Diabetes

Whether you already have adult onset diabetes (Type II) or teeter on the edge with pre-diabetic symptoms like insulin resistance and other metabolic syndromes. Wading the waters of how to control diabetic symptoms naturally can be difficult. We hope this section can give you some easy to implement habits that you can integrate into your daily life.

Health – Diabetes Risk Factors & Type Two Diabetes

Tuesday, March 3rd, 2009 by admin

Upon first being diagnosed with diabetes risk factors, many patients ask can a good diet keep diabetes at bay. Most doctors will agree that a good diet, low in carbohydrates and sugars can help a person with diabetes avoid many of the complications that often accompany the disease. While a good diet can not necessarily cure the illness, a good diet can keep diabetes at bay.

People who have diabetes have a difficult time processing foods such as sugars and starches. Instead of processing normally through their system, they stay in the system and turn end up increasing the glucose in the bloodstream. When this occurs, it is called glycemia – which is too much sugar in the blood. People with Type I and Type II diabetes both suffer from having too much glucose in the blood. As the glucose does not digest normally, it causes problems with the kidneys, liver, eyesight, heart and blood circulation in general.

Depending upon the stage of their diets for diabetes, a physician will normally prescribe either medication or insulin. Both help the body process the sugars in the blood, to break them down and allow the patient to expel them. However, insulin and medication are no substitute for a healthy diet. Just because a person is taking medication or insulin does not give them carte blanche to consume all of the sugar and carbohydrates they can get their hands on. It is absolutely essential that a person with diabetes not only take medication or insulin as directed, but also adhere to a diabetic diet. This means getting familiar with which foods should be avoided and which foods can be eaten sparingly.

The Glycemic Index was established in 1981 to rate which carbohydrates are the worst for those with diabetes. The carbohydrates that are high on the list, such as white bread, take longer to digest and should be avoided. Carbohydrates that have low scores, such as brown rice, can be eaten in moderation. It is very difficult for anyone to avoid carbohydrates completely, which is why familiarizing oneself with the Glycemic Index is so important in the treatment of diabetes.

In addition to carbohydrates that rate high on the Glycemic Index as well as low, there is also an intermediate group. It may surprise people to know that a chocolate bar is rated in the intermediate group on the Glycemic Index. This does not mean, however, that one should feel free to consume all the chocolate they want. The purpose of the Glycemic Index is to help individuals establish which foods should definitely be avoided and which foods are okay in moderation.

So, can a good diet keep cure type 2 diabetes at bay. The answer is yes. While it cannot cure a patient of diabetes, a good diet low in foods that have high ratings in the Glycemic Index and high in proteins can help an individual with this condition live a longer, healthier life. Until there is a cure for this potentially life threatening condition, it is important for all people who suffer from diabetes to familiarize themselves with the Glycemic Index so they can better understand how to control their disease.

Considering What Is Diabetes & Gestational Diabetes Symptoms & African Americans

Tuesday, March 3rd, 2009 by admin


According to the National Diabetes Education Program, there is a current epidemic of diabetes mellitus among African Americans. African Americans are one of the largest groups in the population in the United States that are contracting Type II diabetes. In addition, diabetes is also one of the leading causes of death and disability among African Americans in the United States.

There are certain factors that are believed to cause Type II diabetes, which accounts for nearly 95 percent of all cases of the disease. The causes are generally someone with a close relative with the disease, being an African American or being overweight. Other factors include having high blood pressure, high cholesterol and having gestational diabetes while pregnant. It is estimated that about 3.2 million African Americans have Type II diabetes and about one third of them are undiagnosed.

No one is quite sure why African Americans are more likely to get diets for diabetes than any other ethnic group. One thing is certain, however. Poor African Americans are more likely to die from complications of the disease than those in other ethnic groups. This is most likely due to poor health care in certain communities, limited access to drugs that can potentially save their lives and less education. Affluent African Americans have the same chance as other ethnic groups of dying from complications of the disease.

Many people who live in poor communities, in addition to receiving substandard medical care, little education about disease and limited access to lifesaving drugs, also are inundated with fast food restaurants that seem to target certain ethnic groups. Fast foods are usually very high in carbohydrates, fats and offer very little in the way of nutrition. They are inexpensive, however, and many people with little money find this to be the only way they can feed their family on a limited budget. Unfortunately, most of the foods found in fast food restaurants, particularly French fries, are at the top of the Glycemic Index when it comes to foods that should not be consumed by diabetics. French fries are pretty much the staple of any fast food restaurant. They are high in carbohydrates, high in fat and low in protein. But they are filling.

African Americans can prevent acquiring Type II diabetes in many different ways. One way is to take a look at the Glycemic Index and realize which foods are harmful to them and which to avoid. Another way is to start an exercise regime and, if they are overweight, lose some of those excess pounds. If they are without health care, they should contact their local municipality about screening tests for diabetes. Many clinics and health care facilities offer screening tests for diabetes mellitus type 2 for those with low income for free. This small step may end up saving the life of someone who is on the verge of getting this potentially life threatening illness.

African Americans can also start saying no to fast foods that, in addition to being precursors for diabetes, are also linked to heart disease, high cholesterol and even cancer. Many fast food restaurants prey on people in low income areas without regard for the health of those individuals. African Americans need to realize that they are experiencing an epidemic of Type II diabetes in their community and do all that they can to stamp it out.

Manage Diabetes And Reduce Obesity With Food Combination

Tuesday, February 24th, 2009 by admin


If you happen to be diabetic and attempting to lose weight, remember that it isn’t only what you eat or how much that counts; the way that you eat also has an effect. Foods react with each other in different ways. To get the best possible result in terms of weight loss and controlling your blood glucose level, there are some basic guidelines you’ll want to follow.

You should include both carbohydrates and protein in every meal. You can have some fats as well, but this needs to be done in moderation. A lot of the foods which will make up a healthy diabetic weight loss diet fall under the carbohydrates umbrella. Some of the best sources of carbohydrates are:

  • Bread
  • Grains
  • Vegetables
  • Fruits
  • Beans
  • Dairy Products

If you’re trying to keep your blood sugar under control while losing weight, however, you’ll need to be careful about your carbohydrate intake. You can find out how many carbohydrates you can have per meal from your physician or your dietician. Some carbohydrates are healthier than others; for instance, always go for whole grain rather than refined flours.

Carbohydrates which contain a lot of fiber will help you feel full as well as helping to control your blood glucose level.

Having protein at each meal will help to counter the elevated blood sugar levels caused by digesting certain carbohydrates. Protein will also help you to keep feeling full for a longer time, which reduces the urge for in between meal snacking. Always choose lean protein sources – fried meats area no-go on this diet. Stick with very lean meats and vegetable proteins such as soy products.

Following a healthy eating plan with the correct number of carbohydrates at each meal combine with a protein can help you lose weight and manage your diabetes. Make time for exercising in your week too and you are sure to lose weight and have more energy.

To learn more about Diabetes go to Diabetes Management.

Treatment For Diabetes – What You Should Know About It

Thursday, February 12th, 2009 by admin

What is diabetes and what is it about the disease that makes it so dreaded and even referred to by most as the silent killer? Diabetes can develop when the levels of sugar in the blood rise to unnatural levels. Insulin is the hormone responsible for regulating your blood sugar and if it fall to low diabetes can occur. Diabetes comes in three major forms Type 1, Type 2 and gestational diabetes. Gestational diabetes occurs during pregnancy and will likely resolve itself after delivery.
The basic treatment for diabetes is following healthy eating habits, keeping up with physical activity and using insulin by injection, pen, or an insulin pump. One must monitor his blood sugar readings often throughout the day. A person with Type 2 diabetes may need oral medication as well as the insulin to control blood glucose levels.

When your blood sugar drops, you can develop the potentially fatal condition known as hypoglycemia. Some symptoms of this condition are shakiness, confusion, and nervousness. In extreme cases, you can pass out, seize or slip into a coma.

Some people do not like the idea of insulin injections, the thought of sticking themselves with a needle everyday or multiple times is not appealing. If you are one of these people, you may want to consider some natural treatments for the disease. Listed below are a few you might want to try.

#1 Massage

Message comes in many forms and techniques and has become the preferred natural method of treating diabetes. Improved methods such as removal of toxins from the body vastly improve circulation of the blood, a common problem with diabetes.

#2 Mud Therapy

Some people prefer to take a mud bath instead of the mudpacks. In this treatment, a tub is filled with sanitized mud and the patient sits in it as if they were taking a bath. A typical treatment is around 30-90 minutes and will cost a bit more than mudpacks.

Treating diabetes with detoxification has become very popular as well. To begin you need to get a healthy controlled food plan from your doctor. During detox, you may find it useful to take supplements with your diet so you can more easily remove the toxins that have built up in your system. The plans are wide and varied and the most important part of any of them is that you follow them completely.

Acupressure is the process of stimulating pressure point on your body. This stimulation is used to improve your overall health. Many people who have had acupressure have reported being cured of several different diseases.

While this seems to be a good treatment for diabetes, you should still speak to your doctor about undertaking this kind of unconventional healing program. The one thing you must remember is that you are in charge of your own wellness.

If you do decide to use acupressure, a trained professional should conduct it. Take the time to sit down and discuss your expectations of your acupressure treatments. Inquire if they have ever treated anyone with diabetes before and what the results were.

If you would like to learn more about diabetes especially on natural treatments for diabetes or about natural diabetes medication, you can go to http://www.diabetesmanagement.insulitelabs.com.

Diabetes Treatment

Wednesday, February 4th, 2009 by admin

There are plenty of excellent recipes if you suffer with diabetes. Controlling your diet can be the key to reducing the risk of diabetes as well as improving your symptoms if you are affected by this disease people often refer to as “the silent killer”. Sorting out a diabetic diet plan is one of the most important things you need to do if you suffer from diabetes.

Diabetes Diet

One of the main goals for a diabetic diet is to lower your weight and maintain it. By following your diabetic diet and eating a balanced amount from each of the four food groups, you should improve your condition.

Reverse Diabetes Now Review

Having a healthy diabetic diet plan means eating in a way that reduces the risk for complications that are commonly associated with their conditions, including heart disease and stroke. By creating a healthy, low-fat diet, many of the symptoms of diabetes have been reduced including blurred vision, thirst and at the same time increasing energy levels and reducing fatigue.

The diabetic dietary plan is concerned with eating a balanced diet of non-fat dairy foods, lean meat, poultry, fish, whole grains, fruit, vegetables and beans. If you are also subject to a low-carb diet then your diet may consist of certain vegetables like kidney beans, carrots and avocados in addition to meat, fish poultry, eggs and cheese. Diabetic diets should include foods that are low in saturated fats and cholesterol, such as skinless poultry, fresh fruit, and vegetables as previously mentioned.

A diabetic diet consists of certain food groups but it also imperative that you weigh the foods so you intake the correct amount of calories. When buying the food that are needed for a diabetic diet, it is important to read the labels, it is especially important since most food labels show daily values based on a 2,000 calorie diet.

Breakfast doesn’t have to be boring with quite some choice and variety with yogurt, alternatively milk, two slices of bread, or rice cakes/pasta, an egg prepared as you like and your favorite fruit. If you are following a 1,800 calorie diabetic diet than you would be able to have two slices of bread, a cup of  milk and a little cheese with some fresh fruit for your breakfast.

For a snack in the afternoon have some fruit, two or three crackers, and half a cup of herb tea. Diabetic diets can be just as interesting as a normal diet but you just have to know what you are allowed to eat and vary your menus to keep them interesting.

Type 2 Diabetes Causes & Diets

Monday, February 2nd, 2009 by admin


Click Here for your FREE Diet Profile from eDiets!
The proper management of type 2 diabetes symptoms can give the sufferer many years of healthy living.

When we are dealing with type 2 diabetes symptoms it is advisable to start with a visit to ones doctor or general practitioner. First, finding out that one has diabetes, what type they have then arming oneself with as much information as possible about the type 2 diabetes symptoms that one is seen to be diagnosed with. All management begins with controlling the glucose cycle. The glucose cycle is affected by two factors, entry of glucose into the bloodstream and blood levels of insulin to control the transport out.

Many people find that their lives really have to change a great deal as they struggle to deal with symptoms of diabetes and causes of diabetes and when talking about glucose in the blood as wee that it can change as people grow and develop and no two cases of causes of diabetes are ever really the same. However with all of the advances that have been made in our research and understanding of causes of diabetes today; it is easier to measure the blood sugar level. We see that glucose meters are readily available and are quite easy as long as anyone is willing to give it a little practice and patience. With a small drop of blood to the testing strip attached to the glucose meter, the user is given the number, which represents their blood sugar level. This in turn will let the user know if and when insulin is needed and as our knowledge of causes of diabetes grows we will continue to see the improvement in our lives.

Natural Diabetes Treatment

Thursday, January 29th, 2009 by admin

One of the most important steps you can make towards a natural (adult onset) diabetes treatment is to adopt a healthier lifestyle. Simply making some positive changes in your diet and other habits can make a huge difference in your overall health, as well as helping to treat or prevent diabetes. If you’re interested in learning more about a natural diabetes treatment, keep reading – this article will tell you about a few of the most important things you can do to help treat the disease.

Diet – Diet is perhaps the most important factor in the treatment and prevention of this disease. Diet is of course also important for keeping in good health generally. If you happen to have diabetes, diet is especially important. Controlling your blood sugar is one of the most important parts of any natural diabetes cure; some foods will have a larger impact on your blood sugar levels than others. Eating a healthy diet will make a huge difference to the progress of diabetes.

All diabetics need to limit sugar intake to an absolute minimum. It’s nearly impossible to avoid sugar altogether, but you should make every effort to steer clear of sugary, refined foods. Instead, eat a healthy, balanced diet which is rich in green leafy vegetables. Make sure to also control the level of carbohydrates in your diet.

Exercise – regular exercise is part and parcel of a healthy lifestyle which can help a natural diabetes treatment along. Always consult with your physician before beginning any program of exercise; your doctor can tell you what level of physical activity is appropriate and safe to begin with. Walking is a good choice for diabetics; people who suffer from diabetes often have circulatory problems, especially in their legs – something which walking is great for alleviating.

After beginning a regular regimen of exercise, you’ll be able to progress further towards getting physically fit – and working towards a natural diabetes treatment. If necessary, you can retain the services of a personal trainer to help meet fitness goals.

Detoxification – To assist your body in fighting disease, you’ll want it to be functioning at the peak of its ability. One way to help your body do this is to detoxify and remove the impurities and toxins from your body. This will help you reach a natural diabetes treatment. The first step in detoxification is to drink plenty of water to start flushing out toxins.

There are other therapies which can assist the detoxification process, such as massage and acupressure. These therapies work by letting your muscles relax and release toxins so that they can be flushed from the body. Mud packs can also help to draw out toxins from the skin.

Any course of treatment, even a natural diabetes treatment should be done under medical supervision to ensure that it is effective and safe. Simply living a healthier lifestyle can help your body to prevent diabetes and heal the damages of the disease. It can be easy to begin a natural diabetes treatment; it all starts with your resolve to treat the disease.

For more information on treatment of diabetes visit www.diabetesmanagement.insulitelabs.com

Type I Diabetes – Do you know the signs?

Friday, August 15th, 2008 by admin


 Free Samples and Coupons for Brand Name Products

Type I diabetes is an autoimmune disease that usually strikes in childhood or as a young adult. (Although diagnosis can occur at any age). The body essentially turns on itself and destroys the insulin producing cells in the pancreas, called beta cells. Unlike type II diabetes, there no way to reverse type I diabetes once it has been diagnosed and there is no cure. The only way a type I diabetic can survive is through insulin therapy. It is very important, especially in children to diagnose this diabetes as early as possible. If you are a parent, grandparent, or educator of children, knowing the symptoms is key to early diagnosis and could save a child’s life.

Symptoms of High Blood Sugar (hyperglycemia)

* Extreme Thirst

* Frequent Urination

* Bed wetting (previously controlled)

* Weight Loss

* Irritability (change in personality or behavior, cries easily, unusually uncooperative)

* Tires easily (Gives up activities previously engaged in eagerly)

Symptoms of Low Blood Sugar (hypoglycemia)

* Hunger and irritability

* Incoherent and spacey

* Unusual behavior and slurred speech

* Inattentive, drowsy, headache

* Glassy eyes, dilated pupils

* Shaky, clammy, perspiring

The book, “Understanding Diabetes”, by H. Peter Chase, MD is the most comprehensive and easiest to understand book about diabetes, for the whole family. It appeals to children and is a complete guide for parents. This is a must have book if you or someone you love as type I Diabetes.

Understanding Diabetes

The book “Growing Up With Diabetes: What Children Want Their Parents to Know”, by Alicia McAuliffe, is a great reference for dealing with social issues, independence, frustrations and staying positive as an individual.

Growing Up With Diabetes

Other valuable resources:

Children’s Diabetes Foundation

The Barbara Davis Center for Childhood Diabetes

5 Tips to Avoid Pre-Diabetes

Wednesday, July 23rd, 2008 by lee

Time and time again, the American public is inundated with news clips and commentaries about how we are the most overweight country in the world. And while experts chat on daily talk shows about the latest fad diet or quick fix exercise plan, fast food joints encourage us to come in and try the newest-biggest-baddest-burger that they’ve just concocted.

Sadly, the topic that might encourage people to really think about their weight as a real health issue, and make changes in their daily lives is often not mentioned at all: pre-diabetes. For more information on pre-diabetes go to Insulite Labs website.

Pre-diabetes is a nutritional disorder that affects over 100 million people in the US. Some of the outward signs of pre-diabetes can be an extra layer of fat around the waist, insulin resistance, craving sweets or starchy foods, and/or feeling tired or mentally in a fog. What people can’t see is the damage that this disease is doing on the inside where, without treatment, there is great risk of developing heart disease, hypertension, high cholesterol and, of course, Type 2 diabetes. Although pre-diabetes can lead to serious health conditions, it can be reversed!

Here are five tips to avoid pre-diabetes:
1. See a doctor.
Meeting with your doctor and having a simple glucose test, to confirm if you have pre-diabetes, is the essential first step towards dealing with this disease. By seeing your doctor, you are providing him or her with a baseline of your health as it stands today so that, going forward, your doctor can work with you to monitor any pre-diabetes symptoms. He or she can also be a valuable resource towards giving you recommendations to see other specialists or support programs such as Insulite Laboratories which helps people with pre-diabetes develop a comprehensive plan to battle the disease.

Earth Shoes
2. Develop a smart eating plan.
We all know that some foods are better than others. But when dealing with a health concern such as pre-diabetes, evaluating and thinking about what we put into our bodies becomes essential to our overall health. That’s why sitting down to develop a healthy eating plan and really evaluating food choices will help you adopt lifelong, healthy eating habits. Obvious good food choices that have proven to reverse pre-diabetes include low-fat proteins such as chicken and fish as well as fruits and vegetables such as assorted greens, spinach, tomatoes, onions, peppers, apples, cherries, broccoli and blueberries. Other not so obvious good food choices include organic foods, low-glycemic foods such as lentils, chickpeas and yogurt and foods with essential fatty acids such as fish oil GLA, CLA and flaxseed oil. Foods that you should avoid when diagnosed with pre-diabetes include high-glycemic foods that break down quickly in the bloodstream like white bread, bagels, white potatoes and corn.
3. Add exercise to your daily routine.
Because weight is a key indicator for people with pre-diabetes, exercise is another essential component when developing a healthy lifestyle plan. By building movement into your daily routine, you build muscle and burn blood sugar and fat which will help you lose weight. Obviously the more you exercise the better off you will be, but starting with small changes such as walking around your neighborhood 2-3 times a week will help you start to make physical changes in a way that you can maintain and build on as your stamina improves.
4. Don’t forget your nutraceuticals
While eating more healthily will definitely improve your prognosis, adding supplements to your daily routine can help you go the extra mile towards battling and reversing pre-diabetes. Also called nutraceuticals, these disease-specific vitamins, herbs and minerals give you that added boost to keep you healthy and ward off more serious health issues caused by pre-diabetes. Some that are recommended for people with pre-diabetes include alpha lipoic acid, chromium, vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin D, vitamin E, magnesium and/or biotin. However, before taking any of these nutraceuticals, you should talk to your doctor to make sure that they will work well with your overall health, eating and exercise plan.

Bathroom sinks up to 70% off at ModernBathroom.com
5. Improve your personal environment.
Many people experience weight gain due to situations occurring in their own personal living environments, so by making small changes in your personal space you can make a big difference in your overall health. For example, are you getting enough sleep? If not, you may not be helping your metabolic system lose that extra weight. Also, are you stressed? If so, you need to think about making changes that will limit the stress in your life so that the chemicals in your body that replenish energy and make you hungry can subsist. Additionally, you should look around at your physical environment. New studies show that toxins from pesticides, food, cosmetic preservatives and some pharmaceutical drugs may be linked to obesity and insulin resistance. Avoiding such toxins can only increase your chances of successfully reversing pre-diabetes.