I recently read an article about the number of amputations that occur as a result of complications from diabetes. I was not surprised when the article noted that amputations occur at a higher rate among African Americans. If you are black, chances are you know someone who has had a toe, foot or leg amputated as a result of diabetes. I certainly do.
According to the National Institute of Health, “Amputations in patients with diabetes accounted for a majority of all amputations; the mean percentage of amputations in patients with diabetes was 68.65 of all amputations. Previous reports have shown that patients with diabetes-related amputations have a high rate of mortality with a 5-year survival rate of 40 – 48% regardless of the etiology of the amputation.” Azura Vascular Care notes that “every year about 73,000 amputations of the lower limb not related to trauma are performed on people with diabetes.” (www.azuravascularcare.com)
“It’s estimated that a limb is amputated every 30 seconds.” (www.footdoc.org.) The article I read described the saw that is used when amputations are done, the sound the saw makes and the accompanying smell of charred flesh. The article was explicit, and I must admit, it upset me quite a bit. Still does. Diabetes runs rampant in my family. My physician cautions me constantly about its perils to goad me into following her advice in the hopes that I don’t become diabetic.
Diabetes seems to be like high blood pressure in the black community. We tell others that we have high blood pressure or diabetes like it’s inevitable for our bodies to show signs of chronic distress. We have to stop normalizing illness as if they are no big deal. Having conditions which put us at greater risk of death is a VERY big deal. However, all is not lost. Just as there are lifestyle changes, we can make to minimize the harmful ramifications of hypertension, there are things we can do to avoid diabetes or better manage the condition.
One of my new favorite persons on Tik Tok is Christine Nwoha, MD, an internist based in Houston, Texas. If you haven’t heard of her, please google her. (You can thank me later.) That sister is sharing some great information, based on science, to tell people how to improve their health. You can tell Dr. Nwoha has a passion sharing information which promotes natural healing. Please find her video on reversing diabetes. When I saw it, I became even more convinced that, given my sugar habit, my affinity for exercise has probably been the single biggest factor that has kept diabetes at bay. Specifically, Dr. Nwoha said “Type 2 diabetes and exercise cannot exist in the same body at the same time.” Read that again.
Dr. Nwoha also shared the below points:
· With regard to exercise, move your body (moderately or vigorously) for 150 minutes per week
· Engage in Intermittent fasting. Dr. Nwoha shares “There is a time to eat and a time to stop eating. It allows stored fat to be used up.” She suggests fasting from eating 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6 hours to give your body a break.
· Stick to a low carb diet
Dr. Nwoha says if you take the above 3 actions you should see results in 3 to 6 months which should allow your physician to start decreasing your medication. She reports that she has had patients reverse the condition so she knows it can be done.
As always, do your own research and consult with your physician before making changes to your medical protocol. But please, I beg you, check our Dr. Nwoha’s videos.
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