The current global diabetes epidemic is causing multiple health concerns including blindness, which in its early stages, according to ophthalmologist Dr James Muecke, is reversible. It was very interesting and exciting to watch Dr James Muecke receive the ‘Australian of the Year’ award on Australia Day in January, 2020 and listen to his acceptance speech outlining his hopes and plans to reverse T2Diabetes blindness, both in Australia and overseas. Here is a brief video of his speech:
Background Information:
Is Sugar Toxic
A 20 minute video from Dr Sanjay Gupta with Dr Robert Lustig, Dr Lewis Cantley & others answering questions on the toxicity of sugars and how they affect our health
Type 2 Diabetes
The Processed Food Disease with Dr Robert Lustig a 31 min Youtube
“There are several reasons why I believe that eating too much sugar is one cause of diabetes – mostly Type 2 diabetes, but possibly Type 1 too.”
~ Dr John Yudkin (1972)
“Pure White & Deadly” Page 119
What is 20 / 20 Vision ?
“20/20 vision is a term used to express normal visual acuity (the clarity or sharpness of vision) measured at a distance of 20 feet. … If you have 20/100 vision, it means that you must be as close as 20 feet to see what a person with normal vision can see at 100 feet.
Definition & graphic from American Optometric Association
Consequences & Benefits
Human Health – from a personal perspective to lose ones sight is so devastating for numerous reasons including the following:
- (a) Decrease in quality of life with a personal emotional toll that is incalculable such as being dependent on others for as long as you live. Here is a detailed sobering look at The Impact of Vision Loss covering subjects such as multi-illnesses, mental health concerns, mobility and dependence.
- (b) The cost of lifetime healthcare for those who have lost their sight is outlined in the above report ” One national study commissioned by Prevent Blindness found that direct medical expenses, other direct expenses, loss of productivity, and other indirect costs for visual disorders across all age groups were approximately $139 billion in 2013 dollars”.
- (c) This very important report “Reversing Type 2 Diabetes: A Narrative Review of the Evidence” by S. J. Hallberg et al from 2019 shows that in the early stages of Type 2 Diabetes it is possible to reverse the condition. There is a choice.
“One reason why many people are skeptical about the suggestion that sugar is bad for health is precisely that the number of illnesses in which I feel sugar plays a part is so large …
Avoid sugar, I say, and you are less likely to become fat, run into nutritional deficiency, have a heart attack, get diabetes or dental decay or a duodenal ulcer, and perhaps you also reduce your chances of getting gout, dermatitis, and some forms of cancer, and in general increase your life span”
~ Dr John Yudkin (1972)
“Pure White & Deadly” Page 167
In Closing …
Heartfelt congratulations to Dr. James Muecke and his team in their endeavours in this very worthwhile cause in 2020. As always, hoping you have learned something new from this brief article which will be an encouragement to make a beneficial change, for your health’s sake in 2020.
Best wishes for a positive and happy year ~ Liz
Corn – Corn Syrup
“A 2012 analysis of 43 countries found that rates of diabetes are 20% higher in those where HFCS is readily available & …
Several other studies have linked HFCS availability to higher rates of conditions such as diabetes and heart disease”
From Medical News Today
Links & References :
- Current background on Dr James Muecke, Australian of the Year, 2020, Australia
- What is Diabetic Retinopathy & Other Diabetes eye diseases
- Blindness: How does Diabetes affect the eyes
- Data & Statistics (including projections) for Diabetic Retinopathy (updated 2019)
- CAP : Links at “Low Carbohydrate Diet for Type 2 Diabetes Reversal “(June 2019) Includes short video by Dr Sarah Hallberg
- CAP : More Links in “What you Need to Know About Sugar” (May 2018)
- “Pure White & Deadly” by Dr John Yudkin 1972 (with Introduction 1986 by Dr R. Lustig)
- Feature photo NICE infographic Dr David Unwin Sugar Equivalents
- Disclaimer: Caramel & Parsley
“I eat fruit …
If I can avoid any sugar at all
in any drinks that I drink or foods …
I try to avoid processed foods …
I avoid sugar when I can.“
~ Dr Lewis Cantley
Dr. Lewis Cantley is Director of the Meyer Cancer Center at Weill Cornell Medical College as well as the Stanton Clinical Cancer Program at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital. He is also Professor of Cancer Biology in Medicine and Professor in Oncology Research at Weill Cornell Medical College
(April 2016)
