The soaring number of South African diabetes cases
The number of South African adults who have been diagnosed with diabetes has more than 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
Diabetes is a condition in which the body cannot process blood glucose (blood sugar). This leads to a raised blood sugar level. Complications of diabetes include stroke and heart disease. There are different types of diabetes and managing it depends on which type is present. In type 1 diabetes, the body cannot produce insulin. In this condition, people are insulin dependent. They therefore take artificial insulin daily. In type 2 diabetes, the body still makes insulin, but the body cells do not respond to insulin effectively. Type 2 diabetes is the most common type and is strongly linked with obesity. Gestational diabetes occurs during pregnancy. However, it does not occur in all women. Gestational diabetes resolves after giving birth. In prediabetes, the blood sugar level is higher than normal but not so high as to be considered as 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 for type 2 and prediabetes are: a family history of diabetes, history of high blood pressure, overweight, history of polycystic ovarian syndrome, is more than 45 years old, and a 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 includes 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 a week (e.g. walking or swimming). In addition, a person must be able to recognize 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 protect 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. You should 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.