Diabetes and Diet

When you have diabetes it does not mean that you have to eat bland food for the rest of your life. You do although need to learn what is going to be good for you and what is bad for your body. You need to create a healthy diet that will keep your life healthy and give you the nutrients that your body needs to keep heart disease away.

What is really bad for the diabetic to eat? This is what would be a bad diet for everyone else. The answer is a diet that is high in fat, salt, sugar and the over processed foods that you can find. This sort of foods is often filled with poly saturated fats or trans fat, which cannot be burned off through exercise. They are going to stay in the body and clog up the arteries. If you have diabetes it can be the worst thing for your diet and this will increase your chances of getting heart disease, stroke, and other heart problems that can lead to complications.

This will not mean that you have to cut out the fat forever, however some fats are healthy and necessary. It is very important if you have diabetes to know which fats and foods are good for you and which fats are harmful for you too. Fats are found mostly in processed foods and found in most of the fast food restaurants and are not healthy. Omega –3 fatty acids are found more in fish and are very good for diabetics due to the fact that they can help decrease the risk of sudden heart attack. When you are working on your diet, you need to remember that you can still have some sugars and fats but in lower amounts. The way that these foods act with your body will increase the chances of health problems happening in your body. You need to eliminate them from your diet so that you can have the good effects for your health that your body needs for a certain amount of fat to be healthier.

You need to control your intake of carbohydrates because it is important for diabetics. This is because of the excess carbohydrates will turn into sugars in the body and diabetics should be careful about the amount of getting too many carbohydrates in their diet. This will affect their blood sugar levels. Diabetics can learn about how to count their carbs from nutritionists or a book that is good on the subject. This can help them in deciding how much to eat and with what type of meal.

When you are a diabetic it does not mean that you have to limit your diet to foods that have no taste. You can still have the foods that you want as long as you keep the portions under control. It is about taking control so that you are not eating more than what your body can process and that is the diet that everyone should have in their life to be healthy and happy too.

Ricky Roberts
http://www.articlesbase.com/diseases-and-conditions-articles/diabetes-and-weight-loss-what-can-the-diabetic-eat-394354.html

A diabetic person cannot make normal use of sugar, and so sugar builds up in the blood. The kidneys discharge some of the excess sugar in the urine. In severe cases of diabetes, fats and proteins cannot also be used normally.

The type 1 diabetes strikes some people so suddenly that the lack of insulin causes an emergency condition called diabetic ketoacidosis. There is excess urination, thirst, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting and difficulty in breathing. If the patient is not treated promptly, he may go into diabetic coma with fatal results.

In type 2 diabetes, the patient has normal or even above normal production of insulin. But their bodies do not respond efficiently to the insulin. Symptoms of type 2 diabetes are excessive urination, great thirst, hunger and loss of weight and strength.

Complications of Diabetes

It is very important to take care of diabetes as improper care can give rise to several complications. If the blood sugar level is kept under control, one can prevent many health problems. Many people come to know of their diabetes only when they develop one of its complications.

1. The structural and functional abnormalities of diabetic complications are the glycation of structural proteins and the production of advanced glycation end products with their deposition in various tissues.
2. Most patients with type 2 diabetes also tends to be obese and hypertensive.
3. Angina is a long term complication of diabetes.
4. Difficulty in walking with chronic ulceration of feet due to diabetic neuropathy and also diabetic microangiopathy and diabetic nephropathy due to small blood vessel disease.
5. Diabetic patients are at higher risk of developing atheroscelerosis.
6. Wound healing is delayed in diabetics because of neuropathy, and hyperglycaemia.
7. Intermittent claudication and gangrene due to atherosclerosis
8. Blindness due to diabetic retinopathy
9. Diabetes affects the blood vessels, the blood and the heart.
10. Cardiac failure is also another long term complication of diabetes.

I hope this article has covered some of the long term complications of diabetes. Knowing these complications will help you to prevent them.

Control your blood glucose level for more controlled life!

Disclaimer: This article is not meant to provide health advice and is for general information only. Always seek the insights of a qualified health professional before embarking on any health program.

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Nick Mutt
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The type 2 diabetes is a chronic metabolic disorder that is often preventable but sad to say, the condition is on the rise worldwide. Diabetes is now affecting 246 million people and is expected to hit 380 million by 2025. Each year a further 7 million people develop diabetes. It is now the fourth leading cause of global death by disease.  Among the complications of diabetes are heart and blood vessel disease including stroke and heart attack, nerve damage, diabetic retinopathy, and kidney failure. 

Diabetes is the largest cause of kidney failure and is responsible for huge dialysis costs. At least 50% of all people with diabetes are unaware of their condition and in some countries this figure may be as high as 80%. However, up to 80% of type 2 diabetes is preventable if we adopt a healthy diet and lifestyle, and increase physical activity.

Even though you are not currently diagnosed with diabetes, you can prevent diabetes from endangering your life. One way to keep this dreadful disease at bay is to constantly monitor your health and diet.  Make it a habit to go for a complete blood test at least once a year. From the results of your lipid profile, take note of the values of triglycerides and the high density lipoprotein (HDL). The triglyceride/HDL ratio should be less than 2. Any ratio in excess of 2 indicates the tendency of developing diabetes later in life.  You may be having what is known as Syndrome X as described by Dr Gerald Reaven of Stanford University (1988).

 According to medical research, insulin resistance is a major factor in the development of the syndrome. When you continually consume sugar, high carbohydrate and high fat diet, your body will become less sensitive to insulin. It compensates by making more insulin. Years later, the pancreas will simply give up. The insulin level drops and the blood sugar begin to rise. Insulin resistance leads to obesity.

In order to prevent and treat diabetes, you have to take note of the following points:

1.       Eat a balanced diet by combining good protein and good fat with low glycemic carbohydrates. The protein and fats can be obtained from vegetables and its oils, olive oil, nuts, beans. It is also available from the cold water fish such as salmon and tuna which are rich in the omega 3 fatty acids. Protein is also available from fowl. Get the carbohydrates from whole fruits and vegetables. Avoid refined foods. Foods like fiber, brussels sprouts, cucumbers, green beans, soy beans, tofu and garlic have an insulin-like action on the body and should be included in the diet regularly.

2.       Ensure that you have plenty of exercise. Exercise will make your body more sensitive to insulin. A brisk walk of 30-45 minutes three times weekly is more than sufficient.

3.       Maintain a regular intake of supplements including the following:

Multi vitamins and minerals supplement 1 capsule daily

Vitamin C 1-2 gm daily

Vitamin E 400 I.U. daily

Selenium 150 mcg daily

Omega 3 capsule 1000 mg daily

Evening primrose capsule 1000mg daily

4.       Eliminate coffee, alcohol, smoking, nervous exhaustion, stress and obesity.

mohamad ali
http://www.articlesbase.com/alternative-medicine-articles/how-to-prevent-and-eliminate-diabetes-631021.html

The type 2 diabetes is a chronic metabolic disorder that is often preventable but sad to say, the condition is on the rise worldwide. Diabetes is now affecting 246 million people and is expected to hit 380 million by 2025. Each year a further 7 million people develop diabetes. It is now the fourth leading cause of global death by disease.  Among the complications of diabetes are heart and blood vessel disease including stroke and heart attack, nerve damage, diabetic retinopathy, and kidney failure. 

Diabetes is the largest cause of kidney failure and is responsible for huge dialysis costs. At least 50% of all people with diabetes are unaware of their condition and in some countries this figure may be as high as 80%. However, up to 80% of type 2 diabetes is preventable if we adopt a healthy diet and lifestyle, and increase physical activity.

Even though you are not currently diagnosed with diabetes, you can prevent diabetes from endangering your life. One way to keep this dreadful disease at bay is to constantly monitor your health and diet.  Make it a habit to go for a complete blood test at least once a year. From the results of your lipid profile, take note of the values of triglycerides and the high density lipoprotein (HDL). The triglyceride/HDL ratio should be less than 2. Any ratio in excess of 2 indicates the tendency of developing diabetes later in life.  You may be having what is known as Syndrome X as described by Dr Gerald Reaven of Stanford University (1988).

 According to medical research, insulin resistance is a major factor in the development of the syndrome. When you continually consume sugar, high carbohydrate and high fat diet, your body will become less sensitive to insulin. It compensates by making more insulin. Years later, the pancreas will simply give up. The insulin level drops and the blood sugar begin to rise. Insulin resistance leads to obesity.

In order to prevent and treat diabetes, you have to take note of the following points:

1.       Eat a balanced diet by combining good protein and good fat with low glycemic carbohydrates. The protein and fats can be obtained from vegetables and its oils, olive oil, nuts, beans. It is also available from the cold water fish such as salmon and tuna which are rich in the omega 3 fatty acids. Protein is also available from fowl. Get the carbohydrates from whole fruits and vegetables. Avoid refined foods. Foods like fiber, brussels sprouts, cucumbers, green beans, soy beans, tofu and garlic have an insulin-like action on the body and should be included in the diet regularly.

2.       Ensure that you have plenty of exercise. Exercise will make your body more sensitive to insulin. A brisk walk of 30-45 minutes three times weekly is more than sufficient.

3.       Maintain a regular intake of supplements including the following:

Multi vitamins and minerals supplement 1 capsule daily

Vitamin C 1-2 gm daily

Vitamin E 400 I.U. daily

Selenium 150 mcg daily

Omega 3 capsule 1000 mg daily

Evening primrose capsule 1000mg daily

4.       Eliminate coffee, alcohol, smoking, nervous exhaustion, stress and obesity.

mohamad ali
http://www.articlesbase.com/alternative-medicine-articles/how-to-prevent-and-eliminate-diabetes-631021.html

Certain factors that contribute to the development of diabetes are:

Heredity: Heredity is a major factor. That diabetes can be inherited has been known for centuries. However, the pattern of inheritance is not fully understood. Statistic indicates that those with a family history of the disease have a higher risk of developing diabetes than those without such a background. The risk factor is 25 to 33 percent more.

One reason why diabetes, especially type-2 diabetes runs in the family is because of the diabetes gene. But even it is caused by genetic factors beyond your control; there is no reason to suffer from it. Diabetes cannot be cured in full sense of the term, but it can be effectively controlled so that you would not know the difference.

Diet: Diabetes has been described by most medical scientists as a prosperity’ disease, primarily caused by systematic overeating. Not only is eating too much sugar and refined carbohydrates harmful, but proteins and fats, which are transformed into sugar, may also result in diabetes if taken in excess.

It is interesting to note that diabetes is almost unknown in countries where people are poor and cannot afford to overeat. The incidence of diabetes is directly linked with the consumption of processed foods rich in refined carbohydrates, like biscuits, bread, cakes chocolates, pudding and ice creams.

Obesity: Obesity is one of the main causes of diabetes. Studies show that 60 to 85 % of diabetics tend to be overweight. In the United States of America, about 80 percent of type 2 non-insulin dependent diabetics are reported to be overweight.

Excess fat prevents insulin from working properly. The more fatty tissue in the body, the more resistant the muscle and tissue cells become to body insulin. Insulin allows the sugar in the blood to enter the cells by acting on the receptor sites on the surface of the cells.

Older people often tend to gain weight, and the same time, many of them develop and mild form of diabetes because who are over weight can often improve their blood sugar simply by losing weight.

Stress and Tension: There is a known connection between stress and diabetes, those who are under stress and/or lead an irregular lifestyle, need to take adequate precautions and make necessary lifestyle adjustments.

Grief, worry and anxiety resulting from examinations, death of a close relative, loss of a joy, business failure and strained marital relationship, all a deep influence on the metabolism and may cause sugar to appear in the urine.

Smoking: Smoking is another important risk factor. Among men who smoke, the risk of developing diabetes is doubled. In women who smoke 25 or more cigarettes a day, the risk of developing diabetes is increased by 40 percent.

Lifestyle Risk: People who are less active have greater risk of developing diabetes. Modern conveniences have made work easier. Physical activity and exercise helps control weight, uses up a lot of glucose (sugar) present in the blood as energy and makes cells more sensitive to insulin. Consequently, the workload on the pancreas is reduced.

Find complete and updated diabetes information, diabetes supply, diabetes treatment, diabetes diet, diabetes causes, diabetes types. More on Diabetes Mellitus Information and Treatment Supply

Dr John Anne
http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/causes-of-diabetes-61181.html

Thousands of people in the United States are walking around with diabetes at this very moment and don’t know it. Learn how to recognize a sign or diabetes symptom before it’s too late.

There are two types of diabetes: Type 1 and Type 2. With Type 1, the body is rendered incapable of manufacturing its own insulin. This type tends to occur in younger adults and children. This type is also rarer than Type 2 diabetes, with about 10% of the population affected in contrast to the nearly 90% who contract Type 2 diabetes later in life. Knowing what to watch for when seeking information about a diabetes symptom or sign is important.

Diabetes is related to the rise of blood sugar levels in your system. Unfortunately, these can’t be seen and results are only available after blood testing. But other warning signs and symptoms of diabetes exist that may serve to alert you to the fact that something is not quite right with your body systems, so pay attention to what your body is trying to tell you. An early diabetes symptom is a need to visit the restroom more frequently. This is due to the fact that high amounts of glucose in urine cause increased urine output, therefore causing excessive thirst. Many people ignore this sign, but doing so can lead to dehydration. Once chemical balances in your body go topsy-turvy, other difficulties and complications rapidly follow, so heed such changes to your body.

Due to the growing imbalance of chemicals, proteins, fats and carbohydrates in your body during early onset diabetes, and the inability of your body to create enough insulin, the body then turns to other alternatives for its energy source. A gradual or sudden weight loss and increased appetite is another alarming diabetes symptom. This condition can also lead to chronic fatigue, a growing sense of nausea and even vomiting. Many people mistake these as flu-like symptoms at first. If left untreated, this symptom of diabetes can lead to more alarming conditions. Bladder and skin infections can occur, and fluctuating blood sugar levels can disturb vision and caused blurred eyesight. Still worse, glucose levels that dramatically increase can lead to a sense of lethargy and coma.

Everyone knows their own body and listens to signals when things aren’t quite right. So how do you know that you don’t just have a bad case of the flu or you’re not just overworked and in need of a vacation? Visit your doctor and ask for a fasting blood glucose test. After setting up an appointment with your physician, you’ll be asked to fast over night or for at least eight hours prior to the test. A single drop of blood is taken from your finger and either sent to a lab or tested in the physician’s office using a glucose meter. Results are almost instantaneous. One simple test is all you need to take in order to determine whether you’ve been suffering from a diabetes symptom, so when in doubt, take the test.

Chonticha Marijne
http://www.articlesbase.com/diseases-and-conditions-articles/recognizing-a-diabetes-symptom-97595.html