A sweeter year for a diabetic

     My cousin Norly was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes, as a result of hereditary genes, and eating more than the fair share of sugary food leading to his obesity. Type 2 diabetes happens when our body cells do not react to insulin anymore and our pancreas does not produce enough insulin resulting to glucose overload. Without insulin, the sugar we eat stays in our bloodstream, endangering our body's systems and organs. Complications suffered by diabetics varied from poor eyesight, kidney problems, heart conditions and bad circulation.
     However, while there is an increasing incidence of this disease, especially nowadays trend of instant noodles and sugar mixtures they called "juice drinks", life has become easier for many of us, simply because we now have high tech drugs, and that we know that exercise can help, with more and more sugar-free food available in the market.
     That's why now is the perfect time for a resolution to combat this dreadful disease, first by adapting a healthier lifestyle.  Find an exercise you like to do, at the very least, walking with your dog is a good start.  Also, never underestimate the power of sugar-free sweeteners known to be safer and more naturally made. More and more pastry shops are offering sugar-free desserts like chocolate and cheesecake, or a sugarless coffee. And then, of course, you have to carefully follow your doctor's advice and stay on top of your medication.
     My cousin's internist put him on a new drug called Januvia(sitagliptin phosphate).  Research shows that this drug is the first in a new class of drugs known as DPP-4 inhibitors, which enhance the body's natural ability to regulate insulin and lower its own blood sugar levels.  It helps keep insulin to do its job, thus the blood sugar is better controlled.  Thankfully, his diabetes is not out of  control just yet, and he managed to lose some weight.  At his age of 54, stress and fatigue, which often come with a businessman's job description, can be just as bad as a bowl of refined sugar.
     It's your choice to be vigilant about making sure your diabetes will not turn into a life-threatening situation. After all, diabetes or not, life and health are too precious not to celebrate.