Can Too Much Soda Lead to Diabetic Amputations?

A Look at Today's Health Headlines

The New York City Department of Health is raising eyebrows with its provocative new public-service ad linking type 2 diabetes and growing portion sizes.

By Amy Solomon, Senior Editor

WEDNESDAY, Jan. 11, 2012 — Globs of fat pouring out of soda bottles, bloodied drinkers slumped on the sidewalk: When it comes to their public-service ads, the New York City Department of Health has gotten a reputation for its brash, in-your-face attitude (much like the city it serves). In its latest campaign, the department is highlighting the connection between type 2 diabetes, portion sizes, and obesity. And, like a recent Georgia campaign against childhood obesity, the New York ad is causing lots of controversy.

In the ad, three full soda cups — small, medium, and large — are arranged in size order, with a diagonal line labeling them as "then" (the smallest cup) to "now" (the largest). In the background sits an overweight man whose right leg has been amputated at the knee; his crutches lean against the wall behind him. In arresting capital letters, a red banner imposed over the image reads, "Portions Have Grown: So Has Type 2 Diabetes, Which Can Lead to Amputations."

Thomas Farley, the city's health commissioner, is making no apologies for the arresting ad. "These are hard-hitting images because we really felt we need to drive home a point that large portions are not completely benign," he told Reuters. The campaign's overall message is that reducing portion sizes can reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes, which is linked to obesity and poor eating habits (unlike type 1 diabetes).

It's true that portion sizes have ballooned over the past decades. A 1950s-era ad for soda, found on the site Sociological Images, labels a 12-ounce can as "king-size" because it contains "two full glasses." Compare that to today's "small" beverage serving atMcDonald’s, which holds 16 ounces. If you're really thirsty, a large Coca-Cola Classic from the same burger chain holds 32 ounces — and contains a whopping 310 calories. And a 2011 study in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that drinking sugar-sweetened beverages, including sodas, significantly increased the risk of type 2 diabetes in men.

People with diabetes are also at increased risk of amputation due to uncontrolled blood sugar levels. High blood sugar can lead to nerve damage, which can make feet and legs numb and increase the frequency and severity of injuries. By the time a cut or ulcer is noticed, an infection may have already spread.

Posters for the new campaign began appearing in the city's subway trains this week. According to the Daily News, New York's outspoken mayor, Michael Bloomberg, is a fan: “What do you want to do? Do you want to have people lose their legs? Or do you want to show them what happens so that they won’t lose their legs?" But the American Beverage Association, a trade association representing non-alcoholic beverage manufacturers and distributors, issued a statement saying that the health department is using "scare tactics" and creates an inaccurate picture.

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What is Diabetes

What is diabetes?

Diabetes is a disease in which blood glucose levels are above normal. Most of the food we eat is turned into glucose, or sugar, for our bodies to use for energy. The pancreas, an organ that lies near the stomach, makes a hormone called insulin to help glucose get into the cells of our bodies. When you have diabetes, your body either doesn't make enough insulin or can't use its own insulin as well as it should. This causes sugar to build up in your blood.

Diabetes can cause serious health complications including heart disease, blindness, kidney failure, and lower-extremity amputations. Diabetes is the sixth leading cause of death in the United States.

What are the symptoms of diabetes?

People who think they might have diabetes must visit a physician for diagnosis. They might have SOME or NONE of the following symptoms:

• Frequent urination
• Excessive thirst
• Unexplained weight loss
• Extreme hunger
• Sudden vision changes
• Tingling or numbness in hands or feet
• Feeling very tired much of the time
• Very dry skin
• Sores that are slow to heal
• More infections than usual.

Nausea, vomiting, or stomach pains may accompany some of these symptoms in the abrupt onset of insulin-dependent diabetes, now called type 1 diabetes.

What are the types of diabetes?

Type 1 diabetes, which was previously called insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) or juvenile-onset diabetes, may account for 5% to 10% of all diagnosed cases of diabetes.

Type 2 diabetes, which was previously called non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) or adult-onset diabetes, may account for about 90% to 95% of all diagnosed cases of diabetes.

Gestational diabetes is a type of diabetes that only pregnant women get. If not treated, it can cause problems for mothers and babies. Gestational diabetes develops in 2% to 5% of all pregnancies but usually disappears when a pregnancy is over.

Other specific types of diabetes resulting from specific genetic syndromes, surgery, drugs, malnutrition, infections, and other illnesses may account for 1% to 2% of all diagnosed cases of diabetes.

What is Glucose?

Glucose is the body' s main source of energy. Glucose, also known as blood sugar originates in plants and is passed up the food chain. When it accumulates in the blood it makes the blood stickier. This makes it hard for the blood to flow, which deprives the body of oxygen and nutrients, hinders white blood cells in fighting infection, and makes dangerous blood clots more likely. Glucose also attaches to proteins all over the body and affects their function

What is Insulin?

Insulin is a hormone produced in the pancreas that acts like a key "unlocking" cells so that glucose so that glucose can enter.

What is Insulin Resistance?

A condition in which cells become less responsive to insulin. Boosting the cells sensitivity to insulin overcomes this resistance so insulin has a greater effect.

Is it Possible to Control My Glucose levels Without Medication?

The answer to this question is yes, there may be alot of physicians that would argue against this fact. The truth is that medications treat the symptom and not the root of the problem. The are things that you can do to control and maintain your blood sugar levels. I have spent many hours finding out all things that will help you get control of your blood sugar.

Can I Reverse my Diabetes?

No matter what your condition is, there can always be improvement in your glucose levels. 

PS Melabic is a combination of the 9 all natural most effective diabetes fighting ingredients. To find out more how they can help you normalize your blood sugar levels and take back your health visit me at Melabic.com