A worldwide problem of staggering proportions
by Jamie McManus, M.D.
Senior Vice President, Medical Affairs,
Herbalife Medical Advisory Board
Diabetes statistics you should be aware of.
Diabetes is the fourth main cause of death in most developed countries.
There are 135 million diabetics worldwide (18 million in the United States); this number is expected to rise to almost 300 million by the year 2025.
Diabetes is the leading cause of blindness in adults.
Diabetes is the most common cause of amputation of lower limbs.
What exactly is diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious metabolic disease caused by the body's inability to produce proper amounts of insulin to regulate the usage and storage of sugar in the bloodstream. This can result in a multitude of life-threatening complications. These include heart disease, kidney failure, increased problems with infections and many types of circulatory problems.
There are two types of diabetes - Type 1 which occures when the body cannot produce insulin. This tends to develop in children and young adults and requires multiple injections of insulin on a daily basis. Type 2 diabetes is by far the more common type (90%) and is strongly associated with obesity, poor diet and a sedentary lifestyle. Type 2 is more common as we age and has a strong correlation with family history.
There are almost one million new diabetics diagnosed every year.
If you are African-American, Native American, or Latino, your chance of developing diabetes is even greater! Of the 16 million diabetics in America, three million are African-American - a 33 percent increase over the last decade. In some Native American tribes, as many as 50 percent will develop diabetes.
What can we do?
It is well established that weight loss and dietary improvement should be given a trial before initiating medication unless the blood sugars are seriously elevated. Often, patients are put on medications and do not get the message that if they would lower their calorie intake, lose weight, improve their diet and become more active, they could actually lower their blood sugar without the use of drugs! (Diabetics should always be under the supervision of their doctor as they attempt to lose weight on Herbalife's or any weight-loss program.)
The Thermojetics Weight-Management Program is an excellent way to control appetite and reduce calorie intake. This easy-to-follow program contains Formula 1, which provides excellent nutrition and can help reduce calorie intake; Formula 2 - Multivitamin-Mineral & Herbal Tablets; and Cell Activator, which together provide micronutrient supplementation to ensure that no nutritional deficiencies develop.
So, if you, your family or friends have been diagnosed with diabetes, be sure to talk to the doctor about weight loss and nutritional improvement as an adjunct to the medical approach.
"Herbalife's Medical Advisory Board is available to speak with any physician who has patients using Herbalife's products."
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