Tuesday, June 7, 2011

Diabetes – Fact versus fiction

Diabetes Type I and Type II are different in many ways. Type I Diabetes commonly occurs during adolescence, more so in white children, in colder climates and when both parents are Type I Diabetes (not always, just most of the time). Type II is influenced from several things including ethnicity, family history, diet and lifestyle. There are many "untruths" about Diabetes that often leave people lingering with the wrong information. Below, is a basic Fact versus Fiction guideline to help you understand diabetes (http://www.diabetes.org).

Fiction: Exercise doesn't have any impact on my diabetes.

Fact: Exercise increases your overall "wellness" including circulation and greatly effects both Type I and Type II Diabetes.

Exercise routines:

*Daily walks – Start slowly on a flat surface, walking and moving your arms (half bent) back and forth.

*Yoga – Great for strengthening and stretching your body, also increases blood flow.

*Weight lifting – Building muscles not only protects your limbs it strengthens your body while increasing your metabolism.

*Aerobic activity – Walking, running, swimming, tennis and anything that gets you moving!

Fiction: Being overweight will result in Type II Diabetes.

Fact: Overweight people are at a higher risk of developing Diabetes, but, normal and underweight people can develop it just as well. Lifestyle greatly influences the development of Type II Diabetes, along with family history, genetics, ethnicity and age.

Diet/wellness:

*Five servings of fresh fruit and vegetables, daily.

*Two servings of whole grains, legumes and fiber, daily.

*8 oz per day of lean protein (i.e. white meat (no pork), seafood, tofu, etc.).

*64 oz per day of water (no soda or alcohol; limit caffeine (coffee/tea) to no more than 12 oz per day).

*Avoid saturated fats (found mostly in fried food, butter/margarine, pork and beef).

Fiction: Diabetics have to eat differently than everyone else.

Fact: A healthy lifestyle is beneficial for everyone and is the same lifestyle for a diabetic.

Fiction: Diabetes is caused by eating too much sugar.

Fact: Diabetes is influenced by (see above) genetics amongst other things. Eating too much refined sugar, diets high in saturated/trans fats and inactivity only enhance the health risks associated with this diabetes.

Fiction: Diabetes can't kill you.

Fact: More people die from the results of Diabetes (heart attacks, strokes) than breast cancer or AIDS. Never throw "caution to the wind" when it comes to your diet and exercise; both greatly affect diabetes.

Fiction: You can't do anything to help cure Diabetes Type II.

Fact: Oh yes you can! Diet, exercise and lifestyle changes can reverse Type II Diabetes. Simple things can also help you balance your insulin levels as well as improve your overall feeling of wellness. Read this interesting/informative article http://diabetes.webmd.com/features/reversing-type-2-diabetes to learn more and how you can reverse Diabetes Type II.

*Routine (weekly) deep tissue massages – Flushing out the toxins through deep tissue massage always increases circulation.

*Diet – Fresh fruit and vegetables also act as a "cleanser" to our body; they help flush out toxins while also renewing, replenishing and restoring tissue. Antioxidants are found in these food products and are high on the list of "must eat" food.

*Routine exercise – 30 minutes a day is an excellent plan to help your body reduce the effects of Diabetes, stimulating circulation and building healthy core muscles.

*Be proactive – Diabetes doesn't have to be a life sentence! Take charge of your health and wellness, today.

*Don't abuse insulin – Unfortunately, many people eat and shoot (insulin) to offset poor choices. The two simply don't work together for your good. You can't "undo" the damage caused by Diabetes, so stop (if you are) eating and injecting insulin to offset your behavior.


 

Quick Tip for Wellness: Practice eating healthy, exercising daily and making good choices to every time you eat and your Diabetes will thank you!

Quick Tips for Wellness Copyright © Pat Ferguson, 2011

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