Improve Your Health

The way that diabetes is talked about makes it sound like an inevitable condition. Perhaps one that’s been around for a significant period of time and, owing to out increasing ages – the telltale signs such as blood sugar wobbles, a thicker waste, a lack of energy – are bound to get to us at some point soon. However, unless you’re born with diabetes mellitis – aka Type 1 – which people with genetic traits are born with, then there’s all likelihood of you going on to develop Type 2, or so-called Lifestyle Diabetes. You might have even consulted your doctor about a cluster of conditions, only to be shocked to be diagnosed as having the thankfully reversible prediabetes, or Type 2 itself, which can thankfully be fought in its…

Four weeks for optimal insulin? In this guide we’ll look at various natural solutions to balance blood sugar, but an Ayurvedic approach to health could make a whole new title! So sticking to insulin control, CuraLin (£59, curalife.com) has 10 Ayurvedic herbs, proven to balance blood sugar and insulin production in those with type 2 diabetes. ‘Users report their glucose control quickly improves and, in some cases, is classed as ‘normal’ within four weeks. Users also reporter reduced sugar cravings, plus bette energy, sleep and general life quality, says Dr Sarah Brewer. 24%...that’s by how much your risk of developing diabetes is reduced if you regularly eat fermented foods such as yogurt, sauerkraut or kefir*. A natural alternative To tackle your blood sugar, look to the plant compound berberine –…

Balances blood sugar in diabetics Formulate Health Amlow Blood Sugar Formula (£22.99 for 60 capsules, formulatehealth.com) helps reduce blood sugar levels thanks to a blend of amla fruit extract, pterostilbene, chromium and alpha lipoic acid (ALA). Saberry amla extract can help reduce glucose levels in both healthy and diabetic people, while Silbinol pterostilbene is an extract from the Indian Kino tree, which helps maintain healthy blood sugar and cholesterol levels. Add in antioxidant ALA, which can restore vitamins E and C levels, and chromium to regulate insulin and glucose metabolism, and you’ve got a powerful sugar-balancing supplement. Boosts your metabolism JSHealth Metabolism + Sugar Support (£29.99 for 60 tablets, uk.jshealthvitamins.com) reduces sugar cravings, boosts metabolism and stabilises blood sugar levels. Chromium and zinc help with the metabolism of glucose, carbohydrates…

Hype up the HIIT High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) is an extremely effective way to build lean muscle mass, lose weight and improve insulin sensitivity. HIIT can be performed in various ways, for example jogging on the spot for 30 seconds fl at out followed by 30 seconds of star jumps, 30 seconds of vertical jumps and a rest for 30 seconds. Repeat the sequence 3-4 times. BLOOD SUGAR BALANCER: If you are new to exercise, start slowly – only do one round of a circuit, then build up week by week. EAT MORE MIGHTY MACROS A survey by Ryvita found that 42 per cent of Brits don’t eat any daily fruit or veg! You should aim for 30g daily, particularly as fibre reduces type 2 risk, plus cuts bowel…

HEALTH EXPERT Dr Sarah Brewer is a registered medical doctor, nutritionist and author of 60+ books on traditional, natural and complementary medicines (drsarahbrewer.com). Q Could Type 2 ever be reversible? A Type 2 is the most common form of diabetes that arises when the body continues to produce some insulin, but muscle and fat cells become resistant to its effects. Type 2 diabetes is closely linked to obesity and is largely a preventable disease. You cannot ‘reverse’ type 2 diabetes in the sense of curing it, but when you are able to lower and balance your blood sugar over the long-run, many people refer to that as ‘reversing’ your type 2 diabetes. In some cases, it is possible to regain normal glucose control in type 2 diabetes by following a…

MAINTAINING A healthy weight is essential for everyone’s fitness and vitality. Keeping the numbers on your bathroom scales within the healthy range for your height protects against heart disease, osteoarthritis and cancer. Being overweight can also trigger or exacerbate Type 2 diabetes. About 4.6 million people are living with diabetes in the UK and the condition is estimated to cost the NHS £10 billion every year. Having diabetes means your blood glucose level is too high, which over a certain amount of time can damage your heart, eyes and kidneys. Type 2 diabetes is when your body doesn’t produce enough insulin or your insulin doesn’t work effectively. Type 1 is when you can’t produce any insulin at all. Around 90 per cent of people in the UK with diabetes have…