by Mario Carini

Created on: August 10, 2010

Over 20 million Americans today are diabetic and some 54 million more are on the verge of becoming diabetic. These are frightening statistics. Blood sugar disorders are becoming an increasing problem throughout the world as more people are coming down with this debilitating disease.

Hunger, thirst, frequent urination, fatigue, irritability, loss of feeling in the feet and failing eyesight are all symptoms that you may be diabetic. Not everyone, however, will experience these symptoms. A great number of people are diabetic, but don't know it. According to the University of Maryland, by the time a blood sugar imbalance is diagnosed, most people will have lost 50% functioning in their pancreas and are on the road to kidney failure and heart disease.

A family history plays a part in whether you are more susceptible to becoming diabetic sometime during your lifetime. Age, exposure to environmental toxins, obesity, drugs and a stressful lifestyle can all lead to a diagnosis.

Insulin, produced by the pancreas, helps to shuttle excess blood sugar out of the bloodstream and into the cells of the body where glucose can be used for energy. Without that glucose, you feel constantly tired, unable to get through your days while the excess sugar in the bloodstream begins to damage the organs of the body.

If you are diabetic, there are natural methods you can use to control your blood sugar so you can stay healthy and avoid the complications that strike so many people.

Lose Weight

Fully 90% of diabetics are overweight or obese. Shedding just 7% of the excess weight can help toward better blood sugar balance. That's difficult to do as many have become used to a diet high in fats, sugar and unwholesome chemicals. 

Exercise

One of the problems that create blood sugar imbalance is due to the lack of activity. A sedentary lifestyle leads to poor blood circulation. The extremities of the body are often the first to suffer as they don't get the oxygen they need to function. But the good news is that you  don't have to run a marathon to benefit from exercise. Just 30 minutes of walking every day can help improve circulation for cardiovascular health. Walking is the simplest and one of the best ways to get exercise. Instead of taking an hour for lunch, a 30 minute brisk walk will burn off those calories before they add to the body's sugar overload.

Change Your Diet

What you eat has a big impact on blood sugar. Some foods are quickly converted into glucose. Too much glucose

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