This is SO important. Diabetes has been growing disproportionately to population growth in the U.S. Now we know why. Here are the most important snippets of the article, in my opinion:
“one researcher describes as a hard-to-escape cycle of weight gain, insulin resistance, and weight-retaining diabetic medication, leading to more pounds.”
“It’s not just a trap, it’s a trap and a downward spiral”
“the extraordinarily tight connection between the two diseases” (Obesity and Diabetes)
“becoming overweight is a major risk factor in developing type 2 diabetes. Today, roughly 30 percent of overweight people have the disease, and 85 percent of diabetics are overweight.”
“Not all diabetes cases are linked to weight. Genetics also comes into play.”
“Though not everyone with type 2 diabetes is overweight, it is type 2 — which accounts for roughly 90 percent of all diabetes cases — that has been linked to weight gain.”
“Apart from lung cancer, there is no other disease that can be almost eliminated with simple lifestyle changes,”
“It has found that even a little bit of moderate-intensity physical activity, such as walking 30 minutes a day, lowers the risk of type 2 diabetes by 30 percent.”
“450 people with type 2 diabetes lost an average of 24 pounds … improved their disease profile enough that 70 percent were able to reduce their medicine, and 21 percent of those taking insulin were able to stop. Annual total health care savings were calculated at $1,619 per patient, with $996 saved on diabetes-only care.”
“You can reverse the cycle if it’s early enough, before there’s significant damage to the pancreas”