Diabetes Prevention and Management

Diabetes Mellitus is a result of problems with the pancreatic hormone insulin. Insulin controls the amount of glucose (sugar) in the blood and the rate at which glucose is absorbed into the cells. The cells need glucose to produce energy. In people with diabetes, glucose builds up in the bloodstream instead of being taken into and used by the cells, leading to hyperglycemia (abnormally high levels of glucose in the blood).

Diabetes Prevention

Consequences of Hyperglycemia

Eventually, hyperglycemia leads to damaged blood vessels, which in turn, may cause  eye disease, heart disease, peripheral and autonomic neuropathy (nerve damage to the limbs and internal organs), and diabetic nephropathy (kidney disease). There are two types of Diabetes Mellitus: type I or juvenile, and type II or adult-onset diabetes.

Causes of Diabetes

Most people know that diabetes has something to do with the function of a large gland called the pancreas, which lies just behind the stomach. However, from research into the cause of diabetes, it has been found that failure of the pancreas to function has underlying risk factors. The main cause of diabetes is eating regularly an unbalanced diet consisting largely of sugars, fats, and starches, prepared so as to delight the eye and palate, but which are to a great extent denatured (refined).  The foods that largely contribute to development of diabetes also include artificial sweeteners, white flour products, tea, coffee, tobacco, liquor, Coca Cola, soft drinks, and all processed foods.

Diabetes is not a plague that falls on one’s head one day. Though genetic pre-disposition may play some role, it is mostly a self-imposed affliction by improper food and lifestyle choices that leads to pancreas overwork and eventually degeneration. If we avoid overeating and consumption of unhealthy fats and refined products, and if we exercise regularly, in most cases we should not be afraid to become insulin-dependent. Diabetes is mainly a lifestyle disease.

Being overweight (especially if the weight is concentrated around the mid-section) is a significant risk factor for developing type 2 diabetes, due to the fact that the pancreas has to work much harder to produce enough insulin for increased body cells number and may get easily overworked.

Additionally, excessive alcohol consumption and gallstones are major culprits of pancreas issues, as are high amounts of fat consumption; infections (mumps, hepatitis, rubella, Epstein-Barr virus (mono), cytomegalovirus); and certain medications (azathioprine, sulfonamides, corticosteroids, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS), tetracycline and similar antibiotics).

Medical Treatment for Diabetes

The goal of medicine is to control symptoms. It involves constant monitoring of glucose levels and plasma glucose levels.

The objectives of this control are two-fold:

1)  to avoid ketoacidosis (accumulation in the body of the ketone bodies resulting from the incomplete combustion of fatty acids).

2)  to control symptoms resulting from hyperglycemia (high sugar levels in the blood) and glucosuria (abnormal amounts of sugar in the urine).

There are a variety of medications for controlling diabetes, from metformin to insulin and at least two dozen types in-between. According to Mayo Clinic, diabetes drugs work through one or a few of the following effects:

  • Stimulating the pancreas to produce and release more insulin
  • Inhibiting the production and release of glucose from the liver
  • Blocking the action of stomach enzymes that break down carbohydrates
  • Improving the sensitivity of cells to insulin
  • Inhibiting the reabsorption of glucose in the kidneys
  • Slowing how quickly food moves through the stomach

Though a temporal benefit of a medicine is valuable, it is crucial to understand how it works and what are potential long-term side effects.

Side Effects of Insulin:

  • Headache
  • Hunger
  • Weakness
  • Sweating
  • Tremors
  • Irritability
  • Trouble concentrating
  • Rapid breathing
  • Fast heartbeat
  • Fainting
  • Seizure
  • Death due to severe hypoglycemia

Side Effects of Metformin:

  • Diarrhea (53.2%), nausea/vomiting (25.5%), flatulence (12.1%)
  • Chest discomfort, flushing, palpitation (1-10%)[Ref]
  • Infection (20.5%)[Ref]
  • Myalgia (=muscle pain, 1-10%) [Ref]
  • Lightheadedness, taste disturbances (1-10%)[Ref]
  • Headache (1-10%)[Ref]
  • Depression
  • Blurred Vision
  • Painful or difficult Urination
  • Shakiness
  • Slurred speech
  • Seizures

Besides known harmful side effects  attributed to each drug, what may concern an individual is that the effects above do nothing to address the underlying cause of the problem. This means that they only control the condition by constant stimulation of various enzymatic reactions in the body, but on the deeper level do not make it better. We also may be wondering what may be the long-term effects of changing of the vital metabolic processes for prolonged periods of time: how it will eventually affect digestive system, kidneys and liver in a long run.

Though it would be unwise to go of meds abruptly and without medical guidance, it is completely illogical to pursue on a drug path without addressing the deep lying cause of dis-ease, and without making changes that will lead to real health results.

Pre-Diabetes or Diabetes Incurable? Is There Any Hope?

Fortunately, there is a great hope. Though Diabetes is considered incurable, we’ve seen many pre-diabetics and people suffering from diabetes type II for many years and were completely able to go off insulin and now live a diabetes-free life. People with diabetes type 1 can considerably reduce their insulin dosage and live a much happier, normal life. We know at least 1 person with juvenile diabetes who stopped taking insulin at all! This person’s name is Sergei Boutenko, and you can read about his story on the website www.rawfamily.com. Dr. Gerson, who is well known for alternative treatments for cancer, treated Albert Schweitzer from diabetes using fresh juices and raw foods. Dr. Gabriel Cousins in his video “Simply Raw: Reversing Diabetes in 30 days” shows how raw food diet is able drastically improve or reverse diabetes type II.

There was no miracle cure that those people took. All they did was changing the way they ate and treated their body.

It is totally normal for the body to be healthy, and it is easy, if we provide it with all it needs. Such diseases as diabetes are mostly related to the lifestyle, and therefore the only way to turn things around is to change your lifestyle!

Here is How to Assist Your Body to Heal Itself from Diabetes

  • Consume super green foods, such as chlorella, spirulina, wheatgrass, barley grass, or even better – fresh vegetable and green drinks or green smoothies. Avoid fruit juices, though as they can cause blood sugar spikes.
  • The skin is the largest organ of elimination. Encourage it to expel toxins by giving yourself a dry brush from head to toe every morning and night.
  • Drink a glass of clean water every two waking hours to rid your body of toxins.
  • Eat a balanced diet consisting of unrefined foods. The most important therapy for diabetes is a healthful diet. The healthiest foods are those that are produced in nature: fresh vegetables, fruit, unroasted and unsalted nuts and seeds, greens, grains and legumes.
  • Can people with diabetes eat fruit? Yes, if it is not juiced. Enjoy plenty of berries, plums, and grapes which also contain phytochemicals that protect your vision. Focus on quality fats, which are in abundance in fresh nuts, seeds, avocado, and flax seeds. A table spoon of grounded flax seeds in your salad daily will provide you with a good amount of omega 3-6-9 fats. Have you heard that hemp seeds contain more omega-3 than fish?
  • Increasing consumption of fresh, raw produce up to 80-90% will give a tremendous benefit to your overall health and will provide you with the best building materials you body needs so much! Working and foraging in your garden is essential! You not only get to enjoy the more nutrient rich food grown without pesticides in mineral rich soil, you also will provide yourself with plenty sunshine and exercise, which (unless you overwork) will invigorate you and will not exhaust you, like weekly shopping. You won’t believe how much more healthy and energetic you’ll become!
  • Detoxification. Although complete fasting is not recommended by many health specialists if you have diabetes, there are many great ways  help flush out toxic build-up.
  • Exercise in the fresh air and sunshine. Your blood, which is slow now, will be running faster thus carrying out of your body cells wastes and supplying them with nutrients and oxygen abundantly. Your bones will be stronger, and you’ll have more energy.  A 30-min brisk walk daily is a good exercise to start with.
  • Stress management. It is estimated that some deep roots of virtually all diseases originate in our emotions. Working on emotional problems and taking control over this area of your life is crucial for success.

How can the Fresh Start help?

We may assist you in a number of ways.

Firstly, the Fresh Start offers a comprehensive yet down to earth educational lifestyle transformation program. You will eat a lot of yummy healing foods and will learn how to prepare these at home.

Secondly, you will have a chance to gently cleanse your body with specialty formulas and foods. This will optimize work of your entire digestive system and metabolism.

Thirdly, you will most likely will lose significant (though realistic) amount of extra weight.

Fourthly, you will consume foods that assist pancreas in sparing of its enzymes – raw foods, which constitute a large portion of our vegan organic meals. They will nourish and take load of this organ, which in return may improve its function. Raw food has been found to reverse diabetes.

Additionally, throughout the program you will receive:

  • Lots of greens: wheatgrass juice, green salads and green smoothies, which provide the best microminerals and proteins for healing inflammation and rebuilding of damaged organs. Minerals are crucial elements that govern blood sugar metabolism and reduce occurrence of pancreatic insufficiency, renal disease, neuropathy and retinopathy.
  • Supplement supporting the entire Hormonal System (spirulina and kelp).
  • Unique Digestion Tune-up™, GI Rebuilding™ and Liver Activation™ Drinks™ specially designed to assist with improving digestion, as well as quality probiotics and digestive enzymes will help your body use nutrients more effectively in the process of cellular re-nourishment and cellular restoration.
  • Health lectures, Food Preparation and Integration workshops where you’ll learn how to eat healthfully. You also will take home the yummy Fresh Start recipe book.
  • Emotional Wellness Workshops, guided meditations and art classes will help you learn about self-care under stresses of day-to-day life.
  • Fresh Ocean breeze and nature walks will calm and relax your body and min, helping recharge and rejuvenate, and to have a great vacation.
  • GO-DEEPER™ packages, specially designed by our holistic doctor will contain a number of custom protocols and treatments designed to assist with improving of the vital body organs and overall physical and emotional well-being.

We would be happy to give you a free health consultation to discuss your particular situation and whether a health retreat would be beneficial for you.

Our Guests Success Stories

“When I arrived I felt exhausted, weak and so heavy.  I am type 2 diabetic and my eating was out of control as were my blood sugar levels and weight.  I just dragged myself through the day and was very depressed.  I knew I was heading for heart disease, stroke or worse.

By the time I left the Centre I was feeling better than I had in 20 yrs and continue to feel well.  I was able, (with the help of my Dr.) to cut all my high blood pressure & diabetic medication in half except for the insulin which I now almost  never have to take.  My only goal was to get off the insulin injections but I was blessed with so much more.”

Linda

 

“My expectations were mostly related to weigh loss and some improvement in my health. What happened there however, was nothing short of a miracle.  Yes, I achieved my target weight loss, even exceeding expectation of 12 pounds (I lost 14 pounds from 237 to 223). But the true miracle was my health.  After three days, I was able to put the insulin away. You have to realize I was on 4 injections a day, 20 units before each meal and 90 units before night. Couple days later, I dropped my high blood pressure medication and cut my stomach medication (Losec) to one pill a day.  Finally, on the last day of the program I was medication free, a happy and healthy individual.

I could not believe my luck. I felt 20 years younger and with long healthy future ahead of me. The program changed my life completely.  I have discovered a new way of eating, came back to yoga and dancing. Today, a month later, I am still medication free.  My morning sugar level was 4.00 (I have never achieved that level in the morning with insulin). I can eat food which before my digestion could not process (even with Losec) and finally my blood pressure is normal.”

Jack

 

“I went to the doctor, and my glucose was at 6.4. And 7.0 is diabetes. So I wanted to prevent that from happening. My weight loss is 12 lbs so far. BP came down significantly. It is in a normal range now. The overall being… you can tell… it lifted the fog for me.

If you even have a thought you need to go to a health retreat, then you have to go. You have to prevent. Don’t wait until you have cancer, or diabetes, or your gall bladder is taken out. Don’t wait for that. That’s why I am here. I don’t want to be on pills, be diabetic or take insulin, when I can reverse it now.”

Liana

 

“The reason why I came to the Fresh Start was because last month I was diagnosed with diabetes. It was a shock to me, but knowing what the Fresh Start does (I was here 6 years ago), I called and said: “Hey, I want to come and see what you guys can do for me.”

I was surprised at the results I got so quickly. Within a week and a half I was of the diabetes medication. My blood sugar stabilized. I’ve been losing weight. I feel better both physically and emotionally…” It’s been a life-altering experience for me.”

Mark

 

Can We Cure You?

We do not cure anyone and never will. It is your body that can heal, if you find the cause, or more precisely, multiple contributing factors, and just start taking care of its needs. We only can help you learn the self-care and provide as many ingredients assisting with restoration of body tissues and healing of the heart as possible. So please do not expect miracles or quick fixes when you are at the retreat with us and take one step at a time. It took time to get down, it takes time to return to health. It is totally in your body and soul’s power to heal, fast or slow. Yet what we can offer is a healing space where if you work on your health with 100% dedication, determination and discipline, you’ll see results.

 

 

Disclaimer

Fresh Start Health Retreat Centers is not a medical facility, but a holistic wellness retreat. Though many people who came to our programs have improved their well-being in many ways, the results of our guests are individual, and we cannot guarantee recovery or improvement of any disease or illness to any specific degree. Fresh Start does not provide medical treatment or cure for diabetes, cancer or any other disease.