The CDC estimates that more than 30 million people in the United States have diabetes, while more than 84 million US adults — over one-third — have pre-diabetes, and 90% of them don’t know they have it.
Diabetes is the 7th leading cause of death in the United States, and researchers believe current numbers are underestimated. In the last 20 years, the number of adults diagnosed with diabetes has more than doubled as the American population has aged and become more overweight or obese.
The International Diabetes Foundation predicts that by 2035, 592 million people will have diabetes.
A major cause of type 2 diabetes is insulin resistance. Type 2 Diabetes is a condition where the muscle, liver, and fat cells fail to process insulin. Insulin Resistance is when the body requires more insulin to help glucose enter cells. While the pancreas creates more insulin to keep up with the additional demand over time, the pancreas may fail to produce enough insulin and cause your blood glucose levels to rise. With increased blood glucose levels, glycation of protein in the bloodstream occurs, creating toxicity and inflammation.
Diabetes is a metabolic disorder characterized by elevated blood sugar levels. This happens when insufficient insulin production or reduced sensitivity to insulin action occurs. When not managed properly, diabetes can cause serious health complications, including heart disease, blindness, and kidney failure.
Inflammation is a significant concern for people with diabetes.
For example, inflammation is causing most of the debilitating symptoms that manifest. Anti-oxidants are the remedy for inflammation, and our Barley has large amounts of an anti-oxidant called Super Oxide Dismutase.
When it comes to managing diabetes, controlling blood sugar levels is the primary goal. When blood sugar levels reach a high point, symptoms begin to manifest.
To manage diabetes, you must follow these methods to maintain a healthy diet, regular exercise, and monitoring blood sugar levels.
Diet: Be sure to consume lots of healthy fats from sources like coconut oil, avocados, and unpasteurized nuts. Watch your carbohydrate intake, especially high glycemic index carbs. Avoid sugar altogether. A recent study from Lund University in Sweden shows barley can improve people’s health by reducing blood sugar levels and the risk of diabetes.
The secret lies in the unique mixture of dietary fibers found in barley. Barley can also help reduce people’s appetite (help facilitate weight loss.) Being overweight is often linked with developing type 2 diabetes, and researchers found that in addition to reducing appetite, barley could also lower rates of other health complications, like cardiovascular disease.
Exercise: Regular exercise increases insulin sensitivity. Insulin sensitivity means that your cells can use available insulin to absorb sugar from the bloodstream and be utilized as energy for your body. Equally important, fast walking for 20 minutes a day is a great goal to work towards.
Testing: Fasting blood glucose level, Hemoglobin A1C, and C-Reactive Protein testing are essential for people with diabetes. In fact, knowing your numbers can help you manage diabetes. Therefore, talk to your doctor about taking these tests to see where you stand.
Through diet changes and weight loss, daily exercise, and finally, proper testing, you may reach normal blood sugar levels without medication. As always, make sure to consult with your doctor before making any changes to your routine or medicine.
