“The doctor of the future will give no medicine but interest himself in the care of the human frame, diet and the cause and prevention of disease.”

- Thomas Edison

We must first understand what Type 2 Diabetes is and differentiate it from Type 1 Diabetes to understand how the Perfect Plate can have a dramatic influence on those affected by this disease. After that, we will discuss ways to prevent and even reverse it some cases. The difference between the two forms of diabetes is relatively simple. Type 1 occurs when a portion of the pancreas does not produce insulin, (insulin is the Hormone in the body that removes sugar from the blood stream and transports it to the cells for energy), making the individuals with this disorder insulin dependant, in other words they must get their insulin from an outside source. Type 2 Diabetics, on the other hand, are not initially insulin dependant but if proper steps are not taken, can become that way.

Type 2 Diabetes is an epidemic in the United States among adults and is rapidly increasing in our children. This is sad, considering that it is relatively preventable and in most cases reversible. Type 2 Diabetes is not the inability to produce insulin; the person produces plenty. It’s just that the body is out of control and the insulin being produced is not able to transport the sugar into the cell. This is known as Insulin Resistance. As Insulin Resistance happens, blood sugar levels rise causing a whole host of different problems throughout the body.

Most people that develop Type 2 do so because they are overweight – simply put: they take in more calories than they burn on a daily average. The pancreas production of insulin will increase with the number of calories; however, due to continual abuse of this system the body becomes resistant to the effects and blood sugar levels continue to rise. Most cases of Type 2 occur after the age of 30 and are more prevalent with age. There are, of course, increased risks within certain ethnic groups.

   

Main Risk Factors for Type 2 Diabetes:

   
• Being overweight
   
• Diets high in calories
   
• A sedentary/inactive lifestyle

All of which can be corrected.

A big misconception is that sugar is the cause of diabetes or that a diet free of refined sugar is the prevention of Type 2, when in fact a diet high in calories is probably more of the culprit. This is not to say that you go out and eat a bunch of sugary items. Sugar is high in calories and even though it does not cause diabetes, the abundance of calories it brings to the table can have a very negative effect on a person. It is important for people to make good choices with food and try to not have diets dominated by high calorie foods such as soda’s, candies, chips, cookies or cake.  So how does the Perfect Plate help?

The Perfect Plate was developed to help the average person eat good foods in the correct portions. Thereby limiting their caloric intake and keeping their insulin levels evenly controlled throughout the day. By using the Perfect Plate and Snack Plate, combined with healthy food choices and exercise, a person could lose a significant amount of weight, feel great and may prevent and in some cases reverse Type 2 Diabetes.

The Perfect Plate makes it easy for Type 2 Diabetics by monitoring their eating habits for them.  The treatment for this disease becomes simple because the Perfect Plate does all of the counting and measuring which leads to worry-free weight loss solutions.

Todd Muncy D.C.