Wow, a monster burger with double cheese and double bacon is being offered by a national chain and found right here in Arkansas. We Arkansans, both young and old, collectively have one of the highest rates of Type 2 diabetes in the United States. The long-term effect of this imbalance is profound and — if not corrected — devastating. Fortunately, Adult Onset or Type 2 diabetes is preventable or manageable with dietary, exercise and lifestyle change. Behavior change is never easy but can be done if practiced long enough. For those who cannot make the necessary lifestyle changes, prescribed drugs are available, though some simple supplements can be extraordinary.

Reducing sugar and refined carbohydrate intake is very important as is watching the amount of bad fat in your diet. Weight loss is required and exercise encouraged in the management of this scourge. Literally we tire out our pancreas and ability to handle insulin through a period of years of eating the typical American diet.

Presented by the Journal of the American College of Nutrition was a study from Arizona State University which clearly showed that two tablespoons of cider vinegar given just before a meal that was very high in sugar had a profound effect. Simple vinegar provided a 37 percent improvement in insulin sensitivity in the group of volunteers who were diagnosed as having insulin resistance. It was found to have an improved effect on the normal volunteers as well. Any vinegar should work, even pickle juice. A vinegar tincture with fenugreek seeds should even be better if you follow the advice of the old Grannies. If the flavor is disagreeable, then vinegar tablets are in order.

Drinking plenty of water each day and especially some before eating will lower the possibility of eating too much. Eat natural papaya — it is delicious, all-natural and very effective at improving digestion. If you can’t get natural papaya, find natural papaya tablets and chew a few either just before eating or just after. You can also supplement with digestive enzymes with added hydrochloric acid and bile especially if you’ve had gall bladder surgery.