Thursday, November 7, 2013

Diabetes: Can These Four Foods Change Your Life?

According to Dr. Francine R. Kaufman, medical advisor for The Diabetes DTOUR Diet book, when these certain foods are eaten together, they are even more effective.
Kaufman, who is also the head of the Center for Endocrinology, Diabetes & Metabolism at Childrens Hospital Los Angeles adds "That's important because excess fat, especially around your abdomen, causes inflammation in cells, making them even more resistant to insulin and driving up blood sugar."
Dubbed the "Fat-Fighting 4" these four super-nutrients can help you keep your diabetes in check.
Fat-Fighter #1: Calcium
Researchers at the University of Tennessee found that obese people who went on a low-calorie diet and consumed three servings a day of calcium-rich dairy lost 70 percent more weight and 64 percent more body fat than those who ate just one serving of dairy a day. Scientists aren't sure how calcium burns body fat but Barbara Quinn, author of The Diabetes DTOUR Diet, believes it reduces the fat-producing effects of a steroid hormone called calcitriol. Foods rich in calcium include cheese, yogurt, milk, sardines, and dark leafy greens like spinach, kale, turnips, and collard greens.
Fat-Fighter #2: Vitamin D
The human body requires D to absorb calcium-and collectively, they have the ability to help you reduce diabetes: According to the Nurses' Health Study, women who consumed over 1,200 mg of calcium a day and more than 800 IU of vitamin D a day were 33 percent less likely to develop diabetes when compared with those acquiring not as much of both the nutrients. "Researchers believe vitamin D quells cellular inflammation that contributes to diabetes," explains Quinn. Foods rich in Vitamin D include Swiss cheese, salmon, tuna, mackerel, sardines and fortified whole grain cereal. fortified fat-free milk, and A landmark study from Tufts-New England Medical Center showed that low levels of vitamin D raise a person's risk of type 2 diabetes by as much as 46 percent.
Fat-Fighter #3: Omega-3s
Recent scientific research publicized in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition revealed that women who consumed a well-balanced healthy diet with omega-3s shed 1 1/2 more pounds of body fat compared to women on the very same diet but minus the omega-3s. These types of beneficial fats decelerate the rate of digestion, making you feel satisfied for a longer time, which means you consume less calories through the day. Omega-3s also reduce inflammation, which is a major risk factor for diabetes, and appears to improve insulin resistance. Foods rich in Omega-3 include enriched eggs, tuna, flax, tofu, shrimp, salmon and walnuts.
Fat-Fighter #4: Fiber
Foods that contain dietary fiber are nutrient-rich, satisfying, and also lower in calories-a blend that makes them weight loss wonders. Based on research completed at the University of Minnesota, individuals who stuck to higher-fiber diets shed 2 to 3 pounds more monthly as compared to people who followed lower-fiber diets. Dietary fiber generates hormones that regulate hunger, which is also helpful with weight reduction. Foods rich in Fiber include brown rice, whole grain breads and cereals, oatmeal and oat bran, barley, pears, apples, carrots, citrus fruits, artichokes and beans.
Lesley Daunt
MedicationCoupons.com
The Premier Medication Coupon website on the internet.


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/8091784

Men: Uncontrolled Diabetes May Lead To Erection Difficulties

Erectile Dysfunction (ED) - the inability to sustain an erection when sexually aroused, is a complication of diabetes that affects some men. This condition is caused by neuropathy (nerve damage).
A practicing urologist and surgeon in Grenada Dr. Robert J. Yearwood, says that there is a direct correlation between uncontrolled diabetes and ED, "Erectile Dysfunction in males is a lot more common than people think because it is certainly not something that people talk about - but a major or leading cause of erectile dysfunction is diabetes." Dr. Yearwood went on to say that diabetic patients taking their medications as prescribed, following a healthy diet plan and exercising daily can lower men's risk of developing this particular complication of diabetes, "Some people are still able to get an erection but the quality might be diminished and another thing too - just to just sort of stick a pin here - diabetes is not the only cause of erectile dysfunction; and because you have diabetes it does not mean you will get erectile dysfunction. So everyone who is a diabetic don't think, that they have erectile dysfunction but if you are diabetic and you don't look after yourself; take your medication as prescribed [or] stick to the diet plan, the chance of you getting erectile dysfunction is very high."
The United States' National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disease (NIDDK) and National Institutes of Health (NIH) states that nerve damage is likely due to a combination of factors, these include:
* High blood glucose, long duration of diabetes, abnormal blood fat levels, and possibly low levels of insulin
* Damage to the blood vessels that carry oxygen and nutrients to nerves
* Inflammation in nerves
* Inherited traits that increase susceptibility to nerve disease
* Lifestyle factors, such as smoking or alcohol use
Neuropathy is one of several complications associated with diabetes when the blood glucose levels are not controlled. Other complications that can develop are eye disease, kidney failure, dental disease, heart disease, stroke and amputations - due to poor circulation in the extremities, in the legs, feet and fingers. Additionally, neuropathy is not limited to just ED. It depends on which nerves of the body have become damaged due to the long periods of high glucose (sugar) levels. NIDDK/NIH list other symptoms caused by nerve damage that both men as well as women can experience, these are:
1. Numbness, tingling, or pain in the toes, feet, legs, hands, arms, and fingers
wasting of the muscles of the feet or hands
2. Indigestion, nausea, or vomiting
3. Diarrhea or constipation
4. Dizziness or faintness due to a drop in blood pressure after standing or sitting up
problems with urination
5. Erectile dysfunction in men or vaginal dryness in women
weakness
6. Patients who notice any of these symptoms are encouraged to tell their doctor immediately.
This article was written in recognition of November being diabetes awareness month.


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/8103112

Wednesday, November 6, 2013

Type 2 Diabetes - The Effect of Phenylalanine on Blood Sugar

Regardless if you're a Type 2 diabetic or not, you have to cut calories in order to lose weight. The only difference is that it often makes more of an impact on your health when you have been diagnosed as prediabetic or full-blown Type 2 diabetic.
Here are a few ways to help you trim those calories or kilojoules:
1. Make popcorn healthier. Popcorn is pretty much a necessity when you are watching a good movie. And popcorn by itself, isn't an issue because of its low caloric count. But we don't settle for plain popcorn, do we? Flooding it with butter and cheese adds tons of calories that we don't need. Instead, choose low-calorie butter and cheese sprinkles. The taste is still there without the calories. Oh yeah, it's not as messy to eat, either.
2. Choose your soup wisely. We love soup - especially when it's cold outside. And we often have our favorite brands we like to stick with. But have you ever really taken a close look at the label on their container? While they might be tasty, it doesn't mean they are good for you. The next time you are soup shopping, compare labels and you are bound to find one is considerably healthier than another, has fewer calories and still tastes great.
3. Cook from scratch. Desserts are a big deal to us. But we usually get them from a box, a can or a package. If you are determined to eat dessert, then at least make it yourself so you can control what goes into it. Pre-packaged desserts are loaded with sugar, white flour, oils and other bits and pieces that pack on the calories. Opt instead to make something tasty yourself. It will be healthier and you'll swear it tastes better just because you made it yourself.
4. Beware of appetizers. Almost as important as desserts is the appetizer. They always look good on the menu, but we never take into consideration how many calories they contain. And let's face it: when was the last time you chose a healthy appetizer? If you are going to order an appetizer, at least take some time and choose wisely so you can avoid the excess calories.
5. Split it. One more thing about eating out: portion sizes. Have you taken note of the size of the entree restaurants serve you? It's easily enough for two people. As soon as the food hits the table, you should cut it in half and immediately ask for a to-go box. That way, you aren't wasting food and you aren't tempted to look at it while you try to stay away from the second half. If you leave it up to will power, odds are you will find yourself staring at an empty plate.
Type 2 diabetes is not a condition you must just live with. By making simple changes to your daily routine, its possible to protect your heart, kidneys, eyes and limbs from the damage often caused by diabetes, and eliminate many of the complications you may already experience.
For nearly 25 years Beverleigh Piepers has searched for and found a number of secrets to help you build a healthy body. Go to http://DrugFreeType2Diabetes.com to learn about some of those secrets.
The answer isn't in the endless volumes of available information but in yourself.


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/8094544

Type 2 Diabetes - Skin Disorders As a Clue to Other Complications!

People diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes have a high risk of developing various skin conditions as well as disorders of the eyes, nervous system, and kidneys. Researchers at Ataturk Training and Research Hospital in Ankara, Turkey, looked at hundreds of people with skin and other kinds of complications to determine whether skin conditions could be clues to the possibility of other complications.
Their study, reported in the American Journal of Clinical Dermatology in October 2013, included 750 people diagnosed with diabetes. It was found:
  • 594 participants, or 79.2 percent, suffered some disorder of the skin.
  • 5 per cent had skin infections,
  • 4 percent had abnormal dryness of the skin, and
  • 7 percent had a diagnosis of an inflammatory skin condition.
1. Skin infections, fungal infections, overgrown blood vessels in the face, and deep red skin discoloration were seen more often in the participants who had kidney disease than in those without.
2. Those with skin infections, diabetic foot problems, overgrown facial blood vessels, and other skin conditions related to diabetes were more common in those with neuropathy than in those without.
3. Fungal infections, diabetic foot problems, overgrown facial blood vessels, reddish discoloration of the skin, and other skin conditions associated with diabetes were frequent in the participants with eye disease related to diabetes.
4. Diabetics with HbA1c levels of at least 144 mg/dL (8 mmol/mL), were more likely to have skin disorders than those with HbA1c levels below 8 mmol/mL.
From this information it was concluded skin disorders could be clues to the possibility of other complications of diabetes.
Skin discoloration, pain, burning, stinging, itching, or scaling should be examined by your family doctor. If a skin condition associated with Type 2 diabetes is diagnosed, then testing for more serious complications of the condition could be in order...
  • Diabetic retinopathy is diagnosed in the doctor's office with a hand-held device called an ophthalmoscope. The instrument helps the doctor to see the back of the eye where the retinal vessels are located. If the vessels are abnormal a trip to the ophthalmologist's office and an examination with a slit lamp can yield a more definitive diagnosis. Laser surgery is often performed, along with measures to control blood sugar.
  • Diabetic neuropathy, a nervous system disorder, can be diagnosed with the use of a fiber. The skin is delicately touched with the fiber to ascertain whether normal sensation is present, usually in the feet. Exercise and medication to improve blood flow to the feet are often recommended.
  • Diabetic nephropathy is diagnosed by analysis of a urine specimen and blood specimen. Certain oral diabetes medications are thought to be helpful to prevent the kidneys from continuing to decline when diabetic nephropathy is diagnosed.
Type 2 diabetes is not a condition you must just live with. By making easy changes to your daily routine, its possible to protect your heart, kidneys, eyes and limbs from the damage often caused by diabetes, and eliminate some of the complications you may already experience. If you have skin problems they may be a clue to deeper health issues.
For nearly 25 years Beverleigh Piepers has searched for and found a number of secrets to help you build a healthy body. Go to http://DrugFreeType2Diabetes.com to learn about some of those secrets.
The answer isn't in the endless volumes of available information but in yourself.


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/8094447

Type 2 Diabetes - Beating Diabetes Before It Starts

The number of new Type 2 diabetes cases is increasing at an alarming rate. But what is even more alarming is the fact that Type 2 diabetes is largely preventable. So why does its occurrence continue to spread all over our planet? Because not enough emphasis is being placed on preventing it before it has a chance to occur.
Here are some ways that can help you to avoid diabetes before it's too late...
1. Lose weight. It sounds simple enough, right? Yet, obesity is consuming society almost as quickly as Type 2 diabetes. But losing weight should not only be used as a tool to ward off developing prediabetes or full-blown Type 2 diabetes. It holds many other benefits, as well. Maintaining a healthy weight is good for controlling:
  • heart disease,
  • stroke,
  • high blood pressure,
  • cancer
and a host of other medical ailments that cripple and dramatically shorten our lives.
2. Avoid the fads. When many people think of losing weight, they immediately want some type of magic pill, drink, supplement, food or medicine to help them do so. But fads are not meant to be a long-term fix. Besides, many are notoriously dangerous, too. The ONLY way to effectively lose weight in a healthy manner is to eat right - period. Fad diets might allow you to drop some weight in the beginning, but it will never keep it off. If you are going to commit to losing weight, change your lifestyle so the effects will stay with you.
3. Exercise. Although this often accompanies weight loss, this is recommended whether an individual has excess weight to lose or not. Exercise is an excellent way to help maintain healthy blood sugar levels. The good news is you don't have to act as if you are training for a marathon in order to reap the benefits derived from exercise. Simple, low-impact exercise will do just fine.
4. Eat the right foods. People don't typically put on and hold onto excess weight because they are over-indulging in broccoli or green leafy vegetables. Extra weight is put on due to making poor food choices - either having the wrong foods or too much of it. Adopting a healthier eating plan will not only allow you to drop excess weight, but it will also benefit you in many other areas of your life. You will be able to sleep better, feel more rested throughout the day, think clearer and have more energy for other things - such as exercise.
Type 2 diabetes is not a condition you must just live with. By making simple changes to your daily routine, its possible to protect your heart, kidneys, eyes and limbs from the damage often caused by diabetes, and eliminate many of the complications you may already experience.
For nearly 25 years Beverleigh Piepers has searched for and found a number of secrets to help you build a healthy body. Go to http://DrugFreeType2Diabetes.com to learn about some of those secrets.
The answer isn't in the endless volumes of available information but in yourself.


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/8094594

Type 2 Diabetes - Pancreatico Biliary Diversion and Insulin

Pancreatico biliary diversion (PBD) is one procedure for treating obesity. Normally the stomach empties into the upper part of the small intestine, where much of its contents are absorbed. In pancreatico biliary diversion the contents of the stomach are rerouted into the lower part of the small intestine and on into the large intestine, where they are not absorbed. Part of the stomach is removed, which encourages the person having had surgery to eat less.
It has been discovered this particular surgery and several other types of obesity surgery can sometimes be curative in Type 2 diabetes. Researchers at the State University of Campinas in Sao Paulo, Brazil, hypothesized that beta cells, the pancreatic cells that release insulin, could be improved by this particular surgery and set out to investigate.
Their study, published in Diabetes Care in October 2013, the publication of the American Diabetes Association, included: 
  • 31 obese women with Type 2 diabetes,
  • 18 obese women without diabetes, and
  • 19 lean women without diabetes.
Twenty women with diabetes underwent pancreatico biliary diversion. One month after surgery it was found the beta cells were better able to respond to rising blood sugar levels by releasing insulin. Patients livers were also better able to take in insulin, and their bodies became more sensitive to insulin.
From these results it was concluded improvements in beta cell output, liver absorption of insulin, and insulin sensitivity, all contributed to improved blood sugar control.
Because of the risks associated with pancreatico biliary diversion, only morbidly obese individuals, or those with a body mass index (BMI) of 50 or more, are usually considered for the procedure. After surgery some patients experience:
  • nausea,
  • weakness,
  • sweating,
  • fainting, or
  • diarrhea shortly after eating, particularly high-carbohydrate foods.
Because absorption of calcium and vitamin D is poor, bones can become fragile, a condition known as osteoporosis. Absorption of other nutrients, including fat, iron, and vitamins A, B12, E, and K can cause offensive odors in stool, and cause various health problems. Vitamin B 12, for instance, is needed for making red blood cells. So is iron. Vitamin K is important for blood clotting. After the procedure patients have to take vitamin supplements for the rest of their lives.
Other dangers are inherent in all types of surgical procedures:
  • excessive bleeding,
  • infection,
  • bad reactions to anesthetic, and
  • surgical wounds that accidentally reopen after surgery
are all uncommon but real possibilities. This is why the possible benefits of the procedure must be carefully weighed against the risks.
Type 2 diabetes is not a condition you must just live with. By making simple changes to your daily routine, its possible to protect your heart, kidneys, eyes and limbs from the damage often caused by diabetes, and eliminate many of the complications you may already experience.
For nearly 25 years Beverleigh Piepers has searched for and found a number of secrets to help you build a healthy body. Go to http://DrugFreeType2Diabetes.com to learn about some of those secrets.
The answer isn't in the endless volumes of available information but in yourself.


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/8094667

Type 2 Diabetes - Managing Diabetes in the Workplace

Being diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes could really affect how you work day-to-day. Often a lot is spoken about the physical effects having diabetes can cause. Whilst this is vital, a part often overlooked is just how much of a mental toll it can take on a person.
Be Honest with Your Employer & Colleagues:
The moment you find out you have a diagnosis of Type 2 diabetes, you should tell your boss or line manager. This way, if anything happens to you out of the blue, they will have a better understanding of how to help you.
Also, keep anyone you are close to at work in the picture as well, and I would suggest explaining to all those you work with what to do should you for example, suffer from a diabetic hypo.
Your boss is not legally permitted to fire you if you are diagnosed with diabetes during your employment, but they may wish to change your job description or number of hours to help you to best manage it.
It might be wise to carry some form of ID on you at all times so if you ever become unwell and can't communicate in an emergency; people will know from this ID that you have diabetes and how to help.
Types of Diabetic Identification:
  • Identity Card
  • Bracelet
  • Necklace
Keep Positive:
Diabetes is sadly becoming a very common modern-day lifestyle disease. But out of this, more and more people are becoming aware of it and so in turn, there is less and less stigma towards people living with the disease.
Even so, some people at work may still occasionally say nasty things to you about your health and, if this is the case, you should remember you never have to put up with this form of bullying. It should be reported immediately to someone senior.
Remember, if anyone says anything hurtful to you do not believe a word these bullies say to you and do not let them affect your confidence levels. No one is permitted to say anything nasty to you just because you have Type 2 diabetes and if they do, no matter who they are, they need to be reported because they are breaching the human rights and equality act.
You are not alone in having diabetes, in fact many celebrities have Type 2 diabetes. Celebrities such as Halle Berry, Drew Carey, Patti LaBelle, Chaka Khan, Randy Jackson, Tracy Morgan and there are many more.
Try to associate yourself with positive, happy and upbeat people at work as this will not only make you feel better about living with a health issue, but will be good for managing your stress levels and in turn, your Type 2 diabetes.
Type 2 diabetes is not a condition you must just live with. By making simple changes to your daily routine, its possible to protect your heart, kidneys, eyes and limbs from the damage often caused by diabetes, and eliminate many of the complications you may already experience. Staying positive will also help you.
For nearly 25 years Beverleigh Piepers has searched for and found a number of secrets to help you build a healthy body. Go to http://DrugFreeType2Diabetes.com to learn about some of those secrets.
The answer isn't in the endless volumes of available information but in yourself.


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/8094624