Type 2 Diabetes - Red Blood Cells and Blood Vessel Disorder

By Beverleigh H Piepers  

Photo: img.webmd.com
 
In the normal course of things, red blood cells change form slightly as they travel through your bloodstream. Flexibility allows them to move through tiny blood vessels called capillaries, and to maneuver around corners. In diabetes these cells in your blood lose some of their flexibility. This loss has been implicated in damage to your capillaries. Presumably, loss of ability to go through blood vessels could result in abnormal destruction of red blood cells and a lower red blood cell count.

Investigators at the First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University and the Fourth People's Hospital of Shenyang in the People's Republic of China, set out to discover whether blood counts of these particular cells could indicate damage to small blood vessels.
Their study, published in the Journal of Vascular Health Risk Management in May 2013, included...

• 369 people with Type 2 diabetes.

It was found damage to small blood vessels increased as red blood cell counts decreased. When these participants were grouped by their results, the fourth group with the lowest number of red blood cells, had almost five times the risk of blood vessel damage as those in the top groups.
From this information it was concluded blood testing on a regular basis was an effective method of predicting which patients were likely to have blood vessel disease.
Blood and its vessels affect every living organ in your body. Type 2 diabetics with blood vessel disease are at risk for complications such as:

• brain aneurysm,
• heart attack,
• kidney disease, and
• pain, numbness, and
• tingling of the hands and feet.

Complete blood counts are often part of a routine medical examination. According to the National Institutes of Health in the United States:

• adult men should have 4.7 to 6.1 million red blood cells per microliter,
• adult women should have 4.2 to 5.4 million cells per microliter.

Hemoglobin, the molecule that holds oxygen in our blood, is also measured:

• adult women should have 12.1 to 15.1 grams per deciliter of hemoglobin,
• adult men should have 13.8 to 17.2 grams per deciliter.

Normal size for a red blood cell is 80 to 95 femtoliters.

There are clearly normal variations in numbers, size, and content, just as there are variations in normal height, weight, and all other human measurements. If the count goes steadily down, however, it could be a matter of concern to discuss with your doctor. A steady loss can lead to low hemoglobin measurement.
If there does appear to be a loss of red blood cells or, if the cells are getting smaller or lower in hemoglobin, it might be time to reassess your diet, exercise, and medication program for better diabetic control.

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.

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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How long do diabetics usually live?

Author: diabetesask

Photo: 0.tqn.com
 
More Diabetics questions please visit :DiabetesAsk.com
How key is it for a 21 year old-fashioned diabetic to quit cigarettes?
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How long a diabetic tolerant can survive beside dialysis?
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How long a type 1 diabetic taking insulin for 19 years(2 times daily) will live..??
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How long beforehand technology advance to the point where on earth Diabetics do not requirement to use needles to return with Insulin?
There have been abundant advancements in medical technology that might soon allow Diabetics to get their insulin without injecting next to needles.What sort of methods might be used? And when will these...

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HOW LONG CAN A PRE-DIABETIC GO WITHOUT EATING ANYTHING?
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How long would your body take to show high level of alcohol if you are a diabetic on metformin and take high blood pressure meds? How long would the alcohol stay surrounded by your blood? A lot depends on how much...

How long can someone survive untreated surrounded by a diabetic (hypoglycemic) coma?
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How long can you be diabetic and not be on medication?
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How long do diabetics usually live?
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How long do type one diabetic usaully live?
like what age do they die,dont give me any crap just about AHHH TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF i want a strait up answer Hi...Please answer my question for other symptoms like:Do you feel tiredness- eyes : dry/tears/tired- mouth : dry/watery/bitter-taste- skin : dry/itchy- anger- sleeping -- disturbed...

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How long does diabetic neuropathy final?
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How long does diabetic neuropathy purloin to develop?
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How long is the usual pregnancy for a type 1 diabetic mother expecting twins?
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Type 2 Diabetes - Smart Eating Out Tips For Diabetics!

 By Beverleigh H Piepers 

Photo: diabeticmediterraneandiet.files.wordpress.com
 
Everyone enjoys going out to a restaurant with friends and family to have a good meal. That enjoyment shouldn't stop just because you have diabetes. However, you will need to take precautions so you don't suffer as a result. Here are some great tips to help you...
The first, and probably the most important rule is never to reduce your caloric intake through the day so you can have a feast when you go out. You need your regular food intake and calories spread throughout the day so you don't have a major sugar spike or drop.

1. Try a fine dining restaurant. They serve great quality food but in smaller amounts. Then you're not overindulging but you can still enjoy something different, as long as it's healthy.

2. Go out with people who are also conscious about what they eat. It's usually easier to dine with people who have similar goals because you won't feel uncomfortable when ordering your food.

3. Have a healthy snack before you go to the restaurant so you're not starving. Then you will make a better meal choice and you won't need to stuff yourself with food to feel better.

4. After arriving at the restaurant, go to the bathroom and wander around the restaurant on your way there and back, so you can see what other people have ordered. That can help you decide on what to order and what to avoid because you will have seen the meal sizes as well as the food content.

5. Drink a glass of water before each course. That will partly fill you so you won't have to eat as much. You can usually order a carafe for the table so everyone can enjoy it. Don't have soft drinks and be wary if ordering alcohol, especially if your blood sugar is very erratic.

6. Try a clear soup or a salad instead of dips and bread. Don't be afraid to ask questions about the food. What sauces/dressings are available? How is the food cooked? Request your preferences as most chefs can accommodate them. Avoid fried food. Have sauces served on the side instead of all over your food. Get steamed vegetables.

7. You don't always have to order a meal just for yourself. If you're with a few people, you may decide you will each order a meal and share. This way you can have a little of a few dishes without over-indulging. It will also help you decide what to order if you go there again.

8. When it comes to dessert time, share. A few mouthfuls of a yummy dessert is often enough to satisfy your craving, but many desserts are too big to consume on your own. By sharing, you're eating less and you still get to enjoy something different without paying for it.
Your social life doesn't have to suffer because you have Type 2 diabetes. Just make wise decisions!

Type 2 diabetes is not a condition you must just "put up" with. It need not slowly and inevitably get worse. You can take control of the disease... and take back your health. It's all up to you.
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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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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Living With Diabetes - Risk Factors Of Diabetes

By Joel Gray 

Photo: diabetes.ca

Individuals who are known to be at a high risk for diabetes should undergo frequent testing for signs of diabetes. These individuals need to understand the risk factors associated with a diabetic condition. These factors include, among other things, the body's inability to regulate acidity in the blood sugar levels and regulate insulin and glucose hormones. A diet high in fats that raise bad levels of cholesterol coupled with little to no exercise also puts these individuals at a high risk for diabetes.
Diabetes has been considered a high risk factor for conditions such as heart disease, which is a coronary disease that causes the narrowing of the blood vessels carrying oxygen and blood to the heart. Heart disease has been labeled as the number one cause of death in the U.S. Individuals with heart disease become more and more limited and their risks for heart attacks increase drastically. Strokes are also common with individuals who have heart disease. Heart disease can also be a genetic disease. Diabetes is linked to heart disease, and heart disease is linked to other health problems, such as high cholesterol and hypertension.
Diabetes can become a vessel for these different conditions. There are good cholesterol levels (HDL) and bad cholesterol levels (LDL) in the body. High levels of bad cholesterol result in the cholesterol in the blood building up and sticking to the sides of the arteries. This plaque is a fat-like substance that mimics heart disease in that it narrows the vessels and can even block them. High cholesterol levels put an individual at high risk for hypertension. Diabetes is linked to those high risk factors for hypertension.
Linked to diabetes and high cholesterol levels, hypertension is known as the silent killer. Directly linked to the blood pressure flowing through the arteries, hypertension complications are increased when the walls of the arteries have been blocked or narrowed by high cholesterol levels. Essentially, this increases the blood pressure, and an individual is then said to have high blood pressure. High blood pressure is another symptom of heart disease and can also lead to heart attacks and strokes.
Not only does diabetes predispose individuals to high risks diseases, but environmental risk factors are directly tied in with diabetic conditions. According to as Stanford study, environmental factors, like chemicals in the soil and water around an individual, will increase the risk of developing diabetes. Three environmental elements were identified as being directly correlated with the increased risk of diabetes type II. Two elements identified were pesticides that contain heptachlor epoxide and PCBS. Surprisingly, the third element is a certain form of vitamin E, which is thought to have antioxidant factor for helping diabetic conditions. The clue may be in the potential toxicity of the build up of this vitamin, which is naturally found in large quantities in the tissues and blood of the body.
Environmental risk factors are more predisposed in type II diabetes than in type I diabetes. Sedentary lifestyles, high caloric intakes, very little exercise and a family history of diabetes, coupled with exposures to certain environmental factors, are deemed high risk factors for individuals to develop diabetic conditions.

Discover the advantages of living a healthy lifestyle and see the benefits that a well balanced diet can do for you. For more information about weight loss, healthy living, getting the proper diet and exercise and other usefull health tips go to my blog: Health Tips 101 and find out more!
Get Your "FREE" Diet & Exercise Tips Newsletter Today! Discover How To Live A Healthier Lifestyle And Learn How To Live Longer And Live Stronger!

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Some Ways To Keep Diabetes In Control

By Joy Kumar Das 

Photo: ayushveda.com



Diabetes is a chronic condition that results from the body's inability to adequately produce or properly use insulin. Insulin is a hormone that is produced by the pancreas. It enables the body to utilize glucose for energy. There are two types of diabetes.
Those types are generally known as Type-1 diabetes and Type-2 diabetes. In the type-1 diabetes, pancreas does not produce insulin sufficiently, and this condition is commonly found in children and also in young adults. It happens when cells in the pancreas are destroyed. The destruction of cells in pancreas begins when body's immune system starts to deteriorate.
In type-2 diabetes, proper use of insulin does not happen. Body cannot use insulin properly. Clinical researches have confirmed that genetic disposition and sedentary lifestyle are the two major factors that cause this type of diabetic condition.
Diabetes is a major concern these days for all countries. The World Health Organization has already warned that this disease appears to be a global threat. To prevent it from spreading capriciously, a stronger awareness campaign should be reinforced across the world. However, risk of diabetes could be kept away if people maintain 'active lifestyle' and some simple ways. Here is a list of those ways that can lower the risk.
Know The Type of Diabetes First: When a person becomes 30 years old, he should take blood tests regularly to screen diabetes. There are two types of tests. One is the fasting blood glucose test and the other one is the oral glucose tolerance test. The latter involves drinking glucose and having blood sampled two hours later. Once one has been diagnosed with any of the diabetic condition, one should start to follow the recommendations of physician to the letter.
Lose Weight & Get Moving: Fat cells, which are found especially around the abdomen, secrete biological products. Those biological products most often impair the body's ability to properly utilize sugar and hamper the insulin production. 'Active lifestyle' helps one to shed fat immensely. A fat person starts to feel better when that person can pinch more than an inch off his tummy.
Add Fiber To Diet: If people ensure that they are getting at least 21 grams of fiber every day, they can keep themselves fit or keep themselves away from diabetic condition. But unfortunately, people eat only half of 21 grams of fiber per day. Fiber helps to reduce glucose levels, lessens appetite and augments satiety. Whole grain breads and brown rice are rich in fiber. People should ensure that they are eating plenty of green leafy vegetables, lentils, black beans, etc.
Remove Bad Carbohydrates: Refined white flour and sugar, when they are stripped of their nutritional value, are responsible for a dramatic increase in obesity and diabetes. Processed and frozen foods are to be avoided. Also, sugary drinks which are low in nutritive value and high in calories need to be kept aside.
Decrease Toxicity Level: Incidence of type-2 diabetes may increase when foods and drinks consisting of heavy metals such as lead, arsenic, and cadmium are taken. They promote oxidation and can also disturb healthy functioning of the pancreas. They can even interfere with the insulin secretion. So, it will be better to avoid foods and drinks that are sold in plastic containers and bottles.
Risk of diabetes can lessen dramatically when 'active lifestyle' is maintained. If people eat only fiber-rich foods, they will keep themselves away from the risk of diabetes.

Joy Kumar Das wields genuine command over the subjects like tours and travels, scientific discoveries, software development and website design and development industry, online marketing industry. and business promotion and advertisement management, among others. His writings express his thoughts which emanate from thorough analysis. This article is an outcome of his elaborate research.

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Diabetes and the Elderly

By Sarah A Manchester  

Photo: adultfamilyhomesvancouverwa.com

When people get older, it seems some simple tasks become more difficult, but if you or someone you know has diabetes and is elderly, things can be more of a challenge. There are two types of diabetes, Type 1 and Type 2. Type 1 diabetes is also referred to as Juvenile Diabetes and is diagnosed in children and young adults. Type 2 diabetes is the most common type and normally is something people who are diagnosed with this type live with for life.
Diabetes in senior citizens can be difficult to diagnose and to take care of. Many of the symptoms of diabetes like weight loss, changes in vision, frequent urination, and thirst can be mistaken as signs of aging. To determine if someone with these symptoms is showing signs of diabetes versus aging, they need to visit their doctor on a regular basis to have tests run.
There are many complications that can occur in senior citizens who have diabetes. Of course these complications can happen to any one of any age, but the elderly are more susceptible to developing these problems. One of these problems is cognitive impairment; diabetes increases the risk of developing dementia and has been well documented. However, the connection of diabetes and Alzheimer's isn't as strong as that with dementia.
Elderly patients who have diabetes also experience problems in mobility during daily tasks. It has been reported that many senior citizens that have this disease have trouble walking more than 400 meters. This is more relevant in elderly women than elderly men. This makes doing normal household chores very difficult and it also increases the chances of falls and hip fractures. One of the treatments of diabetes is to keep moving and to get enough exercise, but for those who have trouble with mobility, this becomes a daunting task and makes it that much more difficult to treat.
The treatment can vary from person to person depending on what form they have and how old they are. However, the common treatments for diabetes involve a change in diet and exercise to help control blood sugar. For some, the easiest way to control their blood sugar is by using an insulin shot or pump. People who have diabetes should take care of their extremities like their feet and hands. Diabetes can affect blood flow and circulation making it difficult for the extremities to receive blood. Exercise can help stimulate blood flow to these body parts.
For the elderly and senior citizens who have diabetes, going to regular doctor visits and getting tests done regularly can help control their blood sugar and diabetes. If you or someone you know is under care of a nurse or is in a nursing home, make sure that whoever is taking care of them knows that they have diabetes and what type it is. Not getting the proper treatment can be disastrous, so making sure that someone with diabetes will be well taken care of is important. If you want to know more about diabetes and how it may affect you or an elderly member of your family, talk to your doctor to get more information.

Sarah Manchester
Senior Care Options
Alzheimer's Care

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Type 2 Diabetes - Vitamin D And The Metabolic Syndrome

 By Beverleigh H Piepers 

Photo: assets.nydailynews.com

Vitamin D deficiency has been demonstrated in people diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes and the metabolic syndrome. In December 2011, the journal Clinical Investigative Medicine reported on a study of the metabolic syndrome and vitamin D in Canadians.
A total of 1818 volunteers from the Canadian Health Measures Survey from 2007 to 2009 were included in the study. It was found that 8.9 per cent of these volunteers had the metabolic syndrome. The ones with the highest levels of vitamin D had half the risk of developing the metabolic syndrome, as those with the lowest levels.
Insulin resistance was also correlated with low vitamin D levels. The researchers concluded low vitamin D levels were correlated with metabolic syndrome and linked to increased levels of insulin resistance.
Your doctor can order a test to check your vitamin D level. The optimal range in the body today is 60 to 90 ng/mL (nanograms per milliliter) or as expressed by some labs, 25 to 200 nmol/L (nanomoles per liter). In fact, vitamin D may be all some people with mild Type 2 diabetes need to take.
Vitamin D is also important for bone growth and repair because it aids in the use of calcium. Rickets is a disease seldom seen today in developed countries, but it was once caused by severe vitamin D deficiency. It has been suggested that Dickens' tiny Tim might have suffered vitamin D deficiency.
Today vitamin D is necessary for growth in children and for preventing osteoporosis in adults. Low levels of vitamin D have also been associated with certain types of:

• cancer,
• brain impairment in older adults,
• increased risk of heart disease,
• asthma in children,
• high blood pressure, and
• multiple sclerosis.

Bone pain and muscle weakness can be indications of vitamin D deficiency.
One of the ways people get vitamin D is by allowing skin to manufacture it when it is exposed to sunlight. Getting enough vitamin D can be a problem for people who live in northerly countries such as Canada, because not enough sunlight reaches land less than 35 degrees from the North Pole. The same goes for those living less than 35 degrees from the South Pole.
Lack of sun exposure due to:

• being homebound,
• working during daylight hours,
• wearing clothes that cover all the body's skin, or
• having extremely dark skin that blocks the sun's rays

can also cause vitamin D deficiency.
Fortunately, vitamin D is also available in some foods and supplements. Osteoporosis Canada recommends daily supplements of:

• 400 to 1000 International Units (IU) of vitamin D for Canadians under 50 years of age without osteoporosis, and
• 800 to 2000 IU for those over 50.

Vegan diets are the best kind for avoiding and treating Type 2 diabetes, and food sources of vitamin D should fit into a vegan dietary plan. Soymilk, rice milk, and orange juice are often fortified with vitamin D. One cup of Silk Light soy milk contains about 30 per cent of the recommended daily vitamin D allowance. Check the labels for the vitamin D content of other brands of soymilk, rice milk and orange juice.
Eat healthy, and don't forget the vitamin D.

To discover answers to questions you may be asking yourself about Type 2 Diabetes, click on this link... Natural Diabetes Treatments
Clicking on this link will help you to learn more about Type 2 Diabetes Solutions... Beverleigh Piepers RN... the Diabetes Detective.
Beverleigh Piepers is the author of this article. This article can be used for reprint on your website provided all the links in the article are complete and active. Copyright (c) 2011 - All Rights Reserved Worldwide

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The Top 10 Foods To Eat If Youre Trying To Control Your Diabetes

By: The Sider Group

Photo: thenutritionpost.com

While medication and the supervision of a physician are often central components to managing diabetes, one of the most important things any diabetic can do to keep his or her health in check is eat the right foods. Enriching your diet with the following 10 foods, along with exercise and a healthy lifestyle, will help you control your diabetes.

1. Beans With plenty of dietary fiber to keep you full, beans also slow down the digestive process and prevent the blood sugar spikes that often occur after meals.

2. Cereal Sugary cereals are bad for diabetics, but the right cereal can do wonders. Look for cereals made from whole grains that are high in fiber, and add skim or nonfat milk and some fruit.

3. Cinnamon It may sound silly, but this spice can work wonders for diabetics. Simply sprinkling cinnamon in tea, on top of fruit, in baked goods or in recipes such as chicken dishes can help lower blood sugar and insulin use.

4. Fish Any kind of fish is good for diabetics, even the high-fat kinds, which are a great source of omega-3 fatty acids. Fish is a much healthier protein than red meat, and offers good cholesterol to help diabetics lower their triglycerides and raise their HDL levels.

5. Fruit Fruits contain lots of nutrients and fiber, and they are typically very low in calories. You also get antioxidants that boost your immune system from many fruits.

6. Nuts This is another source of good fat and protein, as well as fiber and antioxidants in the form of vitamin E. Nuts help diabetics control blood sugar and reduce insulin resistance.

7. Olive Oil When cooking, diabetics should use olive oil as opposed to butter, lard or vegetable oils. Its another good fat that helps fight heart disease and control blood sugar levels.

8. Poultry Breast Chicken or turkey breast, or the breast of any other kind of bird, is a low-fat protein that lowers bad cholesterol and may increase resistance to insulin.

9. Vegetables From asparagus to zucchini, vegetables have tons of nutrients and fiber without a lot of calories. Eating veggies to replace simple carbs (like non-whole grains) and saturated fats is especially advantageous for diabetics.

10. Yogurt This is low-fat protein with a unique advantage: yogurt also offers lots of calcium, which aids in weight loss and reduces insulin resistance.

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Type 2 Diabetes - Vitamin D in Obese Adolescents

By Beverleigh H Piepers  

Photo: rsefitness.com

According to a growing body of evidence, a vitamin D deficiency is associated with insulin resistance, the cause of Type 2 diabetes, as well as full-blown Type 2 diabetes itself, and heart and blood vessel disease. Type 2 diabetes is a growing problem among overweight and obese adolescents in developed countries. In 2011 the journal Polish Endokrynology reported the results of a study on vitamin D in insulin resistance in obese young people.
Sixty-four obese adolescents were included in this study:

• half the participants were deficient in vitamin D, while
• 14 percent had a sufficient amount, and
• 36 percent had borderline values.

Levels of vitamin D were naturally higher during summer than winter months. Those with the:

• highest percentage of body fat,
• those with acanthosis nigricans, a discoloration of the armpits sometimes seen in diabetes, and
• the highest blood sugar levels,

had the lowest blood levels of vitamin D.
Vitamin D is made when the skin is exposed to sunlight. While obese adolescents might be shy about being seen in a swimsuit at the beach or public swimming pool, walking outside with one's face and arms exposed is a good way to get vitamin D in the spring, summer and fall.
Vitamin D is also available in foods and food supplements made from fungi:

• soymilk is often fortified with vitamin D. Check the labels for the amount of vitamin D listed. Soymilk can be used in most places as a substitute for dairy milk.
• cereals can also be fortified with vitamin D.

A cup of Cheerios or three quarters of a cup of Total cereal with a cup of Silk soymilk can supply 40 per cent of the recommended daily allowance of vitamin D.
Try making a smoothie with soymilk and your favorite fruit:

• Silksoymilk.com recommends making a smoothie with soymilk, strawberries, banana, a sweetener of choice, and optional vanilla.

Allrecipes.com recommends making pancakes with soymilk, all-purpose flour (substitute whole wheat), sugar (substitute stevia), baking powder, baking soda, egg, (substitute vegan egg substitute), vegetable oil, vanilla, and almonds.
Mushrooms contain some vitamin D, and if you buy the kind that have been grown under ultraviolet light, you can get even more:

• Monterey Mushrooms advertises a 3 ounce serving of its mushrooms contains more than 100 per cent of the RDA of vitamin D.
• mushrooms are low in calories and delicious.

Try baking them with a drizzle of olive oil for a snack, or include them in a wrap with thin flat bread, along with baked sliced tomatoes, onions, and bell peppers. Or cut them up for a salad along with some kale, Romaine lettuce, chopped onions and grated carrots. Top off with some balsamic vinegar and olive oil.
There's more than one way to get your daily intake of vitamin D. Because of all the research that's been done in recent years, vitamin D is one of the most important nutrients you can take if you have Type 2 diabetes.

To discover answers to questions you may be asking yourself about Type 2 Diabetes, click on this link... Natural Diabetes Treatments
Clicking on this link will help you to learn more about Type 2 Diabetes Solutions... Beverleigh Piepers RN... the Diabetes Detective.
Beverleigh Piepers is the author of this article. This article can be used for reprint on your website provided all the links in the article are complete and active. Copyright (c) 2011 - All Rights Reserved Worldwide

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

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6770748

Type 2 Diabetes - Types of Exercise and Blood Sugar Levels!

By Beverleigh H Piepers  

Photo: img.webmd.com

Exercise is a very important tool used in the management of Type 2 diabetes. Exercise is just as important as diet and, in many instances, as important as drugs in managing diabetes. Researchers continue to investigate the merits of endurance-type (cardio) and resistance-type (strength training) activity. Most studies so far have looked at the benefits of either one or the other type of program.
Investigators in the Department of Human Movement Sciences, Maastricht University Medical Centre, in the Netherlands, reported results of a study comparing resistance and endurance-type exercises and their effect on 24-hour blood sugar in individuals with poor sugar tolerance and those with Type 2 diabetes.
Their study, published in the journal Diabetologia November 2011, included:

• 15 volunteers with impaired sugar tolerance,
• 15 people diagnosed with Type 2 diabetics and treated with insulin, and
• 15 Type 2 diabetics treated with oral anti-diabetic medications.

They were all given the same diet for 3 days.
Their blood sugars were measured during a 24-hour period:

• after a 45-minute session of resistance-type exercise,
• a 45-minute session of endurance exercise, and
• a day of no exercise.

For all the three groups, blood sugar levels went down significantly during the 24 hours following their exercise program. Resistance and endurance exercises produced similar results. Abnormally high blood sugar readings were reduced by over one-third as the result of both types of exercise.
From these results it was concluded either resistance or endurance exercise could be helpful if it was incorporated into a regular program of treatment for Type 2 diabetes.
Endurance-type (or cardio) exercises are those that increase your pulse rate and the rate of breathing.

• fast walking,
• running,
• aerobics,
• swimming, and
• bicycle riding are typical examples of endurance exercises.

Housework such as mopping and gardening activities, for example raking leaves, fall into the category of endurance activities, as does dancing. Parking far from the office and walking upstairs instead of taking the elevator can provide some physical activity throughout the day.
As endurance for the exercise is increased, so is general endurance, making people feel generally healthier after a hard week at the office or during final exams.
Research has found people with Type 2 diabetes who do eight weeks of aerobic exercise wind up with their HbA1c levels about 8 percent lower than nonexercisers.
Resistance-type (or strength training) physical activities are those in which muscles are moved against opposing forces.

• lifting free weight or using weight machines, and pushing against a wall are examples of resistance exercises.
• large rubber bands are sometimes used to provide resistance, or
• a person's own body can provide resistance, as in performing push-ups.

This form of exercise builds muscle, and that extra muscle soaks up more blood sugar in the form of glycogen.
Consult your doctor first, plan an exercise program, and start your new exercise program.

To discover answers to questions you may be asking yourself about Type 2 Diabetes, click on this link... Natural Diabetes Treatments
Clicking on this link will help you to learn more about Type 2 Diabetes Solutions... Beverleigh Piepers RN... the Diabetes Detective.
Beverleigh Piepers is the author of this article. This article can be used for reprint on your website provided all the links in the article are complete and active. Copyright (c) 2011 - All Rights Reserved Worldwide

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

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6758839

How Can A Person Cope Up Effectively With Gestational Diabetes?

By: Rinki Rawat

Photo: diabetesdiettreatment.com

The baby's health can be affected if a mother is diagnosed with a condition known as gestational diabetes. This can cause a lot of distress to parents as well. They have a constant worry about the health of the baby and its well-being. Thus, a mother will find it hard to take care of her. Many a times, the health may be neglected due to lot of stress or forgetting to exercise and eating wrong foods. There should be a proper knowledge regarding the prognosis of this condition. These measures can help in reducing the risk of various complications. It can help a mother in effectively coping up with gestational diabetes. The pregnancy can be complication free and healthy.

A person can know about gestational diabetes by:

1.Reading about gestational diabetes
2.Talking to women or the doctor who are having gestational diabetes
3.A support group for women must be joined.

This will surely help in developing a positive outlook. Most of the women will have well controlled blood glucose levels. This will help in having healthy babies. The recommendations of the doctor must be followed.

1.The recommendations of the doctor regarding diet and exercise must be followed. Plenty of green vegetables and fruits must be eaten. The intake of starchy food should be limited.
2.All the medications must be taken as per the recommendations of the doctor
3.Patient must go for regular prenatal visits.
4.A person should fix an appointment with the dietician. He must figure out how to eat properly while suffering from gestational diabetes. This can include a lot of stress and is very difficult. If one is able to meet a nutritionist or a dietician who can help with coming up a new plan, stress will be minimized to a great extent. Gestational diabetes can surely be kept under control. The dietician will help in figuring a new plan that will work very nicely and make a person feel very good.
5.One must talk to the doctor about the concerns. If a person is worried about managing gestational diabetes, the unborn baby will be affected. The doctor can help in alleviating most of the concerns. Various questions can be answered by the doctor. This is an effective way of coping up with gestational diabetes.

When a person is aware about what should be expected in the condition, he feel surely feel more in control of the disease. This way he can take better care of himself. Thus, various ways for coping up with gestational diabetes should be followed.

Article Source: http://www.articlesnatch.com

About the Author:
The author has given good information in this article about gestational diabetes and problems during pregnancy. Also read about pregnancy test at Onlymyhealth.

Diabetic Supplement Warnings, Using Common Sense

By Martha J Zimmer 

Photo: cdn2.content.compendiumblog.com

Diabetic supplement warnings did not concern me when I went looking for a diabetes cure. If I had read something in a book, I simply believed it. And today online supplement ads are growing as fast as type 2 diabetes.
We have such a strong need to find answers that we want to believe what we are told. Fear of dying mixed with distrust of the whole medical establishment makes a feeding ground for a whole new industry of supplement sellers disguised as information websites.
An Example Taken From the News
The newspapers in San Antonio on January 2, 2012, reported the arrest of two men who were running a stem cell scam that targeted people with terminal illnesses, promising to save their lives.
Apparently they gave the impression that their stem cells had been approved by the FDA. Of course, it was not true, but the men took in about $1.5 million from hopeful victims of ALS, cancers and other incurable diseases.
One of the men, who called himself a doctor, was profiled on the TV show Sixty Minutes in 2010 because of the promise of healing with stem cells. Now he is wanted by the FBI.
This illustrates the need for wisdom. There is nothing wrong with looking for a cure, but caution and common sense have to be your constant companions.
Anything that really works is going to be trumpeted to the skies in these days of free internet access. If something helps I think a real cure will show up everywhere, not just in some obscure site that claims there is a conspiracy to silence them.
Outright lies are only one of the dangers you and I face as we look for natural things to help us with type 2 diabetes. Here is another of the diabetic supplement warnings you should heed.
Diabetic Supplement Warnings About Overmedicating
You are aware of the dangers of taking too much medication, right? Of course you are. But anything that is taken into your body can damage and even kill you if you use too much. Water, salt and oxygen are examples. Pick any one of those and look at the side effects of overdoing it.
Anything is lethal if you take it in a large enough dose. One world-famous medical examiner who has her own TV show was looking into a mysterious death and found that the woman had overdosed on vitamin supplements.
This was an extreme case, and it took a huge amount over some time, but she was able to take enough supplements to die from them. It is true that death by vitamin overdose is rare at about 1 in 40,000 accidental poisoning reports.
Vitamins are complex. Many of them work well together. For instance, calcium is absorbed better if you take it with some vitamin D, and it doesn't take a lot. Vitamin C increases your absorption of iron, and many GI doctors who diagnose anemia tell their patients to take orange juice with their iron supplement.
The multivitamin producers who understand how vitamins work together can give you a daily pill or liquid that uses this information. Find a good company and it'll be easy to supplement your daily vitamins without having to figure out safe and adequate dosing by yourself.
B-complex and C are water soluble vitamins, and they are not stored in your body, so any you don't use is filtered out through your kidneys. Fat soluble vitamins like A and D, however, are stored in your fat cells, so it is possible to overload your body with them.
That does not mean take all the Bs and C you want. Anything that makes your liver and kidneys work harder puts stress on a system that already is dealing with type 2 diabetes complications. So it makes sense not to overdo even the water soluble vitamins.
Another fact - all vitamins and minerals are better for us in their natural vegetable form. But the synthetic vitamins labs crank out are cheaper. And the metallic minerals are often used in supplements because they are cheap and readily available.
So eating superfoods in the form of vegetables and fruits as well as whole grains and unprocessed meat is the best way to get your vitamins and minerals. There is a page about the superfoods on my website if you want to find out more.
Diabetic Supplement Warnings About Cinnamon
While researching the benefits of cinnamon, which seem well documented, I found out that there is more than one kind. One is called cassia and another is Ceylon or "true" cinnamon. Since Ceylon cinnamon is more expensive you'll probably have to find it at a health food store.
The one we are most familiar with is the hot, spicy cassia cinnamon we get from our local grocery store. Its heat comes from coumarin, and this substance has effects you need to understand if you are going to use it as a daily supplement and not just a flavoring.
A few people are allergic to cinnamon, developing swollen lips and ulcerations. If this happens to you, you should not use it as a supplement. But that allergy is pretty rare and is not the reason some Europeans are warning people not to use it.
Coumarin was used in the form of bicoumarin as a chemical model for the medication warfarin, brand name Coumadin, because it has amazing blood thinning properties. Bicoumarin caused free bleeding in rats; it kept their blood from clotting.
Coumarin has been banned as a food additive in the U.S. because of this. Of course it is going to be hard to get enough coumarin to do any damage of that magnitude in the cinnamon you sprinkle on food, and research says it does not turn into bicoumarin in a human body as it did in rats.
But if you plan to take cinnamon pills long-term for diabetic blood sugar reduction, be aware that cassia cinnamon has coumarin at a 5% ratio, while Ceylon cinnamon has a 0.004% ratio, practically none.
Since cinnamon really does have an insulin type reaction in your body it will lower blood sugar a certain amount. But if you use it, know what you are getting and how your body will react. Talk to your doctor about it and tell her how much you are using. And watch your blood sugar carefully.
There is a lot of interest in coumarin as a cancer medication, and we'll keep watching it closely to see what happens next. Coumarin may be something you actually want to be taking, but the amount that's safe has not been determined yet.
We Need Diabetic Supplement Warnings
Our desire to find things that will cure, or at least help control, our type 2 diabetes has to be balanced with an equal amount of common sense and caution. And I have learned that no supplement provides a way around the need for exercise and a healthy diet. This is the proven road to remission for a type 2 diabetic.
It is the road I have chosen, although I am going to try taking Ceylon cinnamon for a month or so and see what it does for my blood sugar control. Everyone is different, and one person's success with cinnamon may not be matched by another. Still, I will report what happens on my website.
If you are doing the same I would be excited to hear what your results have been. Let's find the way through type 2 diabetes together.

Martha Zimmer invites you to visit her website and learn more about type 2 diabetes, its complications and how you can deal with them, as well as great tips for eating healthy that will make living with diabetes less painful.
Go to http://www.a-diabetic-life.com and find out what you can do to avoid many of the pitfalls of this life-changing condition, like paying for cures that don't work and spending money for things you could have gotten free. Martha has made the mistakes and done the research so you don't have to.

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Reducing Your Risks Of Diabetes

 By: Ethan Kalvin

Photo: i.usatoday.net

Diabetes is on the rise and with the state of the American diet, it's no wonder. When it comes to eating American's may perhaps be counting calories but they surely aren't reading the labels of the foods they eat, at least most Americans. The problem is that even individuals who care enough about their health to read the labels really do not know what they are looking for and while the amount of calories, fat, salt, and sugar are obvious factors to look they are obviously only a part of the entire picture.

Since diabetes is a condition that has to do with a problem regulating blood sugar in the body it is essential to keep an eye on your sugar level, especially your fasting sugar level. And while many men and women know to watch their sugar and if there is a problem to keep it in check lots of people are still not aware that even if you don't eat much sugar you could be at risk.

Diabetes is essentially a problem with digestion of sugars and the body requires insulin in order to effectively process sugars. Sugars however are derivatives of carbohydrates and studies have shown that sugar has a lot less of an effect on diabetics then the consumption of starchy foods does. This is because foods such as breads, pastas, and even potatoes turn into sugar in your body and while they can be natural they still require insulin for digestion.

For a long time it was assumed that people who became diabetic did so because of a genetic link. While heredity does play a role in how a person's body processes and how much insulin it has this is not the only mitigating factor. Lots of people, especially children are being diagnosed with Diabetes and have no genetic link what so ever. It is important to realize that while genetics is a contributing factor diet is still of the utmost importance.

When you think about avoiding diabetes it is essential to make sure that you're not only reducing the amount of refined sugar that's in your diet but that you're also limiting the amount of carbohydrates that you're ingesting each and every day. Diet is ever so important in helping to avoid diabetes and if you're willing to put in the effort to keep your carb intake down than you can effectively reduce your risk of diabetes even if you do have a family history of this disease.

Article Source: http://www.articlesnatch.com

About the Author:
To learn the variations between Humana health insurance and Aetna health insurance go to gohealthinsurance.com.