Controlling Diabetes

Diabetes is one of the most common diseases facing mankind today and is ranked among the top ten causes of death worldwide. It is a condition which results from a lack of insulin, a hormone produced by the pancreas and needed for the assimilation of glucose, amino acids and fatty acids by the body for energy or storage.

For the prevention and control of diabetes, here's some tips from Dr. Rodolfo I. Talag, taken from one of his medical newspaper writeups :

1. Eliminate all products that are high in sugar and white flour, such as cookies, cakes, ies, ice cream, candy and pastries. In addition to these foods, those found in full=fat dairy products such as butter, cheese and ice cream, block insulin activity in the blood.

2. Fiber is the key element to combat diabetes. Vegetables, fruits, beans, and whole grains rovide greater fiber to help slow the release
of sugar into the bloodstream, When increasing fiber-intake, we also need to increase our water intae to hel move the fiber through the intestines. If you don't drink enough liiquid, fiber can cause constipation.

3. A good way to reduce the craving for sweets is to kee protein levels steady. Dr. Talag suggests to include in your diet at least 3 oz. servings of fish, poultry, and other foods high in protein each day, including up to 4 eggs per week,

4. Zinc, an essential trace mineral, act as insulin cofactors and should be supplemented to the diabetic's diet. Zinc forms part of the insulin component secreted by the pancreas and is directly involved in the body's metabolism of carbohydrates. Some of the best sources of zinc are lean red meat, eggs, pumpkin seeds, whole-grain cereals and dried beans and legumes.

5. Chromium, another essentiall trace mineral, is absolutely necessary for proper insulin function because it regulates the metabolism of sugar. This mineral is useful for both diabetics and hypoglycemics, those with low blood sugar. The best food sources seem to be brewer's yeast and wheat germ.