Aging impacts everyone’s health differently. But Type 2 diabetes has reached epidemic levels in the US and impacts all ages. Type 2 diabetes is often caused by poor food choices and can best be treated through a change in diet and lifestyle.
If you think your habits may result in a diabetes diagnosis, we’re here to help. Here are a few steps you can take to continue to stay healthy or improve your recent diagnosis. As with any disease or health concern, always consult your doctor before making any drastic changes to your lifestyle.
___________________________________________________________________________
Type 2 diabetes continues to reach epidemic levels in America, doubling the risk of stroke and sudden death from a heart attack. New cases of diabetes are skyrocketing with diagnosis in children becoming all too common, predisposing them to a lifetime of suffering and a shortened lifespan. For the vast majority of people, Type 2 diabetes is a problem caused by poor food choices and is best prevented and treated through a natural multi-step approach to diet and lifestyle.
Step 1. Monitor Post Meal Blood Sugar Levels
Type 2 diabetes is a disease characterized by excessive sugar circulating in the blood. The cells become resistant to the effects of insulin and sugar uptake becomes inefficient, leading to high blood sugar levels especially after eating. Research indicates that it is the surge of blood sugar after each meal which leads to metabolic dysfunction and ultimately to full-blown diabetes.
Further, the risk of devastating complications associated with diabetes increases as post-meal blood sugar levels rise. If you have a blood sugar reader, keep readings one hour after eating below 140 mg/dl and two hours after eating below 120 mg/dl to reduce disease risk.
Step 2. Eat Healthy and Eliminate Refined Carbs
Poor diet is the primary cause of Type 2 diabetes. Specifically, it’s the excessive amount of refined carbohydrates most people eat throughout the day. All types of bread, pasta and wheat-based starches break down into sugar and can cause blood sugar levels to spike dangerously.
The sugars in most vegetables are closely bound to fiber and release very slowly, making leafy greens a natural anti-diabetic food. Other healthy choices include lean cuts of meat (avoid charring or overcooking), nuts and seeds. Be sure to include a raw fat source with each meal, like avocado, uncooked oils, or seeds, as this will slow the breakdown of sugars and ensure the fat-soluble nutrients in your food are properly absorbed.
Step 3. Lose Weight
Regardless of your starting point, losing as little as seven percent of your total body weight can have a dramatic effect on the metabolic factors which drive diabetes. Aiming for a sustainable weight is more important than targeting an unrealistically low weight. Losing weight stimulates a cascade of metabolic functions which exert positive control over blood sugar, insulin resistance and blood lipids. Following a healthy diet will cause natural weight loss with little effort.
Step 4. Begin an Exercise Regimen
Studies show that walking the equivalent of 30 minutes a day reduces the risk of diabetes by half. Exercise allows the cells to naturally accept sugar from the blood as it helps reverse the effects of insulin resistance. Blood sugar levels are kept at lower levels when regularly exercising and are much less likely to lead to diabetes or cause damage to the eyes, kidneys and extremities.
Step 5. Take Natural Supplements
There are a handful of natural supplements that assist in blood sugar metabolism. Minerals such as zinc, magnesium and chromium are critical to the proper breakdown of carbohydrates and fat, assisting the body to properly respond to the effects of insulin. Vinegar and cinnamon have been shown to assist the breakdown of carbohydrates to sugar, resulting in improved post-meal blood sugar response.
For most people, Type 2 diabetes is a direct result of poor food choices. Many people resort to prescription medications which are minimally effective in reducing blood sugar. Many medications have also been shown to increase heart disease risk. A growing number of people have been able to prevent and treat diabetes through a natural approach to diet, exercise and lifestyle. This leads to dramatically improved health and an extended lifespan.
Written by John Phillip for http://www.seniorslist.com