While pharmaceutical advancements remain in the limelight for the aggressive treatment of diabetes and health leaders express their support to pile on the diabetes prescriptions at the time of diagnosis for diabetes, the average Joe is diverted into thinking that the current standard of care for diabetes is better than ever, but it’s not. Why in the world would I ever say something so controversial? Because it’s true.
You may believe that focus on blood sugar is the key to diabetes care. I always hear people complain, “My sugar is too high” or “I have a touch of sugar” and why not when professionals test you for diabetes they test your blood sugar and of course, say now you must manage your blood sugar. Blood sugar greater than 110 mg/dl is considered a problem. Updated care guidelines are advances in care so improvements happen. Let’s be thankful for this. We probably should be grateful to the pharmaceutical companies because they have a lot more money to be made when more people can be “screened in” to need medication. It can be viewed as a win win for both the public and the drug companies. You get early detection they get your money.
However, I think the public gets the short end of the stick on this one. By the time you get high blood sugar readings you have lost years of prevention that no one has told you about. Experts know that prior to any blood sugar irregularity insulin levels are elevated. According to a recent study, excess insulin output by the pancreas occurs as early as 13 years before blood sugar starts to increase. An elevation in blood sugar is the result of years of abuse that your pancreas has withstood.
It would seem prudent that we focus on insulin levels first to identify with the earliest stages of “blood sugar” disorders (diabetes, hypoglycemia, PCOS, insulin resistance, syndrome X…). The first signs of need for intervention is when insulin levels start rising. There are no clinical guidelines for insulin levels currently. So here’s where I begin my personal overview on diabetes care. My next few blogs will be dedicated to helping you get an easy and simple understanding of the intricacies of managing blood sugar.
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About the author
Valerie Goldstein
Valerie raises the bar for health and nutrition know how with unconventional expertise and unconditional support for wellness.
A normal blood sugar level is between 70 and 80. One teaspoon of sugar, 4 grams, can raise your blood sugar to 100, which is the highest point you would want it to be, especially if you are diabetic. Planning your meals, smaller and more frequent, can help to control your levels. Careful examination of your food choices is paramount. Stay away from “simple carbs,” cakes, cookies, processed foods, and cling to “complex carbs,” fruits and veggies. Proteins and Fats, HDL, can be very helpful to maintaining healthy levels.