What are the best ways to control high blood sugar?
Controlling blood sugar levels is important for everyone, not only for those with diabetes. People with diabetes will likely require medications like insulin or metformin and should discuss any adjuvant therapies with their doctor before trying them. Additional ways to support healthy blood glucose are by eating a low glycemic-load diet (e.g. Mediterranean diet) and exercising a minimum of 150 minutes per week. Ingredients such as white mulberry leaf, sorghum bran, benfotiamine and cinnamon and clove extracts may help support healthy glucose levels.
What causes diabetes?
Type 1 and type 2 diabetes are very different. Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition in which little or no insulin is produced by the pancreas. As a result, people with type 1 diabetes undergo lifelong insulin therapy. Type 2 diabetes is much more common and often develops slowly over time. The body gradually becomes resistant to the effects of endogenous insulin, so blood sugar levels remain elevated. Type 2 diabetes can be caused by a convergence of factors, including poor diet, excess body weight and sedentary lifestyle. Improving these factors, and medication if necessary, can often help those with type 2 diabetes bring glucose levels under control.
Does exercise help prevent diabetes?
Yes. Exercise can also help those with type 2 diabetes bring blood sugar levels under control. Physical activity can help improve glucose control, lower the risk of cardiovascular disease (which is elevated in those with diabetes) and facilitate weight loss. As excess weight is a risk factor for diabetes, exercising and maintaining a healthy weight can reduce the risk. The current recommendation is to get a minimum of 150 minutes every week of moderate-intensity exercise.
