You At Your Best

by rANDy rICe you At your best Dr. Adam Maass, an endocrinologist at Northwest Health, has served patients in Northwest Arkansas since 2004. Below he discusses the ever-growing diabetes epidemic. What's the difference between Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes? The two are very different diseases. People with Type 1 diabetes can't produce insulin. It is an autoimmune process that destroys the pancreas. People with Type 2 diabetes don't respond to insulin as well as they should and later in the disease often don't make enough insulin. 95% of diabetics are Type 2, while only 5% are Type 1. What accounts for the growth of diabetes here in Arkansas? Diabetes diagnoses have been increasing around the world, not just in Arkansas. Several factors are responsible for this. including genetics and ethnicity. But what also accounts for the rise is the differences in nutrition and physical activity. In our country there is a correlation between the rise in diabetes and the rise in obesity. And here in a local expert discusses the growing epidemic of diabetes Q A Dr. Adam maass by suzANNe rHoDes you At your best Falling leaves and pumpkins on porches are welcome signs of holidays ahead that bring families together and fabulous food to our tables. But for people with diabetes, "the holidays are the dieter's nightmare," says Dr. Gabe Ariciu, a chiropractic physician with the Ozark Holistic Center in Fayetteville. "It's a hard thing for anyone who's on a diet, and most of the time it goes out the window. But if you're eating at home and you're in control of the food, I would say, sure, enjoy turkey—pasture-raised preferably. Stay away from the stuffing, and skip the rolls." Dr. Gabe, as he likes to be called, treats patients with diabetes, prediabetes, and insulin resistance. "My focus is heavily on nutrition and chronic disease. It's personal for me because my mom's diabetic, and that's actually the reason I got into medicine." He practices within a relatively new field of healthcare called functional medicine. "The idea is to hunt for the root cause rather than treating symptoms. "The standard American diet is terrible for us and part of the reason we've gotten into this mess." According to current data published by the Center for Disease Control, "34.2 million Americans—just over 1 in 10—have diabetes, and 88 million American adults—approximately 1 in 3—have prediabetes." Dr. Gabe asks his patients to make lifestyle changes, and these are difficult for people accustomed to popping processed meals into the microwave and eating fast food. "We have to work with people one step at a time. But once the change happens, that's when all the magic happens with it." By magic he means that blood sugar levels have returned to normal. "One of the markers we use is the HbAd1c test. I've seen the marker drop dramatically within a month from a patient being diabetic to being nondiabetic—not even prediabetic, but back into normal ranges. Once their diabetes is under control, I generally loosen up the parameters." The biggest dietary changes he recommends are: • Cutting out processed foods, sugar and refined carbs like white flour. • Eating whole foods, especially those locally grown and organic. • Replacing vegetable and canola oil with organic extra virgin olive oil, grass-fed butter or organic extra virgin coconut oil. • Eating pasture-raised, hormone and antibiotic-free meat. Besides relishing turkey for holiday feasts, Dr. Gabe encourages people with diabetes and insulin issues to eat healthy sides like "a big salad, okra, turnips, zucchini, squashes, carrots and cucumbers." Starches like sweet potatoes and regular potatoes are fine in moderation, "as long as sweet potatoes aren't in the form of marshmallows or sweet potato pie. Desserts are going to be the toughest thing. You're going to have to find a dessert that's diabetic-friendly or just forego it. I've made my mom a chocolate treat that's stevia based. Maybe make fruit your dessert." If eating at someone else's house, Dr. Gabe suggests "you call them and explain your situation so maybe they can accommodate. Or if it's a potluck you could bring a few side items that you can enjoy and still have that family time. Because holidays are about the family, about celebrating and being together. It's sacred for many of us." Healthy tips for enjoying holiday feasts 6 | you At your best | NWADg.Com/youAtyourbest November - beAtINg tHe betes | suNDAy, oCtober 25, 2020

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