Death by Diabetes: America’s Preventable Epidemic
For a glimpse into how big business influences the $4tn US healthcare system
American Diabetes Association (ADA), the world’s most powerful diabetes advocacy and research non-profit, takes millions from companies profiting from our reliance on drugs. This raises concern about the impact on their guidance and the effectiveness of diabetes management.
The High Stakes of Diabetes
With 38 million Americans afflicted by diabetes and another 90 million considered pre-diabetic, this preventable disease claims the lives of over 100,000 citizens every year, particularly targeting people of color. Besides the devastating toll on human lives, the cost of diabetes management adds up to about $400bn annually.
A Missed Opportunity for Reversal
Unlike many other diseases, type 2 diabetes, the most common form of diabetes, is reversible. Numerous studies have shown a strict low-carbohydrate diet can reverse diabetes, yet the ADA’s recommended therapies and dietary guidelines don’t adequately address this option.
A Surprising Revelation
In 2020, the then ADA president, Tracey D Brown, openly shared her own success in reversing type 2 diabetes through a low-carbohydrate diet. This remarkable admission challenged the ADA’s reliance on drug therapies and high-carbohydrate diets as their recommended solutions.
An Overdue Acknowledgment
In 2019, the ADA was compelled to acknowledge the effectiveness of low-carbohydrate diets in treating type 2 diabetes. Their journal article on dietary guidelines in Diabetes Care stated that such eating patterns have been shown to reduce A1C levels and the need for antihyperglycemic medications.
Harmful Insulin Therapy
Insulin therapy for type 2 diabetes, as recommended by the ADA, is highly contentious and potentially harmful. Resisting the effects of insulin is a key feature of the condition, and providing more insulin may temporarily lower blood sugar levels but worsen the disease in the long run.
A Personal Journey to Freedom
The author, personally impacted by type 2 diabetes, managed to reverse the condition and stop relying on insulin and other medications by adopting a strict low-carbohydrate diet.
The ADA’s Influence and Responsibilities
Being the authority on diabetes management globally, the ADA has significant influence over medical guidelines, research funding, and awareness campaigns. However, their role and responsibility in educating the public about low-carb diets and empowering diabetic individuals with healthier alternatives remain questioned.
Tangled Interests and Fresh Approaches
The ADA’s financial disclosures reveal substantial funding from pharmaceutical companies and medical device manufacturers, making their motives and priorities unclear. The influence of these contributors extends to the ADA’s social media endorsements of their products.
Challenging the Status Quo
Patients, medical professionals, and healthcare startup founders question the ADA’s resistance to accepting the paradigm shift towards low-carb diets. Urgent changes are needed in treating diabetes and the ADA should play a leading role.
A National Scandal Ignored
Despite significant medical advancements, diabetes-related deaths continue to rise. The ADA, through their industry collaborations, indirectly facilitates the pharmaceutical companies’ lucrative diabetes management industry, while failing to prioritize the health and well-being of individuals with diabetes.
