America’s full blown health catastrophe–exposed

I hate to be the bearer of bad news. But any way you look at it, this situation is just plain catastrophic.

According to a brand new report from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, cases of diabetes and pre-diabetes have doubled since 1988—affecting as much as 30 percent of the population.

This finding is based on data from 43,000 people. And it didn’t just rely on a single glucose test, like most studies of its kind. These researchers also confirmed diagnoses with an HbA1c test—an evaluation of long term blood sugar control. (And a test that I urge you to get immediately, if you haven’t already.)

So this is not some fluke result. It’s a full blown crisis, exposed.

Statistics show that ethnic minorities and the elderly have been especially affected by this deadly trend. Which points to some serious neglect when it comes to current public health policy, at the very least. So I sincerely hope that people are paying attention—and that they’re as outraged as I am by this tragic state of affairs.

And by its very obvious, very sinister cause, too. Because what’s to blame for this shocking diabetes surge? You guessed it—obesity.

I want to make crystal clear why I bang this drum so loud and so often. It’s not because I don’t appreciate the challenges of losing weight. (I used to be obese myself, remember?) And it’s not because I think that skinny people are better, more disciplined, or more deserving of love and respect. (That’s not true—and no one knows it better than me.)

It’s because being fat can—and will—kill you. And I don’t want you to die. It’s as simple as that.

So please, please, please listen to what I’m saying to you. The only silver lining in this ominous cloud is that cases of undiagnosed diabetes have dropped. Which means that more patients are aware of the risks that they face. Which means they can do something to reverse the course of this devastating disease.

Like giving up sugar and soda, for starters. And eating more lean protein, healthy fats, and fresh vegetables. And exercising—even if it’s only a walk around the block after dinner—every single day.

These are such small, simple changes. But they can be so incredibly powerful. So I’m begging you to stick with me. Because you can beat back diabetes—and live decades longer because of it. And look and feel better than you ever thought possible in the process.

It’s a promise I made to you when you signed up for the Reality Health Check. And I always keep my word.

Sources:

“Pre-diabetes, diabetes nearly double over the past two decades.” ScienceDaily, 15 April 2014. <www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/04/140415153737.htm>.

“Trends in Prevalence and Control of Diabetes in the United States, 1988–1994 and 1999–2010.” Annals of Internal Medicine, 2014; 160 (8): 517-525.