Health Canada has reported that the incidence of obesity and adult-onset diabetes is on the rise. Concurrently, stress levels and the sedentary hours spent at our desks are increasing.

When we are under stress, our body produces higher levels of our stress hormone cortisol. In turn, cortisol reduces the amount of active thyroid hormone controlling our metabolic rate, thus slowing down our metabolism. In combination with lack of exercise and North American diets high in refined carbohydrates, this metabolic slowdown leads to increased weight gain. This gain in body fat is associated with increased insulin resistance. Insulin is the hormone that enables glucose to enter a cell to be used as fuel. In insulin resistance, the body produces enough insulin for its needs but individual cells do not respond to the insulin and do not take up glucose properly. This can lead to type II (adult-onset) diabetes mellitus. A diet high in refined carbohydrates worsens the body's ability to control blood sugar levels by placing extra stress on the pancreas to produce insulin. The influx of insulin, in response to a sudden increase in blood glucose, contributes to a number of symptoms including inability to concentrate and mid-afternoon fatigue.

Stress also plays a role in cholesterol levels. Only a small fraction of the cholesterol in our body comes from diet. Our liver manufactures the vast majority of our cholesterol. When our cortisol levels increase under stressful conditions the amount of cholesterol manufactured by the liver also elevates.

Although not everyone develops diabetes, high blood sugars and cholesterol speed up the aging process. As we age, especially with poor diet and lifestyle, our ability to control blood glucose diminishes. We then have an increased risk of some of the same symptoms as diabetics. When blood glucose levels are uncontrolled there are many serious consequences. The damage caused by poorly controlled sugar levels can appear long before the diagnosis of diabetes has occurred. Cholesterol directly damages the lining of the blood vessels while glucose damages blood vessels via more complex mechanisms. All vessels are affected to some degree. The symptoms each person experiences depend on which vessels are the most affected and on the extent to which the glucose levels are uncontrolled. High levels of both glucose and cholesterol are associated with increased risk of atherosclerosis, heart attack, and stroke. Atherosclerosis can also lead to blindness, kidney failure, and decreased circulation to legs and feet, which can result in gangrene and amputation. The latter of the symptoms are more associated with frank diabetes. However, do not wait for the diagnosis of diabetes to change your lifestyle; by this point there has already been considerable damage done.

There are a number of risk factors that contribute to increased glucose and cholesterol levels. An important risk factor is a diet containing refined carbohydrates, which includes anything that has been processed. Sugar, white flour, pasta, cookies, and crackers all fall into this category. By and large, the majority of foods in the aisles of the supermarket are refined carbohydrates. The foods on the perimeter of the store tend to be the healthier whole foods.

Another risk factor is a sedentary lifestyle. Twenty minutes per day of aerobic exercise like walking, cycling, swimming, or dancing has excellent results in improving insulin sensitivity and glucose management.

A third risk factor is obesity. Documented mechanisms are responsible for muscle cells in obese patients being less able to take up glucose. Weight loss (via diet, exercise, and other strategies), along with treatments targeted at this mechanism, can improve muscle cell sensitivity to insulin and hence, improve glucose control. Talk to your health care practitioner to develop a plan to safely and successfully lose weight.

Another risk factor is stress. As mentioned previously, stress has an indirect effect on glucose control. Having personal time each day to unwind can be a very beneficial way to decrease stress levels, while increasing quality of life.

Prevention is truly the best medicine. A healthy lifestyle can avert the negative effects of aging. We should eat more complex carbohydrates such as vegetables, whole grains, and fruit. Choose snacks of vegetables, seeds, and nuts. Drink 100% real fruit juices and dilute the juices with water by 50% to reduce the sugar content. Drink vegetable juices which you can juice yourself, or get from your local grocer. Exercising regularly can be challenging, especially during the colder months, but your health will thank you.

Conventional treatments of diabetes include a number of strategies to reduce blood sugars. Oral hypoglycemic medications such as metformin and glyburide are initially used. In more severe cases, various types of insulin may also be administered. There is a very good track record with natural therapies for blood glucose control. The success of natural therapies varies with each individual's particular circumstances. It is always important to continue monitoring your blood glucose levels on a consistent basis. You should work closely with a qualified health practitioner who can adjust the amounts and types of treatment for you. There are many supplements available that can improve blood glucose control.

For example, the mineral chromium works together with insulin to facilitate the uptake of glucose into cells. In clinical studies, chromium has been shown to increase glucose tolerance, lower insulin levels, and decrease total cholesterol and triglyceride levels. It has also been shown to increase HDL (the "good" cholesterol) levels. There are various forms of chromium available. Discuss which one is most suitable for you with your health care practitioner.

Another natural treatment is Bitter melon (Momordica charantia), a tropical fruit widely cultivated in Asia, Africa, and South America. The extract of the unripe fruit has been established in human clinical trials to have blood glucose-lowering activity.

Many more natural substances exist that can be used as part of a custom-designed treatment plan. Speak with your health care practitioner in order to determine a course of action for you. By implementing the discussed preventative lifestyle practices, we can truly live longer, healthier, and happier lives.

Dr. Kent Bailey, a naturopathic doctor, has practices in Saskatoon and Prince Albert. He focusses on preventative medicine as well as natural interventions in the treatment of patients with illness. Dr. Bailey is accepting new patients. Saskatoon: (306) 955-7707, Prince Albert: (306) 764-2000.