A recent report actually shows that North American’s eat, on average a half of a cup of sugar…every single day. Those amounts are bound to cause problems, but the question becomes, how can you even begin to address the problem if you don’t know where all of this bad stuff is hiding?

Sugar and Blood Sugar Levels

The effect of sugar is more or less the same, whether you are consuming loads of white sugar, refined sugar, icing sugar or brown sugar, sugar means a spike in your blood sugar levels once you have consumed it. So one of the most common sugar myths is officially busted, just because if you are consuming sugar that is brown, because you believe it has the illusion of being more earthy or natural, doesn’t mean that it won’t affect your blood sugar levels. And high blood sugar is a common complaint due to the issues it creates with insulin, which can do a number on your health.

Proper balance of blood sugar is very important, and whether the sugar is brown, or white, it is wrecking havoc on your blood sugar levels, which need to be kept in appropriate balance to achieve optimal health.

Not a newcomer to news headlines, too is high fructose corn syrup. This version of the sweet stuff is very inexpensive to manufacture and transport, so it is attractive for monetary purposes. But this stuff is particularly dangerous, because it is linked to not only your standard blood sugar issues, but also obesity, diabetes and fatty liver disease. It can sometimes be shown as glucose/fructose on certain labels, but no matter what it is called on the label, you are best to leave the high fructose corn syrup on the shelf, and spare your health.

Why is Sugar Bad for You and Your Diets

Another thing to remember is that every time you consume sugar, not only is your blood sugar negatively affected, but your immune system becomes sluggish which can lead to a whole host of other health problems. When your immune system is lagging it can give bacterial and viral infections a chance to thrive, which opens you up to many other health problems.

Blood Sugar and Sex Drive

In terms of proper nutrition, controlling blood sugar may also improve an individual’s chances to live longer.  Elevated blood sugar has been strongly linked to the development of diabetes mellitus, which is an endocrine disorder that requires strict control of starchy food items to prevent further damage to the body.  For some individuals positively diagnosed with diabetes mellitus, a daily injection of insulin is required to help the body decrease one’s level of blood sugar.  For others, a strict diet that is low is sugar, without insulin injections, are recommended.  It is therefore important to visit a doctor to determine the actual condition of a person in terms of how to address this endocrine problem.

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According to a recent medical report published in the journal Obstetrics and Gynecology, the occurrence of diabetes mellitus may also affect a woman’s sexual function, especially those at their middle to older adult years.  For years, most of the reports on the relationship between sexual function and elevated blood sugar focused on males, as a comorbidity in reports on sexual dysfunction caused by other medical conditions, such as prostate cancer and erectile dysfunction.  The authors of the medical report were thus prompted to examine whether such issues regarding sexual function occurred among women.

The research study was conducted among approximately 2,270 women with an average age of 55 years old (age range: 40–80 years old).  The study participants were further groups according to the occurrence of diabetes mellitus, as well as on the usage of insulin injections for the control of blood sugar.  Three study groups were thus created, those without diabetes mellitus, those with diabetes mellitus and taking insulin, and those with diabetes mellitus and not taking insulin.  The study participants were then given questionnaires that asked information about their sexual activity.

Keeping Blood Sugar in Control – Living Longer

The results of the study showed that the women with diabetes mellitus who were taking regular insulin shots showed a higher number of complaints regarding their sexual activity, as compared to those women with diabetes mellitus and not taking insulin shots or non-diabetic women.  The complaints regarding poor sexual function included a difficulty in lubrication during sex, and a lower chance of having an orgasm.  These reports may thus affect the quality of the women’s sexual activity, which may also influence their relationship with their partners.

The study also showed that aside from the women with diabetes mellitus are also more likely to develop further complications such as heart disease and renal dysfunction.  These additional medical conditions may also influence a woman’s capacity to enjoy sex, aside from the common complaints that were caused by their elevated blood sugar.

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Sugar and Your Brain – What It All Means

For the study, the researchers fed two groups of rats water infused with fructose (which is chemically different than glucose and considered much more harmful to the body). One of the two groups was also fed omega-3 fatty acids which supply DHA, a substance that can help support the synapses of the brain. “DHA is essential for synaptic function — brain cells’ ability to transmit signals to one another,” explains Gomez-Pinilla, a member of UCLA’s Brain Research Institute and Brain Injury Research Center. “This is the mechanism that makes learning and memory possible. Our bodies can’t produce enough DHA, so it must be supplemented through our diet.”

For five days prior to the onset of the experimental diet, the rats were trained to navigate a maze that contained numerous holes but only one real exit. After six weeks on the experimental diet the researchers tested the ability of the rats to remember the route of the maze and to find their way to the exit. The rats that were fed the DHA were able to navigate the maze much more efficiently then the non DHA fed rats. What’s more the rats that were deprived of DHA showed a marked decline in synaptic activity and their brain cells weren’t able to signal to each other properly, resulting in a reduced ability to think clearly and recall the previously learned route.

Fructose and Your Diet

The researchers also found that the fructose only rats had developed a resistance to insulin, which is the hormone that helps to both regulate blood sugar levels and to regulate synaptic functions in the brain. “Insulin is important in the body for controlling blood sugar, but (because of its ability to pass through the blood-brain barrier) it may play a different role in the brain, where insulin appears to disturb memory and learning,” says Gomez. The researchers believe that sugar in the form of fructose could block the ability of insulin to regulate how brain cells use and store sugar for the energy that is needed in order for the brain to process emotions and thoughts. “Our findings illustrate that what you eat affects how you think… (and) that a high-fructose diet harms the brain as well as the body. This is something new.”

According to Gomez and his associates, if you want to maintain optimum brain function, you should keep your intake of fructose (which is found in table sugar, high fructose corn syrup and all food products which contain these ingredients) to a minimum. Unfortunately, avoiding fructose is harder than you may think, for it is added to a wide variety of commonly consumed products including condiments, soft drinks and even baby food. Although fructose is also found in fruit, the antioxidants and fiber found in fruit is thought to offset the damaging effects of fructose.

If you plan to consume fructose in spite of these findings you may be able to curtail some of the damage that it causes by also consuming omega-3 fatty acids, which are found in foods such as cold-water fish, walnuts and flaxseeds. Alternatively, you can take an omega-3 supplements, and Gomez recommends consuming a dose that will supply 1000 mg of DHA, daily. “Our findings suggest that consuming DHA regularly protects the brain against fructose’s harmful effects,” says Gomez-Pinilla. “It’s like saving money in the bank.”

No Diabetes Cure – Coping is Important

It’s normal to experience grief after you are diagnosed with diabetes, you have to change your lifestyle completely and you may feel “different” than everyone else. All of a sudden your diet has to change, you have to monitor your glucose levels and you have to be aware of the life-changing complications that can arise because of this disease. Yes, feeling blue is a normal part of being diagnosed with diabetes but if the “sad” feelings stick around for extended periods of time, it may lead to depression. Depression is twice as likely to occur in people suffering from diabetes compared to those without diabetes. Depression is associated with poor blood sugar levels as well as an increased risk of diabetic complications and decreased quality of life. It is essential to properly manage your diabetes as high blood glucose levels have been associated with mood changes that can result in depression.

If you start to lose interest in activities that you once enjoyed, are feeling tired all of the time, are having difficulty sleeping or if you experience changes in your weight for extended periods of time, it’s time to speak to your doctor. Getting help to deal with the prolonged grief or depression that you are experiencing may be necessary to help you resume a normal life following a diabetes diagnosis.

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Managing Diabetes

After learning that you have diabetes, the goal is to accept the diagnosis. Once you have accepted it, you will be able to properly manage the condition. In order to keep your glucose levels in check, be sure to follow a diabetic diet. This involves eating healthy foods including fruits, vegetables, lean cuts of meat, whole grain products and low fat dairy products. Additionally, choosing foods that have low fat and low salt is advised. Regularly exercising is an important component for diabetes management. If you’re a smoker, quitting smoking is another important step. Be sure to brush and floss your teeth every day to prevent gum, teeth or mouth problems. Make sure to check your feet every day for cuts, sores, ulcers, etc. and get treatment right away if you notice changes to your feet. Check your glucose levels regularly to make sure that your blood sugar is in the normal range and if you have been prescribed medication to control your glucose levels, be sure to take it as directed. A step that many people forget is to speak to someone if you’re feeling down. You’re not alone, millions of people have diabetes and there are plenty of resources to help you with this chronic condition.

In the future there may be a way to cure diabetes, but for now, proper management of glucose intake and blood sugar levels is essential for those diagnosed with this chronic condition. Speaking to medical professionals to learn proper diabetic management techniques can help to ease fears that you may be experiencing. Dealing with the grief that you experience after a diabetes diagnosis will help you focus on the important things in life and will help you to manage your diagnosis properly.

Diabetes is a very serious disorder that not only affects a person’s blood sugar levels; it also increases the risk for cardiovascular disease, cancer and Alzheimer’s disease, and it reduces an individual’s lifespan by an average of ten years.    According to a new study published in the American Diabetes Association journal, there is some good news and some bad news when it comes to the current diabetes epidemic. The good news is that the cardiovascular disease mortality rate amongst diabetic adults dropped by 40 percent between 1997 and 2004, according to data collected on 250,000 adults, during a National Health Interview Survey.  In addition, the total diabetes related death rate dropped by 44 percent.

The researchers credit advances in blood glucose control, early detection techniques, a reduction in smoking, overall healthier lifestyle choices and intervention programs for the decrease in diabetes related deaths.  Despite this encouraging finding, Ann Albright, director of CDC’s Division of Diabetes Translation warned in a press release “Taking care of your heart through healthy lifestyle choices is making a difference, but Americans continue to die from a disease that can be prevented. Although the cardiovascular disease death rate for people with diabetes has dropped, it is still twice as high as for adults without diabetes.”

Now For the Bad News About Diabetes.

Now onto the bad news–despite the improved life expectancy amongst diabetic individuals, the prevalence of diabetes is predicted to rise substantially over the next few decades and it is estimated that by the year 2050, one in three Americans will suffer from this blood sugar regulating disorder.  “Death rates, along with earlier detection of undiagnosed diabetes and incidence of new diabetes cases, are the principal determinants of future diabetes prevalence and the disease and economic burden that follow,” states chief of epidemiology and statistics in CDC’s Division of Diabetes Translation and lead author, Edward W. Gregg, PhD.  “Recently published models indicate that declining mortality among people with diabetes can lead to a substantial increase in prevalence.”  In other words, as the consequences of diabetes declines, its prevalence increases.

Diabetic Diets

Planning daily meals based on a diabetic diet can also be quite cumbersome, especially when the food choices are restricted to low-sugar or sugar-free items.  There are also sugar substitutes that could be included in a diabetic diet, designed as sweetener for your coffee, tea, and other favorite beverages.  Sugar-free ice cream and frozen yogurt are also substitute desserts in a diabetic diet.  It is also recommended that diabetics increase their consumption of nuts and vegetables, which are rich in proteins and fiber.

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For diabetics that are classified as non-insulin dependent, the chances to cure diabetes are quite high.  A change in one’s lifestyle, including the type of food consumed on a regular basis, can serve to directly cure diabetes.  Simply avoiding high-sugar food items can cure diabetes, yet there are also certain food items that may have been considered as safe for decades but are now considered harmful to diabetics.

How Can Your Blood Sugar Be Effective

According to the Strong Family Heart Study conducted by the University of Washington in Seattle, eating canned meat increases the risk for a person to develop diabetes.  The study involved monitoring approximately 2,000 non-diabetics for 5 years and determining which of the study participants developed the disease at the end of the study.  The study participants were asked to complete a questionnaire that collected the frequency and type of food items that they consumed on a regular basis.  It should also be understood that the study population did not follow a diabetic diet because none of them were diabetics at the start of the study. Interestingly, the canned meat brand Spam was the most commonly processed food item that the diabetics consumed.

In order to cure diabetes, a diabetic diet should be strictly followed, yet who knew that canned meat could turn around the effects of a low-sugar or sugar-free regimen?  The results of the Strong Heart Family study provided useful information for designing a diabetic diet, based on actual prospective studies involving non-diabetics and monitoring their health outcome after five years.  It may be possible that canned meat is considered as a quick resource for meals, even in a diabetic diet, yet other more healthy food options should be considered to cure diabetes.

It is true that biomedical research efforts have continuously conducted studies on how to cure diabetes.  These scientists may come up with a new drug that would effectively control blood sugar levels, regardless of following a diabetic diet or not.  However, it is also important for a person diagnosed with diabetes to actively cure diabetes on a personal level.  The recent report on the effects of canned meat gives us leverage on how to cure diabetes by improving our food choices.  The report shows that it is not the meat that actually increases the risk for developing diabetes, but the processing involved in manufacturing these commercial meat products.  It is thus still safe to eat unprocessed meat and still cure diabetes.  This report will also drive us to be more creative in designing a diabetic diet that would ultimately cure diabetes.

Diabetes Statistics

Diabetes has become a global epidemic over the past couple of decades, and the World Diabetes Association states that approximately 6.4% of the global population are diabetics. The percentage of diabetics varies widely by country however, with the United States and India on the higher end of the spectrum and China at the highest end with almost 10% of their total population suffering from it.

Diabetes Basics

Diabetes is a disease that is characterized by chronic high blood sugar levels caused by complications with the blood-sugar regulating hormone insulin. There are two types of diabetes. Type-1, which is also referred to as juvenile or insulin dependent diabetes, is a condition where the pancreas doesn’t produce any insulin. Unfortunately, there is currently no known method to prevent or cure diabetes of the type-1 variety. Type-2 diabetics, on the other hand, do produce insulin, however they either do not produce enough or they are insensitive to it. It is estimated that 80% of all type-2 diabetes cases are due to lifestyle factors. It is therefore possible to both prevent and cure diabetes of the type-2 variety. Most people are well aware that sugar and processed foods can increase type-2 diabetes risk; however a surprising new offender has recently been discovered. On March 15th, 2012 Harvard Health researchers claimed that white rice could be a part of the ever-rising diabetic issue.

The Research

In order to find out if there was a correlation between rice consumption quantities and diabetes risk, researchers at Harvard Medical School, Boston, USA, conducted a systematic review and analysis of 4 previous studies. Two of the studies were conducted in Asian countries (China and Japan) and the other two were conducted in Western countries (USA and Australia). The four studies combined included 352,384 participants, all of whom were not diabetics at the study baseline.

The researchers found a significant correlation between the quantities of white rice that individual’s consumed and the likelihood for developing type-2 diabetes. In fact, the analysis found that the highest level of white rice intake correlated with a 27% increased risk for diabetes. In addition, an individual’s risk for becoming diabetic increased by 10% for each increased serving of white rice that they consumed! Perhaps this explains why China has the highest percentage of diabetics—the Chinese population consumes an average of four portions (625g) of cooked rice per day! In fact, the research found that Asian subject with a high intake of white rice had a 55% greater diabetes risk then Asian subjects who consumed little to no white rice.

How White Rice Increases Diabetes Risk

According to Harvard Health researchers, there are two reasons why white rice vastly increases your risk for developing type-2 diabetes. To understand the first reason, you must first understand the glycemic index (GI) of foods. The glycemic index is the measurement used to determine how much a particular food will raise an individual’s blood sugar levels. Consuming a diet full of high GI foods will result in chronic high blood sugar levels and excessive insulin secretion; both of which contribute to the loss off the insulin secreting function of your pancreas and consequently the onset of diabetes. Similar to sugar and most highly processed foods, white rice has a very high GI, and so it naturally follows that consuming large quantities of it will increase your risk for developing diabetes.

Secondly, white rice has a lower nutrient profile than brown rice, and it contains measurably less fiber, magnesium and vitamins; all of which can help to lower your risk of type-2 diabetes As such, the Harvard Health Researchers believe that a high consumption of white rice may increase diabetes risk because it results in a lower intake of these nutrients.

What is Diabetes?

Diabetes is a chronic condition that is characterized by high blood sugar levels. Diabetes can be broken down into:

a) Type I – this is usually diagnosed during childhood, but can be found at any age. With Type I diabetes, the body is unable to make sufficient insulin which results in high blood sugar levels if left untreated. Treatment involves insulin injections.

b) Type II – this is the most common type of diabetes, and is usually diagnosed in adulthood, but is now being seen in children and young adults. Type II diabetes occurs when the body cannot make enough insulin or when the body is not using the insulin properly. Type II is often seen in the obese population. Gestational – high blood sugar levels can be seen in women during pregnancy, even if they don’t have diabetes

Complications of Diabetes

If diabetes is left untreated, high blood sugar levels can lead to a number of complications including:

- Heart disease – up to 80% of diabetics will die of a heart attack or stroke

- Kidney disease – high blood sugar levels can impair the kidneys and prevent them from functioning properly and can even cause them to shut down in severe cases

- Eye disease – approximately 2 million Canadians have some form of eye disease as the result of diabetes (diabetic retinopathy)

- Nerve damage – diabetes can affect the circulation and immune system and can damage sensory nerves, especially in the hands and feet

- Impotence – men with long-standing diabetes, poor blood sugar control, smokers and those that have high blood pressure, high cholesterol and heart disease are at an increased risk

- Depression – approximately 25% of diabetics suffer from depression

Cinnamon as Treatment and Possible Diabetes Cure?

Cinnamon and its’ role in lowering blood sugar levels has been a topic of debate recently. Past research suggested that cinnamon may be added as a supplement to traditional diabetes treatments to help lower high blood sugar levels. Researchers have found that by adding a small amount of cinnamon to your diet, about ½ teaspoon, you will start to notice a decrease in your blood sugar levels. It will also help to lower LDL (“bad”) cholesterol and total cholesterol levels in Type II diabetics. To date, no research has proven that cinnamon is a diabetes cure.

While many people get excited when new findings are reported about a diabetic treatment option or a diabetes cure, it is best not to get too optimistic. Until a diabetes cure is found, the best way to manage diabetes and control blood sugar levels is to monitor your blood sugar levels regularly. Maintain your blood sugar levels by eating a healthy diet, exercising regularly and if needed, by taking medication to control your blood sugar. In combination with these treatments, adding a half teaspoon of cinnamon a day to your diet can help to maintain healthy blood sugar levels, but should not be confused as a diabetes cure. It is vital that additional research be conducted and focused on the mechanism of action of cinnamon as well as other herbs and spices to help develop additional treatment options as well as a potential diabetes cure.

Avocado’s have long been a cause for question amongst dieters. At first sight, the nutritional information of an avocado may scare a few people off – especially those concerned about heart disease risk and blood sugar. However, it has been shown through numerous studies that avocado is in fact a heart healthy food.

Research has shown that a diet including avocado reduces the risk of heart disease, regulates blood sugar levels and provides a number of other health benefits. Regardless of its fat content and caloric levels, avocado is one of the best heart healthy foods a person can eat.

The fats found in avocado are monosaturated fats that are known to reduce artery clogging LDL cholesterol (bad cholesterol) and raise heart healthy HDL cholesterol (good cholesterol). Therefore, the fat in an avocado is a “good fat” because it allows blood to move more freely through the body, opening clear pathways in the arteries. This reduces heart disease risk and the risk of heart attack.

Avocado also helps to keep blood sugar levels regular and help limit insulin spikes when consumed with high-sugar foods. Because of this, the American Diabetes Association recommends Type-2 diabetics make avocado a regular part of their diet. They help to initiate insulin control and blood sugar levels with their low-glycemic index (0).

Diets low in potassium and vitamin E are also found in avocado have been linked to an increased risk of heart disease. This heart-healthy food really does benefit the body in a number of ways. Another way that avocados can reduce heart disease risk is through its soluble fiber content. Soluble fiber works to improve glucose levels and clean out arteries, too.

In addition, recent studies conducted by Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore showed that avocado is a heart-healthy food. It was shown to help reduce heart disease risk as well as control blood sugar in a sample group of 164 people.

Participants in the Johns Hopkins University study all had mild-hypertension, which is often a pre-cursor to Type-2 diabetes. The group was then put on a series of three diets, each spanning six weeks, to compare the body’s ability to regulate blood sugar and maintain healthy insulin levels when consuming a high carb diet, high protein diet and finally, a diet rich in unsaturated fats (good fats). The research concluded that a balanced diet higher in unsaturated fats improved insulin much better than with a high-carb diet.

The fats in avocado work to regulate blood sugar by limiting the impact high-carb food has on the body.

As far as heart healthy foods go, avocado is near the top of the list. It’s make-up of important fats, vitamins and minerals have been shown to promote a healthy heart, regulate blood sugar and reduce heart disease risk. Don’t let the numbers scare you away – the calories found in an avocado are heart healthy!

Type-2 diabetes creates a number of problems for those suffering from it. Cholesterol problems create a greater risk for heart attack and heart disease, blood sugar levels are inconsistent and the body’s demand for insulin is not met because of high-resistance. And although increasing insulin through medication has often been the main source of refuge for diabetics, it does little to impact cholesterol problems or make any long-lasting impacts on blood sugar levels.

For a number of years, researchers have been looking at the impacts of barley grass supplementation to limit cholesterol problems and regulate blood sugar and insulin levels. Barley grass is a natural remedy that is rich in vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, while having shown to yield positive effects with regard to cholesterol problems and blood sugar and insulin levels associated with Type-2 diabetes.

Barley grass supplements are created using the young leaves of the barley plant, as opposed to grains that people often associate with the plant. The leaves are then ground up and can be taken in powder or capsule form.

Over the past decade numerous medical studies have shown that barley grass can help lower cholesterol, improve insulin resistance and lower blood sugar levels. However, many in the scientific community still believe there is little objective evidence to support these findings. The properties found in barley grass, however, have been seen to improve conditions in diabetics.

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A recent study has found that barley grass supplementation significantly decreased fasting blood sugar levels in an experiment group, while no change was found in a control group (levels were checked daily) The research looked at two groups of diabetics: one was given 15 g/per day (for 70 days) of a barley grass supplement; while the other was not. In addition to the drop in blood sugar levels, there was a 5.1% drop in cholesterol (in the experiment group) levels after only 2 months.

Other research has found similar results, and the studies are conducted on the basis that the vitamins, minerals and antioxidants found in barley grass can offer help. Cholesterol problems and Type-2 diabetes have shown to be slowed by antioxidants and monosaturated fats, of which the barley grass has plenty. In fact, the antioxidants in it have been noted to be “quite potent.”

Antioxidants are able to improve insulin resistance in diabetics and obese people. Research from the Catholic University of the Sacred Heart in Rome, Italy, found that obese patients who experimented with a diet high in antioxidants exhibited decreased insulin resistance compared to those who did not.

Although a number of small scale studies have been conducted regarding the use of barley grass to fight diabetes and cholesterol problems over the past decade, it is still not acknowledged as a viable treatment. More research on a larger scale must be conducted, and it must be confirmed by the scientific community at large.

However, based on the samples of existing research and what is already known about antioxidants, monosaturated fats and the vitamins found in barley grass, it appears that a dosage of 15 g per day will not harm users.

It Causes Blood Sugar Imbalances

Although all sugars and carbohydrates will lead to a rise in blood sugar, wheat has been found to cause the greatest rise, due to a substance called amylopectin. In fact, Dr. William Davis argues in his book “Wheat Belly,” that consuming just two slices of whole wheat bread will increase your blood sugar levels more dramatically than table sugar or candy bars.

So what’s the problem with high blood sugar levels you may ask? The problem is that you will experience a dramatic crash in blood sugar levels approximately 2 hours after your blood sugar initially rises, and this will leave your brain foggy, your body shaky and your stomach hungry. When you experience blood sugar crashes, your body’s natural response will be to reach for more carbohydrate dense wheat foods, in order to get that next boost. So essentially, you end up experiencing a series of highs and lows throughout your day, and relentless cravings along with them. Even worse, is the fact that overtime, elevated blood sugar levels will lead to the formation of abdominal fat, which is not only unsightly but also increases your risk for both diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

It Increases Hunger

Since wheat leads to blood sugar crashes, every time you consume it, you are left feeling hungry again two hours later. If you consume wheat regularly, you are likely to always feel hungry and constantly be eating. If you are counting calories and trying to lose weight, you should eliminate wheat altogether because doing so will effectively remove the appetite stimulant that causes hunger pangs between meals, states Dr. Davis. Without those hunger pangs, your calorie intake will naturally be reduced and you will lose weight quite rapidly, once you no longer have to battle wheat induced cravings.

It’s Addictive

A study conducted by The National Institute of Health and published on Macleans.ca (2011) found that amino acid molecules derived from the gluten in wheat cross the blood brain barrier and bind to the brain’s opiate receptors. When anything binds to your opiate receptors, you experience a feeling of euphoria and as soon as that feeling is gone, your body will naturally strive to get it back. Morphine and heroine are opiates and that is why they are so addictive. Although wheat’s pleasurable effects are less intense than those drugs, it is still there and it is what drives you to eat it again.

Conclusion

So if you want to experience weight loss and good health, stop wasting your time fighting food cravings and counting calories. Instead, remove wheat from your diet and replace it with healthier carbohydrates such as beans, lentils and brown rice. In so doing, you will eliminate the blood sugar imbalances that cause insatiable hunger and the weight should fall of naturally.

When the amount of sugar in your blood is higher than it should be, it is called high blood glucose or hyperglycemia.

If you have hyperglycemia, you may not have any symptoms – although many people do. The signs include frequent urination, excessive thirst, dry mouth, blurry vision, fatigue, increased appetite, unexplained weight loss and dry, itchy skin.

High blood glucose can result from an imbalance in your food consumption, physical activity and medications, and may also occur when you are sick or under stress.

It can also be extremely dangerous.

If hyperglycemia persists for several hours, it could lead to dehydration as well as dizziness, breathing difficulties, drowsiness, confusion or unconsciousness. You could need an insulin shot, or even fall into a coma.

High blood sugar is also a symptom of diabetes or pre-diabetes. So it’s critical to see your doctor if you are experiencing high blood sugar symptoms.

How to Lower Your Blood Sugar

If your physician has ruled out diabetes, but you still have high blood sugar, chances are you are overweight. Eating too much – especially carbohydrates – can cause a rise in blood sugar levels; and failing to exercise can reduce the functioning of insulin.

Your doctor may prescribe medication to help lower your blood sugar, but there are several inexpensive ways you can do it yourself.

Reduce Carbs: Try the Glycemic Index Diet

Studies have shown that a diet controlling carbs is better at lowering blood sugar than a diet that is simply low in calories. The Glycemic Index Diet involves the consumption of foods and beverages with low glycemic index rankings to help keep your blood sugar balanced. The glycemic index (GI) ranks carbohydrate-laden foods on a scale of 0 to 100, according to the extent to which they raise blood sugar levels after eating.

Add Fibre

The Canadian Diabetes Association recommends soluble fibre as a way of controlling blood sugar. This is because soluble fibre delays stomach emptying, retards the entry of glucose into the bloodstream and lessens the rise in blood sugar after we’ve eaten.

Drink More Water

According to diabetes.co.uk, “when your blood sugar levels are running high, your body will try to flush excess sugar out of your blood through the urine. As a result, your body will need more fluids to rehydrate itself. Drinking water can help the body with flushing out some of the glucose in the blood.”

Drink Less Alcohol

Men should limit their alcohol intake to a maximum of 14 drinks a week; and women should have no more than nine.

Sleep Better

Studies have shown that our body’s ability to regulate insulin production can be disrupted by the quality and duration of our sleep. A good night’s sleep can be achieved through the avoidance of caffeine several hours before bed, exercising earlier in the day, and keeping consistent sleep and wake-up times.

Reduce Caffeine

Caffeine causes our bodies to release adrenaline, which is known to raise blood sugar levels. Health care professionals recommend consuming no more than 200 milligrams of caffeine a day, whether that be in the form of coffee, cola, tea, energy drinks or chocolate.

Avoid Sugar

You can still be sweet without consuming sugar. According to a ScienceDaily report, “in 2005, the average American consumed 64kg of added sugar, a sizeable proportion of which came through drinking soft drinks.” Sugar is also lurking in most processed foods and, of course, in cakes, cookies, cupcakes and other tasty treats. Limit your intake or avoid them all together.

Move Your Body

Researchers have discovered that exercise is linked to the way our liver dispenses glucose. A 30-minute walk each day can lower your blood sugar and blood glucose levels. But if you’re not accustomed to physical activity, take it easy at first. Exercising for just 10 minutes at a time can help.

De-stress

Emotional and mental stress, as well as physical stress caused by injury, infections or surgery, can increase the release of glucose into our bloodstream. Try to relax by socializing with friends, pampering yourself at home or a spa, or even chatting with a mental-health professional.

Remember: if your blood sugar levels seem out of control, see your doctor.

First, and most importantly, there are two types of diabetes:

Type 1 – is usually diagnosed in children and young adults.  This is an autoimmune disease where the body attacks the insulin-making beta cells by mistake. Type 1 diabetics require insulin supplementation to control their condition.  Approximately 10% of diabetics have Type 1.

Type 2 – usually develops in adulthood; however, it can also be found in children.  This disease occurs when one of two things happens – the body does not produce enough insulin or the body does not use the insulin properly (resulting in high levels of insulin in the body).  Type 2 diabetes can be controlled through diet and lifestyle changes and medication if necessary.

Just as alarmingly if diabetes is poorly managed or left untreated, there are serious complications that can occur because of high levels of glucose in the blood.  Some of the complications that can occur include:

-Heart disease – according to the Canadian Diabetes Association, up to 80% of diabetics will die of a heart attack or stroke.

-Kidney disease – chronic high levels of glucose in the blood and high blood pressure can stress the kidneys and prevent proper functioning.  Proper diabetic management and kidney screening can prevent or delay kidney damage.

-Eye conditions (diabetic retinopathy) – blindness caused by diabetes is the leading cause of blindness in North America in individuals 65 years of age and younger.  According to the Canadian Diabetes Association approximately 2 million Canadians have some form of diabetic retinopathy.

-Nerve Conditions – diabetes can injure the sensory nerves of the body, especially in the hands and feet (referred to as diabetic neuropathy).  The damaged sensory nerves of the hands and feet lead to the inability to feel in these areas.  Because of this, injuries (cuts, blisters, etc.) can become infected and can possibly lead to amputation of the affected body part.

-Impotence – erectile dysfunction affects many men as they age, but men with diabetes are at an increased risk of suffering from ED.

- Depression – according to the Canadian Diabetes Association, approximately 25% of diabetics suffer from depression.

In addition to the known complications of diabetes, recent research has focused on the possibility that diabetes can lead to pre-cancerous growths.  At The American College of Gastroenterology’s 76^th Annual Meeting, new research was presented by Francis C. Okeke, MD, a research fellow at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Bronx, N.Y., which showed that people suffering with diabetes may be at an increased risk of developing precancerous growths called adenomas. Colonoscopy results were compared between people that had diabetes and those that did not.  Most of the subjects were male and over 65 years of age.

The findings showed that 29% of diabetics had at least one adenoma while only 21% of non-diabetics had one. Additionally, the research showed that individuals with diabetes had more adenomas and more advanced adenomas than individuals who did not suffer from the disease. Okeke stated that the reason why diabetics have adenomas may be due to the fact that they often have high levels of insulin in their blood and this may promote the growth of the pre-cancerous and cancer-causing cells. Another study published in the Journal of Gastrointestinal Cancer supports the Okeke’s findings.  This research showed a correlation between Type 2 diabetes and an increased risk of developing adenomas as well.

At this time, it is recommended that individuals with diabetes follow the general screening protocol for colorectal cancers, which begins at age 50.  There is, however, a need for additional research in this area. If further research supports the above-mentioned findings then diabetics may need to be included in the high risk category for colorectal cancer and begin their screening process at an earlier age.