. Once milk has been pasteurized it offers little in return as far as nutrition goes. Valuable enzymes, vitamins (A, C, B6, B12), and amino acids are destroyed. Also, that vitamin D that you “need” from milk is a synthetic replacement (known to be toxic to the liver), an additive.

Remember all those commercials promoting milk for weight loss?  Well, the truth is: the sugar found in milk, lactose actually promotes the body to store fat.

Here is a list of other related health issues associated with dairy products:

• Diarrhea
• Cramps
• Bloating
• Gastrointestinal bleeding
• Respiratory congestion
• Heart disease
• Ear infections in children
• Breast, prostate and colon cancer
• Impaired immune system
• Autoimmune disease
• Neurological impairment (autism and schizophrenia)

Alternatives, you may be thinking? Almond, coconut milk are good choices. They contain higher amounts of vitamin D and calcium than cow’s milk.  Plus they have a longer shelf life!  You can also get vitamin D and calcium from plant sources like dark leafy greens and spinach, broccoli, and wild salmon.

Another option is raw milk, which has gained popularity over the years. It contains all the vitamins, enzymes and nutrients that are eliminated during the pasteurization process in regular cow’s milk.  I know you might be thinking, “isn’t raw milk dangerous?”  The fact is there have been 116 cases of food illness linked to raw milk from 1996-2006, which is a tiny fraction of the 76 million cases of food-borne illness each year in the U.S.

3. Diet Soda. Just because the word “diet” is in front of soda doesn’t mean it is healthy for you.  Not only do diet sodas hurt your waistline, they are linked to major health problems.

In fact, consuming diet soda can actually lead to weight gain. A 2005 University of Texas Health Science Center study found a 57.1% risk of obesity for those drinking more than two daily servings of diet pop.

Aspartame, which is commonly found in most diet beverages, can raise blood sugar levels. Another study found that daily diet soda was linked to a 44-percent higher chance of heart attack or stroke.

A 2009 Nurses’ Health Study of 3,256 women found a 30% drop in level of kidney function for participants who drank 2 or more servings of diet pop daily.

Other studies with sucralose (aka Splenda) found in Coke Zero, Pepsi One, and Diet Coke, show a decrease in healthy gut bacteria and increased risk of gastrointestinal ulcers.  This can also lead to malabsorption of nutrients and medications, which can lead to a whole new set of problems.

Here is a list of other associated problems with diet sodas:

• Increased appetite
• Irritation of eyes, nose, mouth, throat
• Respiratory distress
• Gastrointestinal tract issues-diarrhea, cramping, ulcers, bleeding
• Renal damage
• Neurological problems- vertigo, seizures, brain damage, ADD/ADHD, headaches
• Muscle aches

Some of this information may come as a shock to you but all of it is fact.  Avoiding these foods will not only allow you to manage your diabetes better and improve your health, but also reduce the risk of other health problems.

Your kidneys function as a filtration system for your body, just like a water filter does for your faucet.  It processes approximately 2 quarts of waste daily from your blood.  A decline in kidney function is often related to kidney disease, which if most commonly caused by diabetes and high blood pressure.

When you have diabetes (type 1 or type 2) the sugars that remain in your blood, especially if your diabetes is uncontrolled, acts as a poison. Ultimately damaging the filtering tissues in the kidneys, allowing waste to build up in your blood.  This could lead to serious problems down the road if left uncontrolled.

The best way to prevent diabetic kidney disease from occurring is to keep your blood sugar levels within normal range as often as possible.

One may ask, “How do I prevent diabetic kidney disease?”  The answer to that goes against the grain of what traditional medicine suggests.  But nobody ever said that “traditional” medicine is the right way to go.

Before reaching the point of kidney failure or kidney disease and for preventative measures, you want to adjust your diet to a high protein, low-carbohydrate diet.  Eliminate simple and refined sugars – table sugar, processed fruit juices, white and wheat flour products (almost all grains).  Stick with lean cuts of meat, high fiber vegetables, beans, eggs, nuts, and plenty of water.

The funny thing is, most people often associate a low-carb, high protein diet with kidney problems, especially for people with diabetes.   But the opposite is true.   Consuming a high-protein, low-carb diet DOES NOT affect the kidneys in people without any prior kidney issues, according to the Clinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology.

Consuming this type of diet will help you improve glucose/blood sugar control.  Thus reducing the damage done to the kidneys when high blood sugar is present.

In addition, following a high-protein, low–carb diet has also been shown to be effective in reducing high blood pressure when combined with an exercise program.

We just want to remind you, before beginning the diet suggested, you should consult with your physician and obtain labs to measure your kidney function – blood pressure, urine analysis for protein, glomerular filtration rate (GFR), creatinine, blood urea nitrogen (BUN).  This is just a precaution.

If all is good, we suggest getting started on the preventative measures we stated.

They say breakfast is the most important meal of the day, but what is
more important is what you eat for breakfast.  Your choice of food for
breakfast plays a significant role in your metabolism and your
sensation of hunger throughout the day.

This can be negative in terms of weight loss, energy and controlling
your blood sugar.

Eating carbohydrates specifically for breakfast impairs you ability to
burn fat during exercise and negatively affects your sympathetic
nervous system (SNS).  The SNS provide regulatory functions for all
major organ systems in the body.  An improper functioning SNS can lead
to gastrointestinal, urinary tract, and cardiovascular problems.

When consuming carbohydrates for breakfast you actually promoting your
body to store fat!

So what should you do?

AVOID all grain based carbohydrates and limit fructose intake.  That
means NO, fruit/fruit juices, bread, breakfast cereals, donuts,
bagels, muffins, toast/bread, etc…

(This pertains to Type 2 diabetics. If you are Type 1, eating some
form of carbohydrates is necessary for breakfast since you are
injecting insulin)

You need to be extra cautious with cutting carbohydrates, and may be
best served to avoid it entirely, until you’ve normalized your blood
glucose and insulin levels on a low carbohydrate diet for a few weeks.

When avoiding carbs for breakfast look out for common symptoms of a
hypoglycemia include:
•       Headache
•       Weakness
•       Tremors
•       Irritability
•       Hunger

As your blood glucose levels continue to drop, more severe symptoms
can set in, such as:
•       Confusion and/or abnormal behavior
•       Visual disturbances, such as double vision and blurred vision
•       Seizures
•       Loss of consciousness

One of the main keys to avoid hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) is to
eliminate sugars from your diet.  Eliminate grains and fruit,
replacing them with higher amounts of quality proteins and healthful
fats; however it does take some time for your blood sugar to adjust
and normalize.

You’ll want to pay careful attention to signs and symptoms listed
above, and if you suspect that you’re crashing, make sure to eat
something.

But, when your body has adjusted to your new way of eating this way
hypoglycemia will not likely be an issue.

Maintaining a low-carbohydrate diet not only for breakfast will
provide your body with clean fuel for optimal functioning.  You will
burn more fat while exercising, have more energy, improve your insulin
sensitivity, and reduce all other diabetes risk factors.