|  | Conditions Treatments | Diseases

Effective Strategies for Diabetes Prevention

Diabetes is more prevalent in society now than ever before, partially because 50 percent of all Americans are overweight and obese. According to the American Diabetes Association (ADA), the "Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP) study conclusively showed that people with pre-diabetes can prevent the development of type 2 diabetes by making changes in their diet and increasing their level of physical activity," and there are also supplements that naturally lower blood glucose levels.

  1. Dietary Changes

    • The ADA and the Mayo Clinic recommend dietary changes to help prevent or control diabetes.
      An increase in fruit and vegetable intake is recommended by the ADA, because these are foods that have natural sugars, fiber and high water content. Don't just choose one fruit or vegetable, allow yourself a variety.
      Add whole grains to your menu, and look for labels that say 100 percent whole grains. Brown rice, whole grain bread, quinoa and whole wheat pastas are an easy change from the traditional refined products.
      Eat more protein, especially fish and lean cuts of meat/poultry. Increasing protein can cut down on the desire for the sweet and sugary foods that help to increase blood glucose.
      Watch your portion sizes, you can have too much of a good thing and if you overindulge, even on healthy foods, that can cause an increase in weight and your chances of developing diabetes.

    Exercise

    • Exercise is good for the heart, the circulatory system and the digestive tract. The ADA says "Activity makes your body more sensitive to the insulin you make. Activity also burns glucose (calories). Both actions lower blood glucose." Exercise also helps the blood circulate throughout the body to provide extra oxygen and nutrients, therefore increasing the efficiency of the metabolism and other bodily functions.

    Glucose-Lowering Supplements

    • According to All-About-Beating-Diabetes.com, certain supplements can work naturally to lower blood glucose because of the effects they have on the body and the plant-based insulin content in them, but these supplements are not approved by the ADA for treatment of diabetes. They are recommended as a more holistic or naturopathic approach for the prevention or control of diabetes.
      Bitter gourd is a melon that has a high level of plant-based insulin to lower blood sugar levels.
      Cinnamon, "acting as high blood sugar level reducer, it helps you to naturally beat...diabetes," according to All-About-Beating-Diabetes.com.
      Banaba herbs, extract and leaf also are known for their plant-based insulin.
      Also according to All-About-Beating-Diabetes.com, Chromium Picolate is also known to affect "the number of receptors for insulin, in this way it helps insulin to take its duty."

Diseases - Related Articles