Asia will account for 60% of diabetes cases by 2030, US expert warns
Diabetes is expected to affect 380 million worldwide by the year 2030, and noted American physician and researcher Mark Hyman has warned that 60% of this number will come from Asia due to people’s dietary habits, rising population and weaker environmental laws.
“The number of individuals with impaired glucose tolerance or pre-diabetes will increase substantially because of increased genetic susceptibility to the harmful effects of sugar and processed food,” says Hyman, MD, Founder and Medical Director of The Ultra Wellness Centre and Director of the Cleveland Clinic Center for Functional Medicine.
Hyman has come out with a book “The Blood Sugar Solution: The Ultra Healthy Program for Losing Weight, Preventing Disease, and Feeling Great Now!” in which he tells how balanced insulin levels is the way to lose weight and prevent not just diabetes but also heart disease, stroke, dementia, and cancer.
“Interestingly, people in this Asian population (who are uniquely susceptible to diabetes even though they may not be obese) are increasingly affected as they adopt a more Western diet. Weaker environmental laws and regulations also expose them to increasing levels of toxins, which are a significant cause of diabesity,” he writes.
Hyman describes the seven keys to achieving wellness: boosting nutrition, regulating hormones, reducing inflammation, improving digestion, maximizing detoxification, enhancing energy metabolism, and soothing the mind in the book, published by Hachette. With advice on diet, green living, supplements and medication, exercise, and personalizing the plan for optimal results, the book also teaches readers how to maintain lifelong health.
Diabesity, the continuum of health problems ranging from mild insulin resistance and overweight to obesity and diabetes, is the single biggest global health epidemic of our time, he says.
“It is one of the leading causes of heart disease, dementia, cancer and premature death and is almost entirely caused by environmental and lifestyle factors. This means that it is almost 100% preventable and curable,” Hyman writes. He also suggests a six-week action plan: eat medicines, optimize metabolism with nutritional supplements, relax mind and heal body, fun and smart exercise, living clean and green, and personalizing the program.
“The six-week action plan is a practical six-step, six- week program you can do on your own, or in partnership with your healthcare provider. It also shows you how to create a community of support for yourself,” he says.
Insulin resistance is the major cause of aging and death in the most of the developed and developing countries, according to Hyman. He warns people that even though they may have perfectly normal sugar levels, they may still be sitting on a hidden time bomb of a disease called diabesity, which prevents people from losing weight and living a long healthy life.
