At the top of any diabetes care guideline sheet your health care provider uses to help determine the best treatment for elevated blood sugars, is some variation of the following statement:
Counsel on lifestyle modifications, such as consuming a healthy diet, weight loss and the importance of exercising.
Research shows that lifestyle modifications work best for stopping the progression of your pre-diabetes or diabetes type 2, so that is why it is the cornerstone of any treatment regime. Lifestyle and diet modifications should be used as the first line of defense for pre-diabetes and in addition to any medications or insulin your healthcare provider may prescribe for you for diabetes type 2.
There are 29.1 million people in the United States that have diabetes and 8.1 million are undiagnosed. The CDC estimates that 1 in 3 adult Americans will have diabetes by 2050.
Pre-diabetes or diabetes type 2 is when the pancreas is producing insulin, but the amount is not adequate, or the insulin is not effective in lowering blood glucose because the cells are resistant. Being overweight plays a role in many cases. With insulin resistance, the pancreas produces more insulin than usual, but the cells are unable to use the insulin because there are fewer receptors. Diabetes type 2 onset is possible at any age, but is more commonly diagnosed after age 30.
The treatment for diabetes type 2 is done in phases or stages; nutrition therapy and exercise, and oral medications and/or insulin.
Research shows that once a person with pre-diabetes or diabetes type 2 starts exercising, reduces their carbohydrate intake and loses some weight, it can take up to a year to see a significant difference in blood sugar levels! People need to be reinforced that they will see many good changes right away, but that they will need to hang in there to see all the changes they need. It is not easy but worth it!
I tell my clients that “I need to keep them accountable” by having them come in every 1-2 weeks in the beginning for reinforcement, further education and weigh-ins. We track their progress on a professional grade scale and software program and even measure them so that they can see that the combination of diet and lifestyle changes does work if they hang in there. We have one-on-one personal diet and fitness training to keep them motivated.
Finding out your individualized carb number for weight loss and better blood sugar control (15 grams of carb can raise your blood sugars 30-40 points), replacing trans-fats with good fats such as olive oil, avocado, raw nuts, fish (all anti-inflammatory) and finding an exercise program that is individualized for you (walking 30 minutes can lower your blood sugars 30-40 points) is the way to go.
Choice Center for Nutrition & Choice Center for Diabetes & Weight Loss, Integrated Optimal Health, has been an AADE Accredited Diabetes Center since September 2014. Most insurance accepted. Locations in New Hampshire at 30 Pleasant Street, Conway, NH & in Maine.
Marie Veselsky, MS, RD, LD, CDE, BC-ADM is the owner and coordinator of Choice Center for Nutrition and the accredited diabetes center, Integrated Optimal Health, Choice Center for Diabetes.
Call “Choice Center for Diabetes and Weight Loss” at 603-770-4856/1-888-444-1204 or on-line www.choicecenterfordiabetes.com