More than 20 million adults living in the United States have type 2 diabetes, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports. The causes of diabetes are many and include obesity, poor sleep habits, and a sedentary lifestyle. The American Diabetes Association recommends diet and lifestyle change as the forefront of diabetes treatment. If you have diabetes, follow the advice of your doctor and dietitian. Also, adhere to the diabetic meal plan designed for you. In addition, consider taking flaxseeds, which have powerful benefits for the diabetic.
Heart Disease
Although diabetes itself can lead to serious health issues like nerve damage and vision loss, the leading cause of death in diabetics is actually heart disease. The American Diabetes Association states that your risk of suffering from heart attack or stroke doubles if you have diabetes. Fortunately, flaxseeds can help reduce the risk of heart disease. The National Institutes of Health reports that flaxseed can lower both total and "bad" LDL cholesterol. Milled, crushed, or ground flaxseeds are ideal for heart health as they tend to contain more cholesterol-lowering dietary fiber than flaxseed oil alone.
Hemoglobin A1c
Doctors and dietitians consider hemoglobin A1c an important indicator of blood sugar control. As opposed to a "spot" blood sugar check -- which is a snapshot of your current blood sugar level -- hemoglobin A1c determines your blood sugar control over a three-month period of time. Flaxseeds may help improve your hemoglobin A1c levels when combined with a healthy diet and lifestyle, the U.S. National Library of Medicine reports. The Library warns that taking flaxseed may actually cause your blood sugar to fall too low. When introducing flaxseeds into your diet, let your doctor know and monitor your blood sugars regularly.
Weight Control
Getting to and staying at a healthy weight is a crucial component of diabetes management. However, weight loss is a struggle for many diabetics. A diet rich in fiber can help curb appetite and promote fullness more than a low-fiber diet, Taylor Wolfram of Case Western Reserve University reports. In his study published in the August 2010 issue of "Endocrine Practice" Taylor and his colleagues found that a high-fiber diet improved glucose metabolism, insulin sensitivity, and weight control in subjects with type 2 diabetes. A 14-gram serving of whole flaxseeds contain four grams of dietary fiber, Peer Trainer reports.
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