According to a National Diabetes Statistics Report released in 2014 there were 29.1 million Americans in the year 2012 with diabetes. This is 2016, what do we think those numbers are today? I very seriously think there has been a decline in the numbers. I believe to the contrary, they have more than likely increased. Diabetes is the number seven cause of death in the U.S.

There are several highly prescribed drugs used to combat diabetes. Lantus Solostar is the top ranking. It is a long-acting basal insulin that is used for type 1 and type 2 diabetes mellitus.

In addition to its needed effects, some unwanted side effects may be caused by insulin glargine (the active ingredient contained in Lantus). Some of these are:

• Anxiety
• Blurred Vision
• Chills, cold sweats, coma, confusion
• Difficulty with thinking, dizziness or lightheadedness, drowsiness
• Excessive hunger
• Fast heartbeat
• Headache
• Nausea
• Unusual tiredness
• Weakness

In writing these Blogs, in no way am I advocating that anyone discontinue use of prescribed drugs. My intent is to try and expand people’s knowledge of natural means that can help prevent conditions within the body or to assist if a condition already exists. Many times simple changes in diet, the addition of exercise to one’s daily routine, and supplementing with natural vitamins, minerals or essential oils may make a huge difference in your overall health.

The following is going to be common sense to many readers, but there may be some that are not knowledgeable of “good dietary habits.” Those are the readers that I want to reach in an effort to help them with their journey to better health and wellness.

Listed below are foods that are best and worst for those that want to address elevated sugar levels. It’s simple… does it mean you can’t have any of the “worst?” No, that is not the case, however those yummies, whatever they are, should be limited and considered a treat once in a while. Again, I will encourage following the acid/alkaline diet in conjunction with the foods listed below. A pH of 6.5 or above aids with all body functions including the production of insulin.

Starches:

Best: whole grains, such as brown rice, oatmeal, millet, quinoa or amaranth
Baked sweet potato and products made with whole grains with no or very little sugar
Avoid: White rice, white flour and processed grains, these include white bread and cereals that don’t contain whole grains and do contain lots of sugar.
French fries and fried white-flour tortillas

Vegetables: You can go crazy loading up on these, they are low in fat and salt, so don’t load up on them!

Best: Fresh veggies, eaten raw or lightly steamed, roasted, or grilled, frozen veggies, lightly steamed. Greens such as kale, spinach, and arugula are high in nutrients. If you are eating canned vegetables, check the label that they are low sodium or unsalted.

Go for a variety of colors: dark greens, red or orange (think of carrots or red peppers), whites (onions) and even purple (eggplants). The 2015 U.S. guidelines recommend 2.5 cups of veggies per day.

Avoid: Veggies cooked with lots of added butter, cheese, or sauce Pickles, if you need to limit sodium — otherwise, pickles are okay.

Sauerkraut, for the same reason as pickles — so, limit them if you have high blood pressure.

Fruits: They give you carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals, and fiber. Most are naturally low in fat and sodium. But they tend to have more carbs than vegetables do.
Best: Fresh fruit, plain frozen or canned fruit without sugar added, sugar-free or low-sugar jams, jellies or preserves, applesauce without sugar added.

Worst: Canned fruit with heavy sugar syrup, chewy fruit roll-ups, regular jam, jelly, and preserves (unless you have a very small portion), sweetened applesauce, fruit punch, fruit drinks, and fruit juice drinks.

Protein: There are a lot of choices when it comes to protein, including beef, chicken, fish, pork, turkey, seafood, beans, cheese, eggs, nuts, and tofu. The American Diabetes Association list the following as the best choices.

Best: Plant-based proteins, such as beans, nuts, seeds, or tofu, fish and seafood, chicken, turkey, preferably the white meat, eggs and low-fat dairy products.

Worst: Fried meats including fish, meats high in fat such as ribs, pork bacon, chicken and other poultry with the skin, regular cheese, beans or other foods prepared with lard.

Dairy: Make it all low-fat. If you have to have a treat, i.e. ice cream, keep the portion size small.

Best: 1% or skim milk, low-fat yogurt and cottage cheese and low-fat or nonfat sour cream.

Worst: Whole milk, regular yogurt, cottage, sour cream, ice cream and half-and-half.

Fats, Oils and Sweets: This is the hard part but you can do it!

Best: Vegetable fats such as, avocados, nuts and seeds. Keep in mind that they are high in calories so keep your portions small. Salmon, tuna or mackerel are high in healthy omega-3 and plant-based oils like grapeseed and olive are what you want to eat.

Worst: It’s about reading labels! If it has “trans fat it’s not good for you! If it says “partially hydrogenated” that’s a no-no too! Saturated fats mainly come from animal products but also coconut and palm oil, so limit your portion sizes on these.

Last but far from least is what you drink. Water is your best friend. Drink half your body weight in ounces. When you want something else, avoid those that are sweetened with sugar, replace with stevia if you have to have it sweetened. Avoid synthetic sweeteners. Why put chemicals in your body? Try to stay as close to nature as possible.

Supplements that may be missing from your diet and helpful for your body.

One reason nutritional support is so important is because diabetes is a nutritional wasting disease. Elevated glucose levels act like a diuretic and cause substantial loss of nutrients in the urine. Therefore, people with type 2 diabetes are likely to be deficient in important water-soluble vitamins and minerals.

B-Complex: The B vitamins help support the nervous system which is very important in addressing diabetic neuropathy. New Sun’s B Complex is a proprietary formula that is natural with no synthetic ingredients and a top selling product.

Vitamin C: People with diabetes tend to have lower levels of vitamin C in their bodies, which may be due to higher blood glucose levels hampering the uptake of Vitamin C by cells. A 1995 study that gave 2,000 mg of vitamin C to people with type 2 diabetes showed an improvement in both blood glucose levels and lipid (cholesterol and triglyceride) levels.

Vitamin D: People with diabetes are more prone to infections due in part to diabetic ulcers and periodontal disease. Vitamin D aids genes that boost the production of antimicrobial peptides which destroy bacteria, viruses and other germs. The body has a greater need for Vitamin D.

Vitamin E: Many people with diabetes have problems with heart disease, kidney disorder and eye damage. Vitamin E has antioxidant properties and because of that may aid with these issues. It improves glucose control and protects blood vessels and nerves from free radical damage, which is accelerated by the diabetes. Studies have shown that high doses of supplemental vitamin E may even reverse damage to nerves caused by diabetes and protect against diabetic cataracts and atherosclerosis.

Chromium: Over the past 30 years a number of studies have been released suggesting that chromium picolinate may help improve blood glucose and lipid levels.

Cinnamon: May lower blood sugar levels. Lab studies indicate that cinnamon may reduce inflammation, flight bacteria and have antioxidant properties.

Magnesium: This mineral is critical for the production of energy and protein synthesis, DNA production and cellular replication. It may decrease insulin resistance which helps to keep blood sugar level in check.

Pancreas Balance: Is a proprietary New Sun formula containing a total of nine herbs that all relate to aiding and supporting healthy blood sugar level. The top notes in this formula are:
Indian Kino Tree bark (pterocarpus) helps support the body’s natural ability to manage and regulate blood sugar levels. Laboratory studies show that the gum resin of pterocarpus can help regenerate the beta cells in the pancreas.

Gymnema sylvestre leaves gymnemic acids, which have been shown to slow the transport of glucose from the intestines to the bloodstream. This, in turn, helps to keep blood sugar levels in the healthy range.

Banaba leaf extract (Lagestroemia speciosa L.), comes from Asia and contains corosolic acid that promotes glucose transport into cells, keeping blood sugar levels on an even keel.

We at New Sun want to encouage you to consider incorporating the wholistic approach for more vibrant health (body, mind and spirit.) There are no “magic pills” but rather a well designed way to approach optimal health. Choose to eat wisely, drink pure water, exercise, massage using pure essential oils, supplement with organic/natural products and feed your spirit.

New Sun offers over 200 products to assist you on your journey to more vibrant health and vitality. Let us work together to achieve the goal of, “A Better Way of Life and Health Naturally.”

New Sun’s mission is to educate and help people to better health and vitality with quality products. When choosing your supplements be sure that they are organic when possible, always free of pesticides, fungicides and other excipients.

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.