Managing Diabetes
What is Diabetes?
What is Diabetes?
Our body is responsible for converting the food we consume into simple sugars, called glucose. The hormone, insulin, then transports this glucose into the cells, which use glucose as a source of energy. In some cases, the body fails to make insulin or utilize it for effective glucose transportation into cells. This condition is called Diabetes.
Diabetes is one of the most common chronic metabolic disorders. Diabetics have a problem in utilizing glucose, which hence gets accumulated in the blood. The accumulation of glucose in the blood starves the cells of it and thus can lead to damaged eyes, kidneys, liver, and other organs.
Who is at a risk of Diabetes?
People over 40 years of age
Overweight people
People with a family history of Diabetes
Women who had Diabetes during pregnancy
People who have high blood pressure or high blood fats
How to manage Diabetes naturally?
Diet plays a very important role in managing diabetes. Reduce consumption of starchy foods like bread, processed cereals, rice and other foods that have high glycemic index (Glycemic index ranks foods based on how they affect the blood sugar levels. Lower the glycemic index, healthier the food.). Some of the important factors to include in your health regime are:
Include at least 1.4 oz. of fiber in your food every day.
Have four to five small meals instead of three heavy meals a day.
Do not consume carbohydrates at least two hours before bed time.
Replace fried foods and fast foods with whole cooked cereals.
Consume at least five portions of fresh fruits and vegetables every day.
Use oil low in saturated fats.
Other factors that help manage Diabetes effectively are:
1.Monitor blood glucose levels regularly.
2.Take medications and/or insulin regularly and on time.
3.Reduce consumption of starchy foods like bread, processed cereals, rice and other foods that have high glycemic index (Glycemic index ranks foods based on how they affect the blood sugar levels. Lower the glycemic index, healthier the food.).
4.Drink lots of water and clear liquids.
5.Consume high fiber, whole foods.
6.Avoid preprocessed and canned or frozen foods.
7.Exercise regularly and give up sedentary lifestyle. It not only reduces body fat but also stimulates insulin production. Consume a fruit juice if you feel dizzy during or after exercise (due to low blood sugars).
8.Supplement health regime with vitamins and other essential nutrients.
9.Use artificial sweeteners with sucralose (instead of aspartame) to substitute sugars. Stevia, a naturally sweet plant is also an excellent sugar substitute.
Nutritional supplements for Diabetics
Recent research shows that certain herbal supplements help Diabetics by reducing their dependence on medications, thus letting them undergo less treatment distress.
Impaired glucose metabolism makes the Diabetics deficient in many essential nutrients and antioxidants that are required for normal functioning of the body. Every individual"s body needs and lifestyle are different. Creating your own health regime, typically based on the above pointers will make Diabetes very easy to manage and live with.
by: Patrick Kentt
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