In 1984, when a New York City cop offered waitress Phyllis Penzo half a lottery ticket as a tip, the $6 million payoff gave them each a new life. That hot tip also gave Nicolas Cage a hit movie ("It Could Happen to You" is based on a true story).

Well, lately there's been a winning series of hot tips for people with diabetes that (if followed) could be just as life-changing as a lottery win.

1. A vegan diet (that's no animal-related products at all) eases diabetic nerve pain! This complication of diabetes affects 25 percent to 50 percent of people with Type 2 and can trigger excruciating sensations and burning pain. In a small randomized, controlled study those who were vegans and ate 40 grams of fiber per day with 20 to 30 grams of fat per day (an ounce or less) and took vitamin B-12 supplements lowered their lousy LDL cholesterol, lost weight and saw levels of pain decrease much more than folks only taking B-12.

2. A couple of handfuls of tree nuts, about 1/2 cup daily (we like walnuts and almonds), can improve your blood sugar control. For the best results, those nuts should replace refined carbs and animal protein in your diet.

3. Mindful meditation boosts control of glucose levels and significantly lowers A1C (an average of glucose levels over several months). And, a study among veterans found that it also slashes diabetes-related stress by more than 40 percent. For mindful meditation instructions, go to sharecare.com.

Enjoy the winning combo of these new findings!

© 2014 Michael Roizen, M.D. and Mehmet Oz, M.D.
Distributed by King Features Syndicate, Inc.