Diabetes can affect people from all walks of life and it is present in more than 380 million people worldwide.  People with Diabetes cannot produce enough insulin, or they cannot use the insulin, which is used to break down glucose in the blood, sufficiently.  There are two types of Diabetes: Type 1 Diabetes and Type 2 Diabetes.  Type 1 Diabetes, which only comprises 10% of all Diabetes cases, occurs when the person doesn't produce insulin.  Type 1 Diabetics also have to maintain blood-glucose levels and require insulin.  Type 2 Diabetes, which accounts for 90% of all Diabetes cases, is when the person doesn't produce enough insulin or there is an insulin resistance.  Type 2 Diabetes can be maintained, but it can also get progressively worse. 

People who have Diabetes may only experience mild symptoms or no symptoms altogether.  If the person doesn't experience symptoms, this can leave the person unaware that he/she has Diabetes.  The most common symptoms are related to Hypoglycemia (high blood sugar levels).  The most common symptoms are listed below. 

• Frequent Urination
• Intense Hunger
• Weight Gain
• Increased Fatigue
• Unusual Weight Loss
• Itchy Skin
• Swollen or Red Gums
• Numbness or Tingling in Feet and Hands
• Sexual Dysfunction in Men

There are different causes for both Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes.  The exact cause of Type 1 Diabetes is unclear, but what is known is that the body produces little or no insulin.  The reason for this is because the immune system attacks insulin-producing cells in the pancreas.  When there is little or no insulin, sugar is stored in the blood stream and doesn't get transported into cells.  Type 2 Diabetes, usually common in people as they get older, occurs when the cells become resistance to insulin and the pancreas cannot make enough insulin to overcome the resistance.  Sugar then builds up in the blood stream.  

Causes for Type 1 Diabetes:

• Genetic History of Type 1 Diabetes
• Environmental Factors
• Specific Virus (Type 1 Diabetes may develop after being infected with a specific virus)

Causes for Type 2 Diabetes:

• Genetics
• Unhealthy Lifestyle
• Obesity
• Inactivity

• A diet change can help someone who has Diabetes.  Eliminating fried food, processed food, alcohol, meat, dairy, salt, and genetically modified foods and switching to a raw-food, vegan, or vegetarian diet can assist in weight loss, which can benefit Type 2 Diabetics.  It's important to refrain from eating fruits that have a high sugar content.  Avoid grapes, lychee, figs, mangos, and cherries.  Vegetables, nuts, legumes, and whole grains like barley are recommended.  It's a good idea to avoid wheat products because it has a high glycemic index. 
• Exercising daily can help you to better control your Diabetes.  This is because exercising can help control your blood-glucose levels.  Your muscles can use glucose without insulin.  Depending on the on the type of Diabetes you have, you have to monitor yourself when exercising as different people can have varied experiences. 
• Consuming foods with high magnesium can help benefit those with Diabetes.  Magnesium helps regulate blood pressure and a high-magnesium diet has been shown to decrease insulin resistance. 
• Certain natural herbs or plant extracts have been proven to have anti-diabetic properties.  Aloe, vera, fenugreek, bitter melon, and billibery extract can help decrease the effects of Diabetes.  It's important, though, to make sure that these herbs or extracts don't negatively affect your diabetes, allergies (if you have them), or medications (if you take them).

• Walnuts
• Cinnamon
• Garlic
• Olive Oil
• Flax Seeds and Pumpkin Seeds
• Turmeric
• Dark Leafy Greens (Arugula, Spinach, & Kale)
• Onions
• Broccoli
• Apples
• Carrits
• Asparagus