Diabetes and Diet

Type II diabetes is one of today’s most common health conditions. As the rate of obesity has increased in this country, so has the incidence of diabetes.

It’s becoming more and more important to understand how to prevent diabetes, as well as the best ways to treat it if we discover that we’re already affected.

Diabetes is a disease in which the body does not produce or properly use insulin, the hormone that converts sugar and other food into energy. The most common type of diabetes seen today is Type II, where insulin is produced (though sometimes not in a high enough quantity), but is not used properly.

This results in a higher than normal level of blood glucose in the body. Type I diabetes is diagnosed in childhood, and results from an inability to produce insulin.

Doctors are not entirely sure what causes diabetes, but we do know that family history plays a part. In addition, we know that people who are obese and who do not get regular exercise are at a much greater risk of developing Type II diabetes than those who exercise and maintain a healthy weight.

Today, there are about 20.8 million people in the US with diabetes. Nearly one third of these people don’t realize they have the disease. In addition, about 54 million people in the US are pre-diabetic, meaning their blood glucose levels are higher than normal, but not high enough to be diagnosed with diabetes.

Complications from diabetes include blindness, kidney problems, heart disease, stroke, nerve damage and foot and skin problems.

Prevention is critical when it comes to diabetes, and even many people who are already pre-diabetic can reduce their blood glucose levels naturally to prevent their pre-diabetic state from turning into diabetes.

In addition, some patients who already have Type II diabetes are able to control their condition with lifestyle changes.

To protect yourself from diabetes, it’s critical to maintain a healthy weight. Eat natural unprocessed foods that are rich in fiber and nutrients. Avoid sugar and white flour, because both of these foods tend to leave us with an excess of insulin.
Exercise every day.

Not only can exercise help you keep your weight in check, but it can help your body more effectively use the food you consume, helping to prevent your blood sugar levels constant.

Exercising and maintaining a healthy weight are the two most important ways to prevent diabetes, and to help control your insulin even if you’ve already been diagnosed. But, scientists are also discovering that there might be a secret weapon in the fight against diabetes, and it’s safe and simple.

Drink tea. Both green and black teas have been shown to help control blood sugar levels. One study, in particular, performed by the Indian Institute of Chemical Biology in Calcutta, India, showed that tea had a significant effect on the blood glucose levels of diabetic mice.

When the mice were given tea, their blood sugar levels stayed consistent and did not rise above normal levels.

Tea, particularly green tea, has been shown to be effective in preventing, and even treating, many forms of disease. It has been shown to reduce the risk of heart disease, stroke, Alzheimer’s disease, and even cancer.

And, some studies have shown green tea to even be an effective adjunct to traditional cancer therapies. Some researchers have found that traditional cancer treatments, like chemotherapy, are more effective when green tea is used in conjunction with the treatment.

Tea helps keep insulin levels constant in the blood, helping to regulate it naturally. Though most studies showing tea as an effective health protector have recommended green tea over black, this study on diabetes found no difference between the two. So, whether your preference is green tea or black, it may be helpful in the fight against diabetes.

For some pre-diabetics who are trying to ensure that their problems don’t progress, adding tea to your diet may be an easy way to help get your blood sugar levels back to normal. Of course, you will need to continue with your healthy diet and exercise routine, as well.

And, even for those who already have Type II diabetes, a regular regimen of tea may help you keep your blood sugar regulated with less medication, when used along with proper diet and exercise.

Of course, as with any other alternative therapy, talk with your doctor. Tea is not designed to replace any medications you’re already taking, and should not be used as a substitute for diet and exercise.

Beware of drinking highly sweetened tea. Adding sugar to the tea may negate any benefits the tea offers. Use a doctor approved artificial sweetener if you like your tea sweetened.

So, add some tea to your diet. Whether hot or cold, black or green, tea is good for you. And, particularly if one of your health goals is to prevent or treat Type II diabetes, tea may be a simple and effective way to help meet those goals.

Marcus Stout
http://www.articlesbase.com/medicine-articles/can-tea-help-with-diabetes-99473.html

besides fruits and vegetables.

A broiled steak, grilled swordfish… any meat or protein type food is usually low in carbs.
Pickles are good and have no carbs. You can really eat anything you want but just have to count the carbohydrates.
If you don’t understand how a diabetes diet works, then consult a dietician.

Diabetes mellitus is a disease in which the glucose metabolism is affected, causing the level of glucose in blood to increase (hyperglycaemia). Glucose can be found in the urine too in patients who suffer of this affection. The accumulation of glucose in blood is caused by an insufficient secretion of insulin or by a malfunction of the insulin. Insulin is produced by the pancreas and its role is to take the glucose from the blood and make it enter the cells of the body which use it for producing energy.

If the glucose metabolism is affected the body gives signals to the brain which will increase hunger and so more food will be eaten. This way the glucose level in blood will increase more rapidly causing toxic products to appear (ketones). If these products are not discovered soon they will cause diabetic ketoacidosis which is a life-threatening condition.

Treatment of diabetes focuses on lowering the level of glucose in the blood and on protecting the patient from the consequences this disease causes.

Diabetes is classified into three types: type 1, type 2 and gestational diabetes.

The first two types are chronic affection and the third one disappears after pregnancy is done.

Type 1 is known to occur during childhood and was named as insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. The pancreas is not able to produce the insulin any more as the cells responsible to this process have been destroyed by the body. These patients require insulin injections permanently.

Diabetes type 2, also known as non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus occurs mostly during adulthood. In this case the insulin is not produced in sufficient quantities or it is not effective on the body cells.

Type 1 is not as frequent as type 2 is. In 1995 there were known to exist 430,700 Australians who suffered of diabetes. 19% of them were affected by diabetes type1. The rest were considered to be mostly type 2 diabetic patients. Nowadays scientists believe that for every diagnosed type 2, there is one other undiagnosed type 2 patient.

In some cases diabetes is a result of a misuse of certain drugs, or a result of a different affection like: endocrine diseases, pancreatic diseases, infections, genetic diseases, and misusage of drugs and chemicals.

The treatment will help the patient control the level of glucose in blood and ameliorate the symptoms; the doctor will also help the patient letting him know what he is allowed to eat and what he must avoid; will advise him what to do when he feels sick and will tell him where he can procure his diabetes supplies.

So, if you want to find out more about type 1 diabetes or even about symptoms of diabetes please follow this link http://diabetes-info-center.com/

Groshan Fabiola
http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/general-information-about-diabetes-mellitus-118512.html

Salacia oblonga Indian herb also known as Ponkoranti. It has
been used by Indian natives since ancient times to effectively
manage Diabetes. This is a effective cure for type 2 diabetes.
Reduction in blood sugar levels can be observed within 5 days of
usage. It is also a strong weight gain inhibitor and effectively
controls weight gain commonly associated with type 2 diabetic
patients.

The recommended dosage is 1000 mg twice daily. To purchase this
medicine visit www.salaciaoblongacapsules.com write to
info@salaciaoblongacapsules.com

LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS HERB ON
www.nutrasolutions.com/CDA/ArticleInformation/news…

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http://www.news-medical.net/?id=7685

For Salacia Oblonga herb Capsules and Extract Write to Botanika
herbalpowders@operamail.com treeseeds@operamail.com
treeseeds@rediffmail.com : : : : WWW.SALACIAOBLONGACAPSULES.COM
Traditional Indian medicine, herb Salacia oblonga may help treat
diabetes Posted By: News-Medical in Medical Study News
Published: Tuesday, 8-Feb-2005 Printer Friendly Email to a
Friend : : : : Herbs used in traditional Indian medicine to
treat diabetes seems to lower blood sugar and insulin levels in
a manner similar to prescription drugs, a new study reports.
Researchers gave extracts of the herb Salacia oblonga to 39
healthy adults, and the results were promising. The largest dose
of the herb extract – 1,000 milligrams – decreased insulin and
blood glucose levels by 29 and 23 percent, respectively. : :
“These kinds of reductions are similar to what we might see with
prescription oral medications for people with diabetes,” said
Steve Hertzler, a study co-author and an assistant professor of
nutrition at Ohio State University. : : Salacia oblonga, which
is native to regions of India and Sri Lanka, binds to intestinal
enzymes that break down carbohydrates in the body. These
enzymes, called alpha-glucosidases, turn carbohydrates into
glucose, the sugar that circulates throughout the body. If the
enzyme binds to the herbal extract rather than to a
carbohydrate, then less glucose gets into the blood stream,
resulting in lowered blood glucose and insulin levels. : :
“Lowering blood glucose levels lowers the risk of
disease-related complications in people with diabetes,” Hertzler
said. “Also, poor compliance with diabetes medications often
hinders the effectiveness of these drugs. It may be easier to
get someone to take an herb with food or in a beverage, as
opposed to a pill.” : : The study appears in a recent issue of
the Journal of the American Dietetic Association. : :
Thirty-nine healthy adults participated in four separate meal
tolerance tests. These meals, which were given in beverage form,
were spaced three to 14 days apart. Each participant fasted for
at least 10 hours before consuming the test beverage. : :
Participants were asked to drink about two cups’ worth of the
chilled beverage, which contained zero, 500, 700 or 1,000
milligrams of Salacia oblonga extract. Afterward, the
researchers used the finger-prick method to draw blood samples
from each person every 15 to 30 minutes for three hours. These
blood samples were used to determine insulin and blood glucose
concentrations. The biggest changes in blood glucose and insulin
levels usually happen within the first two hours after eating. :
: The beverage that contained the highest concentration of the
herbal extract – 1,000 milligrams – provided the most dramatic
reduction in insulin and blood glucose levels. Insulin levels
were 29 percent lower, while blood glucose levels were 23
percent lower as compared to the control drink, which contained
no herbal extract. : : As Salacia oblonga can cause intestinal
gas, the researchers had the study participants collect breath
hydrogen samples hourly for eight hours after drinking the test
beverage. The participants collected their breath in small
plastic tubes. The researchers then analyzed these breath
samples for hydrogen and methane content – the level of either
substance in the breath corresponds to the level contained in
the colon. : : The subjects also rated the frequency and
intensity of nausea, abdominal cramping and distention and gas
for two days after consuming each test meal. : : While the test
beverages containing Salacia oblonga caused an increase in
breath hydrogen excretion, reports of gastrointestinal
discomfort were minimal, Hertzler said. : : Right now he and his
colleagues are trying to figure out what dose of the herb is
most effective, and when it should be taken relative to a meal.
: : “We want to know how long it takes for the herb to bind to
the enzymes that break down carbohydrates,” Hertzler said. “The
participants in this study took the herb with their meal, but
maybe taking it before eating would be even more effective.” : :
The researchers also want to study the effects of Salacia
oblonga in people with diabetes. : : “A lot of studies show that
lowering blood sugar levels reduces the risk for all kinds of
diabetes-related complications, such as kidney disease and nerve
and eye damage,” Hertzler said. “We want to see if this herb has
this kind of effect.” : : Salacia oblonga is still relatively
difficult to find in the United States, Hertzler said, although
there are manufacturers that sell the herb through the Internet.
: : This study was supported by the Ross Products Division of
Abbott Laboratories in Columbus. : : Hertzler is continuing to
conduct Salacia oblonga studies with the Ross Products Division
of Abbott Laboratories. He has no links to the company beyond
this affiliation. : : Hertzler conducted the work with former
Ohio State colleague Patricia Heacock, who is now at Rutgers,
the State University of New Jersey; Jennifer Williams, a
clinical scientist with Ross Products Division, Abbott
Laboratories; and Bryan Wolf, a former research scientists with
Ross Products Division

Goldie
http://www.articlesbase.com/advertising-articles/ayurvedic-medicne-for-type-2-diabetes-287.html

Over the last few weeks, I have felt myself being a little thirstier than usual, but im not drinking like a fish or anything. also, once or twice a day, i feel like one of my feet have pins and needles and feel a little cold. I am 15, 5’10" and 155 so i am not fat or anything. my family has no history of diabetes, but i dont eat very well, hardly any fruits and vegetables and i drink a lot of soda. Can someone describe their onset of diabetes ie how thirsty they were and how often or if at all their feet fell asleep? thanks.

With teens, the symptoms are way more dramatic than being thirsty. There’s a lot of nausea and vomiting and a general feeling of illness and severe lethargy. The fact that you are a little thirstier than usual isn’t alarming.

and apples, and oranges, and bananas, etc.

Eat more vegetables and fruits, and eat far less fast food.

And also exercise far more and have physical education in school.

That’s what their parents should be doing. But many if not most parents would not know about the risks or how to prevent diabetes unless the information was provided. And providing good information for the welfare of the nation is the president’s job.