Blood Sugar Levels Normal

Posts Tagged ‘United States’

Product Description
As a person with diabetes, you are not alone – there are many people in
the United States with this chronic disease. Diabetes can affect various
organs and systems of your body, causing them not to function properly,
and making you more susceptible to infection. For example:
• Your immune system, when functioning properly, readily fights off
harmful bacteria and other pathogens that cause infection. With
diabetes, your immune system may not readily recognize harmful
bacteria or other pathogens. This delay in the body’s natural response
to foreign invasion places a person with diabetes at increased risk for
infection.
• Your gastrointestinal tract, when functioning properly,
allows the foods and beverages you consume to be
digested normally. Diabetes may damage the cells
that create stomach acid and the nerves that help
your stomach and intestinal tract move the food
throughout the intestinal tract. Because of this
damage, your stomach may hold on to the food and
beverages you consume for a longer period of time,
allowing harmful bacteria and other pathogens to
grow.
• Additionally, your kidneys, which work to cleanse
the body, may not be functioning properly and
may hold on to harmful bacteria, toxins, and other
pathogens.

A consequence of having diabetes is that it may
leave you more susceptible to developing infections – like those that
can be brought on by disease-causing bacteria and other pathogens that
cause foodborne illness. Should you contract a foodborne illness, you are
more likely to have a lengthier illness, undergo hospitalization, or even
die. To avoid contracting a foodborne illness, you must be vigilant when
handling, preparing, and consuming foods.

Food Safety for People with Diabetes: A need-to-know guide for those who have been diagnosed with diabetes

There are no guarantees that normal blood sugar levels will prevent all the symptoms of type 2 diabetes but there is lots of research and plenty of examples out there that poor blood glucose control can lead to devastating consequences. Prevention is the key when it comes to staying healthy despite having diabetes.

Did you know that diet and exercise can delay the onset of type 2 diabetes for 10 years? Additionally, lifestyle changes (diet and exercise) can cut the risk of diabetes by more than half. It has been proven to be the best way yet to prevent a type 2 diabetes diagnosis. What is more, if you have diabetes of any kind, diet and exercise are what are necessary to keep those blood sugar levels normal. So just what is involved with these lifestyle changes you might ask.

First of all, exercise, physical activity or just moving those large muscles of the legs and arms, preferably at a rate where you are breathing deeper but can still talk. This is the only way besides medication that we can get our cells to better accept that sugar in the blood. Physical activity helps to lower blood sugar levels much like many medications work. The important thing in choosing a physical activity is to choose something you like or can learn to enjoy doing within your physical ability. In order for physical activity to be a part of our lives we need to set realistic, measurable goals taking into consideration any physical limitations we may have.

A goal of jogging four miles each day starting next week for someone who is physically able to but doesn’t even go for walks would not be realistic. On the other hand, if that same person were to set a goal of walking around the block every other day next week, walking that same distance 5 days per week by the following week, and then increasing the blocks walked by two blocks each week after that for two months this goal would be realistic and measureable. Start by scheduling your exercise in your day as you would any other appointment and then keep that appointment with yourself (or an exercise partner) religiously. Your health is worth it.

Secondly, diet or food intake needs to be moderate in protein, carbohydrate and fat. Many in the United States have pathetically poor food habits consisting of highly refined foods that are high in sugar and fat. Be determined not to be a part of those statistics by choosing many servings of lower carb vegetables, raw or cooked (the higher carb vegetables are potatoes, peas and corn), eating fresh or unsweetened fruits, drinking unflavored low fat milk, eating whole grain breads, cereals and pastas, eating lean meats and meat substitutes (avoid breading and fried foods), and using fats in moderation (salad dressings, butter, margarine, sour cream, etc.) on a daily basis. A registered dietitian will be able to help you learn carb counting which makes the individualized meal plan flexible and so much easier to carry out. These lifestyle changes will help with blood sugar control.