The tragic early deaths of several well-known celebrities highlight a critical health crisis: the impact of pre-diabetes and type 2 diabetes on stroke risk and overall mortality. Many people underestimate the dangers of diabetes, assuming it is just a blood sugar problem. However, it is a metabolic disorder that significantly increases the risk of cardiovascular disease, kidney failure, and even neurological conditions like Alzheimer’s.
Unfortunately, this reality has played out in the lives of famous individuals such as Irv Gotti, Luther Vandross, Phife Dawg, Attrell Cordes, Nell Carter, and Rick James, all of whom passed away before reaching 60 due to diabetes-related complications, including stroke. Their stories serve as stark reminders that insulin resistance— the root cause of type 2 diabetes— must be addressed early to prevent devastating outcomes.
What is Pre-Diabetes?
Pre-diabetes is a condition in which blood sugar levels are higher than normal but not yet high enough to be classified as type 2 diabetes. However, the real underlying issue is insulin resistance, a state where the body’s cells fail to respond properly to insulin, forcing the pancreas to produce more and more insulin just to maintain normal blood sugar levels.
Key facts about pre-diabetes:
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- It can exist for years before blood sugar levels rise high enough to diagnose diabetes.
- Most doctors do not routinely test fasting insulin levels, meaning many people are unaware they have it.
- Even at the pre-diabetes stage, damage to blood vessels, the brain, and organs is already occurring.
- High insulin levels contribute to high blood pressure, inflammation, and arterial plaque buildup, increasing stroke risk.
If insulin resistance is not addressed, pre-diabetes will likely progress to full-blown type 2 diabetes, setting the stage for life-threatening complications.
The Deadly Progression to Type 2 Diabetes and Stroke
Type 2 diabetes develops when the pancreas can no longer produce enough insulin to compensate for insulin resistance. This results in chronically high blood sugar and insulin levels, which fuel inflammation and arterial damage, leading to stroke and heart disease.
How Pre-Diabetes and Type 2 Diabetes Increase Stroke Risk
Both pre-diabetes and type 2 diabetes increase the likelihood of ischemic stroke (caused by blood clots) and hemorrhagic stroke (caused by blood vessel rupture) through several mechanisms:
✔ Blood Vessel Damage: High blood sugar stiffens and narrows arteries, increasing blockage risk.
✔ Hyperinsulinemia: Chronically high insulin levels promote vascular inflammation and plaque buildup, making strokes more likely.
✔ High Blood Pressure: Insulin resistance is a major driver of hypertension, which is the #1 risk factor for stroke.
✔ Poor Circulation: Diabetes impairs the body’s ability to regulate blood flow, leading to clot formation.
Even at the pre-diabetes stage, individuals are at significantly higher risk of stroke compared to those with normal insulin sensitivity.
The Role of Arachidonic Acid (AA) in Stroke and Metabolic Health
Beyond blood sugar and insulin resistance, a critical but often overlooked factor in stroke risk is the level of arachidonic acid (AA) in the body.
Why Arachidonic Acid (AA) Matters
Arachidonic acid is an omega-6 fatty acid essential for inflammation regulation, immune function, and blood clotting. While AA is necessary for vascular integrity and brain health, an imbalance—whether too high or too low—can increase the risk of stroke and cardiovascular disease.
When Arachidonic Acid Levels Are Too High
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- Excessive inflammation: Elevated AA contributes to vascular inflammation, accelerating plaque formation and arterial damage.
- Increased clotting risk: AA promotes thromboxane production, which triggers excessive blood clotting, increasing the risk of an ischemic stroke.
- Poor Omega-6 to Omega-3 Ratio: A high omega-6 to omega-3 ratio (common in Western diets) worsens chronic inflammation and endothelial dysfunction.
When Arachidonic Acid Levels Are Too Low
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- Weakened blood vessels: AA is necessary for vascular elasticity and stability. Low levels increase the risk of a hemorrhagic stroke (caused by blood vessel rupture).
- Cognitive decline: Deficiency in AA is linked to neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer’s, which is also strongly correlated with insulin resistance.
How Arachidonic Acid Predicts Stroke and Cardiovascular Risk
Testing AA levels as part of an Omega-3 Index or Fatty Acid Balance Test can serve as an early indicator of metabolic and cardiovascular risk:
✔ AA Too High → Increased stroke risk due to excess clotting and inflammation.
✔ AA Too Low → Increased stroke risk due to weakened blood vessels.
✔ Balanced AA with Omega-3s (EPA/DHA Ratio of ~3:1) → Lower stroke risk with healthy inflammation control and blood flow.
Since AA levels are modifiable, testing for arachidonic acid balance could be a powerful tool in stroke prevention and metabolic health management.
How to Reduce Stroke Risk and Optimize Arachidonic Acid Balance
To maintain healthy AA levels while reducing stroke risk, consider:
✔ Testing Omega-6 to Omega-3 Ratios and AA Levels – The BalanceTest provides insight into whether AA is too high or too low and helps guide corrective action.
✔ Optimizing Omega-3 Intake with Polyphenols – BalanceOil+ contains EPA, DHA, and polyphenols, which help balance AA levels and prevent excessive clotting risk.
✔ Reducing Processed Seed Oils – Cutting back on soybean, corn, and sunflower oil helps prevent excessive omega-6 accumulation and inflammation.
✔ Incorporating Strength Training – Exercise improves blood flow and insulin sensitivity, naturally optimizing AA levels.
✔ Managing Insulin Resistance – Since insulin resistance fuels inflammation, lowering fasting insulin levels improves AA metabolism and stroke prevention.
Final Thoughts: The Need for Early Detection
Pre-diabetes and type 2 diabetes are not just about blood sugar—they are metabolic diseases that drastically increase the risk of stroke, heart disease, and early death.
The tragic losses of celebrities like Irv Gotti, Luther Vandross, Phife Dawg, Attrell Cordes, Nell Carter, and Rick James serve as warnings that ignoring insulin resistance and fatty acid imbalances can be deadly.
However, the good news is that insulin resistance and stroke risk are preventable and reversible with the right interventions.
By testing AA levels, optimizing omega-3 intake, managing stress, and improving metabolic health, individuals can take proactive steps to reduce their risk of diabetes, stroke, and premature death.
Don’t wait for symptoms—get tested and take control of your health today!
References
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- National Institutes of Health (NIH). Diabetes and Stroke Risk. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. Retrieved from https://www.ninds.nih.gov
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Prediabetes: Your Chance to Prevent Type 2 Diabetes. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/basics/prediabetes.html
- American Diabetes Association. Hyperinsulinemia and Cardiovascular Risk. Retrieved from https://diabetes.org
- Mayo Clinic. Type 2 Diabetes and Stroke: Understanding the Connection. Retrieved from https://www.mayoclinic.org
- Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. Insulin Resistance and Its Role in Metabolic Syndrome. Retrieved from https://www.hsph.harvard.edu
- The New York Post. Irv Gotti, Murder Inc. Co-Founder, Dead at 54 After Stroke. Retrieved from https://nypost.com/2025/02/05/entertainment/irv-gotti-murder-inc-co-founder-dead-at-54/
- The Guardian. Luther Vandross: A Voice Silenced Too Soon. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com
- Legacy.com. Famous Faces of Diabetes: Phife Dawg, Attrell Cordes, and More. Retrieved from https://www.legacy.com/news/culture-and-history/famous-faces-of-diabetes/
- BlackPast.org. Nell Carter Biography. Retrieved from https://www.blackpast.org
- Rolling Stone. Rick James’ Final Years: How Diabetes and Heart Disease Led to His Early Passing. Retrieved from https://www.rollingstone.com
- PMC (NIH). The Association Between Arachidonic Acid Exposure and Stroke Risk: A Systematic Review. Retrieved from https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4338408/
- PMC (NIH). Arachidonic Acid Metabolites and Their Role in Inflammation and Tissue Injury. Retrieved from https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10511835/
- Taylor & Francis (Tandfonline). Eicosapentaenoic Acid (EPA) to Arachidonic Acid (AA) Ratio and Its Role in Stroke, Cardiovascular Disease, and Chronic Heart Failure. Retrieved from https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/00325481.2019.1607414
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Robert Ferguson is a California- and Florida-based single father of two daughters, nutritionist, researcher, best-selling author, speaker, podcast and television host, health advisor, NAACP Image Award Nominee, creator of the Diet Free Life methodology, Chief Nutrition Officer for iCoura Health, and he serves on the Presidential Task Force on Obesity for the National Medical Association. You can e-mail Robert at robert@dietfreelife.com.
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