Diabetes is a serious condition that is becoming all too common. The good news is that there are things you can do right now to improve your chance of a long, healthy life with diabetes. From the common sense things that everyone needs to do (exercise, eat well) to more specific ideas for people with diabetes, you can find ways to live longer and better with diabetes.
Sunshine (and Vitamin D)
Diabetes is a serious condition that is becoming all too common. The good news is that there are things you can do right now to improve your chance of a long, healthy life with diabetes. From the common sense things that everyone needs to do (exercise, eat well) to more specific ideas for people with diabetes, you can find ways to live longer and better with diabetes.
Sunshine (and Vitamin D)
Vitamin D is known as the "sunshine vitamin" (it's actually a hormone precursor that your body produces when you are in the sunlight). Links between vitamin D levels and metabolic syndrome could mean that vitamin D plays some role in diabetes as well.
As you age, your body becomes less efficient at making vitamin D, and researchers are finding out that many older persons are deficient in vitamin D. Read about the impact of low levels of vitamin D on aging in general, and ask your doctor if increasing your vitamin D might help you.
Just because you have diabetes doesn't give you a "free pass" on all the age-related diseases out there. In fact, people with diabetes have to be even more vigilant about age-related diseases than other folks (it's not fair, I know). Make sure you understand the role of screenings and other types of prevention, such as losing weight and not smoking.
Know Your Blood Sugar
There's a good bit of debate out there in the diabetes world about the value of tightly controlling blood sugar. Some say that tightly controlled blood sugar is the best way to manage diabetes, while others disagree.
This topic is something to work out with your doctor — but one thing that is for sure is that you should know what your blood sugar is. You should have a good idea of the highs and lows of your blood sugar, as well as how to check it. Extremes in blood sugar can be dangerous and even life-threatening. Pay attention to your blood sugar and understand how your body responds to different foods, activities, and situations.
Understand How Food Affects Your Body
A diagnosis of diabetes means that your body processes food differently than people without the disease. You need to understand and become intimately familiar with how food impacts your blood sugar in the short- and long-term. It may take a while to learn everything you need, but understanding food in a new way may be the single best thing you can do to manage diabetes and live longer.
Move Your Body
Exercise helps you live longer — no news flash there. But if you have diabetes, you really should take the time to learn about exercising. Don't let diabetes be the reason you skip a workout — exercise is even more important than ever. Talk with your doctor about developing an exercise program that suits your situation.
Get Screened
Screenings are an important part of longevity for anyone, but people with diabetes have special screenings that they should do to be able to take early action if necessary. Screenings such as having your feet and eyes checked frequently can go a long way toward preventing complications. Check out this list of screenings for people with diabetes and talk them over with your doctor.
Use a Diabetes Management Checklist
I love lists — they are a great way to remember everything without having to trouble your brain very much. Here is a list of things to consider for managing diabetes. Check out the list and make changes to fit your specific situation. Then refer to the list often and try to accomplish everything on it.
Stay Up To Date
New findings are constantly coming out about diabetes and the ways to control it. For example, there are a few studies out there that show that cinnamon may help control blood sugar. While these findings are not conclusive, the studies are a good reminder that there is a lot to be learned yet about diabetes and the body. You should try to stay up-to-date on the latest research and findings — some breakthrough may be just around the corner.
Know the Warning Signs
There are a lot of complications in diabetes — you should pay special attention to infections (which may heal slower) or any problems with your feet. You should also know the signs of low blood sugar and have a plan in place (and food nearby) to correct it. Take some time and memorize the signs of trouble for diabetics.
Love Your Heart
Diabetes is hard on your heart. Heart disease is the number one killer (of everyone) in the U.S., and people with diabetes are at a greater risk of heart disease than people without the disease. You need to do everything you can to keep your heart healthy. Here's a list to get you started: Control your blood pressure, watch your cholesterol, and get some exercise.
What is the most important way to detoxify?
"Exercise," says Bennett. "Yoga or jump-roping are good. One hour every day." Also try Qigong, a martial-arts based exercise system that includes exercises specifically for detoxifying or cleansing, as well as many other exercises with specific health benefits.
Best Detoxifiers
To keep help keep your body detoxified; try these foods as they are the 10 best.
Dandelion Greens – The chlorophyll in dandelion greens acts as a powerful blood purifier. They also contain B complex, vitamin C and several minerals.
Apples- Apples purify the bloodstream and the pectin helps with colon function to excrete toxins.
Ginger – Ginger increases your circulation which helps your skin, bowels and kidneys excrete toxins. Ginger also possesses antibacterial and anti parasitic properties.
Lemons – Lemons help dissolve and bind uric acid and other toxins in the body. They also have alkalizing and laxative properties.
Grapes – Grapes stimulate the liver and promote bowel and kidney function. They have a cleansing effect on all tissue and glands.
Beets – Beets are known to purify the blood and cleanse the liver. Beets also flush out uric acid from the body.
Artichokes – Artichokes stimulate the liver by increasing bile production to metabolize fats.
Parsley – Parsley has a powerful cleansing effect on the blood. It is a great source of vitamin A, vitamin C and chlorophyll.
Yogurt – Yogurt helps to detoxify the intestinal tract by promoting beneficial bacteria, which helps assimilation of food.
Grapefruit – Grapefruit has a cleansing effect on the liver and gallbladder.
These foods are all easily obtained and we should all include some of them in are daily diet.
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