Join Me on the 30-Day Blood Sugar Solution Challenge

To join me on this challenge simply click here.

What health condition is the No. 1 cause of death in the U.S.? What health condition affects as much as 70-80 percent of some populations, yet 90 percent of those who suffer don't realize they have it?

Diabesity -- the continuum of health problems ranging from mild insulin resistance and overweight to obesity and diabetes. It is the single biggest global health epidemic of our time.

Wondering if you're at risk? Answer yes to any of the following questions and you may be:

• Do you have a family history of diabetes, heart disease, or obesity?

• Are you of non-white ancestry (African, Asian, Native American, Pacific Islander, Hispanic, Indian, Middle Eastern)?

• Are you overweight (BMI or body mass index over 25)?

• Do you have extra belly fat? Is your waist circumference greater than 35 inches for women or greater than 40 inches for men?

• Do you have sugar and refined carbohydrate cravings?

• Do you have trouble losing weight on a low fat diet?

• Has your doctor told you your blood sugar is a little high (greater than 100mg/dl) or have you actually been diagnosed with insulin resistance, pre-diabetes, or diabetes?

• Do you have high levels of triglycerides (over 100 mg/dl) or low HDL (good) cholesterol (< 50 mg/dl)?

• Do you have heart disease?

• Do you have high blood pressure?

• Are you inactive (less than 30 minutes of exercise four times a week)?

• Have you had gestational diabetes or polycystic ovarian syndrome?

• Do you suffer from infertility, low sex drive, or sexual dysfunction?

If you think you may be at risk, I want you to know that's not a death sentence. Far from it. What most people don't realize is that diabesity is almost 100 percent preventable and curable. It's caused by dietary and lifestyle factors, and by changing those environmental inputs you can radically change your health -- for the better!

In my new book The Blood Sugar Solution, I outline a complete 8-week program for rebalancing your blood sugar, reversing diabesity, losing weight, and feeling great.

With the launch of this book I have created this special 30-day Blood Sugar Solution Challenge for readers of The Huffington Post. I would like to extend a personal invitation for you to join me on this challenge starting today.

On the challenge (sign up here!), I will provide you with daily videos that will outline easy steps you can take to optimize your diet, enhance your lifestyle, eliminate toxins, relax deeply, exercise more effectively, and more.

The Blood Sugar Solution Challenge is designed to help you identify and treat the underlying causes of diabesity. Rather than simply papering over symptoms with medications, this program provides a set of step-by-step dietary and lifestyle changes that rebalance your biology. By following the program, your weight will drop off and you will automatically regain your health. That's what happened to 145 people who recently completed a beta test of this program. The results were stunning:

• The group lost a total of 1,536 pounds in just eight weeks. That's an average weight loss of more than 10 pounds per person!

• More than half the group lost more than 10 pounds. Some lost as much as 28 pounds.

• Average waist size decreased by 1.5 inches, and some people lost so much of their waist that they had to go out and buy new clothes. One woman lost eight inches from her waist. Imagine, eight inches in eight weeks. No medication can help you do that.

But The Blood Sugar Solution is about far more than weight loss; it's about taking back your health and your life. People who completed the program reported an average reduction of 14 points on their systolic blood pressure, their fatigue evaporated and they had more energy than they had felt in years. Their joint and muscle pain vanished, the program improved their mood and sleep, eliminated their brain fog, and a provided a deep sense of well being. The Blood Sugar Solution gave these people a new lease on life. Here are a few of their stories:

"When the opportunity to join this beta test came along, I decided to join it, to see if it would help me lose weight faster. On this plan, I lost as much weight in eight weeks as I had in the previous nine months!" -- Dorothea Malloy

"I am not a diabetic, nor do I plan to become one just because a doctor said I would. I am a healthy, vibrant, energetic person who lost 17 pounds, 13 inches from my waist, reversed a pre-diabetic condition, insulin resistance, and severe muscular and joint pain. My self-esteem has improved because I was able to take charge and make decisions for myself that worked and have improved the quality of my life." -- Keena Hormel

"I found The Blood Sugar Solution diet clear and easy to follow. I lost weight easily, and more importantly, felt increased energy and mental clarity, alertness, and focus." -- Alan Morse

"My breathing improved, my energy level is much better. I feel lighter and more focused. I was really desperate to improve my health when I got into the program---I was so bloated and felt like I was drowning, even though I was eating healthy. But when I cut gluten and milk products out I felt better in two weeks. I will continue on the path of better health and healing. Thank you Dr. Hyman!" -- Milena Pirnat

I launched a similar program last year at Saddleback Church in California with the help of Mehmet Oz, M.D. and Daniel Amen, M.D. About 15,000 people signed up and over the course of the year participants lost a total of 250,000 pounds! After 10 months, the average weight loss for those who did the program was 18.6 pounds, and many lost 50 to 100 pounds. Many experienced relief from chronic symptoms, including migraines, asthma, reflux, irritable bowel, autoimmune diseases, depression, insomnia, cravings, joint pain, gout, acne, skin problems, and more.

I'd like to invite you, the readers of The Huffington Post, to have the same experience these people did. Most don't realize that you can dramatically improve your health and lose weight in as little as 30 days by following a few simple steps. You just need to know which steps to take. That's what The Blood Sugar Solution Challenge is designed to help you understand.

My ultimate goal for this program is to catalyze a movement -- to begin a deep national conversation about the real causes of illness and how we can overcome them. It's time to democratize health care and for us to Take Back Our Health in our families, in our communities, in our workplaces and schools, and in our daily lives.

Start with yourself. Join the challenge and learn the steps you need to take to rebalance your biology, stabilize your blood sugar, and lose weight. Then go to www.bloodsugarsolution.com to learn more about the book, join our community, find more resources to help you get healthy and get more deeply involved in this growing movement.

To join me on this challenge, simply click here. You'll receive a daily newsletter to your email inbox and be sure to check back here for a daily video from me.

I look forward to seeing you on the challenge.

To your good health,

Mark Hyman, M.D.

For more by Mark Hyman, M.D., click here.

For more on diet and nutrition, click here.

For more on personal health, click here.

For more on weight loss, click here.

 

 

 

Follow Mark Hyman, MD on Twitter: www.twitter.com/markhymanmd

Comments

[LiberalAsTheDayIsLong]

07:58 PM on 03/01/2012

Eat less, exercise more.

[nikki717]

03:53 PM on 02/28/2012

Once I decided to eat only freshly prepared meals at home comprised of veggies and small amounts of lean meats and some fruits, it was expensive for me. When I noticed that I had lost 50 pounds, I decided I had to figure out a way to make it a less expensive venture. It took two years, but I have managed to keep the 50 pounds off, lower my cholesterol, blood pressure and blood sugar levels. I have also figured out a way to lower my grocery bill. That was the toughest part for me. Any additional cost lowering tips would be much appreciated. Thanx

[Ossit]

03:07 PM on 02/28/2012

Diabesity? Is that what they're calling it now? "Start with yourself. " and keep it with yourself instead of dictating to others how they should eat, what to eat, what not to eat, how much to exercise.

I walk because I have no choice because I have no car. I don't need anyone to tell me I have to. I have hypoglycemia. I know what foods help ME to keep up my sugar. Your needs may be different. I know how much *I* need to eat when and what to eat. I don't need some 'expert' telling me. I know what to put in my body. I don't care what you put in yours. I know what weight is comfortable for me, and I won't tell someone else what weight works for them.

I think we should stop nannying each other. "Start with yourself." and keep it that way.

[OverseasVet]

07:40 PM on 02/28/2012

Diabesity is a gimmicky made up word designed to sell a diet book. Its sad to see a science professional use the same selling techniques as fortune tellers, using feel good stories and anecdote to sell his potion.

[MIMom]

05:00 PM on 03/06/2012

Maybe instead of thinking of it being "nannying" why not call it support? Some people do better with support than alone.

[RhiannonRings]

11:46 AM on 02/28/2012

Oh man, those donuts look good, lol!

[drsolo]

11:35 AM on 02/28/2012

Most people will stop craving sugars and processed carbs if they dont eat them for 1-2 months. I swore off restaurants to make sure that I wasnt accidentally ingesting them in otherwise non-carb looking foods. It is amazing how much sugar is dumped into recipes. Low carb veggies and berry fruits dont seem to trigger craves. But for me to go from a BMI of 30 down to 22, I had to institute strict portion control. I put everything I was going to eat that day on a plate and if I didnt lose weight after a couple days I cut down how much or took something off the plate until I started losing weight. I was amazed at how little I needed to eat in order to lose weight. I ate and still eat basically the same thing all the time. Variety may be the spice of life, it is also guaranteed to lead to obesity. What I found is that now I am off carbs I dont get hungry very much, or if I get a twinge I can ignore it and keep working without becoming preoccupied with food. I just got back from vacation and had lost another pound. My hostess plied me with food, but I stuck to my routine. I went to Mardi Gras, didnt eat anything there. Actually did take them out to eat seafood and had upset stomach from the carbs and grease combo. This is my life now. Skinny.

[mjoutfit]

11:09 AM on 02/28/2012

The Doc has some good ideas, and certainly he means well, and people could benefit. On the other hand, the first criteria is family history, but later he claims you do it to yourself and it is completely preventable, Which is it?

[drsolo]

11:38 AM on 02/28/2012

Knowing family history means a person can start earlier in life controlling their diet and health. Only type 1 diabetes is still unavoidable given the wrong genetics. Type 2 can mostly be avoided, just like alcoholism can be avoided for those inheriting that genetic background.

[mjoutfit]

09:13 PM on 02/28/2012

Of course you are mostly right, and thank you for responding to my question. Those of us who have siblings, and lots of cousins, aunts and uncles on both sides of the family with the disease, aren't too reassured by this fact. When we are diagnosed, most in our 50s but some much younger (even skinny ones), and then have a great deal of trouble getting and keeping the diabetes under control, even with serious committment and compliance, we don't have the energy left to beat ourselves up appropriately..

[willowtree3]

09:12 AM on 02/28/2012

Powerful lobbyists make sure that sugar and high fructose corn syrup is in EVERYTHING.
Eating fresh, or even raw veggies/fruits is the only way to reduce sugars.
But if we have to grab any processed foods (and let's face it, we all do)
then we're ingesting sugars. Salt and sugar are (almost) always in the top five ingredients.
Most everything "prepared" has sugar in it.
And then they wonder why so many are obese and/or diabetic. Please.

[onwisconsin]

05:02 PM on 02/29/2012

We don't all eat processed foods. Many of us have allergies and have to eat only freshly prepared foods. There is nothing pre-prepared in my kitchen or in my family's food. I also work full-time.

As a society we'd be better off if we went back to "slow food" instead of "fast food'.

[one1byke]

07:27 AM on 02/28/2012

just. stop. eating. sugar.
you. can. COMPLETELY.

THEN... no problems... and, your body will MAKE all that you need.
or.... wait for a most excruciating life until death ... which starts when your ovaries and intestines turn into the brittle part of peanut brittle.

[ExpandingQi]

09:53 PM on 02/27/2012

Thanks Dr. Hyman for creating a realistic plan for reversing and preventing Diabetes. The deep national conversation about the real causes of illness and how we can overcome them has definitely begun.

[jfbuf]

09:24 PM on 02/27/2012

I had so many yes answers I must be dead

[mjoutfit]

11:07 AM on 02/28/2012

...me too. Got so depressed I wanted a big stack of pancakes, drowning in syrup.

[themightyabealrd]

06:40 PM on 02/27/2012

Read the labels. If sugar in any form is in the first five ingredients, don't eat it. Avoid hydrogenated oils.
You want to lose weight and keep it off? Keep a journal and write down everything caloric you consume, the amount you have and time you consume it. Don't eat mechanically, in a trance like so many. Pay attention to the speed of consumption. Put down the implement (fork, spoon, chopsticks) between mouthfuls. Chew each mouthful thoroughly and swallow before cramming more food in. Drink lots of water. If it's not meal time and you want to eat, drink 12 oz. of cold water and wait fifteen minutes-you may just be thirsty. Don't tale the bag of chips or box of cookies/crackers with you to the tv or computer. Fix a serving on a plate or in a bowl, put the container away and eat the serving slowy and mindfully. Make eating/drinking a conscious decision, a mindful act. You will lose weight.

[doctor pangloss]

05:35 PM on 02/27/2012

I just discovered a new way to lose weight fast. Had a gall bladder attack and the hospital refused any fluid or solid food for 24 hours till all tests were complete. Lost 11 pounds in one day and working on the low fat diet they sent me home with,still have my gall bladder as well.

[iRock]

05:03 PM on 02/27/2012

I'm one of those people who 'carry their weight well' but let's face it: I'm fat. I weigh 215, and that's down from like 280! But I just can't seem to cut the sugar cravings.

I exercise a lot, but it obviously doesn't work when you eat sweets and bad carbs.

I know I have a problem being consistent with eating healthy. Anyone have any tips for how I can MENTALLY motivate myself to finally hitting a reasonable weight by cutting out sugar WITHOUT feeling tempted?

I love cake, y'all.

[PatA]

09:45 PM on 02/27/2012

Are you eating a lot of fat? I found that when I cut the fat out, my cravings for extra food dropped. I walk up and down several hills that are near my house. I calculate how far I have to go for a cookie. It doesn't take me long to put sugar out of my mind. :)

I sympathize with you because I've always loved sweets. My mother was a wonderful cook. I grew up here, on a ranch and we ate big meals topped with dessert. I got used to having dessert after lunch and dinner.

Habits are hard to break but we can do it. Good luck.

[ManforFreedom]

10:31 PM on 02/27/2012

I can identify! Sugar is an addiction, pure and simple. Carbohydrates from wheat and wheat products will keep the addiction alive and well. Our modern wheat is very unhealthy. There have been some good articles on HP and you can find more on google search concerning the Franken wheat. Stay away from fats that are not natural, like vegetable oil, canola oil, etc. Fats that are not nautural create cravings again, because our body does not recognize them. Artificial sweetners create almost uncontollable cravings, my weakness with diet pop.
Take heart though. The fact you are exercising covers alot of sins. Don't think it doesn't work, it does. Amazing you have done as well as you have done, congradulations!

[Xeeper Deals]

04:22 PM on 02/27/2012

Wow, where can I sign top for his newsletter?

Please sell me more stuff.

[vesaversa1]

03:47 PM on 02/27/2012

Yes i have all of the above . And i have tried everything all types of diets and nothing seam to work for long . If it doesn't include eating meat in proportion it will not work for me .