If you have diabetes, you are twice as likely to have heart disease. In fact, your chances of dying from heart disease are the same as someone who has already had a heart attack. However, there are plenty of people with both type 1 and type 2 diabetes that beat the odds. You can too!

The most important thing you can do to beat heart disease is to manage your:

1. Blood sugar levels (HbA1C below 7.0)
2. Blood pressure (130/80)
3. Cholesterol (under 200 mg/dL)

Here are some ways to manage your diabetes and improve your heart health:

1. Apple Cider Vinegar: Taking 2 tablespoons before bedtime can reduce your morning fasting sugar levels. Taken with meals it will help decrease the glycemic load of a carbohydrate-rich meal.
2. Barley: A high-fiber, high-protein grain which helps improve blood sugar, insulin, cholesterol, and general inflammation. Barley does not require soaking and usually can cook in less than 15 minutes on the stove top with just some water.
3. Cinnamon: 1 - 6 g of cinnamon per day can help reduce serum glucose, triglyceride, LDL cholesterol, and total cholesterol.
4. Fenugreek: A seed commonly used abroad for centuries for its medical benefits to lower cholesterol and HbA1C. If your urine smells like maple syrup, not to worry, this is a known side effect and is harmless.
5. Gymnema: Used for centuries in India, to manage glucose metabolism, insulin levels. You must monitor your blood sugar closely to avoid having hypoglycemia if you use gymnema often.
6. Nopal: Nopales are the pads of the prickly pear cactus, and when cooked right, are delicious and can help lower your blood sugar.