Type 2 Diabetes is a disease that occurs when the body becomes resistant to its own insulin. With increased insulin resistance, the body cannot properly process blood glucose, which results in abnormally high blood sugar levels. While there is no cure for Type 2 diabetes, there are effective treatments that help people keep their blood sugar levels under control and live relatively normal lives. Left untreated type 2 diabetes can cause heart disease, neuropathy, kidney failure, limb loss, blindness and other dangerous complications.
Diet Control
Because food turns into blood glucose, proper diet is an effective and important treatment for type 2 diabetes. Carbohydrates turn into sugar in the blood; therefore limiting the amount of carbohydrates is a good way to control the diet. Fiber helps slow down digestion of carbohydrates and therefore slow down the spiking of blood sugar, so each meal or snack should contain fiber. Also, people with type 2 diabetes should limit their fat intake, as saturated fat causes dangerous complications such as heart disease and high blood pressure, and it is also believed that fat adds to insulin resistance. Overall, people with type 2 diabetes should eat a low-carb, high protein, high fiber and low fat diet.
Regular Exercise
Exercise is an important and effective treatment for type 2 diabetes for two reasons. First, exercise helps decrease body fat, and it is believed that fat actually increases insulin resistance. Exercise also helps increase blood flow and decrease blood pressure, which helps stabilize blood glucose levels. Regular exercise for type 2 diabetics leads to less dangerous blood sugar spikes and may eliminate the need for prescribed medications.
Oral Medications
Prescribed oral medications are used as a treatment for type 2 diabetes. Medicines such as Glucophage and Byetta can be taken once or twice daily to effectively regulate blood sugar levels. These medications do not cure type 2 diabetes, but do effectively help manage blood glucose levels for many diabetics. Many of these medications do have side effects, however, so be sure to consult with a doctor before choosing the oral medication that is right for you.
Insulin
Some type 2 diabetics cannot control their blood sugar levels without insulin injections. Doctors used to prescribe bovine insulin, but now the commonly prescribed insulin is genetically engineered. By injecting insulin with meals and to correct high blood sugar levels, people with type 2 diabetes can treat the symptoms of high blood sugar. Insulin has no known side effects and is safe for prolonged use.
Herbal Supplements
Many people with type 2 diabetes use herbal supplements, such as INSUL-OPT Complete, to regulate blood sugar levels and to fight complications such as heart disease, inflammation and cellular damage. Cinnamon and turmeric have been proven to lower blood sugar levels. Other effective natural ingredients that are used as treatments for Type 2 Diabetes are chromium, fenugreek, alpha lipoic acid, colostrum and catalytic antioxidants.
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