Naturally Manage Diabetes
Poor management of diabetes can have serious consequences for your health. Consistently high levels of sugar in the blood wreak all sorts of havoc on the body, from damaging the kidneys to inflaming blood vessels. People with diabetes have been found to have an increased risk of myriad serious diseases, from heart disease to dementia. The good news is, while this condition may not be able to be completely cured once it has manifested, the degree of control an individual has in managing symptoms is far greater than many other types of illnesses. Good lifestyle choices go a long way here, from proper nutrition to regular exercise and learning to naturally manage diabetes. If you have an interest in integrating natural treatments into your regimen, here are a few worth considering.
Managing Stress
The impact of stress on our health is becoming more evident as time goes on. Many of us are oddly proud of the stress levels we endure, but it is hardly something to celebrate. When it comes to diabetes in particular, did you know high stress levels cause all sorts of reactions in the body that actually increase blood sugar? Being under lots of stress also impacts the condition indirectly by making it less likely you will engage in healthy habits necessary for managing this disease. Some research suggests biofeedback, where you learn to become more aware of, and control, the stress response, has helped people with diabetes better control glucose levels. Other ways to naturally manage diabetes with stress management include yoga, progressive relaxation, meditation, tai chi, and deep breathing exercises.
Supplementation
Several different types of supplements have shown promise for managing diabetes, but it is important to discuss use with your doctor first. Combining these types of treatments with medications designed to treat high blood sugar could cause glucose levels to drop too low. You may need to make adjustments to your medications at some point, and this is not something to do on your own. The mushroom supplement Agaricus blazei benefits diabetes in particular, by helping the body use insulin more efficiently. Bitter melon has a long history of use in Traditional Chinese Medicine for keeping blood sugar down. Fenugreek seeds have also been shown to lower blood sugar, as well as lower cholesterol and triglyceride levels in diabetics, which is important given the greatly increased risk for heart disease. Gymnema, which is a popular treatment for diabetes in the traditional Indian system of medicine, Ayurveda, has been shown to enhance the effects of insulin and other diabetes medications.
The Diabetes Cure: A Natural Plan That Can Slow, Stop, Even Cure Type 2 Diabetes
Diet
Diet is an absolutely crucial part to naturally manage diabetes. You probably are very familiar with the general guidelines of monitoring carbohydrate intake, and focusing on healthy carbs rather than the ‘’bad’’ ones such as refined ‘’white’’ foods and sugary treats. Eat plenty of non-starchy vegetables such as broccoli, peppers, tomatoes and asparagus—not only are they low on the glycemic index, they are packed with nutrients that keep our bodies in top shape. Focus on complex carbohydrates that break down slowly such as oatmeal and whole grain products. Consume plenty of heart-healthy fats, like those found in olive oil, nuts, seeds and avocados—not only is this important to reduce your risk of heart disease, for which you have an increased risk of developing, research found diets high in this type of fat reduced the accumulation of belly fat in type 2 diabetics; Excess amounts of this fat have been linked to all sorts of health problems
How you eat may also be an important part of the equation. One study from Ohio State published in 2012 found employing mindful eating techniques –where you learn to better tune into the signals of your body regarding hunger and fullness—was just as effective as traditional nutrition education at controlling blood sugar levels and promoting weight loss in diabetics.
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