The Must-Read Book for American Diabetes Month
November is American Diabetes Month, which focuses on raising awareness of diabetes and further supporting the American Diabetes Association’s mission to prevent and cure diabetes and to improve the lives of all people affected by the disease.
According to the American Diabetes Association and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:
- 29.1 million Americans, or 9.3% of the population, have diabetes
- 25.9% of Americans age 65 and older, or 11.8 million seniors, have diabetes (diagnosed and undiagnosed)
- Diabetes remains the 7th leading cause of death in the U.S.
- $245 billion is the total estimated cost of diagnosed diabetes in the U. S.
Unfortunately these numbers keep growing…
But there is good news! There are ways to combat the disease by improving one’s health and life with diabetes and there are even ways to reverse the disease all together. That’s right! According to Dr. Neal Barnard’s Program for Reversing Diabetes: The Scientifically Proven System for Reversing Diabetes Without Drugs, diabetes is no longer a condition one must live with, and it can be reversed by making changes to one’s menu, not drugs.
Who is Dr. Barnard? As an adjunct associate professor of medicine at the George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences in Washington, D.C., and president of the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, he has conducted numerous research studies to prove the effectiveness of healthy diet changes that adhere to three guidelines:
- Set aside animal products
- Keep vegetable oils to a minimum
- Favor foods with a low glycemic index
Dr. Barnard’s book provides a very thorough, yet easy-to-understand overview of diabetes, including its symptoms, fundamental problem, severe complications and treatments, as well as a clear plan (with recipes) on how to control blood sugar via healthier meals.
For example, Dr. Barnard describes how the fundamental problem with diabetes is that sugar (glucose, an energy source) is not able to pass from one’s bloodstream into the cells of the body, depriving them of basic fuel. Meanwhile, glucose builds up in the bloodstream, which can wreak havoc on other parts of the body.
Not only is this book incredibly informative but it also gives one real hope, an action plan, and hopefully the tools needed to further halt the disease process as diabetes can lead to a domino effect of attacks on the heart, eyes, kidneys and nerves.
Dr. Barnard’s book is a must-read book that can be truly life-changing!
Natalie Drugan
Natalie Drugan is a nutrition and lifestyle health coach. Natalie is dedicated to helping others make healthy choices centered on clean food, toxic-free environments and happy living. Natalie received her nutrition health coaching certification from the Institute for Integrative Nutrition in NYC, the world’s largest nutrition school. As a Certified Nutrition Health Coach, she studied over 100 dietary theories and learned from world-renowned experts and doctors including Andrew Weil, MD, Walter Willet, MD, Mark Hyman, MD and Deepak Chopra, MD. Natalie is board certified by the American Association of Drugless Practitioners (AADP). Additionally, Natalie received her BBA in Marketing from Texas A&M University.