Type 2 diabetes can be a 'devastating diagnosis' says expert
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Type 2 diabetes can either be life-changing or negligible depending on how the condition is managed. This is because the main mechanism that drives it – unstable blood sugar levels – wreaks havoc upon the body if left untreated. Key to keeping blood sugar levels at bay is to think carefully about your food choices.
Some choices are obvious – too much sugar in your diet poses health risks for diabetics and non-diabetics alike.
However, “always check labels of bought foods as some contain a lot more sugar than you might expect”, warned Doctor Sarah Brewer, a GP working in association with diabetes experts CuraLife.
Also, some otherwise healthy foods have a significant impact on blood glucose levels and this can be assessed by their glycaemic load, explained Doctor Brewer.
Glycemic load (GL) is a measure that takes into account the amount of carbohydrate in a portion of food together with how quickly it raises blood glucose levels.
Carbohydrates are broken down into blood glucose faster than other food groups, raising the risk of spiked blood sugar levels after they are consumed.
The higher the GL load, the more marked the impact on blood sugar levels.
As Doctor Brewer explained, raisins rank particularly high on the GL index.
“A food with a GL value of 20 or more is classed as high,” noted Doctor Brewer.
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Raisins exceed this threshold, with a ranking of 28, she reported.
“Take care not to eat too many foods with a high GL,” advised Doctor Brewer.
Other high GL culprits include baked potatoes, boiled white rice and cornflakes.
According to Doctor Brewer, foods with a low GL rating – and that have a more marginal impact on blood sugar – include wholemeal bread, dried apricots and whole milk.
To support blood sugar control, Dr Sarah Brewer, GP and diabetes specialist, also recommends the 100 percent natural diabetes supplement CuraLin to her patients.
“If you are being managed by diet and lifestyle, you may benefit from the Ayurvedic herbal supplement, CuraLin – a blend of 10 traditional medicinal herbs to support glucose control and work in several different ways supporting insulin release, insulin resistance and suppressing food cravings to help control a sweet tooth,” she said.
“If you are taking prescribed medication, always check with your doctor before using any herbal or food supplements or making changes to your diet and lifestyle.”
Other key tips to lower blood sugar
Keeping active will also help you manage your blood sugar level.
“You should aim for 2.5 hours of activity a week,” advises the NHS.
According to the health body, you can be active anywhere as long as what you’re doing gets you out of breath.
This could be:
- Fast walking
- Climbing stairs
- Doing more strenuous housework or gardening.
It will also aid weight loss, which will make it easier for your body to lower your blood sugar level, and can improve your blood pressure and cholesterol – heart disease precursors.
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