How appropriate that we look to blood sugar health issues after Halloween and all the candy it brings us and bring our awareness right around Thanksgiving when most of us are stuffed well past what the turkey ever was for dinner.
The following is an excerpt from the American Diabetes Foundation to bring awareness regarding diabetes in America in the month of November.
This November, join the American Diabetes Association in a national movement to Stop DiabetesSM.
November is American Diabetes Month®—a time to shine a spotlight on
a serious disease that leads to potentially life-threatening
complications such as heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, blindness,
and amputation.
This year, we need to take a bolder, more audacious approach to American Diabetes Month. Consider that:
- 24 million children and adults in the United States live with diabetes
- 57 million Americans are at risk for type 2 diabetes
- 1 out of every 3 children born today will face a future with diabetes if current trends continue
As a clinical nutritionist I see more and more clients with blood sugar related illnesses. There are simple dietary and lifestyle changes that can be made in order to avoid diabetes and even reverse the effects of blood sugar gone awry. Let's examine some of these.
Lifestyle Recommendations:
1. Avoid stress and extra obligations.
2. Avoid alcohol consumption and smoking.
3. Participate in a regular balanced exercise program that includes wearing a pedometer to ensure that
you collect steps and move more. High intensity short bursts (20-60 seconds) of activity during the
day is recommended to enhance growth hormone release. Also engage in resistance training that
works all major muscle groups (work each group at least 2 times a week).
4. Check blood vitamin D levels. Supplement with Vitamin D Synergy, 2 or more per day, until
optimal levels are reached: 50-100 ng/ml.
5. Practice good sleep habits and get between 8-9 hours of sleep a night. Take the "Are You Getting
Enough Sleep?" questionnaire and follow Insomnia Nutritional Support Protocol if needed. Email our office
for your copy of the questionnaire and Insomnia Nutritional Protocol.
Dietary Recommendations:
1. Avoid all sugars. Replace sugar with the polyol sugar xylitol.
2. Avoid white flour and all refined carbohydrates including cereals and pasta.
3. Get a balance of omega 3's (salmon, mackerel, herring, tuna) and omega 9 fats (olive oil, olives,
almonds, hazelnuts, avocados).
4. Choose lean, clean quality protein at each meal such as chicken breast, turkey breast, lean beef,
fish (especially salmon and tuna), eggs and whey protein.
5. Avoid hydrogenated vegetable oils and fried foods.
6. Cook with olive oil at a low heat.
7. Snack on vegetables and small amounts of nuts, olives or avocado.
8. Eat 5-9 servings of fresh fruits and vegetables daily (fruits must be limited to 1 -2 per day due to
sugar content) OR add one heaping tablespoon of PaleoGreens and PaleoReds to your favorite
drink.
9. Carry PaleoMeal Packets and/or PaleoBars with you to prevent missing meals or snacks. We carry a
delicious variety of low glycemic bars and the PaleoMeal Packets in the office.
Supplement Recommendations:In addition to the core nutrient program recommended by your Health Care Professional and/or from
the results of your most recent Designs for Health Metabolic Profile:
Metabolic Synergy: 2 with each meal, 6 per day
Genuine Norwegian
Cod Liver Oil: 1 tablespoon per day
PaleoFiber: 1 tbsp in water with each meal
CLA: 1 with each meal, 3 per day
Lipoic Synergy: 1-2 capsules daily with a meal
Lipoic Synergy contains lipoic acid, biotin, and
taurine which all support blood sugar and insulin balance, making a
great combination. Lipoic Acid has been extensively researched for its
applications in diabetes, blood sugar metabolism, heavy metal
detoxification, liver health, hepatitis, and diabetic neuropathy.
Lipoic acid has also been studied for its effects on the aging process
and in the prevention of wrinkling by protecting collagen in the skin.
Most importantly, it has been found to be an essential nutrient for
diabetics to optimize the function of the insulin receptors