Get a Jump on Rising Blood Sugar Levels
by Cynthia McMurrayAs of 2007, the International Diabetes Federation estimated over 246 million people worldwide were diagnosed with diabetes. Sadly, like most chronic diseases, diabetes rates are only expected to rise in the next few decades, reaching 380 million by 2025. Right now, approximately 10 percent of all women and 11 percent of all men over 20 in the US are diagnosed each year with diabetes. As well, according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), diabetes was the fifth leading cause of death from disease, costing taxpayers $174 billion in direct and indirect costs in 2007 alone. Unfortunately, this is only the beginning since statistics further show another 57 million Americans are currently suffering from prediabetes, a condition that is dangerously close to becoming full-blown diabetes.
People with diabetes can no longer effectively metabolize sugar. Instead, sugar normally used to feed the cells and provide energy to the body, builds up in the blood where it eventually causes irreversible damage to the kidneys, nerves, eyes and heart. Diabetes is also the most recurrent cause of non-traumatic lower limb amputations. Research further shows people who are diagnosed with the disease essentially have an average life expectancy of 15 years less than those without diabetes
Currently, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates about 33 percent of all people with diabetes are not even aware they have the disease. At this point, there is no cure for diabetes and the World Health Organization (WHO) estimates it could take until at least 2030 before such a discovery is made. Apart from daily insulin injections, which translates to approximately 1,460 needles a year (based on four per day) and 2,190 finger pokes yearly to test blood sugar levels, the most permanent medical treatment for diabetes is a pancreas transplant, which doctors can only hope will eliminate, if not, reduce the need for insulin injections and help lower blood sugar levels.
In cases of pre diabetes, blood glucose levels are abnormally high, but still not high enough to cause full-blown diabetes, yet, if the condition is left unchecked, statistics show over half of people with pre-diabetes will develop type 2 diabetes within 8-10 years.
Essentially, there is no medical treatment for pre-diabetes. And in all likelihood, most people who suffer from this condition are not even aware they have it or are at risk for developing such things as Type 2 Diabetes, heart disease and or stroke as a result of their chronically elevated blood sugar levels. In fact, if we continue down the same road, making no changes to our current lifestyles and health regimes, by the year 2050, it is estimated 1.46 million U.S. adults will be unable to work, another 597,000 will be considered work disabled and 780,000 will have work limitations, all attributed to diabetes.[1]
Research shows the best intervention at this point is simple lifestyle changes, which some studies show can actually reduce the risk of developing diabetes by up to as much as 71 percent in some cases. Things like exercise, diet and proper nutrition are key factors in whether someone will ultimately develop diabetes. In order to prevent prediabetes and eventually diabetes, we need to become more aware and proactive in our healthcare. Regular checkups to test glucose levels are essential, especially if you are to determine if you are at risk or currently suffer from prediabetes.
Once you determine your blood glucose levels, you will be able to establish whether you fall into the prediabetes range and are at risk for developing diabetes or even other conditions such as metabolic symdrome, a group of metabolic risk factors that essentially predispose someone to heart disease and diabetes. Typically, someone who is at risk for metabolic syndrome will have high blood pressure, elevated blood sugar levels, excess stomach fat, low HDL (good) cholesterol, and high triglycerides (another type of fat). So, if you suffer from any of these, it is even more important to have your blood sugar tested routinely.
Fortunately, there are ways to help lower your blood sugar levels naturally. Many studies show various herbs and nutrients are an effective way to treat rising blood sugar. For example, cinnamon has been shown in numerous studies to increase glucose metabolism, prevent free radical formation and it may also be useful in cases of insulin resistance.
Another well documented herb is gurmar, commonly referred to as the sugar killer. This well known plant has been used worldwide to lower blood sugar naturally by essentially supporting the vital cells in the pancreas. Bitter melon is another plant clinically shown to help naturally lower blood glucose levels and in some cases, it is even proven as effective as prescription medications without the side effects these drugs often cause.[2]
Pterocarpus marsupium (also known as Indian Kino) is another clinically proven natural remedy that can not only help protect, but also facilitate regeneration of the important insulin producing beta cells found in the pancreas. In fact, to date, no other drug or even natural remedy has been shown to do this.
When choosing a natural remedy, it is extremely important to find one that is clinically tested and synergistically proportioned to contain the proper ratio of active ingredients. There are countless all natural products on the market today, but sadly the majority have not been widely tested. Always look for a reputable company that can provide you with supporting evidence. This will assure you not only get a highly effective and safe product, but also that you are not throwing your money away on something that simply doesn’t work.
[1] Diabetes Research and Clinical Practice Volume 83, Issue 1, January 2009, Pages e23-e25
[2] http://www.gmanews.tv/story/35962/Ampalaya-tablets-out-soon-for-diabetics
