Over 100 Million Americans Are at Risk<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Every year, more and more people are diagnosed with diabetes. Insulin-dependent, type 1 diabetes often begins in childhood (which is why it was once called \u201cjuvenile diabetes.\u201d) On the other hand, type 2 is no longer called \u201cadult onset diabetes.\u201d That\u2019s because today it often affects young people, even children. Of the two forms of diabetes, type 2 is by far the most common. Its growth is driven mainly by the growing numbers of Americans who are overweight and relatively inactive physically.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to CDC data, three out of four adults in the U.S. are overweight. That means they have a Body Mass Index (BMI) over 25. Around forty percent of them are actually obese – their BMI exceeds 30. Half of the people who are considered overweight by the CDC believe they are at a healthy weight for their height. Most of them are wrong. Anyone – regardless of weight or BMI number – who has consistent issues with their blood sugar levels should learn about the glycemic index<\/strong> and add healthy food for diabetics<\/strong> to their shopping list.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n In the United States, the CDC estimates that over 38 million people have diabetes \u2013 that\u2019s more than 11 percent of the population. Around nine million of them don\u2019t even realize they have it<\/em>. Although excessive thirst and frequent urination are the condition\u2019s most common symptoms, in its early stages type 2 is often asymptomatic. Untreated diabetes is very dangerous.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Even worse, nearly 100 million Americans have a condition known as prediabetes. This means their blood sugar level isn\u2019t high enough to be considered type 2 diabetes but it is still higher than normal. Untreated prediabetes usually develops into full-blown diabetes. People who have a hard time managing their blood sugar should consider a prediabetes diet<\/strong> that\u2019s focused on low glycemic foods<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The first step for anyone with consistent blood sugar issues, including the light-headed feeling which often accompanies low blood sugar, is getting tested. \u201cUndiagnosed or untreated diabetes could exist in individuals who haven\u2019t undergone regular screening for high blood sugars,\u201d explains Dr. Vidya Aluri, MD, of UnityPoint Health. There are many ways to go about this, but one of the best is to get an inexpensive at-home test from Kyla Clinics<\/a>. A male or female primary care panel costs just $99. Along with information on blood sugar, you\u2019ll receive data about critical hormone levels, cardiovascular health, and liver and kidney function. You\u2019ll also learn about any inflammation markers that indicate an elevated risk for cancer.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n The cost may even be covered by insurance. Just complete a simple health quiz which will reveal some areas where you can improve your health. Then select the appropriate at-home blood test<\/a>. The test will arrive in a few days, along with instructions for sample collection. Simply return it to our labs at no cost. Not only will you discover if your blood sugar levels put you at risk for diabetes, but you\u2019ll have the opportunity to consult with a Kyla doctor who will deliver personalized advice to improve or maintain your results. From there, you can continuously track your progress with nutrition and lifestyle enhancements. You\u2019ll be able to set goals while taking daily actions using the Kyla app<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Whether your blood sugar puts you at risk or not, learning about the glycemic index<\/strong> is invaluable. That\u2019s because eating more low glycemic foods<\/strong> can help you maintain a healthy weight while reducing your risk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n What Is The Glycemic Index and How Can it Help Diabetics?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Developed in 1981 at the University of Toronto by Dr. David J. Jenkins, the glycemic index<\/strong> was meant to be part of a diabetes diet<\/strong>. When food is consumed, it takes time for it to be digested. As food is broken down, it releases glucose into the bloodstream. The glycemic index<\/strong> measures the way food affects \u201cglycemia\u201d \u2013 how much glucose is found in the blood. High glycemic foods<\/strong> are digested quickly. This causes glucose to flood the bloodstream, rapidly spiking blood sugar. Blood sugar levels then plummet – often causing a lightheaded, dizzy feeling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Conversely, because low glycemic foods<\/strong> take longer to be digested, glucose is released into the bloodstream much more slowly. Blood sugar levels remain stable. Low glycemic foods<\/strong> also make fewer demands for insulin. This hormone\u2019s primary function is to transport glucose collecting in the bloodstream and deliver it to various cells which then transform the glucose into energy. If the amount of glucose in the blood is too high, it overwhelms the insulin. Any glucose that isn\u2019t transported collects in the bloodstream – which can lead to prediabetes or even diabetes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Eating lots of low glycemic foods<\/strong> not only reduces the need for insulin but actually reduces the risk of someday developing insulin resistance or prediabetes which often leads to type 2. Fortunately, this condition can be successfully managed through lifestyle changes \u2013 eating healthy foods and exercising regularly. However, half of those diagnosed with type 2 diabetes will need insulin injections within 10 years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n So what foods are low on the glycemic index<\/strong>? Well, the lowest ones don\u2019t even register. Blood sugar is unaffected by carbohydrate-free foods. So meats like chicken and beef, along with fish like tuna and salmon, or oils score a zero on the glycemic index. Most nuts are also very low (although adding sugar to them will raise their number). On the other end of the scale, a teaspoon of sugar will definitely raise blood sugar levels – pure sugar of any quantity earns a 100. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Anything between 1 and 55 is considered a low-glycemic food<\/a>. Despite their \u201cnatural sugar,\u201d most fruits fall into this category as does milk, vegetables, beans, and some grains. Keep in mind that a very ripe banana has a higher glycemic index than one that is still a little green. Ripeness of fruit, along with how food is prepared affect its glycemic index. Adding certain ingredients like honey or sugar will also raise a food\u2019s number on the index.<\/p>\n\n\n\n High glycemic foods<\/strong> are often ultra-processed foods like microwavable meals, along with sweets like cakes, cookies, and ice cream. Instant potatoes, corn flakes, and French Bread also make this list. One of the many myths about diabetes is that it comes from eating too much sugar. While a diet heavy in sweets like cookies and ice cream can cause weight gain and high body fat levels which leads to diabetes, sugar alone is not the culprit. However, someone who avoids sweets but eats a diet heavy in processed foods is at just as high a risk of developing diabetes as someone who eats sweets. Also, someone who exercises and maintains a healthy body weight can indulge occasionally in sugary treats without risking the condition. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The “in-between foods” that fall between 56 and 69 on the glycemic index<\/strong> include some fruits like cantaloupe, cherries, and apricots along with most breakfast cereals and bread. Fruit and yogurt, almonds and other nuts, or peanut butter with apples are among the best healthy snacks for diabetics<\/strong>.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n Studies have shown that not only does a diet focused on low glycemic foods<\/strong> improve blood sugar management but it can also help people lose weight and reduce their risk for cardiovascular disease. However, some doctors have pointed out that even strict adherence to the glycemic index<\/strong> doesn\u2019t guarantee a healthy diet. Buttered bread, for instance, digests more slowly than plain bread \u2014 meaning it\u2019s lower on the glycemic index<\/strong> while having more calories and fat. That\u2019s why professional guidance is so important. <\/p>\n\n\n\n By meeting with a Kyla doctor, you\u2019ll discover the best way to not only maintain healthy blood sugar levels but a healthy lifestyle as well. By charting your progress and inputting your data into the Kyla app<\/a>, you\u2019ll soon find yourself incentivized to take control of your own well being. With Kyla\u2019s anti-aging treatments<\/a>, you will not only manage your blood sugar but achieve long-lasting changes. By taking proactive steps today you can enhance your well-being tomorrow \u2014 enjoying years, even decades of healthy life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Sources<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com\/kyla.com-wordpress\/p\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/04114923\/shutterstock_2462628699-1024x681.jpg\")
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