Better Blood Sugar in a Bowl

Get yourself on the fast track to better blood sugar with a bowlful of this at breakfast: oatmeal.

Studies show it may have the power to both prevent diabetes and help control blood sugar in those who already have it. Pretty powerful for lumpy stuff.

Points for Oatmeal
In one study, people with diabetes and out-of-control blood sugar followed a brief oatmeal-only diet. In just 2 days, their fasting blood sugar levels fell by 40 points -- a huge drop. They were able to reduce their insulin doses -- but don't even think of trying that without speaking to your doctor first. And we're not advocating eating oats for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, either. But spooning it up regularly at breakfast seems like a mighty fine idea. (Find out why adding cinnamon to your oatmeal boosts blood sugar benefits. And apples, too!)

Dump Diabetes Today
The reason oatmeal is such a great grain for blood sugar is the beta-glucan -- a form of fiber that creates a thick gel that slows down digestion after a meal, so blood sugar stays lower and steadier. And it works at a molecular level to reverse insulin resistance, when cells ignore insulin's signal to absorb blood sugar (the root cause of prediabetes and type 2 diabetes). Take these four other steps toward proven diabetes control:

• Eat. Follow this 1-2-3 formula for success.
• Whittle. Learn why targeting belly fat is job one.
• Move. Stroll along to these short (less than 15 minutes!) walking videos.

Here's what you need to know about prediabetes.

RealAge Benefit

Reducing your risk of diabetes by losing excess weight can make your RealAge half a year younger for each year you have good control of blood sugar and blood pressure.

References

Actively patrolling your health can make your RealAge as much as 12 years younger. Take the RealAge Test  Copyright 2010 RealAge