CONQUER DIABETES

IS IT NECESSARY TO REGULARLY SELF TEST YOUR BLOOD SUGAR?

2009-11-10T15:59:00.003-05:00

Millions and millions of people have diabetes, yet countless are not aware of it. Diabetes has latent long-standing complications that can have an effect on the kidneys, heart, blood vessels, nerves and eyes.

In diagnosing diabetes, medical doctors first and foremost depend upon the results of definite glucose tests. Nevertheless, test results are just an element of the information that goes into the identification of diabetes. Doctors also take into consideration your physical examination, occurrence or lack of symptoms, and medical record. Some people who are appreciably ill will have temporary problems with high blood glucose, which will then go back to normal after the condition has resolved. Also, a number of medications may modify your blood sugar levels.

The main tests used to measure the existence of blood glucose problems are:

** Straight measurement of sugar levels in the blood after an overnight fast
** Measurement of the ability of your body to properly handle the excess sugar that appears after drinking a high sugar beverage.

THE SELF TEST - IS IT THAT IMPORTANT?

Customary self-testing of your blood glucose tells you how well your mixture of diet, nutritional supplements, medication and exercise are working. Tests are typically made at bedtime and before meals. More repeated testing may be required if you are ill or under physical or nervous stress.

A gadget called a glucometer can supply an accurate blood glucose reading. There are different types of devices. Typically, you puncture your finger with a small lancet, which gives you a little drop of blood. You place it on a test strip, and put the strip inside the glucometer. The outcome is available within a few seconds.

A health care giver or diabetes instructor will help you set up a suitable testing timetable for you. You will also be instructed how to act in response to diverse ranges of sugar values obtained when you test yourself.

The outcome of the tests will be used to regulate activity, meals, or medications to keep blood glucose levels in a correct range. Testing provides precious information for the health care giver and identifies low and high blood glucose levels before severe complications develop. Accurate documentation keeping of test results will let you and your health care provider diagram how to best manage your diabetes.

THE SUPPLEMENTAL TREATMENT FOR YOU

Here I would like to recommend you this method "How to Play the Diabetes Diet Game and Win", available through the Internet. It gives you a fantastic and easy way to fight and even reverse your diabetes, at a very affordable price.

I don't know if "How to Play the Diabetes Diet Game and Win" is the panacea, the cure-all, the perfect remedy for all diabetics. You have to put persistence and consistency, but it's really easy to follow, and results show up pretty soon. And, attention! I am not recommending you to discard all at once the treatment your doctor prescribed you! This is a supplement I suggest you to take gradually and wisely ... And let me tell you one: you and your doctor will be amazed, be sure.

In my personal experience, one important "side effect" of playing this game is that I save quite a bit of money on insulin and pills. Another one: I can eat all kinds of foods, in reasonable quantities and I've already lost about 20 pounds.

HOW TO PREVENT DIABETES: SIMPLE ACTION STEPS

2009-11-05T07:22:00.007-05:00

HOW TO PREVENT DIABETES: SIMPLE ACTION STEPS

Diabetes is more widespread than ever and a vast majority of cases diagnosed are type 2 diabetes.

Even though for some the development of diabetes is predictable, possibly due to heridity, obesity, lifestyle and other factors, for the greater part it can be disallowed by taking these simple action steps.

Before type 2 diabetes becomes completely developed you go through a period known as pre-diabetes. There you begin to show a number of the symptoms, which if disregarded, can lead to a full formed diabetes.

Make the following action points component of your every day routine and you will surely stop this disease from happening to you.

** Exercise is excellent for your health. But in case you are not used to exercise, then start with self-control. Fifteen minutes of moderate walking each day will make it easy for you to enter a normal exercising routine.

** Drink two liters of water every day, at least. If you carry a bottle of water with you, and sip often, you will be amazed how much you do drink all through the day.

** If you are fat you risk developing diabetes. Cut the amount of foodstuff on your plate so you steadily eat less and begin to lose weight. Drink plain water or a carbohydrate-free beverage before your meal to take the edge of any appetite pain.

** Diminish the amount of fat you are consuming; bake or grill foods instead of frying; make use of low-fat spreads and meals.

** Verify the glycemic index of the foods you eat -- knowing the gi
of each food helps preserve your blood glucose, which in turn can avoid the
full arrival of diabetes.

** Make use of skimmed and not full-fat milk in hot foods and drinks.

** Every time you feel peckish prefer a healthy bite rather than something like a chocolate bar.

All of these action steps are also the ones that people with diabetes are advised to take. So if you take them right now you will possibly prevent diabetes and other irreparable damages to your health.

Here I would like to recommend you this book Stop Prediabetes Now, available from Amazon.Com, which is an extraordinay source of information on prediabetes and how to stop or reverse it, by following a simple and easy plan. It is also a very low-priced resource you can get here through the Internet.

Read a comment from a diabetes expert:

"Prediabetes has become a modern epidemic, about to overshadow every other health problem. Jack Challem and Dr. Ron Hunninghake have pieced together the research and clinical experience to create an easy-to-follow plan that everyone can use to prevent and reverse prediabetes and diabetes and their devastating health consequences. This is a must-read for anyone who wants to stay healthy and alive."
-Marcus Laux, N.D., editor of Dr. Marcus Laux's Naturally Well Today newsletter

HOW SERIOUS IS DIABETES ?

2009-10-19T16:27:00.010-04:00

LET US BE HONEST. HOW SERIOUS IS DIABETES?

Very serious! The early signs of diabetes mellitus are related to the elevated blood sugar levels. Excess sugar in the blood in the end results in high levels of sugar being present in the urine. This increases the urine production, which leads to dehydration and augmented thirst. Other typical symptoms include extreme weakness, weight loss or gain, blurry vision, itchy skin and recurring minor infections such as boils and thrush.

Another sort of diabetes, identified as gestational diabetes, occurs in a number of women at some stage in pregnancy. It is a momentary condition caused by pregnancy and typically occurs in the later stages, when the baby has formed but is still growing.

Even though there is presently no absolute cure for diabetes, it can be controlled very effectively with a vigorous treatment plan. Furthermore, the probable benefit of pancreas transplants in type 1 patients is being investigated.

AND THE MOST COMMON SYMPTOMS OF DIABETES ARE ...

Type 1 diabetes develops very fast. The classic symptoms of diabetes include:

1. Recurrent urination, because the body tries to get rid of the excess blood glucose.

2. Extreme thirst, because the body needs to replace the water lost through the urine.

3. Enlarged hunger, because the cells need nutrients and have not enough insulin or are insulin resistant.

4. Weight loss, because without the insulin, the body starts to starve.

On the other hand, the onset of type 2 diabetes is frequently very slow and may develop with no symptoms at all. Unfortunately, the diagnosis time and again is made only once a complication of the disease appears.

The traditional treatment consists of three basic steps: appropriate diet, exercise and nutritional supplements. If you start your treatment at early stages and do it wisely, you can reverse the disease and in some cases even defeat it. These three steps are mandatory, though there are other options which can help speed up the recovery process.

ONE ALTERNATIVE TREATMENT: ACUPUNCTURE

Acupuncture is a method of treatment in which a practitioner inserts needles into selected points on the skin. A quantity of Western scientists suppose that acupuncture triggers the discharge of natural painkillers of the body. Acupuncture has been shown to provide with relief from chronic pain. Acupuncture is occasionally used by people with neuropathy, the aching nerve damage produced by diabetes.

ANOTHER ALTERNATIVE TREATMENT: SELF-MASSAGE

I would recommend this book which shows you how to utilize treatments and techniques that have been shown to be effective and safe for diabetics. It makes it easy, convenient and pleasurable for diabetics of any age and physical condition to massage themselves, thus fighting complications such as poor circulation, neuropathy and pain. "The Diabetes Massage Method" targets the feet to heal and prevent ulcers and amputations.

THE MOST IMPORTANT PREVENTIVE METHOD:

KEEP AN EYE ON THOSE POUNDS!

Your weight affects your health in many ways. If you are overweight, you can keep your body from producing and using insulin adequately. Overweight can cause high blood pressure as well. Scientific studies showed that losing just a few pounds can help you decrease your risk of developing type 2 diabetes, because weight loss helps your body use the insulin more efficiently. According to the studies, people who lost between 5 and 7 percent of their body weight considerably reduced their probability of developing type 2 diabetes.

The MOST EVIDENT symptom of diabetes

2009-10-07T17:35:00.008-04:00

You are here probably because you or someone you love has diabetes. If that is the case, I am sorry for you, because despite advances in medicine, it is still devastating when you are diagnosed with this disease.

But there is still good news if you are here: you are looking for symptoms. And when you get out ahead of diabetes you can stop it and even reverse it.
But what are you looking for?

Here is the top of the list of type 2 diabetes symptoms (and an overlooked detail at the end).

THIS IS THE MOST IMPORTANT SYMPTOM
Insatiable thirst and repeated urination.

Why these two?
They go together. What happens is that your body's cells are not taking in glucose effectively anymore (insulin usually triggers them to do this). So glucose flows freely in your blood.
Once it gets beyond a level of 180 mg/dl, your kidneys cannot filter it out, and sugar gets into your urine. At this moment your urine is soaking up water to attenuate the sugar. As a result your kidneys fill, you need to pee, and you get thirsty.

That is a signal that you have an excess of sugar in your blood and it is the cause and the start of all the awful things you have heard about diabetes.

The essential problem of diabetes is that your cells cannot absorbe sugar well. So sugar ends up in the incorrect place: It is in your urine and your blood, not in your cells.
Sugar is your energy font. But your cells cannot burn enough sugar because they cannot get enough of it. So your body may start tearing down your fat and muscles, trying to find more energy.

It can devastate your kidneys capacity to filter it out. It can also make your eyes swell and you cannot focus.

AND THIS IS THE OVERLOOKED DETAIL
You will not experience a lot of the type 2 diabetes symptoms until your blood sugar hits an average of 180 mg/dl. Nevertheless, you can by then be injuring your body earlier than that.

YOUR HABITS ARE THE KEY TO DIABETES HEALTH
If your habits do not help, your situation gets worse. On the other hand, if you have hale and hearty habits, you can live an extended life.

SO WHAT CAN YOU DO NEXT?
Get on a routine that attacks type 2 diabetes symptoms at the root, i.e. that restores your capability to process sugar. Attain blood sugar control and maintain it that way. All the time.

For a method clinically proven to lower blood sugar and endorsed by medical doctors worldwide, go to http://tinyurl.com/diabetes-reversal

IMPROVE YOUR NERVE PAIN WITH MASSAGE

2009-09-28T16:29:00.006-04:00

The method of treatment for your diabetic neuropathy can vary according to your symptoms and the sort of neuropathy that you have. Ordinarily, treatment focuses on decreasing current symptoms and preventing the situation from getting worse. All this by keeping your blood glucose level within a constricted target range. This translates into glycosylate hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels near normal.

You can keep your blood glucose levels within the objective range by taking your oral diabetes medication or insulin as prescribed, checking your blood glucose levels, following your diabetes diet (including herbal supplements), exercising, and seeing your physician regularly.

It is as well important to properly mind for your feet when you have diabetic neuropathy. Diabetic neuropathy may produce a loss of sensitivity in your feet. It is possible for a wound or other foot trouble to go unnoticed. Without proper foot care, an untreated foot sore can lead to a severe infection or possibly even amputation.

It is wise as well to preserve healthy habits such as consulting your physician regularly, checking up your blood pressure, eating a balanced diet, taking good nutritional supplements, exercising on a regular basis, not smoking, and restraining or avoiding alcohol. Supplementary treatment depends on the exact sort of diabetic neuropathy that you suffer from, along with your present symptoms.

Numerous people suffering from peripheral neuropathy have from mild to cruel pain in particular areas of their bodies. Talk with your physician about treatment that can lessen your pain and recover your physical functioning, humor, and psychological well-being. If you are recommended to use heat or ice, be cautious. Neuropathy can make it difficult for you to experience changes in temperature.

In most cases, treatments for your neuropaty may include, among others, physical therapy such as stretching, exercises, and massage.

Have you heard about any massage method or read about the subject? Lately I came across "The Diabetes Massage Method". This book shows you how to utilize treatments and techniques that have been shown to be effective and safe for diabetics. It makes it easy, convenient and pleasurable for diabetics of any age and physical condition to massage themselves, thus fighting complications such as poor circulation, neuropathy and pain.

"The Diabetes Massage Method" targets the feet to heal and prevent ulcers and amputations. Click here if you want to learn more.

WHY DOES HIGH BLOOD SUGAR LEVELS DAMAGE YOUR NERVES ?

2009-09-21T15:51:00.013-04:00

What is the most recent assumption of why glucose damages the nerves? There exist two main possibilities, experts say. Both aim the protecting cover of the nerves, the so-called myelin sheath.

1. One hypothesis is that it is either blood sugar directly, or a derivative of the metabolism of sugar -- something that chemically produces irritation of the nerve sheath. When this sheath is ruined, a bare nerve is uncovered - just as you would expose an electrical cable if you stripped off its plastic outside layer. The exposed nerve is very aching at first, but then over time, the sensation could be totally lost.

2. The other hypothesis says that the problem resides in the circulatory system and the absence of the blood supply to the nerves. If the minuscule blood vessels that nourish the nerves are destroyed, then you see a malnourishment of the nerve sheath. There is some support for one or the other hypothesis, and there is some proof that both may be going on, too. It is a subject that has not been resolved yet.

Consequently while contemporary medicine does not thus far know definitely what causes nerve pain, one fact is certain: maintaining your blood sugar at a safe range is the foremost step in defending the healthiness of your nerves. Be confident and quick to talk with your medical doctor at the first signal of abnormal nerve pain, numbness, tingling or burning sensation -- no matter where they may occur in your body.

Years of elevated glycemic index food eating and recurrent discharge of insulin into your bloodstream may have caused this injure to your body and some level of insulin resistance to appear.

To help reverse this, and of course try to attain complete recovery from nerve pain, I know of an herbal supplement, "AyurGold", which provides your body with a lot of phytonutrients. They act at the molecular level to stimulate endocrine cells of your pancreas to improve glucose metabolism, and inhibit glucose output from the liver to restore natural balance and harmony to your body.
You may want to visit the India Herbs web site, to get complete information about "AyurGold" and other herbal supplements.

Another resource I would like to strongly recommend to you is a book, "The Diabetes Massage Method", which shows you how to utilize treatments and techniques that have been shown to be effective and safe for diabetics. It makes it easy, convenient and pleasurable for diabetics of any age and physical condition to massage themselves, thus fighting complications such as poor circulation, neuropathy and pain. "The Diabetes Massage Method" targets the feet to heal and prevent ulcers and amputations.

CONTROL YOUR BLOOD SUGAR FREQUENTLY

2009-09-16T19:16:00.006-04:00

CONTROL YOUR BLOOD SUGAR FREQUENTLY because

Intensive Glucose Control Halves Complications

Do your efforts for intensive diabetes control really matter? Absolutely!

A follow-up to the landmark DCCT (Diabetes Control & Complications Trial) shows that aiming for an HbA1c of 6% halves your risk of complications.

"The demonstration that near-normal glucose control substantially lowers microvascular and cardiovascular complications has heralded a new era of type 1 diabetes care," says lead author of the study, David M. Nathan, M.D. "The remarkable improvement in long-term outcomes achieved with intensive glucose control should encourage clinicians and patients alike to implement intensive therapy as early in the course of type 1 diabetes as possible."

According to the NIH press release linked below, intensive glucose control meant "trying to keep hemoglobin A1c (A1C) readings at 6 percent or less with at least three insulin injections a day or an insulin pump, guided by frequent self-monitoring of blood glucose. (A1C reflects average blood glucose over the previous two to three months.)"

Studies for people with type 2 diabetes, although not as comprehensive, have shown similar results.

The bottom line: your efforts at great control can save your limbs, eyesight, and life. It's worth all of the effort you put into making it happen.

(Abstract from Diabetes Daily)

THESE ARE YOUR DIABETES TREATMENT OPTIONS

2009-09-13T08:17:00.011-04:00

Many options are available to help keep an individual's blood glucose levels under control. If left uncontrolled, diabetes can result in blindness, amputation of limbs, and end-stage renal disease.

The Facts

1. Successful treatment involves lowering blood sugar levels to normal glucose blood levels, which usually fall in the range of 70 to 110 mg/dl before meals and lower than 180 mg/dl two hours after the start of the meal.

Diet and Exercise

2. Doctors recommend changing to a low-fat, low-calorie diet. Excess calories and fat trigger rises in blood sugar. Regular exercise is also important for controlling blood sugar. Aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate-level exercise four days a week.

Anti-diabetic Medications

3. Diabetics may take one or many types of anti-diabetic medications in order to manage blood glucose levels. Such medications include oral remedies, such as Sulfonylurea, Metformin, and Thiazolidinediones or DPP-4 inhibitors, a new class of Type 2 drug that attempts to prevent the breakdown of GLP-1 in the gut.

Insulin

4. If diet, exercise and antidiabetic medications do not lower blood sugar levels to normal ranges, doctors recommend insulin shots and/or insulin inhalables to treat the disease.

Herbal Remedies

5. Herbal remedies lower blood sugar levels by improving the body's ability to metabolize insulin. Cinnamon has shown promise in managing blood sugar. The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Beltsville Human Nutrition Center isolated insulin-enhancing properties in cinnamon that can alleviate or prevent glucose intolerances.

Article reprinted from http://digghealth.com/type-2-diabetes-treatment-options/

" ... WHY I MIGHT BE FEELING SO WEAK?"

2009-09-11T10:35:00.012-04:00

You may be getting ready to spend a great weekend, which is quickly approaching. I hope you get plenty of time to give your body some rest. This is not always easy, even less when you are constantly focused on maintaining your blood glucose under control. But truth is, we diabetics all need to get rest to regain our energy levels, especially on weekends.

Speaking of energy, do you some times wonder "why I might be feeling so weak?"

The reality is that you have lots of potential energy from glucose, frequently high levels of glucose, and yet your body is unable to make adequate use of it. You can produce at least part of the insulin your body requires, and still you cannot properly utilize it. Remember that insulin is a hormone intended to help the sugar contained in the blood stream to enter the cells to provide energy.

As a diabetic, like the vast majority of those with diabetes, you might suffer from the underlying problem called insulin resistance. Statistics show that in 90% of all type 2 diabetics the pancreas makes plenty of insulin, but your cells resists the action of insulin and the sugar won't be allowed to get inside.

As a logical consequence, the level of blood glucose begins to rise. There are products, including drugs and the like, which attack the major source of elevated blood sugar. You may ask your doctor about these.

ACT NOW: HIGH BLOOD SUGAR LEVEL IS VERY DANGEROUS WHEN UNCONTROLLED

When you have high blood sugar for extended periods it does more than sap your energy. It also puts you at risk for nerve damage, memory loss, a weakened immune system, and even heart disease, among other serious complications.

Studies show that any progress you make in controlling your blood glucose will result in evident benefits for your health. For example, for every 1 point reduction in your HbA1c, your risk of developing complications of diabetes could be reduced by an astonishing 40%.

There is another option, besides the blood sugar lowering drugs. It is called the herbal supplements, all-natural, with no side-effects and also very affordable (cheaper and safer than chemical drugs, by the way). Of the various I've seen and heard about in the Internet, I could recommend AyurGold.

As an AyurGold user, I can report the following benefits, while following a balanced diet+exercise program and getting sufficient rest at the same time:

++ Controlled blood sugar levels.
++ Increased vitality and energy.
++ Reduced urination frequency.
++ Better sleep and greater confidence.

Other users also report:

++ Diminished blurry vision and migraines.
++ Better appetite and well-being.
++ Quicker recovery time from tiredness and injury.

You may want to visit the India Herbs web site, to get complete information about AyurGold and other herbal supplements.

Remember: stabilizing your blood sugar is not so hard to attain, and is extremely important in maintaining your overall health.

DIABETES SYMPTOMS: When to seek medical care

2009-09-07T08:18:00.004-04:00

If you or someone close to you are having any typical symptoms of diabetes, even though you both are not known to have diabetes, arrange a rendezvous to see a physician as soon as possible. When you make the engagement, tell the operator that you are concerned about diabetes. Try as well to make arrangements with a laboratory for blood sugar testing before the consultation.

Call a doctor right away if the patient is known to suffer from diabetes and any of the following apply:

*** The patient is showing diabetes symptoms. This may mean that his/her glycemia level is not under control despite treatment.

*** The diabetic's blood sugar levels, when tested, are constantly high (more than 200 mg/dL). Steady high blood sugar levels are the basic cause of all of the complications of diabetes.

*** The patient's glycemia level is frequently low (less than 60 mg/dL). This may mean that the management approach is too aggressive. It also may be an indication of infection or other strain on the system such as kidney malfunction, liver or adrenal gland failure, or the associated use of some medications.

*** The diabetic has an injury to the leg or foot, no matter how unimportant. Even the tiniest blister or cut can become very grave in a person with diabetes. Early diagnosis and handling of problems with the lower extremities and the feet, alongside with customary diabetic foot care, are decisive in preserving the normal function of the legs and avoiding amputation.

*** The patient suffers from a mild fever (less than 101.5°F). Fever is an indication of infection. In people with diabetes, many ordinary infections can potentially be more hazardous for them than for other people. Note down any symptoms, such as aching urination, redness or inflammation of the skin, pain in the belly, chest ache, or cough, that may point out where the infection is located.

*** The diabetic is revolted or vomiting but can maintain liquids down. The doctor may adjust medications whilst the patient is ailing and will probably recommend an imperative office visit or a call to the emergency unit. Unrelenting nausea and vomiting can be a signal of diabetic ketoacidosis, a potentially deadly condition, as well as a number of other dangerous illnesses.

*** The patient has a little sore (ulcer) on the leg or foot. Any non-healing ulcer or sore on the foot or leg of a diabetic must be seen by a medical professional without delay. A sore less than 1 inch crossways, not draining excretion, and not revealing deep bone or tissue can securely be evaluated in a physician's office provided that the patient does not have fever and their glycemia levels are well managed.

There are countless publications available in the Internet to those who have diabetes, those at risk for the disease, health care consultants and others who care for diabetics, or just want to know more about this condition.

I recently examined one easy-to-read and surprisingly affordable short book: "Stop Prediabetes Now" which I would warmly recommend.

Ann Louise Gittleman, Ph.D., New York Times bestselling author says that "this unbiased book tells the truth about a condition that has clearly become a hidden epidemic in this country."

YOU CAN LEARN TO IDENTIFY DIABETES SYMPTOMS RIGHT NOW

2009-09-02T17:38:00.015-04:00

By Richard Ferri
eHow Contributing Writer

Diabetes is a very common sugar and insulin disorder that often goes undetected in adults. Diabetes impacts nearly 24 million Americans. While this number is staggering by itself, it is important to note that an estimated 6 million people do not know that they have the disease. Diabetes is a disease in which the hormone known as insulin is not properly regulated, which can result in blood sugar (or glucose) imbalances.

There are various forms of diabetes that can range from a total lack of the body’s ability to produce insulin and regulate glucose to the body producing an ineffective amount of insulin. Proper glucose regulation is essential to normal bodily function, thought process and overall wellbeing. Poorly regulated glucose can damage virtually every internal organ and result in life-threatening infections and other conditions.

The good news about diabetes is that advances in care have been tremendous and the disease can be regulated extremely well. Given the fact that nearly 25 percent of Americans with diabetes do not know they have this serious, but treatable condition--this article will focus on the three major signs or red flags of diabetes.

SELF-ASSESSMENT OF ANY EXCESSIVE URINATION, HUNGER AND THIRST

*** Step 1 ***

Observe if there is frequent urination. The first of the three classic symptoms (usually referred to as the P's of Diabetes) is frequent urination or polyuria. This can be a confusing symptom, since it can occur with various other medical conditions other than diabetes. For women it may be a sign of a bladder infection, and for men it may herald the onset of an enlarged prostate. The main difference, however, with diabetes-associated polyuria is that the urinary stream is typically normal without burning or hesitation, but rather frequent and ultimately annoying urination.

*** Step 2 ***

Recognize excessive thirst (polydipsia). This symptom is usually noticeable since people frequently will state that they simply cannot drink enough and have never been as thirsty as this before. Essentially, the imbalance of glucose can result in another imbalance in how the body concentrates fluids (sometimes referred to as osmolarity) resulting in a craving and need to drink fluids in an attempt to correct this imbalance.

*** Step 3 ***

Notice if there is excessive hunger (polyphagia). Much like excessive thirst, excessive hunger is a rather striking symptom that patients frequently report. The sugar or glucose normally consumed by someone with new onset diabetes cannot be converted to energy and used by the body due to the insulin dysfunction, therefore a vicious cycle occurs whereby the body demands more and more food to help ward off glucose starvation, which is occurring since the insulin is absent or not effective. In essence, the body is dramatically attempting to maintain a normal blood sugar level without the full use of the regulating hormone insulin, so the brain tells the body: feed me!

A REVIEW OF ANY FAMILY HISTORY OF DIABETES

*** Step 4 ***

Consider that family history, obesity and a sedentary lifestyle are risk factors for diabetes. Remember, treatment options for diabetes are numerous and effective and getting diagnosed and treated can dramatically improve health and quality of life.

TIPS & WARNINGS

Diabetes often goes unrecognized and is on the rise in certain parts of the world. There are varying levels of altered insulin production and the treatments needed. Obesity, diets high in refined sugars and saturated fats and sedentary lifestyles are risk factors that can be altered and corrected.

***** Never assume that you are not at risk because of a healthy lifestyle *****

***** Also keep an eye on your children if you have a family history of diabetes *****

Genetics play an important role in the development of diabetes like many other diseases. Click on the following links if you want to learn about managing the diabetes symptoms of yours and your children's.

ALCOHOL CONSUMPTION MAY AFFECT YOUR DIABETES TREATMENT

2009-08-29T19:04:00.016-04:00

When people ask me if I can drink alcohol even when I am diabetic my answers are always a yes and a smile. I add, as well, that for type 2 diabetics it is important to eat something while you drink, although not too much of carbs. Often times it happens to me that if I have a glass of wine when I am dining out, I will forget how much I have already eaten.

However, if you are going to drink, you must make sure that you drink prudently, rather than in huge amounts, not only because of the potential damage to your health, but as well for the risk of driving in such a condition. Some people prefer mixed drinks when having a barbeque. If that is your case, make sure you get something that is sugar-free, for that will lessen the effects of the alcohol you might be drinking.

Anyway, beverages with a high sugar content, such as sweet wines and sherries and liqueurs should be strictly limited. Choice mixer drinks could be diet or sugar-free colas or diet tonic water. In line with your recommended daily diet guidelines, moderate alcohol consumption can be beneficial for your health, especially for your heart. In particular, red wine may be more beneficial than beer or spirits.

If you need to have a drink before eating, also have an appetizer such as crackers or bread sticks. When dining out in a restaurant, ask for a breadbasket with your drink or before it.

Note: do not forget to include this food you eat with or before your drink as part of the meal plan for the occasion.

Find out if your alcohol beverage poses a risk. Some people with diabetes can safely drink alcohol in moderate amounts, while for others any amount of alcohol will have serious negative consequences for their health.

Frequently I forget the meaning of moderation when it comes to alcohol. When I am out, for example, I like to test my blood sugar level and inject my insulin as needed. But after a few glasses of wine or beer I've forgotten I've already done and so I test again. Then, I often check my glucometer the next day, to find that once into the early hours I had been testing every fifteen minutes.

I love to drink a little at night, with microwave popcorn, but this causes extreme low levels for me in my sleep, so I cannot enjoy some hard alcohol, unfortunately.

That is why I would recommend you to keep an eye on your blood glucose levels at bedtime, and not to forget to eat something when waking up as well. And also remember that drinking alcohol does not necessarily mean sabotaging your diabetes diet.

ARE DIETARY SUPPLEMENTS SAFE?

2009-08-26T09:57:00.010-04:00

This article was reviewed and approved by the U.S. national Office of Dietary Supplements.

USING DIETARY SUPPLEMENTS WISELY

Many people take dietary supplements in an effort to be well and stay healthy. With so many dietary supplements available and so many claims made about their health benefits, how can a consumer decide what’s safe and effective? Let's make a general overview of dietary supplements, discuss safety considerations, and suggest sources for additional information.

KEY POINTS

Governmental regulations for dietary supplements are very different from those for prescription and over-the-counter drugs. For example, a dietary supplement manufacturer does not have to prove a product’s safety and effectiveness before it is marketed.

If you are thinking about using a dietary supplement, first get information on it from reliable sources. Keep in mind that dietary supplements may interact with medications or other dietary supplements and may contain ingredients not listed on the label.

Tell your health care providers about any complementary and alternative practices you use, including dietary supplements. Give them a full picture of what you do to manage your health. This will help ensure coordinated and safe care.

ABOUT DIETARY SUPPLEMENTS

Dietary supplements were defined in a law passed by the U.S. Congress in 1994 called the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act (DSHEA). According to DSHEA, a dietary supplement is a product that:

** Is intended to supplement the diet
** Contains one or more dietary ingredients (including vitamins, minerals, herbs or other botanicals, amino acids, and certain other substances) or their constituents
** Is intended to be taken by mouth, in forms such as tablet, capsule, powder, softgel, gelcap, or liquid
** Is labeled as being a dietary supplement. Herbal supplements are one type of dietary supplement. An herb is a plant or plant part (such as leaves, flowers, or seeds) that is used for its flavor, scent, and/or therapeutic properties. Botanical is often used as a synonym for herb.

An herbal supplement may contain a single herb or mixtures of herbs.

Research has shown that some uses of dietary supplements are effective in preventing or treating diseases. For example, scientists have found that folic acid (a vitamin) prevents certain birth defects, and a regimen of vitamins and zinc can slow the progression of the age-related eye disease macular degeneration. Also, calcium and vitamin D supplements can be helpful in preventing and treating bone loss and osteoporosis (thinning of bone tissue).

Research has also produced some promising results suggesting that other dietary supplements may be helpful for other health conditions (e.g., omega-3 fatty acids for coronary disease), but in most cases, additional research is needed before firm conclusions can be drawn.

REGULATIONS OF DIETARY SUPPLEMENTS

National governments usually regulate dietary supplements through a number of specialized institutions. In the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is in charge. In general, the regulations for dietary supplements areless strict than those for prescription and over-the-counter drugs.

A manufacturer is permitted to say that a dietary supplement addresses a nutrient deficiency, supports health, or is linked to a particular body function (e.g., immunity), if there is research to support the claim. Such a claim, in the U.S., must be followed by the words "This statement has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease."

Manufacturers are expected to follow certain "good manufacturing practices" (GMPs) to ensure that dietary supplements are processed consistently and meet quality standards. Once a dietary supplement is on the market, the FDA monitors safety. If it finds a product to be unsafe, it can take action against the manufacturer and/or distributor, and may issue a warning or require that the product be removed from the marketplace. Also, once a dietary supplement is on the market, the FDA monitors product information, such as label claims and package inserts.

Some other institutions are responsible for regulating product advertising; it requires that all information be truthful and not misleading. In the past, in different countries, governments have taken legal actions against a number of dietary supplement promoters or Web sites that promote or sell dietary supplements because they have made false or deceptive statements about their products or because marketed products have provento be unsafe.

USEFUL TIPS:

1. Look for reliable sources of information on dietary supplements so you can evaluate the claims that are made about them. The most reliable information on dietary supplements is based on the results of rigorous scientific testing.

2. Ask your health care providers. Even if they do not know about a specific dietary supplement, they may be able to access the latest medical guidance about its uses and risks.

3. Look for scientific research findings on the dietary supplement chiefly at governmental agencies, free publications, clearinghouses, and information on their Web sites.

4. Tell your health care providers about any complementary and alternative practices you use, including dietary supplements. Give them a full picture of what you do to manage your health. This will help ensure coordinated and safe care. It is especially important to talk to your health care provider if you are thinking about replacing your regular medication with one or more dietary supplements.

5. Be careful if you are already taking any medications (whether prescription or over-the-counter), as some dietary supplements have been found to interact with medications.

6. Be extremely careful if you are planning to have surgery. Certain dietary supplements may increase the risk of bleeding or affect the response to anesthesia.

7. If you are pregnant or nursing a baby, or are considering giving a child a dietary supplement, remember that most dietary supplements have not been tested in pregnant women, nursing mothers, or children.

LAST BUT NOT LEAST:

Keep in mind that although many dietary supplements (and some prescription drugs) come from natural sources, "natural" does not always mean "safe." It took years for me to discover, as a diabetic, an excellent dietary supplement that comply with all I said above. It is AyurGold, one of the herbal remedies being sold through the Web, very affordable and easy to get.

As an AyurGold user, I can report the following benefits (while following at the same time a balanced diet/exercise program and getting sufficient rest) of taking this supplement regularly:

++ Controlled blood sugar levels (no more insulin needed)

++ Increased vitality and energy.

++ Reduced urination frequency.

++ Better sleep and greater confidence.

Other users also report:

++ Diminished blurry vision and migraines.

++ Better appetite and well-being.

++ Quicker recovery time from tiredness and injury.

You may want to visit the India Herbs web site, to get complete information about AyurGold and other herbal supplements.

Diabetes complications: as long as I feel well, I must be well ---> WRONG !

2009-08-21T16:40:00.014-04:00

I was told about all the problems my diabetes could cause, but nobody explained why. Had someone explained these things to me, I might have tried harder to do what I had been told to do.

Complications from diabetes come on over time, and damage has often started before we realize something is wrong. The belief that "as long as I feel well I must be well" does not hold true for the complications of diabetes; they come on quietly.

CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEM

The heart actually has the largest blood vessels in the body so why is it damaged? First of all, it is the job of the heart to pump the thick, sticky blood through all the narrowed vessels in the body. That is like canoeing in Jell-O compared with canoeing in water. The heart also has many small vessels that feed and nourish it. When blood sugars are high, they do not get the circulation they need. So not only are we asking the heart to work twice as hard, we are depriving it of nutrition to give it strength. Cardiovascular Disease is the most common cause of death in people with diabetes. But there are support and therapy strategies that have been proven effective.

NERVE DAMAGE AND DISEASE

Amputations and ulcers, especially in the feet, are more frequent in patients with poorly controlled diabetes. Decreased circulation to feet and legs leads to damage and loss of nerve function. The nerves lose their ability to sense pain, pressure, touch, or temperature correctly, which results in tingling and numbess of the feet and toes (fingers, too). This condition is called peripheral neuropathy.

Autonomic neuropathy occurs when there is nerve damage affecting the automatic processes in your body such as heart rate or sweating, so they do not work as they should. The stomach may not process food correctly. The heart rate or blood pressure does not speed up or slow down in response to exercise, exertion, rest, standing, or sitting. Autonomic neuropathy also contributes to the absence of chest pain with heart attack, and can cause sweating at inappropriate times or in specific areas, leaky bladder, pupils that do not constrict or dilate as needed, sexual dysfunction, and decreased ability to sense an infection or hypoglycemia.

If you already have numbness in your feet, is there any point to controlling blood sugars?

Absolutely. Numbness and burning in the feet are signs that nerves have been damaged. Evidence has shown that nerves, when only damaged, can learn to trasmit messages through different pathways. If your feet are so completely numb that you cannot tell where they are because you cannot feel them, managing your blood sugars most likely will not get any sensation back. But it can prevent the numbness and nerve damage from spreading farther up your leg. And controlling your blood sugars will give your damanged nerves and your immune system a fighting chance to help your feet stay healthy.

VISION PROBLEMS

Retinopathy, macular edema, glaucoma, and cataracts are the more common eye disorders related to diabetes.

Eye disease is typically progressive, and there are usually no symptoms until damage has occurred. You may have 20/20 vision yet one day have complete vision loss due to a hemorrhage. This is the reason a yearly eye exam is so important. An eye doctor will be able to see the changes occurring before vision is at risk. Laser surgery can destroy the abnormal vessels in the eye and prevent their regrowth.

SO WHAT IS THE GOOD NEWS?

Believe it or not, there is some good news. The whole process of long-term complications started with sticky red blood cells. The good news is that red blood cells only live two to three months. That means that in three months of keeping your blood sugar levels nearer to normal, you have a whole new set of unsticky red blood cells. This turnover eliminates the cops, slow cars, and semi-trucks from the freeway, and prevents further damage to the road. When blood sugar levels come down, the stickiness decreases on the walls of the arteries and veins, and triglycerides and cholesterol levels are reduced. So where lanes of traffic were closed, we now have open roads. Where damage has been done, we may not be able to repair it, but with improved control, we can prevent further complications and slow or stop the progress of any existing ones. Keeping blood sugars close to normal is the best way to prevent complications. Unlike genetics, age, or sex, it is the one component we have some control over.

Author: Janette Kirkham (American Diabetes Association)

Excerpt from: "Mastering your diabetes"

I would recommend two easy and affordable yet advanced readings on preventing, managing or reversing the common diabetes complications:

1 . Outsmart diabetes 1-2-3 is a plan to balance sugar, lose weight and reverse diabetes complications. The book distills the latest, cutting-edge information on every aspect of diabetes management into a comprehensive three-step program, with each step targeting a key component of optimal diabetes control: - Step 1—Treat and prevent diabetes complications - Step 2—Change the lifestyle factors that can compromise blood sugar balance - Step 3—Build a self-care regimen to safeguard against the disease’s long-term effects. With Outsmart Diabetes 1-2-3, readers have the knowledge and tools they need to get ahead of diabetes—and stay there for good.

2 . Lifestyle makeover for diabetics and pre-diabetics teaches action steps to prevent or reverse the deadly complications of diabetes. In this guide, you ll find information your doctor didn t tell you about how to:

- Prevent scary complications and be in control of your diabetes by understanding it

- Use the Meal Blueprint to lose weight forever and make balanced food choices every day

- Make over your meals whether you dine out or cook at home

- How to work in simple daily activity (don t call it exercise)

- Boost your sex life, regardless of your age

- Enjoy the blessings of excellent health, a natural lifespan and peace of mind while living with diabetes

MORE ON HERBAL SUPPLEMENTS

2009-08-08T15:46:00.005-04:00

In the last entry we reviewed some of the most famous herbs. Now, we will review some more. Remember that most of them are contained in some good herbal supplements, easily available in the internet.

FENUGREEK

Fenugreek has LDL cholesterol and triglyceride lowering effects as well as strong anti-diabetic properties. Studies have shown the capabilities of defatted fenugreek seed powder to increase glucose tolerance and decrease fasting blood glucose in as few as one week.

The botanical name of fenugreek is trigonella foenum-graecum. Other common names include hu lu ba, greek hay, bird's foot, greek clover, meti. Fenugreek is undoubtedly one of the oldest cultivated medicinal plants, and is native to Asia and the Mediterranean countries. Today fenugreek is widely cultivated in France, India, North Africa, Argentina, England and the United States.

Fenugreek is an annual herb, two feet tall, with trifoliate leaves. It blooms, in the early summer, white flowers tinged with violet. The seeds, contained in the flowers, give away a strong special aroma. The plant parts used are the leaves, if they are fresh, and the seeds.

Fenugreek therapeutic uses and benefits

Fenugreek is used to treat diabetes in adults and can help reduce cholesterol in the blood. It is also used as a herbal remedy to minimize the symptoms of menopause and the loss of appetite and anorexia. It can improve digestion, relieve minor stomach aches and diarrhea. A curious application is natural breast enhancement, due to its alleged capability to enlarge breast tissue.
The botanical name of fenugreek is trigonella foenum-graecum.

Another use through the ages is to increase sexual desire and for premature ejaculation treatment. Fenugreek may be helpful for treating memory loss and to slow down the aging process, as it contains choline. Among many other applications, respiratory desease symptoms as sore throat and coughs, bronchitis and asthma.

Potential side effects of fenugreek seeds

It may cause allergic reaction. In that case, one should seek medical attention and suspend treatment. It can also change both color and smell or urine, but this is not harmful. Pregnand women should not take it in any form. It can affect the absortion of other drugs due to its high fiber content; so it should not be used if you are on any kind of medication.

GOLDENSEAL

Goldenseal has strong insulin supporting effects and hypoglycemic properties. Its blood sugar lowering effects make it a good pre-meal supplement, to increase glucose tolerance.

The botanical name of Goldenseal is hydrastis canadensis. Other common names are eyebalm, orangeroot, yellow pucoon, eye root, ground raspberry, yellow root, indian dye, among others.

Goldenseal is found in the northeastern United States, at the edges of forests in moist, rich soil. It will prosper in partial sun and even shaded areas. Goldenseal grows to a height of about 30 centimeters, and is a perennial herb. It has a single hairy, stem and top with two 5-9 lobed leaves, which terminate in a single greenish-white flower. It has a strong odor and bitter taste. Goldenseal produces a fruit, similar to the raspberry but not edible. The plant part used is the root, for medicinal and herbal applications.

Therapeutic uses and benefits of the goldenseal root.

It is used as a treatment for some respiratory complaints such as sinus problems, stuffy nose, bronchitis, etc. and it is considered in general a good remedy for symptoms of the common cold. Also, in combination with other herbs, to help purify the kidneys and urinary tract, and to cleanse the body of toxins.

The goldenseal is also gaining esteem as a natural anti-diabetic treatment. It has been shown to lower blood sugar levels and to increase insulin production. This use as anti-diabetes must be closely monitored, due to goldenseal's tendency to raise blood pressure, which is a complication of diabetes.

PANAX GINSENG

Panax ginseng has many health promoting properties which can benefit all individuals. Those diabetics may benefit in various ways, including increased insulin secretion and the number of insulin receptors, a direct blood sugar control, and in general an increase in energy. Other problems that people with diabetes confront, concerning cardiovascular function and blood vessel health and tone, has also been shown to be supported by panax ginseng.

The botanical name is panax ginseng. There are many other common names for this plant, including Asiatic ginseng, Chinese ginseng, Japanese ginseng, Korean red ginseng, oriental ginseng, ren shen, guigai, ninjing, among many others.

This plant grows in Korea, Japan, Vietnam, China. It grows best in the cooler regions of the northern hemisphere. It reaches a height of up to one foot. The plant has yellowish-green flowers that grow in a circle around a straight stem. It blooms in midsummer. The fruit is a bright crimson berry that contains a few seeds the size of small peas. Sometimes this herb is referred to as a hand, due to its shape resembling a human body, with parts that look like arms and legs. The medicinal properties are found in both the leaves and the root.

It must be noted that there is a difference in the chemical composition of panax ginseng and American ginseng. In addition, eleuthero, formerly called Siberian ginseng, is a completely different species. These three herbs are not interchangeable.

The parts of the plant to be used are the leaves and the root.

Therapeutic uses and benefits of Panax Ginseng

Panax ginseng contains the so-called ginsenosides, active complex carbohydrates, with various capabilities, including stimulation of the nervous system, balance of metabolic processes, decrease of blood sugar, among others.

Panax ginseng may be considered useful as an anti-aging treatment, due to its capability to restore and maintain the cell's capacity to function.

In short, panax ginseng supports different functions of the body, and increases its resistance to biological, chemical and physical stress.

Panax ginseng has many other applications. For example, it lowers the blood alcohol contet by reducing absorption from the stomach, which is useful in cases of alcohol intoxication. It decreases senility and improves behavior and memory, which is useful for those suffering from Alzheimer's disease. Regular intake of panax ginseng reduces vulnerability to liver, pancreatic, lung, stomach and ovarian cancer. It has also been shown to increase beneficial HDL cholesterol and decrease harmful LDL cholesterol levels.

Panax ginseng lowers blood sugar levels, so it can be very important for people with type 2 diabetes.

It also boosts sexual vitality by increasing sperm production and clearly decreasing erectile dysfunction. For the immune system, panax ginseng helps fight off disease and infections. Panax ginseng has a long history of success in helping people to conquer stress. It also improves retention and concentration, especially when combined with ginkgo biloba, and enhances mental alertness.

Potential side effects.

In general it is safe to use for persons in good health. Nevertheless, this herb must be taken with prudence, preferably under qualified control, because misuse can cause headache, insomnia, vomiting, and elevation in blood pressure. For individuals who are taking medicinal drugs, the use of panax ginseng may cause falsely abnormal blood test results. It is not advisable to take panax ginseng when taking aspirin, other hypoglycemic agents, insulin, ibuprofen, and several other drugs. Neither is it in pregnancy or when suffering from mental disorders.
Therapeutic dosages.This is very important: use only standardized panax ginseng products. Follow carefully the directions on the prospectus. The daily dosages vary depending on the type of product: dried root, fresh root or liquid extract.

Most of these herbs are part of AyurGold, one of the best supplements for the treatment of diabetes mellitus, for its stimulating effects on the body secreting insulin and the enhancing of the effects of it.

HOMEOPATIC AND HERBAL SUPPLEMENTS

2009-08-01T17:37:00.007-04:00

The use of homeopatic and herbal remedies and dietary supplements can help prevent diabetes and also keep signs and symptoms of the disease under control, as a great deal of evidence suggests. Herbal remedies and dietary supplements can reduce and sometimes even eliminate the need for prescription medication, and can also help prevent some of the damages of tissues and organs associated with high blood sugar levels, when correct lifestyle changes are made at the same time.

Some herbs have proven successful as natural supplements to treat symptoms and signs of diabetes. Among them, we can cite Gymnema Sylvestre, Cinnamon, Bitter Melon, Fenugreek, Goldenseal and Panax Ginseng. Likewise, the mineral Chromium Picolinate has been proven to enhance the effectiveness of insulin.

Other natural remedies can be used as natural supplements to treat diabetes, helping maintain glycemia levels within the normal range and supporting the endocrine system. That is the case of AyurGold. The herbs in it can be used as natural supplements to treat diabetes, and also as support for a healthy circulation, which is an important issue concerning diabetics, who need to improve their flow of blood to the hands and feet.

The bottom line in the overall management of diabetes is that the use of natural herbs can be important. At the same time, a constant monitoring of glycemia levels and a good overall diabetes education must accompany the use of herbal supplement for diabetes. Needless to remember once more, any changes in medication or in supplements must be discussed with the doctor or nutritionist.

Below is a review of some of the most widely accepted herbs to treat diabetes. In a few days, come back to this site. You will find the review of more or the famous glycemia-controlling herbs, also contained in the main herbal supplements, included AyurGold, easily available through the Web.

GYMNEMA SYLVESTRE

Gymnema Sylvestre is a diabetes diet supplement that may assist with diabetes as well as anything related to the process of absorbing sugar within the body. Gymnema Sylvestre is all-natural, and is essentially an ayurvedic herb. Its most suitable use would be for individuals with type-2 diabetes, and especially those who suffer to control their urges for sweets. It can be taken with other medications, and it is claimed to be non-addictive. It is stated to have no side effects, but nevertheless, pregnant or nursing women should not take this supplement.

There does not appear to exist absolute security on the results provided with Gymnema Sylvestre, after some clinical trials conducted with it. But it is more than likely that this substance may be able to assist men and women with type-2 diabetes and regulating blood sugar levels. Gymnema Sylvestre can be easily purchased online in capsule or tea form, and is an all-natural herbal component.

Gymnema Sylvestre is found mainly in the forests of India. Its leaves provide its herbal properties. It has been in use for treatment of diabetes for about 2000 years. It provides easy, speedy and gentle absorption of the optimum blend or nutrients that promote health. Its leaf standardized extract, available on line, supports healthy glucose metabolism.

CINNAMON

Cinnamon is another herbal treatment for diabetes that has begun to find favor with modern science. It has been shown to increase the sensitivity to insuline of the cells of the body. And that, in turn, improves the conversion of glucose to energy through the use of insulin. Some say that Cinnamon may triple insulin's efficiency, wheter natural or injected. The damaging effects of diabetes are also reduced by the anti-oxidant properties of the Cinnamon.

It is native to South India and Sri Lanka, and also widely grown in countries such as China, Vietnam, Brazil, Indonesia. Cinnamon is an evergreen tree which could attain a height of more than 15 meters. It has strong branches , a stout trunk that is up to 60 centimetres in diameter and a thick bark. The tree bears small white flowers; the fruits are oval blue berries, with white spots. The shiny green leaves are stiff and leathery.

Therapeutic uses of Cinnamon

Ever since the ancient times, Cinnamon has been in use as a culinary spice, for its flavor, and also as a medicinal herb. In the present times the bark is still widely used all over the world as a cooking ingredient. It adds a hint of spice to teas, candies, desserts, and in many dishes in Asian and Middle Eastern cooking as well.

Cinnamon has plenty of medicinal uses. It improves digestion and provides relief to flatulence, diarrhea, nausea and other digestive disorders. It also has the ability to regulate blood glucose. This property makes it useful to supplement diabetes diet as an herbal treatment. The level of blood sugar is reduced in those suffering from type-2 diabetes with just 2.5 ml. of Cinnamon a day, according to a study.

Consuming cinnamon is useful for people who have cold hands and feet, because it generates warmth in the system. It was reported about some arthritis patients which were given one tablespoon of honey with half a tablespoon of cinnamon in powdered form, everyday before breakfast, and the results were clearly beneficial. The participants in the study reported an important reduction in the pain in short periods of time. Cinnamon also helps get rid of flu, cold and headaches. The essential oil of the leaves has a spicy fragrance that reduces irritability and drowsiness and purifies the air indoors.

Dosage and Administration

The essence of cinnamon in the form of tablets can be easily purchased on line. The tea can be purchased too, or be made at home by pouring hot water over one teaspoon of cinnamon bark.

Potential side effects of cinnamon.

The bark tea is safe, with no frequent side effects. Exception: large doses for those with ulcers is not advisable, as it could irritate the stomach lining. The same for pregnant women.

BITTER MELON

In orthodox medicine, bitter melon has been used in a widespread way for the treatment of diabetes. Its capabilities for lowering blood sugar has attracted diabetics for centuries. One of the active ingredients in bitter melon, charantin, is a potent hypoglycemic agent, as many hypoglycemic drugs used in diabetes treatment.Another active ingredient, momordica, very similar to insulin, decreases blood glucose levels. Due to its potent hypoglycemic effect, this supplement should be taken with care when taken along with medications to control diabetes.

The botanical name of bitter melon is momordica charantia. Other common names are karela, caraili, papailla, ampalaya, balsam apple or pear, pare, bitter gourd. Its natural habitat are parts of South America, the Caribbean, Asia and Africa, areas with tropical conditions. This tropical vine grows up to six to eight feet in height. The fruit is oblong and with a rough exterior.

Therapeutic benefit and uses.

In the Amazon, it is used as a medicine and also in cooking. As far as the medicinal uses are concerned, American natives have used it for a long time as a treatment of diabetes, and many other application as well.

Some use it as an aphrodisiac and others as an anti-inflammatory agent. In some places the young fruits are used in cooking as they are rich in vitamins A and C, carbohydrates and iron.
Though it has so many uses, it has attracted particular attention as a herbal treatment for diabetes. Its effectivenes has been proved by clinical research, and thus it is deemed as a natural alternative to conventional drug to treat diabetes.

Other medical uses could be for piles, respiratory disorders, blood disorders, alcoholism and cholera. Research is being carried to study the effectiveness of bitter melon to fight cancer and HIV infections.

Dosage and administration

A daily dose of 60 ml of fresh juice or, alternatively, a small fruit per day. It also may be used in tincture form, to avoid the bitter taste.

Side effects

It is considered fairly safe to use, but it is advisable as prescribed by a health care physician. No harmful side effects were generally reported. The seeds must not be consumed, due to a possible toxic effect.

An important notice: since bitter melon lowers the level of glycemia, care must be taken by those susceptible to hypoglycemia, as it might make their condition worse, and lead to a coma. Care must be taken also by those on anti-diabetic medication, due to the possibility of blood sugar level to drop below normal. Pregnant women should avoid bitter melon.

REMEMBER to come back in a few days, to learn more about the blood-sugar-reducing herbs.

FIGHT FOOD CRAVINGS WITH SUPPLEMENTS

2009-07-29T18:07:00.013-04:00

Nothing is worse for your intentions of eating healthier than an unrestrained food craving. Food cravings can control you instead of the other way around if the images of those cookies, crackers, chips, soda or ice cream keep popping into your mind.

But what do food cravings actually mean, scientists puzzle over? Can they determine, for example, if a craving is your body's way of telling you that you are needing more of some nutrient in your diet, or if that is just a sign of something else, like an addiction?

Health specialists and scientists have long thought that cravings such as those for chocolate that occur in women in the premenstrual stage have a lot to do with the high mineral content of chocolate, and not with the addictive qualities of chocolate itself. The truth may be that both, addiction and the needs of your body are in play when you have a food craving.

The idea that certain kind of foods (especially sugar and carbohydrates in general) can be addictive are beginning to gather support in the medical milieu. It turns out that sugar addiction has a lot in common with other sorts of addictions, like cigarettes, alcohol and even hard drugs.

This food addiction cause cravings, and is nothing to joke about: it often lead us to eat foods that are not good for us, eat more than we want, and maybe contribute to serious diseases, such as diabetes, heart disease, obesity and even Alzheimer's.

Then it is your addiction calling you if food cravings are the result of some addictive behavior and not of your body needing a substance. Most studies on food cravings focus on trying to change your mental approach to eating, as if food cravings were only a psychological problem. So science is behind the ball. There is something called emotional eating, I will not deny, but it misses the point to only consider food cravings in your head. Food cravings are also physical (as cravings for drugs), and need to be approached from both a physiological and a physical point of view.

Supplements for food cravings

Below are some supplements to help overcome food cravings, among which some are scientifically backed while others are not.

++ The amino acids: alpha-lipoic acid, phenylalanine, gamma-aminobutyric acid, tyrosine, glutamine, tryptophan, all seem to help. These amino acids do two things: they provide the body with needed nutrients, and also provide building blocks of brain chemicals that help you to modulate both cravings and mood. For example, serotonin. Throug the Internet, today it is very easy to get healthy supplements containing various vitamins, minerals and these amino acids.

++ B-complex vitamins: they are generally lacking in our diets, yet they are also important co-factors in building brain chemicalsñ

++ Minerals: Magnesium, calcium and chiefly chromium, have all been shown to help fight food cravings.

++ Herbs: many herbs, as gymnema, bitter melon, korean ginseng, cynnamon, etc. have been shown to help stabilize glycemia, which is also thought to play an important role in food cravings. You may want to check up one of those herbal supplements, which is completely natural, without side effects and very affordable.

++ Multivitamins too can help quell cravings. Many of these include the B-vitamins and minerals, as mentioned before.

++ Exercising: it reduces chocolate urges, for example, and there was a trend towards attenuated urges in response to the chocolate cue.

Listening to what your body needs is the first and most important step to becoming healthy. However, this feedback system can go awry when your food cravings are addictive. On the other hand, supplements can help you control your food cravings and thus be a part of a whole program to attain and maintain a healthy full lifestyle.

LOW CARB DIETS vs LOW GI DIET

2009-07-25T11:01:00.007-04:00

I have been hearing of low carb diets for a while, as almost everyone. Examples: the Atkins and the South Beach diets. But in the diabetic diet scene the low GI diet (GI stands for glycemic index) is a fairly new name. The former restrict the quantity of carbohydrates, while the low GI diet focuses on the quality of the carbohydrates that one consumes. It promotes the consumption of foods that are "low" in the glycemic index, the ones that keep you full longer and have a gently effect on your blood sugar.

In the beginning, a typical low carb diet has a restrictive phase, where your carbohydrate intake is severely limited. On the other hand, you can eat all the meat you want, including unlimited fats. Later on, you can gradually add in more carbohydrates.

Although the low GI diet sounds like another fad diet, it has actually been around for almost 40 years! It is being used in European countries to help manage diabetes. Moreover, this diet has gotten a lot of attention as a great healthy way to lose weight. The low GI diet focuses on the "good carbs", foods that have a low glycemic index, and prompts you to eat plenty of them. By the way, these foods are also the ones that we know to be good for us, like vegetables, whole grains and fruits. On the other hand, "bad carbs", which have a high glycemic index, should be eaten in moderation and, if possible, mixed with the low GI carbs, to lower the overall glycemic index of the meal. By the way, it is very easy for vegetarians of any type to adopt the low GI diet since this diet focuses only on carbs.

Other low carb diets can be limiting in fruits and vegetables, which are high in vitamins, enzymes and minerals, as well as fiber. They are commnonly associated with a license to eat as much saturated fat as you want. This is a misconception. Nevertheless, the low GI diet is full of vegetables, fiber, fruits and low in fat, though it emphasis the "good fats" found in nuts. It encourages eating moderate quantities of lean meats.

We all know that fats and meats are no carbohydrates, and leafy vegetables are low carb. That is why some may not be aware of what foods have a low GI. Most vegetables have a very low GI, except beets, pumpkin and potatoes. Most fruits have a medium GI value, except citrus, apples, peaches and plums, which have a very low glycemic index.

The question now is which diet is best ...

A low-GI diet is useful for people with diabetes, as either their bodies' insulin production is deficient or their bodies are insulin resistant, restricting their ability to metabolise glucose. Thus a low GI diet causes less variation in blood glucose levels which makes the condition easier to manage.

Many people in the health profession in general, and in the nutrition field in particular, consider a low carb diet to be unhealthy. Studies have shown saturated fats to be sometimes worse than carbs for the diabetic. On the other hand, almost everyone would consider a low GI diet to be very healthy. It is widely accepted that eating lots of vegetables and the adequate fruits and fiber can help to bolster your immune system, thus allowing you to fight disease. That is a side effect, besides the main effect of helping you control your blood sugar level and thus avoiding the complications of diabetes. On the other hand, following a simple low carb diet and eating high fat meats, for example, may adversely affect your health and help contribute to heart disease in the long run.

Low-GI diets have benefits for non-diabetics also. A high-GI diet results in peaks and troughs of energy throughout the day, whereas a low-GI diet results in a good level of sustained energy. Low-GI foods also tend to have a longer satisfaction period per calorie given the slow energy release, which is useful in maintaining a healthy weight loss/control diet.

Remember also that being overweight is a major health risk for many diseases, including especially diabetes. Anyway, the best diet is probably one that works for you ...! Some prefer a low carb diet, some respond better to the low GI diet. Either way, it makes sense to make healthy food choices, and living a healthy lifestyle, including excercise.

You may want to read a review on the low GI diet at the web site below:
http://low-gi-diet-breakthrough-review.blogspot.com/

or just go to the "Low GI diet breakthrough" ebook web site.

SWITCHING TO A VEGETARIAN DIET

2009-07-19T11:37:00.001-04:00

There are several reasons why people choose vegetarian diets: an indisposition to eat meat, an aversion to killing animals, or a simple choice of a different lifestyle and a special diabetes diet.

There are a number of dissimilar vegetarian diets. None of them need to be a really strict diet. The point here is the avoidance of all red meat (lamb, beef, pork, etc.)

The most common types of vegetarian diets allow vegetables and:
+ Vegan - Eats no food sourced from animals
+ Lacto-ovo - Same as the above but includes milk and eggs.
+ Lacto - Allows milk but will not eat eggs.
+ Ovo - Eats eggs only - but no other animal foods.
+ Pesco - Eats fish but no other animal foods (pescetarian)
+ Pollo - Allows chicken
+ Fruitarian (sub-set of vegan - includes only fruiting portion of plant).

These diets, being based on consumption of vegetables, fruits, nuts and whole grains, are high in fiber. Other advantages are that they are low in calories, refined sugars and saturated fat. With careful planning and the right knowledge, any type of the common vegetarian diets can provide adequate nutrition for the diabetic. Remember that some nutrients must be emphasized: protein, calcium, zinc, iron, and the B complex vitamin.

+ Lacto/ovo diets provide protein by means of egg white and milk.
+ On the other hand, on a vegan diet protein needs are met by legumes (peas, nuts, beans, lentils, etc). By combining legumes with various dishes, the recommended daily allowance (RDA) of protein can be attained.

To keep in mind: because of its high estrogen levels, a factor in the physical maturing process, soy milk could be undesirable for the vegan child, even though it is an excellent source of protein.

Could switching to a vegetarian diet cure diabetes?

Switching to a vegetarian diet will not probably cure your diabetes. But it will surely offer several benefits over a non-vegetarian diet. Among them: making your body more responsive to insulin (probably the most important advantage), reducing your risk of some diabetes-associated complications (quite important as well) and helping you better control your weight.

All this, of course, depends on the particular food choices you make when following the type of vegetarian diet you selected. There is not a unique vegetarian eating plan.

The vegan diet is the strictest of all vegetarian diets. Vegans eat neither animal meats nor foods that come from animals, such as eggs and dairy products. Other types of vegetarian diets may allow dairy products and eggs. A strict vegan diet is generally low in saturated fat and cholesterol-free.

Vegetarian diets that include fruits, vegetables, whole grains and legumes in generous amounts are high in fiber and phytochemicals. Generally speaking, vegetarian diets are lower in calories than are non-vegetarian diets.

Bottom line: good vegetarian diets benefit people with diabetes.

Vegetarian diets generally lead to significant weight loss, which in turn can improve type 2 diabetes in people who are obese. This is true of similar weight loss from non-vegetarian diabetes diets as well.

A vegetarian diet makes your body more responsive to insulin, some studies say, and that is very important if you have diabetes. According to a 2006 study published in a scientific journal, 43 percent of people who ate a low-fat vegan diet reported a reduction on their need for diabetes medications.

The risk of diabetes-associated complications, such as kidney disease and cardiovascular disease, is also reduced with vegetarian diets. But again, all this depends on the specific kind of foods you choose.

Notwithstanding, before you switch to a vegetarian diet, it is always best to talk to a dietitian or doctor, if you have diabetes. They can help you create an eating plan that provides all the nutrients for your body and the right amount of calories to maintain the healthy weight.

INTERESING ALTERNATIVES TO CONSIDER:

1. A balanced and more enjoyable diet might be one including other foods. You might want to read a review on the eBook "How to play the diabetes diet game and win" or directly go to the author's web site.

2. Another kind of diet, based on the kind of carbohydrates you eat, is the low GI diet. Before taking a decision, you might want to read a review on the eBook "The low GI diet breakthrough"

DIABETES DIET: Your Healthy-Eating Plan

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Your diabetes diet should be no more than a healthy-eating plan to help you control your blood sugar and your weight in a safe and comfortable fashion. You do not need to start eating special foods or follow complicated diet plans just because you are a diabetic.

A diabetes diet, for most people, simply translates into eating moderate amounts of a variety of foods, and sticking to regular mealtimes. A diabetes diet must emphasize vegetables, whole grains and fruits. Coherence is key as well. Your body responds to excess calories and fat by raising your glycemia levels. Rather than a strict standardized diet, a good diabetes diet is a healthy-eating plan, low in calories and fat and naturally rich in nutrients. It should be the best eating plan for everyone, in fact.

HOW TO PLAN YOUR MEALS

Your meal plan is your eating guide to help you:
+ Choose the right amounts of the healthiest foods at each meal
+ Set up a routine for eating meals

Watching your serving sizes and sticking to your meal plan will lead you to eat about the same amount of calories and nutrients every day. Which in turn will help you better control your weight and your blood sugar.

Beware of this: the more you vary the amount of carbohydrates and fat you eat, the harder it is to control your blood sugar.

If at the present you are already eating a variety of adequate healthy foods, you will need to just adapt the portion sizes, to keep your glycemia (blood sugar) checked. You may need to go in for a more specific plan, eating only a recommended number of portions from each food group every day.

WHAT ARE EXCHANGE LISTS AND HOW TO USE THEM

Dietitians recommend using the exchange system, which groups foods into categories, such as fruits, meats and meat substitutes, fats and starches, for example. A helping in a group is what they call an "exchange". Any exchange has about the same amount of protein, fat, carbs and calories as a helping of every other food in the same group, and the same effect on your blood sugar. For example, you could trade either of the following for one carbohydrate serving: 1 small apple or 1/3 cup of cooked pasta.

CARBOHYDRATE COUNT

Counting carbohydrates can be a helpful tool, especially if you take insulin or diabetes medications in general. This method makes sure your timing and amount of carbs are the same each day. Eating more or less carbs than usual at a given meal or from day to day may lead your blood sugar to undesirably fluctuate more. This method is not so hard to implement, but you better work with a dietitian to learn how to do it properly. They will teach you how to calculate the carbohydrate content in each meal and snack, so you will be able to adjust your insulin dose accordingly.

THE GLYCEMIC INDEX (GI)

Some diabetic people use this index to select foods, in particular carbohydrates. High glycemic index of a food is associated with greater increase in blood sugar. But foods with low index are not necessarily healthier. For example, foods high in fat tend to have lower glycemic index values than some healthier options do. Nevertheless, the low GI diets are, experts say, one of the best choices for diabetics. It is just a matter of making adjustments to your particular needs to get your personalized and balanced healthy GI diet.

ADDING VARIETY AND BEING CONSISTENT

Coherent eating habits help you control the level of your blood sugar. That is why you should try to eat every day at about the same time and the same amount of food. Aim to meet your nutritional needs by including a variety of healthy foods. With the help of a dietitian, plan a program to meet these guidelines:

+ Carbohydrates must provide 45 to 65% of daily calories
+ Fats, 20 to 35% of daily calories+ Protein, 15 to 20% of daily calories.
+ Eat adequate carbohydrates. Focus on the healthiest ones, the complex carbohydrates (starches), such as vegetables, whole grains, fruits, low-fat dairy products and legumes.
+ Select fiber-rich foods. Dietary fiber consists of all parts of plant foods that your body cannot absorb or digest. Fiber helps control blood sugar levels and decreases the risk of heart disease.
+ Every day consume about 25 to 30 grams of fiber. High-fiber foods include fruits, vegetables, legumes (lentils, beans, etc), wheat bran, nuts and whole-wheat flour. At the same time, limit saturated and trans fats. Heart-healthy eating becomes a vital part of your diabetes diet because your risk of stroke and heart disease is increased by your diabetes, which accelerates the development of hardened and clogged arteries.
+ Try to avoid trans fat completely, and get only up to 7% of your daily calories from saturated fat.

The best way to achieve this is to
+ Reduce the amount of shortening, butter and margarine you eat. In short, limit solid fats.
+ Use low-fat substitutes. For example, instead of butter, top your baked potato with low-fat yogurt or salsa.
+ Instead of margarine, use sugar-free fruit spread on toast.
+ Opt for unsaturated fats. Aim for monounsaturated fats such as canola oil or olive oil. Polyunsaturated fats are a healthier choice as well. You can find them in seeds and nuts, for instance. Nevertheless, remember that all fat is high in calories. Here moderation is essential.
You may develop fatty deposits in your blood vessels if there is too much cholesterol in your blood. And these deposits make it difficult for your blood to flow freely through your arteries. So curb dietary cholesterol. Consume only up to 200 milligrams of cholesterol a day, to keep it under control in your blood.

HINTS TO LOWER YOUR CHOLESTEROL INTAKE

+ Instead of organ meats use lean cuts of meat
+ Choose egg replacements over egg yolks
+ Instead of whole milk products opt for skim milk
+ Consume heart-healthy fish twice a week at least. Tuna, halibut and cod, for instance, have less fat and cholesterol than do meat and poultry. So fish can be a good substitute for high-fat meat. Other fish such as herring, mackerel and salmon are rich in omega-3 fatty acid, which promote heart health by lowering blood triglycerides.

CAUTIONS? Avoid fried fish and also fish containing high levels of mercury, such as swordfish, king mackerel and tilefish.

NO MATTER WHAT, KEEP YOUR MIND ON THE PRIZE

Adhering firmly and devotedly to your diabetes diet is the best way to prevent diabetes complications by maintaining your blood sugar under control. If you want, work in your favorite foods and foods you have not tried before, for greater variety. Follow your healthy-eating plan, a low GI diet or any other, and be creative within its guidelines.

Try to join others who are following a diabetes diet and enjoying the benefits, and look for inspiration from them.