HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – An estimated 8,500 people are newly diagnosed with diabetes every year.
Another estimated 39,000 people are unaware they have diabetes.
November is National Diabetes Awareness Month.
Dietitians, nutritionist, and researchers are spreading awareness about the effects the disease can have on a person’s health as well as healthy ways to treat it.
Dash Corpe is a registered dietitian nutritionist and expert in diabetes care.
Holding a master’s degree, Dash used to work at Kapiolani Medical Center specializing in diabetes education.
Today, she runs her own private practice, A Dash of Nutrition, where she is dedicated to helping people implement real-world, sustainable strategies to improve their metabolic health.
“Find a dietary pattern that works best for you. I think there is a myth that there’s only one ‘right’ way to eat to manage blood sugar, but that’s simply not true” said Corpe.
Corpe noted some foods which could naturally lower blood sugar.
Some included Malunggay, or moringa leaves, bitter melon, broccoli sprouts, Ceylon cinnamon, avocados, leafy greens, and beans.
Mariana Gerschenson, Ph.D., is a tenured professor at the UH Dept. of Cell and Molecular Biology and Director of the Diabetes Research Center John A. Burns School of Medicine.
Gerschenson research lab is focused understanding how pre-diabetes goes to diabetes. She warned the dangers of going undiagnosed can lead to serious health complications.
“It’s never too early to know your basic numbers. Things like your height, weight measurements, your blood sugar, and your blood pressure,” said Gerschenson.
“You can start having eye and kidney problems. You can also have what’s called neuropathy which is when start losing sensation in the bottom of your feet,” said Gerschenson.
Click here for information on the American Diabetes Association in Hawaii.
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