Toxins & Type 2 Diabetes
Over time, high blood sugar from diabetes can damage your blood vessels and the nerves that control your heart and blood vessels. The longer you have diabetes, the higher the chances that you will develop heart disease. In fact, people with diabetes are 4 times more likely than others to develop cardiovascular disease. Because this risk is so high, cardiovascular disease remains the most common cause of death in people with diabetes.
Are you diabetic? If so, what can you do to make sure your chances of developing heart disease lessens? If you think just diet and exercise will be enough, think again. Here we talk about how environmental toxins like mold, left unchecked, will gradually increase your risk of hormonal imbalances and ultimately heart disease.
According to a January 2019 update by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 122 million American adults have diabetes or prediabetes, and the economic ramifications of this condition are enormous. The U.S. spent $350 billion treating diabetes in 2019 alone.
It has been estimated that up to 50% of illness results from exposure to indoor air pollution, with exposure to water-damaged indoor environments likely being a significant contributor to this.
Exposure to mold and mold components are well known to:
- Trigger inflammation
- Oxidative stress
- Inflammatory reactions in human
One of those symptoms is weight gain and/or weight-loss resistance. If you have had unexplainable weight gain you may be exposed to a moldy environment.
Hormonal Dysfunction Due To Mold
Sugar balancing in the body is closely regulated not only by insulin, but also by leptin. Both hormones act centrally, regulating food intake and weight in humans. Leptin has several effects on the glucose-insulin homeostasis.
Mold can colonize in the gut, lungs, sinuses and shut down our detoxification process which allows for toxins to be recirculated systemically. The brain becomes inflamed and leptin receptors become blocked due to biotoxins from mold which can lead to one becoming leptin resistant.
Leptin is produced in fat cells and is the hormone that tells the brain you’re full. In CIRS or mold illness, leptin is elevated, damaging its receptors and causing leptin resistance. This resistance causes the body to hold and store fatty acids as fat. Rapid weight gain that diet and exercise don’t correct is often seen in mold toxic people as a result.
Leptin resistance plays significant roles in heart disease, obesity, diabetes and perhaps the rate of aging itself.
Leptin resistance has a variety of symptoms, including:
- Cravings, especially sugar and carb cravings
- Hunger even after meals
- Weight gain
- Trouble losing weight or quickly gain back lost weight
- Belly fat
- High Blood Pressure
- High Triglycerides
Environmental toxicity is an enormous health risk yet it’s nearly impossible to completely escape it. Toxins are everywhere and so is mold.
Mycotoxins can increase your risk of chronic inflammation and chronic health issues because of their ability to suppress your immune system. Research has discussed that exposure to poor indoor air quality can increase the risk of obesity, insulin resistance, metabolic issues, and obesity-related cardiovascular issues.
These issues go hand in hand with both insulin and leptin resistance. Insulin resistance increases insulin in the blood which disrupts the brain in estimating your leptin levels. Increased leptin resistance can lead to food cravings, weight gain, hunger after meals, and poor energy, which are all symptoms that people with insulin resistance, prediabetes, and diabetes are also familiar with.
Natural Solutions To Correct Insulin/Leptin Resistance
Eliminate added and artificial sweeteners. Check the food label. Here’s an excellent list of all the ingredient names for sugar. If you see these, avoid the food. In fact, most processed foods contain added sweeteners, which is why we avoid processed foods.
Eat only organic foods. These foods have been farmed without pesticides, antibiotics or other chemicals. Non-organics foods lead to sickness and disease. Always eat organic. Grab your healthy heart guide HERE!
Eat only responsible Paleo foods. These are the foods of our ancestors. Your body operates at peak efficiency with these foods. Plus, you’ll lose weight and maintain your ideal body weight! Learn all about our Paleo nutrition mold plan!
Be active outdoors thirty minutes each day. Walk, run, bike, hike or swim. Do body weight exercises three times a week. Get up and be active.
Get sunshine. Those with the lowest risk for diabetes are those that get the most sunshine.
Sleep. Your body heals when sleeping. Sundown to sunrise is prime sleeping time. Stay away from artificial light, as it destroys insulin function.
Stay away from toxins and chemicals. They interfere with bodily functions and will raise your blood sugar. Get an air purifier as this will help in lowering inflammation due to poor indoor air quality.
I recommend setting up a free consultation with me, your health coach, who can help determine the best next steps and treatment protocol to help you recover and live your best life!
Christopher Wilson, Certified Nutritionist
