Do you really know what Diabetes is? If you are not sure here's a brief explanation.

Diabetes is a chronic health problem stemming from elevated blood sugar. The body's metabolism of carbohydrates, proteins, and fats lead directly to the production of glucose, otherwise known as blood sugar.

Now glucose is needed to supply energy to every cell in the body. If glucose levels become too elevated, it presents a toxic danger to every organ in your body. People with type 1 diabetes experience a deficiency of insulin, a hormone produced by the pancreas that transports glucose into cells.

In diabetes type 2, the cells are resistant to insulin, even blocking the blood sugar's entry into the cells. This type of diabetes is growing at alarming rates among children, even though it's considered as  "adult-onset diabetes". The American Diabetes Association now estimates that up to 45% of newly diagnosed children and teens have type 2 diabetes.

Here's the symptoms of diabetes: In adults it includes excessive thirst, increased urination, fatigue, blurred vision, weight gain, yeast infections, gum problems, rashes, impotence in men and tingling and burning in the extremities. In children the symptoms are often different. Most children are obese or overweight and asymptomatic. (Lacking evidence of disease)

Approximately 10% of the U.S. population has diabetes. 41 million Americans are living with pre-diabetes. That's defined as a condition in which your blood sugar levels are higher than normal but not at a diabetic level.

So the treatment for diabetes is as follows:

(1) Follow a diet high in fiber, vegetables, nuts, seeds and peas, or lean animal protein (turkey, chicken and fish) and whole grains, water-soluble fibers found in oat bran, beans, nuts and apples. All these help to balance blood sugar.

(2) Consume vegetable proteins, which include legumes, nuts, seeds and peas, or lean animal protein (turkey, chicken or fish) with each meal. Protein drinks that have low sugar levels are good.

(3) Focus on quality fats. Salmon and other fish as well as nuts and seeds are excellent "good fat foods" that help combat disease. Another good idea to integrate more quality fats in your diet is use olive oil and flax oil in your salads.

(4) Eat several small meals a day. This keeps your insulin and blood sugars regulated 

(5) Since hormone deficiency has been linked to diabetes, you need to eat lots of brewer's yeast, wheat germ, whole grains, soy products, onions and garlic.

(6) It's also a good idea to eat plenty of berries, plums and grapes that contain vital chemicals that protect your vision.

Now here's is what to avoid:

Simple sugars of which the offenders are: desserts, candy, sodas and other sweets. Also white refined bread and cow's milk. Eliminate alcohol and limit caffeine to one cup of coffee a day. Also avoid artificial sweeteners such as Equal, Sweet and Low, or Sucrolose. Use healthier sweeteners such as Stevia or Xylitol.

The recommended health supplements for those with diabetes are:

                     * Chromium: Improves tolerance and balances blood sugar levels.