Tips to cure Diabetes

Diabetes is one of the most common chronic illnesses, affecting
millions of people worldwide. It is a condition in which the body
either does not produce enough insulin (Type 1), or does not
properly process the insulin it is making (Type 2).

There are many differing causes for diabetes, including specific
viral infections, genetic predisposition, and personal diet. In
particular, Type 2 diabetes tends to manifest in patients whose
diet is poorly managed. Currently there is no known cure for
diabetes, meaning this is an illness that requires constant
careful management.

A diabetic's diet has a great deal to say about how the
condition will continue to affect them. Proper diet can help
prevent the onset of Type 2 diabetes, but even in patients who
have been diagnosed with either condition, a healthy diet can
reduce the side effects and secondary illnesses that tend to crop
up. Here are five factors to consider when managing diabetes.

1 - the Glucose Cycle

The primary element that requires management in diabetic patients
is their glucose cycle. Glucose (a simple sugar) is brought into
the body, then processed by way of insulin and removed.
Diabetics' bodies cannot accomplish this second task properly,
which leads to glucose buildup and the development of secondary
illnesses such as kidney damage. This is why many diabetic
patients have to monitor their blood sugar.

A healthy diabetic diet must take sugar and glucose intake into
account. High blood sugar levels (hyperglycemia) can cause kidney
damage, retina damage, or even a diabetic coma and eventually
death if left untreated long enough. Hypoglycemia (low blood
sugar) is equally dangerous, leading to potential brain damage or
fainting spells.

Being able to properly control glucose intake requires
understanding where it comes from. Not all carbohydrates have
glucose in them: while sucrose sugars have a high glucose
content, crystalline fructose does not. There are many resources
on the Web that list comprehensive breakdowns of glucose content,
and your dietician should have a primer or guide as well.

A very important part of this is record keeping. Similar to a
dietary journal for weight loss, a simple glucose journal is no
more than a list of the foods and portions you had throughout the
day. Kept up for a month or more and compared to your blood sugar
over time, this will allow you to track the contents of what
you're eating and measure their effects.

2 - Mushrooms, Mushrooms!

As we've discussed, keeping your blood sugar level in check is
an important part of diabetes management. Interestingly, there
are certain mushrooms that are noted for their ability to lower
blood sugar levels. The three most common are the reishi,
maitake, and the agaricus blazei varieties. If you enjoy adding
mushrooms to your recipes, consider including these with the
usual shitaki or canned variety.

3 - Water, Water Everywhere

Water is always a vital nutrient to the body, and is even more
critical for diabetics. Water promotes healthy bodily function,
flushes out toxins and accumulated wastes, and maintains body
temperature properly. When your body has the proper amount of
water intake, you feel better, operate more healthily, and your
system can adapt to greater strains, which include those brought
on by diabetes.

The general guideline is eight to twelve cups of water per day
under average conditions. If you perform greater exercise, you
will of course require more water. The trick is not to flood your
system at any one time, such as just drinking during meals. Drink
at a rate of a cup every two hours to keep your system operating
at peak condition, with more during meals. A bonus effect is that
water imparts a sense of fullness, reducing the urge to snack on
glucose-heavy foods.

4 - Whole Grain, No Pain

Fiber is a very important element in controlling blood sugar. The
soluble fiber found in whole grain foods is particularly
beneficial, since it slows digestion and allows your system more
time to even out the process of managing blood sugar. This means
insulin management is much more effective, making management of
your entire condition much easier.

Good sources of whole grains include breads, oat based foods, and
other sources. An additional benefit from the slower digestion
caused by whole grains is that you gain a sense of fullness and
feel full longer. This reduces the urge to snack between meals,
and lets you keep meal portions to more manageable sizes. So
consider replacing the afternoon snack with a whole-grain
sandwich.

5 - the Doctor's Orders

Before making any changes whatsoever to your diet, it is vitally
important that you speak at length with your physician and
dietician about your specific case. Diabetes is a highly
individual illness, manifesting in different ways in every
patient. Any changes to your diet should be checked for approval
with your doctor, so you can be sure you're going to get the
best possible results. You don't have to go it alone, so take
your physician's advice to heart.

A Final Word

Diabetes is a serious condition requiring diligent care. However,
making smart changes to your diet, under your physician's
guidance, may naturally help prevent or alleviate many
side-effects and promote your wellbeing.