Type 2 diabetes is a serious condition that often develops in over weight adults. It is a condition brought on by life style factors such as a lack of exercise and not having a healthy diet. Because the condition is life style related, it can be controlled and may even be reversed with natural treatments.
Nine out of ten people suffering from type 2 diabetes in the United States are over weight. This is usually because they have a sedentary life style and a diet that is high in fat and processed foods. The link between obesity and type 2 diabetes has been known for a long time. The first challenge for people suffering from the condition is to lose weight. This is best done by adopting a healthy, balanced and calorie controlled diet and becoming more active.
Diet
Successful dieters have found that having six small healthy meals a day instead of two or three large meals helps them to lose weight more quickly. This is because your digestive system does not become sluggish trying to process a large meal. Also, you do not feel hungry between meals and are not tempted to fill up on high calorie snacks. Paradoxically, you eat less by having six meals a day, and that means fewer calories.
Your diet should be low in fat and salt and moderate in sugar. Aim to eat five portions of different fruits and vegetables each day, including at least one green vegetable, and try to have a potion of oily fish and a portion of white fish each week. Include a variety of herbs, seeds (including pumpkin seeds which are a high natural source of zinc) and nuts in your diet. You should avoid sweetened carbonated drinks as these can contain a surprisingly large amount of sugar. You should also drink plenty of water to ensure that your body is properly hydrated.
Having a healthy balanced diet that contains plenty of fruit and vegetables will ensure that you get sufficient dietary fiber. Dietary fiber is important for type 2 diabetics because it slows down the rate at which blood sugars are absorbed, which prevents rapid fluctuations in your blood sugar levels. A healthy diet also ensures that you get sufficient vitamins and minerals from your food.
Exercise
The second natural treatment for your type 2 diabetes is exercise. Incorporating regular exercise into your life is important because exercise lowers your blood sugar levels and burns calories. Walking is the most natural and comfortable form of exercise. Walking a bit faster than you would normally do, which elevates your heart rate slightly, has beneficial effects on your condition. In addition to burning blood sugars, it strengthens your heart and lungs, improves circulation and cleans lymph nodes.
The natural treatment of your condition has three elements: a healthy diet, a more active life style and losing weight. These three elements when combined will significantly improve your type 2 diabetes.
