In this post, I am using type 2 diabetes as an example to highlight the increasing prevalence of chronic illnesses, including coronary heart disease, hypertension, strokes, cancers, type 2 diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease, age-related macular degeneration (AMD), Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, overweight, obesity, and virtually every chronic disease known to man. The true cause is often overlooked due to the enormous profits associated with treating the illness, leaving prevention and the actual cure sidelined. I will explain the reasons behind this phenomenon later in this post. First, let's examine some type 2 diabetes statistics.

Global Epidemic

The prevalence of type 2 diabetes has surged over the past few decades, leading to a significant rise in the economic burden associated with managing the condition. In 1980, there were 108 million people worldwide with diabetes. By 2014, this number had skyrocketed to 422 million (World Health Organization (WHO))​.

Diabetes in the USA

In the United States, the prevalence of diabetes has been consistently increasing. In 2001, approximately 10.3% of adults aged 18 years or older had diabetes, a figure that rose to 13.2% by 2020. Specifically, in 2021, 38.4 million Americans, or 11.6% of the population, had diabetes, with type 2 diabetes being the most common form (CDC)​​ (Diabetes.org)​.

Cost of Disease

The increase in diabetes prevalence has resulted in a substantial economic burden. According to the American Diabetes Association, the total estimated cost of diagnosed diabetes in the United States was $412.9 billion in 2022, including $306.6 billion in direct medical costs and $106.3 billion in reduced productivity (NIDDK)​.

Deteriorating Situation

The escalating costs and prevalence are reflected in the graphs above, which depict the increase in both the number of people diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and the amount of money spent on their treatment over time. The data demonstrates a strong correlation between the growing number of diabetes cases and the increasing financial burden on healthcare systems.

Follow the Money

The medical establishment often simplifies the reasons behind the rise in diabetes by advocating simplistic solutions such as "eat a healthy diet" and "reduce sugar and saturated fat." While these recommendations are somewhat helpful, they fail to address the deeper dietary issues at play. A good example is the 60 Minutes piece. Click on this video to see exactly what I am talking about. The doctor claims your weight is not under your control and blames the "pathways" as the reason, completely skipping over the reason why the pathways are broken-processed foods mainly consisting of processed sugar, carbohydrates, and seed oils.

The Two Main Causes of Chronic Diseases

The main cause of chronic disease is seed oils like soy, canola, cotton, sunflower, and safflower. In his book entitled The Ancestral Diet Revolution, Chris Knobbe explains, “in 1897, both foreign and domestic, and he specifically listed some 268 cottonseed oil mills in the U.S., 21 mills in England, but none in any other country at that time with the exception of a single oil mill in all of Asia, which was operated in Shanghai. As we’ll see, this has vast implications for health, and repeatedly, what we have observed is that the United States and the United Kingdom were the epicenters of the emergence of chronic diseases, including coronary heart disease, vastly increasing rates of cancer, obesity, diabetes, etc., while the Asian countries, who were among the last to adopt production and consumption of such seed oils, enjoyed far greater health until the late 20th century.” You can read more about seed oils in this post.

The other cause is processed carbohydrates. Cardiovascular disease, metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes, cancer, acne vulgaris, tooth decay, crooked teeth, small jaws, and small heads became widespread when processed carbohydrates were added to our diet. It's important to note that there were other lifestyle changes that also contributed to these health issues, which I have extensively covered on this site. However, for now, I am focusing on the impact of processed carbs. You can read more about how processed carbs led to chronic illness in this post.

An Effective Approach

A more effective strategy involves promoting an unprocessed food diet, emphasizing whole foods, and minimizing the intake of processed and refined products. This approach targets the root causes of metabolic dysfunction and insulin resistance, which are pivotal in the development of type 2 diabetes. However, this kind of DIY treatment is difficult to monetize, so big businesses do not promote it extensively.

Conclusion

The data clearly indicate a growing trend in increasing chronic illnesses, including type 2 diabetes, and the associated economic costs. The escalating burden of chronic disease not only impacts individuals but also places a significant strain on healthcare systems and economies worldwide. By focusing on diets of whole foods that are devoid of processed carbohydrates and seed oils, including animal-based foods with their included fats, and embracing holistic health approaches, there is potential to better manage and reduce the incidence of type 2 diabetes and many other chronic diseases related to poor metabolism. For a detailed guide on what foods you can choose from, click here.

Sources

Knobbe, Chris; Alexander, Suzanne. The Ancestral Diet Revolution: How Vegetable Oils and Processed Foods Destroy Our Health - and How to Recover! (pp. 29-30).