Those who are diagnosed with diabetes live with the constant challenge of trying to regulate their blood glucose levels through meal planning, physical activity, weight control, medications and/or insulin.

Management of these levels is a delicate balance.  However, those who over-regulate their levels can also run the risk of having low glucose levels.  Problems associated with low glucose can include risk of unconscious hypoglycemia.

The American Diabetes Association (ADA) recommends that individuals with diabetes be personalized by a doctor or other certified nutritionist to help adhere to an individual’s particular circumstances.  The Institute of Medicine did however establish a Dietary Reference Intakes (DRIs) to be used as a basis.  The DRIs recommends a diet that has:

• 45-65% total calories from carbohydrates
• 20-35% total calories from fat
• 10-35% total calorie intake from protein.

Physical Activity:

The ADA recommends at least 20 minutes per day of moderate intensity physical activity.  Some common forms of physical activity include:

• Walking
• Biking
• Jogging
• Aerobics

Weight Loss:

A substantial amount of control over glucose levels can be gained with a mere 5% loss of the initial body weight.

The 5% loss weight loss mark can also signify measurable improvements in blood pressure, cholesterol and reduced the risk of heart attack.

Medications:

When diet and exercise are not enough to control a person’s diabetes, it is time to rely on a medication to help with glucose regulation.

Medications can increase the amount of insulin produced by the pancreas, decrease the amount of glucose produced in the liver and help insulin to work more effectively.

Insulin:

Insulin is required for those with Type 1 diabetes.  Some with Type 2 may also require insulin, but this is subject to individual factors and will be determined by one’s physician.

As with any condition it is important to ask a physician before starting any sort of treatment or diabetes management routine.