(24-05-13) How to prevent diabetes with everyday foods

by Ethan A. Huff, staff writer

(NaturalNews) According to the most recent statistics, about one-third of the
entire U.S. population, or more than 100 million Americans, suffers from either
diabetes or pre-diabetes, a blood sugar condition that can eventually lead to
more serious health conditions and even death. And based on U.S. Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) projections, this number is expected to
double by 2050 if trends continue at current rates. But you and your family do
not have to fall victim to this sweeping diabetes epidemic -- here are some
tips on how to alter your diet and lifestyle to avoid developing diabetes and
potentially succumbing to premature death:

1) Eat more foods rich in quercetin. A member of the flavonoid family of
antioxidants, quercetin has been shown to help lower blood glucose levels and
improve plasma insulin levels, two factors commonly associated with diabetes
(http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19496084). Quercetin also helps neutralize
damaging free radicals and inhibit inflammation, not to mention lower blood
pressure in people with inflammation (http://www.umm.
edu/altmed/articles/quercetin-000322.htm).

Foods that are high in quercetin include apples, citrus fruits, onions,
parsley, sage, green tea, and red wine. Olive oil, grapes, dark cherries, and
dark berries are also rick in quercetin and other flavonoids, according to the
University of Maryland Medical Center (UMMC). And if dietary sources are not
enough, quercetin is also available in supplement form, including in the
Rejuvenate! Plus green superfood formula available at the NaturalNews store
(http://store.naturalnews.com/Rejuvenate-Plus-500-g_p_95.html).

2) A teaspoon of cinnamon a day to keep the diabetes away. Cinnamon contains
powerful blood sugar-stabilizing compounds that not only increase glucose
metabolism by a significant amount, but also mimic the activity of insulin
inside the body. Supplementing with cinnamon can also help slow the speed at
which food empties from your stomach, inhibiting the blood sugar rush that
often comes following a meal high in refined sugar and simple carbohydrates
(http://www.huffingtonpost.com).

Most of the cinnamon you will find on grocery store shelves today comes from
the "cassia" family of cinnamon, which is not necessarily the most medicinal
variety. So-called "true" cinnamon, which is generally not as flavorful or as
easy to find as cassia cinnamon, comes from the "Ceylon" family, and has a much
lower ratio of coumarin, a blood-thinning compound, as well as higher overall
nutrient content. However, all major varieties of cinnamon possess demonstrable
diabetes-fighting properties (http://www.naturalnews.
com/035642_cinnamon_blood_sugar_regulating.html).

3) Eat more broccoli, cruciferous vegetables. Rich in a cancer-fighting
compound known as sulforaphane, broccoli and other cruciferous vegetables are
an important part of an anti-diabetes diet because they protect blood vessels
against cellular damage. Vitamin C, chromium, fiber, beta-carotene, and many
other nutrients found in broccoli help protect against free radical damage,
high blood sugar, and high levels of low-density lipoprotein, or LDL,
cholesterol, all of which are linked to diabetes (http://www.nhs.
uk/news/2008/08August/Pages/Broccolianddiabetes.aspx).

4) Exercise more, and cut out the junk food. This one might be a little more
obvious, but simply engaging in physical activity regularly can have a huge
impact on whether or not your body succumbs to a diabetic condition. Since
obesity and poor physical health are major factors in diabetes, it only makes
sense that exercising and eating right are important components for staying fit
and maintaining healthy blood sugar levels. It is best to start with shorter,
higher-intensity workouts to get your metabolism going and lower insulin and
leptin resistance, and gradually add in appropriate cardiovascular workouts.

As far as diet is concerned, it is best to avoid wheat and gluten-containing
foods as these have been shown to interfere with glucose metabolism. Foods that
contain ingredients like high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS), enriched flour,
hydrogenated oils, artificial flavors, preservatives, food colorings, and
genetically-modified organisms (GMOs) should also be avoided if you are serious
about preventing diabetes. Stick with whole, organic foods; limit consumption
of grains, including whole grains; and consume healthy fats, including
saturated fats from unrefined coconut oil and grass-fed butter and pastured
meat for optimal health (http://www.charlespoliquin.com).

5) Make sure you are getting plenty of magnesium and probiotics. More than 75
percent of the American population is said to be deficient in magnesium, a
mineral your body needs to activate more than 300 unique and necessary
biochemical reactions. Your bones, cells, organs, and tissues all rely on
magnesium to function properly. Without enough magnesium, your immunity,
skeletal system, heart, and circulatory system are all at serious risk. Making
sure you intake high amounts of magnesium is crucial for protecting against
hypertension, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes (http://ods.od.nih.
gov/factsheets/Magnesium-HealthProfessional/).

Similarly, probiotic bacteria, which populate the gut and regulate the immune
system, are essential for thwarting the onset of diabetes. A study published
earlier this year found that altering the microbiota balance of obese patients
at high risk of diabetes can help reverse the metabolic effects linked to
diabetes (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22798958).

To learn more about preventing and curing diabetes, visit:
http://www.naturalnews.com/030150_diabetes_Americans.html

Also, check out the book How to Halt Diabetes in 25 Days:
http://www.truthpublishing.com/haltdiabetes_p/yprint-cat21267.htm

Sources for this article include:

http://ndep.nih.gov/diabetes-facts/index.aspx

http://www.menshealth.com/spotlight/diabetes/12-powerfoods.php

http://www.deathtodiabetes.com/Super_Foods_for_Diabetes.html

http://www.diabetesincontrol.com/issues/Issue_306/cinnamondiabcare.pdf

http://www.ranker.com

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