I just returned from Anchorage, Alaska, where I attended and spoke at a diabetes conference. While there is no scientific evidence that stress causes diabetes, this we do know: Stress certainly exacerbates blood sugar levels. The stress hormone, Cortisol, play a significant role in increasing blood sugars to ensure enough of this nutrient for energy production in fight or flight. While Type I diabetes is now thought to be an autoimmune disease, Type II diabetes is a function of lifestyle (diet and exercise). Diet and exercise (or the lack thereof) are certainly related to stress. To be quite blunt, the association between stress and diabetes cannot and should not be ignored. The statistics regarding diabetes in the United States is nothing less than bewildering (as much as 33% of the American population has or will have diabetes in their lifetime), and no less bewildering is the epidemic of obesity; both of which are closely linked.
• Stress Tip of the Day
Exercise plays a crucial role in the balance of blood sugars. Exercise plays a critical role in the balance of nearly every aspect of human physiology. As hard as it might be to find time to get out and exercise, this one aspect of your life is as important as showering and brushing your teeth. And while you’re at it, talk to your pancreas. Tell it how much you appreciate it.
• Links Worth Noting:
For those who are interested, below is the official website for the American Diabetes Association.
http://www.diabetes.org/
• Photo of the Day:
This photo has absolutely nothing to do with diabetes, Alaska or stress. Usually at this time of year, I head off to Kauai. This year, the funds just weren’t there. I heard on the news though that all of the Hawaiian Islands are getting hit with MONSTER Waves. Needless to say, the surfers are loving this. I took this photo a few years back during another parade of monster waves. Enjoy!
• Quote for the Day:
“With the Industrial Revolution and introduction of various industrial techniques for purifying sugar, we have a situation in which what we are consuming is not good nutritionally or ecologically.” — Marvin Harris
Brian Luke Seaward, Ph.D. is an internationally renowned expert in the fields of stress management, mind-body-spirit healing and stress and human spirituality. He is the author of over 10 books including the bestsellers, Stand Like Mountain, Flow Like Water, Stressed Is Desserts Spelled Backward, The Art of Calm, Quiet Mind, Fearless Heart and Managing Stress (6E). He can be reached through his website:www.brianlukeseaward.net
© Brian Luke Seaward, Ph.D.
