Amongst The Chaos… It's Diabetes Awareness Month!
It has been a very emotional couple of weeks. In particular this week. Protests, racial wars, violence, political injustices and of course, our healthcare system, which always concerns me. It's affected me, as I'm sure it has many others on a global scale. However, this is a time to hold it together and unite as a whole for the betterment of our lives, our communities and humanity, in general. Because after all, we are ONE. Instead of just going on social media rants, I decided to contribute my knowledge to you here today, to provide solutions. Because we need our soldiers to stay healthy, and this is my role as healer. So, have you heard of Diabetes? November is Diabetes Awareness Month. November is also the beginning of the Holiday season, and with that a lot of eating and drinking and being merry. However, according to the National Diabetes Report for 2014, by the CDC (Centers for Disease Control), close to 10% of the American population has been diagnosed with Diabetes. Amongst ethnic groups, Native Americans, African-Americans and Latinos lead the way. Diabetes has become very common…even I recently got told I was pre-diabetic by my doctor. Whoa. How's that for awareness…thanks November!
Friends and family were shocked, they told me "but you eat so healthy!" Well, the truth is that although I eat healthy, I have a higher risk of developing Diabetes because of genetics. This is not a death sentence and it doesn't mean that because you're Native, Black or Latino you're getting Diabetes. No. It just means we need to take extra precautions to avoid it. They're not so bad, actually. So here ya go:
Actually, first a quick background on Diabetes:
Diabetes Mellitus is a condition in which the body does not properly metabolize sugar. This is usually due to the pancreas not producing enough or efficient insulin. Insulin is a hormone that controls blood sugar levels. With the insulin unable to control blood sugar levels, the result is excess sugar in the blood stream, or hyperglycemia. So it is a hormonal, metabolic imbalance that really involves all systems, especially the digestive process because that's where it all begins. The most prominent symptoms are excess thirst, frequent urination, prolonged wound healing, and circulation problems leading to numbness and tingling of the hands and feet. Complications include blindness, heart disease, kidney failure and neuropathies. Diabetes is not something to take lightly.
So, now some simple precautions on how you can avoid it:
1. Avoiding or limiting sugar, especially processed sugar - as I stated before, Diabetes is a condition that involves too much sugar in the blood stream. Limiting sugar as much as possible is the first and most obvious solution. Less sugar in the body = less sugar in the blood stream.
2. Eating frequent smaller meals throughout the day - I'm sure you've heard this one before. However, it's especially harmful to go long periods without eating, because as I mentioned, Diabetes is affected by the digestive process. By eating frequent smaller meals throughout the day, as opposed to one or two large meals spread widely apart, your pancreatic secretions, such as insulin, are much more efficient and can work properly to maintain the balance in your sugar levels.
3. Eat a low-fat diet high in complex carbohydrates - a diet rich in complex carbohydrates such as unrefined grains, vegetables and legumes and low in fat can restore the proper functioning of the pancreas and bring insulin and therefore, sugar levels back into balance. Studies have shown that this change alone, when followed for several weeks, has allowed about 80% of diabetics to stop taking insulin and diabetic pills altogether.
4. Exercise - exercising for about 20-30 minutes per day, 3-4 times per week has significant benefits. I know I don't need to tell you, because you already know (weight management, heart disease prevention, stroke prevention, boosts immunity, anti-aging, etc). In diabetic patients, it has shown to improve their circulation, but it can also help to prevent neuropathies. Plus, it makes you feel awesome!
5. Drink Water! - instead of juice, soda or sports drinks, water is a better choice to cleanse your systems, keep your body hydrated and regulate all the hormonal and metabolic processes in the body. Another one with countless benefits that I'm sure you already know.
I have already incorporated all of these into my daily life. It's not that bad and it's not that hard. It just takes a little commitment and discipline. Start today or start tomorrow, but just do it! In addition to that, I've also started taking chlorophyll because I've read that it balances sugar levels, amongst so many other benefits (like getting rid of gray hair…yay!).
Also, these are just some basic tips to avoid Diabetes, which also keep you healthy on so many other levels. There are many other options and specifics with regards to supplements, herbs, specific foods, certain exercises, meditation techniques and other healing modalities such as Acupuncture and Naturopathic Medicine that also help to heal and restore your body into proper balance.
I encourage all of you to really take charge of your health. Doctors are not what they used to be, and cannot be relied on 100% for your healing. Ultimately, it's YOU. Food should be your medicine. Herbs should be your medicine. The Earth provides everything that we need.
Please contact me if you have any questions, or comments. I would love to help you on your path to healing. Add your comments below!
* Please Note: The material on this site is provided for informational purposes only and is not medical advice. Always consult your physician before beginning any diet or exercise program.