Highly processed and refined foods made of simple carbohydrates are quickly transformed into glucose. Highly processed food creates high spikes in blood sugar. The pancreas must then produce a great amount of insulin to move the excess glucose out of the bloodstream. This often overtaxes the pancreas and with constant consumption of high glycemic foods, the pancreas can burn itself out leading to diabetes.

With the hectic pace of life that most of us live, we eat foods that are easy to digest but have a bad effect on our health.

A diet of whole foods, consisting of fresh fruit and vegetables helps regulate and keep blood sugar in balance. But quick breakfasts consisting of sugar and lunches filled with fat do little toward a healthy balance in glucose.

What can help lower your blood sugar?

Drugs can lower glucose but there is a cost with their side effects. They do nothing to avoid the complications of blindness and nerve death that occurs in many diabetics.

Fully 90% of all diabetics are overweight or obese. Weight loss should be the top priority. The simple act of losing a few pounds can help reduce blood sugar. It has been shown that the extra "spare tire" we carry around acts much like a separate organ in the body, secreting compounds that make it difficult for the cells to open up and accept glucose. Many type 2 diabetics are Insulin Resistant. Because the cells cannot open up, high levels of blood sugar and insulin remain in the bloodstream where it damages the kidneys, heart and impairs overall circulation.

Regular exercise has the extra benefit in helping glucose move into the muscle tissue where it is needed to fuel activity. Most people do not exercise enough or not at all. A sedentary lifestyle works against the maintenance of proper health and well-being.

Smoking, excessive drinking and high stress levels have a damaging effect at maintaining blood sugar.

To lower blood sugar means a total change of one's lifestyle, something not easy to do for the majority of people. Weight loss and exercise are the two most important activities that avoid the dangers of diabetes, yet are the most difficult to do.

To lower your blood sugar you need to follow these simple steps:

1. Eat a low glycemic diet rich in fiber. That includes fresh fruits and vegetables.

2. Lose weight.

3. Exercise regularly. Walking is the simplest exercise, requires no special equipment and is easy to do even for the overweight. Just 20 minutes a day can help lower cholesterol and blood sugar.

4. Eliminate smoking and cut down on your drinking habits. Reduce stress levels through prayer or meditation.

5. Supplement. Most people don't even meet RDA recommendations for essential vitamins and minerals. Supplementing is necessary, no latter what your doctor tells you. It's a requirement for all diabetics who lose essential nutrients through the process of elimination.

6. Detoxify. Environmental toxins remain in the body and affect the functioning of the major organs. The produce you buy at the store is regularly treated to preserve freshness and color. A detoxification program is necessary in today's environment.

7. Drink at least 8 glasses of pure water every day to help flush out those toxins..

Lowering blood sugar is a major key to health and longevity. You need a total commitment to change the lifestyle that is making you sick.