‘3′ Myths About Diabetes….

28 02 2010

Nothing can be done to prevent diabetes complication:

   Nothing could be further from the truth. Studies show that diabetes related complications can be prevented or delayed by following a self-care treatment plan that keeps blood blood sugar levels under control and by getting regular medical checkup. Mnay people with Type 2 Diabetes also have high blood pressure and cholesterol. Keeping these twin conditions in check as well can also go a long way toward warding off complications such as nerve damage and kidney failure.

Only overweight people get diabetes:

   Many people who have type 2 diabetes carry excess pounds, and some are obese, but many elderly people with the condition aren.t particularly overweight. If you or the person you’re caring for needs to shed some weight, it may be motivating to learn that even modest weight loss through healthier eating and increased activity can help keep long-term complications at bay. But diabetes doesn’t discriminate. Even Slim Jims can sccumb to the disease.

People with diabetes shouldn’t exercise:

   The exact opposite is true; Exercise is a key component of any diabetes treatment plan, as it helps diabetics better use insulin and lower or maintain weight. Also exercise is often the most overlooked weapon in the arsenal against this disease, underestimated by both patients and care providers. If the person in your care hasn’t been active in a long time, is overweight, or has other medical conditions or mobility issues, then it’s wise to get his or her main diabetes care provider’s green light before he or she embarks on an exercise regimen. But barring severe diability or serious complication, physical activity of some sort and this doesn’t have to mean working out at a gym should be done regularly by everyone with diabetes, regardless of age. You might encourage the person you’re caring for to take walks with you.



Why Do Foot Care With Diabetes

27 02 2010

   High blood glucose due to diabetes can cause two complications that can hurt one’s feet.

   Nerve damage: As the name suggests it causes damage to nerves in legs and feet. This results in loss of feeling, namely pain, heat or cold in one’s feet. In other words it causes numbness in one’s feet. This lack of feeling is due to nerve damage. It is also known as diabetics neuropathy. It can result in an infection or a sore. The sore or wound may get worse because the affected may not know of its existence since the loss of sense.

   Poor blood flow: the lack of enough blood to legs and feet results in difficulty for a sore or infection to heal. This condition is called peripheral vascular disease. These two problems together cause a foot problem.

   It may start with a small blister on one’s foot resulting into amputation due to complications triggered by diabetes. This can be avoided by following proper foot care methods which are listed below:

   Check feet daily: If not possible ask someone else to do it.

   Wash feet with warm water and dry them thoroughly and carefully especially between the toes.

   File calluses or corns if any with an emery board or pumice stone.

   Cut toe nails regularly and file the sharp edges.

   Always wear comfortable footwear to protect feet.

   Always wear clean and comfortable cotton socks.

   Check shoes before wearing for sharp objects or torn edges that can damage feet.

   Quit smoking. There are evidences which indicate that smoking can worsen heart and vascular problems and result in poor blood circulation to feet.

   Visit doctor regularly for yearly foot check up.

   If the above mentioned are followed diligently, it can result in healthy feet and less foot problem amongst diabetics.



Diabetes and Depression is Linked…

26 02 2010

   Depression can strike anyone, however diabetics are at a greater risk. Interestingly, individuals with depression are also at a great risk of developing diabetes. Depression is a serious medical condition that affects thoughts, feelings and the ability to function in everyday life. If may result from abnormal functioning of the brain.

   Studies indicate that depression may be triggered by stress, difficult life events, side effects of medication and other environmental factors. It can therefore limit the energy needed to keep focused on treatment of other disorders like diabetes.

   At any given time, most people with diabetes do not have depression. However, studies show that people with diabetes are at a greater risk of going into depression than people without diabetes. The stress of daily management of diabetes can build. It may isolate a diabetic from his surroundings and friends due to all the extra work of diabetes management.

   If a diabetic person faces complications like nerve damage or has trouble keeping blood sugar levels low, he may feel like he is losing control of his diabetes. Depression can get a person into a vicious cycle. It can block and hinder good diabetes self-care. Depression drains energy from a person and even a basic task like regular blood sugar level testing can appear like too much to handle.

   This may result in anxiety, resulting in difficulty in maintaining a good diet, which will affect blood sugar levels. Besides this, other mental disorders like bipolar disorder, manic depressive illness, and anxiety and anxiety disorders may also occur in diabetics.

   Fortunately depression is curable in two simple steps. Spotting depression is the first step and getting help is the secord step towards curing depression. The symptoms of depression include change in sleeping patterns, change in appetite, loss of energy, trouble concertrating and nerousness. If you have two or more of these symptoms its time to get help.



‘3′ Natural Cures For Diabetes You Can Do NOW…

25 02 2010

   Diabetes and its complication can be cured without taking any drugs. There are Natural cures for diabetes available.

   There are three basic Natural Cures for Diabetes available,

   1. Diet

   2. Exercise

   3. Nutritional Supplements

   Diet is the first and the best natural cure for diabetes people. A proper diabetic diet menu must have a low glycemic index which means the food containing low level of carbohydrates, moderate protein and high fiber. This kind of diet will reduce diabetes blood sugar levels, reduce intake of insulin levels and lesser the need for medications. It will also help to reduce weight, reduce blood pressure, this cures the diabetes and supports body’s overall health and energy.

   Eating a handful of groundnuts everyday will help the diabetic person and taking honey daily basis also will help them to reduce diabetes.

   Juices of tomato, Rose apple, Lemon, Cucumber, Bitter gour, Spinach, Carrots and Cabbage are helpful to cures the diabetes in natural way.

   Many studies have proven that exercise are great benefits and can significantly cures them. The regular Natural physical activity helps diabetes person to reduce the weight, lower the blood glucose levels, improve blood circulation, lower bad (LDL) cholesterol and improve the good (HDL) cholesterol. And this is Nstural way of reduce the risk of heart diseases/

   Yogic asanas are also helpful to cure the diabetes in natural way. Some of the asanas trainers prefer are Bhujangasana, Dhanurasana, Shalabbasana, Sarvangasana, Paschitmottasana and some of the other asanas are also helps to cures diabetic people.

   A daily walking in the morning or little jogging can also helps to cure diabetics.

   There are many of nutritional supplements that every diabetic should be taking on a daily basis in order to cure diabetes in natural methods. These supplements are very good and that really helps to lower blood sugar levels and insulin levels and insulin levels, lower cholesterol levels, reduce blood pressure, improve energy, and lower the risk of heart disease. these supplements are really very natural and these supplement can also protect your tissue (eyes, kidneys, blood vessels) from the damage that diabetes often causes. They also help to cures the lower blood circulations.

   The usefulness of these supplement is not at all theoretical, but they do the magic that cures the diabetes in natural way is fact. There are thousands of published studies proving the beneficial affects these supplements have on diabetics person. Amazingly enough, despite the overwhelming evidence, most of the medical advisors do not recommend nutritional supplements to their diabetes patients.

   But Natural way is far better then medications.



Curing Diabetes with Diet and Cells

24 02 2010

   By the time you finish reading this sentence, about 50,000 cells will have died in your body and 50,000 new cells will have replaced them. So why is that important? Well, the science behind cell research is showing that your attitude, nutrition plan and environment all have an impact on how your cells replace each other. Over time, you are replacing old cells with healthier cells and forming a new you.

   In other words, your diet is the most important treatment you can use to stop and reverse your type1 and type 2 diabetes. Here are 5 quick, easy natural diabetes tips…

   1. Did you know that if you are proactive with both your diet and exercise. It should only take weeks to reverse your diabetes? With the this in mind, you need to have the attitude that you can cure your diabetes. Your attitude will fuel your motivation to modify your diet and exefrcise regularly.

   2. If you been following the news you’re have probably heard about the Prittkin diet. The first part of the diet is eating high fiber whole grain foods. Because fiber flushes your body (detoxifies) you will be able to manage your weight and lower your need for insulin. Look for foods that are high in deitary fiber (3-4 grams per serving). Get 50 g of fiber per day.

   3. Another part of the high fiber diet would be to eat many varieties of fruits and vegetables. You should be eating at least 6-7 fruits and vegetables a day.

   4. You should also be be watching foods that have corn syrup. Do not eat these foods.

   5. You should be drinking plenty of water. This benefit your cells and flush your body.

   6. Finally, you should educate yourself on the latest research about about curing diabetes with your diet. Your motivation, diet and exercise program are the pillars behind  a Diabetes Natural Cure.



‘4′ Herbs for Diabetes

23 02 2010

   Gymnema Sylvestre:

It reduces insulin resistance by increasing cell permatibility. It is recommended that people with diabetes should take 4 grams per day of this ayurvedic herb. A Harvard study concluded that it did not only reduce blood sugar in type two but type one diabetics as well. Gymnema Sylvestre is made out of a herbal plant known as 91Masbedda92 in Sri Lanka. It has powerful medical characteristics for the cure of diabetes. The herbal preparation now market is now in dried powered form and could be dissolved in hot water and could be taken instead of tea.

   Huckleberry;

Improves circulation in the capillaries in the hands and feet and improves digestion and immune systems.

   Zinc:

It is essential for the pancreas to produce insulin and makes insulin work effectively. It also helps in fortifying the insulin receptor cells. When zinc is low, the pancreas does not create sufficient insulin, that high glucose levels.

   Ginkgo Biloba;

An extremely effective herb used in Traditional Chinese Medicine and derived from one of the oldest trees on earth. Studies indicate that Ginkgo biloba has a beneficial effect on peripheral and cerebral circulation and can therefore help to prevent the tissue damage and poor circulation associated with diabetes. It is also suggested that Ginkgo biloba can increase blood flow to the optic fibres of the eyes and therefore help to treat diabetes related eye disease.



What Eyes Problems Does A Diabetic Have…

22 02 2010

   In a diabetic person the risk of having eyes problems is very high. if the diabetes is well controlled one is likely to have some minor eye problem but if it is not then the complications may result in blindness too. This is why a diabetic person should be very careful regarding one’s eyes.

   If diagnosed early, most sight loss due to diabetes can be prevented. This can only be detected by a detailed eye examination. Hence the annual eye examinations are very important and should be followed diligently.

   Diabetes can affect the eyes in a number of ways. The most serious eye condition associated with diabetes involves the retina, and more specifically, the network of blood vessel lying within it. The name of this condition is diabetic retinopathy.

   Diabetic retinopathy is graded according to its severity which is as follows:

   Background diabetic retinopathy; This condition is very common in diabetics suffering for a long time. The vision will ne normal with no threat to eye sight.

   Maculopathy; It is the main cause of loss of vission and may cause gradually but progressively. However one doesn’t lose sight completely. In maculopathy the central vision gets worse and it makes recognizing people’s faces and reading small print difficult. However the good news is that it allows the person to get around the house and outside since peripheral vision is preserved.

   Proliferative diabetic netionpathy; In this condition blood vessels in the retina become blocked and new blood vessels form in the eye to provide blood supply to retina. Since the blood vessels are weak they bleed easily causing scar tiisue to form in the eye. This scarring causes retinal detachment, which scars and distorts retina. This bleeding and retinal detachment can result in loss of vision.

   To avoid the above mentioned problems one needs to control blood sugar levels, blood pressure levels and cholesterol levels. Along with that a regular annual visit to the ophthalmologist can prevent eye related problems amongst diabetics.



Tips On Diabetes Prevention

21 02 2010

   When it comes to diabetes, especially Type 2 Diabetes, prevention is a big and essential step. It is necessary to make prevention a priority if one is overweight or has a family history of diabetes. It is as basic as losing extra weight and eating healthy.

   Changing lifestyles a little may be the first step towards preventing diabetes. Type 2 diabetes is a sugar disease and it can be controlled and even prevented by following the methods given below.

   1- Managing insulin/blood glucose levels

   2- Eating small portions instead of full meal

   3- Keeping body fat percentage to the lowest possible

   Consider the following tips to prevent this chronic disease from claiming your lives:

   Physical activity: It is no secret that regular physcial activity reaps many rewards. Besides losing weight, it also lowers blood sugar levels and boosts an individual’s sensitivity to insulin. A fitness program consisting of both aerobic exercise and resistance training can prove beneficial in diabetes control.

   Increase in fiber intake: The roughage reduces the risk of diabetes by improving blood sugar control. Eat whole grains as they control blood sugar and help prevent onset of diabetes. Skip fad diets and opt for healthier lifestyles and wholesome diets.

   To maintain a healthy diet one should remember the following:

   1- Eliminate processed carbohydrates

   2- Avoid carbhydrates before two hours of bedtime

   3- Balance intake of carbohydrates, protein and fats

   4- Eat at least 5-6 small meals a day

   5- Always start your day with high protein breakfast

   6- Drinking lots of water help in flushing impurities as well as

fats from the body and thus helps regulate blood sugar levels

   Hence to stay ahead in the game of diabetes and beating it, the key is to live a haelthy lifestyle.



How Does Diabetes Affect Your Bones…

20 02 2010

   Most of us think of diabetes as a chronic disease that effects cardiovascular health, causes nerve damage, blindness and kidney problems. New researches show that it effects bones too. Studies have shown that type 1 Diabetics have lower bone density than people without diabetes.

   According to scientists, a diabetic is at a higher risk of developing bone and joint disorders like osteoporosis and osteoathritis. In osteoporosis, bones become weak due to which one can easily develop fracture. Ortheoarthritis causes joint cartilage to disintegrate which further leads to arthritis of joints.

   Hip fractures are therefore a common feature with diabetics. The risk of developing osteoporasis in women goes higher in case if they are diabetic. Research also suggests that women with type 1 diabetes may have an increased fracture risk, since vision problems and nerve damage associated with the disease have been linked to an increased risk of falls and related fractures.

   It is assumed that a lack of control over the disease may be a governing factor for poor bone density. One can improve bone density by eating dairy products, preferably those that are low in fat.

   Diabetes can also cause changes in an individual’s musculoskeletal system, which is a term used for muscles, bones, joints, ligaments and tendons. This can affect hands, fingers, wrist, shoulder, spine or feet. Diabetes related musculoskeletal problems include muscle pain, joint pain, joint stiffness, joint swelling and deformity. Frozen shoulder is one such joint problem which is quite painful.

   The glucose rise due to diabetes affect collagen, whichs gets deposited abnormally in tendons and cartilages of shoulder causing frozen shoulder or stiffening of shoulder. Most of these conditions can be successfully treated with anti-inflammatory medications, steroid injections, or other therapies. However, nutrition, exercise and healthy lifestyle can prevent these problems.



This Will Happen When You Become Insulin Resistent…

19 02 2010

   It is scary but true that some of us may be suffering from one of the most common but often overlooked diseases without our knowledge. It is a disease caused by one’s bodys inability to breakdown the food one eats, and one out of three people suffer from this condition. This peculiar condition is called insulin resistance.

   Insulin has three main roles:

   1- Regulate the liver from releasing too much glucose. When there is enough glucose in the blood, insulin tells the liver to shut down its production of glucose.

   2- Allow glucose to enter the cells by opening the doors of the cells. Later the glucose can be turned into energy.

   3- Directing some of the glucose to be stored back into liver and muscle and directing the extra food to be stored as fat.

   In case of insulin resistant body the liver continues to release glucose. There is also a defect in how glucose is transported inside the cell and how it is utilized inside the cell.

   Insulin resistance is caused largely due to over consumption of refined carbohydrates like breads, pastas, cookies etc. Eating to much saturated fat and omega 6 fatty acids also seems to increase the risk of insulin resistance.

   Insulin levels remain chronically high, and cells become less responsive and resistant to insulin, if not taken care of. As a consequence, relatively little glucose gets burned and levels remain high. With chronically elevated glucose levels, insulin resistance evolves into diabetes.

   To combat insulin resistance one must exercise regularly, lose weight and stop smoking. Physical activity increases body’s sensitivity to insulin. Losing weight has shown to decrease insulin resistance.  Since smoking contributes to insulin resistance it is of utmost importance to quit smoking to improve one’s health.

   Eat healthy and exercise well is therefore the mantra to beat insulin resistance.