Diabetes is becoming one of the leading causes of death among Americans, and cases of this disease are growing at an alarming rate. Diabetes literally has become a modern-day, silent epidemic. More than 29.1 million Americans are estimated to have diabetes, with many of these cases going undiagnosed. The cost of diabetes to the U.S. health care system is estimated at $245 billion per year. The saddest thing about diabetes is that most of these individuals may have been able to prevent the onset of the disease with proper awareness, diet and exercise.

Diabetes is a disease that affects the body’s ability to utilize glucose (sugar) for energy. We currently recognize two types of diabetes. Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease in which the pancreas can’t make insulin because the immune system attacks it and destroys the cells that produce insulin. Kids and teens with type 1 diabetes are at risk for other autoimmune problems, but these disorders are not actually caused by the diabetes. In type 1 diabetes, the body produces either low levels of insulin or no insulin at all. Insulin, which is produced by the pancreas, is necessary for the regulation of the glucose we ingest in our diet. Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes, and develops over time. In type 2 diabetes, the body does not use insulin effectively to regulate glucose levels, which results in a condition known as insulin resistance.

Traditionally, individuals are diagnosed with diabetes when they present a fasting glucose level of 100 mg/dL or greater. However, it is well documented that the damage that is associated with diabetes can begin at a fasting glucose level of 75 mg/dL and can begin decades before the actual diagnosis of the disease. That damage can include vascular, ophthalmic, kidney, and neurological problems.

The critical first step in addressing diabetes is changing to a lifestyle of more exercise to use excess glucose taken in, a healthy diet to minimize the intake of glucose taken in, and frequent (but small) meals to minimize the development of insulin resistance. The goal in preventing diabetes is to address rising fasting glucose levels long before they reach 100 mg/dL. To do that, there are a number of nutritional and herbal supplements that have been shown to be helpful in regulating glucose and addressing problems before they start.

Alpha lipoic acid is a unique antioxidant that has been shown to be helpful in maintaining blood sugar levels and minimizing some of the neurological side effects of diabetes, such as diabetic neuropathy. Berberine, which is found in our Berberine Support product, has been shown to regulate not only glucose levels, but modulate lipid levels as well, often as effectively as prescription medications. Chromium and zinc have been shown to be essential minerals in helping manage blood sugar and support insulin production. Diabetes Balance is a unique formulation that features a wide array of natural products that have been shown to regulate blood glucose levels and keep them from elevating. Inositol has been shown to improve insulin receptors in the body and Neo40 Pro has been shown to increase vasodilation and circulation to minimize increasing vascular damage.

Contact The Diabetic Shoppe for some great tips on how to manage your blood glucose levels. We offer diabetic education and interesting information that will help you say in control of blood glucose levels. Watching your weight, exercising, eating healthy and developing good habits can all contribute to reducing blood glucose levels. We believe in nutraceuticals but healthy habits in general are the key to sustained health and well being.

*The author of this blog is not a medical professional and this article does not contain professional medical advice. This blog is not intended to substitute for medical advice, treatment, or diagnosis. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of the contents of this article. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call 911 immediately.