So recently there was a posting on the news about a "CURE" for Diabetes. Sounds great right? Well I did a little research on a few other sites about the findings and found that there was a British study done with 11 Type 2 Diabetic patients. All of these patients were an average of 220 pounds and were on medication for the disease. They were then put on a strict 600 calorie diet that involved Optifast (a Nestle Nutritional drink which has 160 calories in it per serving) and also non-starchy vegetables (examples: beets, broccoli, bean sprouts, carrots <YUM>, cauliflower celery...etc). The individuals in the study were also asked to drink at least 2 liters of water each day and continue with whatever physical activities they were doing before (probably nothing). After the study was finished 8 weeks later everyone participating was off their medications and "cured" of diabetes. They were then tested again 3 months later were 7 out of 11 were still diabetes free.
So now comes my analysis. :) My opinion is what all people should be doing, eating right and having their weight under control. Yes, eating 600 calories is a little extreme but just cutting back 500 calories from your current diet can naturally help you lose 1-2 pounds a week. All these people averaged 220 pounds before the study. If any diabetic or not only ingested 600 calories a day they would lose a massive amount of weight, which would cause insulin sensitivity spike. If your insulin sensitivity goes up then we know that medications will be lessened or not needed at all. Also 2 liters (or more) of water were consumed a day. Water reacts like a hunger suppressant, and makes your body less dependent on large quantities of food. Why do you thing health and wellness instructors say to drink more water? This water in the patients system would help them with what hunger problems that they would be dealing with.
One patient had this to say:
Gordon Parmley "At first the hunger was quite severe and I had to distract myself with something else - walking the dog, playing golf - or doing anything to occupy myself and take my mind off off food." (Newcastle University Press Release)
You can also see that patients might have used physical activity to deal with their hunger like Gordon did. This too would heighten insulin sensitivity and shed pounds, making diabetes a thing of the past.
In conclusion, diabetes is a HIGHLY preventable disease. It's very simple to do. All you need to do is take care of your body, eat right, and exercise. Your body is a temple, treat it that way.
William "Bill" Cash III B.S.
Health Fitness Specialist
