Natural Prevention and Control of Diabetes

The latest research shows there are many natural ways to prevent, control, and even reverse diabetes.
Diabetes affects individuals in two ways, both stemming from the insufficiency of insulin and high glucose levels. Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disorder which occurs when the body’s own immune system mistakenly destroys the beta cells of the pancreas which are responsible for making insulin. Type 2 diabetes, found to more than triple heart disease risk, arises due to poor diet and lifestyle choices that build up insulin resistance making beta cells less responsive to insulin.

Preventing Diabetes / Reversing Diabetes Through Diet and Exercise

Prevention is especially vital, because the diagnosis of diabetes is life changing due to the tightly regulated blood sugar monitoring and continuous insulin injections. A diet that is high in fruits and vegetables and low in animal protein has shown to be one of the key factors in preventing diabetes. A vegetarian diet plays a beneficial role in not only weight loss, but also in reducing the risk of diabetes. It is proposed that animal protein stimulates insulin resistance, while a vegetarian diet reduces oxidative stress and inflammation.
In addition to a healthy diet, exercise has a huge impact on diabetes and plays a role in preventing and reversing diabetes.

Maintaining A Healthy Level of Sugar in the Blood

One of the strategies in maintaining a healthy blood sugar level and avoiding sugar spikes is consuming high-fiber foods such as whole grains, beans, legumes and nuts. Foods with a low glycemic index like beans and legumes (chickpeas and lentils) reduce the factors that contribute to diabetes and cardiovascular disease. In addition, nuts are also an important part of the diet for diabetes prevention, because they contain healthy fats such as monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids, which are a feasible replacement for refined sugars in diabetics.

Vitamins and Supplements to Reverse or Prevent Diabetes

Antioxidants that decrease the levels of oxidative stress and free radicals in the body are very beneficial to decreasing the risk of diabetes and improving the symptoms. Numerous anti-oxidants have been found to decrease the risk of diabetes and improve the diabetic symptoms.

Green Tea for Diabetes

Green tea may benefit blood sugar health because it contains polyphenols which are able to neutralize harmful free radicals and significantly decrease the amount of blood glucose in individuals that are at risk for diabetes.

Vitamins C and E May Benefit Health in Diabetics

The combination of vitamins C and E have shown a significant decrease in blood sugar as well blood pressure. Vitamin D has shown to improve insulin levels and decrease the risk of diabetes.

Omega-3 Fatty Acids and Diabetes

The intake of omega-3 fatty acids has been found to delay the onset of type I diabetes through their anti-inflammatory affect.

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Vitamin C Health Enhancing Benefits

Vitamin C delays skin aging, protects against cancer and infection, decreases blood pressure and cholesterol, improves asthma and mental health. Rich sources include bell peppers, broccoli, strawberries, kale, oranges, papaya and cauliflower. Despite its importance in health, many Americans are deficient in vitamin C due to insufficient intake in nutrition dense fruits and vegetables.

Protects against Infection and Cance

Administration of high doses of vitamin C was found to treat the common cold. Vitamin C plays an important role in the antioxidant defense system and fighting against DNA mutations. It is a strong anti-oxidant on its own, but in a combination with vitamin E it increases survival rate of breast cancer patients undergoing treatment. A high intake of vitamin C significantly lowers the risk of cervical cancer.

 

Decreases risk of Heart Attacks and Diabetes

The anti-inflammatory properties of vitamin C are possibly responsible for its positive effect on heart health, a culprit for many metabolic diseases such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes. Vitamin C benefits blood pressure health, maintains healthy cholesterol, and with the help of vitamin E benefits health in diabetics.
Vitamin C is required for the maintenance of normal connective tissue and wound healing such as in the case of atherosclerotic arteries (hardening of the arteries). It was found that in combination with vitamin E, coenzyme Q10 and selenium, vitamin C significantly increased artery elasticity and thereby reducing risk of heart attacks.

Relieves Exercise Induced Asthma

Vitamin C has been shown to benefit lung health during exercise in those suffering from exercise induced asthma, as it decreases constrictions of airways.

Slows Onset of Age-related Disorders

Vitamin C decreases formation of eye disorders including cataract formation (cloudiness of the eye) and macular degeneration (age-related visual impairment), which occurs as the free radicals from sunlight and other sources damage the eye. It delays skin aging by reducing the amount of wrinkles and protects against sun damage. In addition, vitamin C along with vitamins B, D, E and omega-3 fatty acid are important for maintaining brain function and slowing down mental aging.

Strengthens Bones

Vitamin C improves bone health, because it is essential for formation of collagen. This was shown in a large study in which those with the highest intake of vitamin C had the lowest risk for hip fractures.

Lowers Pain and Inflammation

Vitamin C decreases inflammation in the body which is a source of pain. It lessens the risk of gout, which a very painful disease that results from a build up of uric acid crystals in the joints. It also helps manage pain from chronic pancreatitis, inflammation of the pancreas.

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