Living With Diabetes

Diabetes is becoming more and more prevalent in today's society, as a result of poor eating habits. Diabetes, though listed as one disease, is made up of type 1 and type 2 diabetes as well as gestational diabetes, are of which are pretty common. Each disease is a result of the body either not properly producing insulin or not properly utilizing insulin, and each can cause severe problems as a result of this improper relationship with insulin. Insulin is such an important part of the body's chemistry, as it is the hormone which converts sugars and starches into usable energy.
In Type 1 diabetes, the body does not produce insulin at all. People dealing with Type 1 diabetes must often give themselves insulin shots to keep their levels up.
Type 2 diabetes is most common in older people, as well as in minorities. It is a result of the body's lack of ability to properly utilize insulin, or as a result of the body's lack of ability to produce sufficient insulin.
Gestational diabetes is common in pregnancy, and must be treated to ensure the health of the growing infant. Gestational diabetes in pregnancy often predicts type 2 diabetes in later life.
Carrying extra weight will undoubtedly put you at a high risk for diabetes, so weight loss is key in preventing diabetes. Even losing ten or twenty pounds will significantly reduce your risk of developing diabetes.
In order to correct diabetes without medicine, it will take a lot of self-control and a drastic change in eating habits. However, as a result of better eating and lifestyle habits, you will be overall much healthier and happier; it is not only diabetes that will be corrected.
Better eating habits will include a switch to a diet high in fruits and vegetables and low in fat, meat, and processed foods. Choosing a low fat diet will be the best help in correcting diabetes. Low-fat dairy products, low fat fish, and olive oil in cooking instead of heavy fats are all a great way to start off your new diet to a healthier you.
Adding just twenty minutes of exercise a day will also dramatically help with correcting diabetes. Taking a walk around the neighborhood, or riding a bike is a great way to enjoy the outside and get your exercise at the same time. You can also join a health center near you for pool exercising, which has been shown to be very easy on the joints.
It is important to monitor your blood glucose carefully, and to eat and exercise accordingly. A change in diet or lifestyle is never easy, but will benefit you immensely in the long run. Not only will your health improve, but you will lose weight, have more energy, and have an overall feeling of health and wellness. It is also important to consider medicines offered by your doctor, but lifestyle changes will be the key to managing diabetes. It is also a good idea to test your vitamin and mineral levels to ensure that you are making the right choices nutritionally.