Diabetes is a condition generally caused by a lack of the hormone insulin in the body. The result is a hazardous accumulation of glucose in the blood. Although there are many factors that contribute to this condition, one way to regulate blood sugar is to follow a healthy nutrition regimen. In this article, we shall discuss five foods that can help lower blood sugar levels and keep diabetes in check:

Broccoli
Broccoli contains tons of nutrients and is an essential part of wholesome nutrition. This food is also great for lowering and regulating blood sugar. Chopped or chewed broccoli releases the compound sulforaphane that helps reduce and maintain the blood-sugar levels in the body. To efficiently obtain sulforaphane from broccoli, having it raw or steamed is ideal.

Whole wheat
Bread is typically filled with carbohydrates that can negatively affect the overall blood sugar level. But research has shown that stone-ground whole wheat bread actually scores very low in terms of the glycemic index. This low score is attributed to the fact that stone-ground whole wheat bread does not lose its essential fibers. These fibers help slow the process of digestion and, in turn, help to lower and regular blood sugar levels in the body.

Nuts
Nuts are perfect snacks; they’re healthy, contain tons of nutrients, are high in fiber, and have healthy fat. To top it off, they are also ideal for lowering or regulating blood sugar as they are low-glycemic foods. Nuts have a gradual impact on blood sugar, which makes them the right choice for diabetes patients. Nuts also contain vitamin E and omega-3 fatty acids that help keep with heart health. Some popular nut choices include almonds, walnuts, and peanuts. Note that unprocessed nuts have a lower glycemic index compared to those that have toppings and coatings.

Oatmeal
Oatmeal is known to have high fiber content and a low glycemic index score, making it the recommended nutritional food for lowering blood sugar. Studies have also shown that oat and oat bran contain high soluble fiber content that has significant blood-sugar reducing properties. Oatmeal also contains B-glucans that can reduce glucose and insulin responses and improve insulin sensitivity.

Garlic
Garlic is another great food that is known for its numerous health benefits. One of these benefits is lowering and managing blood sugar levels in the body. In fact, studies have shown that garlic can help control blood sugar by raising the levels of insulin in the body. Garlic contains compounds such as allicin, allyl propyl disulfide, and S-allyl cysteine sulfoxide that help increase insulin sensitivity in the body. While eating raw garlic can be very difficult, individuals who suffer from conditions that affect their blood sugar levels can try to add this ingredient to their foods. Garlic can be chopped up or crushed before adding to meals. Individuals should check with their doctors before this addition as eating lots of garlic can contribute to heartburn, bad breath, and acidity.

Diabetes and kidney damage
Statistics show that 1 in 3 adults develop chronic kidney disease (CKD) triggered by either Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes. The risk is high among diabetics. That is why regular kidney screening is recommended for high-risk patients. Doctors suggest KERENDIA® for diabetes CKD Type 2 treatment. This once-a-day prescription helps slow down the progression of kidney damage. Trials have indicated that KERENDIA® also lowers the chances of kidney failure.

People with diabetes mellitus may be at an increased risk of developing tardive dyskinesia (TD), a movement disorder. For those suffering from TD, INGREZZA (valbenazine) is an excellent treatment option. It helps treat various TD symptoms by blocking certain chemicals that may affect involuntary muscle movement. INGREZZA comes in the form of capsules and is usually taken once a day. Some of the side effects include headache, dizziness, dry mouth, restlessness, constipation, and blurred vision.

Dexcom G6
The Dexcom G6 is a continuous glucose monitoring system to manage Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes. Once inserted beneath the skin, the device measures blood glucose levels and sends the data wirelessly to a display device.

Roche Diabetes Care, Inc.
Roche makes Accu-Chek products that help people with diabetes. A few products from Roche’s Accu-Chek include lancing devices, insulin delivery systems, blood glucose meters, and digital solutions to manage data.

Toujeo
Toujeo is a long-acting type of insulin prescribed to people with type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Doctors may suggest an appropriate dosage for every individual to get blood sugar levels under control. Toujeo insulin may be used by itself or in combination with a fast-acting insulin. One may use Toujeo insulin discount cards like Toujeo Insulins Val you Savings Card to avail of discounts on the purchase.

Diabetes is a chronic disease and the source of various co-morbidities. While the condition is manageable, it can lead to unpredictable flare-ups. This is why life insurance and Medicare supplemental insurance are important for diabetics. John Hancock, Mutual of Omaha, AIG are some popular insurance providers for those with Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes.