Pulse of Oriental Medicine: Alternative Medicine That Works for Regular Folks
Alternative Medicine That Works for Regular Folks

 
       
   
 

11 Tips for Preventing Diabetes

by Lynn Kuchinski

The incidence of diabetes in the United States has risen to staggering heights. You can cut your risk of diabetes with a few simple life-style changes. Try adding one of these per week or every other week. You will be surprised by your improvement!
  1. Eliminate processed foods from your diet, especially white sugar and white flour products. These products dramatically stimulate the production of insulin in the body and over time will promote the vicious cycle of high and low blood sugar levels.
  2. Include all unprocessed foods in your diet, such as proteins, complex and unrefined carbohydrates, vegetables, whole grains and legumes (beans and bean products) especially soy based products.
  3. Eat foods that support digestion. In other words, avoid overly greasy foods, ice cold drinks, alcohol, raw and uncooked foods, hot, peppery foods, coffee, and too much fruit. Avoid daily juice drinks since these also overly stimulate the production of insulin.
  4. Stop drinking sodas. Sodas are acidic in nature and loaded with sugar and chemicals. Sodas are detrimental to both the digestion and source of your energy.
  5. Find some type of exercise that you really enjoy and just do it! Pumping iron is not for everyone. You would probably benefit most from some kind of cardiovascular exercise to keep to blood moving, like swimming, yoga, stretching, and bicycling. Take a walk every day.
  6. If you live with a dog or cat, play with them daily. Animals live in the moment and love to play. This is a great way to break stressful daily routines.
  7. Practice Chinese self massage every morning by stimulating the acupoints on the body and limbs to help promote the flow of qi and blood in the channels.
  8. Learn how to really relax. This means bodily relaxation as well as mental repose. Take advantage of the many spiritual resources, books and tapes out there.
  9. Take a look at the old habits and patterns of your life and ask yourself what you can do to make your life better. Take up tasks and hobbies that are interesting to you and break the normal routine of your day.
  10. If you know that you have too much stress in your life, then find a solution. This may be finding a new job or new, more supportive relationships. Understand that stress alone can kill you, and if you smoke and consume alcohol to escape stressful situations, you are only fooling yourself.
  11. Find a Chinese medical practitioner who can help you maintain good health with Chinese medicinals and acupuncture. If you visit with a practitioner on a regular basis, before you become ill, then you avoid many other more serious problems later. Remember that the strong suit of Traditional Chinese Medicine is prevention.

* Want more? Read: Diabetes Type II, Diet, and Lifestyle Q&A.

LYNN M. KUCHINSKI has practiced Chinese herbal medicine and acupuncture in Albuquerque, NM since 1994. She specializes in the treatment of digestive disorders and gynecological complaints. Her favorite pastime is translating Chinese medicine and she has had several articles and translations published in English-language journals and newsletter on Chinese medicine in both the US and England. Controlling Diabetes Naturally with Chinese Medicine is her first published book.

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All information herein provided is for educational use only and not meant to substitute for the advice of appropriate local experts and authorities.
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