Hypoglycemia - Know Diabetes To Control It

Hypoglycemia is a common problem of the diabetics. The most common sign of hypoglycemia is scarce blood sugar in the body. Actually, hypoglycemia causes the blood sugar to pass out via urine. This is notwithstanding the fact that different persons suffering from this dysfunction may have different types of symptoms. Mentionably, hypoglycemia retraces its steps the moment the blood sugar level turns normal.

Sugar is a good slave but a very taxing master. Sugar is one of the main sources of energy or fuel for the body. Now, our body extracts sugar from the meals we have. Sugar can be carbohydrates which is a complex form of this stimulating source or just plain sugar. It is rather interesting to note that our body always keeps a buffer stock of sugar in the liver. This vital storehouse of sugar is called glycogen. This storage of sugar provides ready backup of sugar during exigencies when the body badly needs to look for sugar reinforcements. Mention may be made of some really trying times as too much of physical labor or during long periods of fasting. Further, the body releases the requisite additional quota of sugar via a complex biochemical procedure. This method is known as gluco-neo-genesis. Its simplest meaning is to produce new sugar. What is more, the process changes the glycogen into sugar.

So we see how important sugar is for our body. Hypoglycemia happens whenever the body fails to regulate or supply such emergency sugar reinforcements. These problems appear due to malfunctioning of our pancreas. During such times, the natural capacity of the body to produce insulin gets affected. Our body’s blood sugar level is automatically kept under control by insulin. This hormone secreted by the pancreas carries out the job by lowering the blood sugar level the moment it crosses the danger stage. In a normal human being, the pancreas is the sentinel ever on vigil against the attacks of excessive blood sugar. The method is akin to the radiator fan in your car which starts automatically whenever the engine gets heated up beyond the requisite level.

Hypoglycemia is intimately connected with the typical metabolic ailment known as Diabetes mellitus. The ailment, diabetes, can definitely be kept under control but cannot be cured by the modern-day medications. It is a medical state that is chronic. In simple words, diabetes or hypoglycemia remains a person’s lifetime mate.

The diabetics usually posses high levels of sugar in their blood stream. Incidentally in the good olden days, diabetes was initially identified with ‘sweet urine’ and too much loss of muscles. Such sweet urine is the result of hypoglycemia when the body produces glucose more than its requirement. What is more, the excess glucose gets circulated in the blood. Only when the pancreas is functioning normally can its insulin hormone control the high level of blood sugar.

Patients suffering from diabetics (Types 1 and 2) complain of hypoglycemia. A person suffering from hypoglycemia generally encounters problems in controlling the blood sugar level. This again results because that person’s pancreas failed to either produce the sufficient quantity of insulin or totally failed to produce any insulin. The consequence is hyperglycemia.

There are many causes of hypoglycemia. Diabetics undergoing long periods of fasting can have hypoglycemia. This happens because their levels of insulin circulate fast. And, the fasting phase suddenly brings down this high circulating level. Moreover, certain drugs can also trigger off hypoglycemia. Even those persons who have inbuilt resistance to insulin may complain of hypoglycemia. Hypoglycemia can be caused also by certain tumors which produce insulin. Such tumors are called insulinomas.

By: Nilutpal Gogoi

Fat Loss 4 Idiots For Diabetics - Can People With Diabetes Use This Diet?

One of the frequent questions I receive from people who have read the review I wrote about Fat Loss 4 Idiots or use the Fat Loss 4 Idiots forum I started is whether or not this diet can be used by diabetes patients.

This is indeed an important issue due to the special nutritional requirements of diabetics.

The formal answer is very simple: Fat Loss 4 Idiots wasn't made specifically for diabetics. However, that doesn't mean that if you have diabetes, type 1 or type 2, you can't use Fatloss4idiots. I've received reviews from several people with diabetes who use this diet, and so far, the results don't seem to be different from the ones people without diabetes get with this diet.

The thing which allows people with diabetes to use Fat Loss For Idiots is the food selection process in which each user picks the food that comprises his or her personal menu on the Fat Loss 4 Idiots diet generator. By choosing diabetes-safe foods, each person can make sure the menu is safe for his or her condition.

Of course, a good course of action would be to consult your doctor and to track you sugar levels on a regular basis when you begin using the diet. This will enable you to see how this diet is actually affecting your condition.

As with any user of Fat Loss 4 Idiots, diabetics will vary in results. Some will lose a lot of weight, some a little less, and a few will not find the diet to be successful. However, it may be worth a try for you.

By John Davenport

One Simple Tip For Diabetics

Till to date there is no invention like magic cure, or magical pill, or a fantastic injection, the cure to diabetes is a simple remedy that is to have control on what you eat.

Eat Fibrous Food A diet low in fat and carbohydrates rich in fiber and proteins is recommended. You have to control the sugar levels with the help of diet and exercise is the only tip for the best management of diabetes.

Fruits help to control the blood sugar as they are low in glycemic index. They promote a slow and steady increase in the sugar level of the blood which is of great importance to diabetics.

In more simple words fiber keeps the blood glucose from going high after a meal because it slows down the speed at which the food is digested. A high fiber, low fat way of eating also reduces the risk for cancer, cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure and obesity. Fiber has a favorable effect on cholesterol too.

Fiber in a food is made up of two types

Insoluble fiber Such as that found in vegetables and whole grain products.Insoluble fiber improves gastrointestinal function

Soluble Fiber Such as found in fruits, oats, barley and beans. Soluble fiber affects blood glucose.

The recommended amount of fiber is 20-35 grams per day.

The simplest rule for diabetics is to stick on to their diet. Do regular exercise and take your medicines. A well balanced diet according to your needs is the key of long, happy and healthy life.

I know that what I am going to tell you can be unbelievable, but thats the truth and 100% truth. Diabetes can be managed and even reversed. I have reversed it Follow this link- Diabetes Information, Diabetes Cure and see the results and get a free e-book on diabetes.

by Tehmina Mazher

Raw Food Diet : Top 10 Benefits of Eating Raw Foods!

I had always preferred the name Live Foods rather than Raw Foods. The name Live Foods is self-explanatory: We are alive, so eat live foods!

Some of the comments I get from people on the Raw/Live Foods diet are: "Boring, unpalatable, bland, unsustainable etc". Personally, I think it is just a question of how to, and whether you want to make an effort towards better health. After you take action to start, its impossible not to carry on because you taste the sweetness & power of superior Health, Energy AND Clarity!

There is an endless list of the benefits of going raw......When we first start on a clean & fresh diet, our magnificent body goes into the healing & re-building mode, where millions of chemical processes are carried out to rid our toxins, nourish our cells & heal the impaired organs for a maximum performing body. Behold the magic of our body!

Just for the fun of it, I always like to notice the positive benefits, list them down, and then think about how much I would love to share that with everybody I know :)

Today, let's just list 10 of them:

1) You literally jump out of bed every morning feeling vibrant, alive & totally awake.

2) You have more energy than you can remember before, AND you are more energetic than most people your age.

3) You have clear sparkling eyes. If you already have large, sparkling eyes, than eating live foods will give you the most beautiful pair of shutters!

4) You drop excess weight naturally, AND you maintain your ideal weight effortlessly. Ladies, imagine that! (Seriously, the benefit of weight loss & maintenance is a "by-product" that is good to have. People who have gone raw before will know exactly what I am talking about!)

5) You have clear, dewy skin that is the envy of all your friends. If your skin is already in good condition before, than eating live foods will give you young, firm skin which is irressistable to touch! Another bonus for the ladies ;)

6) You are already taking a road AWAY from the top killers like diabetes, cancer & heart diseases on a live foods diet, because the diet excludes all the causal factors by default. Goodbye to diseases & Hello to good health!

7) You have better stamina than before, even if you do not exercise that much. The first time i went raw, I could run 10 km all the way breathing through my nose. And if you are a weight-lifting fanatic, this is something you definitely want to try because you will have so much more energy to train and build your dream body!

8) This is my favourite: after about 4 months, my grey hair started turning black! I have personally come across people who was bald before had their hair grow back after 6 months on raw, and some others who reported disappearing of grey hairs after 30 - 60 days.

9) You feel happy, smiley & peaceful. There are countless raw foodies who experiences a natural & lasting "buzz" or "high" all the time!

10) It is fun & you get to eat a large variety of foods. Mother Earth has presented to us such a large array of fuits, vegetables, nuts & seeds that you can create new tasty dishes for every day of your life! Have you ever noticed how good a durian or mango taste the moment you cut it up & devour it? It does not need seasoning, cooking or additional ingredients to make it edible because that is what nature has given us.

by Linda Loo

Diagnosed With Diabetes? What You Need To Know

Being diagnosed with diabetes is something you should take seriously. Yet it doesn’t have to cause you too many changes in your lifestyle if you follow the guidelines your doctor has set. This information is going to depend on which type of diabetes you have been diagnosed with. It will take some time to find the right medication and the dosage for you. This can be frustrating but it is an essential part of the process so that you can effectively control the disease.

Too many people forget to take their medication for diabetes or they skip it because they are feeling very good. It is important that you remember to take your medication as prescribed. Put it in a location where you are sure to see it. Don’t skip taking it because you feel good. Instead, view that as an indicator that the medication is working well for you.

You will need to see your doctor on a regular basis to help you get your diabetes under control. This is especially true in the beginning after you have been diagnosed. To make your doctor visits more meaningful, keep a medical diary. Keep track of taking your medication, side effects, how you felt that day, even what you ate and the amount of exercise you got. If you have to check your glucose levels make sure you document that information as well.

If you don’t eat a well balanced meal, you really need to make some changes in this area if you have been diagnosed with diabetes. Research shows that eating a balanced diet will help keep it under control. Your diet needs to include plenty of carbohydrates, proteins, and fats. You can help keep your blood sugar regulated by trying to eat your meals at the same time each day.

Diabetes may not be much fun, but with proper management, you can keep it under control.

By: Gabriel Adams

Diabetes And Men's Health

Men with diabetes have a higher incidence of erectile dysfunction (ED): a man with diabetes has a 4 in 5 chance of facing ED, whereas a man without diabetes has a 1 in 5 chance.

Erectile Dysfunction refers to an inability to achieve or maintain an erection hard enough for sexual intercourse. It falls under the blanket term impotence, which also covers other sexual problems such as lack of arousal and the inability to orgasm. Erectile dysfunction is not simply an occasional inability to perform sexually that occurs to every man; if you have erectile dysfunction, you will be unable to achieve or maintain an erection over 50% of the time.

Although erectile dysfunction often occurs with age, it is not a normal part of aging and can be treated. For men with diabetes, erectile dysfunction occurs an average of 10-15 years earlier than in other men.

Why does diabetes often lead to erectile dysfunction? Diabetes is linked with many nervous system disorders, and erectile dysfunction can be caused by nerve damage. Nervous system damage can cause erectile dysfunction because the nervous system tells your body when you are aroused. If you are emotionally aroused but your nervous system cannot send the message to your penis, then you will not get an erection. Diabetes can also cause blood vessel disorder. Vascular damage (damage to the blood vessels) alters the blood flow in the body. As an erection is caused when corpora cavernosa in the penis are filled with blood, vascular damage can affect erections. Erections are caused by the interplay of the nervous system and the vascular system, along with other factors.

People with diabetes are more apt to be depressed. Depression might be caused by poor blood sugar control and hormonal imbalance. Psychological factors can play a large role in erectile dysfunction.

How can you prevent erectile dysfunction if you have diabetes?

• Control your blood sugar levels. This will help you prevent possible nerve damage or damage to your vascular system. These are two of the complications from diabetes that can lead to erectile dysfunction.

• Talk to you doctor or health team. They will be particularly helpful for you if you are trying to maintain even blood sugar.

• Quit smoking. Smoking damages your blood vessels by making them contract.

• Don’t drink excessively. Excessive alcohol consumption can also damage your blood vessels.

• Exercise. Having a steady exercise regimen will help keep your nervous system and vascular system healthy.

• Eat well. Eating a well-balanced diet rich in fruits and vegetables has been proven to prevent complications in diabetes, and will help you control your blood sugar levels.

• Calm yourself. If you are struggling with anxiety, depression, or other psychological issue that is inhibiting your sexual performance, see a professional. Often just the fear of erectile dysfunction is enough to hamper performance.

Treatments

If you are suffering from erectile dysfunction, consider seeing a urologist. A urologist specializes in sexual health and will be able to help you decide on the best treatment program. You might be prescribed medication, such as Viagra, that will help you achieve an erection. You might also consider using a vacuum pump to help blood enter the penis. To maintain the erection you place a ring at the base of the penis. You might consider having an implant or penile injections.

Before taking any medical action, try using the tips above to manage your erectile dysfunction. Diabetes does not necessarily have to lead to complications, which includes erectile dysfunction. You can lead a normal sexual life, even as you grow older. Knowing this information might help you find sexual energy you didn’t know you had!

By: Vivian L. Brennan

Preventing Diabetes

For all those diabetics out there, do the names Avandia or Altace ring a bell? A recent study has shown that both drugs may well help by giving additional prevention for those that are “pre-diabetics”,- which accounts for almost 40 million of our population. As many as half of the people who are “pre-diabetics” will develop diabetes within a three year time span.

This has been the largest study on diabetes prevention ever, the study was funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research as well as other companies that make pharmaceuticals, like GlaxoSmithKline PLC which makes Avandia and Sanofi-Aventis SA and King Pharmaceuticals which makes Altace. Avandia, also know as Rosiglitazon, was shown to cut the risk of Type 2 diabetes development by more than half. Avandia also controlled blood-sugar to keep it at a normal level. Type 2 diabetes is by far the most common form of diabetes in the U.S today, for 18 million sufferers, this information could well be a major development.

Another part of the study looked at Altace, or Ramipril which functions as a blood pressure medication but can also help control blood sugar – yet it does not reduce any risk. The aim of the study was to prevent Type 2 diabetes which is most linked to obesity and sometimes kidney failure, amputations and death. Type 2 diabetes happens when the body naturally does not produce enough insulin or cannot effectively use what the body does produce.

So here are the ups and downs of the study. Both Altace and Avandia were used on the volunteers and some of them did not use any form of medication. The study showed that less people died on Avandia than those who did not take it. But of those volunteers on Avandia given, fourteen of them developed heart failure and only two developed heart failure from those not taking medication.

Experts are somewhat skeptical about the study results because the volunteers were also regularly counseled about healthy diets and lifestyles. Meaning the results could well be very different had the volunteers not been participating in any form of medical assistance. However many doctors say that working out and maintaining a healthy diet is still the best possible way to prevent diabetes in the long term. “We know that lifestyle changes alone can reduce the risk of developing diabetes by up to 58 percent,” said Dr. Martin Abrahamson, Medical Director of the Joslin Diabetes Center in Boston. Dr. Abrahamson is not associated with the study.

By: Carl Hampton

Types of diabetes

The American Diabetes Association adopted the following classification in 1979.


Type –1, insulin-dependent diabetes

Type-2, non insulin-dependent diabetes

There are two other kinds of diabetes, known as gestational diabetes and secondary diabetes. There is also a special kind of diabetes in India called malnutrition related diabetes.


Type-1 Insulin-Dependant Diabetes

This is the most severe form of diabetes. It develops when pancreas makes little or no insulin. Without insulin in the blood stream, sugar does not get into the cells, and remains in the blood. People with type-1 diabetes depend on injections of insulin to regulate their smaller metabolism.


Type-2 Non Insulin Dependent Diabetes

This type of diabetes is also known as adult onset diabetes. It seldom develops before the age of 40 years, although it may occur at any stage. Infect the incidence of type-2 diabetes in adolescents in on the rise. But because the symptoms are milk, these may not notice and the condition remains undetected for a long period and till later years.

One common factor in both type-1 and type-2 diabetes is elevated blood sugar levels. However, unlike type-1 diabetes, type-2 is not a disease of the immune system. While people with type-1 diabetes must use insulin to live, most of those with type-2 diabetes are able to control the disease and even reverse it. This is possible by a combination of appropriate diet, proper weight control and adequate exercise.

By Dr John Anne

Diabetes Testing

It is recommended that a diabetes test be conducted when:

• Medical history includes history of diabetes

• One reaches age of 45

• One is obese

• High blood pressure/high cholesterol detected

There are many reasons why it is a good idea to have a diabetes test, but the best reason is to prevent the onset of diabetes as much as possible. Early detection can help in many ways. It can encourage a person to change their diet and eating habits, detect kidney damage, vision problems, and future dental issues, and give a person time to help themselves lead a healthier life. Knowledge is power when it comes to diabetes.

Once the early signs of diabetes have been indicated, a person can change many things in their lives that can help them later on. Diet and exercise are the biggest ways a person can lessen the effects of diabetes. Eating less sugar and carbohydrates will help the body function normally. Exercising will help a person lose weight which will help burn glucose. When a person has diabetes, their bodies have less insulin which is used to burn glucose. Losing weight and reducing glucose intake by eating a proper diet will help the body digest remaining glucose in the body.

Being tested for diabetes is a smart decision for those who are at risk. Being able to help the situation by altering ones lifestyle will allow a person to take control of their lives so that they can live longer and enjoy good health. Ask a doctor for more information concerning diabetes testing.

By Jeanette Pollock

A Diabetes Blood Test Will Determine Whether Or Not You Have Diabetes

Diabetes is a disease, which is induced by high levels of sugar in the blood. With diabetes, the body cannot break down the sugar in the blood by itself. So to break down the sugar, extra insulin will be required at regular intervals. A specialized diet is also incorporated, which would control the blood sugar level in the body. This disease should be detected by means of a diabetes blood test. And the sooner the better.

How Diabetes Happens in the Body

A normal healthy person will have the capacity to break down any amount of sugar that is consumed with the help of insulin which is a hormone created by the pancreas. However with a diabetic person, the pancreas doesn't generate enough insulin and/or the body develops a resistance to insulin.

Either way, the blood doesn't obtain the adequate amount required to break down the sugar into glucose, which is then absorbed by the tissues, liver and muscles. A diabetic person will have a very large quantity of unabsorbed glucose in the body. With a diabetes blood test, it is easy to detect the presence of this disease.

The 3 Types of Diabetes

A lot of people do not realize that there are 3 types of diabetes and all the 3 types can be detected by a simple diabetes blood test.

Type 1 diabetes: this type typically starts early in childhood. This is a very dangerous disease and it will require regular insulin injections throughout a person's life.

Type 2 diabetes: this is the most common type of diabetes, which over 90% of the people have. This diabetes develops in the adult stage. It typically takes more time for a person to recognize the signs and/or diagnose it. This type of diabetes is rising rapidly because of our inactive lifestyle, the junk food we consume and the lack of exercise in our daily routine.

Gestational diabetes – This type of diabetes is basically a temporary disease and it generally develops when a woman is pregnant.

The Most Common Symptoms Of Diabetes: Things to Look for

All types of problems can develop when a person suffers from diabetes. Excessive thirst, occasional blurry vision, continuous fatigue and never-ending hunger with weight loss. Type 2 diabetes can occasionally make men impotent.

If a person suspects that diabetes may be present in their body, a diabetes blood test should be implemented asap, so that a suitable treatment can be started to keep the disease in check.

By: Kerry Ng

Type 2 Diabetes Diet

Type 2 diabetes occurs when the body is unable to produce enough insulin to break down glucose in the blood. That is why people with type 2 diabetes take insulin shots, to help raise their insulin level and break down the glucose. But there are ways to structure your type 2 diabetes diet that can help you manage your diabetes better and even potentially reduce the effects of the diabetes. The first way you can help yourself is to simply lose weight and get more exercise. Type 2 diabetes thrives in larger inactive people. So reducing your mass and increasing your blood flow and help reduce the effects of the type 2 diabetes. But here are some things you can do in a type 2 diabetes diet that can also help reduce the effects of your diabetes.

Simple carbohydrates are really bad to have in a type 2 diabetes diet. Refined sugars and sweets are dangerous and can cause a dangerous rise in the glucose level in your blood. What you want to do is increase your intake of complex carbohydrates and fibers to help reduce the need for your system to produce insulin as quick as it would need to with simple carbohydrates. Complex carbohydrates such as fruits and vegetables are ideal for a type 2 diabetes diet because they are broken down slowly by your system and even a person with diabetes will have an easier time digesting complex carbohydrates because the insulin demand on the system is lower. So eat your fruits and vegetables and make sure you also get fiber into your type 2 diabetes diet.

In a type 2 diabetes diet you want anywhere from 10% to 20% of your daily intake of calories to have protein in it. Protein is an essential part of any diet but people on a type 2 diabetes diet especially want to make sure that they are getting their share of protein. Avoid doing much more that 20% as that can potentially lead to problems. Obesity is common in patients with type 2 diabetes and this condition appears to be related to insulin resistance. The primary dietary goal for overweight type 2 patients is weight loss and maintenance. Studies indicate that when people with type 2 diabetes maintain intensive exercise and diet modification programs, many can minimize or even avoid medications. Weight loss medications or bariatric surgery may be appropriate for some patients.

Try and keep your fat intake to less than 30% of your daily calorie count and try to eat as little saturated fats as possible. It is ideal to try and keep your saturated fat intake each day to a level below 10% of your calorie intake.

Various studies have found that women who had regularly consumed the greatest amounts of saturated fats had the least amount of additional atherosclerotic plaque buildup in their arteries. Also, women who ate more saturated fat had a healthier balance of HDL and LDL cholesterol, and more desirable blood serum concentrations of triglycerides and free fatty acids.

You want to try and make your diet as lean as possible and avoid adding any more fats or carbohydrates to your diet. It is advisable that you consume at least 20 grams of fiber every day which will be beneficial to patients suffer from diabetes.

By: Roger Thompson

What Exactly Is This “Gestational Diabetes”?

Gestational diabetes is a temporary condition that occurs during pregnancy. It is one of the top health complications that a woman has to face during pregnancy. Indeed a double curse!

If the woman had gestational diabetes during pregnancy then she is most likely to pass it on to the child. So, if a woman has gestational diabetes during pregnancy, there is an increased risk of developing diabetes for both mother and child. Timely knowledge about this condition, goes to control it effectively by diet and exercise. After the baby is born, the mother and the child both recoup their original health.

One problem gives room for a series of problems. The major risk is the birth of a fat baby. The condition is known as macrosomia. The baby by birth will have its own problems, the common one being damage to its shoulders during birth.

Some basic precautions have to be taken to prevent the risk of gestational diabetes. It is taking recourse to natural methods again! Make it a point to lose weight, if you are overweight. Be careful and choosy about your food, and above all, do exercises regularly. This type of diabetes is a temporary condition, a passing phase, that occurs during pregnancy.

There is another risk for the baby. It may develop breathing problems.

The exact causes of the gestational diabetes are not known yet. But there are certain clues and possibilities, why gestational diabetes occurs! It is insulin resistance.

The baby, as it grows, is supported by the placenta. Hormones help the baby develop. But the hormones also do a damaging act. They block the action of the mother’s insulin in her body. The mother’s body finds it hard to use insulin, so her requirement of insulin goes up by 300 % and gestational diabetes is the result!

Utmost care is needed to combat gestational diabetes, as it concerns the health of the mother as well as that of the baby. Food choices are of paramount importance. This will have beneficial effects on the health of your baby’s growth. If you are fit and healthy, the risk of cesarean section birth can also be avoided.

In many cases, it has been found that gestational diabetes leads to type II diabetes later.

Do exercises regularly even during pregnancy, but only after consulting your doctor. This is the formative period for you as well as for the baby. Proper exercises provide strength to your body and act favorably for the growth of the baby within.

Shut the door on the face of the diabetes, even if it pleads that it is only gestation. This evil does not deserve mercy.

By: Ashish Jain

Manage Your Diabetes with a Diet Menu

This is a great starter diet for someone suffering from Diabetes, who is looking for an effective way to manage the health and fitness portion of their diabetes management plan. Be sure to always consult your physician before beginning any new diet plan. This diet provides 50 percent starches, 30 percent proteins and 20% fat in calories, and follows the diabetic food pyramid’s method of creating an eating plan. Make sure to only eat the foods that are on the list below, and only eat the amount that is specified. It is important that you do not skip over or miss meals, or snack in between the planned meals. All foods should be measured, which can be done using a standard measuring cup, teaspoon or tablespoon. Foods are generally measured after cooking to ensure proper portion size. Make sure always to bake, broil or boil meats rather than frying, unless you are instructed specifically to do so. Special foods are not necessary, as you're only required to stick to low calorie and lean foods, as well as fresh fruits and vegetables rather than canned or frozen, and skimmed milk instead of whole or Vitamin D.

As a diabetic, make sure to avoid sweets, candy, sugar, honey, pies and anything else that is prepared with sugar. You should also avoid foods that are high in fat or cholesterol, as well as alcoholic beverages like beer and wine. Avoid fats, sweats, fried foods and foods prepared in sugar or oil in order to control or maintain your weight. Make sure to avoid red meats, high cholesterol and fat foods and alcoholic beverages at all times, regardless of the goals in your personal diet management plan.

A standard 1800 calorie sample menu involves two fruits, two breads, one meat, two fats, one milk, and a free food. This translates to approximately 2/3 of a cup of apple juice, ½ of a cup of oatmeal, one slice of toast, one egg that is soft cooked, one cup of percent or skim milk, and a glass of coffee or tea for breakfast. For lunch, expect to have two meat

By Arturo Ronzon

5 Diabetes Myths

It seems like everywhere I travel I continue to hear the five diabetes myths. The myths are circulating from one generation to the next. Everyone seems to believe these folklores. I have decided to take all of the mystery out of these myths and give you what actually works with the new technology today.

1. Sugar causes diabetes. How many times have you heard this one? I lost track of how many times someone has either asked me or made a statement of this. This is a myth, and the truth is, consuming a lot of sugar does not cause diabetes. Someone did not get diabetes by becoming a cookie monster. Type 1 diabetes is a result of autoimmune damage to the insulin-secreting beta cells of the pancreas. The insulin secretion is not enough or completely absent. Therefore, the hormone insulin is injected or administered via pump. Type 2 diabetes is a result of a metabolic syndrome. People with Type 2 produce their own insulin but are unable to utilize it properly. It most often affects men, women and children who are overweight. This no longer is “adult-onset diabetes.” Children are getting Type 2 diabetes at an alarming rate.

2. If you do have diabetes, you cannot have any sugar, it must be sugar-free. This is a myth, and the truth is our bodies not only recognize sugar, but they know how to use it. For me, personally, wheat raises my blood sugar more than white sugar. If you do want a safe sugar substitute, I would recommend vegetable glycerin.

3. I can no longer have too many carbohydrates. This is another myth. It is not how much carbohydrate, but what type that makes the difference. Actually, some foods that are low on the glycemic index get in the way of good insulin function. Some foods can lower one individual’s blood sugar but increase another’s. Are you eating beneficial foods or avoids?

4. Exercise always lowers blood sugar. This myth has been around for a long time. However, if the body does not have enough insulin for proper glucose utilization, exercise will raise your blood sugar. If your blood sugar is over 200mg/dL before exercising, the exercise will only make your blood sugar go higher. When the body is conditioned and there is enough insulin, the blood sugars will lower. Physical exercise is one of the important aspects to living as if you do not have diabetes.

5. You can no longer live a “normal” life after being diagnosed with diabetes. This myth is one of the strangest ones. I believe that once you bury Type 1 or 2 diabetes you can live a happy and healthy normal life. My life has been better than normal! Nick Jonas is a 14-year-old living a normal life after being diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes in November 2005. Nick is a member of the Jonas Brothers Band. He has said, “At first, I was worried that diabetes would keep me from performing and doing everything a teenager likes to do, but my career is really ramping up.” Way to go Nick! Best wishes for a great life!

By: Julie Wanner Rossetti

Symptoms Of Diabetes

The symptoms of diabetes most of the time begin gradually, and can be difficult to identify initially. They may include fatigue, sudden weight loss, blurred vision, slow healing of wounds, frequent urination - especially at night, and excessive thirst. When there is extra glucose in the blood, the body gets rid of it through frequent urination. The loss of fluids induces extreme thirst, leading to more frequent urination.

A doctor may also suspect a patient to have diabetes if he has health problems related to diabetes, such as heart disease, changes in vision, numbness in the feet and legs or sores that are slow to heal. These symptoms do not mean that the person has diabetes, but anyone with these problems should definitely see a doctor.

A person with diabetes may actually show no symptoms. Type 2 diabetes, in particular, develops slowly, even for years before it is diagnosed. When symptoms develop, they vary from person to person. The two symptoms that occur in most people with the disease are increased thirst and frequent urination.

The way these symptoms develop differs for Type I and Type II diabetes. In Type I diabetes, they usually show up slowly in children or adolescents over a period of a few days or weeks. In Type II diabetes, symptoms develop even more slowly, over a period of years - in adults over the age of forty. Adults often do not realize they have diabetes mellitus. The condition may only be discovered maybe during a routine physical examination for some other ailment.

Recent studies indicate that the early detection of diabetes symptoms and treatment can decrease the chance of developing the complications of diabetes.

Type - 1 diabetes symptoms:

Symptoms of Type - I diabetes often come suddenly and very severely. They include:

·exceptional thirst (polydipsia)
·dry mouth
·frequent urination (polyuria)
·weight loss
·feeling weak and tired
·blurred vision

Type - 2 diabetes symptoms:

Mostly, people with Type 2 diabetes don't notice any symptoms, or the symptoms are experienced gradually. They include:

·blurred vision
·cuts or wounds that heal slowly
·itchy skin
·increased thirst
·dry mouth
·frequent urination
·leg pain

Gestational diabetes symptoms:

·increased thirst
·increased urination
·weight loss in spite of good appetite
·fatigue and weakness
·nausea and vomiting
·frequent infections including those of the bladder, vagina and skin
·blurred vision
·irritability

Other warning symptoms of diabetes mellitus include:

·Flu-like symptoms - like a viral illness, along with fatigue, weakness and loss of appetite.

·Weight gain or loss – as the body is trying to compensate for lost fluids and sugar, one tends to eat more than usual and gain weight. On the other hand, one may also eat more than normal, but still lose weight because the muscle tissues don't get enough glucose to generate growth and energy. In fact, most people with type 1 diabetes are at or below their normal weight.

·Blurred vision - high levels of blood sugar draw out fluid from the tissues in the body including the lenses of the eyes. For most people this causes only mild vision problems. Nevertheless, for others, the effects may be much more serious, even blindness.

·Slow healing sores or frequent infection - bladder and vaginal infections can be a particular problem for women.

·Nerve damage (neuropathy) – excess sugar in blood can lead to loss of sensation in hands and feet. One may also experience burning pain in legs, feet, arms and hands. Many men, above the age of 50 and older with diabetes may experience some degree of sexual dysfunction from damage to the nerves that help produce an erection.

·Swollen and tender gums - Diabetes increases the risk of infection in gums and in the bones that hold teeth in place. One may also develop sores or pockets of pus in gums.

·Frequent yeast infections.

·Velvety dark skin changes of the neck, armpit and groin, called acanthosis nigricans.

·Numbness and tingling of the hands and feet

·Impotency

Diabetes sometimes goes unrecognized early, because people usually think they are urinating more, simply because they are drinking more. It is better to get oneself checked by a doctor before one starts restricting his fluid intake.

If one has any of these symptoms, contact a professional doctor right away to be tested. Even people with pre-diabetes can have an increased risk from heart disease as seen in people with diabetes.

By: Tom Alter

Diabetes And Its Management

Diabetes Mellitus is one of the most costly burdensome chronic diseases of our time and is condition that is increasing in epidemic population in the whole world. The complications resulting from the diseases are a significant cause of morbidity and mortality and are associated with failure of various organs such as the eyes, kidneys and nerves. Diabetics are also at a significantly higher risk for coronary artery disease, peripheral vascular disease and stroke and they have a greater likelihood of having hypertension dyslipidemia and obesity.

What is Diabetes?

Diabetes is a serious disorder of the glands, of pancreas to be exact, called Madhumeha in Ayurveda. It is one of the most insidious disorders of the metabolism and, if left undiagnosed, may lead to rapid emaciation and ultimately death.

What are the types of Diabetes?

According to Ayurveda Diabetes is of two types: Diabetes Mellitus- Insulin dependent Juvenile Diabetes (IDDM-Type I) in which the body is unable to produce insulin and Non Insulin Dependent Adult Onset Diabetes (NIDDM-Type II) in which the pancreas produces insulin, but it is insufficient for reducing the blood glucose to normal levels.

What are the common symptoms of Type- 1 Diabetes? Some of the common symptoms of Type- 1 Diabetes are:

Excessive Thirst Frequent urination Unexplained weight loss Irritability Weakness Fatigue

What are the common symptoms of Type- 2 Diabetes? Some of the common symptoms of Type- 2 Diabetes are:

Loss off weight Numbness in hands or feet. Uncontrolled infections Pain in the limbs Inflammatory chest infections Dimness of vision, contrast Excessive thirst Body weakness

What are the different tests for Diabetes?

Urine Test: Some chemicals are added to a few drops of urine. Colour change indicates presence of glucose in urine.

Blood Test: In this, blood is taken to test the glucose level. This is more accurate test to confirm diabetes

Which parts of my body are affected by Diabetes?

Blood Vessels: Higher level of glucose damage the blood vessels. As a result of this most of the diabetic complications occur in blood vessels.

Heart: Diabetes affects the heart by: Increasing the amount of fat in blood and increasing the amount of homocysteine in blood.

Kidney: In diabetes because of increased levels of glucose, kidneys have to do extra work to retain essential substances and separate waste products to produce urine. This affects the small blood vessels and their capacity to filter. After many years of work, it leads to kidney failure.

Eyes: Diabetes affects blood vessels of the eyes. Damage to these blood vessels leads to eye problems like: Damage to retina, Cataract or total loss of vision

Foot: Damage to blood vessels reduces blood flow to the feet and increases risk of developing foot ulcers and infections.

Nerves: High glucose level for a long time damages nerves. Nerve damage reduces sensation in some parts of body which may lead to: Numbness and tingling, Fainting and dizziness

Home Remedies for Diabetes:

The best remedy for this disease is the bitter gourd, better known as ‘karela’. Eat this vegetable as often as you can or have at least one tablespoon of karela juice daily to reduce blood sugar levels in your blood and urine.

Amla, due to its vitamin C content is effective in controlling diabetes. A tablespoon of its juice, mixed with a cup of fresh bitter-gourd juice, taken daily for two months will secrete the pancreas and enable it to secrete insulin.

Take ten tulsi leaves, ten neem leaves and ten belpatras with a glass of water early morning on an empty stomach. It will work wonders in keeping your sugar levels under control.

The leaves of Butea tree are very useful in diabetes. They reduce blood sugar and are useful in glycousia.

Take two teaspoons of powdered Fenugreek seeds with milk. Two teaspoons of the seeds can also be swallowed whole, daily.

Eat 10 fresh fully grown curry leaves every morning for three months. It prevent diabetes due to heredity factors. It also cures diabetes due to obesity.

By: Ayurvedic Cure.com

Diabetes And Insulin

Diabetes is a condition in which the body either does not manufacture sufficient amounts of insulin or does not properly use insulin. Insulin is a hormone made by the pancreas that is necessary for the transport of sugar from the blood stream into the cells for use as energy. Type 2 diabetes results when our bodies become insensitive to insulin and cause our blood sugar go out of balance. For this reason, we want to do everything we can to remain insulin sensitive. When we are insulin sensitive, our bodies do a much better job of moving glucose from the blood and into cells.

Various herbs, foods, vitamins, and minerals have been shown to promote insulin sensitivity and help maintain proper blood sugar levels. Vanadyl sulfate increases the body's insulin sensitivity. Gymnema sylvestre is a well known herb helpful in blood sugar control by controlling sugar cravings and nourishing the pancreas.

Exercise also increases insulin sensitivity. People involved in athletics are known to require less insulin. Besides improving insulin sensitivity, exercise helps us to control our weight and reduce body fat. Weight control is a very important aspect in maintaining insulin sensitivity.

Another important factor in maintaining proper blood sugar levels and insulin sensitivity is a healthful diet. Complex carbohydrates found in most vegetables, apples, grains, and nuts are slow to digest. Slowing the process of digestion promotes healthy blood sugar levels and avoids the highs and lows associated with the intake of refined sugars. We should also avoid saturated fats. The healthy fats contained in fish, olive oil, and flaxseed help us to maintain insulin sensitivity.

Type 2 Diabetes is the most common form of diabetes and results from insulin resistence. The above methods have been shown to be extremely helpful in maintaining insulin sensitivity, promoting lower blood sugar levels, and avoiding the complications associated with diabetes.

By: Mark Johnson