With the near epidemic levels of type 2 diabetes now, it is vital that you keep track of your blood sugar levels. If you blood sugar level is in the prediabetic or diabetic range, you need to make some changes ASAP!
Healthy blood sugar levels are below 100 mg/dl when fasting and up to 140 two hours after a meal. You are considered prediabetic if your fasting levels range from 100 to 125. If you go over 125 you are considered diabetic.
The main concerns with diabetes include heart disease, eye problems (that can include blindness), nerve damage, and skin disorders. Diabetes is obviously something you want to avoid getting and that is why it is so critical to monitor your blood sugar levels.
What makes diabetes and type 2 diabetes so dangerous is many people have it but are not aware of it because they don’t have any symptoms or they just haven’t had their blood sugar levels checked.
What you need to do is have your levels checked with a doctor’s appointment or you can just go to the store and get a cheap blood glucose monitoring kit. They can be found for around $10 to $30.
What you need to do if your blood sugar levels are high is to evaluate your diet and fitness level. Are you exercising at least three times a week? This can include just walking. What is your diet like? Are processed foods a big part of your diet, or maybe too many carbohydrates. Remember that carbohydrates turn into sugar in your body and too many carbs can overwork your pancreas and cause you to put on the pounds.
As far as an exercise regimen, it is important to have a balance of aerobic and anaerobic activity such as running or walking and weight lifting. Physical activity lowers the glucose levels in your body because the body uses up the sugars for fuel to keep the body running efficiently. Exercise is one of the best ways to keep your blood sugar levels within normal ranges, according to many health professionals.
Many nutrients can also help in your battle to keep blood sugar levels low, including the spice cinnamon. This tasty spice has chemicals that help your body reduce your blood sugar levels. This has been shown in several double-blind studies. So heap on the cinnamon or you can even take a cinnamon supplement, but make sure the supplement contains standardized extracts of cinnamon.
Another weapon against high blood sugar is the antioxidant alpha lipoic acid. This supplement helps your cells to be more sensitive to blood sugar, and a good dosage would be about 500 to 600 mg twice a day.
Chromium is a trace mineral that is also important in keeping that blood sugar level in normal ranges. Many people suffering from high blood sugar levels also have low chromium levels. Supplementing with chromium can help your body cope with the intake of carbohydrates during meals. A dose of 400 mcgs is recommended and can be part of a multi-mineral supplement that will keep your mineral levels balanced.
Fiber is also one of the real success stories in lowering blood sugar levels. Adding fiber, both soluble and insoluble, to your meals will really help keep your blood sugar levels in check.
There are many things you can do to help lower your blood sugar levels and the key is to first be aware of what your blood sugar levels ranges are and eat healthy and keep up an exercise program. Your body will thank you.
I didn’t realize eating carbs would raise your blood sugar levels and I am now watching more carefully what I eat. I am a vegan so it makes it a lot tougher but I am trying to eat more veggies and nuts and seeds.
I have had problems with my blood sugar levels and I have tried to lower my carbohydrate intake but it is tough when you are so used to bread, rice, and snacks. There is more research showing too many carbohydrates can affect risk of getting Alzheimer’s. Good article.
Lots of news about eating carbohydrates and I have decided to try the paleo diet and see if it lowers my blood sugar. I like steaks and burgers and its tough to eat a burger without a bun or a steak without a potato. I also am used to eating lots or rice and I will definitely miss these foods.