How your sugar belly causes "diabesity".

• Position: Diet

'The grains you choose are critical to keeping your blood sugar stable, your weight down, and your heart healthy," says John Douillard, former nutrition counselor and director of player development for the NBA's New Jersey Nets and author of several books, the latest being Eat Wheat: A Scientific and Clinically-Proven Approach to Safely Bringing Wheat and Dairy Back into Your Diet.

"Whole wheat extends life, reduces the risk of dementia by 54%, and, in study after study, prevents the onset of type 2 diabetes. The science shows health risks only with refined and processed wheats."

Other culprits include artificial sweeteners and a culture that encourages constant snacking, which can lead to what Douillard labels "sugar belly."

He adds: "In general, processed foods are quicker to be broken down into sugar, or glucose, which enters the bloodstream fester than whole foods. Excess sugar in the blood will trigger the release of excess insulin, which converts and stores the sugar in the form of unwanted fat and damaging cholesterol particles." It Is leading to the "world's next great epidemic," a combination of diabetes and obesity he calls "diabesity."

A balanced and rebooted digestive system should...