Know anyone that has diabetes? Chances are absolutely. It’s even safe to say someone in your family has diabetes. About 30.2 million people in the United States population has a diagnosis of diabetes. With 90-95% of them being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes.

There are different types of diabetes. Type 1 diabetes: your body does not make insulin. Type 2 diabetes: your body does not use insulin well. Gestational diabetes: is diagnosed during pregnancy and typically resolves after birth. As well as, less common types called monogenic diabetes or cystic fibrosis related diabetes.

When you body isn’t producing or using insulin (made by the pancreas) properly, glucose (sugar) in the blood can’t be transferred into your cells to be used as energy. So you get too much sugar in the blood stream.

Dangers of Diabetes

Over time, high blood glucose leads to problems such as:

• heart disease and high blood pressure
• stroke
• kidney disease
• eye problems
• dental disease
• nerve damage
• foot problems

If left untreated diabetes can be very dangerous! Some of the warning signs of being diabetic can be:

• Excessive thirst and hunger
• Frequent urination (from urinary tract infections or kidney problems)
• Weight loss or gain
• Fatigue
• Irritability
• Blurred vision
• Slow-healing wounds
• Nausea
• Skin infections/Darkening of skin in areas of body creases
• Breath odor that is fruity, sweet, or an acetone odor
• Tingling or numbness in the hands or feet

How to Prevent Diabetes

• Diabetes is a sugar problem, so cutting sugar and refined carbohydrates out of your diet is the most important thing you can do! Many studies have shown a link between the frequent consumption of sugar or refined carbs and the risk of diabetes.

• Being physical active on a regular basis can increase insulin secretion and sensitivity. When you are focusing more on being active, you will also make better food choices!

• Drink water!! One 24-week study showed that overweight adults who replaced diet sodas with water while following a weight loss program experienced a decrease in insulin resistance and lower fasting blood sugar and insulin levels. Cutting out sugary beverages will actually make you feel better as well!

• Quit smoking. Smoking is strongly linked to the risk of diabetes, especially in heavy smokers. Smokers are less concerned with their health as opposed to non-smokers.

• Make sure you are getting enough vitamin D. One study found that people with the highest blood levels of vitamin D were 43% less likely to develop type 2 diabetes than those with the lowest blood levels.

Chiropractic

Chiropractic is whole body wellness. When the central nervous system is functioning at higher levels (due to the chiropractic adjustment) your body can handle the stresses (pollution, stress, bacteria, viruses, toxins, poor choices, sugar and many more) of life better. Good nutrition and staying hydrated helps nourish your body to protect and support the processes in which the body functions.

If you have any questions about nutrition, chiropractic or anything health related, give us a call or call a chiropractor near you!

~Dr. Lacey~
Carder Chiropractic Clinic, INC.
El Reno, OK 73036