Diabetes Danger

Diabetes. You hear of it often and may know someone with it. A friend, a family member, a co-worker, but don't think much of it until it's mentioned. I mention it often. I am a Team Captain for the American Diabetes Association, and we will do a walk next month. I see people in the gym who are here because they were recently diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes. They are suddenly sick, and that is scary to them. No one thinks about the serious nature of the disease until it runs right into them personally. Especially young people. Teens, pre-teens, and young people all around are coming down with preventable diseases much younger than ever before! WHY?!
Lack of a healthy diet, and daily exercise has caused the very real epidemic of diabetes to hit nearly every household in America, and is engulfing Europe next. It is already becoming a massive problem in my native country of Ireland. Modern conveniences and processed foods have made the traditional fresh food, and walking for transportation (weather permitting) scarce, and "too much of a bother".
Well guys, it's time to bother you!! You have a choice-exercise for an hour a day, and eat badly once in a while, or be sick all the time, eating badly all the time! "Control" your disease, take meds you won't be able to afford, which will make everything else less affordable than it is now. Or, make the necessary dietary and activity changes and live a longer, healthier life. Be the example to your family and friends. Just take care of yourself! There are lots of reasons to do the right thing! Or do you like needles? Amputation? The great possibility of going blind, or having a heart attack or stroke because you couldn't be bothered?? Be bothered!
Take control of your eating, drinking and exercise regularly-as in once a day! Not once in a while!! This is a serious and nasty disease. You can either give in to it, or prevent it. You actually have a choice!! Put every urge to eat garbage, and be a couch potato aside, and just do what you need to do to preserve and empower yourselves.
Here are a few tips, provided you have no food allergies to the items listed below.
Seaweed or Kelp (even available in capsule form at your local health food store) can be used to lower cholesterol, high blood pressure, and regulate blood sugar. It keeps the endocrine system running pretty well. If you already have Thyroid issues, or algae/mold allergies, please discuss using the seaweed or kelp with your health care physician, as it can speed up the thyroid or cause adverse reactions with those allergic to only certain molds like penicillium. I am allergic to some molds, but I can have seaweed and spirulina , for example.
Oatmeal is another great friend in the low glycemic arena that helps control blood sugar, along with cinnamon .
Whole grains in general, as well as other high fiber foods can help lower blood sugar, and keep cholesterol down as well.
Daily exercise keeping the heart rate up, for at least 20-30 minutes a day will help the body work efficiently, as well. Resistance training three days a week, with cardio exercise every day, or at least 5 or 6 days a week, will help the body burn fat, and build muscle while preserving bone density as we age. That is important at any age. If you have physical limitations get clearance from your doctor, and hire a certified personal trainer. They will be able to help you workout as much as you possibly can taking into account your present limitation. Get active, and get healthy. Eat the right things, and take control of your health before you can't, and you're paying someone to "manage" your disease. And if you feel safe because you have insurance...that is disappearing left and right, I hope you have a back up plan. Get healthy, preserve and empower your life, and that of the people you care about. You'll be glad you did.
Be happy and healthy! http://classicnutrition.net/