Maintaining Healthy Blood Sugar Is for Everybody

In my research on central obesity I came to the realization that even though I am not overweight I can still have spikes in my blood sugar that can be damaging to me and I want to throughout this article help others realize the importance of maintaining a healthy blood sugar level.

Have you ever noticed that when you go without eating there comes a point in the day that you become really cranky and irritable? Those sudden mood swings is your body reacting to going hungry for too long. Skipping meals, overeating, and eating certain foods can cause a spike in your blood sugar.

The body desires to control our blood sugars by producing insulin. Over the years of eating an unhealthy diet the body becomes less sensitive to its own insulin. Insulin is what drives sugar into the cell to be stored as fat. When the body becomes insensitive to its own insulin it creates more insulin. Causing the pancreas to work harder and harder. Insulin helps keep our blood sugar levels normal. Although these elevated insulin levels control our blood sugar levels they can also lead to some serious health problems. Here is a list:

significant inflammation of the arteries, which can cause a heart attack and strokeelevated blood pressure (hypertension)elevated triglycerideslowered HDL (good) cholesterolincreased LDL (bad) cholesterolincreased tendency to form blood clotsdevelopment of significant "uncontrolled" weight gain--usually around the middle (central obesity)

One of the single most important things we can do to prevent this insulin resistance is to cut back on carbohydrates that release sugar into the blood stream at a much faster rate. White bread, pasta, rice, and potatoes release their sugars into the bloodstream even faster than table sugar. These types of foods are known as high glycemic. On the other hand foods like green beans, brussel sprouts, tomatoes, apples, and oranges release their sugars into the bloodstream at a much more slower rate and are known as low-glycemic foods. A high fiber diet that includes foods that are low-glycemic is very effective in controlling blood sugar.

Diabetes mellitus has become one of the most widespread diseases in existence. Over the past 35 yrs diabetes has increased fivefold. If you notice that your blood pressure or your waistline is increasing it is pretty likely that you have developed a serious case of insulin resistance. Do not wait until you have full-blown diabetes because once you have developed insulin resistance major damage is already being done to your arteries and cardiovascular damage has already begun. With heart disease being the number one killer in the United States every year except one since 1900 we need to develop healthy lifestyle changes to prevent it now. Not controlling our blood sugar will continual cause damage to our arteries and over time create major health issues.

Insulin resistance is reversible. Treating your insulin resistance by making healthy lifestyle changes is true preventative medicine. Making simple effective lifestyle changes not only prevents accelerated damage to our arteries but prevents full-blown diabetes from occurring. A healthier lifestyle will make a difference.

A healthier lifestyle includes choosing foods that are high in fiber and also foods that have a low glycemic index. You need to also balance your diet with good protein (low in saturated fat) and good fats (Omega 3's and 6). When this diet is combined with moderate excercise (daily walking will do) and a good cellular nutrition program insulin resistance can be prevented and eliminated. The weight will start coming off as mysteriously as it came on without even really trying. You begin to feel good and your energy level will increase.

The difference between making healthy lifestyle changes and a "fad diet" it that with a fad diet you start with the intention of one day quitting. I am talking about a healthy lifestyle that has the side effects of fat loss.

People do not realize how easy making healthy lifestyle changes is. I am talking modest exercise, eating in such a manner that doesn't spike sugar levels and taking some basic nutritional supplements to improve your sensitivity to your own insulin.

The following are good fats, proteins, and carbohydrates. When you combine these in each meal or snack you eat, your blood sugar will not jump to dangerous levels that need controlling.

The best proteins and fats come from vegetables and vegetable oils. Avocados, olive oil, nuts, beans, soy, and so on are great sources of protein and contain fats that will actually lower your cholesterol.

The best carbohydrates come from fresh whole fruits and vegetables. Avoid all processed food. An apple is better than apple juice or applesauce, Whole grains are essential, and avoiding processed grains is critical in developing a healthy diet for everyone, especially the diabetic.

The next best proteins and fats come from fish. Cold water fish such as mackerel, tuna, salmon, and sardines, contain omega-3 fatty acids. These fats not only lower cholesterol but they decrease the overall inflammation in our bodies.

The next best protein comes from fowl (chicken, turkey) because the fat is on the outside of the bird in the skin and can be removed leaving a good source of lean protein.

When you eat this way your body produces glucagon instead of releasing insulin. Glucagon utilizes fat, lowers blood pressure, decreases triglycerides and LDL cholesterol, and raises HDL cholesterol.

Several studies have shown that all antioxidants may improve insulin resistance. It is important that a diabetic take a good mixture of several antioxidants in supplementation at optimal- not RDA- levels. There are several macronutrients that are normally deficient in people with insulin resistance and full-blown diabetes.

Chromium is critical in the metabolism of glucose and the action of insulin. Studies show that 90% of the population has a chromium deficiency. Chromium has been shown to greatly improve insulin sensitivity.Vitamin E not only improves antioxidant defenses but also seems to help the body with the problem of insulin resistance. Research has shown that a low vitamin E level is an independent and strong predictor of the development of adult-onset diabetes. Individuals who have low Vitamin E levels have a fivefold higher risk of developing diabetes.Magnesium deficit. Studies show that when this deficiency is corrected in the elderly insulin function improves significantly.Vanadium is not a well known mineral but it is very important to the diabetic and has been shown to significantly improve insulin resistance.

Symptoms of diabetes include increased thirst and frequent urination (especially at night), unexplained increase in appetite, unexplained weight loss, fatigue, erection problems, blurred vision and tingling or numbness in the hands or feet. If you are experiencing symptoms contact your doctor to have a blood glucose test done.

If you are willing to make the necessary lifestyle changes you can prevent chronic illness and disease. You can live a life free from the dependency of medications and live a healthier life.

As a personal Wellness Coach and Herbalife Independent Distributor my goal is reduce heart disease and chronic illness. People are dieing too long and living too short. We can improve this by getting the proper nutrients in our diet.

For quality nutritional supplements that provide Cellular Nutrition go to http://www.herbalvermont.com/ today. Purchase the core products for Cellular Nutrition and then add in the targeted nutrition products for optimal results. Contact me today for a Free Wellness evaluation done by phone and I will make recommendations on things to help you based on your individual need. I will also enroll you in the 12 week guide to making healthy lifestyle changes if you are interested.

Herbalife has been in business for 30 yrs. The products have been approved to be sold in over 75 countries. Herbalife is a member in good standing with the BBB and is publicly traded on the NYSE. We have a team of world reknowned doctors and scientists on our staff to ensure you are getting the top notch science based products available.