There are about 29 million people in the United States who suffer from type 2 diabetes, an illness that is becoming increasingly common and is also highly preventable. With lifestyle changes, diabetes can be managed and even prevented.
Aim for a healthy weight
When you have extra weight, this can cause an increase in blood sugar. Maintaining a healthy weight can keep your blood sugar at more normal levels and better overall health. Keeping your BMI between 18.5 – 24.9 is optimal.
Exercise
Exercise is very important when it comes to managing or preventing type 2 diabetes. Regular exercise can help lower weight, stress levels, blood pressure, bad cholesterol and triglycerides. Even just adding walks into your day can make a difference. Aim for 30 minutes of aerobic exercise at least four times a week.
Aim for a healthy weight
When you have extra weight, this can cause an increase in blood sugar. Maintaining a healthy weight can keep your blood sugar at more normal levels and better overall health. Keeping your BMI between 18.5 – 24.9 is optimal.
Exercise
Exercise is very important when it comes to managing or preventing type 2 diabetes. Regular exercise can help lower weight, stress levels, blood pressure, bad cholesterol and triglycerides. Even just adding walks into your day can make a difference. Aim for 30 minutes of aerobic exercise at least four times a week.
Diet
Having a healthy diet is a lifestyle change, and that can be hard for people. It is however, crucial in preventing or managing diabetes.
Keep refined carbs in check, they tend to affect your blood sugar the most. Know how many carbohydrates are in the food you’re eating to keep them at the level you need to be for managing your blood sugar.
Avoid processed sugar. Sugar in the form of sucrose or high fructose corn syrup can spike blood sugar rapidly. For people with diabetes, it is especially dangerous. Use stevia extract as an alternative sweetener. It’s natural, calorie-free, and won’t spike blood sugar.
Be on top of your schedule
Diabetes requires an everyday awareness as well as a schedule when it comes to medication and insulin. If you have trouble remembering to take your medication or test yourself regularly, try setting reminders on your phone or keep a calendar near by. Consistency can make all the difference.
Try acupuncture
Neuropathy is one result of diabetes, acupuncture can help reduce this nerve pain by boosting the release of endorphins, the body’s natural pain reliever. Acupuncture has almost no side effects and is a great complementary option to reducing chronic pain.
Having a healthy diet is a lifestyle change, and that can be hard for people. It is however, crucial in preventing or managing diabetes.
Keep refined carbs in check, they tend to affect your blood sugar the most. Know how many carbohydrates are in the food you’re eating to keep them at the level you need to be for managing your blood sugar.
Avoid processed sugar. Sugar in the form of sucrose or high fructose corn syrup can spike blood sugar rapidly. For people with diabetes, it is especially dangerous. Use stevia extract as an alternative sweetener. It’s natural, calorie-free, and won’t spike blood sugar.
Be on top of your schedule
Diabetes requires an everyday awareness as well as a schedule when it comes to medication and insulin. If you have trouble remembering to take your medication or test yourself regularly, try setting reminders on your phone or keep a calendar near by. Consistency can make all the difference.
Try acupuncture
Neuropathy is one result of diabetes, acupuncture can help reduce this nerve pain by boosting the release of endorphins, the body’s natural pain reliever. Acupuncture has almost no side effects and is a great complementary option to reducing chronic pain.
Sources:
http://www.webmd.com/diabetes/guide/natural-remedies-type-2-diabetes
http://www.ghc.org/healthAndWellness/?item=/common/healthAndWellness/conditions/diabetes/topTips.html
http://www.cdc.gov/healthyweight/assessing/bmi/adult_bmi/