providing practical information, with tools and techniques
to regain control over one's own health and well-being,
maintain a sense of optimism and hope, and knowing
that this prevalent health challenge can be managed and
even reversed.
Dr Arien van der Merwe, a well-known South African
medical doctor, author and expert on holistic integrative
medicine, explains precisely what diabetes is, its symptoms
and the different types – 1, 2 and 3; what causes
diabetes, from physiology to emotions; what pre-diabetes
and insulin resistance are; the link between diabetes and
metabolic syndrome; the connection between diabetes,
heart disease, Alzheimer's and depression, and even
which medications may be prescribed, as well as their
side-effects and limitations.
Dr Van der Merwe's holistic approach to health means
that she is able to offer clear, sensible and user-friendly
practical solutions for managing diabetes by changing
your lifestyle – from sleep to relaxation; doing enough
of the right kind of exercise, including interval and
resistance t raining; eating correctly and sensibly, applying
intermittent fasting (IF); managing and reducing stress,
while ad dressing underlying emotional components and
'dousing the fires of renegade inflammation'.
Dr Van der Merwe also explains the mind-body
connection, and gives advice on food supplements and
herbal remedies. She brings a timely message of hope:
blood sugar levels, symptoms of metabolic syndrome and
other diabetes-related health challenges can be managed,
sometimes even reversed. It is possible to lead a normal,
active and long life, even with what was once considered
to be a 'terminal illness'. O
What is metabolic syndrome?
The syndrome can be recognised by the following
common symptoms:
• Increased waist circumference: abdominal (waist)
circumference more than 102cm in men, and more than
88 cm in women
• Increased triglycerides: 1.7mmol/l or above
• Increased LDL cholesterol: > 3 mmol/l
• Increased HDL cholesterol: < 1.0 mmol/l for men; <
1.3 mmol/l for women
• Elevated blood pressure: 130 mmHg systolic;
85mmHg diastolic or above
• Increased fasting insulin indicating insulin resistance
(dependant on laboratory specific values)
• Increased fasting glucose: >5.5 mmol/l
(mmol/L: millimoles per liter - measurement for very small quantities)
About Dr Arien van der Merwe
Dr Arien van der Merwe has been a medical doctor for 35
years, specialising in body-mind and integrative, natural
medicine, workplace wellness and stress management
for 20 years. She is an elected Fellow of the Royal Society
of Public Health (FRSPH) in the UK, a Member of the
International Stress Management Association (MISMA),
UK branch, as well as a Member of the Natural Healers
Association (NHA) of South Africa. She is a well-known
public speaker and trainer, and the author of 22 books
and 12 training manuals on health and wellness. Her
new book is Managing Diabetes and Related Health
Challenges (Human & Rousseau).
For more information, please visit www.DrArien.co.za
Integrative approach
An integrative, holistic medical approach is one that includes the use of functional medicine, nutriceuticals
('nutri' from nutrition and 'ceutical' from pharmaceutical), well-researched herbal remedies, the correct
exercise program, combined with nutritional guidance, advice on dealing with carbohydrate addiction, stress
management, emotional release work and relaxation training, combined with a support network. Put together,
these strategies have been shown to go a long way in lowering the risk of this widespread health challenge.
Applying this integrative approach to the general population by way of informed self-care for individuals,
in private practice, local clinics, support groups, community and primary care facilities, as
well as the workplace, has to become a top priority if we are to ever effectively address this
prevalent health challenge in organisations, says Dr Van der Merwe.
2
We have TWO copies of Dr Arien van der Merwe's Managing Diabetes and Relates
Health Challenges to give away. Email [email protected] with your
name and address to stand a chance of winning.
ODYSSEY 61
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DIGIMAG