Exercise Can Reduce Your Risk of Diabetes

 By Christopher C Weaver 

Photo: shannonmillerlifestyle.com

Diabetes is a disease that affects 25.8 million Americans according to the American Diabetes Association. This is over 8% of the total population in the United States. There are two types of diabetes, which I will not go into great detail to describe, but very basically Type I is often referred to as juvenile diabetes and Type II is Adult Onset type that is often a result of poor diet, sedentary living, and obesity. Health care practitioners and exercise scientist have long promoted physical activity as an effective way to help with symptoms of diabetes, but more and more research today offers proof that exercise can not only help with symptom management, but also in preventing development of the disease all together (Type II).
For those with diabetes, exercise helps in two ways. First, exercise helps with controlling weight and secondly, exercise helps to lower and stabilize blood sugar levels. While most doctors suggest cardiovascular works (as it increases breathing rates and strengthens the heart) more research is promoting weight and resistance training. In fact, one study I looked into found that weight training alone may reduce the risk of developing diabetes.
Even low intensity physical activities have a positive effect on diabetes management, including such activities as walking, biking, gardening and housework. These activities are easy enough for most people of all ages to engage in to some degree. Obviously more exercise can reduce the risk of diabetes even further. Before beginning any exercise routine, it is advisable to check with your healthcare practitioner for an evaluation and to discuss potential risks.
One concern that many diabetics have is the nerve damage that they might have experienced in their legs and feet. If this is the case, I recommend that these folks look into water exercise as a very low impact form of exercise. Many local pools and fitness centers offer an array of water fitness classes that are lead by certified instructors. Exercising in water helps to drastically reduce the pressure on your legs, ankles, knees and other joints, and in this way, it can make exercising more accessible to people with issues of this nature. Also folks with joint issues should consider some weight training exercises that focus more on the upper body. Even a small amount of weekly weight training appears to have substantial benefits in terms of lowering the risk of developing diabetes. An independent study found that men who lifted weight for just up to 59 minutes a week lowered their risk of diabetes by 12%. Weight training is also an effective means of strengthening the skeletal system and joints, as well as building muscles that surround the joints, which is important for stability and can actually help lessen joint pain.
As a certified fitness trainer, I always recommend that once folks gain clearance to begin an exercise regime from their healthcare professional, they begin slowly. If you have not exercised regularly in quite some time, begin with 15-20 minutes of low-intensity exercise 2 to 3 times per week, and then gradually increase the duration of your workouts after 3 weeks. Walking and water exercise are great ways to get started and not only will you reduce the risk of Type II diabetes, you will also burn calories and be working towards a more active lifestyle!

Christopher Weaver BS, MA,CFT lives and works in Asheville, NC. Learning to live a wellness based lifestyle is a key component to finding health and happiness. My goal as a Certified Fitness Trainer, yoga instructor, social worker and health educator is to share my own personal health journey, including accomplishment and mishaps along the way. For more writings and information visit my website at http://www.issacertifiedtrainer.com/christopherweaver and my blog at http://www.punkrockwellness.blogspot.com

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Great Tips for Those Recently Diagnosed With Diabetes

 By Dr. Ashraf Hanafy Mahmoud Mohammed 

Photo: healthline.com
 
Diabetes is a serious condition that can have serious adverse effects on your body if it is not treated properly. Learning that you have this illness can be both shocking and scary. If you feel this way, the best thing that you can do for yourself is to learn as much about your condition as you can. Keep reading this article so that you can begin to feel better about what you are facing by becoming an educated patient.

Follow your doctor's advice. Many people are in such shock when they learn that they have diabetes that they neglect to change their life as their doctor recommends. Do not be this person. Denial will definitely lead to your condition getting worse, and could result in the loss of limbs, your eyesight or even possibly your life. Instead, work to come to terms with your condition from the second that you learn of it, and follow the advice of your doctor. This includes any medications that he recommends as well as any lifestyle changes. If you doubt your doctor at any time go ahead and get a second opinion, but continue to follow your first doctor's advice until you meet with another doctor.

Start eating a healthy diet. While your doctor has likely told you a few things that you need to stay away from, it is best to eat as healthy as you can if you want to be healthy. Diabetes is often caused by poor diet, and you do not want to continue to make it worse by indulging in foods that are high in fat. Use this warning to make a huge change in your life. For example, if you are obese, your obesity is most likely the cause of you developing diabetes. However, if you lose the excess weight there is a very good chance that you will live a lot longer life as a diabetic. If you are of the luckiest, and make changes early enough, you can even possibly reverse your diabetes. If you want to live a long, healthy life you must put this tip to work in your life immediately.

Keep a log of your life as a diabetic. Record all of your symptoms, specific levels, diet and activity. If you keep track of these things you will be able to determine what is causing your blood sugar to rise or drop. If you are also working towards weight loss or sugar level goals you will have documentation of your progress. Following this tip will help you to better understand your condition and how your actions can affect it.

As you read at the start of this article, diabetes is definitely a condition that you need to take very seriously due to the consequences that could result if you do not. The best way to manage your condition is to know as much as you can about it. Now that you read the article above you know a little more about diabetes, but not stop here. Keep researching diabetes so that you can live a long, healthy life.

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Choosing a Diabetic Meal Plan to Stop Diabetes Symptoms

By Paul H Kemp  

Photo: blog.diabetesms.com
 
Several diabetic meal plans claim to have ended the diabetes symptoms for those who faithfully used them. Some come from doctors -- and some from diet promoters. In this article, let's consider the merits of a few of the most popular diet plans that might be used by diabetics.
Representing the mainstream, middle-of-the-road approach is the one offered by the American Diabetes Association. The weakness of this approach is that they try to include everyone -- saints and diabetic sinners alike -- and they try not to offend any large donors to their non-profit organization.
The attempt to be inclusive of those who might be, shall we say, "weak in their resolve" tends to make clear guidelines for healthy action impossible to determine. Their Web site is so huge that it seems anyone can find approval for any diet plan they like represented here.
On the second point -- that they try not to offend large donors -- their site still promotes the use of artificial sweeteners, even though these have repeatedly been debunked and shown to contribute to weight gain in numerous studies. I believe they haven't changed their recommendation because they receive significant donations from the makers of Aspartame, Sucralose, and other artificial sweeteners. This is disappointing if one wants the best scientific information so they can follow a diet that will help them reverse the symptoms of the disease.
To their credit, the ADA has made this statement: "A vegetarian diet is a healthy option, even if you have diabetes. Research supports that following this type of diet can help prevent or manage diabetes. In fact, research on vegan diets has shown that calorie and carb restrictions were not necessary and still promoted weight loss and lowered participants' A1c." This is the type of clarity the diabetic public needs to hear, but it is hard to find on a Web site so big that it appears to be trying to be "All things to all people."
I believe this lack of clarity is keeping millions of people diabetic, when it is on public record that type-2 Diabetes can be prevented and/or reversed with a consistent program of low-fat(meaning low in meats, dairy foods, eggs, and oils) diet and lifestyle changes(translation: "Get off the couch and take a walk, jog, swim, etc.").
Then, too, there are the ads on the ADA Web site that promote "Tour de Cure", which encourages diabetics to believe there may be a cure for their disease forthcoming from medical science, which might be encouraging a passive attitude that is hindering
the realization that their own efforts and certain science-based diets can effectively remove all symptoms of the disease now.
The Current Favorite Diet Plan
As Dr. John McDougall likes to say, "We love to hear good news about our bad habits." When a diet comes along that offers weight loss while we get to enjoy all our favorite foods (that doctors have been telling us were bad for us), we're all over it! Several popular meal plans or diets fall into this category.
Poster-child for this type of commercially successful diet is the Atkins Diet. The basic idea is that fat and animal-source proteins are universally good, while carbohydrates are bad, even in their whole, unrefined form. Advocating of consumption of a variety of non-starchy colorful vegetables is the saving grace of this type of meal plan.
The Atkins and other similar diets do produce weight loss -- and therefore can be helpful in restoring diabetics' insulin function to varying degrees -- but this is a very unhealthy way to do it.
Not only is this general view of human nutrition unhealthy for those who eat this way, but it is destructive to the environment due to the extremely high energy, water, feed, and pesticide inputs. In the case of feedlot beef, it takes 16 pounds of vegetable protein to produce one pound of beef.
For hogs, it requires 7.5 pounds of feed to produce one pound of pork. For chicken, it is a 5:1 conversion, but in every case, a losing proposition.
Carbohydrates in most forms have definitely gone out of fashion in recent years. This is ludicrous to anyone who has traveled to any of the less-affluent countries where the daily diet centers around corn, wheat, rice, millet, or potatoes -- and the populace there is lean and can work circles around the average overweight American. Are we so myopic that we can't see the refutation of the now-common notion that "Carbs make you fat."?
Lastly in this category of diabetic meal plans is the Paleo Diet, which wins the prize for "Best End-Run Around Scientific and Historical Facts Diet".
I have read comments where those using this diet claimed success with the Paleo Diet in ending their need for diabetic medications. I don't doubt this could have happened, but I am not on board with the healthiness of this glamorized version of the meat-based diet of modern-day America. The diet wins points for advocating its adherents should end milk consumption, processed foods, and get more exercise in the fresh air.
Consumption of animals raised on natural diets of grass, etc., in a free-range situation is a big improvement over factory-farming CAFOs (concentrated animal feeding operations), but is also unfeasible for feeding the current world population cost-effectively.
The Paleo Diet loses points for promoting a romantic fantasy not based on archeological reality and an ecologically-destructive and self-centered world-view that its promoters admit would result in a 90 percent reduction in global population.
It is potentially a diabetic meal plan that works for increasing insulin sensitivity, but the impact of so much cholesterol seems dangerous from a health perspective. See note (1) below for a confirmation of this by Dr. John McDougall.
The Vegan Model
This is a diabetic meal plan that has shown up to 70% success rates for reversing Type 2 Diabetes in clinical settings. It has been peer-reviewed and published in Preventive Medicine in 1999 and in the American Journal of Medicine in 2005.
In one test with 99 subjects, the vegan diet controlled blood sugar levels three times better than the American Diabetes Association diet, while controlling for medication and exercise. This means the diet produced these excellent results with no additional medication or exercise.
The vegan diet advocated by Dr. Neal Barnard and others also produces healthy weight loss, lowered blood pressure and cholesterol levels, while permitting the participants to eat as much as they want of the prescribed foods. The lack of calorie counting or serving size restrictions are also pluses in favor of the vegan diet, which excludes all animal-source foods and reduces oils in cooking, salad dressings, etc.
A cardiologist who advocates the vegan diet for clearing blocked arteries without surgery is Caldwell Esselstyn, MD. He documents the reduction in plaque-clogged arteries in his patients in his book, Prevent and Reverse Heart Disease. Before and after angiograms show dramatic reduction in cholesterol build-up by putting patients on a vegan diet. Dr. Esselstyn helped encourage former President Bill Clinton to adopt a vegan diet in order to lose weight and improve his recovery from open-heart surgery.
In Conclusion
This concludes my review of some of the prominent diets that may be used as diabetic meal plans. The success rates vary depending on many factors, such as the degree of compliance, how much exercise individual participants engage in, and the scientific worthiness of the diet they choose. Much also depends on the amount of motivation possessed by each dieter -- Are they aware they are fighting for their life, or are they moderately content with a lifetime of progressive physical degeneration and increasing pain?
Frankly, many diets that cause weight loss can reduce diabetes symptoms and the need for medications, but, without a commitment to maintain that weight loss, many dieters will go back to eating the foods that caused them to become diabetic. It will be harder to attain weight loss next time -- and eventually, there will be the temptation to give up.
Then, too, there is the issue of the unhealthiness of some diets, even at the maintenance level. They may be safe for the short-term, but what about the long-term?
There is one medical discovery made by researcher Walter Mertz in 1957 that is being ignored by most of these diets that are sometimes used as diabetic meal plans. Only Dr. Neal Barnard makes any mention of it in his book about reversing diabetes.
The discovery I'm referring to is the use of chromium and vanadium supplements which were found to make insulin more effective in doing its function in diabetic rats -- total disease reversal without reducing calorie intake or increasing energy expenditure. One would think this supplementation would be factored into all the major programs, but it is ignored outside of a small group of naturopaths. They claim to be producing phenomenal results for their patients. I will be looking for confirmation of this when time permits.
I hope this review will alert those unwilling to surrender to Type-2 Diabetes that there are some proven, viable options for reducing or getting completely off medications if they will rigorously apply a well-designed Diabetic Meal Plan.
Notes
(1) http://www.vegsource.com/news/2012/06/the-paleo-diet-is-uncivilized.

Visit http://www.Diabetes-Symptoms-Magic.com to learn how to make diabetes symptoms disappear with a healthy Diabetic Meal Plan.

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Is Type 2 Diabetes Reversible - 3 Important Answers To This Question!

 By Michael Sibley 

Photo: images.emedicinehealth.com
 
If you're a type 2 diabetic, then you've probable wondered if there was a way to reverse your type 2 diabetes. Well there is good news. There are 3 key factors in possibly reversing this deadly illness. Those factors are losing weight, excellent nutrition and regular exercise. After reading this article you will see that you can really take control of this disease and regain your good health!
It's no small coincidence that 90% of type 2 diabetics are over weight. Excess weight is definitely one of the main risk factors in developing this dreaded illness. Excess weight interferes with the proper functioning of insulin. So it stands to reason that to eliminate this condition you must lose the excess weight.This is much easier said than done. Unfortunately, the first line of treatment that most doctors give is glucose reducing drugs which ironically leads to weight gain! Losing your excess body weight can actually eliminate the need for drugs to lower your glucose.
By slashing those excess pounds from your body you can improve your chances of reversing your diabetes. Another critical step towards returning your body to a healthy disease free state is excellent nutrition. The typical western diet is loaded with excess amount of simple carbohydrates, sugar and fat. What you need to do is eat a diet that is vegetable based, particularly rich in green leafy vegetables, beans and raw nuts. Limit you amounts of some fruits. Your body needs superior nutrition to help reverse this disease.
When you adopt a vegetable based, nutrient rich diet you provide your body the nutrition it needs to heal itself. The last key factor in helping you reverse type 2 diabetes is getting off of your duff and getting regular exercise. A sedentary life style is one of the reasons people become over-weight, which increases your risk of developing diabetes. Regular exercise is necessary in weight management. What's more is the regular exercise will reduce your insulin resistance as well as lower your blood glucose levels!!
So as you can see, it really is possible to reverse type 2 diabetes so long as you remember to lose your excess weight, adopt a healthy diet that is vegetable based and maintain regular exercise. Of course there are many other important steps in totally reversing this illness,but now that you know these 3 factors you are on your way to a healthier life.

The powers that be would have you believe that it's impossible to reverse type 2 diabetes.When it comes to your health you must find the truth for your-self. Discover some very exciting information that shows you that it is possible to reverse type 2 diabetes! Click on the link to see for your-self! Is type 2 diabetes reversible?

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Type 1 Diabetes: How to Manage Diabetes Naturally

By Tom Marshal  

Photo: voguepk.com
 
Diabetes is a biochemical disorder which affects the body's ability to use carbohydrates, sugars and starches. Children with diabetes are not able to produce sufficient insulin or are unable to use the insulin they produce effectively enough to break down glucose or sugar in the blood and make it available to the body.
Type 1 diabetes used to be called "juvenile diabetes" because it generally affects younger people. Type 1 diabetics don't produce the insulin they need to use the glucose from food that is essential for all body functioning. Insulin deficiency due to selective destruction of secreting pancreatic beta cells is the cause of type 1 diabetes. Patients always need Insulin and are prone to weight loss.
CURE FOR TYPE 1 DIABETES
All doctors would agree that proper diet and exercise would help diabetics. What they don't stress to their patients (partly because many of them don't realize) is that diet and exercise are actually the best defense against the killer complications from the disease.
Any diabetes treatment that does not include optimizing your nutrition is not really a treatment. Unfortunately, medicine focuses on keeping your blood sugars within a normal range- as long as that's being accomplished, you're "treated". Type 1 diabetics have islet cell antibodies. These antibodies tell your body to attack and destroy the islet cells of your pancreas, which are responsible for making insulin. If caught early enough, a perfect type 1 diabetes treatment would be to stop the autoimmune response.
Diet is a very important aspect in the treatment of juvenile diabetes. A long-term change in eating habits that ensures the right balance of carbohydrates, fats and proteins is essential. Portion control and eating at regular intervals during the day is also important. Losing excess weight also helps the body to use the insulin and regulate blood sugar more efficiently. Vitamins, minerals and other nutritional substances are also all important building blocks of systemic health.
Even tiny amounts of your own insulin could help keep your blood sugar in normal range as well as reduce your insulin requirements. If type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease, then antioxidants are an ideal natural diabetes treatment. People with autoimmune diseases usually see an improvement in their conditions and a slowing of the progression when they use supplement with antioxidants and proper nutrients.
NATURAL TREATMENT FOR TYPE 1 DIABETES - RECOMMENDATIONS
According to some sources an Ayurvedic herb from the rain forests of India, known as Gymnema Sylvestre may be the answer for some Type 1 diabetics (1). In Type 1 diabetes a very specialized group of cells in the pancreas, known as Beta-cells, located in the pancreas are damaged.
1) Gymnema Sylvestre has been used for hundreds of years throughout India and has been known as the "destroyer of sugar". This herb is still in use as a regular treatment for Type 1 diabetes. It is said to benefit diabetics by reducing the need for insulin and lowering fasting glucose levels which it does through active components such as gymnemic acid, thought to increase production of Beta-cells and reduce blood glucose levels.
Additionally, Gymnema Sylvestre has been used in Ayurvedic and naturopathic medicine to reduce LDL and triglycerides, raise HDL, control sugar cravings, aid in digestion, and in weight loss. Loss of sugar cravings and weight reduction associated with this herb are likely due to its effects on the taste buds, which makes sweet things bland, resulting in a "spontaneous" calorie reduction.
One study of Type 1 diabetics taking 400 mg of Gymnema Sylvestre daily for 6 months to 2 1/2 years showed a significant reduction in daily insulin needs while taking the herbal extract. They also showed a significant improvement in blood sugar levels. Gymnema Sylvestre reported no ill side-effects at all while some patients even reported increased feelings of alertness and general well-being.
2) Chromium Picolinate is a mineral supplement and highly absorb-able nutritional form of chromium - an essential nutrient for sugar and fat metabolism.
3) Bilberry has excellent anti-oxidant properties. Regular use of Bilberry helps to support healthy vision as well as the health of the tiny blood capillaries which carry oxygen to the eyes, which are often affected by diabetes.
Along with these treatments (conventional or natural), type 1 diabetic patient must also ensure proper blood-glucose levels by carrying out regular blood tests and following a special diet. It is better to have some counseling assistance and group support which will help the patient to lead the normal life.

Tom Marshal is a freelance writer specialized in topics that cover health of the general public. Have you found this article helpful and informative?
How would you like find more information about diabetes and the treatment methods?
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Working Hard To Prevent Diabetes

By Dr. Ashraf Hanafy Mahmoud Mohammed  

Photo: adap-sandbox.pub30.convio.ne
 
Although diabetes is a very common disease, it is actually preventable in most people. Even if you're genetically predisposed diabetes, living a healthy lifestyle should help you to avoid contracting it. Generally, as long as you haven't contracted childhood diabetes, you should be able to avoid adult onset diabetes, but it does take some hard work.
With a fast food restaurant on every corner and a new box of cheap treats on the grocery store shelves every week, it takes a lot of willpower and control to not gain weight. On top of that, most of us live busier lifestyles that really leave no time for exercising. But if you want to avoid diabetes, you have to make time to exercise properly, and you have to eat healthy items. Put down that garbage and eat healthier food, and make sure you're always staying active.
The more physically active you are, the better your body is able to metabolize sugars. Physical activity will increase your body's ability to make its own insulin, and this is going to help you keep balanced levels of blood glucose. You don't have to start training to become Mr. Universe; you just have to remain active and exercise regularly. You'll look better, feel better, and you can avoid contracting diabetes.
If you're at an annual checkup and your doctor notices that your blood sugar is too high, you may be prescribed some type of medicine to help you level out. This type of medicine is essentially helping your body produce insulin, while still allowing your body to promote its own natural insulin. And you should also be aware that some medications you take, like steroids, can increase your blood glucose levels.
If you're genetically predisposed to contracting diabetes, this is something you should find out about. Talk to different members of your family to find out if diabetes runs along the tree. If it does, this means your body is more likely to stop producing its own insulin. It doesn't mean you're guaranteed to contract diabetes; it just means you'll have to work a little harder in order not to. Stay away from the treats and exercise more.
The average person is always dealing with minor ailments. Over time, however, things you think are minor could end up being major. This goes beyond only diabetes; you should be visiting your doctor at least once a year to see if there's anything you need to be aware of or alarmed about. Having yearly checkups may just save your life.
No matter if you're trying to stop smoking, lose weight, or to get in better shape, having a buddy alongside you for the ride just makes it a lot easier. Going to the gym with someone and eating healthy food with someone else makes the process easier. You don't have to do things by yourself. Find someone to go out on the journey with you.
Diabetes is usually preventable, especially if you're serious about staying in great shape. You may still end up unlucky here, but it's always better to stay in great shape.

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What Causes Type 2 Diabetes - The Answer Finally Revealed At Last!

By Michael Sibley 

Photo: ganbing123.com
 
If you've ever wondered exactly what causes type 2 diabetes, then you need to know about the three most probable reasons. Please understand that the exact cause isn't fully known but there are certain factors that seem to lead to the disease. Those factors are, heredity, poor diet and lack of exercise. After reading this article you will have a greater understanding of the causes of this disease.
When thinking about what causes this illness, it seems heredity plays one of the most important roles. If you have a parent or sibling with the disease then there is a good chance that you may develop the disease. Also, ethnicity seems to be a contributing factor. If you are African-American, Native-American, Asian, Latino, Alaskan Native or Pacific Islander you are at greater risk for developing type 2 diabetes. These are just factors that may put you at greater risk, but it doesn't necessarily mean you will become diabetic.
Heredity does play a role in who develops type 2 diabetes. Another very important factor is your diet. The typical western diet seems to put you in danger of many health problem including diabetes. We as Americans consume massive amount of simple carbohydrates, fried foods and super-sized sugary drinks while at the same time very little fresh fruits and vegetables. The body needs vitamins, minerals and other nutrients to fight disease and stay healthy. When you deprive the body of the nutrients it needs, disease will be the inevitable outcome.
The horrible western diet is certainly a major factor in the explosion of diabetes in America and increasing many other countries. The third factor in what causes type 2 diabetes is a sedentary lifestyle. When you consider that more than 60% of Americans are overweight or obese, it makes sense that we aren't getting the proper amount of exercise we need to stay healthy. obesity does seems to play a role in type 2 diabetes. 90% of those with this illness are over weight or obese. Regular exercise is necessary in weight management and we are not physically active as we need to be in order to stay healthy.
So in conclusion, you can see that there are 3 strong indicators in what cause type 2 diabetes. Heredity, poor diet and lack of regular exercise. There are other factors for sure, but these 3 are some of the major causes. If you are at risk for diabetes or if you have just been diagnosed with the disease use this information as a wake up call to take better care of yourself and to further educate your self about this dreaded disease.

Type 2 diabetes is a serious illness that millions of people have but don't even know it. When it comes to type 2 diabetes ignorance can kill you. Learn exactly what you need to know to save your life. Click on the link to get the information to protect your body from the ravages of this silent killer! prevent diabetes now

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Type 2 Diabetes - Diabetes Can Cause A Dry Mouth

By Beverleigh H Piepers  

Photo: img.webmd.com

If you have Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes, there's a greater chance you will also suffer from a dry mouth (xerostomia). If your blood sugar levels are higher than they should be, that can also cause a dry mouth. Certain medications such as antihistamines can also cause a dry mouth.
If your mouth is dry, it becomes harder to chew and swallow food. Saliva helps your food go down easier. If you drink with your meals, that can help with the whole process but don't use this as an excuse to drink the wrong type of fluid. Water is the ideal drink.
People with diabetes can have problems with their salivary glands not being able to create enough saliva. A dry mouth can make you more prone to tooth decay, cavities, bad breath, infected salivary glands, inflamed lips, ulcers on your tongue and lesions inside your mouth.
If you're diabetic and you wear dentures, your mouth can get a lot of sores if your mouth is not moist all the time. Your taste buds can be affected and you can feel extremely thirsty if your mouth is always dry.
Chew sugar-free gum or suck on sugar-free candy to help keep your mouth moist. It's an easy solution. Always have a bottle of water with you. If you work in a job when you're on the phone all day long, a bottle of water is a necessity because your mouth can literally dry up so much you can't speak.
If you're pregnant and suffer from a dry mouth, it can be caused by:

• your hormones as this is a very normal problem for pregnant women. Your body stores more water because of the rising total blood volume that's needed.
• your metabolism speeds up,

so these factors make it even harder to stay hydrated. This is why it's essential to greatly increase the intake of water and sugar-free juices.
Pregnant ladies can suffer from dehydration due to:

• morning sickness (which can include general vomiting) and
• urinating more frequently.

Drinking more water and also sugar-free juices will help with this problem.
Being dehydrated is a typical reason why people get a dry mouth. Most people are dehydrated but don't even know it. They assume drinking any liquid will rehydrate them. This isn't true. Water is the best liquid for rehydrating your body because it's pure. Other liquids have sugars and other elements that hinder their effect.
Sometimes you may think you're hungry but you're really thirsty so a good way to find out is to drink some water and, if you still feel hungry, then have something to eat. It's a good way to stay hydrated and may help you lose weight too.
If you suffer from a dry mouth and you can't shake it, speak to your doctor as there may also be other problems. A dry mouth may be a symptom of kidney problems or bacteria within your mouth.

Type 2 diabetes is not a condition you must just live with. It need not slowly and inevitably get worse. Now is the time to take control of the disease... take back your health and avoid any diabetic complications including dry mouth.
For nearly 25 years Beverleigh Piepers has searched for and found a number of secrets to help you build a healthy body.
The answer isn't in the endless volumes of available information but in yourself.

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Type 2 Diabetes - Diabetes And Depression Are A Dangerous Combination!

By Beverleigh H Piepers  

Photo: diabeteshealth.com
 
Diabetes and depression are both very serious ailments on their own. If someone has both Type 2 diabetes and depression, that's a tough situation to deal with if you don't have the right support.
Because Type 2 diabetes is such a complex disease, it can cause a wide range of problems, both physically and mentally. If you are always suffering from problems related to diabetes, it can cause depression. If you feel as though you always seem to be complaining about your diabetes, you may decide not to tell anyone about the depression for fear of others thinking you're a hypochondriac.
This is negative thinking and can be a dangerous trap. If you do have feelings of depression, no matter how minor they may seem at the time, it's important you at least talk to your doctor. Sometimes it's as simple as getting a prescription for an anti-depressant that will settle your depression and make you feel better.
Of course, it may not settle that quickly. If it does, consider yourself lucky. Depression usually lingers, sometimes for years, even if you don't think it's there at all. Many of the symptoms of Type 2 diabetes would be more than enough to make even the toughest person depressed.
There's nothing to be ashamed about if you have depression. It's just as real as diabetes or a broken leg and can be treated but if you don't tell anybody about it, it may get so bad it sends you crashing into a heap. This is something to be avoided at all costs.
It's important not to isolate yourself. Whether you socialize, go to support groups, visit family and/or friends or see a psychologist to vent your frustrations and feelings, you need to have time spent with others. If you don't, the depression gets worse because you are then left alone with your feelings and that doesn't do you any good.
If your blood sugar isn't under control or you're overweight, they're also good reasons why you may become depressed. You need to speak to your doctor and find ways to help you lose weight, eat healthier food and get some regular exercise so you don't feel bad about yourself.
Get plenty of rest and sleep. That's the best way to rejuvenate your mind and body and it allows you to better manage the daily activities and challenges you may face with a lot less stress. If you don't get enough sleep at night, have a nap during the day if that's possible.
Set yourself goals and if you achieve them, set new ones. If you don't have goals, you'll feel more depressed and that often leads to eating junk food which isn't good for your diabetes.
You have to look after yourself. If you have depression and Type 2 diabetes, it can be difficult but if you seek help and do what you are advised to do, you will often find life isn't as tough as it first seemed.

Type 2 diabetes is not a condition you must just live with. It need not slowly and inevitably get worse. Now is the time to take control of the disease... take back your health. Reverse your diabetes and your depression!
For nearly 25 years Beverleigh Piepers has searched for and found a number of secrets to help you build a healthy body.
The answer isn't in the endless volumes of available information but in yourself.

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Ten Tips For Better Blood Sugar As A Diabetic

 By Dr. Ashraf Hanafy Mahmoud Mohammed 

Photo: images.idiva.com
 
You must monitor your blood sugar closely if you're a diabetic. While this might seem obvious, many people fail to do this over time. You must also learn to live differently and much healthier. Keep reading to find out how you can go about doing this, and take these tips for better blood sugar as a diabetic to heart.
Make sure you avoid those foods that are considered "white foods." You don't want to eat them because they are high in the form of the wrong carbohydrates. You want to instead eat plenty of healthy foods, such as fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Considering that you're supposed to eat a well-balanced meal, you have plenty of great options to choose from.
Be sure that you listen to your doctor so that he or she can provide you with the best help possible. If you've been given a medication to take, be sure that you take it as instructed.
You must get plenty of exercise each day. Whether you like to play golf, walk on the beach, stroll in the park, walk the dog or any other activity, you have to make sure you stay busy. It's important that you do exercises that you will like doing as well. You don't have to do things you don't enjoy, and there are plenty of ways to get in physical activities that are enjoyable.
There is always a way to find healthy substitutes for those unhealthy foods you crave. You can find healthier ways of sweetening foods and drinks without actually using sugar. There are also different types of sugar. In addition, there are alternatives like Splenda that have been given great reviews and credentials.
Be sure that you do not drink too much alcohol. Diabetics and the drink don't mix. As a matter of fact, they more than just don't mix. It turns out to be a pretty big catastrophe. Be sure that you also quit smoking if you're a cigarette smoker. You should not continue to smoke cigarettes anymore if you want to stay healthy.
Make sure you keep up with the trends that have to do with diabetes. You might find out that there is a new medication that you can ask your doctor about. It's a great idea if you can find as much out on your own time as well. This is always extra knowledge that you can use in order to help yourself.
Be sure that you don't skip any meals, but you don't want to stuff yourself either. You have to guard your metabolism, your weight and your digestive system. You need to learn about how you're going to take care of your problems.
Now you can have an easier time managing your diabetes given the information you've just read. There are so many things you can do to help keep yourself in control of your condition. Be sure that you continue to learn more and to stay ahead. It's important that you take a proactive stance when it comes to your diabetes, so get going today in order to take control of your future.

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Type 2 Diabetes - Can Vitamin C Help People With Diabetes?

By Beverleigh H Piepers  

Photo: fortitech.com
 
If you have received a diagnosis of Type 2 diabetes it's essential you get enough of the important vitamins and minerals to maintain a healthy mind and body and fight off effects of the disease. If you can't do it through food, supplements are the alternative. Vitamin C is very important, as studies reveal it can help reduce or counteract Type 2 diabetes if taken regularly and in sufficient doses.
One study showed there was a 62% decrease in the risk for diabetes in people who had high levels of vitamin C in their system. This vitamin helps dilate blood vessels which allow the blood to circulate more freely. This can also help reduce the risk of amputation by increasing the blood flow to the extremities which are the highest areas of risk of poor circulation.
It has also been shown vitamin C improves your body's ability to metabolize glucose... whether you have diabetes or not. If you do have Type 2 diabetes, this is important because it can help keep your blood sugar under control more easily.
Studies have shown people with diabetes seem to need higher doses of vitamin C than non-diabetics. So even if you're getting a decent amount of this vitamin from your food, topping it up with supplements is a recommended way to help control your condition... especially if your diabetes is not being controlled properly through diet, exercise and medications.
Vitamin C:

• can decrease the levels of sorbitol in your body. The accumulation of sorbitol in your retinal cells can cause diabetic retinopathy which can impair your vision. This is a very common issue for diabetics.
• one study showed this vitamin also has the ability to reduce your cholesterol levels, another issue that can be hard to control. This is partly due to the fact many diabetics are overweight so their bodies have to work harder to stay healthy.
• vitamin C may also decrease blood pressure and decrease the stiffness of your arteries, enabling better blood flow. This means your risk of heart disease may also be lower than if you didn't have sufficient amounts of this vitamin in your system.

If your diabetes is severe, it's important to speak to your doctor before taking large doses of vitamin C supplements. You may have kidney disease and, if so, this can impede your body's ability to excrete this vitamin. The excess will be converted to oxalate which may damage your heart and other vital tissues.
Vitamin C has many other health benefits as well. It helps your:

• skin, tendons and bones stay healthy because it helps to synthesize collagen.
• brain to function healthily because it stimulates your neurotransmitters.
• carnitine production which is part of your body's energy converting system.

It's also an antioxidant which means it helps to prevent free radicals damaging your cells.
As with all vitamins, always consult your doctor before taking supplements to ensure there are no harmful side effects.

Type 2 diabetes is not really a condition you must just live with. It need not slowly and inevitably get worse. You can take control of the disease, take back your health by preventing the development of many issues.
For nearly 25 years Beverleigh Piepers has searched for and found a number of secrets to help you build a healthy body.
The answer isn't in the endless volumes of available information but in yourself.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Beverleigh_H_Piepers

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Type 2 Diabetes - Breast Cancer and Diabetes

By Beverleigh H Piepers  

Photo: inform.kz
 
Catching Type 2 diabetes early is key to controlling the condition and preventing complications. Investigators at Women's College Hospital and Women's College Research Institute in Toronto, Canada, looked at Type 2 diabetes in women treated for breast cancer in order to discover whether they were at high risk for developing diabetes.
Their study, reported in the December 2012 issue of the journal Diabetologia, included:

• a total of 24,976 breast cancer survivors aged 55 or over, and
• 124,880 women without breast cancer.

Over a period of 5.8 years, 9.7 per cent developed Type 2 diabetes. After 10 years, patients treated for breast cancer had a 21 per cent higher risk of diabetes than women without breast cancer.
From this information, it was concluded women treated for breast cancer might need to be screened for diabetes as well.
Screening for Type 2 diabetes can consist of:

• fasting blood sugar,
• random blood sugar, or
• HbA1c percentages.

Fasting blood sugar levels are drawn after an overnight fast...

• 2 fasting blood sugar levels of 126 mg/dL (7 mmol/L) or higher define diabetes.
• levels between 100 and 125 mg/dL (5.6 to 6.9 mmol/L) are considered prediabetic.
• random blood sugar levels of 200 mg/dL (11 mmol/L) or over, suggest the possibility of diabetes.

Diabetes can be diagnosed by two separate HbA1c measurements of 6.5 percent or higher.
In April of 2010 the American Diabetes Association (ADA) recommended screening for Type 2 diabetes beginning between the ages of 30 and 45. A study published in the journal Lancet found screening every 3 to 5 years would reduce the number of heart attacks and death due to this form of diabetes by allowing for early treatment.
In 2002 the ADA recommended screening for Type 2 diabetes in children and adolescents at risk for the condition. Children with a body mass index at the 85th per centile for age or weight of 120 per cent of ideal for height with any two of a number of other risk factors, should be screened. Other risk factors include:

• family members with Type 2 diabetes,
• being American Indian, African-American, Hispanic, or an Asian/South Pacific Islander, or
• having acanthosis nigricans,
• high blood pressure,
• unusual blood fats, or
• polycystic ovaries.

The ADA also recommends screening in individuals with:

• high cholesterol,
• a history of having delivered of a baby more than 9 pounds,
• a history of gestational diabetes, or a
• sedentary lifestyle.

Screening for diabetes can be life saving if it prevents serious complications such as heart and blood vessel disease.
If you or a family member has survived breast cancer or has any of the other risk factors listed, discuss screening for Type 2 diabetes with your doctor.

Type 2 diabetes is no longer a condition you must just live with. It need not slowly and inevitably get worse. You can take control of the disease... and take back your health.
For nearly 25 years Beverleigh Piepers has searched for and found a number of secrets to help you build a healthy body.
The answer isn't in the endless volumes of available information but in yourself.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Beverleigh_H_Piepers

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Saving Money When You Have Diabetes

By Dr. Ashraf Hanafy Mahmoud Mohammed  

Photo: images.meredith.com
 
Diabetes is often a lifelong disease. Not only are there medical issues to deal with, as well as emotional issues, there are often financial considerations as well. It costs money to get supplies for daily testing, as well as other things diabetics need from time to time. If you have diabetes, here are some ways you can save a bit of money while you are dealing with this disease.
Talk to your doctor. Your doctor may have treatment goals for you that include certain blood glucose levels or certain blood pressure measurements. These goals may affect how many supplies you need as well as what tests you need to pay for. Understand what your doctor is doing by simply asking. You do not have to do everything your doctor recommends; but you can know what he is thinking.
Your doctor can also help you figure out whether you need to test your blood as often as you do. Those testing strips cost money, and you may be able to stop testing before and after meals and just test afterwards, for example. Talk to your doctor about the minimum you need to do so that you can use the minimum money to get these things done. Your doctor may also have free glucose monitors and other supplies he can share.
Get the generic version of your medication. Often, the higher price for non-generic medication is that those companies have huge marketing departments. You are not always going to need the brand name of the same product, especially if it's something that you need to use everyday to save your life. Save the money if you can.
Ask your pharmacy or a drug company about whether you are eligible for discounts. Different stores, such as Wal-Mart, have already low prices, but you may be able to get a better deal going directly to the source.
Start clipping coupons. As a diabetic, you are going to have to change what you eat. You might be in for a shock, as healthier food often costs more than "bad" food. Take the time to start looking for deals on healthy foods to bring those costs down. Learn the best days to do your food shopping so that you'll get the best deals. Take the circular home and look through it.
Think about the ways in which the money is well spent. This is a smart idea, because you won't feel so badly about spending money. If you spend a lot of money on testing your blood, some doctors feel that you are in fact saving yourself from a brittle diabetes where your blood sugars are simply out of control.
After reading this article, you should have a better understanding of how you can start saving money today on everything that has to do with diabetes. Saving money is always a good feeling, and when you're talking about money for your health, it's important that every cent be spent wisely on your diabetes so you can be healthy.

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Great Tips On Managing Your Diabetes

 By Dr. Ashraf Hanafy Mahmoud Mohammed 

Photo: healthline.com

Once you are diagnosed with diabetes, it can seem like a healthy life is beyond your control. It can even seem like you are doomed to worsening health. Don't fall into this state of mind. There has been much research on diabetes and how to control it. Study the results of this research and follow its advice, and you can manage your diabetes successfully. Many people have done so. You can too.
You will be in regular contact with your doctor in order to manage your diabetes. Before a visit, write down the questions you want to ask, and jot down the answers as he gives them to you. Ask him for recommended reading so you can do more to manage the disease. Let him know you are serious about doing what it takes to make your health better, and determined not to let it get worse. Many places offer you a manager or coach to help you in your daily struggle to keep your blood sugar under control.
Be conscientious about checking your blood sugar often. Don't make excuses, saying you don't have time or have something else important to do. There is nothing more important. Avoiding this task is part of denial. Instead, you need to face diabetes squarely and deal with it proactively.
Besides checking your blood sugar, plan ways to stabilize it through a carefully managed diet. There are many foods, such as legumes, that help in this as well as providing good nutrition. There may be many snack foods you are used to eating and thought were healthy--rice cakes, for instance--but which actually have a high glycemic index and are bad for you. The more you learn about how particular foods affect your diabetes, the sooner you will be able to bring the disease under control.
Be sure to enlist the support of family and friends. Teach them about the disease so they understand what you are dealing with. They will understand why, when you go out to a restaurant, they should not encourage you to eat a food "just this once" that is not in your diabetic diet. They will understand the seriousness of the disease.
As with any other struggle, finding a good support group can be a great help. It can be a source of a lot of good information. You can benefit from the experiences of others, especially if they were able to bring their weight and blood sugar under control, and cease medications.
Ask your doctor or nurse to suggest an exercise regimen that would be good for you. They know your physical capacities and can suggest exercise that will help you, without over-stressing your body. Walking is a form of exercise recommended for just about everyone. But there are also other possibilities such as tai chi or yoga that will tone your muscles, and may increase your capacity for exercise.
From these suggestions you can see that there is much you can do to take control of your diabetes and lead a healthier life.

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How To Detect The Symptoms of Diabetes

 By Dr. Ashraf Hanafy Mahmoud Mohammed 

Photo: thehindu.com
 
Diabetes is a disease that many times goes undiagnosed because a lot of its symptoms are so subtle. There are many people that are living with diabetes and don't even know it. The following article will show you diabetes symptoms to look out for.
One classic sign of diabetes is frequent urination. Diabetes causes excess sugar to build up in the blood. As a result, the kidneys have to work more to absorb and filter the excess sugar. If the kidneys are not able to keep up, the excess sugar will then be discharged into your urine. This causes more frequent urination and you can become dehydrated. When you drink more liquids to satisfy your thirst, you urinate more.
Unquenchable thirst is also a common symptom of diabetes. If you are drinking more water than normally, it may be a sign of diabetes, especially when accompanied by frequent urination. The extreme thirst means that your body is attempting to replenish the fluids lost from urinating.
Many people that have diabetes, most notably Type 1 diabetes, experience rapid weight loss. When you are frequently urinating, you lose sugar which means you are losing calories. If your blood sugar level is overly high, you may lose ten to twenty pounds over a period of two to three months.
When you have diabetes, you may constantly feel fatigued. High blood sugar makes your blood circulate more slowly. This causes the cells to not get the nutrients and oxygen they need, making you more tired. In addition, inflammation resulting from high blood sugar can cause fatigue. Sugar inflames the blood vessels in the body causing your body to become tired and run down.
One common symptom of diabetes is hunger. High sugar levels in your blood can make you hungry. All the cells in your body depend on blood sugar for food, but need the insulin in order to get to the sugar. The insulin is responsible for moving the sugar to the cells from the blood. If your body does not have enough insulin, or if the insulin is not working properly, sugar adds up in your blood and does not go to the cells as required.
Often, diabetes causes blurred vision. Blood sugar levels that are high draw fluid from the tissues in your body, including your eye lenses. This affects the capacity to focus. If diabetes is left untreated, new blood vessels may form in the retina of your eye and existing vessels may be damaged. This may eventually lead to loss of vision and blindness.
If you find you have sores and cuts that take too long to heal, you may have diabetes. Excess sugar in your blood can undermine your body's ability to heal. If your blood sugar exceeds 200, white blood cells in your body cannot fight too well. As a result, your immune system is weakened and your body takes longer to heal.
Early signs of diabetes can seem harmless. However, if you have any of the symptoms mentioned here you should see a doctor. By detecting diabetes early, the risk of developing complications from diabetes can be decreased.

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