RADIABETES!
Reprinted from the ACJ - March, 2004
While topping off a radiator with tap water, you probably don't think about the chemical dance going on inside the core. Pour in a pint of tap water; along with its lime, chlorine, and minerals, and the additives in the coolant react by isolating the contaminants and keeping them out of harm's way. Next week it's low again, so you top it off. The additives leap into action again and protect the system. Over and over it can occur. Perhaps you should have actually fixed it or tossed in a little 'plug-leak' (say it ain't so). Eventually the additive package, in the coolant, runs out of gas. The dirt and contaminants build up; causing inefficient circulation; plugged tubes and hoses, and increased wear on the cooling system as a whole. If we pretend; our blood stream is a cooling system, the sugar we eat is the lime and chlorine of dirty water and insulin is the additive package in our coolant...we have just made the most far fetched analogy ever in a Health Watch article.
When we eat sugar or starch, our bodies quickly convert it into Glucose; the most basic of sugar units. In response to this glucose increase our pancreas releases the 'additive', insulin, into the blood stream. This insulin binds with the glucose and acts as a key, allowing it to enter our cells and be burned as fuel. Over and over this happens until... see, that analogy wasn't all bad.
The breakdown of this blood-sugar-insulin-magic, results in Diabetes; a disease that affects 1 in 6 Americans. 20 % of those 65 an older has it. 6 million of us may have it and not know it. The results can be devastating; heart disease, stroke, blindness, kidney failure, and not being able to eat M&Ms by the handful any longer. If the 'additive' package no longer works, glucose builds up in our blood and is converted to fat and stored. The problem is that isn't always stored in that 'spare tire' we carry around; but also in nerves, the heart, kidney, etc.
Two types of Diabetes exist. To help us understand, the big brains have labeled them; Type1 and Type 2. Type 1 Diabetes, often referred to as 'Juvenile Diabetes', is most often genetic, although it can be caused by some viruses. It results from the inability of the pancreas to produce insulin. This inability is present from birth, or very shortly after, and therefore is seen in children. There isn't much you can do to prevent it. Only 5 - 10 % of diabetes cases are this type. These folks must inject insulin everyday to deal with food processing. Type 2 diabetes makes up 90 - 95 % of the cases, is developed as we age, and is referred to as 'Adult Onset Diabetes'. In this form of the disease, our cells become resistant to the insulin additive package. Our cells won't allow the glucose to enter, and it builds up in the blood. The pancreas cranks out more and more insulin trying to force the issue; and eventually wears out. Glucose builds up and bad stuff starts happening.
We can prevent this type of diabetes from ruining our lives by realizing that it is possible; then taking steps to prevent it. Yes the dreaded 'Lifestyle Changes' are necessary. Being overweight and sedentary are risk factors for developing the disease. It occurs, mostly, in those of us 40 years and older. Although increasingly, and alarmingly, kids are getting it due to the delivered pizza and video game lifestyle, so many enjoy (what's not to enjoy). It is more common in women and non-whites for scientific reasons that are beyond me. Increasingly our diets are high in processed sugary foods. Remember, as the Atkins people have taught us, 'sugary' foods aren't just gum drops but processed snacks, high sucrose corn syrup in soda, starches in fast food and white grains like rice and bread. All these break down into glucose. Often in amounts far exceeding what we need to function. This excess glucose turns to fat, raises our blood pressure, and builds up in our organs. Our pancreas spins frantically to keep up, eventually failing.
How do we know that we have pushed the system too far? Some of the signs of impending doom are; excessive thirst and the corresponding excessive urination, weight loss, blurred vision, tingling hands and feet, and a general overall weakness. These symptoms must occur on most days, not just on a stressful day. A simple blood test at your doctor's office will give you the good or bad news. But, diabetes progresses slowly, so a high blood glucose reading is not the end of the world, just the end of crispy cremes dipped in chocolate. In the early stages, cleverly named 'prediabetes syndrome' your doctor will prescribe three things; reduced 'simple' sugar intake (more veggies less donuts), weigh loss (10 % is enough for most people), and increased exercise (30 minutes on most days is enough). We can prescribe those things for ourselves and save the doctor's bill.
If Diabetes is the diagnosis, then things get more complicated. You may have to monitor your blood glucose level and adjust it regularly by eating the proper foods at the proper time. This monitoring is what those folks pricking their fingers and wiping it on test paper are doing. If this balance isn't perfectly maintained, and that balance is very hard to achieve, the progressive effects of the disease add up over time, stressing the nerves, heart, and raising blood pressure which harms the blood vessels in the brain and eyes. Time and stress take their toll and something breaks down. Delaying this progression is the best that Diabetics can hope for.
Those of us without the disease; but with a Jones for fast food, soda, snacks, and couch time, can start prevention now. Get up off the recliner, walk past Mickey D's to the grocery store, buy an apple and walk home. While you are there, pick up a gallon of distilled water to top off that radiator. Might as well give the cooling system's 'additive package' a break as well.
The above article was written by David M. Brown, Chief Engineer of Johnson Manufacturing Company, Inc. and is published by JOHNSON with the expressed approval of the National Automotive Radiator Service Association and the Automotive Cooling Journal. Other reproduction or distribution of this information is forbidden without the written consent of JOHNSON and NARSA/ACJ. All rights reserved.
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