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Message from Our Surgeon

dr martinezCAN THE CURE FOR DIABETES BE IN YOUR KITCHEN AND UNDER YOUR FEET?
Researchers have searched for a cure for diabetes for decades and although they've made great strides in understanding the disorder and have developed effective treatments for keeping it in check, they still haven't found a simple method to make it go away.

However, if you are significantly overweight, you may be able to do what thousands of scientists around the world haven't: cure diabetes yourself.

Diabetes is an illness in which the body doesn't produce enough insulin or use it correctly. This hormone helps the body burn carbohydrates and fats and it keeps blood sugar at the proper levels. If you have insulin impairments, blood sugar levels can rise to extremely high levels and over time, you will face an increased risk of heart and nerve disease, eye damage and limb amputation.

More than 20 million Americans are diabetic and up to one-third of us don't know it. Some 41 million people may have pre-diabetes, a blood sugar problem that can lead to diabetes.

One of the most common conditions that leads to diabetes is being significantly overweight. Carrying as little as 20 or 30 extra pounds can cause insulin levels to rise to unhealthy levels and, unfortunately, many of us are affected: recent surveys have found that two-thirds of American adults are either overweight or obese and around one in six children is too heavy.

The good news is that weight-related diabetes is often completely reversible simply by losing the excess weight. That's right, the cure may be in your kitchen if you can learn to eat a healthier diet. Getting some daily exercise like walking is important too.

If you're overweight, it's important to find out if you are diabetic or at risk of the illness because aggressive treatment can reduce the risk of complications. Make an appointment with your doctor to have a standard blood sugar test. You may also want to ask if you should have an A1C test which will tell the doctor your average blood sugar levels over the past two or three months.

Finally, ask your doctor for help losing weight. A successful diet and exercise program will help you look better, feel better and will add years to your life. Remember, the key to treating diabetes, even curing it, starts with you. Take action and start the process today!