Soaring number of South African diabetes cases
The number of South African adults who have been diagnosed with diabetes has more then doubled since 2017 bringing the reported cases up to 4.5 million. This is the highest number on the African continent. Diabetes was also the sixth leading cause of death in South Africa in 2016. We had our in house health care professional do some research around this topic so that we could better understand why diabetes is on the increase and the different ways to assist with some of the symptoms of diabetes.
Types of diabetes
Diagnosis of diabetes is based on blood glucose levels, as follows: fasting plasma glucose level of 7.0 mmol/L or higher is diabetes. A random blood glucose level of 11.1 mmol/L or higher, in a symptomatic person, indicates diabetes. The presenting symptoms of type 1 diabetes are frequent urination, increased thirst, and increased appetite with weight loss. Some of the symptoms of type 2 diabetes include frequent urination, increased thirst and weight gain.
In South Africa, Diabetes type 2 is on the increase due to urbanization and insufficient physical exercise and increasing levels of obesity. Currently, type 1 diabetes is less understood.
Conventional treatment of diabetes
Some of the risk factors of type 2 and prediabetes are: family history of diabetes, history of high blood pressure, overweight, history of polycystic ovarian syndrome, being more than 45 years old, sedentary lifestyle. Conventional medical treatment for type 1 diabetes is artificial insulin which needs to be injected daily. Conventional medical treatment for type 2 diabetes is Metformin (pill or liquid). However, Metformin should be taken with caution as it can have negative side effects such as a build up of lactic acid in the body which can lead to liver problems.
A lifestyle change
Lifestyle management of diabetes include eating fresh and nutritious foods (e.g. fruits and vegetables), avoiding foods that are high in sugar, not drinking excessive alcohol, and exercising for 30 minutes a day for 5 days in a week (e.g. walking or swimming). In addition, a person must be able to recognise signs of low blood sugar during exercise. These signs are dizziness, weakness, confusion and excessive sweating.
Nature’s Relief Moringa Powder
Nature’s Relief Moringa powder leaves contain isothiocyanates which protects naturally against diabetes. Isothiocyanates may also reduce insulin resistance in type 2 diabetes. The high number of antioxidants present in moringa may reduce inflammation, which is very common in diabetics. Inflammation in diabetics can contribute to diabetic complications such as a stroke. It is advisable that you take Nature’s Relief moringa leaf powder or Nature’s Relief leaf powder capsules that contains a wide variety of antioxidants, including isothiocyanates. Moringa leaves also contain chlorogenic acid, which regulates blood sugar. The antioxidants in moringa leaf also protect against damage to the pancreas. It is also recommended that you take the Nature’s Relief moringa seed capsules. The seeds regulate blood sugar levels and have potent anti-inflammatory/antioxidant properties.
Nature’s Relief CBD
Nature’s Relief CBD has anti-inflammatory properties and in diabetes, arterial inflammation is common. CBD can protect against inflammation in diabetes. Nature’s Relief CBD Pain oil may also act as an antioxidant and protect the pancreas from oxidative stress (damage by free radicals). In type 1 diabetes, the pancreatic cells that produce insulin are damaged by the immune system. Therefore, CBD may assist to preserve the pancreatic tissues and restore normal tissue function. It is advisable to take the Nature’s Relief CBD full spectrum oil capsules as this may assist with diabetic treatment due to its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Start with a low dose first to determine how your body responds and whether that dose is effective. The CBD topical salve can also be applied to wounds associated with diabetes (e.g. diabetic foot ulcer), as they also have anti-inflammatory and wound healing properties.
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