Diabetes: An epidemic in the United States of America
By Shawntell Muhammad | Last updated: Oct 14, 2009 - 2:57:28 PM
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The Standard American Diet (S.A.D.), is the number one culprit in today's diabetes epidemic. This diet is laden with meat, sugar, and starch. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) programmed the majority of the American citizens into believing that a meal was not complete if it did not contain some form of meat on the plate.
Meat is high in fat, hormones, and parasites, all contributing to the break down of the autoimmune system. When the autoimmune system is not functioning properly, the pancreas has a hard time converting food into energy.
Too much fat from meat and weight (obesity) triggers diabetes and contributes to heart disease. Most so-called diabetics die from strokes and heart disease, after developing these problems as a result of diabetes.
There are recent reports and studies suggesting that toxins found in fish have been linked with the development of diabetes. A recent article in the Chicago Tribune dated August 23, 2009, reads that a toxin known as DDE is prevalent in the fat and tissue of small fish. These toxins store themselves in the liver and fat of the consumer and because of these toxins, diabetes sets in.
High fructose corn syrup is an artificial sweetener found in numerous food and beverages. This sweetener is linked to Type 2 diabetes. A high number of children today are diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes. Most children consume food and snacks that are laced with high fructose corn syrup, such as fastfood, soda, ice cream, cookies, candy, ketchup, and many more harmful items. Please take note that food and beverages labeled organic do not contain high fructose corn syrup, so it is well worth the research, preparation, and budgeting to switch to a healthy meal plan.
We all should be mindful of watching our glycemic levels, so when it comes to sweeteners, choose wisely. Plant-based sweeteners such as agave nectar and stevia, and Grade B maple syrup, have low glycemic levels, while honey, sugar, sugar in the raw, brown sugar, all have high glycemic levels.
As mentioned in How to Eat to Live, Book 1 written by The Honorable Elijah Muhammad, pasta and white potatoes should be avoided, as these items are high in starch. Positively no sweet potatoes shall be eaten, he warns. Sweet potatoes are full of starch and are only fit for hogs. When it comes to pasta, organic pasta that is thick, is the better choice. The thicker the pasta (ziti, penne) the lower the glycemic level, the thinner (spaghetti, linguine) the higher the glycemic level is. Also boiling the pasta al dente, somewhat firm, gives the pasta its lowest glycemic level.
Eating one meal a day, or one meal every other day, will not only control but eradicate diabetes, advises The Honorable Elijah Muhammad. Limiting food intake gives the body time to cleanse the blood, and brings the pH balance back from acidc to alkaline. When the blood is alkaline, the organs and blood functions at a normal rate, increasing the immune system.
Most people believe that so-called diabetics should not consume fruit or too much fruit. This is a misconception. While adopting a wholistic lifestyle, which consists of using chemical-free personal care products, eating an organic vegetarian diet, and with proper exercise, so-called diabetics may consume organic fruit. The fructose (natural occurring sugar) in fruit, will not harm anyone suffering from diabetes.
The best way to avoid, control, eradicate diabetes, is to maintain a wholistic lifestyle. Become an organic vegetarian, along with eating one meal a day, and experience a long, healthy life.
(Shawntell Muhammad is a Natural Health Coach, and can be reached at organicnourishment@yahoo.com)
Related news:
Diabetes epidemic hits the United States (FCN, 07-09-2008)
American Diabetes Association Home Page