Ep. 328 Diabetes Prevention, Treatment and the Role of Nutrition with Dr. Ken Berry
Jan 20, 2024
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Dr. Ken Berry discusses the impact of diabetes on life expectancy, alternative approaches to improve metabolic health, lab tests for assessing metabolic health, the consequences of bad nutrition advice, and concerns about long-term effects of GLP1 agonist medications in diabetes treatment.
A diagnosis of diabetes can significantly lower life expectancy, even when following standard medical advice and recommendations from the American Diabetes Association.
The economic costs of diabetes care, including direct medical costs and costs attributable to diabetes, reach up to $4.12 billion annually.
Proper diagnostic methods, such as checking fasting insulin levels, are crucial for early detection of metabolic health issues and implementing appropriate lifestyle modifications.
Deep dives
The Impact of Diabetes on Life Expectancy
The podcast discusses a Lancet article that highlights how a diagnosis of diabetes can significantly lower life expectancy by three to four years for every decade of earlier diagnosis. Standard medical advice and following the American Diabetes Association's recommendations may still lead to a decrease in life expectancy. The importance of proper diagnostic methods, such as checking fasting insulin levels, is emphasized.
The Economic Burden and Environmental Impact of Diabetes
The podcast mentions the economic costs associated with diabetes care, with estimates reaching $4.12 billion annually, including direct medical costs and costs attributable to diabetes. Furthermore, the conversation highlights the environmental impact of mismanaging diabetes, generating plastic waste and increasing the carbon footprint of the healthcare industry. The need for public discourse on these economic and environmental consequences is emphasized.
Challenges in Early Diagnosis of Metabolic Health Issues
The podcast discusses the challenges in diagnosing metabolic health issues, such as insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes, early enough to prevent long-term complications. The failure to diagnose these conditions in the early stages can lead to delays in implementing appropriate lifestyle modifications. The importance of checking fasting insulin levels and reevaluating the prevailing medical paradigms that focus on pharmaceutical interventions is stressed.
Importance of Nutrition Advice for Health
Following bad nutrition advice can lead to becoming a burden on either your family or the nation, as poor nutrition can result in severe health issues like kidney failure and stroke. It is crucial to prioritize good nutrition and not blindly follow recommendations from mainstream associations or influencers endorsing questionable dietary choices. Lab tests, such as glucose monitoring with glucometers and continuous glucose monitors (CGMs), can provide valuable insights into how specific foods impact blood sugar levels. These tests are particularly useful for individuals without type 2 diabetes, as they help identify food choices that cause blood sugar spikes, enabling them to make informed decisions about their diet.
The Shift in Diagnostic Testing and Pharmaceutical Influence
In the context of diagnostic tests for assessing cardiovascular health, the speaker recommends utilizing coronary artery calcification (CAC) scores and carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) tests. These tests provide important information about a patient's current status and act as wake-up calls or motivators for individuals to make necessary lifestyle changes. The speaker emphasizes the need for a focus on proper nutrition and lifestyle choices rather than solely relying on pharmaceutical interventions. They express skepticism about certain diagnostic markers such as APOB and LP a, suggesting these markers are not well-established and often lead to prescription-based solutions. The speaker urges healthcare providers to prioritize patient health over monetary interests and pharmaceutical influences, highlighting the potential bankruptcy and legal consequences for corporations that promote misleading health information.
I am thrilled to have Dr. Ken Berry joining me on the podcast for the third time today. He was with me before on episodes 111 and 139.
Dr. Berry is a physician, best-selling author, and passionate health advocate with a no-nonsense approach to health and wellness. He has been practicing at the Berry Clinics since 2003 and is an active community member. He has written two books, Lies My Doctor Told Me and the recently published Kicking Ass After Fifty, in addition to various other resources, including Common Sense Labs Today. He also has a YouTube channel, serving over 2 million subscribers- one of my favorite go-to resources for my patients.
In our conversation today, we dive into the latest Lancet research on the impact of a diabetes diagnosis on life expectancy, along with insights from the American Diabetes Association regarding the costs of diabetes care. We discuss the need for proper diagnostic modalities to identify insulin resistance earlier and the labs Dr. Berry uses in his practice for identifying those at risk. We explore the recently recognized American Heart Association syndrome, CKM (Cardiovascular Kidney Metabolic Syndrome), and the role of GLP agonists, continuous glucose monitors, and glucometers. Dr. Berry also shares his views on plant-based diets, proper diets, and more.
IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN:
Why does metabolic health continue to deteriorate in most of the general population?
The staggering amount of disposable plastic used within the healthcare industry
The importance of fasting insulin levels when diagnosing metabolic disease
Why are blood tests essential for determining metabolic health?
The benefits of glucometers and continuous glucose monitors for metabolic health
How Dr. Berry’s health improved after following a specific diet and measuring his lab results for a month
How misinformation gets spread within the health and wellness industry
Why are doctors not informing their patients about the absence of long-term studies and deluding them with false information?
The long-term effects of Semaglutide on the body
How a proper diet can naturally lower lipid levels
The limitations of the germ model for treating chronic diseases
