A simple approach to every Diabetic’s nightmare: blood sugar control
Diagnosed with diabetes? You are not alone.
It is not easy for anyone to hear that they have diabetes. Today, more than 300 million people suffer from diabetes worldwide. If nothing is done to slow down the epidemic, the number will increase to over 500 million people in the next 20 years.
Why is diabetes serious?
People with diabetes suffer from high blood sugar (glucose) levels, as a result of problems with the production and supply of insulin in the body. There are two main types of diabetes: Type I that affects mainly children and young adults, and Type II that affects mainly adults who tend to be overweight.
Common symptoms of diabetes include:
Unusual thirst
Frequent urination
Unusual weight loss
Extreme fatigue or lack of energy
Blurred vision
Frequent of recurring infections
Cuts and bruises that are slow to heal, boils and itching skin
Tingling and numbness in the hands or feet
If left untreated or poorly managed, the high levels of blood sugar can slowly damage both the fine nerves and the small and large vessels in the body, leading to complications such as:
Blood vessel disease
Heart disease
Blindness
Amputations
Kidney disease
Erectile dysfunction or impotence
What can be done to prevent diabetes complications?
The goal of any Diabetic is to bring his/her blood sugar levels down into the normal range, which is between 4–7 mmol/L (millimoles per litre – the world standard unit for measuring glucose in blood). Various studies conducted over the last 20 years have proven that the level of blood sugar control can predict the onset and severity of diabetes-related complications for both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes. If you have diabetes, and you keep your blood sugar levels as close to normal as possible (4-7 mmol/L), you can live a normal life with few or no complications at all.
Tips for controlling blood sugar levels
Eat healthily: Diabetics are generally advised to eat three small meals and three snacks a day. Get expert advice from a dietician on what to eat and when.
Manage your weight. If you are overweight you are probably battling to achieve good blood sugar control. Losing just 5-10 % of body weight can have a huge impact on lowering blood sugar levels.
Monitor your blood sugar levels daily. It is important to test your blood sugar levels on a daily basis to make sure it is not too high or too low. Keep a record and take it along to your next doctor visit.
Visit your doctor regularly for medical advice and medical checks. Because Diabetics are at increased risk of complications, it is necessary to visit a doctor on a regular basis for a full check-up.
Take your medication as prescribed. If you have been prescribed mediation to control blood sugar, don’t change the dose or stop taking it without consulting with your doctor first.
Lead a healthy lifestyle. Healthy lifestyle options include to stop smoking and to reduce your stress levels.
NEW DIABETIC PLUS mini-meal shake simplifies blood sugar control
DIABETIC PLUS is a new and convenient mini-meal replacement option for Diabetics, or in fact, any health conscious person who wants to keep their blood sugar levels steadier between meals. DIABETIC PLUS is a low GI, low calorie, nutritious meal replacement that can help minimise poor food choices and improve portion control. Furthermore, it carries the GI Foundation endorsement as “Often Foods”.
DIABETIC PLUS contains the correct combination of ingredients to achieve better blood sugar control, which takes the guess work and effort out of having to plan every snack or small meal. The variety of natural ingredients contained in DIABETIC PLUS may also enhance weight loss, increase satiety, lower bad cholesterol, maintain the health of the digestive tract and support the immune system.
In the short run, controlled blood sugar will allow Diabetics to feel better, stay healthy, have more energy and prevent the symptoms associated with high blood sugar, such as thirst, tiredness, loss of weight and blurred vision. In the long term, tightly managed blood sugar levels will lower the chances of developing eye disease, kidney disease, nerve damage and heart disease.
NEW DIABETIC PLUS mini-meal shake contains ingredients that promote steady blood sugar levels
DIABETIC PLUS contains the following ingredients:
Medium Chain Triglycerides (MCTs): provide the fat in the Diabetic meal replacement. They are broken down rapidly in the digestive tract into medium chain fatty acids (MCFA’s) before being absorbed into the blood stream and transported directly to the liver where they are used for energy or converted into acetic acid as they cannot be stored in fat cells. They are beneficial in enhancing weight loss, increasing satiety (feeling of fullness), lowering total and LDL (bad) cholesterol, which can indirectly improve blood glucose control.
Soy protein isolate: lowers LDL-Cholesterol, a predictor of cardiovascular disease.
Whey protein: high in leucine, which may help to improve blood sugar control in Type 2 Diabetics.
Fructo-oligosaccharides and glucomannan (soluble fibre): more readily fermented into short chain fatty acids, lowers cholesterol and triglyceride levels, maintains health of the digestive tract and supports the immune system.
Cellulose (insoluble fibre): helps to bulk up the contents of the colon to speed up movement through the colon.
Sucralose and Xylitol (sweeteners): replace sucrose and the kilojoule/calorie content, which can improve the glucose response after the meal replacement.
Micronutrients specifically chosen to compliment diabetes: calcium, potassium, magnesium, zinc, chromium, vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E and B vitamins.
NEW DIABETIC PLUS mini-meal shake is delicious and easy to use AND HAS BEEN CERTIFIED BY THE NATIONAL INDEPENDENT HALAAL TRUST (NIHT).
DIABETIC PLUS is available in 4 delicious flavours: Strawberry, Vanilla, Chocolate and Café Latté. Just add 35 g (3 scoops) of powder to 300 mL of cold water and mix well in a blender or a shaker. DIABETIC PLUS can be used as a mid-morning, mid-afternoon or evening snack, in place of whole grain crackers, popcorn, fresh fruit, dried fruit, fruit salad, fruit smoothie, slice of whole grain toast, whole grain rusk, etc. Get creative and make a fruit smoothie by blending the required amount of meal replacement (35 g) with a portion of fruit (e.g. banana, 3/4 cup mixed berries, 1 cup pawpaw). To make a freezacino, use the required amount (35 g) of the Café Latté flavoured meal replacement and blend with crushed ice. Use sweetener if necessary for enhanced sweetness.
The DIABETIC PLUS range of products offer a 3-step approach to optimum health for Diabetics
DIABETIC PLUS mini-meal shake forms part of a comprehensive range of nutritional supplements aimed at improving the overall health and wellbeing of Diabetics. Together, these products make up a 3-step approach to improved health for all Diabetics.
DIABETIC PLUS MULTIVITAMIN
Diabetes may be associated with an impaired immune system. As a result the body is more susceptible to bacterial, viral and fungal infections. DIABETIC PLUS MULTIVITAMIN is specifically formulated with a blend of anti-oxidants, amino acids, vitamins and minerals to boost and support the immune system. It should be taken continuously on a daily basis to help prevent contracting diseases, expedite recuperation during illness and boost lagging energy levels.
DIABETIC PLUS LIFESTYLE BALANCE COMPLEX
A micronutrient supplement that supports the general health of Diabetics. It improves Insulin Resistance (Syndrome X), promotes impaired blood circulation, improves insulin efficiency, and prevents nerve damage while supporting insulin’s function to transport glucose into the cells, thereby regulating blood sugar levels.
DIABETIC PLUS mini-meal shake
Delicious snack or mini-meal replacement
Improves and assists with blood glucose control
Affordable – less than R14 per serving
Balanced for optimal nutrition
Endorsed by the GI foundation as “Often Foods”
Tastes great and available in 4 delicious flavours
Improves energy levels
Convenient and easy to use
Portion control improves, therefore weight control too
Low GI (sustainable energy)
Used by Diabetics and non-Diabetics alike
Sucrose free and gluten free
The DIABETIC PLUS range of products is available from pharmacies.
For further information on our range of products, please contact info@diabeticplus.co.za or visit www.diabeticplus.co.za. For more information on diabetes, please visit www.diabetessa.co.za