What are diabetes symptoms? The key signs you need to know and 4 natural ways to manage diabetes

Have you heard that more people than ever in the UK are living with diabetes? This year, Diabetes UK released new research showing that over 5 million of the UK population has diabetes, the highest number on record. Diabetes is certainly common, but it can also be serious and life changing. If you’re diabetic, your risk of stroke and heart attack doubles, and shockingly the disease also leads to 184 amputations a week! Showing just how crucial it is to recognise what are diabetes symptoms.

Those statistics are sobering, but if you have diabetes (or think you might have it) don’t panic. With proper treatment and some lifestyle tweaks, diabetes doesn’t need to hold you back. In fact, a new low-carb diet focussed approach to tackling diabetes, pioneered by UK GP Dr David Unwin has cured type 2 diabetes in some patients. Leading to a complete reversal of all symptoms! So there’s most definitely hope, and some excellent natural ways to help you combat the disease out there.

The first step is getting a diagnosis, so you can start getting the right support and treatment:

So, what are diabetes symptoms?

The most noticeable symptoms of diabetes are tiredness, constant thirst, blurred vision, frequent urination, and weight loss. Do you regularly struggle to get out of bed in the morning? Or find yourself chugging back litres of water, but still feel thirsty?  It could be time for a trip to the Doctors. Likewise, if everything looks hazy or out of focus, or you’re shedding the pounds without trying. These symptoms could signal lots of different conditions, but if you’re experiencing a few of them, diabetes is probably the most likely culprit.

If you’ve been googling, what are diabetes symptoms, you’ll know that these aren’t the only signs you could have it. The side effects can vary wildly from person to person, and some diabetics might not experience any of the classic symptoms! Less well known signs of diabetes include cuts taking a lot longer to heal. Recurring infections, because untreated diabetes can weaken the immune system. Tingling and numbness in your hands and feet (from nerve damage). Also – dry itchy skin, due to high blood sugar levels depleting moisture in the skin. So keep an eye out for these too.

Now you know what are diabetes symptoms, let’s discover the best ways to manage them:

1. Try a low-carb diet

You’ve found out what are diabetes symptoms, seen your GP, and guess what? You’re diabetic! So what next? Your doctor might recommend various medications to keep your blood sugar in check. But it’s also well worth exploring the effect that a low-carb diet could have on how you feel too.

Dr. David Unwin discovered the powerful impact of eating low-carb food when one of his type 2 diabetic patients lost 3 stone and put her condition into remission, after reducing her carbohydrate intake. Following this breakthrough, Dr. Unwin started a dedicated programme offering a low-carb diet to patients with type 2 diabetes in 2013. Since then, he’s helped thousands of diabetics overcome diabetes with diet. Alongside undertaking groundbreaking research that shows cutting down the carbs can dramatically lower blood glucose levels, reduce body weight and send diabetes into remission in some patients. Amazing!

Want to try the low-carb approach? You’ll find a cheat sheet with some of Dr. Unwin’s recommendations here. But as a topline: sugar and starchy carbs are the enemy – try and reduce or cut them out as much as possible. Green veg and salad are your friends, Dr. Unwin recommends “turning the white stuff green”. So replace your lunchtime sandwich with a salad, or try a veggie stir-fry for tea, rather than pasta, or rice. Cheese is ok in moderation, but try and avoid pairing it with a glass of wine – alcohol is FULL of carbs!

2. Get support from supplements

If you’re diabetic and looking for some must-have supplements to support your health, magnesium is essential. Involved in both insulin secretion and glucose utilisation in the body, studies have shown that supplementing with magnesium could help regulate your blood sugar levels. Plus, it will help you feel calmer, sleep better, and can alleviate pins and needles. another symptom you’ll find if you type ‘what are diabetes symptoms’ into a search engine. Our Tri Magnesium Patch, which is packed with the 3 most bioavailable forms of magnesium is here.

Concerned about the impact of diabetes on your cardiovascular health? Get some Omega-3 into your life. Omega-3 helps lower inflammation in your body, which can be a driver for both poor cardiovascular health and diabetes. It has also been associated with improved heart health in people with diabetes. Our Omega-3 Plus Patch contains essential fatty acids ALA, EPA, and DHA. Alpha-Linolenic Acid has also been shown to help reduce blood sugar levels and improve insulin sensitivity – so it’s another great supplement for diabetics.

Diabetes can affect your eyesight because over time high blood sugar levels can damage the small blood vessels in the retina, the light-sensitive tissue in the back of the eye. Getting your blood sugar under control will prevent this from progressing, but it’s also worth supporting your eyes with a specialist supplement. Our Eye Health Vitamin Patch contains powerful anti-oxidants including Vitamins C and E, selenium, lutein, zeaxanthin, and lycopene. All these goodies will help your body to fight cellular oxidation and help lower the risk of eye problems developing.

3. Monitor your blood sugar levels (so you don’t need to rely on just knowing what are diabetes symptoms!)

Once you’ve had a diagnosis from your Doctor, you’ll probably need to check your glucose levels each day. Traditionally the daily blood test was always done with a drop of blood from your finger. Which you would then analyse at home with a blood glucose monitor. Many patients now prefer to opt for a continuous glucose monitoring system. This involves wearing a sensor that measures your blood sugar around the clock and then transmits the results to your phone. It can even generate reports to predict dangerous highs and lows before they happen. Magic!

Alongside these tests, it’s worth keeping a record of your activity and what you ate that day. This will help you understand what triggers have the biggest impact on your blood sugar. Plus – now you know what are diabetes symptoms, you’ll also be more aware of how you feel when your blood sugar levels aren’t where they should be. Forewarned is forearmed.

4. Make exercise a must

Tiredness often comes top of the list if you’ve researched what are diabetes symptoms. Research shows that around half of diabetics report suffering from severe fatigue. Prioritising exercise might seem almost impossible when you feel shattered all the time. But if you can step outside for a brisk walk, or drag yourself to the gym there are so many benefits to be had.

Regular exercise helps to naturally lower your blood sugar levels, and studies have also shown it can improve insulin sensitivity. It will help you to manage your weight, crucial when you consider obesity is believed to account for 80-85% of the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

Plus, it will improve your cardiovascular health, boost your mood and energy levels, and help you sleep better. You should aim for a combination of aerobic exercise like swimming, walking, or cycling, with strength training to feel your very best. But even taking a walk that gets your heart rate up for 30 minutes each day will help you feel more energised and reduce your fatigue. No more duvet days when you’d rather be out enjoying yourself.