~~~~
~~~~
~~~~
~~~~
It is not easy living a life having Diabetes. Patients having this disease are not allowed to eat many kinds of foods. There are so many things that you are not allowed to do. Having this disease is very agonizing. So to prevent having this disease, there are health tips that you can follow. To prevent the rise in your blood sugar levels just follow these health tips. Read the rest of this entry »
New and fresh ideas are flowing from the health care community and today it's taking the form of a glucose meter. It is actually the latest medical achievement in the fight against the horrible ailment labeled as diabetes. The meter’s basic design layout allows a diabetic to become his own doctor and improves the life of a person that is struggling with diabetes. Read the rest of this entry »
Did you know that there are shoes exclusively made for diabetics? There are both socks and walking shoes available for diabetics, to help prevent or correct foot problems. Having diabetes can lead to nerve damage, referred to as neuropathy, and poor blood circulation in the feet. Read the rest of this entry »
Everywhere you turn the Acai Berry is being praised for its array of health benefits. Experts believe the Acai Berry is one of the most nourishing natural foods on earth. From the streets of Hollywood to your neighborhood, everyone is realizing the amazing potential of this unique berry.
In short, the Acai Berry is taking the nation by storm! For this reason, Acai Berry is now a primary ingredient in many of the most effective supplements on the market. From juices and pulps to candy, Acai berries are making individuals all across the country look and feel better. Read the rest of this entry »
Usually, this is due to hereditary and environmental cause resulting abnormally that leads to high blood sugar levels. This is not a simple disease that can be treated immediately. A disease where pancreas(a part of digestive organ)is unable to secrete enough insulin. Diabetes, a disease that causes the body to metabolize sugar poorly, occurs when either the body attacks the cells producing insulin, the chemical that allows the metabolizing of sugar in the body's cells also known as (Type 1 diabetes) and the body's cells ignore insulin (Type 2 diabetes). They don't have any choice but to quit for the sweets because their health is at risk. They are hook to a medical condition known as diabetes.
TYPES OF DIABETES
The major treatment of this diabetes, even in its earliest stages, is the delivery of artificial insulin by means of injection combined with careful monitoring of blood glucose levels using blood testing monitors. At this point, insulin therapy is necessary to maintain normal or near normal glucose levels. As they enter the second and third trimesters, the more hormones are secreted since they are pregnant, body demands it; this however makes it more difficult for the insulin to help your cells absorb glucose. Extra effort for healthier lifestyle is necessary to fight this condition and win the battle for more productive and happier life. Increase of physical activity, decreasing carbohydrate intake, and losing weight will serve as preliminary treatment. Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes. This helps and assists insulin supplementation that may control further complication. Read the rest of this entry »
Many people see diet soda is an innocuous, harmless beverage that can’t possibly cause any harm to their waistline since it doesn’t have any calories. Think again.
Research published this summer in the medical journal Circulation shows that people who drink more than one soda a day — whether it’s regular or diet — have an almost 50 percent increased risk for metabolic syndrome, which doubles their risk for heart disease and diabetes.
Two years ago, a study at the University of Texas Health Science Center found that there was a 41 percent increase in the risk for being overweight for every single can of diet soda a person consumed daily.
But how can something with no calories increase the risk for obesity and heart disease?
There are several possible ways.
First, my own theory is that the sweet taste works in the brain to create a conditioned response. The body responds as it usually does to normal sugar — with insulin, the fat-storing hormone. Those circuits in the brain are pretty primitive and ancient, and they can’t immediately distinguish chemical fakery. As far as your brain is concerned, sweet means sugar. It’s entirely possible that physiologically, you would respond to aspartame in the same way as you would to table sugar. It’s only a theory, but it makes sense to me.
Second, sugar creates its own cravings. Just as a taste of rum creates an unstoppable craving in an alcoholic, it’s entirely possible that the taste of sweet, even if it’s fake, creates the same cascade of cravings in a carb addict that regular sugar does, leading to overeating and binging and all the rest of the reasons people put on weight.
Third, many people think that by drinking diet beverages they’re "saving" calories. They subconsciously allow themselves to eat more, figuring it’s not doing as much harm since they’re drinking a diet drink. The diet drink gives them subconscious "permission" to eat more.
What’s worse than making you fat, aspartame may be toxic. Aspartame is made primarily from three ingredients: aspartic acid, phenylalanine and methanol. Methanol, an alcohol, breaks down in the body to formaldehyde, a poison if there ever was one. Apologists for aspartame say that it doesn’t create enough formaldehyde in the body to cause any damage, but I’m not so sure. Exposing children to formaldehyde levels as low as .75 mg daily for several months has been shown to cause gradual toxicity. Plus, diet soda is frequently stored in hot warehouses, causing chemical breakdowns that went undetected in the original safety studies that looked at "ideal" conditions.
Soda is bad news, whether regular or diet. Period.
Note: Dr. Bowden is a nationally known expert on weight loss, nutrition and health. He’s a board certified nutrition specialist with a Master’s degree in psychology. Dr. Bowden is also a life coach, motivational speaker, former personal trainer and author of the award-winning book, Living the Low Carb Life.
[www.jonnybowden.com]
Consider these staggering statistics: according to the American Diabetes Association, about 24 million people suffer from diabetes and a whopping 5 million people are undiagnosed and don’t even know they have the disease!1 Overall, 54 million Americans suffer from some degree of blood sugar imbalance and insulin resistance.1 Most of these people have type II diabetes, which is largely preventable with a healthy diet low-carb, low-sugar diet.
As a practicing physician, I was never taught any primary preventative measures for my patients. At most, I was given some detective tools, such as screening blood sugar in "at risk" patients. It baffles me, as I look back, that I couldn’t see the huge gap in my medical school and residency training. We did nothing to prevent diabetes and did very little to address the underlying mechanisms that stimulate abnormal sugar metabolism!
The main focus of conventional medicine today is still all about using prescription drugs to lower blood sugar, which is too late if you want to reverse the disease itself. There is no question that people with diabetes experience an elevated risk for a variety of other illnesses including heart disease and stroke, blindness, peripheral nerve disease and pain, kidney damage and failure, impotency and skin disorders.
In a 2003 report, published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, childhood obesity rose to 16% of children between ages 6 and 11 (95th percentile of body mass index for age) plus an additional 14.3% were from the 85th to the 95th percentile. This report pointed out that as these children’s body weights increased, so did their consumption of fast foods and soft drinks, trending up by nearly 300%!2
I shudder when I read articles like the one reported in the October 2005 Annals of Internal Medicine, which tracked 4,000 adults over 30 years for the development of obesity. It verified that becoming abnormally overweight now has a current trend such that nine out of 10 men and seven out of 10 women will become overweight! With obesity playing such a huge role in diabetes, heart disease, arthritis, hypertension, depression and many cancers — no wonder the researchers concluded, "more effective prevention and treatment strategies are urgently needed."
If you have been diagnosed with insulin resistance or high blood sugar levels, there are certain nutrients you can take to help control and even lower your blood sugar level.
Several herbal preparations have been used to control blood sugar levels beginning as early as 1550 B.C.3 Here are a few of the herbs that have been adequately studied to determine their actual effects and potencies.
Gymnema sylvestre (leaf). This age-old herb from tropical India destroys sugar taste when the leaves are chewed and is often promoted as an appetite suppressant for weight-loss. More importantly, several small placebo-controlled trials show that gymnema extracts lower blood sugar levels by enhancing the action of insulin. Animal studies indicate that gymnemacan double the number of insulin-producing cells in the pancreas, and bring blood sugar levels to normal. Research findings also indicate that gymnema can improve blood sugar control so that smaller doses of oral diabetes drugs are needed. Several human trials clearly show quite a significant improvement in blood sugar levels with gymnema.4
Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum). Fenugreek has been found to improve glucose levels, presumably by decreasing absorption of glucose in the small intestine. One large fenugreek study examined participants with poorly controlled Type II diabetes and found an average fasting blood sugar decrease from 151 mg/dL (baseline) to 112 mg/dL after 24 weeks.5
Ginseng root (Korean and American ginseng). Ginseng has been studied and used as a treatment for infections and diabetes generally for up to three months with repeated courses. One study showed a significant reduction in post-prandial glucose versus placebo in Type II diabetes.6
Citrus aurantium (orange bitters). This herb stimulates the sympathetic nervous system, thus increasing metabolism and lowering appetite.
Milk thistle (Silybum marianum). Milk thistle is extremely good at cleansing the liver, an important factor in diabetes. In doses over 1,500 mg per day, loose stools as a result of increased bile flow and secretion can occur.7 This desired effect makes it the herb of choice for any liver-related diseases, including liver toxicity associated with acetaminophen, anti-psychotics, halothane, and alcohol.8
Green tea. Green tea helps increase metabolism and reduce chronic disease. It significantly reduces food intake, body weight, cholesterol and triglyceride levels. In one study, green tea increased insulin activity by about 15-fold, an effect of the active ingredient, EGCG.9
Bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus). Bilberry leaves have a reported weak anti-diabetic activity and have been shown experimentally to lower blood sugar levels consistently by 26% in rats.10 In folk medicine, its blood sugar-reducing effect is touted so that it is a common constituent in "anti-diabetic" teas.11
Cinnamon. This spice increases sugar metabolism in rodent fat cells 20-fold according to a report in Diabetes Care. Researchers found that less than one-half teaspoon of cinnamon daily for 40 days significantly dropped blood sugar levels in 60 study participants with Type II diabetes.
Devil’s claw (Oplopanax horridum). The Devil’s claw plant reportedly contains insulin-like substances, but its chemistry is still under investigation. The root can be made into a tincture and just five drops on the tongue can help stop sugar cravings.
Blood sugar imbalance and diabetes are both treatable without risky prescription medications if you are willing to take an honest look at what you eat, examine how active you are, and monitor how much stress you experience every day. To help normalize elevated blood sugar levels, consider one or more of the supplements recommended in this article.
American Diabetes Association, Cowie CC, et al. National Health and Nutrition
Examination Survey 1999-2002. Diabetes Care. 29(6):1263-1268, 2006.
American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Dec 2003. Vol. 78, No. 6, 1068-1073.
David Fitz-Patrick, D. Diabetes and Hormone Center of the Pacific, Ala Moana Pacific Center, Honolulu, Hawaii;
http://www.endocrinologist.com/herbs.html.
Shane-McWhorter, L. Diabetes Spectrum. 14:199-208, 2001.
Sharma RD, et al. Nutr Res. 16:1331-1339,1996.
Vuksan V, et al. Arch Intern Med. 160:1009-1013, 2000.
Luper S.: Altern Med Rev. 3:410-421, 1998.
Pepping J: Am J Health Syst Pharm. 56:1195-1197,1999.
Richard A. Anderson, RA, Ph.D. From the University of California in Santa Barbara but on behalf of the USDA’s Agricultural Research Service in Beltsville, MD.
Cignarella A, et al. Thromb Res. 84:311-322, 1996.
Wichtl MW: Herbal Drugs and Phytopharmaceuticals. Bisset NG, Ed.Stuttgart, Germany, Medpharm Scientific Publishers, 1994.
[Ed. Note: Michael Cutler, M.D. is a board-certified family physician with more than 17 years of clinical experience. He is a graduate of Brigham Young University and Tulane Medical School. Dr. Cutler's practice focuses on integrative solutions to health problems, and behavioral and nutritional medicine. For more information, visit www.truehealth.com.]
People who use artificial sweeteners are heavier, more likely to have diabetes, and more likely to be insulin-resistant compared with nonusers. Results show an inverse association between obesity and diabetes, on one side, and daily total caloric, carbohydrate, and fat intake, on the other side, when comparing artificial sweetener users and control subjects.
The association may reflect the increased use of artificial sweeteners by obese and/or diabetic study participants. "This is a cross-section study, so there are limitations — we cannot say that artificial sweetener use causes obesity, we can say it is associated with it," stated first author Kristofer S. Gravenstein, a postbaccalaureate researcher with the Clinical Research Branch at the National Institute of Aging (NIA), National Institutes of Health (NIH).
Artificial sweeteners activate sweet taste receptors in enteroendocrine cells, leading to the release of incretin, which is known to contribute to glucose absorption. Recent epidemiologic studies in Circulation (2008;117:754-761) and Obesity (2008;16:1894-1900) showed an association between diet soda consumption and the development of obesity and metabolic syndrome.
This report tested whether participants in the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging (BLSA), which began in 1958, differ in anthropometric measures, daily caloric intake, and glucose status, separating them into three different groups: artificial sweetener users, artificial sweetener nonusers, or controls.
A total of 1,257 participants, with a mean age of 64.8 years (range, 21 – 96 years), had data on self-reported 7-day dietary intake, 2-hour oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), and anthropometric measures. The major artificial sweetener consumed was aspartame, preferred by 66% of BLSA participants, followed by saccharin (13%), sucralose (1.0%), and combinations of the three (21%).
"In our study, we were actually able to isolate what type of sweetener was used at a certain point in time, as we used food diaries, and not food questionnaires."
"When we first did this analysis, we found that people ate more fat before 1983, which is the year [of] a big increase in artificial sweetener consumption in the American population — it was actually when aspartame was approved and diet Coke was introduced," he explained.
As a result, the study further analyzed data from a subset of participants, starting in 1983. Compared with 550 people who did not use artificial sweeteners, the 443 people who did were younger, heavier, and had a higher body mass index (BMI), yet they did not consume more calories from people who did not use artificial sweeteners. Fat, carbohydrate, protein, and total caloric intake were not different between the two groups (users vs nonusers).
Furthermore, Mr. Gravenstein noted that people who used artificial sweeteners "were less likely to have a normal OGTT, or they were less likely to be diagnosed as having a normal glucose homeostasis."
In terms of glucose status (the impaired glucose tolerance (IGT), and/or impaired fasting glucose (IFG)) the data show that artificial sweetener users "were not different than the prediabetics, i.e., they had the same prevalence of prediabetes," he said, adding that "in our population, people who used artificial sweeteners were twice as likely to have diabetes, 8.8% compared to 4.4% for controls."
Analyzing the data further, the investigators focused on a subpopulation, in which fasting insulin values were available from 374 nonusers and 311 artificial sweetener users. The users had a higher fasting glucose levels, higher fasting insulin levels, and a higher measure of insulin resistance, as measured by the homeostasis model assessment, but glycosylated hemoglobin A1c levels were similar between the two groups.
The researchers suggest an alternative hypothesis, that artificial sweeteners modulate the metabolic rate through enteroendocrine cells, therefore contributing to the development of diabetes and/or obesity. However, this hypothesis needs further testing in longitudinal analysis and intervention studies, said the investigators.
"Also, it could be that artificial sweeteners are causing diabetes, or it could be that there is a higher use of them because a lot of physicians actually recommend people to use artificial sweeteners to prevent diabetes" Mr. Gravenstein said. The researchers are planning to address this question with a prospective analysis.
Presented at the Annual Meeting of the Endocrine Society: Abstract P2-478. Presented June 11, 2009
As the leaves fall and winter weather creeps onto the horizon, the risk for catching a nasty cold or the miserable flu increases. For people with diabetes, catching the flu can be much more than an inconvenience. In fact according to the Centers for Disease control, a diabetic is three times more likely to die from the flu and six times more likely to be hospitalized.
Obviously, all people with diabetes should get a flu shot every year to protect themselves. Most doctors specializing in diabetes also recommend that immediate family members receive a flu shot to limit exposure to the flu virus within the home.
However, as everyone knows, the flu shot is not a guarantee against catching the flu. So diabetics are always looking for ways to increase protection. On one of the social networking sites for people touched by diabetes, members are sharing with each other ideas and natural remedies to help during the cold and flu season.
One member posted an article detailing the protective powers of the common apple. It turns out apples contain quercetin, which is a flavonoid that may stave off the influenza virus when the body is under stress. Other members immediately chimed in to relate that red onions, broccoli, and tea also contain quercetin and can help. One of the positive benefits of this little-known flavonoid is that it can help boost the immune system during times of both physical and psychological stress.
In another part of the site, another member was sharing insights about the benefits of vitamin D. During the winter months, vitamin D – which the body makes from sunlight – is in short supply. The resulting deficiency can often cause a long list of painful maladies, including bone and joint pain, muscle aches, fibromyalgia syndrome, rheumatic disorders, osteoarthritis, and other complaints.
Of course the most basic of all the protective "natural" remedies to protect yourself during the cold and flu season is hand washing. People with diabetes should be extra vigilant in washing their hands regularly with a good anti-bacterial soap and warm water. According to the Mayo Clinic, here are the steps for effective hand washing:
By: Ben Welch
Article Source: http://www.articleinfo.org
What are Diabetic Socks?
Diabetic socks are socks that are specially designed for diabetics. Diabetic socks provide the best possible safety and comfort to the feet of a diabetic. Diabetic socks help prevent moisture, which can help prevent bacteria infections and odor. Diabetic socks also help prevent blisters and reduces pressure on the feet. Lastly, diabetic socks help improve the blood circulation in the feet and lower legs for diabetics.
What to Look for in Diabetic Socks
1) Choose diabetic socks that are doctor approved. Not all diabetic socks have the features that doctors recommend for the feet of diabetics. With diabetic socks that are recommended by doctors, diabetics can more confident in picking the right pair of diabetic socks.
2) Diabetic socks should have full cushion support on the sole. Full cushion on diabetic socks allows for maximum comfort and helps to minimize the impact on the soles of the diabetic feet. In addition, the cushion on diabetic socks help to prevent infections by minimizing abrasions that come from the feet rubbing against the inside of shoes.
3) Diabetic socks should be made from high quality materials. The best materials used in making diabetic socks are cotton and nylon. Cotton and nylon diabetic socks will help absorb sweat and keep the feet warm. In addition, cotton and nylon diabetic socks will allow for proper air circulation so that the feet can breath, which will help prevent bacteria and odor.
4) Look for loose tops on diabetic socks. The tops on diabetic socks should be loose enough to allow for proper circulation, but not so loose that the diabetic socks fall down. Also make sure that the tops on the diabetic socks are made with a durable and loose nylon to prevent them from stretching out over time.
5) Make sure the diabetic socks fit correctly. Diabetic socks should fit snugly, but not too restrictive. A comfortable fit should ensure proper blood circulation in the feet. Remember that the sizes for diabetic socks are not the same as sizes for shoes.
6) Choose the right diabetic socks length. Ankle diabetic socks or quarter diabetic socks are great for sporting activities such as running. Crew diabetic socks are versatile enough for every day wear or physical activities. Over the calf diabetic socks are great for those that require more support around the calf area and over the calf diabetic socks are also great for the cold weather.
7) Choose the right diabetic socks color. Diabetic socks are available in a variety of colors including black, grey, navy, tan, white and brown. Diabetic socks with lighter colors allow for diabetics to spot open sores quickly since many diabetics do not have sensation in their feet. Diabetics that do not have this particular problem can choose darker color diabetic socks.
Diabetics Socks Prevent Many Foot Complications
Diabetics face a lot of complications particularly in the feet. Every year, millions of diabetics are forced to amputate their feet. Other diabetics suffer from foot injuries such as bacteria infections and ulcers. Other common foot complications include neuropathy, skin changes, and calluses. Therefore, foot care is of extreme importance for people with diabetes. Diabetic socks are the greatest aid for diabetics in preventing foot complications.
By: ED Chan
Article Source: http://www.articleinfo.org
Studies continue to show that sleep curtailment or decreased sleep quality can disturb neuroendocrine control of appetite, leading to overeating, and can decrease insulin or increase insulin resistance, both steps on the road to Type 2 diabetes
Short sleep, poor sleep: novel risk factors for obesity and for Type 2 diabetes
A specialist in the effect of circadian rhythms on the endocrine system, Dr. Eve Van Cauter, University of Chicago, has conducted several studies in which short-term sleep restriction damaged the body’s ability to regulate eating by lowering levels of leptin, the hormone that tells the body when it has had enough. In the symposium, Dr. Van Cauter describes other recently published studies from her group, one showing that only three days sleep disruption is sufficient to increase insulin resistance in humans (thus causing the body to need higher levels of insulin) and a large epidemiological study showing that short sleep over a five year period causes an increase in systolic blood pressure.
Energy metabolism during chronic sleep deprivation: sleep less, eat more, don’t gain weight, yet show signs of progression toward diabetes
Dr. Michael Koban, Morgan State University, also reported a new study in which sleep restriction in rats led to glucose intolerance, a prediabetic state in which the blood glucose remains higher than normal after glucose challenge. Significantly, this is the first rodent study of sleep deprivation in which there was no association between glucose dysregulation and weight gain.
The researchers believe that extending sleep restriction will produce more pronounced glucose intolerance in which glucose levels do not return to normal levels for a longer period, thus providing more evidence that not sleeping enough could lead to diabetes in humans. The researchers also are looking for mechanisms to explain the change in metabolism related to sleep deprivation and the dissociation between weight gain and glucose dysregulation and insulin resistance.
Stress-related behaviors and hormone changes after prolonged sleep deprivation – and environmental factors that appear to modify them
Dr. Deborah Suchecki, Universidade Federal de Sao Paulo, described how prolonged sleep deprivation activates the neuroendocrine stress response, as measured by increased blood levels of the stress-related hormones adrenaline, adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), and corticosterone. Earlier studies have shown that sleep restriction in animals can gradually change brain and neuroendocrine systems in ways similar to those seen in stress-related disorders such as depression, while epidemiological studies suggest that sleep restriction may be an important risk factor for cardiovascular and other diseases linked to stress.
CNS changes after chronic sleep deprivation have role in both food intake and metabolism
Dr. Gloria Hoffman, also of Morgan State University, presents studies that explain the role of the central nervous system pathways in stimulating feeding and causing metabolic changes associated with progression to diabetes. Specifically, increased production of the neurotransmitter neuropeptide Y and decreased production of proopiomelanocortiini products in the hypothalamus explain the hyperphagic response.
Although the CNS’s role in regulating metabolic rate is not well understood, she believes that histamine might be involved. Histamine neurons not only affect the maintenance of wakefulness but also are regulators of peripheral metabolism. In sleep deprived rats, elevations in the glucose to insulin ratio were positively correlated with an increase in histamine expression that raises the possibility that a dysregulation of histamine function during impaired sleep might serve to trigger metabolic and other changes leading to diabetes.
The scientists agree that as sleep curtailment becomes more common in industrialized countries it becomes increasingly important to understand how limited or poor quality sleep produces changes that can lead to obesity and diabetes, both epidemic in the developed world. More and more scientists are jumping on board with these lines of investigation, says Dr. Hoffman, and there is an increased demand for information on the part of health professionals and members of the general public, many of whom consider themselves sleep deprived.
On April 22, at the Experimental Biology 2009 meeting in New Orleans, a panel of leading sleep researchers describes recent and new studies in this fast growing field. The session is part of the scientific program of the American Association of Anatomists (AAA).
Just Slightly Reducing Sugar Intake, Increasing Fiber Consumption Reduces Type 2 Diabetes Risk for Hispanic Teenagers. Individuals who reduced added sugar intake by the equivalent of 1 can of soda per day or increased fiber intake by the equivalent of a cup of beans showed improvements in key risk factors for Type 2 diabetes, specifically in insulin secretion and visceral fat.
The improvements occurred independent of group assignment and were equally likely to occur in control group participants.
Hispanic teenagers might lessen some risk factors for Type 2 diabetes by slightly reducing their sugar intake and increasing fiber consumption, according to a study conducted by researchers at the University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine and the L.A. County-USC Medical Center. The study, examined the effect of dietary and activity changes on body composition and metabolism.
The study included 54 Hispanic teens who had an average age of 15. They were split into three groups: those who attended one nutrition class a week, those who attended one nutrition and one strength training class per week, and those who received no health-related intervention.
Researchers found that 55% of all participants — even those in the control group who received no health-related intervention — reduced their sugar consumption by 47 grams each day, which accounted for an average 33% decrease in insulin secretion. In addition, the study found that 59% of all participants increased their fiber consumption by an average of five grams per day, resulting in an average of 10% less visceral fat, which is known to increase the risk of diseases such as diabetes.
Researchers said the teenagers in the control group might have changed their diets because they knew the purpose of the study and were more motivated to make changes. They added that because the control group members also changed their diets, "intensive interventions may not be necessary to achieve modification in sugar and fiber intake."
Individuals who reduced added sugar intake by the equivalent of 1 can of soda per day or increased fiber intake by the equivalent of a cup of beans showed improvements in key risk factors for Type 2 diabetes, specifically in insulin secretion and visceral fat. Improvements occurred independent of group assignment and were equally likely to occur in control group participants.
Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine, Vol. 163 No. 4, April 2009
An abstract of the study can be found online.
What are the Right Numbers?
Depending on where you look, recommended blood glucose levels can vary. The American Diabetes Association (ADA) numbers differ from the American College of Endocrinology (ACE) guidelines. The ACE recommendations are more strict than the ADA’s. How do you know which to follow? Ask your healthcare provider which goals are right for you. The table below compares the two sets of guidelines for blood glucose, blood pressure and cholesterol.
How many times a day should you check your blood glucose levels?
Checking your blood glucose levels often through out the day will help you to figure out how to keep good control of your diabetes. First thing in the morning before breakfast, two hours after a meal and before bed are good times to test. Other recommended times include before, during and after an exercise session, especially if it is strenuous or if you are feeling like your blood sugar may be low or high.
What is the A1C?
It’s a blood test that helps you and your doctor monitor your overall glucose control.
It gives an average of the amount of glucose in your blood over a few months’ time. It is usually ordered 2 to 4 times a year. If you are newly diagnosed or having trouble maintaining good day-to-day control, it may be ordered more often.
Sources:
"Checking Your Blood Glucose." American Diabetes Association. ADA. 15 Dec 2006
American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists and the American College of Endocrinology, "The AACE System of Intensive Diabetes Self-Management – 2002 Update." The American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists Medical Guidelines for the Management of Diabetes Mellitus. Endocrine Practice Vol. 8. 2002.
For more information click here .
The results are in and both coffee and chocolate have health benefits, but to what extent? Americans are not used to good news about life’s little pleasures. We are told that salt will raise our blood pressure, saturated fat will clog our arteries and high fructose sweeteners in soft drinks will make us fat.
Our Puritan heritage dictates that suffering is good for the soul and that indulgence is suspect. That’s why it comes as such a shock to learn that coffee and chocolate might have health benefits.
Evidence is accumulating that both of these tropical treats may have unexpected bonuses. Coffee drinkers appear to be at lower risk for developing Type 2 diabetes (Nutrition Reviews, April 2007). Several studies support this association and, if proven true, it could represent a huge public health advantage.
Coffee is a complex mixture of chemicals and provides more antioxidants in the diet than many other foods, including many vegetables. That may explain why it is associated with a reduced risk of several cancers, including those of the mouth, throat and esophagus (American Journal of Epidemiology, Dec. 15, 2008). Other cancers (colon, liver and endometrium) also appear less common among coffee drinkers (International Journal of Cancer, April 1, 2009).
Women who drink at least four cups of coffee a day appear to be somewhat less likely to suffer a stroke than women who sip less than one cup a month (Circulation online, Feb. 16, 2009). Coffee also may have some protective effect against heart disease, but the research is contradictory. That might be in part because unfiltered coffee actually seems to raise cholesterol levels.
Another unexpected outcome linked to coffee drinking could be a lower risk of Alzheimer’s disease. Researchers collected data on coffee drinking habits from a large group of Finns in the 1970s and 1980s. Those who drank three to five cups of coffee daily were 65 percent less likely to be diagnosed with Alzheimer’s 20 to 30 years later (Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease, January 2009).
If you think coffee is cool, just imagine the health benefits of dark chocolate. The evidence continues to accumulate that a little high-quality dark chocolate can relax blood vessels, making them more flexible (American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, December 2008).
A study in the same journal (July 2008) found that dark chocolate or cocoa helped blood vessels dilate and lowered blood pressure in overweight people. Other research has shown that dark chocolate can improve insulin sensitivity as well as blood pressure (Journal of Nutrition, September 2008). Increased insulin sensitivity means better blood sugar control.
Dark chocolate also seems to impact the blood in important ways, lowering platelet reactivity, improving cholesterol profiles and decreasing inflammatory markers such as C-reactive protein (Southern Medical Journal, December 2008).
Despite all this good news, it is possible to consume too much of a good thing. Excess caffeine can raise blood pressure, cause anxiety and insomnia and aggravate heartburn. Chocolate also can trigger reflux in some people, and indulging in too many sugar-rich chocolate bars will lead to weight gain.
Recently I came across this very informative article, that should wake up every person, causing them to be proactive in wisely choosing to be healthy naturally. Enjoy!
******************************************************************
Popular prescription drugs can rob your body of many essential nutrients, doing you more harm than good.
Scores of popularly prescribed drugs for all kinds of health problems have been proven to leach important vitamins, minerals, and key enzymes out of your body or prevent it from being able to absorb them. They can also affect metabolism and even make it impossible for your body to use certain nutrients.
Look for These Common Thieves in Your Medicine Cabinet
Some of the most commonly used drugs in America today can cause any one of the problems on this list.
Aspirin
You may be surprised to learn that aspirin makes it harder for your body to absorb vitamin C.1 It can also decrease levels of iron and folic acid, leading to anemia, susceptibility to cold and flu, and a host of additional ailments.2
Oral Contraceptives
Oral contraceptives have been shown to drain your body of vitamin B6, B12, zinc, and blood magnesium levels. This can set a cascade of unwanted side effects in motion, including sleeplessness, mood swings, diarrhea, poor immune resistance, insomnia, depression — even anorexia.3
Acid Blockers
If you’re taking drugs to relieve heartburn or acid reflux, chances are you’re shortchanging your body of zinc and iron.4-5 You need zinc in abundance for its power to help your body recover from wounds and injury and fight off infectious diseases.
It’s also one of the keys to prostate health, virility, and sexual performance. In fact, for men, the prostate gland is where most of the body’s zinc is concentrated.
Acid blockers’ also effect iron levels — particularly in women. We all need iron to enable our blood to deliver oxygen to every cell in our bodies. Without enough of it, a host of problems set in, including anemia, fatigue, and greater vulnerability to illness.
Corticosteroids
Prednisone and hydrocortisone are some of the top drugs used to treat lupus, Crohn’s disease, and other autoimmune or inflammatory conditions. Unfortunately, they also leach calcium from your body and increase its elimination, putting you at greater risk of bone fracture and osteoporosis.
Some studies have shown these drugs can also lower levels of key trace elements, including magnesium, selenium, zinc, copper, and potassium. You should be taking supplements to offset the loss of so many important nutrients.
Hormone Replacement Drugs
The term “hormone replacement” is totally misleading: the drugs doctors are prescribing to millions every year to offset declining hormone levels aren’t “replacing” anything. That’s because drug makers derive them from animal hormones that are utterly foreign to your body.
Studies show that these drugs deplete a long list of critical nutrients, including:
Anti-Diabetic Drugs
Metformin, one of the most widely used medications to treat the symptoms of diabetes, robs your body of vitamin B12 and folic acid. It can attack heart health over time, partly because it also lowers CoQ10 levels. Every cell in your body needs it for metabolism, and it’s especially crucial for the proper function of your vital organs, including the brain, heart, and liver. As you age, your body makes less and less of it.
Statin Drugs
Lipitor, Zocor, Mevacor, and the like are great at driving your LDL cholesterol levels through the floor; unfortunately, they do the same thing to CoQ10 levels. Here are just a few of the risks you face if you’re taking statins:
|
|
Blood Pressure Drugs
Sixty-five million Americans have high blood pressure according to the American Heart Association. If all of them were to take some of the most common drugs to treat hypertension, they’d also be deficient in vitamin B6 and CoQ10.
Diuretics
There are two kinds of diuretics: thiazides and loop diuretics. They’re great at lowering blood pressure. Doctors also prescribe them for diseases of the kidney and liver, as well as for heart health.
While they help to fight these health conditions, they can also cause serious health problems. Hydrochlorothiazide (Microzide, Hydrodiuril) lowers levels of zinc, magnesium, and potassium. Loop diuretics like furosemide (Delone, Detue, Lasix), and bumetanide (Bumex) also deplete calcium, and vitamins B6 and C.
Halt These Health Problems in Their Tracks . . . Now
Here’s a list I’ve put together of signs to watch out for. They may mean you’re missing an important nutrient:
| Medical Malnourishment: Nutrients and Signs to Watch For | |
| B1 (Thiamin) | Depression, memory loss, weight loss, fatigue, numbness |
| B2 | Dermatitis, lesions at the corners of the mouth, swollen tongue, vision loss |
| B3 (Niacin) | Skin lesions, insomnia, depression, aggression, swelling, diarrhea, weakness, “brain fog,” balding |
| B5 (Pantothenic Acid | Fatigue, numbness, foot pain |
| B6 (Pyridoxine) | Depression, fatigue, dermatitis, anemia, glucose intolerance |
| B7 (Biotin) | Balding, depression, dermatitis, nausea, anorexia |
| B9 (Folate) | Anemia, fatigue, cervical dysplasia, diarrhea, gingivitis, depression, irritability, insomnia |
| B12 (Cobalamin) | Anemia, fatigue, poor nerve function, diarrhea, loss of memory |
| Vitamin C | Liver spots, bleeding at the gums, fatigue |
| Calcium | Weakened bones and fractures, muscle spasms |
| Magnesium | Fatigue, irritability, weakness, muscle cramps, insomnia, anorexia |
| Potassium | Fatigue, irregular heartbeat, irritability, confusion, reduced nerve function |
| Iron | Anemia, weakness, fatigue, poor immune function |
| Zinc | Slow recovery from wounds, decreased immunity, loss of taste and smell, balding, skin disorders, sexual dysfunction |
| Selenium | Poor immune function, heart disease |
| CoQ10 | Hypertension, fatigue, cardiovascular disease |
| Carnitine | Muscle weakness, inability to digest fat, stunted growth in children, poor athletic performance |
If you’re not taking supplements and wonder if you should, here are the basics that I recommend to most of my patients.
Vitamin C: 1,500 mg to 4,000 mg per day
B Complex: B6 – 150 mg; Folic Acid – 1600 mcg; B12 – 800 mg per day
CoQ10: 200 mg (or 50 mg of my Accel) per day
Cod Liver Oil: 1 to 2 tablespoons a day
References
[Ed. Note: Dr. Sears, Chairman of the Board of Total Health Breakthroughs, has written over 500 articles and seven books in the fields of alternative medicine, anti-aging, and nutritional supplementation. To find out the one supplement he takes every day click here.]
This article appears courtesy of Early to Rise’s Total Health Breakthroughs which offers alternative health solutions for mind, body and soul.
*********************************************************
I stongly suggest that you check out Marine Phytoplankton as a daiy source of nutrition. If you get what the body craves-it will reward you with good health!
