{"id":1236234,"date":"2022-10-27T12:57:39","date_gmt":"2022-10-27T12:57:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ghanamma.com\/2022\/10\/27\/lifestyle-changes-to-help-control-your-diabetes\/"},"modified":"2022-10-27T12:57:39","modified_gmt":"2022-10-27T12:57:39","slug":"lifestyle-changes-to-help-control-your-diabetes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ghanamma.com\/2022\/10\/27\/lifestyle-changes-to-help-control-your-diabetes\/","title":{"rendered":"Lifestyle changes to help control your diabetes"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Adopting a healthy lifestyle can help you manage your diabetes.<\/p>\n
It may also improve your critical health numbers, including weight, blood sugar, blood pressure, and blood cholesterol.<\/p>\n
Speaking of diabetes, A new study has found that women with type 2 diabetes (T2D) may live five years less than average; and being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes at a younger age may reduce life expectancy by more than eight years. <\/p>\n
The research presented at the European Association for the Study of Diabetes Annual Meeting in Stockholm examined data from over 12 000 English patients with T2D over a ten year period and found that the risk of early death was 84 percent higher in people with diabetes. <\/p>\nAdopting a healthy lifestyle can help you manage your diabetes. Picture: Pexels\/Element Digital<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
We had a chat with health and wellness expert Vanessa Ascencao who noted that South Africa has one of the highest rates of diabetes in sub-Saharan Africa. <\/p>\n
Ascencao said an estimated 4.6 million South Africans have diabetes, half of whom are undiagnosed and at least 95% of diabetes is caused by being overweight or obese, an issue that affects half of all South African adults.<\/p>\n
\u201cDiabetes can be managed by following a holistic approach to health. Optimise your health by maintaining healthy blood sugar levels and a healthy weight whether you have diabetes or not. <\/p>\n
\u201cAt least 80 percent of people with prediabetes are unaware that they have it, so make sure to follow a healthy diet rich in nutrients and foods as close to nature as possible,\u201d she said. <\/p>\n
Asked about some lifestyle changes one can make to help control diabetes, she noted the below.<\/p>\n
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Increase intake of fruit such as oranges, melons, blueberries, bananas, and grapes. <\/li>\n
Vegetables, especially non-starchy and dark green leafy vegetables like broccoli, kale, spinach, carrots, peppers, and tomatoes. <\/li>\n
Healthy fats such as nuts, pumpkin and flax seeds, avocadoes, olive oil, and fatty fish such as salmon. <\/li>\n
And eat lean protein and fibre-rich foods such as brown rice, legumes, lentils, and beans.<\/li>\n
Plan healthy meals ahead, have a regular meal routine, avoid highly processed and sugary foods and avoid stimulants like smoking, caffeine, and alcohol.<\/li>\n
Try high-quality supplements like nutrient-dense, 100% nature-based Marcus Rohrer Spirulina shown to have powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Studies show that spirulina may help balance blood sugar levels and blood pressure in patients with type 2 diabetes and may reduce blood lipids and triglyceride levels which protects against heart disease and metabolic syndrome.<\/p>\n
In addition, exercise regularly, manage stress, practice mindfulness, and work towards a healthy sleep routine of at least eight hours of restorative sleep a night.<\/p>\n
Read the latest issue of IOL Health digital magazine here.<\/p>\n