FOODS THAT HELP CONTROL DIABETES

Diabetes is a common illness closely linked to excess weight and obesity.  Certain changes in the diet of people with this disease are essential, since poorly treated diabetes can even lead to death.  Weight loss and a balanced diet adapted to each person’s needs can improve the quality of life of people suffering from this disease.

There are certain nutrients, minerals, vitamins and other food substances that we can take advantage of, since they help maintain blood glucose levels and thus help control diabetes better.

CHROMIUM is a mineral that helps glucose (sugar) enter cells and, consequently, keeps it from accumulating in the blood.  This mineral can be found in foods such as beans, garbanzos, lentils, whole grains, broccoli and black pepper.

1 out of every 3 people with diabetes has been documented to have a possibility of low levels of magnesium in the blood.  MAGNESIUM is a mineral that helps regulate blood sugar levels and reduce insulin resistance, which is beneficial for keeping the disease under control.  We can find high contents of this mineral in foods such as nuts, almonds, soy, wheat germ and green leafy vegetables (such as spinach, leeks and mustard greens).

If diabetes is not controlled adequately, there may be various consequences including heart and nerve tissue problems.  We can prevent this through our diet if we frequently eat foods with a high VITAMIN E content. This vitamin can be found in foods such as avocado, wheat germ, corn, olives, asparagus and vegetable oils.

In addition to being considered a fabulous antioxidant, ALPHA-LIPOIC ACID is a component in certain foods that, according to researchers at the Diabetes Institutes at Eastern Virginia Medical School in the United States, can help prevent or reduce the pain and burning in hands and feet caused by diabetic neuropathy, in addition to increasing insulin sensitivity.  We can get these benefits by eating foods with this acid, such as red meats (lean cuts), apples and spinach.

Fiber is a component of certain foods that not only is good for improving the digestive process, keeping food moving properly through the digestive tract and contributing to adequate frequency of bowel movements.  It is also beneficial for cases of diabetes since it helps with glycemic (blood sugar) control by reducing the absorption of fats and sugars.  Fiber-rich foods are those derived from whole grains, such as bread, cookies and crackers and whole grain cereals, as well as fruits, vegetables and legumes (beans, lentils and garbanzos).

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