Diabetes is a serious medical condition that could lead to a heart attack, stroke, and even death if left untreated.  You should follow all treatment advice your doctor gives you to prevent further illness. Some types of diabetes will require you to take medication; remember to take all medication as directed. You should also incorporate well-balanced meals and regular exercise to make healthy lifestyle changes.

Some types of diabetes, such as Type 2 diabetes, can be reversed with these healthy lifestyle changes.

Medication

If your doctor has prescribed medication, you will need to take it. Even though you are following a proper diet and exercise plan, it may not be enough. Medication is necessary to lower your blood sugar levels. Some medication tips include:

• Be Cautious – Ask your doctor if any over-the-counter drugs will affect your blood glucose levels.

• Store Insulin Properly – Do not keep or use medication after it has expired. Make sure insulin is stored in a safe and appropriate place.

• Notify Your Doctor of all Issues – Your doctor will need to know if your diabetes medication is causing issues, such as lowering your blood sugar levels. You many require a different type of medication, or you may need to change the times you are taking the medication

Diet

If you want to maintain stable blood glucose levels, you should consider the low-carb diet. Taking in less than 125 grams of carbohydrates per day is ideal if you are going on the low-carb diet. You will need to eat healthy fats and lean protein like Fish, chicken, eggs, and other healthy meats while you are on a low-carb diet. Oils and natural fats are examples of healthy fats. You should eat lots of vegetables and fruits as your source of carbohydrates. You will not only lose weight, but you will eliminate the stress or obsession of rising and falling blood sugar levels.

Exercise

There are various exercise programs or routines you can incorporate into your daily or weekly lifestyle. Ideally, you should exercise vigorously for 30 minutes 3 times per week. The best exercises for diabetics who want to change their lifestyle are:

• Bench Presses
• Pull-Ups
• Squats
• Jogging or Walks
• Curls
• Lunges

Cholesterol

You should monitor your cholesterol, especially if you have been diagnosed with diabetes. Although you need cholesterol for your body to function properly, you should know the difference between the good and bad types of cholesterol, and how much – or how little – of the two you should have.

Your target cholesterol levels should be:

• Triglycerides – 150 mg/dl or less
• High-Density Cholesterol – 40 mg/dl or higher for men, and 50 mg/dl or higher for women
• Low-Density Cholesterol – 100 mg/dl or less

Cholesterol should be checked every five years; however, diabetics are encouraged to check their cholesterol more frequently. If you want to improve your cholesterol, follow some of these lifestyle changes:

• Stop Smoking
• Lose Weight
• Ask Your Doctor if Medication to Lower Your Cholesterol is available
• Add More Monounsaturated Fats to Your Diet – Such as Olive oil and Avocados
• Eat a Low-fat diet
• Exercise

Taking Supplements

Dietary supplements could help you live a healthier lifestyle. As a diabetic, these minerals, vitamins, and other nutritional components could provide the extra nutrition that you need. Some helpful dietary supplements include:

• Vanadium – Has the ability to increase your body’s sensitivity to insulin.

• Chromium – Helps with weight loss, and it could help control your blood glucose levels.

• Magnesium – Has the potential to relieve insulin secretion, or reduce some diabetes complications.

Keep in mind that you will still need to take the medication your doctor has prescribed. Dietary supplements should not be taken as a replacement to your medication, unless your doctor states otherwise.

Be careful when taking dietary supplements, because the labels are not always accurate. There are harmful substances that could be in the dietary supplements, but they may not be listed on the package or label. You should always consult with your doctor before you begin taking any type of supplements.

Managing Your Stress

Stress occurs in everyday life; through your job, family, and various situations. If you perceive these people or conditions as a threat, you could become stressed.

People have a need to control every situation in their life, and when they feel that is impossible, they will begin to stress. Diabetes is a medical condition that brings stress upon many people because of the ongoing challenges they will encounter. Stress is not healthy for anyone, especially someone who is suffering from diabetes.

If you are a diabetic, stress could:

• Cause poor eating habits.
• Incite negative emotions.
• Cause your blood glucose levels to rise.
• Change the way you think and how you make decisions.

To manage stress, try to be aware of yourself and what’s going on in your life. Determine what is causing you to stress and what is not. Develop strategies to handle the stressful times instead of giving in to them. If this requires you to avoid those stressful situations and people, then do so. You need to maintain a peaceful and clear mind when you are living with diabetes.

Healthy Lifestyles

You should live a healthy lifestyle whether or not your condition can be reversed. The food you eat, and the amount of exercise you receive can affect your blood sugar levels. If you have not been diagnosed with diabetes, you should follow these healthy lifestyle changes to prevent the disease.

References:

“Diabetes Management: How lifestyle, daily routine affect blood sugar.” Mayo Clinic. Retrieved from http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/diabetes-management/DA00005. Accessed on August 26, 2013.

“Can You Reverse Type 2 Diabetes.” WebMD. Retrieved from http://diabetes.webmd.com/features/reversing-type-2-diabetes. Accessed on August 26, 2013.

“Managing Stress and Diabetes.” American Diabetes Association. Retrieved from http://www.diabetes.org/living-with-diabetes/parents-and-kids/everyday-life/managing-stress-and-diabetes.html. Accessed on August 30, 2013.

“Diabetes and Dietary Supplements.” WebMD. Retrieved from http://diabetes.webmd.com/diabetes-dietary-supplements. Accessed on August 30, 2013.