A noted American physician and researcher warns that 60 percent of the world's diabetes will eventually come from the continent because of its population, dietary habits of people and weaker environmental laws.
Diabetes is projected to affect a whopping 380 million people by 2030, according to a report by the World Health Organization. But an even bigger cause of concern is the fact that more than 60% of the world's diabetics will be Asians, as noted by a prominent physician and researcher. The primary reasons for this are the rapidly growing population, dietary habits and weak environmental laws in the continent.
To see this, consider the case of environmental regulation in Thailand and Malaysia. Both countries have a Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment but face worrying challenges related to over-exploitation and wealth creation. The problem of lack of coordination between local and national governments also hampers the regulation of food production in most South-Asian countries.
According to Mark Hyman, "The number of individuals with impaired glucose tolerance or pre-diabetes will increase substantially because of increased genetic susceptibility to the harmful effects of sugar and processed food." Hyman, MD, is the founder and medical director of The UltraWellness Centre and director of the Cleveland Clinic Center for Functional Medicine.
In his book, "The Blood Sugar Solution: The UltraHealthy Program for Losing Weight, Preventing Disease, and Feeling Great Now!" Hyman elaborates comprehensively on how a person can lose weight and so prevent diabetes, along with heart disease, stroke, dementia, and cancer.
"Interestingly, people in this Asian population (who are uniquely susceptible to diabetes even though they may not be obese) are increasingly affected as they adopt a more Western diet. Weaker environmental laws and regulations also expose them to increasing levels of toxins, which are a significant cause of diabesity," he writes. A western diet is low in fruits and vegetables and characterized by high composition of red meat, sugar and calories. This pattern of consumption can prove to be disastrous for your body and spike up your insulin production, leading to diabetes.
Diabetes can lead to serious health complications
Photo Credit: iStock
In his book, which is published by Hachette, Hyman writes about the 7 keys to achieve complete wellness. These are:
- boosting nutrition
- regulating hormones
- reducing inflammation
- improving digestion
- maximising detoxification
- enhancing energy metabolism
- soothing the mind
The book also offers advice on maintaining lifelong health, with particular emphasis on personalising the various plans according to the needs of your body. It has tips related to diet, green living, use of supplements and medication and even exercising.
"Diabesity, the continuum of health problems ranging from mild insulin resistance and overweight to obesity and diabetes, is the single biggest global health epidemic of our time", he says. Hyman also writes that it is one of the leading causes of heart disease, dementia, cancer and premature death and is almost entirely caused by environmental and lifestyle factors. This means that it is almost 100 per cent preventable and curable.
For instance, eating a diet rich in omega3 and getting quality sleep can significantly reduce your chances of acquiring dementia. Similarly, making a simple lifestyle change like eating in small portions or practising relaxation techniques to manage stress will guard you against heart diseases.
- Hyman's six week action-plan to fight diabetes includes
- eat medicines
- optimize metabolism with nutritional supplements
- relax mind and heal body
- fun and smart exercise
- live clean and green
- personalising the programme
According to him, "The six-week action plan is a practical six-step, six-week programme you can do on your own, or in partnership with your healthcare provider. It also shows you how to create a community of support for yourself."
The researcher insists that insulin resistance is the major cause of aging and death in the developed and most of the developing world. "Even if you have perfectly normal sugar, you may be sitting on a hidden time bomb of disease called diabesity, which prevents you from losing weight and living a long healthy life," he concludes.
(With inputs from PTI)
DoctorNDTV is the one stop site for all your health needs providing the most credible health information, health news and tips with expert advice on healthy living, diet plans, informative videos etc. You can get the most relevant and accurate info you need about health problems like diabetes, cancer, pregnancy, HIV and AIDS, weight loss and many other lifestyle diseases. We have a panel of over 350 experts who help us develop content by giving their valuable inputs and bringing to us the latest in the world of healthcare.
