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Natural Treatment for Type 2 Diabetes in Children

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, type 2 diabetes is one of the most prevalent diseases among children and adolescents--more than 150,000 people under the age of 20 have diabetes. Helping kids make healthy lifestyle choices can help prevent type 2 diabetes in children.

  1. About Type 2 Diabetes

    • Type 2 diabetes develops when the body forms a resistance to insulin and can't use the insulin properly. As a result of this, the pancreas gradually loses its ability to create sufficient amounts of insulin to regulate blood sugar levels.

    A Growing Problem

    • Most children who are diagnosed with type 2 diabetes are overweight or obese at diagnosis. As the number of adults and children who are overweight has increased, the number of cases of children with type 2 diabetes has risen steadily.

    Natural Treatments

    • Natural treatments for type 2 diabetes can help children become less likely to develop the disease. Weight reduction has been shown to reduce insulin resistance and slow the progression of type 2 diabetes. A healthy diet and exercise are two of the best treatments for type 2 diabetes.

    Eating Healthy

    • According to the CDC, lifestyle changes using natural treatments like diet and exercise and losing a little weight can prevent or delay type 2 diabetes in adults and children. A healthy diet can help treat diabetes naturally and includes lots of fruits and vegetables, whole grain carbohydrates like brown rice, foods rich in fiber, lean protein sources like fish, and healthy fats like olive oil. Avoid foods high in sugar, saturated fat and trans fat.

    Getting Exercise

    • Lack of physical activity is strongly associated with obesity and type 2 diabetes in children. Kids should be encouraged to get at least 30 minutes of physical activity per day to help prevent and treat diabetes naturally, according to the Diabetes Care Journal.

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