The public enemy that’s killing younger Americans in droves

I first learned the term “diabesity” from my mentor Dr. Robert Atkins, years ago. And I’m sad to say that I still use it today—more than ever.

It describes the twin epidemics of type 2 diabetes and obesity, which have been increasing alongside one another for decades. In fact, these two conditions are so tightly linked that even the powers-that-be can’t deny it any longer.

And if we don’t do something to stop this runaway train now, I shudder to think where we’ll be in even just a few more years down the road. Because as the latest statistics show, we’re already in very deep trouble…

Riding a runaway train

Using data from 4,200 American adults participating in the MESA study from the year 2000 to 2017, researchers arrived at a disturbing but predictable conclusion: Obesity raises the risk of developing diabetes by a staggering 270 percent.¹

But that’s just the beginning of the bad news.

The researchers then used this estimate to identify trends according to American obesity rates—as reported through the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES).

They found that 41 percent of new diabetes cases diagnosed among American adults between 2013 and 2016 were attributable to obesity—a pretty horrifying statistic, especially when you consider that obesity is 100 percent avoidable. But the really scary part here is how many people just don’t care.

As it stands, Americans continue to overindulge in overprocessed, sugary junk—and don’t seem to care that their circulation, eyesight, weight, and really, their overall health is in danger. (Obesity and diabetes are the leading causes of amputation and blindness in the U.S. And sugar is a culprit behind more than a dozen different cancers.)

In other words, our lack of concern toward the rising threat of obesity has lulled too many Americans into a false sense of security, leading them to believe that diabetes just isn’t a big deal.

But that couldn’t be further from the truth. And as another new study shows, people are dying—needlessly, and earlier than ever before—because of it.

Diabetes rockets risk by ten-fold

In an effort to investigate what puts younger people at a higher risk of early coronary heart disease, researchers looked at more than 50 different risk factors in more than 28,000 participants of the Women’s Health Study.

They analyzed a wide array of heart health biomarkers—including common metrics like LDL (“bad”) cholesterol and HbA1C (blood sugar), along with newer markers like lipoprotein insulin resistance (LPIR).

LPIR combines six different lipoprotein measures to assess insulin resistance. And in this study, at least, it emerged as one of the most prominent red flags.

In fact, high LDL cholesterol was linked with a 40 percent increase in heart disease risk among women younger than 55 years. But LPIR predicted a 600 percent increase in risk among this same population!²

The researchers also found that women younger than 55 years were ten times more likely to wind up with coronary heart disease over the next 20 years if they had type 2 diabetes. Meanwhile, obesity raised the risk of coronary events by four-fold—as much as smoking or high blood pressure did.

As a result, the study authors predict that heart attacks will start striking younger and younger people. And that’s truly shameful when, once again, you consider how preventable almost all of these risk factors are… especially when it comes to blood sugar control.

Prediabetes is just as deadly

Research shows that even modestly elevated blood sugar is lethal, too. So even if you’re not staring down a full-blown diabetes diagnosis, your heart could still be at risk.

A recent study presented at the American College of Cardiology’s 70^th Annual Scientific Session found that people with prediabetes are significantly more likely to suffer a heart attack, stroke, or other serious cardiovascular events.

This research looked at data from nearly 26,000 patients followed between 2006 and 2020. Subjects were split into two groups—prediabetics or a control group—based on at least two HbA1C levels, taken five years apart.

Ultimately, results showed that 18 percent of people with prediabetes suffered serious heart-related events over five years—versus just 11 percent of people with normal blood sugar levels. That’s nearly double the risk!³

And seeing as how statistics suggest that one in three Americans now has prediabetes, this finding should be terrifying enough. But unfortunately, it only gets worse…

Yet another recent study found that a mere 42 percent of doctors surveyed were able to correctly identify a fasting blood sugar level that would indicate prediabetes. And fewer than one-third knew the threshold for HbA1c—a critical measure of long-term blood sugar control.⁴

Not to mention, more than one in five doctors were ignoring official prediabetes screening and management guidelines of any kind. And considering how most of these recommendations fall short to begin with, I think it’s safe to say we have a real crisis on our hands. And our own behaviors are often to blame…

Take control and send diabetes packing

There’s no doubt about it: We have eaten our way into this disaster, and we can (and must) eat our way out of it.

In fact, a recent analysis of data from more than 1,300 type 2 diabetics showed that when subjects followed a low-carb diet for at least six months, they enjoyed a significantly higher rate of disease remission than diabetics who followed other types of diets.

More specifically, researchers found a 32 percent increase in diabetes remission with low-carb dieting—as it reduced the need for diabetes medication while also improving triglyceride levels and measures of insulin resistance.⁵

And if you think that’s impressive, get this: These researchers defined “low-carb” as any diet featuring fewer than 130 grams of carbs per day—a sky-high threshold, by my standards.

In fact, they considered “very low-carb” to be fewer than 50 grams daily—which still doesn’t meet my standards of a proper low-carb diet. So just imagine the possibilities of following a proper eating plan—like my A-List Diet!

Here’s the bottom line: I’ve been working with low-carb diets for my entire career. And in that time, I’ve seen many type-2 diabetics, prediabetics, and obese patients turn their life and health around, firsthand. That includes heart health.

I, myself, have followed a low-carb diet for about 30 years now—so I can personally vouch for its effectiveness, on multiple levels. And the fact is, you won’t find a better (or more delicious) version than my ketogenic, Mediterranean-style, high-fat, low-carb, A-List Diet.

The number one rule is to eliminate sugar—a main culprit behind diabesity. But believe me when I tell you, the end result is worth it. And the foods you’ll enjoy are just as delicious—from lean proteins and nuts, to fresh, juicy produce, dark chocolate, and more.

So if you’re finally ready to stop waiting for that magic bullet and to take control of your health and your future once and for all, I recommend ordering a copy of my A-List Diet book today: www.AListDietBook.com.

References: 

1. “Obesity Pegged as Diabetes Cause in Almost Half of US Cases.” Medscape Medical News, 02/18/21. (medscape.com/viewarticle/946041)
2. “Diabetes powerfully associated with premature coronary heart disease in women: A new biomarker of insulin resistance was tied to a 600 percent increase in risk of premature coronary heart disease.” Science Daily, 01/20/2021. (sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/01/210120114835.htm)
3. “Prediabetes may not be as benign as once thought: Study shows greater risk of serious cardiac events; suggests need for more aggressive treatment.” Science Daily, 05/05/2021. (sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/05/210505090240.htm)
4. “Prediabetes Awareness in the Primary Care Setting.” Medscape Medical News, 10/18/2019. (medscape.org/viewarticle/919839)
5. “Low Carb Diets Boost Diabetes Remission Rates, at Least Short Term.” Medscape Medical News, 01/19/2021. (medscape.com/viewarticle/944298)