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"NO-NONSENSE NUTRITION ADVICE"
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Tamara from Columbia County asks…
Tamara from Columbia County asks…
"I'm a diabetic and I take blood pressure and cholesterol medicine. When I go to the doctor, she tells me that my blood pressure and cholesterol are normal, so why do I have to continue taking the medications?"
"I'm a diabetic and I take blood pressure and cholesterol medicine. When I go to the doctor, she tells me that my blood pressure and cholesterol are normal, so why do I have to continue taking the medications?"
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This is a good question. In Verge Magazine, with a general readership audience, why use this column to answer such a specific question about diabetes? Well, the fact is that about 25 million people in the U.S. presently have diabetes and the estimates are that another 60 million people are pre-diabetic; even greater numbers in the southern U.S. Wow! That means that 25% or more of the people reading Verge Magazine right now are either diabetic or pre-diabetic.
This is a good question. In Verge Magazine, with a general readership audience, why use this column to answer such a specific question about diabetes? Well, the fact is that about 25 million people in the U.S. presently have diabetes and the estimates are that another 60 million people are pre-diabetic; even greater numbers in the southern U.S. Wow! That means that 25% or more of the people reading Verge Magazine right now are either diabetic or pre-diabetic.
We also know that the vast majority of people with diabetes have non-insulin dependent diabetes, associated with having a very poor lifestyle. I am referring to being overweight or obese, eating the wrong foods high in calories, saturated fat, salt and sugar, and not getting enough physical activity every day. Another important poor lifestyle factor is NOT knowing your blood sugar, your blood cholesterol and your blood pressure. Just because you do not know these values doesn’t mean they are ok. That’s the “ostrich-hiding-head-in-the-sand” approach to life. Knowing the status of your health means that you can prevent serious disease. It is a very positive message to KNOW.
We also know that the vast majority of people with diabetes have non-insulin dependent diabetes, associated with having a very poor lifestyle. I am referring to being overweight or obese, eating the wrong foods high in calories, saturated fat, salt and sugar, and not getting enough physical activity every day. Another important poor lifestyle factor is NOT knowing your blood sugar, your blood cholesterol and your blood pressure. Just because you do not know these values doesn’t mean they are ok. That’s the “ostrich-hiding-head-in-the-sand” approach to life. Knowing the status of your health means that you can prevent serious disease. It is a very positive message to KNOW.
We know that about 70% of people with diabetes die of a heart attack. Having diabetes is such a high risk for a heart attack, that people with diabetes are treated as if they already have had one heart attack. Think about that. We now understand that sugar in your diet does not “cause” diabetes; rather diabetes is related to being overweight (from eating too much of everything, even healthy food) and being too inactive. Activities of daily living are not enough; you need to have a daily physical activity routine, like walking, biking, dancing, or whatever you LIKE to do. “Chasing after kids,” “going shopping,” or “running around at work,” is not the type of exercise routine that does the trick.
We know that about 70% of people with diabetes die of a heart attack. Having diabetes is such a high risk for a heart attack, that people with diabetes are treated as if they already have had one heart attack. Think about that. We now understand that sugar in your diet does not “cause” diabetes; rather diabetes is related to being overweight (from eating too much of everything, even healthy food) and being too inactive. Activities of daily living are not enough; you need to have a daily physical activity routine, like walking, biking, dancing, or whatever you LIKE to do. “Chasing after kids,” “going shopping,” or “running around at work,” is not the type of exercise routine that does the trick.
In addition, diabetes treatment not only focuses on maintaining healthy blood sugar levels, but also focuses on your LDL (bad) cholesterol and blood pressure. If your blood pressure and cholesterol are found to be elevated at an appointment with your physician, the physician will, likely, put you on medication to lower these values. There are several important reasons to continue taking your medications once your values are normal. One reason is that the medicines you are on for blood pressure and cholesterol do not CURE these conditions, they simply TREAT them. That means that the minute you stop taking your medications, your blood pressure and cholesterol will slowly go up. As time passes, your blood pressure and cholesterol may end up even higher than before you started taking the medication. There is no doubt that it is very important to continue taking these medications and never stop them without the advice of your physician, especially for someone with diabetes. You will most likely be on these medications for your entire life. Many people do make the mistake of stopping their medications once their blood pressure and cholesterol numbers are "normal" and then they increase their risk of having a heart attack or stroke.
In addition, diabetes treatment not only focuses on maintaining healthy blood sugar levels, but also focuses on your LDL (bad) cholesterol and blood pressure. If your blood pressure and cholesterol are found to be elevated at an appointment with your physician, the physician will, likely, put you on medication to lower these values. There are several important reasons to continue taking your medications once your values are normal. One reason is that the medicines you are on for blood pressure and cholesterol do not CURE these conditions, they simply TREAT them. That means that the minute you stop taking your medications, your blood pressure and cholesterol will slowly go up. As time passes, your blood pressure and cholesterol may end up even higher than before you started taking the medication. There is no doubt that it is very important to continue taking these medications and never stop them without the advice of your physician, especially for someone with diabetes. You will most likely be on these medications for your entire life. Many people do make the mistake of stopping their medications once their blood pressure and cholesterol numbers are "normal" and then they increase their risk of having a heart attack or stroke.
The second reason you are still on your medications relates to the idea of what is “normal” blood pressure and cholesterol for a person with diabetes. To understand this, you need to figure out the difference between what is a “normal” and what is “healthy” or “ideal.” Think of it this way; in the U.S. people “normally” die of cardiovascular disease, the #1 cause of death. Therefore with a “normal” blood cholesterol value and “normal” blood pressure, you will “normally” die of heart disease, stroke, and other cardiovascular diseases. Remember, that with diabetes, the “normal” cause of death is a heart attack. So, it is very clear that having “normal” blood values is really not what you want, particularly if you have diabetes. You want “ideal” or “healthy” values, which are lower than “normal.” Even though you are on your medications and everything looks “normal,” your physician may wisely choose to keep you on the medications and reduce your cholesterol and blood pressure even further, to lower you risk. Does that make sense? If not, re-read the explanation and, if you still have questions, post them on the “AskDrKarp” Facebook page. This provides a simple method for allowing people to learn from each other’s questions.
The second reason you are still on your medications relates to the idea of what is “normal” blood pressure and cholesterol for a person with diabetes. To understand this, you need to figure out the difference between what is a “normal” and what is “healthy” or “ideal.” Think of it this way; in the U.S. people “normally” die of cardiovascular disease, the #1 cause of death. Therefore with a “normal” blood cholesterol value and “normal” blood pressure, you will “normally” die of heart disease, stroke, and other cardiovascular diseases. Remember, that with diabetes, the “normal” cause of death is a heart attack. So, it is very clear that having “normal” blood values is really not what you want, particularly if you have diabetes. You want “ideal” or “healthy” values, which are lower than “normal.” Even though you are on your medications and everything looks “normal,” your physician may wisely choose to keep you on the medications and reduce your cholesterol and blood pressure even further, to lower you risk. Does that make sense? If not, re-read the explanation and, if you still have questions, post them on the “AskDrKarp” Facebook page. This provides a simple method for allowing people to learn from each other’s questions.
What’s the “no-nonsense nutrition advice” for today? First, you need to KNOW your blood pressure, your blood cholesterol, and your blood sugar values. In addition, if you are on medications to control your blood pressure and blood cholesterol, you will probably be on them for life in order to reach “healthy” blood values.
What’s the “no-nonsense nutrition advice” for today? First, you need to KNOW your blood pressure, your blood cholesterol, and your blood sugar values. In addition, if you are on medications to control your blood pressure and blood cholesterol, you will probably be on them for life in order to reach “healthy” blood values.
by Dr. Warren Karp - "No-Nonsense Nutrition Advice"
by Dr. Warren Karp - "No-Nonsense Nutrition Advice"
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