Diabetes and Diet

For the type 2 diabetic keeping blood pressures under control is a vital part of their diet plan. In recent studies researchers evaluated how a high carbohydrate and high monounsaturated fat diet affected the blood pressure in patients with type 2 diabetes. After 14 weeks they found that those eating the high carb diet had a modest increase in blood pressure as opposed to those who ate a diet high in monounsaturated fat.

The diet itself was laid out as follows. The high carbohydrate diet consisted of 55 percent of calories from carbohydrates, 30 percent from fat, and 10 percent monounsaturated fat. The monounsaturated diet had it test subjects eating 40 percent of calories form carbs, 45 percent from fats, and 25 percent from monounsaturated fat. Both groups consumed the same amount of calories, just different percentages from the above food types.

The 42 patients in the study consumed each diet for a 6 week period with a break of one week between each test period. After their one week break they were invited to continue with the second part of the diet for 8 more weeks. Eight test subjects continued on the high monosaturated fat diet with thirteen more continuing on the high carbohydrate diet.

After the first 6 week period there was little change in both systolic or diastolic blood pressure (upper and lower blood pressure readings), or in heart rate.

After the final 8 week period though, researchers began to see some changes. Those who ate the high carbohydrate diet began to see systolic pressures 6 point higher and diastolic pressures were 7 points higher. Their heart rates were also higher by about 7 to 8 beats per minute. Contrast this with those patients on the high monounsaturated fat diet whose systolic and diastolic pressure were 3 to 4 points lower at the end of the 14 week period.

This shows that while caloric control is important for the diabetic where those calories come from may be of even more importance. A diabetic diet low carb choice may help type 2 diabetics with blood pressure problems but it is important to discuss any dietary changes with your doctor or nutritionist.

Andrew Bicknell

The Glycaemic Index is known as GI and is a ranking for foods based on their effect on blood sugar levels, which is particularly useful for diabetics who need to monitor their blood glucose levels. Some foods are absorbed quicker than others, and the quickest of these will have the highest rating. The GI rating system is useful for diabetics, but there are important factors to consider when researching the GI ranking of different foods and meals.

Slow releasing carbohydrates are better for everyone, especially diabetics. The reason for this is that the carbohydrates are absorbed by the body much slower, meaning that you can maintain a normal appetite and keep your blood sugar at a safe and healthy level that is more constant throughout the day. These kinds of carbohydrates will have a low GI ranking. Another aspect of many with diabetes in considering the meals they eat is weight loss. Low GI rankings will help with weight loss by the way in which they control your appetite and make you feel full for longer.

When purchasing foods and cooking recipes based on the GI of the food it is also important to realise that fats and proteins can slow down the absorption of carbohydrates, but this does not mean it is healthy just to eat these foods. You must bear in mind that it is also important to follow a well-balanced diet, which you will be able to find in special diabetic recipes.

The way you cook your food will affect its GI, so try to avoid frying and use healthier methods such as grilling.

willyboy
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Diabetes is an affection that prevents the human body from using insulin in transforming the glucose from the blood, leading to an accumulation of glucose in the blood, also known as a high sugar level in the blood.

As a consequence of diabetes, the human body is unable to transform food into energy, and so, it develops other problems involving the heart, the eyes (leading to a blurred vision), and even blood clotting which is very dangerous because it can get you to a cerebral vascular accident (stroke).

By a recent estimate, in the US are known to be 17 million people suffering by diabetes, leading to the conclusion that diabetes is quite a common disease.

Nowadays, people affected by diabetes can use many home remedies to improve their living and to keep their blood sugar levels constant, leading to controlling the diabetes.

People suffering of diabetes are known as owners of a weakened immune system, causing them a lot of inconveniences, such as planter warts.

Planter warts are caused by the attack of a virus called The Human Papilloma Virus (HPV), and they occur on the sole of the foot. Also, due to this weakened immune system, the planter warts will not cure so easily.

The doctor will inform the person affected by diabetes that this illness can not be cured, but it can be held under control by keeping the sugar lever in the blood within a limit. So, the patient will follow an appropriate diet, will self monitor his blood sugar concentration and will follow an active lifestyle.

Another solution to become insulin independent it to have a kidney-pancreas transplant, but this is costly and risky and not most people will opt for this.

Nowadays, researchers try to find a remedy for diabetes using stem cells, but their solution is not ready to be applied on humans yet.

One of the most reliable methods to control diabetes is to keep a proper diet. Patients with diabetes type I should eat 35 calories/kg of body weight daily, equalizing to 16 calories/ pound/ day. Patients with diabetes type II can eat 1500-1800 calories/day and even more if they are obese.

Carbohydrates are very important, because they keep the blood sugar levels low, and so, they should represent 50% of the daily calories.

Another effective home remedy is the bitter gourd, also known as Karela. One tablespoon of Karela juice/day can amazingly lower your blood sugar level, but it does not taste too good. A tablespoon of Amla juice taken daily for two months can stimulate your pancreas to secrete insulin. The leaves of Butea tree are also effective.

Another popular remedy is: ten Tulsi leaves, ten Belpatras and ten Neem leaves, with a glass of water taken on an empty stomach.

People suffering of diabetes must follow an active lifestyle. Doctors recommend 30 minutes of exercises daily and a supplement of vitamins and minerals.

One of the most important things in trying to control the diabetes is the support of the family and friends during the first weeks of the new adjustments in the patient’s life.

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/do-not-let-diabetes-control-you-87696.html

After eating, the food we eat is broken down into sugar (glucose) through the process of digestion. This sugar then enters the bloodstream so that it can be delivered throughout the body, where it is called blood sugar. Insulin, which helps metabolize blood sugar and is made in the pancreas, takes blood sugar from the bloodstream and delivers it into the body’s cells. This sugar provides energy to the cells in organs such as our heart, lungs, and kidneys, which help function properly.

Type 1 diabetes, also called insulin-dependant or juvenile diabetes, occurs when the pancreas no longer makes insulin. This is because the immune system becomes confused and begins attacking and destroying the cells in the pancreas that produce the insulin. Instead of going into the cells where it is needed, the sugar stays in the blood. Often beginning in childhood, people with Type 1 diabetes have to take a least one shot of insulin each day in order to stay alive.

The most common kind of diabetes, which often starts in overweight adults with high blood pressure and high cholesterol levels, is Type 2 diabetes. Although the pancreas is usually producing enough insulin in Type 2 diabetes, the body does not use the insulin effectively. In this type of diabetes, the cells do not respond to the insulin’s attempt to enter with glucose, so in turn, the pancreas produces more and more insulin. Because the cells do not respond, high levels of glucose build up in the blood, causing Type 2 diabetes. Once the pancreas senses that the insulin isn’t needed, it eventually stops making it. People with Type 2 diabetes often need to take prescription drugs to lower there blood sugar levels.

In both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes, the sugar stays in the bloodstream rather than going into the cells where it is needed. After it builds up in the blood, it causes the cells to be starved for energy and, after a long time, damage to the blood vessels, nerves, eyes, and kidneys. Type 1 diabetes, which develops very quickly, can be recognized by symptoms including: frequent urination, intense thirst, increased hunger, and weight loss. Type 2 diabetes, on the other hand, develops very gradually without any symptoms at all. Unfortunately, Type 2 diabetes is usually only diagnosed after the occurrence of a complication, such as circulation problems, nerve damage, eye problems, or kidney damage.

All of these complications are caused by high blood sugar levels; however, most of them can be prevented. The longer these blood sugar levels are elevated, the greater the risk for having complications is. Because high blood sugar levels damage blood vessels, they eventually become thicker and less flexible. This causes poor circulation which can complicate healing. These high blood sugar levels also cause higher levels of fat in the bloodstream, which clogs and narrows blood vessels. This partial blockage will deprive the heart of necessary nutrients, resulting in a heart attack, heart pain, or a stroke. Because high blood sugars can cause nerve damage, a person with Type 2 diabetes may lose feeling in parts of their body or have a painful pins-and-needles-like feeling. Diabetes can also damage and weaken blood vessels in the retina, which causes them to leak fluid, resulting in a swelling in the eye, which will blur vision. Since the blood vessels are so fragile, they can break open and bleed into the eye, which will cause scar tissue to form, along with the possibility of the retina to break away from the back of the eye, resulting in visual impairment, or even blindness. The blood vessels in the kidneys can also be damaged, preventing it from filtering out the body’s waste. The longer the blood sugar levels are left uncontrolled, the greater the amount of kidney damage that can occur. If the kidney damage isn’t stopped, a kidney transplant or dialysis machine may eventually be needed.

All of these complications can be prevented through vitamins, minerals, and herbal supplements, which keep people with diabetes healthy and provide powerful tools that prevent the serious complications from occurring. The most helpful nutritional supplement should contain powerful vitamins, minerals, and herbs in a synergistic formula that can lower blood sugars effectively and provide nutrients which people with diabetes need. The supplement should be taken twice a day in addition to a high quality multivitamin. Because a diabetic formula is complementary, it means it should be taken in addition to your multivitamin, not as a replacement.

Since diabetes is a disease that requires active participation, you must be aware of your problem and be in control of it as much as possible. If you use a home glucose monitor to check your blood sugars, you may feel more comfortable checking your glucose levels more often when you first begin the diabetic formula supplement. However, you should always follow your doctor’s recommendation as to how often you should check your blood sugar levels. According to most licensed health care practitioners, a good blood sugar range for most people with diabetes before a meal is from about 70-150, ideally between 70 and 120. By taking a supplement formulated especially for diabetics, your blood sugars should be right where they are recommended. Successful diabetes management means doing lost of positive things, among these include visiting your licensed health care practitioner often, choosing foods wisely and staying active, and taking a diabetic formula supplement, but remember, this diabetic formula supplement is meant to be an addition to a healthy diet, not a substitute.

Darrell Miller
http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/what-is-diabetes-and-how-can-you-control-it-83009.html

Brewer’s Yeast: Brewer’s yeast is a wonder food. It is rich in traces of mineral chromium. This mineral helps the pancreas produce more insulin. It is one of the best supports for normal handling of sugar by the body. According to an article by Dr. Richard J. Doisy and others, which appeared in the Medical World News, Brewer’s yeast has lowered the insulin requirements of many diabetes patients.

Broccoli: Broccoli, a close relation of the cauliflower, has long been a popular food in Europe. This vegetable has proved to be an effective anti-diabetic food. It is rich source of chromium, a trace mineral that seems to lower blood sugar. This trace mineral regulates blood sugar, thereby often reducing the medication and insulin needs of diabetes. In cases of mild diabetes, chromium may prevent the onset of the full-fledged disease. If a person’s glucose tolerance is on border, chromium can help control it. Even low blood sugar levels can be brought to normal with chromium.

Curd: Curd injects friendly bacteria in to the digestive system that stimulate the pancreas. It also washes the pancreas of its acids and wastes. These cleansing actions enable the pancreas to perform much better and thereby help in the production of insulin.

Garlic: In scientific trials garlic and its constituents have been found to lower blood sugar in diabetes. This vegetable is rich in potassium, which effectively replaces the large quantities of potassium lost in the urine of diabetics. It also contains zinc and sulphur, which are constituents of insulin. Some authorities believe that low levels of zinc may be one of the factors responsible for the onset of diabetes. Garlic also contains manganese, a deficiency of which can contribute towards diabetes.

Garlic constituents appear to act by blocking the inactivation of insulin in the liver. The result is higher blood insulin levels and lower blood sugar.

Garlic has other benefits for diabetes besides lowering blood sugar. It prevents arteriosclerosis, which is a common complication of diabetes and relieves body paid. Diabetics can take the equivalent of one or two cloves of garlic a day in any form they like, either raw or cooked in food or as capsules. Garlic milk, prepared by adding four cloves of crushed garlic to 110 ml of milk, is one good way of taking garlic. The best way, however, is to chew raw garlic thoroughly first thing in the morning.

Bengal Gram: Bengal gram, also known as chickpea, is a widely used important component of Indian diet. It is a valuable anti-diabetic food. Experiments have shown that the oral ingestion of the water extract of Bengal gram increases the utilization of glucose in diabetics as well as normal people. In a study conducted at Central Food Technological Research Institute in Mysore, the requirement of insulin of chronic diabetes patients decreased from 40 units a day to 20 units, when kept on a diet which included liberal supplements of Bengal gram extract.

Diabetic patients who are on a restricted diet, which does not severely limit the intake of carbohydrates but includes liberal amounts of Bengal gram extract, have shown considerable improvement in their fasting blood sugar levels, glucose tolerance, urinary excretion of sugar and general condition.

Bitter Gourd: The bitter gourd is a common vegetable cultivated extensively. It has excellent medicinal virtues. This vegetable has been used as fold medicine for diabetes from ancient times. Research has established that it contains insulin like principle designated as plant-insulin, which has been found beneficial in lowering blood and urine sugar levels.

Bitter gourd is thus and effective anti-diabetic food and should be included liberally in the diet of a diabetic. Juice of three or four bitter gourds taken every morning on an empty stomach has been found more effective than eating fruits. The seeds of bitter gourd can be powdered and added to regular meals. A decoction prepared by boiling chopped bitter gourd is water is equally effective, as is its dry powder mixed with liquid foods.

Bitter gourd is rich in all essential vitamins and minerals especially vitamins A, B1, B2, C and iron. Its regular use, therefore, prevents many complications associated with diabetes including hypertension, eye complications, neuritis and the defective metabolism of carbohydrates.

Black Gram: Black gram is a highly prized pulse in India. It is an anti diabetic food. Germinated black gram taken with half a cup of fresh bitter gourd juice, forms and effective remedy for treating mild types of diabetes. It should be taken once a day, for three to four months, with a restricted intake of carbohydrates.

In severe diabetes, regular use of this combination is an effective complement to other treatments. It is also a useful health food for preventing complications due to malnutrition in diabetes. Milk prepared by grinding sprouted whole black gram is also recommended for diabetics.

Groundnut: Groundnuts are valuable in diabetes. Eating a handful of groundnuts daily by diabetics will not only prevent malnutrition, particularly the deficiency of niacin, but also checks the development of vascular complications.

Find complete diabetes information, diabetes supply, diabetes treatment, diabetes diet, diabetes causes, diabetes types. More on Diabetes Mellitus Information and Treatment Supply. Also see Natural Ayurvedic Herbal Cure for Diabetes.

Dr John Anne
http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/recommended-foods-for-diabetes-61198.html

It is now estimated that a billion people worldwide exhibit some form of Syndrome X that includes glucose intolerance, high blood pressure and high cholesterol. It’s just one step away from getting full blown diabetes.

Diabetes is not a death sentence. It can be reversed or even avoided if you make the changes necessary and resolve to live a healthier lifestyle. That includes a better diet, more exercise and the elimination of smoking, drinking and reducing your stress level.

You can help yourself live healthier by taking natural supplements that can help you regulate your blood sugar whether you are currently non-diabetic, pre-diabetic or already have diabetes.

1) Alpha Lipoic Acid, or ALA is an antioxidant that helps protect against cell damage caused by free radicals. It improves blood flow and increases sensitivity to insulin so the body can better absorb glucose. It is found in some foods such as spinach, broccoli and potatoes.

2) Chromium can be found in meats, fish, legumes, cheese, rye bread and brewer’s yeast. 90% of Americans do not get enough chromium in their diets. Chromium works with insulin to open the cell membranes so they can better absorb glucose. It decreases LDL cholesterol and triglycerides and increase the good HDL levels.

3) Coenzyme Q10 acts as an antioxidant and triggers beta-cell functioning in the pancreas which produces the insulin necessary to move glucose out of the bloodstream. It lessens heart damage. 50 to 100 mg per day is the recommended dose.

4) Magnesium improves insulin response, glucose tolerance and improves the fluidity of red blood cell membranes in diabetics. Seeds, nuts, legumes and green leafy vegetables are rich in this herb. Both magnesium aspartate and magnesium citrate are good sources of magnesium. Take 25 mg of B-6 to help move magnesium into the cells.

5) Before insulin was discovered, vanadium was used to help control blood sugar. In the form of vanadyl sulfate it helps control the rise of glucose after meals. Mushrooms, shellfish, parsley, dill and black pepper are good sources of vanadium.

6) Bitter melon is a cucumber-like plant that grows in Asia, South America and Africa. It helps to lower blood sugar. Just 2 ounces of the juice was shown to improve glucose levels in 73% of type 2 diabetics in one study. You can brew a tea from charantia, a form of bitter melon.

7) Gymnema Sylvestre grows in the tropical regions of India and was used to treat both type 1 and type 2 diabetics. In one study, twenty-two type 2 diabetics were given 400 mg of Gymnema extract along with their oral medication. All experienced improved blood glucose control and 5 of therm were able to discontinue their drug use. It enhances the action of insulin. Dosage is 200 mg two times a day.

Fenugreek seeds were used in folk medicine to treat diabetes. In order to lower blood sugar, about 15 to 50 grams twice daily is needed. The active ingredients is the soluble fiber of fenugreek and the alkaloid trigonelline. It’s helpful for both type 1 and type 2 diabetics.

But as good as supplements are they will do little good unless you take a full approach to change the lifestyle that is making you sick. Eliminate the bad food in your diet, your stress level, your smoking habits and get the exercise you need are the only ways to prevent you from joining the millions who now suffer from the consequences of diabetes.

Mario Carini