Diabetes
According to statistics in an article by David Ewing Duncan published in Discover Magazine, l94 million people in the world today have diabetes. This is only the tip of the iceberg as this figure includes only known diabetics whose blood sugar is above the 110 milligrams which indicates diabetes. The number of diabetics could be far above this because the growth of this condition in Africa, Asia and Latin America is staggering. Millions of people are unaware they are diabetics and more than 200 millions of pre-diabetics are waiting in the wings to join the group. Eighteen million people are known diabetics in the U.S. with another 4l million pre-diabetics. So one in every five Americans is a diabetic or will shortly be one.
The affect of this rapid development of the condition in the U.S. alone results in 40,000 diabetics with kidney disease, 82,000 with amputations, 24,000 who are blind. Life expectancy is reduced up to 20 years - a result which can cost America 130 billion a year. And millions of people will suffer life threatening conditions before being diagnosed with diabetes.
Diabetes 2 is no longer a disease only for the elderly, because young people are becoming increasingly obese - a common precursor of diabetes. Much of this obesity is due to the intake of sugars in soft drinks which now is estimated at 20 percent of total calories. During the last ten years the number of diabetics in young people has quadrupled and now is continuing at an even faster pace. The first symptoms of diabetes are often frequent urination and increased thirst. Other symptoms could be fatigue and increasing hunger with general fatigue.
Diabetes 2 is caused by a sedentary lifestyle and overeating particularly of refined carbohydrates and sugar. The most effective prevention of diabetes is in a healthy lifestyle of exercise, proper nutrition and weight control. Proper nutrition means to eliminate all refined carbohydrates and glucose, to instead eat fruits, vegetables, lean protein, sardines, coldwater fish, sprouted grain bread, whole grains, and fiber.
Because most diabetics are overweight, weight control is of the utmost importance. A reduction in body weight of five to ten percent may be all it takes to bring the blood sugar level within the normal 70 to 110 milligrams per a deciliter of blood. An exercise program of thirty minute periods three to six times per week plus a reduction of 25 percent of calories per day will accomplish the weight control.
The best food for fiber and many other benefits is two tablespoons of ground golden flax seed each day. Take the flax seed in water or soy milk. Flax seed in soy milk tastes like a milk shake. The best food supplements to take are a multi-vitamin and fish oil. Also, take one fourth to one-half teaspoon of cinnamon each day - research has shown this will lower blood sugar up to twenty percent. Sprinkle the cinnamon on food or take it in capsules. Don't be one of the casualties of the plague of the 21st century.
Do not begin this program before reviewing this with your doctor.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR - Joe Glickman is 92 years old and in perfect health because he follows a healthy lifestyle as portrayed in his articles. His website on health has more than 200 articles on health and medical conditions for free viewing.
