Radiant Living

for weeks and the desire was gone. I had
been recreated a new person who was no
longer a slave.
Years have gone by; at times I have lost
my focus on Jesus and my connection
with Him. Then my old nature returned
and I resumed my old ways.
But my God is so gracious! He takes
me back, recreates me, and puts me back
on the right path. My relationship with
Him is far more valuable than wealth or
honor, praise or possessions, and I don’t
ever want to trade it for anything, lose it,
or neglect it again.
BAB—An addict, free by the grace
of God.
Diabetes
Diabetes is a serious condition that
occurs when the body becomes unable
to use glucose (sugar), which builds up
to dangerous levels in the blood. High
blood sugar levels damage the body
in a number of ways. Life expectancy
is shortened by 5 to 10 years or more.
The risk of heart disease, stroke, blindness,
foot and leg amputations, kidney
failure, peripheral neuropathy, and
breast and uterine cancer is increased.
It is estimated that sixteen million
Americans are diabetic, and one third
are unaware of it. 1
There are two types of diabetes. Juvenile
onset diabetes—called Type I or
insulin dependent diabetes—is the more
severe form. Adult onset diabetes—
called Type II or noninsulin dependent
diabetes—is more common. Both have
problems with insulin, the substance
which acts as the “key” to open the
“door” of each body cell to let glucose
enter and fuel the cell. Type I diabetics
do not produce enough insulin and
must have regular shots, or they will
die. Type II diabetics have a less severe
underproduction of insulin, and/or an
insulin resistant condition, in which the
cells do not respond to it. As a result,
glucose builds up in the blood while the
cells starve. Type II diabetes is usually the
result of a genetic predisposition coupled
with obesity, a diet high in fat, and too
little exercise.
The good news is that diabetes can
often be controlled by lifestyle modifications.
If a person is receiving medication,
these changes must be made in consultation
with a doctor, since medications will
need to be lowered quickly—sometimes
within a matter of hours.
Here are some recommended changes:
1. Avoid dietary fats. They are the
main factor responsible for making cells
unresponsive to insulin. 2 Studies show
that a 65 percent fat diet will induce
diabetes in less than two weeks. 3
2. Lose weight. Obesity is one of the
primary reasons cells become insulin
resistant. Losing weight makes the cells
more responsive, and this alone will cure
many Type II diabetics. 4
3. Exercise regularly. Physical inactivity
contributes to the development
of insulin resistance. Regular exercise
enhances the cell’s ability to use insulin.
5 Regular exercise is critical for the
diabetic and for those at high risk of
developing the disease because of excess
weight or genetic predisposition.
4. Avoid things that aggravate the
problem. Refined sugar, caffeine, nicotine,
and alcohol unbalance insulin production
and blood sugar levels. High blood
pressure, acetaminophen, and excess
protein facilitate kidney deterioration. 6
40 s RADIANT LIVING