Happy New Year!

by Dr. Robert Swain

Q. I have diabetes.  What can I do to get rid of my diabetes and prevent it from coming back?

This is a good question and one of great interest.  Today diabetes in adults has more than doubled since 1980 to a mind-numbing 347 million.  The good news is there are a number off ways to combat and even prevent diabetes.

I'll answer the question later. First let's explore some statistics about diabetes.  Costing a whooping $174 billion (that's a BILLION) annually, diabetes has become the 7th leading cause of death in the U.S.  It is estimated that 79 million Americans — or 1/3 of the nation's adults — are pre-diabetic.  This is a condition of elevated blood sugar raising a person's risk of developing type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and stroke.

Recent research has demonstrated that elevated blood sugar doubles vascular death risk and substantially raises the risk of death from cancer, infections, and pneumonia — just to name a few.

Age related diseases, such as cognitive impairment (Alzheimer's), incontinence, falls, dizziness, vision impairment, and chronic pain are nearly doubled with diabetes.

Now let's get back to the question.   Some key, non-drug approaches are nutritional supplementation, smart dietary changes, weightloss, and lifestyle changes to reduce the risk of developing and/or managing diabetes.  Here are some strategies to help ensure you have a healthier, happier, and diabetes-free life.  Isn't that what we all deserve?

Studies have shown that supplementation with magnesium has reduced the need for insulin and reduced blood sugar levels.  Sources of magnesium include green leafy veggies, meat, starches, nuts, and milk. 

How about some resveratrol?  Research has shown it improves diabetes.  Resveratrol is found in grapes, red wine, peanuts and some berries.

Just the simple effort of walking greatly helps with diabetes.  A mile a day reduced insulin need and aided also weight loss.

Get your Omega-3s.  Omega 3 fatty acid may help to improve insulin resistance and the risk of diabetes.  Good sources include salmon, sardines, nuts, and olive oil.

Get Your Omega-3s.  Omega 3 fatty acid may help to improve insulin resistance and the risk of diabetes.  Good sources of omega 3's are salmon and sardines, nuts, and olive oil.

Don't forget amino acids.  They help the body produce energy and are important for proper brain and heart function, muscle movement, and many other body functions.  Research showed that the amino acids lowered blood sugar levels.

Dairy products may reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes.  The fatty acid palmitoleic acid is naturally occurring in dairy products and helps to protect against diabetes.

As you can see there is POWER IN HEALTHY LIVING.  If you watched the biggest looser on TV, you heard the MD talk about the winners beating diabetes and other diseases associated with poor health and lifestyles.

You can stop the epidemic and take responsibility for your own health through a healthy diet and lifestyle. 

Key Terms to Understand

Diabetes: A group of metabolic diseases characterized by high blood sugar, either because the body produces little or no insulin (type 1) or because the body does not make enough insulin and/or cells do not respond well to the insulin produced (type 2).

Insulin: A hormone manufactured by the pancreas that removes glucose from the bloodstream and into muscle, fat and liver cells where it can be utilized as fuel.

Glucose: A sugar that enters the bloodstream when food is digested. Glucose is the primary source of fuel (energy) for the body.

Insulin sensitivity / resistance: A decreased ability for the body to use insulin to remove glucose from the bloodstream. The body produces insulin, but does not utilize it well.

Blood glucose levels: The level of glucose in the bloodstream. People with insulin sensitivity / resistance will have higher levels of glucose in the bloodstream because of an impaired ability to remove it, which can lead to diabetes.

        Journal Twitter