Free Diabetes Supplies for Diabetic People

One of the first steps you can take to prevent getting diabetes is to know when you are at risk for developing it. Of course then the next step is to be able to recognize the symptoms of diabetes. Type II Diabetes is a very serious disease that will have health effects for the rest of your life; however, if you catch it early, it can be treated with exercise and by changing your eating habits. In order to detect it early, you need to know the symptoms you are looking for.

There are many factors that can put you at high risk for diabetes, including age, genetics, obesity, and even ethnicity. Also your shape has something to do with it, with apple shaped people more likely to end up with diabetes, as well as high blood pressure and cholesterol. Also, a history of gestational diabetes can also raise the risk for women, or even having a baby that was more than 9 pounds when born. If you have any of these risk factors, then it is important that you are tested on a regular basis.

Since diabetes symptoms often are very near to other problems or the signs of aging, many times they are often overlooked. Many people can actually live with diabetes for many years and never even know it. However, diabetes that is left untreated can lead to some severe complications, such as nerve damage, kidney failure, heart disease, and even loss of vision.

One of the main symptoms of diabetes is excessive thirst. This occurs because the body has to get rid of the excess sugar through the urine, since the brain thinks that the blood needs to be diluted. Also, increased urination is another symptom, since this is how the body has to get rid of all the extra sugar. Overeating can be a symptom as well, since the increase of insulin can make you feel hungry. Also, since there is more blood sugar, often cuts don’t heal as they should, since the white blood cells cannot carry out their anti-infection and healing functions as usual. Many people who deal with diabetes also feel fatigued or lethargic, since their body is not getting the fuel needed from glucose. Instead their body metabolizes fat cells instead, which takes more energy, making them feel tired. Weight loss can also be a symptom of this type of diabetes.

Many people suffer from other symptoms of diabetes as well. Some may include altered mental states, dry mouth, and even blurry vision. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms yourself, it is important that you have your blood sugar checked out by your physician. Detecting this problem early can help you avoid having long term complications if you have a good treatment plan that you follow carefully.

If you or your spouse are over the age of 65 and have worked in the United States as a permanent resident of the country for at least one decade in a job that is considered to be a Medicare covered position, you may be eligible for government-funded benefits. Medicare is a program offered by the U.S. government that provides health insurance for citizens who are over 65 years old. However, Medicare does currently cover some individuals who are under that age if they have a disability or are suffering from a serious condition like renal failure. Medicare is actually divided into two types of coverage, Part A, which is given at no cost for most people, and Part B, which requires that a $96.40 quarterly premium be paid.

Under this coverage, Medicare diabetic supplies and medical testing are available to those who are eligible. Coverage for fasting plasma glucose tests, which can be done two times per year are provided at no cost for those with Part A Medicare coverage. For those with Part B, supplies for home usage are partially paid for (80%) by Medicare after the annual deductible is met, which includes items such as lancets and test strips, as well as a glucose monitor if necessary.

In order to receive Medicare diabetic supplies, one must have a prescription from their physician that indicates they have been tested for and diagnosed with the disease. Other pertinent bit of information needed includes the number of expected lancets or testing strips needed, as well as whether or not insulin will be a part of treatment, how often the patient will be expected to test their blood, and what type of glucose monitor is recommended.

Doctors are also able to write prescriptions for their patients who require some type of special footwear due to their diabetes, which may range from completely custom-made shoes, or simple inlays used to correct some type of foot problem. This type of therapeutic footwear for diabetics is covered under Medicare’s Part B plan, which means that patients are required to pay a total of 20% of the related costs. The prescription must clearly indicate that patients are under a doctor’s care for the condition of diabetes and that they have been diagnosed with at least one of the many foot ailments that are associated with the disease.

Medicare diabetic supplies are available to anyone who is deemed qualified under the plan’s eligibility requirements. For more information, ask your own doctor or any other healthcare professional, or visit Medicare’s website for details regarding how to go about applying for coverage.

Diabetic socks are called that because of them being specifically made for people with sensitive feet or feet that are vulnerable to problems. It is common for diabetics to have problems with their feet due to a condition by the name of neuropathy. All doctors will advise diabetic patients to be extra cautious with their feet as the condition can result in the need for amputation. Poor circulation is another common condition found among diabetics, and this too can result in amputation if it is left untreated.

When diabetic patients experience neuropathy or poor blood circulation, the problem is that this is not just a disease, the problem is that they cannot feel the pain. Neuropathy is when the nerve cells are lost, and for diabetics, it generally affects their feet. If the patient were to step on something sharp and not feel anything, infection could arise from this and serious damage could occur to the foot. The infection could rapidly spread into the blood stream and become severe.

Another great problem for diabetics is poor circulation. This is whereby blood and nutrients do not travel well enough to nicks and scrapes, which makes the healing process longer, giving time for infection to set in. There is also a tendency in diabetic patients that their infection fighting white blood cells slow down resulting in a high concentration of blood sugar. For these reasons it is imperative that diabetic patients pay particular attention to their feet.

Diabetic socks should be worn at all times, indoors and outdoors. They are extremely comfortable, and should be made from natural materials, cotton, or wool so that they are breathable. Wool socks absorb the moisture away from the body, which results in it evaporating more quickly. This will of course keep the feet drier and less inclined to fungus or cracking and flaking skin.

Diabetic socks are available with a non-constrictive band at the top and non-irritating seams. Many diabetic socks give extra cushioning on the soles which provides arch support and comfort. The main purpose of diabetic socks is to provide extra comfort for those people who may have sensitive feet and find it uncomfortable to wear ordinary socks. However, diabetic socks can help a patient with the disease to remain on their feet.

We live in a throw away society. Anything we don’t want any more, or if it doesn’t make us happy, or suite our purpose we can throw it away. The biggest throw away of all being marriage.

Diabetics have a lot to deal with at the best of times. Not every married couple has the perfect partner, but something brought them together in the first place. If it was love shouldn’t that be the strong glue that binds them together no matter what they have to face? Unfortunately, there is a school of thought out there that suggests if your partner doesn’t give you the support you need, why no problem, you can dispose of him or her by walking away. All I can say to an attitude like that is how sad for both.

Whatever happened to couples being encouraged to sit down and talk about what they feel is the problem? Sometimes it is a case of educating the partner. Diabetics need to educate themselves and their partner when it comes to the type of diabetes they have. Diabetes is no respecter of age or the problems that can come with it. It can be fear of the unknown that can be a real negative for the partner. True, some don’t handle new situations very well, so they want to run, hide, or deny any thing is different. They may even want to strike out and hurt the other partner. The striking out part can be the hardest for couples, as it usually becomes very emotional on both sides, with each one becoming defensive, opening the door to saying things that in that moment of time can not be taken back. Soon barriers are between them and neither one is willing to make the first move to break them down. In time the wounds fester and keep growing. One day one of them decides to leave, and away they go.

Wouldn’t it be much easier to speak kind words to each other? Talk openly about the problem? Look for solutions? If the glue that binds two people together is indeed love then I know this is possible. Solutions, and yes sometimes compromising enters into the picture in order to find solutions, but through it all there is usually common ground to build on.

As mentioned earlier education on the subject is vital to both. It is not just for the person that has been newly diagnosed with diabetes. If both make it a positive challenge that they participate in together, the stronger their foundation will be. It takes time, and patience, and most of all the right kind of love two people can have for each other. Believe me that kind of love will stand the test of time. Mine has for 54 years now and still counting. Ours has had most of what life is all about and at times it has come in pretty big doses, but through it all we can say love brought us through it all.

The very first thing that any diabetes patient will be told by any health care professional is that it is imperative to change their diet and add exercise, or undertake more exercise to their daily routine. A change in lifestyle is one of the most important factors when having diabetes. Diabetes can be treated without drugs in order to prevent blood sugar levels from fluctuating excessively. Listed below are some simple steps that can be followed to help diabetes patients to make the necessary changes.

Firstly, the good news is that there is no set diabetes diet, unlike past times. Diabetes patients should select to eat healthy foods on a regular basis. Therefore, rather than naming these improvement diets, they are in fact instituted as meal plans and food choices. It is not necessary to eliminate foods that have a high sugar content from the diet. It should simply be eaten in moderation and in combination with healthy foods.

It is important for a diabetic to eat on a regular schedule. A diabetic’s blood sugar can be kept at a normal level if they have a meal plan that includes three meals a day and two or three snacks throughout the day. It is necessary that sudden highs or big drops are avoided at all times. It will be suggested by a majority of doctors that the diabetic patient registers with a dietician or nutritionist in order to get started.

Exercise is most certainly the second phase of a diabetes treatment plan. If the patient leads an inactive lifestyle, then it is advised that they begin immediately, yet slowly, with exercise. It is important for the patient to find a form of exercise that they enjoy such as swimming, riding a bike, or even walking, which is one of the best ways to begin and receive exercise. It is important to be on the move for at least thirty minutes each day.

By undertaking the above two steps weight will be lost, which will help the body to produce and use insulin, which in turn will help the blood sugar to remain at an even level. Oral medications can be avoided with a consistent diet and exercise. However, if blood sugar does happen to remain high or fluctuate too much, then the next step in diabetes treatment is oral medication. If these oral medications fail to keep the blood sugar levels in check, then insulin treatments may be the next course of action.

It is the aim of doctors and health care professionals to keep their patients away from medication if possible. For this reason, the treatment of diabetes heavily relies upon changes in diet and exercise.

Facts about diabetes that everybody should know

What is Diabetes

Diabetes is one of the commonest but very serious health disorders found all over the world. Approximately one in every 25 person suffers from it and a big population is predisposed to suffer from it. With all the advancements and developments in modern medicine, we have failed to find a cure for it. We do not even know the exact causes of Diabetes. Diabetes today has affected whole world irrespective of peoples’ life styles. Elder or younger, rich or poor, rural or urban; all have equally suffered.

Diabetes is a metabolic disorder. It is associated with a hormone called ‘insulin’ which is secreted by a gland known as ‘pancreas’ situated near the lower border of stomach. Diabetes arises either from ‘deficiency of insulin’ or from ‘inability of cells to utilize the available insulin’. It is basically the ‘lack of action’ of insulin that brings about Diabetes. This disorder affects the whole metabolism of the body. Modern sciences have failed to explain with certainty why pancreas stops the production of insulin or why body cells develop resistance to insulin.

The causes of diabetes are still not known but there are certain predisposing factors that considerably increase the chances of developing diabetes. Some predisposing factors are

Obesity
Sedentary life style with very less physical activity
Family history of diabetes
Old age
Eating habits especially when food contains excessive carbohydrates

What actually happens!

When we eat food, it is digested in digestive tract beginning from mouth. Complex food is broken down to simpler foods such as glucose, amino acids, fatty acids, vitamins etc. which can be absorbed in the blood. In a normal human being, the glucose produced in this way is acted upon by a hormone called insulin which helps in taking this glucose to all body cells for their energy needs and converts the ‘left over’ glucose into glycogen. Thus, the chief role of insulin is to regulate the glucose level in the blood. Sometimes, for unknown reasons, either the Pancreas gland stops producing insulin or the body cells develop inability to utilize the available insulin thereby causing glucose level in the blood to rise which eventually results in diabetes. More than 90% of all diabetics suffer from the diabetes that is caused by inability of body cells to utilize the available insulin to regulate the glucose level.

When body cells do not receive glucose for their energy needs, they begin to starve. To supplement the energy needs, body starts disintegrating the stored fats and proteins leading to loss of weight, fatigue, weakness and several other complications.

Symptoms and their reasons explained

Common symptoms of diabetes include

Frequent and excessive urination

As I explained earlier, glucose level in the blood is very high in diabetes. This glucose circulates in blood and reaches kidneys which filter the blood to form urine. Kidneys ordinarily never let glucose pass into the urine but when glucose level is excessive, this glucose enters the urine and during this, kidneys filter a lot of water also which results in excessive and frequent urination in diabetes.

Excessive thirst and dry mouth

Excessive urination in diabetes leads to shortage of water in the body. This, in turn leads to thirst and dry mouth.

Hunger

Since, the body cells do not get glucose, they begin to starve. Although the glucose is all around yet cells cannot utilize it. This is a case of ’scarcity amidst plenty’. This starvation of body cells leads to more and more hunger.

Weight loss

When body cells cannot utilize glucose, the stored fat in the body is slowly disintegrated to compensate it. This leads to loss of weight.

Fatigue

Along with stored fat, the protein in the muscles is also disintegrated to nourish the starving cells. This results in fatigue and weakness of the body.

Blurred vision

Our eyes have a fluid inside them that helps in focusing. Due to high concentration of glucose in blood, this fluid also changes its concentration thus leading to blurring of vision and frequent changes in power of eye lenses.

Slow healing of cuts and wounds

Since the blood contains abnormal amount of glucose, it provides an ideal medium for the growth of pus forming micro-organisms. This in turn affects the healing of even small cuts and abrasions and delays the recovery.

Itchy skin and fungal infection

The blood of a diabetic is quite rich in glucose which provides favorable conditions for faster growth of micro-organisms that cause diseases. This is more visible on skin which becomes vulnerable to infections. This excessive glucose also causes itching on the skin.

Complications

There are various complications that may take place due to prolonged presence of glucose in bloodstream.

Some commonly occurring complications include

A. Diabetic Coma
B. Coronary Heart Disease
C. Cerebral Hemorrhage
D. Gangrene

These complications are a result of very complex changes that take place in the body due to excess glucose. Almost all parts of the body are affected by Diabetes and in long run, it ruins all body parts.

Hyperglycemic Coma

This is a commonly occurring complication of diabetes. But how does it happen? In diabetics, glucose does not nourish the body cells either due to deficiency of insulin or due to inability of body cells to utilize available insulin. As a result, stored fats in the body start disintegrating and chemical compounds called ‘ketones’ are formed which make the blood ‘acidic’. Now the body tries to reduce the acidity and forms more and more urine. But this in turn reduces the fluid content of the body and further increases the acidity of the blood which eventually affects the brain and Coma sets in.

What to do!

There are some predisposing factors that may cause diabetes as explained earlier. Sedentary life style invites the disease therefore one should cultivate a life style full of physical activities and exercises. People working in the offices usually do not get any opportunity to remain physically active. Such people should try to spend some time out of their chairs and do as much physical activity as possible at their work place. Today’s little workout can ward off tomorrow’s great suffering.

Obesity is another big predisposing condition. More than 70% elder people who develop diabetes are obese. Physical exercises and a check on food intake are best things one can do to avoid adding unwanted weight.

Family history plays a role in causing diabetes. When one is aware of occurrence of diabetes in the family, one should prepare against the disease by avoiding other predisposing factors like obesity, sedentary life style, faulty eating habits etc. Remember, a prepared man has half fought the battle!Foods may also be related to diabetes but it is not known with certainty which foods may cause diabetes or may hamper the activity of pancreas. One should be careful in selecting food. The intake of fast foods and those foods that are quite rich in carbohydrates should be minimized.

Diabetes badly affects all physiological systems of the human body. Majority of the diabetics develops severe complications that shorten the lifespan. Whether there is any history of diabetes in one’s family or not, it is always advisable to take precautions and lead a physically active life. Remember, prevention is always better than cure!

Diabetes type 2 is a chronic metabolic disorder that is characterized by insulin resistance. It is a disease that lacks a permanent or perfect cure. For sufferers management is the only option.Management of this syndrome entails medication, exercise, diet and life style modification.

Applying medications is one amongst the few ways of managing diabetes type2. The medication could be in the form of oral or injectable drugs. People with diabetes type 2 need medicine (medication) because it can help their body in manufacturing more insulin which can help decrease insulin resistance or lower the rate at which their body absorbs carbohydrate.

There are 5 basic classes of medications that can be used in the management of diabetes they are

Sulfonylueas; -

This is an example of an anti diabetic drug that can be used in the effective management and treatment of diabetes. It is mostly applied in the treatment of diabetes mellitus type 2. It has some mild side effect like inducing hypoglycemia when insulin production overshoots. This could be corrected by taking sugary foods. Sulfonylueas are greatly ineffective in the treatment of diabetes type 1 or post pancreatectomy where there is absolute deficiency of insulin.

Meglitinides; -

These are drugs that are used in the treatment of diabetes. They treat diabetes by blocking the potassium channel in the beta cell, This closes the ATP dependent potassium channels and opens the cells calcium channel. The resulting calcium influx aids in stimulating the beta cells into releasing more insulin.One of the side effects of meglitinides is hypoglycemia (low blood glucose) which occurs because meglitinides stimulate the beta into releasing insulin.

Thiazolidinediones; -

These are drugs that act as an adjunctive therapy for diabetes type 2. They help in the reduction of the level of glucose produced in the liver, and also help the insulin to function better in the muscles and fat. They are very useful and effective in lowering the level of glucose in the blood Some of its side effects include increase risk of hepatitis, liver damages, heart failure and fluid retention resulting in edema. Some of these side effects are more pronounced if there is a withdrawal or discontinuation of usage.

Alpha-glucosidase inhibitors;-

These are oral anti-diabetic drugs that are used for the treatment of diabetics type 2. They are useful in the treatment of diabetics type 2 because they help in preventing the digestion carbohydrate by converting it into monosaccharides (simple sugar) which can easily be absorb by the intestines. They also slow the breakdown of certain sugars. After meal, their actions are capable of slowing down the rise in the level of glucose in the blood. The side effect of this drug include diarrhea and flatulence which are dose related

Biguanides;-

These are oral hypoglycemic drugs which are useful in the treatment of diabetes they help in lowering the blood glucose level by making the tissues of the body especially the muscle tissues more sensitive to insulin It has some side effect which include diarrhea and lactic acidosis.In applying medications to diabetes type 2, regular check is also advised. This should be done to ascertain the effect the drugs are having on our bodies.

If you’re a Type 2 diabetic who is overweight, your doctor has probably told you to go on a low-fat diet and lose some weight immediately. You will find that any reducing diet will take off weight in the beginning. However, the fact that you have diabetes means that you have special needs. You should make sure that you can stick with the diet you choose. It’s a lifetime project.

Look carefully at the diet that has been planned for you. Will you be able to stay on this diet for years? Will this diet provide the daily nutrition that your body needs? And finally, will this diet help control your blood sugar and lower your blood lipids (fats), as well as taking off the pounds? You’ll want to do some research to find answers to these questions.

If you’re satisfied with these answers, then you can probably begin this diabetic diet and enjoy it for a long time. But if you’re not sure you’ll still be enjoying it in the future, or whether it will really give you the results you require, then you may want to look at some other diet options.

These Three Diets May Be Trouble!

There seem to be as many opinions on diabetes nutrition as there are people writing about it. When you begin looking in bookstores at all the publications on this topic, you will probably be even more confused. Just remember that because you are diabetic, you have specific dietary needs that must be met. Look for a well-balanced, interesting reducing diet without extremes of limitation. You will be eating this way for a long time, so be sure you’re comfortable with your diet choice. While you are doing your research, be very cautious about these three types of diet:

1. Diets that emphasize low-fat or fat-free foods. Your body needs calories. People on low-fat or no-fat diets often end up gorging excessively on carbohydrates just to make up the necessary calories. You probably already know that diabetics need to pay special attention to carbohydrate intake, because too many carbs can interfere with the treatment for your disease. Besides, research has shown that the body requires, and should consume, certain types of fats. Look for plant oils (olive, canola, peanut) and stay away from animal fats (butter, fatty meats, cream).

2. High-protein diets that cut carbohydrates to a minimum. Low-fat diets tend to increase a person’s intake of carbohydrates; but conversely, low-carbohydrate diets promoting high protein intake don’t give the body enough energy. People on these diets tend to eat lots of meat and saturated (animal) fat, which is very unhealthy for them.

3. Very low-calorie diets. Although these may be healthier than some other types of diet, they can be dangerous. To make up for the nutrients, calories, and macronutrients that it’s missing, the body can begin to use up its own fats and other elements. Many people on a very low-calorie diet have little energy and appear emaciated. Ultimately, few men and women can stick to this kind of diet for very long. When they return to normal eating, their bodies go into “survival mode”; they put on a great deal of weight very quickly.

Diabetes is a disease in which the body does not produce enough insulin to convert glucose into energy. As a result the body cannot use the fuel source for energy. With research focusing on the causes and treatments for diabetes, there has been considerable progress in the field. The disease is far from being completely cured, but it is managed better today than ever before.

A major advancement in the treatment of diabetes comes in the form of improved insulin and the methods for deliver into the body. No longer must a sufferer from diabetes inject insulin into their body with the use of needles. They can wear a pump that delivers the amount of insulin each individual wearer needs. Of course, the pump must be programmed to deliver the correct amount of insulin it is a great advancement in the delivery of insulin. Scientists are developing inhalable insulin. It still has its share of problems because a lot of the insulin is wasted with this method, but it is still an incredible step forward.

The advancements in glucose monitoring have made it possible for patients to check their glucose levels at home. This advancement not only saves the patient from having to have their blood sugar tested in a hospital or clinic setting but also allows for more frequent testing. This will enable the patient to keep a close eye on the effects of food on glucose levels and let the patient administer medication accordingly.

Blindness was once a great problem facing diabetics. With advancements in laser eye surgery the effects of diabetes debilitating effect on the eyes is significantly diminished. This is great news for diabetics that once faced an almost certain level of loss of eyesight.

There have also been great advancements in the transplantation of kidneys. People whose kidneys fail because of diabetes have more hope for the future because of this advancement. Diabetes can rob the body of many things, but science is rushing in to help and restore this deterioration.

There is an increase in the amount of information on diet and diabetes. People who have been recently diagnosed with type 2 diabetes have a greater chance of controlling the disease through diet alone than ever before. It is possible for a person with type 2 diabetes to indefinitely prolong the time before they must take insulin.

We may not have found a cure for this debilitating disease, but we certainly have come a long way to helping people cope and live with it. Diabetes is no longer a disease that instantaneously means a life of hardship and deprivation. Today a diabetic can live a perfectly normal life with some special attention paid to their illness. And with the increased knowledge of this disease we are finding better ways to prevent the disease from occurring to begin with. We now know that it is important for everyone to monitor their blood glucose levels and the amount of sugar and carbohydrate they are consuming. Fighting diabetes is a two pronged attack, both at the end line working towards a cure and at the front line working towards prevention. If both ends are successful we may see an eradication of this disease someday.

When it comes to dealing with diabetes, you need to understand that diet plays an important role. Most people simply love to eat out and indulging restaurant food occasionally.

It is not a sin for the diabetics to indulge in restaurant food once in a while. However, you need to take special care about certain kinds of things when it comes to eating food. Here are certain things you need to keep in mind.

a) Keep a check on your portion sizes

Most restaurants tend to use large portions. However, for diabetics the diet plan is based on a moderate portion size. In case, the restaurant you have chosen offers meals in many sizes, make sure that you choose the smallest portion. You may also get a bit creative.

Start ordering a lunch sized entrée for dinner or even a baby sized meal. You may even consider sharing your meals with a partner or even request for a take home container.

It would be a wise decision to ask the server to put half of the meal you have ordered, into a take-home container prior to it is served to you. This will help you have a moderate sized meal.

b) Make substitutions

Never ever settle for whatever comes in your way. Try to choose a diabetes friendly salad or a fruit bowl instead of fries. Fat-free or low-fat salad dressing is the best as compared to fries or finger chips served along with the sandwich or a certain meal.

Try ordering for salsa with burrito and not shredded cheese or sour cream. The dressings on the salad should be fat-free mayonnaise or barbecue sauce instead of ketchup or mustard. Several extras ordered with a sandwich or meal such as bacon bits, fried chips or croutons can destroy your nutrition plan. These foods tend to increase calorie as well as carbohydrate count.

You may also go for several healthy additions such as salsa, fat free mayonnaise, fat-free salad dressing or barbecue sauce. Try to enjoy up to three small serving of food. This way, you don’t require adjusting your meal plan.

c) Have a chat with the chef

This will help you a lot in having the most nutritious food that’s required for a diabetic. Ask the chef if he can provide you with some low cholesterol eggs, skinless chicken or whole grain bread.

The pizza you order should have a thin crust and consists of a lot of vegetables. All you require to do is to opt for a healthier plan in order to stay committed to your diabetes meal plan.

d) Keep tabs on what you drink

If you are having a large glass of soda, then you surely are going to overload your body with about hundreds of calories. Don’t opt for shakes and ice cream as they have a lot of calories and saturated fat.

Ordering for a diet soda will be the right choice. You can even go for sugar free iced tea, mineral water or sparkling water. If your diabetes is under control, an occasional alcoholic drink is perfectly fine.

However, if your blood sugar levels are high, alcohol will add to empty calories to your meals. It can even aggravate complications such as eye disease or nerve damage. If you must drink alcohol, light beer and dry wines consists of fewer calories as compared to other alcoholic drinks. Sugar free mixed drinks are great options such as seltzer, club soda, diet soda or diet tonic.

e) Eat on time

Eating at same time will help you maintain steady blood sugar levels.