Type 2 Diabetes: How to Step Up to Get it Down

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If you or a loved one have type 2 diabetes, you are not alone. More than 18 million Americans have type 2 diabetes.
Type 2 Diabetes: How to step up to get it down

Many people with type 2 diabetes to control blood sugar is a struggle every day. In fact, a report issued by the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists (AACE) show that two out of three Americans with type 2 diabetes analyzed in a study last year that do not control their blood sugar.

It is important to control blood sugar because it lowers the risk of serious health problems later. Diabetes can lead to heart disease, stroke, blindness, loss of limbs and kidney disease.

But now, there's new help to better manage diabetes type 2. The life and fitness coach Bob Harper of NBC's "The Biggest Loser" and a panel of diabetes experts made easy to understand and motivational steps people can take to drop their blood sugar. They called 6,5 step towards control blood sugar better. The steps are different because they can fit easily into everyday life.

"Through years of coaching and training, I have worked with many people with type 2 diabetes and have seen how difficult it can be living with this disease," said Bob Harper. "But I learned that anyone can change their life. It's all about finding the right tools and motivation. I encourage people with type 2 diabetes that step and use the steps 6,5 and make them a part of everyday life . "

Measures 6.5 can help people with type 2 diabetes every day because they focus on the basics of diabetes management: eating healthy, being physically active, monitoring blood sugar and, when appropriate, taking one or more medications. These all play a role to help lower blood sugar.

Healthy Eating: Healthy eating reduces the risk of complications such as heart disease and stroke. A good selection including many foods, such as vegetables, whole grains, fruits, nonfat dairy products, beans, and lean meat, poultry and fish. There is one type of food is perfect, but watch the portion size is key to a healthy diet.

Physical activity: Regular physical activity can lower blood sugar levels. It also can help manage weight and reduce the risk of developing heart disease and high blood pressure. There are little things that people with type 2 diabetes can do every day to be more active, such as walking with a friend or taking the stairs instead of the elevator.

Blood Sugar Monitoring: There are two tests to check your blood sugar. One test is a blood sugar monitoring that patients do themselves. This gives people with diabetes check their blood sugar level at the time the test is taken. The other is called the A1C test. A1C test shows a blood sugar level that the average person for two to three months earlier. Experts say that the good A1C goal of 6.5 percent or less for most people with type 2 diabetes.

Drugs: Most people with type 2 diabetes take medications to help control their blood sugar levels. Many require more than one medication to help treat the disease in different ways.

For people with type 2 diabetes, it is vital that they cooperate with their physician or other health care professional and consider them as partners. They must work with the health care team to make plans to get their blood sugar under control.