What You Should Know About Diabetes

[Guest guest]

What You Should Know About Diabetes

- Dr. ph C. Maroon, M.D., F.A.C.S., world-renowned neurosurgeon, author and

triathlete

As a practicing physician and neurosurgeon, I often witness firsthand the

serious complications of diabetes: heart attacks, strokes, blindness, kidney

failure,

amputation, inflammation and burning painful extremities. And what I've learned

is that caring for diabetes involves a multi-faceted approach.

If you have diabetes, limiting sugar and fat intake is, of course, a good place

to start. Try eating on a regular schedule to allow medications to work

best.

Research shows that high blood sugar activates the body’s immune response,

causing inflammation that affects nearly every body part and function. This can

help explain why blood vessel diseases (like coronary artery disease, heart

attacks and strokes) are the leading killers of diabetics: Inflammation

increases

plaque formation in the arteries, often leading blood vessel diseases to worsen.

Sugars can also attach to proteins circulating in the blood, forming larger

molecules that can get stuck in the tiny blood vessels of the eyes, kidneys

and feet – causing mini-strokes, disease and even death of these vital organs.

Exercise has always been a mainstay in controlling blood sugar: During exercise,

cells demand more glucose, lessening the amount of sugar in the blood.

This means less medication is generally needed to treat your condition. Exercise

will also support your cardiovascular system and improve your heart function.

Medications for diabetes are rapidly evolving, but each must be reviewed for

potential side effects and complications. You should consult with your

healthcare

doctor about the medications you’re taking.

My main point is this: Diabetes is a complex disease that cannot be handled by

drugs alone. It requires a more multi-faceted approach. Talk to your doctor

about a comprehensive strategy that incorporates a low-fat, low-sugar diet,

frequent exercise, medication and insulin as necessary, blood sugar monitors,

and the use of dietary supplements and vitamins for nutritional support.

Consider a good multivitamin – to make sure you’re getting all the vitamins and

minerals your body needs to stay healthy – as well as the Diabetic Nutrition

Plan from GNC Preventive Nutrition. The Diabetic Nutrition Plan is a

comprehensive kit featuring fenugreek seed powder and chromium, an important

mineral

involved in glucose control. It’s enhanced with lutein, a cartenoid present in

the central area of the retina, to promote eye health. It also features

fish body oil with EPA and DHA omega-3 fatty acids. A natural anti-inflammatory

important for heart health, fish oil also supports brain health, joint

health, skin health, eye health and more.

When you are DOWN to nothing... God is UP to something!