Can I get life insurance as a diabetic?

Having diabetes is no longer the life sentence it once was and many people manage to go on to lead full, active long lives by simply managing their condition and working with it as opposed to against it. It can still be problematic when trying to find competitive life insurance, but there are providers out there who have specific policies in place.

It’s important to remember that life insurance policies have no cash in value but that instead you will be gaining peace of mind should the worst happen. Knowing that your family will be financially looked after is probably one of the most important things you could ever do for them.

If you work at reducing your blood sugar levels you will be financially rewarded with reductions in your monthly premiums.

5 top tips to reduce your blood sugar levels

1. Regular exercise – this will help you to lose weight and increase your sensitivity to insulin, meaning the cells in your bloodstream can better manage the sugar levels in your system, plus exercise helps your muscles use blood sugar for energy. Good forms of exercise for this include weight lifting, brisk walking, running, swimming and more.
2. Reduce your carbohydrate intake – Carbohydrates are broken down in the body into sugars and insulin then moves the sugars into cells, but if you eat too many carbs the process breaks down and instead your blood glucose levels rise. To combat this, try counting your grams of carbs per day and stick to a defined amount. A low carb diet will generally help with blood sugar levels in the long run.
3. Try a diet based on low Glycemic Index – a low G.I diet has been shown to reduce long-term blood sugar levels in type 1 and type 2 diabetics. Low G.I foods include meat, eggs, seafood, lentils, legumes, barley, beans, sweet potatoes, corn, yams, non-starchy vegetables and fruits. Along with eating low G.I foods you must also watch your carb intake.
4. Get enough sleep – getting enough good quality sleep is necessary for all round good health. A lack of it, combined with poor sleeping habits will affect blood sugar levels and insulin sensitivity. It will also increase your appetite and promote weight gain. Sleep deprivation decreases the release of growth hormones and increases cortisol levels, which both play an important role in blood sugar control. Good sleep is about both quantity and quality. It’s vital that you get a sufficient amount of high quality sleep every night.
5. Control your stress levels – Stress is known to have a significant impact on your blood sugar levels. The hormones Cortisol and Glucagon are secreted during periods of stress, which cause blood sugar levels to go up. Studies have shown that exercise, relaxation and meditation can significantly reduce stress and lower blood sugar levels for students. Exercises such as yoga and mindfulness-based stress reduction can also correct insulation secretion problems.

In terms of whether or not you can get insurance as a diabetic or have any other conditions which you feel may affect your insurability, we recommend that you talk to our trained, knowledgeable and empathetic advisors.

They will take the time to look at your individual circumstances and make sure that you are getting a policy suitable for your requirements moving forward.