In this fast-moving world, from past to current years, new technology evolves and enhances the growth of people. Similarly, new diseases and disorders are evolving day by day along with the modern lifestyle. The most dangerous diseases which are existing from the previous generation until the current generation are Diabetes, AIDS, cancer, etc. Out of these, diabetes is the most dangerous and equally alarming. Diabetes can be caused by various factors such as genes, lifestyles, environmental factors, etc. Moreover, in this article, we are going to explore how to control diabetes and control sugar, where we are going to see how to reduce the blood sugar level. We are also going to explore the various types of food to lower blood sugar and also many home remedies for diabetes.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is caused due to metabolic dis-regulation in your body and it is prevalent globally. Moreover, it tops the chart for one of the major diseases that affect human health. When the insulin is not produced or used properly in the body, then it will tend to increase the blood sugar level in the body. This condition is called diabetes.
Insulin and glucose metabolism
The question of how to control sugar can be answered when understanding how the insulin and glucose metabolism that happens in our system. The carbohydrates from your food will be broken down into glucose and it supplies as vital energy throughout your body. The pancreas will secrete a hormone called insulin. It will help glucose to enter the cells in the blood and it will be used as energy in your body. If the insulin is not produced or is not functioning properly, then the glucose will remain in the blood itself. So this will directly increase the blood sugar level in your body which will cause severe diabetes.
Normally, the liver and muscle will store extra glucose in the form of glycogen and it will use when the body is in a starving condition. Insulin will regulate the production of glucose from the liver when it is necessary. But, in the case of diabetes patients, insulin levels will not be able to control the glucose level in the blood. Moreover, this will lead to a rise in glucose levels, in the blood.
Blood glucose level for adults
- The random blood sugar level is between100-200mg/dl.
- A fasting level of blood sugar should be less than 100mg/dl.
- Before a meal, the blood sugar level is 70- 130mg/dl.
- After a meal (about 2 hours), the blood sugar level is less than 180mg/dl.
- Prediabetes fasting blood sugar level is 100 to 125mg/dl.
- A diabetic patient will have above 126mg/dl.
How to reduce blood sugar level in hyperglycemia
The blood sugar level will be so high, because of the improper production of insulin in the body. This condition is called hyperglycemia and if it is untreated, it will lead to a diabetic coma. So try to reduce the intake of sugar content foods. Lack of control of sugar in the blood is caused due to lack of physical activity, improper life and food style, uncontrolled medications, skipping regular dietary schedules, etc. Moreover, it will also cause major damage to several organs and parts of the body. So, try to check with the nearest doctor and follow up on proper treatment when it is confirmed with hyperglycemia.
How to control hypoglycemia
The lack of sugar levels in the blood will lead to very low blood sugar levels and it is called Hypoglycemia. Glucose is the main fuel for every activity, so if the glucose level goes down it will lead to permanent damages when left unnoticed. Eating sugar content fruits or juices will help to overcome the hypoglycemia. Check with the local doctor and follow the proper treatment.
Types of Diabetes
The following are different types of diabetes. They are Type 1 diabetes, Type 2 diabetes, gestational diabetes, and prediabetes.
Type 1 diabetes
For, type 1 diabetes patients, Insulin will be not able to produce in their bodies. Their immune system will itself encounter and destroy the insulin. So the patients should take insulin every day, otherwise, they will die. Type 1 will occur among children and young adults mostly.
Symptoms
Blurred vision, sudden weight loss, numbness, excessive thirst and hunger, frequent urination, fatigue, infections can affect the patients very easily, etc.
Risk factors for type 1 diabetes
The autoantibodies will damage their own immune cells. Regular intake of insulin will help to avoid microbial infections in the body. Family history (hereditary genetics problem), environmental factors such as exposure to viral diseases make them critical. Diabetic ketoacidosis is a serious complication for mostly type 1 diabetes. When there is blood sugar that is too high for a long time, then there will be a build-up of acids in the body called ketones. Hence it is called diabetic ketoacidosis. Moreover, DKA will be produced when there is insufficient production of insulin in the body. It should be treated immediately, if not it will lead to a heart attack. Also, they will have physical or emotional trauma, high fever, etc.
Treatments to control diabetes Type 1
For type 1 diabetic patients, insulin production will be not there. So they should take the insulin every day via injection or insulin pump or an insulin pen to control the sugar level. Normally type 1 people will be get monitored for the blood glucose level in the body. According to that, they will take the required amount of insulin in their body.
Rapid acting Insulin will help to reduce the blood sugar level and it will effective till 3 – 4 hours.
Short-acting insulin will work efficiently for 5 to 8 hours and this helps to regularise the insulin level in the body.
Intermediate-acting insulin will work effectively for 12 to 18 hours and often it will be taken along with short-acting insulin type.
Long-acting insulin will work effectively for 24 hours and it will be taken during the morning or evening or night before sleep.
Type 2 diabetes
For type 2 diabetes patients, insulin secretion will be dis-regulation. The insulin production will be insufficient or the body will be resistant to the insulin. Nowadays, type 2 diabetes is the most common disease among people.
Symptoms
Blurred vision, suddenly lost weight or sudden gain of weight, excessive thirst, frequent urination, numbness, fatigue, lack of energy. So they will feel more hunger, blurred vision, infections can affect the patients very easily.
Risk factors for type 2 diabetes
Overweight, physical inactivity, obesity, hereditary genes, different lifestyle, high blood pressure, age factors, abnormal cholesterol level.
Treatments to control diabetes type 2
Following the proper healthy diet with regular exercise and a good lifestyle is the best home remedies for diabetes. There are some drugs to control sugar and can control diabetes. Patients should take oral medications. If it is not sufficient, doctors will prescribe them the combination therapy.
Drugs like metformin, sulfonylureas, DPP-4- inhibitors, Biguanides, Thiazolidinediones, Meglitinides, Glucagon-like peptides, etc., will help to control diabetes.
Gestational diabetes
An increase in high blood sugar levels during pregnancy time is called gestational diabetics. Generally, a gestational diabetes test will be taken during pregnancy. There will be more complications for mother and fetus in the womb when it is untreated. Moreover, in later years, the child has a chance to get type 2 diabetes.
Complications of gestational diabetes
During the time of pregnancy, the placenta will produce hormones. These hormones will make cells resist against insulin, so it will cause macrosomia. Macrosomia is a condition in that babies will attain growth than normal levels that is babies’ growth will be 8 pounds 13 ounces. This macrosomia will cause difficulty for delivery and cause injuries to the baby. Complications like premature, jaundice also can affect people. Baby can get low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) and also even death can happen. The mother’s vagina will be injured and after delivery and there will be excessive bleeding. The mother will be get affected by preeclampsia. The condition includes damage to the organs system like the liver, kidney, etc., and a high rate of blood pressure.
Treatment to control gestational diabetes
The continuous monitor will help to prevent gestational diabetes. Try to follow a healthy balanced diet and mild exercising will help to reduce the blood sugar level in the body. Follow the doctor’s instructions and implement it without fail.
Prediabetes
Sometimes, people will have a high rate of blood glucose levels than the normal desirable level in the body. But they will not have enough conditions to consider type 2 diabetes. Thus, this condition is called prediabetes. Prediabetes patients have a high risk and symptoms to get type 2 diabetes.
Risk factors
Overweight, physical inactivity, age factors, hereditary, high blood pressure, polycystic ovary syndrome, abnormal cholesterol level.
Treatments to control diabetes (prediabetes)
Try to eat healthy foods and more physical activity is mandatory. Try to reduce the weight according to your BMI. Moreover, oral medications like metformin will help to reduce the blood sugar level in the body.
Complications caused by diabetes
- Cardiovascular diseases
- Alzheimer diseases
- Skin related diseases
- Hearing impairment
- Nerve diseases or neuropathy
- Eye diseases or retinopathy
- Foot diseases
- Kidney damage
- Circulatory system damage
How to reduce blood sugar level?
An increase in blood sugar level can be reduced by routine following the healthy habits in your daily routines.
Daily workouts to control sugar and control diabetes
Nowadays, diabetes starts with obesity, overweight, physical inactivity, etc. Try to do the regular exercise in your home or workout in the gym daily. Moreover, this will help to properly streamline the blood flow and there will be no accumulation of fats in your body. Glucose will be used well by the muscles. Today our lifestyle also plays a major reason for diabetes. So try to regularize your day-to-day activities with proper workouts.
Avoid Skipping of foods to control diabetes
When the food is skipped, your body will tend to lose energy and you will get tired very soon. This will tend to waste your whole day’s activities. So definitely make a schedule for a day and proceed with your plans. By following the proper schedule you can avoid skipping your food. This is because skipping food will tend to low blood pressure. This might also cause the rise of blood sugar levels in the blood. Make sure to eat on time, because the irregular time of food intake will lead to many problems like fatigue. Even polycystic syndrome may have a chance to get for women.
How to control sugar with low GI foods?
The glycaemic index (GI) helps for food assessment, whether the food will affect the blood sugar level in your body or not. This will help to determine the amount and types of carbohydrate food intake affect the bgl level in the body. Always try to take low glycaemic foods which will help to reduce both type 1 and type 2 diabetes. It will be most helpful for prediabetes patients also because of the controlling of fats and carbs intake in your body. This will be able to stabilize the glucose level in the body.
Chromium containing food will help to regulate the blood sugar level. Whole grains, oats, green leafy vegetables, fruits, legumes, dairy products, okra, yogurts, berries, avocado, seafood, eggs, non-starchy vegetables, potato, etc. These are very effective low glycaemic foods to lower blood sugar. It should be included in daily food and it is the best home remedy for diabetes.
Stress- free life to control sugar & diabetes
Try to live a stress-free life, by doing yoga and meditations regularly. Because the stress will cause your hormones imbalance which will change your body into the worst state. Take enough sleep, because improper sleep will increase your stress level. This will also increase appetite and body weight. Keep your mind and body fit as well as mentally fresh by doing pranayama, meditation & yoga regularly. Because this will boost the energy and it will make balance to your body. One of the home remedies for diabetes is to try to do aerobics or go a regular walk or jogging or cycling at your convenience of time. This will help to get rid of cardiovascular diseases, etc.
Stay hydrated to reduce blood sugar level
Drinking water regularly will help to keep the control blood sugar level within the limits. In general, water will help to flush out unwanted toxins. Moreover, it also removes the excess of sugar from the blood via urine. A normal person should drink averagely 3 to 4 liters per day, this will also help in weight loss and increase the metabolic rate.
How to control sugar by self monitering
Diabetes patients should monitor their blood sugar levels daily without fail. Tracking the level will improvise the regulation and help to control diabetes. Even you can take the food content calories and also can work out. Take the medications accordingly to your blood sugar level for the respective day.
How to control diabetes?
A healthy diet should be strictly followed by diabetic patients. A good home remedy for diabetes is following the glycaemic index (GI). The GI will help to calculate the carbohydrate foods that affect the blood glucose level in the body. It helps to maintain the glucose level in your body. A balanced diet is very important to manage your calories and sugar level in your daily intake of food. This is because if the calories and the sugar level are high in food. Because of this, there will be an uncontrollable sudden rise of blood sugar level in your body, which is very dangerous.
Try to avoid food containing saturated fat like cheese, butter, high-fat milk, cream, animal fat products, certain meat products, certain oil types. Many people have a chance to get overweight, so try to avoid eating more junk foods. So concentrate on healthy food to lower blood sugar.
Food to lower blood sugar
How to control sugar with Fiber foods
Normally fiber content food will reduce the cholesterol level in your body, so this you can avoid cardiovascular diseases. Fibers will not digest quickly, but scientists have found out that it will help to reduce the blood sugar level in your body. Fiber is plant-based food and it contains carbohydrates. Dietary fibers are a good home remedy for diabetes. It is found in vegetables, legumes, fruits, whole grain foods because it can help to maintain a balanced healthy weight. Moreover, it is good healthy food for cancer and also one of the best home remedies for diabetes.
Dietary fibers are classified into two types; soluble and insoluble fibers. Insoluble fibers help to work well in the digestive system and will help with the constipation problem. Soluble fibers are rich in food like soya, lentils, oat bran, citrus fruits, etc. Insoluble fibers are rich in food like wholegrain, nuts, beans, cauliflower, potatoes, wheat bran, cereals, seeds of some vegetables and fruits, etc.
Green leaf vegetables to reduce sugar
Green leaves of spinaches, chards, kale, collards are rich with minerals, vitamins, iron, folic acid, calcium, and potassium. Intake of green leaves will help to control diabetes. Kale contains flavonoids anti-oxidants which helps to reduce the blood sugar level in the body. You can make salads, soups, or curry dhal with the spinach for your healthy diet which will be the best home remedies for diabetes.
Broccoli to reduce blood sugar level
Out of all the available food to lower blood sugar, broccoli and its extracts containing various bioactive compounds have a tendency to reduce the blood sugar level in the body. Other beneficial additives such as minerals, vitamins C, A, K, B9, potassium, phosphorous, protein, carbs, and fibers also help. It has anti-oxidant properties, so it will help to neutralize the damage of cells. This is because cells will get damaged by free radicals.
Broccoli is rich in glucoraphanin and this compound has the ability to convert into an anti-oxidant called sulforaphane and this will happen during digestion. This sulforaphane helps to reduce the cholesterol level, oxidative stress, blood sugar levels. Moreover, it is resistance to other diseases like cancer, heart attack. Intake of broccoli during pregnancy will help in the development of organs like the brain, spinal cord in newborns. Regular intake of broccoli will help to control diabetes.
Citrus fruits to control sugar
The citrus fruits are rich in vitamins C and A which contains anti-oxidant properties. Citrus fruits contain the following phytochemicals neohesperidin, naringenin, and naringin help in preventing diabetes, and also help to control obesity. Continuous intake of citrus fruits will help to reduce the blood sugar level in the body. Citrus fruits have a low glycaemic index, proper regulation of the liver, and also boost the blood circulation. Citrus fruit consumption is one of the best home remedies for diabetes that can be followed easily.
Nuts to reduce blood sugar level
Eating nuts like almonds, cashews, peanuts, etc., regularly will help to control diabetes and regulate the blood sugar level in the body. Nuts are rich in vitamins, minerals, protein, fibers. It also contains omega 3 fatty acids, magnesium which helps to maintain the heart and as well it includes in a well-balanced diet.
Garlic to control diabetes
Intake of garlic regularly will improve the production of insulin, so this tends to control the blood sugar level in the body. Over intake of garlic is bad to health, where it will cause nausea, gas, etc. Garlic contains bioactive compounds like allicin, diallyl disulfide, diallyl disulfide, diallyl trisulfide, alliin, etc. These compounds will help in antioxidants, anticancer, antimicrobial, anti-obesity, anti-diabetic, cardiovascular activities. Moreover, Garlic will help to reduce the cholesterol level in your body and good home remedies for diabetes.
Avocados to control sugar
Intake of avocados, which contains monosaturated fat, vitamin E, C, K, potassium, beta- carotene, potassium, fibers, minerals. Moreover, this will help to reduce the blood sugar level in the body. It helps to encounter the metabolic syndrome in the body and also, in reducing weight and in improving insulin sensitivity.
Seafood to control sugar and diabetes
Salmon, tunas, cod, shrimps, crabs are good essential seafood for diabetes patients. Basically, seafood is rich in vitamins, minerals, fats, antioxidants which will help to regulate the metabolism in the body. Protein plays a major role in reducing blood sugar levels in the body. Moreover, crab is rich in chromium which will help insulin to regularise the sugar level in the blood.
Yogurt to control sugar and diabetes
Yogurt is a probiotic content food that will help to regulate and reduce the high blood sugar in the body. Basically, it will help to reduce fasting blood sugar and keeps your body healthy. Many yogurts might contain extra added sugars. So try to do it at home itself otherwise look for unflavoured yogurt which will be more beneficial. Try to take protein-rich yogurt and avoid carb content yogurt.
Berries to reduce blood sugar level
Intake of berries will help to reduce the blood sugar level in your body. Basically, berries are rich in vitamins, antioxidants, minerals, fibers and they will be effective for prediabetes patients. Blueberries, strawberries, raspberry will improve insulin sensitivity. Moreover, try to take 2 small cups of berries regularly and scientifically proved it has reduced post-meal blood sugar level in the body.
Oats to control diabetes
Intake of oats and oat bran will help to reduce the blood sugar level in your body. Oats and oat bran are soluble fibers because it has low glycaemic index food in nature. Moreover, it will help to reduce the post-meal blood sugar level and it is one of the best home remedies for diabetes.
Editor’s view to control sugar and diabetes
Diabetes is one of the dangerous diseases in the world, but we can control and prevent diabetes as well by following good hygiene practices. Try to follow the best home remedies for diabetes mentioned in this article. Diabetes can be a hereditary disease or it can come due to our lifestyle or by environmental factors or age factors. Basically, leading a stress-free life and following a healthy balanced diet with regular workouts will help to prevent and control diabetes.
Make sure your food should always be nutritious and try to avoid junk foods. Try to take food to lower blood sugar, which is glycaemic index food in your diet plan. This will help to control and regularize the blood sugar level in your body. All the above-mentioned remedies are all general facts based on various dietary inputs from various sources. The best way to handle diabetes is to consult the doctor regarding both allopathic and natural ways to tackle and manage diabetes.
FAQs regarding how to control sugar & diabetes
The dysregulation in control of sugar levels in the blood, leading to elevated levels of (blood glucose) blood sugar as a result of insulin dysregulation is referred to as hyperglycemia and if it is untreated, it will lead to a diabetic coma. So try to eat food to lower the blood sugar levels in the body.
Gestational diabetes is sudden increase in blood sugar level during pregnant time and this will lead to more complications to mother and newborn.
Edito’s Note | How to Control Sugar
In this pandemic situation, try to follow the social distancing in hospitals, gyms, medical shops, etc. If one isn’t able to go to physical fitness centers, then doing simple exercises from home will be much better during this pandemic. Working from home will decrease physical activity, so try to do your regular workouts. COVID-19 virus has a tendency to live in humid conditions, so try to hand wash before and after touching anything. COVID-19 risk shoots up for those with diabetes and associated disorders, so extra care has to be taken to control diabetic levels and immune levels during this pandemic.
