WHERE ARE YOU ON THIS PIE CHART? ARE YOU HAPPY WITH YOUR WEIGHT AND SIZE? IF NOT WHAT IS THE EXCUSE? (Diabetes awareness month)

Actually it is all about preventive medicine. www.lawrence.gethealthyusa.net

Have we become a nation dependent on the insurance and "healthcare" industries? Have we abdicated responsibility for our own health, surrendering to expedient palliatives, many of which have toxic side effects? How long did it take for us to become seduced by clever ads promoting the "deliciousness" of many processed foods? Do we even consider the ingredients in what we eat? Can we even pronounce the names of those ingredients?

I frequently travel, and many of the places I stay offer breakfasts that could be described as deliciously unhealthy. The bulk of these meals often consists of items like pancakes, sugary donuts, frosted cornflakes, eggs from cartons, and, of course, 2% processed, non-fat skimmed milk. I do recognize that some places make an effort to provide fruit and oatmeal.

Obviously, costs must be taken into careful consideration, and factors like the storage of perishables are essential. However, it’s worth noting that sugary carbs for breakfast can cause an initial spike and then a crash a couple of hours later, leaving people hungry well before lunchtime.

I give credit to the fact that most hotels have a gym, and many also have heated pools, which raises the question: how well-used are these facilities? Weather can limit outdoor exercise at certain times of the year, but if we truly had a health-focused mindset, we would find ways to take advantage of every opportunity to invest in our wellness.

I recently read that Ozempic may soon be considered for children. I am aware that we are seeing a rise in Type 2 diabetes among teenagers, which I find not only sad but deeply concerning. In certain European countries, kids are not allowed to use cell phones in the classroom, which encourages them to engage in dialogue with their classmates or participate in physical activities.

The American diet is heavy in processed foods high in added sugars, unhealthy fats, and refined carbohydrates, all of which contribute to weight gain and increase the risk of insulin resistance, a precursor to diabetes. Combined with hours of screen time and lack of exercise, this creates a recipe for disaster.

To be fair, the pace of life in the U.S. is frenetic and generally very stressful, so it’s understandable that people often succumb to the temptations of instant gratification. It’s also worth noting the high levels of stress and pressure facing kids and their parents today. I mention kids in particular because times are changing so dramatically with each decade, and I believe we should do a better job of updating curriculums to include education on physical and mental health.

Stress is a major, invisible factor that can be highly detrimental to our health and may even contribute to diabetes. In my opinion, this is a significant issue that is largely ignored or suppressed, often resulting in serious mental health problems.

This is diabetes awareness month. A good time to reflect and take action on which direction we want to go. Starting with a mindset of being in control of our common sense or surrendering to the whims of the insurance companies to dictate how sick we can afford to be.

Shanee Moret Growth Academy Gerry Savage, MBA Remy Szykier Dr. Marcos Levy Dr. Davis Dr. Romie Mushtaq, MD, ABIHM Prof. Dr. George Grant, Ph.D. , NMD, C.Chem, RM., M.Sc., M.Ed. Achint V Choksy MD Anil Bajnath, MD, MBA, IFMCP, ABAARM