Tuesday, March 10, 2009

Protect Yourself Against Diabetes

Staying healthy makes life enjoyable.


Type II diabetes can hit anyone. You could be walking around with higher than normal blood sugar levels and not know it. The great news is that, according to Dr. Oz, you can prevent and even reverse the condition of higher sugar blood levels with a healthy diet, exercise and simple strategies. Change the way you live and you can save yourself from the deadly and devastating type II diabetes.


Instructions


1. Sourdough breads are a good bread to eat if you have high blood sugar.


Switch your breakfast cereal to a high fiber one with lower carbohydrates to keep blood sugar levels normal. Carbohydrates increase your blood sugar levels. Fiber slows the absorption of carbohydrates. High fiber cereal can help keep blood sugar steady and reduce the strain on the insulin-producing cells of the pancreas. Also, eating three servings a day of the right kind of breads---sourdough, pumpernickel or dense breads with grainy bits---can cut your diabetes risk by 38 percent.


2. Vitamin C is a must-have supplement.


Take three essential vitamins: calcium, vitamin D and magnesium. These vitamins slash diabetes risk. These three essentials help cells stay sensitive to insulin, so they soak up glucose properly. Almonds, cashews, Brazil nuts and sunflower seeds are top sources of magnesium.








3. Add a portion of fruit to each meal.


Give up sugar. Instead, eat fruits, which are sweet and a good source for soluble fiber. Eat a serving of fruit with every meal and it will reduce the risks of diabetes by as much as 30 percent, according to The American Diabetes Association.








4. Milk thistle helps the liver to function healthily.


Add milk thistle to your diet. It contains silymarin, a flavonoid which is effective in aiding and healing the liver. Drink a cup of milk thistle tea in the morning or at night. The liver is in charge of breaking down heavy metals, toxic chemicals and preservatives. Fatty liver disease can lead to inflammation and insulin resistance, two factors that can bring about type II diabetes.


5. Olive oil makes a nice cooking oil.


Eat the right fats. Plant fats keep blood sugar levels normal. Cooking with oils such as coconut, sesame, olive and flaxseed is a healthy choice. Also add some olives, avocados and peanut butter to your diet to cut the risk of blood sugar problems.


6. French fries are high in trans fats.


Limit french fries to no more than once a week. French fries are made up of both saturated and trans fats. These fats make it harder for the body to control blood sugar levels.


7. Healthy blood sugar is the goal.


Take 200 to 1,000 mcg of chromium daily to keep blood sugar steady and improve insulin sensitivity. Chromium is an essential nutrient that works with insulin to move sugar out of the bloodstream and into energy-hungry cells.

Tags: blood sugar, blood sugar levels, sugar levels, keep blood, keep blood sugar, blood sugar steady, diabetes risk