The more I read about nutrition, diseases and lifestyles, the more I believe that our bodies were meant to live in balance. And when they aren’t in balance, bad things happen.
Take the growing evidence that diabetes or signs of insulin resistance may lead to an increased risk of certain cancers. The strong connection includes kidney, pancreatic and colorectal cancers.
At first the thinking was that people with type 2 diabetes, associated with high insulin levels, are most at risk. Now the research says the link is for everyone with prediabetes – that’s a huge number of people.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that 40 percent of Americans – that’s 41 million people – are prediabetic and at risk for developing diabetes. Many people are completely unaware they have prediabetes. By the time symptoms and glucose levels result in a diagnosis – it’s too late- they already have diabetes.
Type 2 diabetes and cancer share a major risk factor: high body fat. It may be that the hormonal changes that take place because of high body fat are the culprits. It may be that insulin stimulates cell proliferation and cell growth. More research is needed before the questions are answered.
For now it is known that obesity is tied to type 2 diabetes and prediabetes. The National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse states that losing 5 to 10 percent of a person’s starting weight can prevent or delay diabetes or even reverse prediabetes.
It’s all tied to poor eating habits and not exercising. The research may have the answers but there’s something we all can do to balance our lives and reduce our risk of both diabetes and cancer. Get up and move and do that frequently. Eat nutritionally well with lots of fruits and vegetables.
The solution seems so simple yet we all have problems living well. If you have suggestions and something that worked for you to stay motivated to be healthy, let the rest of us know. Scroll down to ‘Comments’ and tell us your story in the blank window.
In the meantime, to your successful healthy lifestyle.
Ruthan Brodsky
I help businesses and health care professionals market their
services and products with content
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