Weight Loss relationship to Diabetes, Heart Health, Cancer, Osteoarthritis, etc.
Are you at risk of diabetes, heart disease, cancer, osteoarthritis, or other health issues related to obesity? Yes, you can have any of these obesity related diseases without being obese, but the risk is much higher if you have gained a few extra pounds or are over your ideal weight.
The cost of healthcare around the world has climbed beyond comprehension and is still rising with the rise of obesity around the globe. Reducing the obesity issue is the major answer to the cost of healthcare.
Eat less, move more! Have you heard that?
And it is true that the number one cause for weight gain is taking in more calories than are used in activity. All sorts of excuses are used for not moving more – tight schedules, more office/computer jobs, modern conveniences, and a slowing of metabolism as age increases. My 90 year old mother has told me about her grandma and how even as a young person, my mother would practically have to run to keep up with her grandma. Her grandma did not drive so if she needed to go somewhere, she walked. When my mother spends time with us (usually 4 to 6 months a year), I walk 2 miles with her every day the weather permits. She walks along at a good clip and I don’t have to slow down and wait for her. She is about 5 foot tall, weighs in the neighborhood of 100 pounds, and is on no prescription drugs. Her mind is as sharp as a tack and she still makes quilts, participates in her local church, and reads her Bible daily. She takes a small bowl full of supplements every morning and evening. Quite a role model she is!
I was fortunate to have grown up on ranches. We always had grass-fed beef, venison, fresh milk and eggs. During the summer and early fall, we had an assortment of fresh vegetables and some fruit. My mother baked our own bread and cooked a big pot of pinto beans every week. During the winter and spring we ate from the canned fruits and vegetables my mother had put up from the garden surplus in the summer and fall. Processed foods were unheard of at our house.
Unfortunately today’s lifestyle does not give us access to fresh food like it once did. We have to rely on produce from the grocery store. Maybe during the summer months, we may have access to a local farmer’s market. Things are different now. So what can we do to stay healthy or become healthy and combat the rising obesity problem?
We can move more. Very few people are so ill that they cannot walk. If all you can do is take 2 steps today, tomorrow take 3 steps. Start where you are and move step by step from your starting point. Schedule time to move more! Take the time and make the effort – it can only put you closer to your ideal weight.
Make wise food choices! Become informed about the effect of certain foods on your body. Again make and schedule time to plan and prepare your food. There are certain foods that are considered relatively healthy but in fact are high in sugars or starches (carbs). Consuming too much of these foods can set you up for what we call the ‘roller coaster’ effects of uncontrolled glycemic response as blood sugar levels go through peaks and valleys throughout the day. Being on the ‘glycemic roller coaster’ will have an effect on your mental and physical energy thus setting you up for skipping out on your activity time and for grabbing the most convenient food available.
Understanding how glucose and glycemic response affects the body is important. Glucose is a double-edged sword?
· The body recognizes blood glucose as an essential partner of energetic health. Glucose is the basic carbohydrate energy unit that circulates through the bloodstream to our cells.
· The body recognizes blood glucose as a potentially lethal adversary. Glucose has the potential to damage the circulatory system if levels remain too high for too long. Thus, when blood glucose levels exceed certain predetermined upper limits, the body needs to lower those levels rapidly. To do that it secretes insulin, which enters the bloodstream and causes glucose to be lowered.
Glycemic response is basically how our body responds to glucose. Eating a lower glycemic response diet results in lower, less dramatic elevations of blood glucose which means less insulin needs to be secreted. Secreting less insulin helps reduce the risk of diabetes because the body’s ability to make insulin is not continually overtaxed. Also, secreting less insulin is associated with more heart healthy blood lipid levels, in particular lower triglycerides and higher HDL (good) cholesterol. Thus, it is thought that lower insulin secretion helps reduce the risk of heart disease.
One of the most interesting aspects of low glycemic response foods is that because they are converted to glucose and enter the bloodstream more slowly, they also provide more even and lasting energy. Because they cause less insulin to be secreted, blood glucose levels stay within “safe” parameters and leave the blood more gradually and over a longer period of time. The result is also a longer period of hunger satisfaction thus a lower the amount of food is eaten overall.
Choosing low glycemic response foods may be easier than you think. Think natural, purest state, unprocessed, raw, fiber. For example avoid refined carbohydrates such as white bread, white rice, white sugar, etc. Many wheat breads on the shelf are not much better than white bread. Bread labels should list whole grains first. I do not consume much bread but my choice when I do purchase bread is the sprouted-grain breads usually available at health food stores. I can have a slice of sprouted grain one day for breakfast and am satisfied until lunch time but if I have a slice of 100% whole grain bread, I am hungry within 2 or 3 hours. I give this example to show the closer the food is to its natural state, the healthier it is for you. Another example would be comparing oat groats to rolled oats. Granted you must plan ahead as it takes an hour to cook the oat groats but they are so much healthier (and stick to your ribs) than even the steel-cut oats. I cook 2 or 3 cups of oat groats ahead (just like cooking a pot of pinto beans) and then all we have to do is reheat them for several breakfasts. You can’t get much quicker than that.
An easy healthy low glycemic diet is GNLD’s GR2 Control. An entire weight loss program that is even safe for diabetes. A great way to get your body functioning as it should. Check it out and get started today.
Have a happy, healthy, low glycemic day!
Pat Moon
Pat is a grandmother who started as an Independent GNLD Distributor in 1985 because of family health concerns. After experiencing positive results for several family members, she chose to share the whole food nutritional supplements and natural vitamins with other people. Her confidence in GNLD'S Whole Food Nutritional Supplements and Natural Vitamins has continued to grow because they work. Her goal is to help others have the BEST REAL HEALTH possible and slow the aging process. The products Pat uses and features are:
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{ 47 comments… read them below or add one }
This was a great read, I learned so much! I usually have oatmeal for BK, but will try oat groats. Thank you!
Hi Gilly,
Groats are just a healthier version of oatmeal. Have to plan ahead because they take about an hour to prepare.
Glad you learned from the article.
Be healthy, Pat
Thanks Pat, for all the great info on food and nutrition. Never can learn too much about health. Great advice! 🙂
Thanks, Norma.
You know that my passion is in sharing helpful nutrition information. You are right, a person can never learn too much about how what they eat affects their health.
Your support is appreciated.
Pat
Great advice Pat, thank you. I've found that since I switched my lunchtime sandwich to a wrap I feel more alert in the afternoon and don't get the 3:00pm slumps I used to experience.
Hi Jackie,
Great choice in getting rid of some of the high carb sandwich. Carbs in abundance at lunch time can certainly give a 3 pm slump. They challenge your digestive tract as it tries to process them as either energy or fat. The slump can be an indicator those extra carbs are becoming fat that can stick with you long term.
You’ve made a wise choice.
Pat
Thank you for sharing this information, here's to living a healthier lifestyle!
Hi Lorii,
I’m always happy and even passionate about sharing the nutritional relationship to health.
Thanks for visiting.
Pat
Pat, the emerging science around these issues is both fascinating and alarming. Lots to think about here!
Hi Shari,
Yes, the rate of obesity and reasons for it are both very fascinating and alarming. So many people are unaware of how their food selections are affecting their health, both long-term and short-term.
It is wise to stay informed.
Pat
Diabetes runs in my family, so I have taken my health in my own hands and switched to a raw vegan lifestyle….. I am about 90% raw. I love it and I don't miss meat or processed food
Hi Veronica,
Good for you in taking your health in your own hands.. that is wonderful! I’m not a vegan but eat a very good selection of veggies each day always with a high percentage raw. My only word of advice is that you must make sure you are getting healthy fats in order to stay healthy. It can be done when you are 100% vegan but can be a challenge.
I wish more people who are at risk of diabetes would realize they need to get rid of the high carb and processed food choices. They can reverse diabetes and for sure reduce the risk of developing diabetes.
Stay healthy!
Pat
Your mother sounds fantastic! I love vibrant folks! I tend to be a low-carb eater and can definitely feel it when I splurge on something processed.
Hi Lynn,
Yes, my mother is an amazing woman in so many ways.
Low carb is good. I eat that way as well. Yesterday I made an exception. Guess what? I felt drained and extra tired last night and also didn’t sleep as well as I should have. After splurging on some extra desserts I really felt it.
Stay vibrant!
Pat
Thanks for sharing this great info! The past few years I have concentrated on eating more healthy whole foods. The one thing I still struggle with is the fresh baked Italian bread my husband routinely brings home. It would be easier if it was not always in front of my nose!
Hi Terri,
Oh, my, that fresh baked bread is certainly a challenge to at least not sample when it is in front of you and smells so wonderful! Fortunately both my husband and I save that fresh bread for special occasions and just do not tempt ourselves on a regular basis.
Whole foods are the best choice for healthy eating. It is best to stay away from foods that have additives or are altered. I’m sure your body is thanking you for making that whole food change to your nutrition.
Enjoy a little of that bread ever so often but try to make it an exception rather than the rule.
You’re doing great!
Pat
You always make so much sense Pat. I am not a mover and I know it's important and so I am doing treadmill every morning. On days when I can't I will go up and down stairs or walk. I took on weight loss and succeeded. I am taking 'movement' on and will succeed.
Hi Roslyn,
Good for you, I’m proud of you for losing that weight. It can be a challenge. Movement does help in losing weight as well as keeping the weight off. Moving helps keep your metabolism in shape as well as your cardio, muscle, bones, nerves.. your entire body. I typically do my big exercise program 3 times per week.. that is adequate to keep fit. Typically the every day thing is for bodybuilder’s and or if you are training for endurance.
Great job!
Pat
Wonderful article full of such great information. Thanks for sharing. #SavvyBIZSolutions
Hi Diana F,
So happy to have you visit and comment on my blog.
I wish you the very best health possible.
Pat
Exercise if so vital to good health. Trying to incorporate it into our every day lives can be a challenge. Finding a buddy to exercise with will usually do the trick. For the accountability and the company!
Hi Martha,
Yes, exercise is very vital to good health but it can be a challenge and take discipline to incorporate it into our every day lives. It can be so easy to allow this excuse or that excuse to take priority. The buddy system can certainly help with the accountability part and can also make the exercise more fun.. something to look forward too.
Exercise and proper nutrition are both equally important.
Stay fit. Pat
This is a ton of info! good info! Cancer runs in our family, so we need to becareful.
Hi, it seems that cancer is in most every family but some seem to be hit worse than others. I believe we are exposed to so many more cancer causing carcenigens either through the environment or our food and water supplies. We do all need to be aware and take all possible measures to reduce our risks.
Stay healthy!
Pat
I love all the facts you give with your tips 🙂 Weight issues are a never-ending thing for people – this is much needed info 🙂 No matter how much we 'know' it – we always need to hear it again and again!
Robin, thank you for your comment. Yes, weight issues seem to be getting worse instead of better. Our lifestyles in this busy age are so addicted to what people believe is quick and easy. It may not really be quick and easy but that is the perception when convenience foods are consumed rather than whole foods.
Thanks for keeping us informed about health issues !!
Anita, my goal is to help people prevent health issues from developing.
As a Chef, I know that we are no longer gettting the best food for our bodies. We have become a society of convience and by that we have lost sight of why we eat. It is to fuel and nurish our bodies. We don't even think about this anymore. We just eat to eat and that is why we struggle with health issues. If everyone had to plant their own garden or grow their own food… we might be in a different state of health today. Thank you for sharing!
Katrina,
You are so right. Our society eats to eat. It is a social thing and that is ok.. we just need to approach it with common sense. Right now our life style does not allow us to have a garden but I cook everything from scratch and from whole food as fresh as possible. It really is not that time consuming especially when we keep it simple for every day eating. That is what I do. I spend a little more time when cooking for special occasions. When we occasionally eat out, we chose to order items that are reasonably healthy and as close to whole food as possible just like when we eat at home. We also watch portion control.. that is a real key to obesity.. not over eating.
Thanks for keeping us informed about all the risks with obesity Pat! I confess that I should pay more attention to the phrase "eat less, and move more", my doctor always tells me that!
Meire, yes you should listen to your doctor when he or she tells you to eat less and move more. They are both important to stay healthy and fight obesity.
More great health tips from this blog. Everyone needs to watch what they eat or if they don't want to, they should move around more. There are celebrities who are not having any particular diet but just take note of what they eat and base their exercise from that. Thank you for these reminders Pat.
Lorii,
It is necessary to pay attention to both what we eat as well as get proper exercise… it takes both.
Lots of great information here to help us get healthy, Pat. I always learn something new and get inspired to improve when I visit your site.
Marie, I am so glad you learn something new and are inspired to improve your health when visiting my site. That makes me happy.
Great post about how obesity affects our bodies. I already struggle with my weight and have for years. And now that I have chronic back problems, the extra pounds aren't in my favor. I am currently working on trying to reduce my calories intake since exercise is a bit difficult for me.
Hi Christy,
I am so sorry to hear you are having trouble with your back.. that can be miserable. I would like to suggest you take a look at the T-Tapp exercise program. The lady who developed it had a major back injury in her teens which caused permanent back damage. It is amazing what she has done to heal her back. I do not have back issues but started this last year when I was 68 years old. It is the best exercise program I have found to get the weight off and keep it off.. I am so sold on it.
Another thing I would like to suggest is to go through my 10 Day Challenge to Better Health ..it is free to go through and will give you some very practical, simple suggestions that could help you not have to struggle so with your weight.
I wish you the very best.
Pat
This is a very good post about something that effects a lot of people. Thank you!
Yvonne, yes so many people are affected with obesity which is putting them at risk of so many diseases.
Excellent post, Pat. Thanks for such a detailed report. I agree that the state of our weight has to be adressed again and again. You'd think with all the information we have access to online, people would be healthier…not the case.
Alexandra, I believe one of the major problems is all the processed and fast foods available. People do not know how to eat basic food any more.
Allot of infor to take in here!
Rob, thank you for stopping by.
Brilliant article Pat – very important and useful information! I totally agree with Denny – The state of our weight is something that needs to be addressed again and again…especially when it comes to our youth! Thank you so much for posting this article.
Pat, great information. I totally believe right choices from the spoon or fork help with disease control or prevention. Perhaps erasing it too. Did you know that apples help with weight loss. My blog about apples shares more.
Thanks for this incredible report Pat…so much information to consider. The state of our weight is something that needs to be addressed again and again…especially when it comes to our youth! Great job!
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