Are you pre-Diabetic?
You may be at risk. The prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) has increased dramatically over the past several decades, perhaps because of recent changes in diet and lifestyle. Among these are increased refined carbohydrate consumption, obesity, and reduced physical activity. These factors ultimately lead to insulin resistance, or the body’s inability to respond normally to insulin. Alarmingly, you can be thin but still be at risk for diabetes!
Why should I care?
Those of us with friends or family with diabetes can attest to the severe consequences of diabetes when left untreated or poorly managed. Diabetes in itself can be life threatening. In addition, diabetes will increase your risk of heart disease; damage your kidneys leading to dialysis, cause blindness because of retinal damage; cause nerve damage in your extremities; exacerbate infections and open wounds that do not heal; and the list can go on.
Diabetis and Cancer
Experts from the American Cancer Society and the American Diabetes Association published a consensus statement in 2010 indicating that diabetic patients are more prone to certain types of cancer including liver, pancreas, and endometrial cancers by double. Risks for breast, colon and bladder cancer are 20%-50% higher.
What can be done?
Don’t be alarmed. The good news is diabetes is preventable and reversible when caught early. Blood testing (see next section) is recommended. Exercise is of paramount importance. Managing your weight and making healthy food choices will also keep diabetes under control. Various dietary supplements have been clinically studied in the management and care of diabetes. Your last resort option is prescription medication.
Early Testing is in Order
There is a new comprehensive diabetes test available at my clinic. This test evaluates not only measures inflammatory markers that are seen in diabetes, autism, cardiovascular disease, and even cancer; but additionally this blood test evaluates other metabolic markers as well.
Inflammatory Markers:
Inflammation is the underlying driver of progression to diabetes, particularly in the development of insulin resistance. These include Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha (TNF-alpha); Interleukins-6 & -8 (IL-6 & IL-8); highly sensitive C-Reactive Protein (hsCRP); and Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor Type I (PAI-1).
Metabolic Markers:
These markers measure the function of your hormones, pancreas and liver in producing and processing insulin. Markers evaluated include: Fasting Glucose – which measures the actual amount of glucose in your blood at the time of blood draw. Adiponectin – hormone derived from fast cells, lowers blood pressure, protects against cardiovascular disease, obesity, and insulin resistance, read more on Adiponectin. Fasting Insulin – insulin, which comes from the pancreas, can help determine the etiology of high blood sugar, and can be used to diagnose insulin resistance. ProInsulin – (the precursor of insulin) high levels indicate increased risk or presence of diabetes. HOMA-IR (homestastic model assessment insulin resistance) calculation of fasting glucose and insulin, considered a gold standard for quantifying insulin sensitivity. Leptin – hormone from fast cells that regulates appetite, metabolic rate, and body weight, considered protective against obesity. HbA1C – indication of blood sugar control in the last 3 months, small elevations can predict future diabetes among individuals with impaired glucose tolerance. As you can see, these metabolic and inflammatory markers are a powerful tool that can be used to assess your risk not only for diabetes, but other illnesses too. PPO and HMO insurance co-pay is only $49, except for Aetna. (As usual I have no financial gain in recommending any of these tests.)
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