In 2018 The Boston Herald reports:
“The CDC report … gives a range for the predicted increase — from 1 in 3 to 1 in 5 [people] by 2050 — to reflect differing assumptions about how many people will develop diabetes, and how long they will live after developing the disease.
Diabetes also CAUSES other health conditions, including:
- Heart disease and stroke
- High blood pressure
- High cholesterol
- Blindness
- Kidney disease
- Nervous system disease
- Amputations
- Dental disease
- Pregnancy complications
Things you can do now! to help stop diabetes,
EXERCISE!!
Exercise builds muscle mass, muscles burn more glucose (sugar) than any other organ in the body. Even for 15-20 minutes a week will help.
Some Medicare plans offer a free (my favorite F word) to YMCA and planet fitness!
Eliminate sugar/fructose (also known as corn syrup ), all artificial sweeteners and grains
For the last 50+ years, we have been told fats are bad, and we need to have a diet of carbohydrates and low in saturated fats. This is all wrong! for the first 10,000 plus years, our ancestors lived on a diet high on fats and proteins, it’s what our body is programmed to use for energy. Proteins and fats break down into ketones and our body’s use ketones more effectively for energy
Optimize your vitamin D 3 levels
Vitamin d is more like a hormone than a vitamin. Most people know vitamin d is good for bone health, but it is also responsible for the production of serotonin/testosterone and estrogen.
it’s best to get your vitamin d naturally from the sun. just 15-20 minutes in the sun can produce 15, 000 IU of vitamin d
healthy levels of vitamin d should be around 60-80 ng/ml can significantly help control your blood sugar. A dose of 5,000 units every day is recommended
Multivitamin
Everyone should be taking a good quality multivitamin. I’m not talking about something you pick up at the grocery store. I’m talking about a good quality Brand you get from a health food store. If you go into a Natures Pantry, there will always be someone that will help you.
B- 12
These been some studies that show a link between a deficiency in b 12 and diabetes.
In a 3-year study, those who made changes in their diet and were taking b12 showed a 31 percent decrease in developing diabetes. B12 comes in a tablet that goes under the tongue, or it can also be injected by your doctor. Recent studies have shown that it also helps with mental and Cognitive health. B12 also increases energy, so therefore it should be taken first thing in the morning.
Magnesium
Magnesium is the element that enters the cell to tell it to relax. That is just one of the 600 plus reactions in the body it is involved with. Low levels of magnesium have been linked to insulin resistance. Now here’s the tricky part, you have to look at the label, cheap forms of magnesium are called oxide. This form is not absorbed by the body very well and leads to diarrhea. Magnesium citrate is a better form, buy Magnesium Glycinate is the most absorb form on the market. The recommended dose is 2 400mg capsule in the evening, remember it tells the body to relax, and this will help you sleep better.
Cinnamon
Yes, everyday cinnamon has been shown to lower blood sugar. In fact, a combination of cinnamon and magnesium has shown to decrease A1c and test for diabetes. Researchers have found that cinnamon has an indulin like effect in the body. It comes in a capsule and it’s recommended to take 4 500 mg caps a day.
Omega 3 fatty acids
This is one that can also be a little confusing. You need to read the label. Look for EPA, this is the active form of omega 3s. They have been linked to insulin sensitivity and good cholesterol. You need at least 1000mg of EPA a day for good health.
This is just a small list of supplements that are beneficial for good blood sugar health. I also want to repeat, this is not a list to stop taking medications without consulting with your doctor.
If anyone is interested, I am starting a program where I sit down with you and go over all your medications. I look to make sure you are taking them correctly. I make sure you are not doubling up on drugs that are in the same class, and most importantly I look for less expensive drugs that will save you money. Please feel free to contact me at email or cell phone.
Lance Miller Pharm. D.
816.213.6815