The Sweet Tooth Struggle

Donuts, cakes, cookies, lollypops, and popsicles. My mouth waters just thinking of these sugary snacks. Turns out there's actually a good reason for it:

"The rationale behind it is that sugar stimulates the brain to produce certain “feel good” hormones such as serotonin, which relieve stress and anxiety. Although it provides a temporary relief, but eating large amounts of sugar is linked to myriad health problems, including diabetes, obesity, high blood pressure, and other disorders." - Beat Your Sugar and Starch Addiction at iControlmyhealth.com

Short Term Effects
High blood sugar levels can result in fatigue, the inability to concentrate, or blurred vision. If levels spike into dangerous levels even for a short time, it can result in what's called "Ketoacidosis" or a diabetic coma. This requires emergency medical treatment.

Long Term Effects
Long-term consequences of untreated high blood sugar levels can have devastating. See the video called, "What Diabetes Can Do" to the right. Health effects and include:

• Heart disease - Heart disease and stroke are the number one cause of death and disability in people with type 2 diabetes

• Kidney disease - Diabetes is the leading cause of kidney failure

• Nerve and blood vessel damage - About half of all people with diabetes have some form of nerve damage

• Blindness - People with diabetes are at an increased risk for eye complications that can lead to blindness

• Gum disease - People with diabetes, especially those with poor blood sugar control, are at a higher risk for gum problems

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For more information, helpful videos and delicious recipes that are diabetic friendly, visit the Healthy Now and Later food and recipes tab.