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Many a times our parents and grandparents talk about a serious issue at our home which is known as ‘diabetes’. But does any one of us seem to be really interested in the topic. Have we attempted to gain the full knowledge of the disease? When the insulin in the body gets wiped out, the sugar level or the glucose level rises and as a result diabetes develops.

Regulating the sugar level of the blood is most essential to keep diabetes in control. Diabetes can lead to gaining of deadly diseases which may prove to be calamitous if diabetes is not controlled in time as the disease has some short-term effects like an eye-vision which is blurred, loss of weight, concentration loss, frequent urination etc. some of the effects which diabetes can bring forward if it is not controlled in time are kidney failure, heart diseases, eye diseases etc.

The age, lifestyle of a person and stage of the disease are three factors upon which the treatment of diabetes depends. In the beginning stages of treatment of diabetes, a healthy and nutritious diet and regular exercise are a must. In order to understate diabetes, the weight of the diabetic should first and foremost be brought in control. Or otherwise, oral medications and insulin can also be given if these steps to control diabetes are not effective.

In America alone, more than fifteen (15) million people suffer from diabetes and require daily insulin shots. Lowering cholesterol levels, blood pressure, and blood sugar levels are imperative to help control this disease. Smoking significantly increases the risk of heart disease in diabetic patients, so they are strongly urged to quit, reducing the risk of higher cholesterol levels and heart disease.

Herbs such as gymnema, bitter melon, bilberry, and birch leaf tea are sometimes used to help control diabetes. Gymnema increases insulin secretion by the pancreas and lowers insulin resistance, thereby lowering blood sugar levels. Bitter melon, a fruit, helps aid in the production of insulin by increasing the number of beta cells in the pancreas. Bilberry helps with eyesight and blood vessels because it contains tannins and compounds called OPCs. Birch leaf tea helps with weight loss, which is important in helping to control diabetes.

Diabetic medications include insulin and oral hypoglycemics. A diabetic’s diet should also be rich in Vitamins A, D, B1, B6, Fatty acids, Alpha lipoic acid, Chromium, Vanadium, and Zinc. Vitamin A is important because it helps prevent such side effects as eye disease and kidney problems. Vitamin D and Zinc help promote production of insulin. Vanadium assists with moving insulin into the cells. Chromium assists with carbohydrate metabolism. Alpha lipoic acid aids in the conversion of glucose into fuel for the body to use. These vitamins and minerals can be found in foods consisting of cod liver oil, nutritional yeast, raw butter, cream, raw meats and fish, beef, lamb, shellfish, unfiltered olive oil, molasses, egg yolks, as well as a variety of fresh and fermented vegetables, just to name a few. Trace minerals can be found in unrefined salt or bone broths.

The blood sugar level in body is measured by hemoglobinA1C which should be 7 percent or below. At New York City public hospitals, around 50,000 diabetic patients are being treated and they say that lower blood sugar alone does not help controlling the disease. They are using an electronic patient registry, also keep track of blood pressure, cholesterol levels, as well as eye and foot exams. According to them, Doctors should always treat patients by lowering blood sugar levels i.e. protein HaemoglobinA1C levels unless and until the factors such as age, other chronic conditions, lifestyle and culture are not being controlled.

Last 5 posts by Julia Hanf

• Diabetes - Minimizing Effects of Diabetes - July 16th, 2008
• Diabetes and Exercise - June 5th, 2008
• The Winning Solution - June 4th, 2008
• Clarity of Cause, Clear as Mud - May 25th, 2008
• 24 Hour Insulin - May 22nd, 2008

Tags: Diabetes