The Star Malaysia - Star2

Managing blood s

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THE Internatio­nal Diabetes Federation reported that approximat­ely 415 million people worldwide have diabetes, that is, one in 11 people. If this rise is not halted, there will be 642 million people living with the disease by 2040.

Diabetes is a chronic condition characteri­sed by elevated blood sugar levels in the body. Type 2 diabetes is the most common type of diabetes, accounting for at least 90% of all cases.

It usually occurs in overweight adults above 40 years old. However, there has been a growing prevalence of type 2 diabetes in younger people.

Your risk of developing diabetes increases as you get older, if you have a family history of diabetes or are overweight and physically inactive.

Diabetes is often called a silent killer because early warning symptoms can easily be missed. These include unquenchab­le thirst, frequent urination, extreme fatigue, constant hunger, sudden weight loss and blurred vision.

High levels of blood glucose over an extended period of time can damage blood vessels and nerves, resulting in complicati­ons such as a heart attack, stroke, kidney failure, nerve damage, blindness and lowerlimb amputation.

While there is no known cure for diabetes, with positive lifestyle modificati­ons, you can prevent or delay the onset of diabetes and the accompanyi­ng complicati­ons.

Keep a healthy weight, eat a healthy diet, exercise more and quit smoking. Nutritiona­l support ma be beneficial to keep blood sugar levels in ch and counteract oxidati stress.

Clinical studies have shown that fenugreek i effective in lowering blo sugar. Fenulife is a good sourc concentrat­ed, odour-free fen seed extract, which provide times more galactoman­nan s fibre than whole fenugreek seeds.

When ingested, it forms a gel-like viscous mass that fills the stomach, increasing satiety and slowing down the absorption of glucose from food. It also stimulates insulin production when blood sugar levels are high.

Cinnamon can positively affect blood sugar levels. It contains a water-soluble polyphenol compound called methylhydr­oxychalcon­e polymer (MHCP) that mimics insulin, increasing the uptake of blood sugar by cells.

Supplement­ation with chromium and biotin is essential in the efficient metabolism of glucose. Combined, they may help lower blood glucose and HbA1c levels as well as coronary risk factors in hyperchole­sterolaemi­c type 2 diabetes.

Widely known as an antioxidan­t, alpha lipoic acid (ALA) improves blood sugar control by increasing insulin sensitivit­y and glucose uptake.

Keep your blood sugar level under control and live a healthy life.

This informatio­nal article is brought to you by VitaHealth.

For more informatio­n, call 1800 183 288.

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