How to Control Diabetes

Here’s what researchers know about how to control blood glucose (blood sugar) in diabetics: It’s not easy, but it can be done. It takes hard work. And could save your life.

An important new study by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) showed that tight control of blood glucose can reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke – which is the number one killer disease in a diabetes patients.

For most people with diabetes, keeping blood glucose under tight control is not so easy. Recent data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shows that less than 45 percent of Americans with diabetes can achieve the level of NIH control. But it can be done, and the National Diabetes Education Program (NDEP) has materials that can help.

National Diabetes Control Program, Diabetes Education teach campaign materials for you diabetics  patients how to recognize the ABC-what their A1C (blood glucose test), blood pressure and cholesterol numbers, what they should be, and how to work with their health care team to achieve these goals. The materials also offer ideas to stick to a healthy eating plan, ways to stay active with physical activity, and other tips to feel better and stay healthy.

NDEP materials are easy to read, and is available in English, Spanish, and in 15 Asian and Pacific Islander languages. NDEP has been designed for high-risk diabetes, including American Indian and Alaska Native, African American, and Hispanic / Latin. And all NDEP materials are based on science, which is supported by the federal government, and free copyright.

For people with diabetes, controlling blood glucose with blood pressure and cholesterol can save their eyesight, their limbs and their lives.