Diabetic Health Today

Treating Type 2 Diabetes with a Gluten Free Diet

Lorrie — Thu, 15 Apr 2010 07:17:10 +0000

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Diabetics most definitely benefit from a gluten free diet. This type of diet is a way of life for people suffering from diabetes as well as other diseases such as celiac, autism and many other diseases.

Many people especially diabetics have severe gluten sensitivities. Many illnesses have been associated with gluten consumption and one out of every hundred has gluten intolerances. People that suffer from infections such as diabetics develop this type of sensitivity.

Eating gluten free has helped people not only with Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes but also diseases like celiac, multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, and inflammation of the nervous system, peripheral neuropathies, anaemia, seizures and loss of balance.

What is a gluten free diet? Foods that contain gluten such as wheat, oats, rye, barley, pasta, cereal, beer and spelt should be avoided. Many processed foods also contain gluten. One can buy bread and pastas that are gluten free as well as many other products which can be obtained from most supermarkets and health outlets. All fresh fruits and vegetables are gluten free as well as potato, rice, soy, and buckwheat and bean flour.

Farmers that grow grain increase the amount of gluten in their products because grain having a higher protein content fetches a higher market price. However companies are aware of the fact that many people suffer from gluten intolerance are improving the taste of gluten free products. Those that suffer from gluten intolerances can also opt for integrative manual therapy which helps with physical pain and loss of function as in diabetics as well as change their diet to gluten free diet as it has been noted recently that there is a gluten sensitivity epidemic.

It has also been noted that those with gluten sensitivity have deficiencies in manganese, zinc and chlorophyll as well as smooth and skeletal muscle weakness which are linked to the large intestine and gluten. A gluten free diet will improve one’s health all round and also ensures that more nutrients will reach areas that have already been damaged and will also help stabilize blood sugar levels in diabetics.

There have been positive results and diabetics have reported back that their symptoms were alleviated after a few weeks when they changed to a gluten free diet. However it is important to remember that a diabetic patient should first discuss any and all diet plan with their primary medical practitioner or dietician.

What Is Type 2 Diabetes

Lorrie — Thu, 15 Apr 2010 06:41:54 +0000

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Diabetes means high blood sugar and this is caused due to the body not producing enough insulin or the body’s cells don’t fully respond to the insulin the body produces. The pancreas produces this hormone which helps the body to absorb glucose and in turn produce energy. If the cells do not absorb glucose one will develop hyperglycaemia which will lead to other complications.
The two most common types of diabetes are Diabetes Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes. Type 1 results from the body’s failure of producing insulin and the person will require insulin injections. Type 2 diabetes means the body is insulin resistant as the cells fail to use the glucose produced by the body.
Other types of diabetes are gestational diabetes, congenital diabetes; cystic fibrosis related diabetes, steroid diabetes as well as monogenic diabetes. Type 2 Diabetes is treated with diabetes medication in pill form with some patients taking one or more pills, however the patient does not have to inject with insulin. However once you have been diagnosed with Type 2 it is considered to be a chronic condition of which there is no cure.
Without the correct treatment many other complications can manifest which include hypoglycaemia, non-ketotic hyperosmolar coma as well as ketoacidosis. In the long term one can develop complications such as chronic renal failure, cardiovascular disease and retinal damage. It is imperative that a patient receives treatment which includes medication and maintaining a healthy diet, and good blood sugar levels.
Type 2 Diabetes is the most common type which affects around ninety percent of population of all race groups globally. The early stages show up as an abnormal reduction in insulin and can be improved by taking medications which will improve or reduce the glucose production. However if the disease progresses and the insulin secretion occurs the patient may require insulin therapy.
The signs and symptoms of Type 2 Diabetes is frequent urination, increased thirst as well as hunger and symptoms usually develop over long periods of time and the patient may also present with unexplained weight loss at the onset of the disease. Blood sugar concentrations are measure in order to make a diagnosis. With Type 2 there is also a high possibility of hyperosmolar non-ketotic states occurring which result in dehydration as well as skin rashes can break out. The causes of Type 2 are mainly defined by genes as well as lifestyle factors and obese people are more prone to developing diabetes.

Why Exercise & Diet Is Important For Type 2 Diabetics

Lorrie — Thu, 15 Apr 2010 05:46:38 +0000

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Those suffering from Type 2 diabetes can change their lifestyle by maintaining a healthy diet and increasing their day to day physical exercise activities. It is recommended by professionals and the ADA that a Type 2 Diabetic needs to maintain a healthy weight as well as maintain an exercise program.
A diet that is low in saturated fats reduce the risk of developing diabetes and scientists have proved that people that live a healthy life style whereby they get plenty of physical exercise and don’t smoke as well as take in low levels of alcohol are considered low risk as opposed to those that eat foods that are rich in hydrogenated fats and take in a high consumption of alcohol as well as smoke.
People that have been diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes are given oral medications, your doctor and your diabetes educator can go over the different types of medications, how each medication works and may even put you on a diet and exercise program without any medication. Diabetes management includes keeping the patient’s blood sugar levels as close to normal as possible and is maintained with the correct dietary management and exercise programs. There have been reported cases where a Type 2 Diabetic has to use both oral medication as well as insulin.
It has been proved that healthy eating has a positive impact on the symptoms as well as progression of Type 2 diabetes and prediabetes. A well planned diet does not mean that a diabetic has to eat special foods. A diabetic needs to maintain a diet that contains whole grains, fresh vegetable and fruit and an intake of less saturated fat. Fats such as polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats can be taken in moderation.
A Type 2 diabetic should not take any drastic diet measures such as low carbohydrate diets as this will only help short term as diabetes cannot be reversed and one needs to maintain a eating plan that lowers blood sugars as well as improves lipids and blood pressure. To devise the best eating plan a diabetic needs to visit a diabetic dietician. Your primary care doctor will be able to suggest a local dietician that specializes in diabetes.
Besides maintaining their diets diabetics need to participate in an exercise program and again there are no special diabetic exercises. An exercise program is usually devised that suits the patients needs. Any amount of exercise in better than none, walking is a very inexpensive way to start out. Some diabetics have already developed cardiac disease so yes their exercises will be different as they may not be able to do exercises that require exertion.
It is very helpful for both Types of diabetics to join a support group you can learn much from others and they will learn from you.

Controlling Type 2 Diabetes with Herbal Remedies

Lorrie — Thu, 15 Apr 2010 05:14:01 +0000

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There have been many herbal remedies that have been scientifically documented that contain healing properties helping those suffering from diabetes. There are numerous natural remedies containing anti diabetic agents and are used for controlling type 2 diabetes. Despite the controversial disputes among the medical fraternity there has been sufficient evidence and clinical evidence to prove the efficacy of herbal medications in diabetic treatment.
Many diabetics have turned to herbal remedies as well as controlled diets as opposed to the conventional treatments. There is no cure for diabetes but many herbal remedies help to maintain the blood sugar levels and Indian herbal remedies such as holy basil, fenugreek seeds, coccidian indicia and gymnema Silvestre have been used and have proven effective in the treatment of diabetes as these herbs contain hypoglycaemic agents.
Diabetogenic agents are pure natural products which do not cause any side effects and many people choose to use the alternative route when it comes to treating this disease. Firstly this method of treatment is far less expensive as opposed to prescription drugs and long term usage has been known to reduce the need for diabetic treatment.
For instance Coccinia Indica has been scientifically proved that the herb lowers blood sugars just as effectively as prescribed drugs. One can either eat the fruit or mix the powered leaves with milk. The powdered leaves of Holy Basil are known for its natural anti inflammatory properties and well as anti oxidant properties. It has also been proved scientifically that this herb lowers blood sugar levels.
Another anti diabetic agent is fenugreek seed which are taken in capsule form and then the Gymnema Silvestre which is very similar to saccharose is used as an alternative to reduce sugar cravings as well as lowers the blood sugars in diabetic patients. The leaves of this plant are chewed or powdered and drunk with milk. In Hindu the plant is called Gur-mar which literally means sugar destroyer.
Before taking herbal remedies one should always consult your diabetes doctor or medical practitioner for advice and especially if you are already on conventional medications such as insulin or oral medications. People that suffer from Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus who have focused determination, good communication and very controlled blood sugar levels may find that herbal alternatives will work for them. Type 2 Diabetics have the potential to have controlled blood sugar levels by using alternative medications as well as maintaining a well balanced diet and do plenty of exercise and are monitored by their diabetes doctor or medical practitioner.

Type 2 Diabetic Complications and Maintenance

Lorrie — Wed, 14 Apr 2010 22:03:25 +0000

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Once a patient has been diagnosed with diabetes due to elevated blood sugar levels and a deficiency of insulin production these patients need to be monitored as acute and chronic complications could arise due to an abnormal low blood sugar level due to either too much insulin or medication taken for lowering the glucose levels.
However insulin is vital to patients suffering from Type 1 diabetes as they cannot survive without exogenous insulin and will develop elevated blood sugar levels as well as increased urine glucose which will lead to loss of fluid and electrolytes. The lack of insulin causes the inability to store protein and fat and the breakdown of protein and fat stores and results in what is known as diabetic ketoacidosis which can cause shock and then the patient goes into a coma and can die.
For proper function of the brain cells blood glucose is essential and low blood sugars can lead to CNS complications such as dizziness, confusion, tremors and weakness. If the patient is does not receive treatment immediately this will lead to seizures and irreversible brain death.
In the case of chronic complications which are related to small and large blood vessel disease involves the kidneys, nerves and eyes as well as circulation. Eye complications are common and are known as diabetic retinopathy and usually occur after five or six years as the diseased small blood vessels at the back of the eye leak protein and blood into the retina. This leads to scarring of the retina as well as retinal detachment in turn impairs the vision.
Poorly controlled diabetic patients can also develop glaucoma and cataracts. Other chronic complications such as kidney nephropathy which is caused by leakage of protein into the kidneys and urine and this could result in kidney failure and the patient having to have renal dialysis or in severe cases a kidney transplant. In addition diabetic suffer from nerve damage whereby the blood flow to the nerves is limited and the symptoms of nerve damage includes burning, aching and numbness of the feet and lower extremities.
When this occurs a patient will experience loss of sensation in the feet and his should be treated immediately as minor injuries could lead to ulceration which seldom heals and gangrene usually sets in which leads to surgical amputations of the toes and feet and in some instances the whole limb.

Foot Care for Diabetics

Lorrie — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 18:02:44 +0000

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It is important for Diabetics to practice good foot care by learning how to recognize problems with their feet before the problems become serious. With a good foot care routine at home, and controlled blood sugar levels, diabetics will be able to avoid problems with their feet.
Diabetes is a disease that can cause nerve damage to eyes, kidneys, feet and blood vessels. When diabetics do not control their blood sugar levels then they cannot feel their feet and this can lead to more serious problem because when they lose feeling in their feet and diabetics simply cannot feel sores, cuts, abrasions, blisters and areas where the skin has been damaged. Even with the advancement of foot care treatments a diabetic’s best prevention of life-threatening problems is good control of their Blood Sugar Levels.
When a diabetic’s Blood Sugar stays to high it will cause damages to the point that even a very insignificant looking wound will not heal properly, allowing infection to develop and without healthy blood vessels to deliver the antibiotics, the infection will develop into gangrene. There is really only one treatment for gangrene and that is amputation of the diabetic’s foot or their leg. If the amputation does not stop the infection and it reaches the bloodstream then it becomes life threatening.
The best prevention that a diabetic has is the advice of The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons they offer these suggestions: (author’s comments have been italicized)
1. Wash your feet daily with soap and water, and carefully dry them afterward. Use a dry towel to rub away dried skin.
2. Use a rich moisturizer on your feet, but don’t apply it between the toes. There are excellent diabetic foot moisturizers in the diabetes center at most drugstores.
3. Keep toenails trimmed, but cut them straight across. Clipping the corners can lead to ingrown nails. Push back cuticles with dry towel.
4. Avoid using antiseptics, sharp tools or heating pads on the feet. This also includes electric blankets.
5. Keep feet warm and dry with cozy socks. There are whole product lines of socks for diabetics in most drugstores.
6. Prevent circulatory problems by avoiding smoking. And don’t sit with your legs crossed.
If you ever have problems with your feet it is important to write down information like; what happened to your foot, how long ago did you notice the wound and most important is to have either a record or a good knowledge of your Blood Sugar Level’s highs and lows.
Use the above six tips in your diabetes health care program, and have your feet checked once a year by your doctor.

Diabetics Need Carbohydrates, Proteins, Fats and Fiber

Lorrie — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 08:53:32 +0000

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Our bodies use the carbohydrates, proteins, fats and fiber that we eat and breaks them down as fuel. Diabetics need all four in their daily diets to maintain a healthy body.

Carbohydrates

Carbohydrates are broke down and turned into fuel called glucose and this fuel is distributed throughout the body to help the heart, lungs, eyes, legs, arms, feet, hands do their job without complications.

Carbohydrates are used by our bodies to create energy and we use that energy to work and play. They include starches, sugars and dairy that are found in the foods we eat Carbohydrate do affect each Diabetic differently, I find that potatoes, corn and peas really make my blood sugar levels go extremely high so, I eat them on special occasion and never together in the same meal.

There are two types of carbohydrates, they are Simple-Carbohydrates that when eaten convert to sugar quickly and can spike blood sugar levels quite rapidly and with the same speed drop your blood sugar levels making you crave more carbohydrates only to continue the cycle, and Complex-Carbohydrates, that will convert into sugars more slowly, level off and slowly be used for fuel by our bodies, and this will allow your blood sugar levels to slowly drop.

Proteins

Protein is important for the development of healthy muscles and strong bones. Proteins are made up of many different amino acids, but the human body needs 22 amino acids to stay healthy, 13 of these amino acids the human body can create on its own, the other 9 amino acids can be found in the foods we eat.

There are two food groups that we can get those 9 amino acids in, grains/beans/vegetables and meat/dairy. We have no problems getting amino acids in the meat and dairy that we eat, however if you are a vegan/vegetarian or just someone who has cut back on eating meats then you need to do a little food combining by eating a variety of protein-filled foods to get a perfect balance of amino acids.

Fats

Fats do not exclusively make you fat! We do need fats in limited amounts to help our bodies absorb vitamins and fats help our bodies to use carbohydrates and proteins more efficiently. You do need fats, but not all fats are the “good-for-you” types of fat.
Good fats are found in Vegetable Oils; olive, sunflower seeds, avocados, sesame, soybeans, Fish; salmon, tuna, mackerel, Nuts and Seeds. Not so Good fats are found in Animal meats and product like butter, cream, cheeses and milk.

Fiber

Everyone needs to be eating more fiber rich foods. It is the fiber in our diet that allows the bowels to function properly, protecting our intestines from problems like colon cancer.

It is important to eat fiber rich foods like fruits, vegetables, oats, oatmeal, and legumes. Including foods with soluble fibers in your diet can aid in the lowering of blood cholesterol levels.

Candida What Is It?

Lorrie — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 10:37:31 +0000

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Candida albicans is a parasitic yeast that lives in the mouth, the digestive tract and vagina. Usually the levels of Candida in our bodies is kept under control by the immune system and probiotic bacterias, however when our immune system or the probiotic bacterias come under attack the Candida yeast will grow.

Some of the things that might contributing to the Candida in your body could include but are not limited to: allergies/intolerances to certain foods, smoking, diets high in sugar/simple carbohydrates, diabetes and some medication especially the overuse of antibiotics.

It is thought that when candida albicans yeast takeover the intestines it plays a role in symptoms like depression, mood swings/outbursts of anger, unexplained headaches, sinus pressure or congestion, exhausting fatigue, itchy skin, loss of ability to concentrate or remember, frequent problems with stomach/digestive systems and a intense desire for anything that has sugar, is sweet and carbohydrate.

Experiencing just some of the above symptoms from above does not mean that you have Candida but a visit to your health care provider can help in identifying if you are having a problem with Candida. There are some things that you can do to help reduce the Candida in your system.

Evaluate your diet and reduce or completely cut out sugar, high carbohydrate foods. Candida cannot exist in the digestive tract without sugar and high carbohydrate filled foods to help it grow.
Find yogurt with active bacteria (live-cultures.) Lactobacillus acidophilus or L. acidophilus is the active live bacteria that is in yogurt and it will help in controlling Candida, just remember to read the label on yogurt it will say, “Active bacteria or live-cultures” also make sure there are no added sugars.
Candida can also be knocked-down with Grapefruit Seed Extract, just remember to drink plenty of water so that your body can rid itself of toxins that are released when the candida starts to die off. (Note: you want grapefruit seed ext. NOT grape seed ext.)
Enzymes can also help in reducing the overgrowth of candida in the digestive tract, you can find them in health stores and online. Papaya & Pineapple Enzymes are a chewable product and some are sugar-free.

Remember that Candida is inside of all of us but because of the use of antibiotics, steroids, and the over indulgence of a sugar-filled diets, there are many people that have given this parasitic yeast a great growing environment. When the candida flares up then we are more prone to a variety of health problems. Please remember to talk to your health care provider first before you make any decisions based on the information in this article, only they can help you make the right choices.

For more information on Candida just click here.

Gluten Free Diets Help Control Diabetes

Lorrie — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 21:46:00 +0000

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Diabetics who are living a gluten free lifestyle are seeing a significant decrease in their blood sugar levels (BSL.) Combining the gluten free diet with a regular workout program and you will experience lower BSL, and an increased energy level and a much healthier outlook.

First you have to understand what gluten is: Gluten is a protein that is found in grains, this particular gluten protein cannot be digested by people suffering with the disease known as Celiac. The gluten free diet was created to help the millions of people that have Celiac disease, IBS (irritable bowel syndrome), Diabetes and Wheat Allergies. Finding foods and recipes that are free from wheat, barley, rye, bulgur, semolina, farina, kasha, matzo meal, and oats can be a problem at times. (Oats are gluten free, however they are frequently processed in the same factories as wheat. Look for gluten-free labels on all oat packages) Gluten can be found in food additive that stabilize and thicken foods that are processed including many alcoholic beverages. For those with Celiac, IBS and Allergies the gluten free diet is a total commitment to being 100% gluten free.

Finding gluten free foods and recipes that my whole family would eat three meals a day was a challenge until I read about a former executive chef and owner of a 100% gluten-free, sugar-free, low-glycemic, organic, allergy-friendly restaurant, who compiled all her recipes into a delicious gluten-free cookbook. My family was won over by the desserts!

The large majority of people on gluten free diets, know that gluten free is not an either/or lifestyle it is a commitment to a way of eating. For me as a diabetic, I find recipes of gluten free eating has allowed me more control with my diabetes and I have been able to reduce my diabetes medications.

For further information on Gluten Free Recipes I would invite you to check out this delicious Gluten Free Cookbook. Bon Appetite!

Lose Weight Fast with Strip That Fat

Lorrie — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 21:43:00 +0000

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Almost daily a company comes out with a new diet plan and most of us know someone on a diet, going off a diet and searching for the next diet, however it is very rare to find a company like Strip That Fat Diet. This incrediable company gives us far more than information about dieting, they have included the “tools.”

We are a country that has to face shocking facts like:

65% of the people in the United States are Overweight.

48% of the people In European countries are Overweight.

27% of the people in the United States are classified as Obese.

Obesity is responsible for 325,000 deaths every year

With percentages like these, it is no wonder that the diet industry is one of the top searches on the internet today. What we are seeing in larger sized population across the United States is not just people who are overweight and obese but the major health issues that accompany the weight problem such as: thyroid problems, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, asthma, sleep apnea, coronary heart desease and various forms of cancer.

Quick weight loss is not the answer, yo-yo dieting does more harm than good, so what is the answer to successful weight loss? I think that Strip That Fat Diet is the only true answer today! You will be making life changing choices in the foods you eat, but the best part of Strip That Fat Diet is the support system that comes with it.

Strip That Fat Diet is one of the best online diet systems out there today. Everything is downloadable right to your personal computer. You will be able to create a well balanced two week menu plan based on the diet creator that comes with the program. You will enjoy a wide variety of meals with foods that you like and even better your whole family will like so you are not wasting your time fixing different foods for your family.

Are you ready to get serious about your weight loss? Are you ready to change the way you look at dieting? Are you ready to put a stop to future health problems? Then check out Strip That Fat Diet Today!