Are People with Type 2 Diabetes Healthy or Not?
Diabetes is a chronic illness, but it is dietary in nature. Treating it the right way through healthy lifestyle choices and the proper medical care can help manage the disease and prevent symptoms from worsening over time. It is more than possible to have type 2 and live a healthy, fulfilled without fatigue, energy crashes, mood swings, and hunger cravings— it’s just a question of proper management.
Why Maintaining a Healthy Weight & Lifestyle is Key Maintaining a healthy weight is critical for type 2 management. Not only does being overweight increase the risk for developing type 2, but it can also make blood sugar more difficult to control by worsening insulin resistance. It’s no secret that besides being genetically predisposed, excess weight and obesity are the most significant risk factor for developing type 2. Nutritional health expert and MD, Sarah Brewer shares her top 10 tips to lose weight here. In terms of diet, controlling sugar levels and managing sugar and carb consumption daily can play a vital role. Overall, eating foods low on the glycemic index, avoiding processed foods, and watching sugar intake are key.
What Are Top Foods to Eat to Help Type 2? There are several foods that can naturally help manage sugar levels in those with type 2. For example, almonds - rich in magnesium, vitamin E, and can help with insulin sensitivity. Additionally, cinnamon is a great way to help. Cinnamon has a compound called hydroxy chalcone which can help stabilize blood sugar levels. Just a half teaspoon a day can improve fasting blood sugar and help reduce insulin swings. Consider adding cinnamon to oatmeal for breakfast as a great way to start the day. Eating plenty of vegetable and healthy fats such as olive oil can stabilize blood sugar and help LDL cholesterol levels. Eating foods that help manage cholesterol is important because diabetics have a higher risk of heart attacks and strokes. Moreover, many health professionals recommend occasional intermittent fasting which can help lower insulin levels and prevent the cycle of sugar spikes from occurring.
The Critical Importance of Exercise In addition to diet, regular exercise is incredibly useful to regulate glucose levels. The American Diabetes Association recommends 30 minutes of exercise at least five days a week as part of a healthy lifestyle. When we exercise, our muscles require extra energy, which draws glucose from the bloodstream while simultaneously increasing the liver’s glucose production. Those who exercise can reduce the severity of insulin-resistance because the exercising muscles use extra sugar, thus removing it from your blood. So, regular exercise not only can help maintain a healthy weight but can help stabilize glucose levels. Moreover, regular exercise can also be a great way to help manage stress levels. High cortisol levels can increase insulin resistance and hunger, so lowering stress as part of a healthy lifestyle is recommended.
How Supplements Can Play a Vital Supporting Role There are now a number of natural supplements available for people with diabetes. Mainly they are based on Ayurveda, an ancient healing system that's been around for thousands of years.
So, yes, it is more than possible to live a healthy, happy and fulfilled life with type 2 through a holistic lifestyle approach.
