Adult Onset Diabetes: prevention and treatment Dr. David J. Demko, professor of gerontology and editor AgeVenture News Service, 05-22-05 STOP. Do not read one more thing. Not a newspaper, magazine, or even the back of your cereal box ... until you first read this life-changing book. Hey, the title says, "Diabetes" and you're saying, "well that's not for me." Do yourself a favor and think again. Every household should own this book as a desk-reference for living a longer and (more importantly) healthier life. Modern medicine is in the throws of a death-grip struggle with the most formidable health crisis in recent history, diabetes. The Center for Disease Control pegs the health costs of America's careless lifestyle habits (poor diet, obesity, lack of exercise) at $176 billion annually. As as result, diabetes is fast becoming your greatest health risk. Ironically, the more science understands about diabetes, the less and less Americans are applying that knowledge to improving their lifestyle. Nearly 70 percent of adults suffering from adult onset diabetes now risk early death from stroke, heart attack, and kidney failure, say the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists and the American College of Endocrinologists. The good news is that modern medicine has assembled a formidable resource for combating America's formidable health crisis. That resource is a new book from McGraw-Hill. My review found the book to be the definitive source on diabetes prevention and treatment. Why? The authors employ scientific knowledge in the best way possible. Empowering consumers to take personal responsibility for their wellness by applying the advances of medical science to their everyday lifestyles. "Beating Diabetes" (McGraw-Hill, May 2005, $24.95)is the first complete program clinically proven to dramatically improve your glucose tolerance. Author David Nathan, M.D., teams up with fellow Harvard Medical School expert Linda Delahanty, M.S., R.D., to empower adults with knowledge about type 2 diabetes. Adults who are high risk for developing diabetes are proved with a complete, clinically proven program for prevention and treatment. The major goals of this book are to provide readers with a practical understanding of how today's typical lifestyle has led to major health problems, including diabetes, and to give them strategies that have been proven in clinical studies to improve health for people with diabetes or at risk for it. The authors discuss the complex interactions between lifestyle and diabetes, and the adjustments of lifestyle and medical treatments that are recommended for people with Type I or Type 2 diabetes to help normalize blood sugars and maximize health and quality of life. Readers will be delighted to find complex concepts and processes explained in easily understood language enhancing the likelihood for application to daily lifestyle routines. Are you confused about all those diet programs? Excellent reviews of the most popular programs are offered for the reader's consideration. For example, Dr. Phil's "Ultimate Weight Loss Solution Diet" earned high praise, which makes perfect sense because the weight gain on your bottom originates from your top (how you think about food). Additionally, the book's explanation of the difference between "activity" and "exercise" is positively brilliant. A real eye-opener for those who may have been unsuccessful in previous attempts at weight loss and maintenance. The authors offer step-by-step, proven techniques to help readers make real and lasting lifestyle changes by eating better and exercising regularly, without becoming health nuts or spending hours in the gym . Guidelines for developing diabetes-busting exercise routines appropriate for all ages and fitness levels . Help in identifying unhealthy, diabetes-promoting behaviors along with expert guidance on making crucial lifestyle changes and sticking with them . Tasty, easy-to-prepare recipes and daily meal plans. My opinion, the book's greatest value is its central theme. Again and again, the authors empower readers with scientific knowledge, enabling them to make immediate, health-enhancing changes in their lifestyles. Toward that end, here's a list of what I found very useful in the book. How our lifestyle can endanger our health Weight gain myths and realities Reviews of the most popular diet programs, weight-loss plans, and exercise programs Illustrations of therapeutic nutrients composition, and Body Mass Index chart How to get ready to change your lifestyle for the better Appendices of meal plans, recipes, and healthy snacks By far the best source for healthy lifestyle that I've read in years. Read it, and reap. See the Five-Star review at Amazon.com Photo credit: Harvard Medical School. SEE RELATED ARTICLES IN THE AGEVENTURE ARCHIVES AgeVenture Lifestyle Features AgeVenture Headline News BACK TO TOP