Diabetes is a disease that affects millions of Americans, children and adults alike. There are two major types of diabetes. Type I is a result of the body’s inability to produce insulin, a hormone that allows the body to convert sugars, starches and other food into energy. Type 2 is associated with insulin resistance and insulin deficiency. Unfortunately, most Americans are on the road to this type of diabetes due to a diet of highly-processed, rich foods. However, there are simple detours one can take to manage, delay or prevent Type 2 diabetes.

The road to diabetes has to do with something called the glycemic index. All carbohydrates are rated on this index with regards to the level of insulin reaction they produce. Foods that have a high glycemic index rating will cause your pancreas to release a lot of insulin to break down the amount of sugars and carbohydrates (which produce high amounts of glucose). The refined carbohydrates and sugars that make up the vast majority of the American diet rank very high on the glycemic index.

We are able to more readily digest these foods as children, because our bodies function more efficiently in our youth. There may have been side effects, like weight gain and mood swings, but they didn’t stand out. As we age, however, these symptoms begin to grow and become more prevalent. The nation-wide obesity epidemic is a result of high-carbohydrate diets and unstable blood sugar levels.

A large part of the problem is the average American diet. Hidden sugars and highly processed carbohydrates work against our body’s natural metabolic processes. Certain foods are known to have a high-glycemic index. A glycemic index is a number that refers to the effect a carbohydrate has on our blood sugar levels. The higher the number, the more insulin the pancreas has to produce to convert the sugar into usable energy. Unfortunately, the American diet is rich in high-glycemic index foods.

In addition, as we age insulin resistance becomes more pronounced and aggravated. Long term damage can occur to the heart and circulatory systems even in the pre-diabetes stage. There are warning signs and tests that can be performed by a family doctor to determine if you are at risk for Type 2 diabetes. In most cases, gaining control of your blood sugar levels is the first step in effectively preventing or delaying the onset. Studies show that low-carb diets such as the Atkins can help an individual achieve stable blood-sugar levels by decreasing the spike and valley pattern.

In the Atkins diet, proteins are emphasized more in the plan. Proteins have little affect on blood-sugar levels. Therefore they help maintain a more steady balance in the body’s system. Low-glycemic index carbohydrates are incorporated as an energy source. While these still raise blood-sugar levels, it is at a much slower rate than highly processed, refined sugar and carbohydrates.

The Atkins diet directs a person through three stages that will allow them to regain control of their blood sugar levels, cholesterol levels and weight problems. These include the Introductory Stage, Ongoing Weight-loss Stage, and the Pre-maintenance/Maintenance Stage. Good carbohydrates or low-glycemic index carbs are used to supplement the program and provide energy to the individual. The result is a manageable, healthy eating plan that does not lead Americans to obesity or other serious health risks.

The Atkins diet helps effectively control blood sugar. The combination of proteins, fats and good carbohydrates will keep your body satisfied without the roller coaster effect. Controlling carbohydrates in quantity as well as type will help limit the insulin spikes. This will let your pancreas work in the way that it was meant to be, and it will decrease the likelihood of your developing pre-diabetic conditions. It’s a vicious cycle that, if left unchecked, can lead to diabetes later in life. When the Atkins diet is followed effectively it produces stable blood sugar throughout the day and helps you stay off the road to diabetes.

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