A display of high fat foods such as cheeses, chocolates, lunch meat, french fries, pastries, doughnuts, etc. Reuse Restrictions: None - This image is in the public domain and can be freely reused. Please credit the source and/or author listed above. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The recent outbreak and un-treatable of Type 2 diabetes in children is no mystery. This double problem (triple if we include obesity) is borne of the very high carbohydrate, low-fat diet that has been imposed upon our population since the 1980s.

This same diet is advocated for diabetic children, making it impossible to control their blood sugar, even with industrial doses of insulin and certainly not with oral hypoglycemic agents.

Diabetes is principally a disorder of carbohydrate metabolism. Furthermore, it is impossible to store fat or become obese unless we consume considerable amounts of dietary carbohydrate: this is basic biochemistry.

It is the irrational fear of dietary fat that has spawned the high-carbohydrate food industry that didn’t exist when I was a child. Treating Type 2 diabetes, normal blood sugars, weight loss and even reversal of the disease have been possible only with very low carbohydrate diets.

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Obesity Campaign Poster (Photo credit: Pressbound)

The number of Americans considered obese is expected to rise from the current 34 percent to 42 percent by the year 2030, according to a study published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine and discussed at the recent Weight of the Nation conference in Washington.

Diabetes, kidney failure, heart disease and other obesity-related ailments account for countless premature deaths and as much as 18 percent of the $2.6 trillion national cost of medical care, according to a report at the Washington Post.

The leading causes of obesity are consumption of fat-laden meat and dairy products and lack of exercise. This is particularly critical during childhood years, when lifestyle habits become lifelong addictions.

A five-year Oxford University study of 22,000 people, published in the International Journal of Obesity in 2006, found that those on a vegetarian or vegan diet gained the least weight. A review of 87 studies in Nutrition Reviews concluded that a vegetarian diet is highly effective for weight loss.

The time has come to replace meat and dairy products in our diet with wholesome grains, vegetables, and fruits and to undertake a regular exercise program. Parents should insist on healthy school lunch choices and set a good example at their own dinner table.

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Scientists have identified the mechanism that controls the internal 24-hour clock of all forms of life — from us to algae.

Researchers from Britain’s Cambridge and Edinburgh universities, whose work was published in the journal Nature on Wednesday, said their findings provide important insight into health-related problems linked to people such as nurses, pilots and other shift workers, whose body clocks are disrupted.

The studies also suggest that the 24-hour circadian clock found in human cells is the same as that found in algae, and dates back millions of years to early life on earth, they said.

In the first study, Cambridge scientists found for the first time that red blood cells have a 24-hour rhythm.

This is significant, they explained, because circadian rhythms have always been assumed to be linked to DNA and gene activity — but, unlike most other cells in the body, red blood cells do not have DNA.

The implications of this for health are manifold. We already know that disrupted clocks…are associated with metabolic disorders such as diabetes, mental health problems and even cancer,” said Akhilesh Reddy, who led the study. “By furthering our knowledge of how the 24-hour clock in cells works, we hope that the links…will be made clearer.”

Many scientific studies have found links between working irregular hours and a greater likelihood of developing diabetes, heart disease and obesity. Sleep disruption is also associated with mental illnesses such as depression and bipolar disorder.

A team of scientists said last year they had used experimental drugs being developed by Pfizer to reset body clocks of mice in a lab — opening up the possibility that drugs might in future be developed to restore rhythms to people whose body clocks have been messed up.

In these new studies, Reddy’s team incubated purified red blood cells from healthy volunteers in the dark and at body temperature and sampled them regularly over several days.

They then examined the levels of certain biochemical markers — proteins called peroxiredoxins that are found in virtually all known organisms and are produced in high levels in blood. The results showed that there was a modification in these proteins in a pattern that went back and forth over 24 hours.

A further study found a similar 24-hour cycle in marine algae — suggesting that internal body clocks have always been important, even for ancient forms of life.

The researchers found those rhythms by sampling the peroxiredoxins in algae at regular intervals over several days. When the algae were kept in darkness, their DNA was no longer active, but the algae kept their circadian clocks ticking even without active genes.

Scientists had previously thought the circadian clock was driven by gene activity, but both the algae and the red blood cells kept time without it.

Andrew Millar of Edinburgh University, who led the second study, said it showed that body clocks are ancient mechanisms that have been around through a billion years of evolution.

“They must be far more important and sophisticated than we previously realized,” he said. He added that more research was now needed to determine how and why these clocks developed in people, and what role they play in controlling our bodies.

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By feeding America and the rest of the world unhealthy foods, it means big bucks.

First, excess carbohydrates along with process foods become addictive. This leads to over eating which results in one becoming overweight.

Besides increased sales for grain and starch producers, food manufactures that refine wheat and corn products, family restaurants, and fast food establishments… it is also good news for clothing manufacturers and retail stores.

Although the new thing today for acceptance of being overweight to a point of obesity, the diet industry greatly appreciates the newfound and repeat business it is enjoying.

Drug manufacture’s sales are increasing exponentially as obesity develops into type 2 diabetes, kidney failure, heart disease, etc.

Having a large global market with a few dollars from each person in some fashion or another works out to big and obscene profits. No wonder a behind the scene campaign of lying, cheating, and betraying everybody who needs to eat is going on every second of every day. This is called “Greed” at its best.

There are two types of victims here: 1) those who can afford to eat properly, and 2) those that cannot and must eat the food that is available.

The group that can eat properly, but do not may have a legitimate reason for eating wrong (maybe they do not know they do not know); and the group that can only eat what is available (whether they know or not know what is correct) is unacceptable.

Now, here is the catch 22 for the American people: when shopping at a large supermarket that carries up to 50,000 items in the store, if the decision was to only buy the correct foods, it would be disastrous and eventually bankrupt that supermarket. Why? Because not be buying grains, starches, and process foods would be the norm.

However, on the other side of the fence is the obesity and chronic illnesses like type 2 diabetes, kidney failure, heart disease, etc. as a result of this eating habit is going to not only bankrupt our country but the rest of the world. Moreover, I am not just referring to the economy, but the health of the majority of individuals throughout the world.

This is why I believe that everyone, both business and humans should face up to this and work together solving the inevitable dooms day before it is too late.

I know that there are many creative and intelligent people in the world that can find acceptable ways to get a handle on this epidemic and turn it around while replacing bad foods with good foods.

One last thing: if the business community cannot operate a business for profit without greed as the main factor for motivation, then they must use greed for finding a way to process foods that are good, with being the first.

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The disease will threaten the nation’s economy almost as much as it does the health of individuals. The United States of Diabetes reports that by 2020 an estimated 52 percent of the adult population will have diabetes or pre-diabetes.

If that happens, the nation will spend $3.35 trillion on diabetes-related care over the next decade, including private, Medicare, Medicaid and uninsured spending. Diabetes and pre-diabetes could account for about 10 percent of health care spending by 2020. The annual cost in 2020 could be $500 billion, up from an estimated $194 billion this year in spending for medical care related to pre-diabetes or diabetes, not total health spending by those patients with those conditions.

Consumers with diabetes who interacted with the health care system cost on average $11,700 for health care in 2009, compared to $4,400 for the remainder of population. The 2009 average rises to $20,700 a year for a person with complications related to diabetes, such as heart and kidney disease, nerve damage, blindness and strokes.

These numbers are based from 10 million insurance customers by UnitedHealth Group.

This scale of numbers can push health care insurance reform into the background. When a disease like diabetes swamps the health care system, the capacity is strained. Doctors’ offices and hospitals will overflow, causing bills, not to mention insurance premiums for everyone, to rise higher than they would otherwise.

In the workplace, the negative effects on productivity and the rising burden on employers will go up accordingly if trends continue.

About 27 million Americans have been diagnosed with diabetes. The report states that another 67 million are estimated to have pre-diabetes. More than 60 million of the people with pre-diabetes do not even know it because often there are no symptoms.

The recession and the rising costs of employer-sponsored health care are widening the spread of diabetes. Some companies have eliminated their wellness programs to cut costs. When workers are not tested routinely for blood-sugar levels, they do not see the warning signs.

The UnitedHealth report dwells on the relationship between diabetes and obesity. Just gaining weight can add to the diabetes risk. A weight gain of 11 to 16 pounds doubles the risk of type 2 diabetes. Gaining 17 to 24 pounds nearly triples the risk.

More than half of adults who are overweight or obese have either diabetes or pre-diabetes. That should be a warning sign, even without knowing blood-sugar counts.

UnitedHealth’s report cannot be circulated widely enough. It is particularly relevant in San Antonio. Diabetes research and medical services are concentrated in San Antonio because the large Hispanic population is especially vulnerable to the disease.

In much of the world, health problems stem from not enough food. In the United States, public health and the health system are endangered by too much food. Wider awareness of risks can slow this trend.

UnitedHealth’s report discusses programs to spread diabetes awareness, but at some point personal responsibility must take a bigger role. People should eat more sensibly and exercise regularly. It would help the economy, but they should do it mainly for their own health.

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For those who are overweight or obese and are facing chronic diseases that follow (type 2 diabetes, kidney failure, heart disease, etc.), they would say “untrue.”

After all, the experts tell us that more calories are the root of the problem. I had believed this for a long time and practiced starving myself to lose weight.

However, I kept gaining weight right into obesity.

I did develop type 2 diabetes and kidney failure as a result; and, in addition, my vision was leaving me along with my teeth. I was actually feeling beyond bad both physically and mentally.

I tried for a long time to get help from the people or sources I though could help; but ended up with no success. I was to the point of five insulin shots a day, two different diabetic pills, three high blood pressure pills, and it was inevitable that amputation was around the corner.

It was time to think outside the box and seek help somewhere else. Therefore, I started researching what foods actually did after eaten and how the body reacts. Not to make a long story out of this, but I discovered that I was just plain eating wrong.

In fact, when I finally got my ducks in a row (sort of speak), I began eating more food (the correct food) and losing weight (the correct way).

Now the good news: within a short amount of time (less than a few weeks) I became addicted to eating properly, because I knew what was going on inside my body. I was feeling better, and, best of all, I was losing weight.

Where am I today? I do not have type 2 diabetes, my kidneys are normal, my vision is clear, and I am not obese anymore.

Therefore, personally, I have learned that you can eat more and lose weight. In addition, if you exercise everyday (like a thirty-minute walk), it will shorten the time to reach your goal.

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Why is this so? Americans are feeling fine, despite having the highest rate of obesity worldwide. Ninety-one percent of Americans feel well and seventy-six percent consider themselves healthy (survey released by Health Dialog). There in lies the danger. Not only is obesity one of the most widespread health problem in the United States, it is a direct link to chronic diseases such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, cancer, kidney failure, etc.

Of course, most people do not know this; and the way our capitalistic society is set-up, that message will not come to the surface very much in order to make a difference. It would be great if people could realize that lifestyle factors are actually life-and-death factors. 

What is ironic is that many of these diseases are preventable, as I know personally. I figured out a way to lose my obesity status and reversed my type 2 diabetes. I did this without sacrifice, or any kind of hunger strike. The truth was I finally got to a point of enough fear (like death) that motivated me to get serious. 

In addition, chronic disease is the leading cause of death and disability globally, representing sixty percent of all deaths. This bad health epidemic is spreading and there is a lot to do for both human and economical solutions to survive. 

In addition, to those who say “shame on those people who are sufferers,” I say “yes” and “no.” The yes reply is obvious for those who can afford correct food and freedom to exercise (like taking a walk without being at risk). However, the no reply is because of governments not standing up for the health rights of individuals, who are forced to eat what is thrown at them, and having the inability to exercise freely in their neighborhoods or villages. 

If you are reading this, I hope you can understand the risks of life-and-death factors involved at being overweight or obese; and decide that you want out. It really is not complicated; just find out what to eat or avoid what not to eat and to exercise every day.

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The Food and Drug Administration has now approved a proposal to liberalize the guidelines for lap band weight loss surgery.

Up to now, the guidelines required a very high level of severe obesity and/or severe obesity combined with hypertension or diabetes.

Now the new guidelines will likely double the number of persons qualifying for the surgery.

Physicians are supposed to screen such candidates after their exercise and diet programs have failed. This will potentially cause an abundance of surgeries by patients who would be better off eating correctly and a little more daily exercise. It’s obvious that many health providers think so; but, for some reason, aren’t talking about it in public.

Since this surgery does have side effects with risks of infections risks, why isn’t that part being emphasized to create fear in people that choose a lazy way to lose weight. In addition, there is a significant cost for each surgery.

This is not a political movement, but it is an expense issue for the government; as well as the American people.

What do you think?

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Diabetes is a killer that seems to enjoy its long and slow torture of those it afflicts. It is a cruel thief that steals money, time and, worst of all, dignity.

It is often all too easy to ignore until it is too late to stop it from rampaging through a victim’s body, literally eating away at internal organs and hands and feet and legs and affecting a person’s vision and even his or her thought processes. It stalks individuals, families and entire populations. Hispanics are often genetically predisposed to the disease, but nobody is safe from it. Diabetes attacks across cultures, ethnicities and races.

Nationally, some projections are even more dire. UnitedHealth Group‘s Center for Health Reform and Modernization predicts that more than half of all Americans could have diabetes or pre-diabetes by 2020.

Diabetes costs Texans $12.5 billion a year, according to the American Diabetes Association. That’s $8.1 billion in direct medical expenses and another $4.4 billion in indirect costs that include lost productivity and unemployment. Nationally, diabetes costs $174 billion — $116 billion in direct medical costs and $58 billion in indirect costs.

Bear in mind that those are current costs that are going to rise substantially if the projections prove true.

Certainly, Texas demographics work in favor of diabetes. The population overall is aging — a fact noted in several forums over the past few years. Then there is the obesity epidemic that researchers blame on the lack of exercise and poor dietary choices.

Older people and overweight people are especially prone to the disease, Klaus Madsen, vice president of programs for the institute, told the American-Statesman’s Tim Eaton.

The diabetes epidemic nationwide and in Texas has broad implications about how future populations will live and how the nation will defend itself.

Overweight recruits are showing up in increasing numbers for basic training, putting the military in full fix-it mode. Military diets are changing, and Army drill sergeants have orders to urge — in their own special ways — trainees to eat more fruit.

The biggest worry, however, is if the projections hold true, Texas and the nation will need somebody to take care of the victims of diabetes. Diabetes sufferers who end up behind bars will present an array of expensive challenges. The possibilities are as scary as they are endless.

Fortunately, an array of Texas elected officials, agency leaders and nonprofit organizations are alert and are moving on it.

Fighting diabetes by trying to prevent it will take a coordinated effort by government, the nonprofits, health professionals and, of course, citizens.

Austin City Council Member Laura Morrison is exploring ways municipal governments can fight childhood obesity with options that include more sidewalks and more parks to lure children outside. Texas Parks and Wildlife joined with conservation and sports groups and held a conference over the weekend with the same objective.

At the Legislature, Sen. Jane Nelson, R-Flower Mound, said she has filed bills to be considered in the 2011 session that would increase physical activity and physical education for middle and high school students and require schools to report students’ physical assessments to the Texas Education Agency.

The early attempts at coordination of government and private parties in confronting the diabetes threat are heartening. Unfortunately, it’s going to take a lot more than good intentions and stacks of reports to beat this disease. The stakes are high, and the problem is real and right here.

America as a whole, let alone Texas, can’t afford to lose this battle.

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Sophisticated online marketing campaigns include special offers, free food vouchers and competitions.

Campaigns by fast-food outlets Hungry Jack‘s and Taco Bell Mexican Restaurants have been highlighted in a submission to a Senate inquiry on privacy laws made by a coalition of some of the country’s peak health bodies.

The Obesity Policy Coalition including the World Health Organisation, Diabetes Australia, VicHealth and the Cancer Council of Victoria  has called on the Federal Government to amend the Privacy Act to outlaw direct mail advertising to children.

The group has also complained about online promotion of confectionery products. “It’s very cheap to be on these platforms.”

“There are plenty of issues, but we’re very concerned that marketing is done across a lot of different platforms,” Obesity Policy Coalition senior policy officer Jane Martin said.

The submission to the Senate Finance and Public Administration committee looking at new draft privacy laws asks the committee to consider recommending privacy protection for children to guard them from direct mail promotion without parental consent.

Ms Martin said Hungry Jack’s used its “kids club” to promote itself.

The submission stated that Hungry Jack’s and Taco Bill had been offering children free meals for their birthdays, vouchers for free ice cream and other enticements.

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