Monday, January 7, 2008

Diabetes - Three Natural Ways to Prevent Control and Treat

Diabetes - Three Natural Ways to Prevent Control and Treat
Almost everyone knows someone with diabetes. From 1980
through 2004, less than one-quarter of a century, the total
number of Americans with diabetes more than doubled!
Estimates show that about six percent of the American
population or about 18.2 million Americans suffer from this
life-long illness. And about 6 million of those people
haven't been diagnosed yet.

The causes of diabetes are well known. Diabetes is a
condition that occurs when the body has lost its ability to
regulate the levels of glucose (sugar) in the bloodstream.
This is usually due to some interruption in the production
of insulin. Insulin is the hormone in our body that lowers
blood sugar levels. Without the hormone in our body, our
blood sugar levels increase to dangerously high levels.
Since all the organs in our body rely on a steady supply of
glucose so they can function properly, any disruption blood
sugar levels can have dire consequences. Diabetes often
leads to blindness, heart and blood vessel disease, stroke,
kidney failure, amputations, and nerve damage.

There are two major types of diabetes - Type 1 which is
often called juvenile diabetes and Type 2 which is often
called adult diabetes or adult-onset diabetes. Although
diabetes can strike at any age, Type 1 diabetes usually
strikes children and young adults. In Type 1 diabetes,
cells in the pancreas called beta cells, these are the ones
that make insulin to control blood sugar levels in our
body, do not function. So in order to maintain or manage
blood sugar levels, people with Type 1 diabetes must inject
insulin or have it delivered by a small pump into their
body. In effect, they must supply the insulin that the
beta cells in their pancreas are not supplying. Type 1
diabetes accounts for about five to ten percent of all
diagnosed cases of diabetes.

Type 2 diabetes is more common than Type 1. Type 2
diabetes generally affects adults. Type 2 adult diabetes
usually begins as the body starts to resist the effects of
insulin - sometimes called insulin resistance. The body
just doesn't use the insulin it makes effectively or
efficiently. This inefficiency puts extra demands on the
pancreas where insulin is made by the beta cells. Over
time, the pancreas and beta cells can't keep up and
gradually begin to lose the ability to make insulin at all.

The American Diabetes Association estimates that nearly 6
million Americans are currently living with undiagnosed
diabetes. The effects of an adult with diabetes may first
appear as problems with their vision, nerves, kidney
failure, heart attack, or stroke. It isn't until these
life threatening conditions occur that they realize they
have been living with the chronic disease of diabetes.
The symptoms of an adult with diabetes and the symptoms of
a child with diabetes are recognizable: excessive thirst,
craving for sweet foods, passing urine frequently,
tiredness and weight loss. Although the onset of Adult
Type 2 diabetes is gradual, the onset of Juvenile Type 1
diabetes is usually very rapid and sometimes life
threatening when they first appear.

Why would anyone develop Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes? Can
diabetes be passed down? The answer is maybe. Genetics and
other family histories are being examined to determine
whether Type 1 or Type 2 are hereditary, but the cause of
Type 2 diabetes is more associated with lifestyle habits.
Type 2 diabetes is often seen in people who don't exercise,
are obese, have a poor diet, and lead stress-filled lives.

Diabetes is ranked as the sixth leading cause of death in
the United States but may be underestimated. The reason is
that more than 60 percent of those with diabetes often die
as a result of heart disease or stroke. And it is the
heart disease or stroke that is listed as the cause of
death. Because the causes of Type 2 diabetes are
associated with lifestyle habits, there may be a NATURAL
TREATMENT for Type 2 Adult Diabetes. There may be a
natural treatment for the CONTROL of diabetes.

Here are three natural lifestyle habits to prevent,
control, and treat diabetes.

1. Maintain a healthy weight. 90 percent of all people
diagnosed with diabetes are overweight. According to the
American Diabetes Association, even 5 to 10 percent
reduction in body weight can result in a tremendous
reduction in the risk or severity of diabetes. For most
people, that's only a loss of 10-20 pounds.

2. Exercise. Physical activity can lower your blood sugar
(glucose) and help insulin work better for your body. That
means your body is less susceptible to the development of
diabetes. If you're trying to lose weight as a natural way
to prevent, control, or treat your diabetes, a combination
of physical activity and wise food choice can help you
reach your target.

3. Nutrition. Eating habits contribute significantly to
the current increase in diabetes. Over the past 50 years,
people have been eating more and more carbohydrates and
sugar-filled foods. Eating a lot of carbohydrates each day
puts stress on the pancreas which must work harder to
maintain blood sugar levels. As the pancreas degrades, and
you continue to eat the carbohydrates, you make yourself
prone to Type 2 diabetes.

Maintaining a healthy weight, regular exercise, and proper
nutrition are important. They are three natural lifestyle
habits that you can do today to prevent, control and treat
diabetes. Eating healthy and getting the proper nutrition
means a balanced diet, drinking plenty of water and taking
a nutritional supplement. Taking a nutritional supplement
on a regular basis ensures you are getting all the vitamins
and minerals your body needs, including your pancreas, to
rebuild, regenerate, and operate at peak performance levels.


----------------------------------------------------
Ronald Godlewski has published several dozen articles on
health, wellness, and the value of nutrition in disease
prevention. Do you want to learn more about reducing your
risk of diabetes? Visit http://www.pillfreesupplements.com
and learn how to receive your FREE quart of a nutrient
dense supplement that may help reduce your risk of
diabetes. Got a question? Call Ron toll free at
1-888-LFI-CUST (1-888-534-2878).

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