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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

So, if you want to find out more about type 1 diabetes or even about symptoms of diabetes please follow this link http://diabetes-info-center.com/

Groshan Fabiola
http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/do-not-let-diabetes-control-you-87696.html

Diabetes Home Remedies

Until date, no absolute cure for diabetes has been found. Research is ongoing in this area, since diabetes brings with it a myriad of other complications, if not kept in control through proper diet, exercise and medication if required.

Diabetic patients must realize that they have a complicated disorder, which continues for lifetime. During pregnancy, diabetes can be serious and diabetic babies always weigh more than normal.

Older people gradually tend to gain weight and they develop a mild form of diabetes because of a strain on their pancreas. Controlling weight can help control diabetes.

As said above, diabetes brings with it a host of complications. Diabetic patients are more prone to infections of the skin, such as boils, carbuncles and itching. Hardening of the arteries occurs much more frequently in diabetic patients. Heart attacks are also more common in such patients.

Cataracts occur more frequently in older diabetics and also in patients who have had diabetes for five years or longer.

So, here are some simple home remedies to control the blood glucose level. They help, the only condition being that it must be followed regularly and diligently.

« The powder of the seeds of fenugreek (Methi) taken two to three times a day helps control the sugar in blood and urine.

« Diabetes can also be controlled when you drink water kept overnight, with tender leaves of guava tree and sadabahar plant soaked in it.

« Boil a few leaves each of tulsi (Basil), neem, jamun, bel, along with 4-5 corns of pepper in a glass of water and drink two times a day.

« Morning and evening walk for at least 45 minutes is very essential to control this disease.

« Eat at least 1 teaspoon of cinnamon powder daily.

« Consume 1 tablespoon juice of bitter gourd (karela) every morning, It may not instantly give results, but will definitely reduce the intensity of the condition.

« Soak fenugreek seeds about one teaspoon in water at night, drink that water in the morning and chew and eat the soaked seeds. This helps reduce the blood sugar.

« Wash a green banana and peel it. Put the peel in a jar, fill with water and drink this water three times a day. This water will lower the sugar level. Change the peel every other day and refill the jar with water as you drink.

« Take 15 fresh mango leaves and boil them in 1 glass of water. Keep them overnight. Filter and drink the next morning.

« Grapefruit is considered quite beneficial. Eat three grapefruits three times in a day.

« Indian gooseberry (amla), is a rich source of vitamin C and serves as one of the best home remedies for diabetes. Take 1 tablespoon of gooseberry juice and mix it with a cup of bitter gourd juice. Consume the mixture daily for about 2 months.

« Garlic helps blood circulation and regulates sugar level.

« Drink 1 litre of cinnamon water daily. Cinnamon contains a chemical that helps to use blood sugar naturally in body. Add 3 table spoon of cinnamon to 1 litre of boiling water. Simmer for 20 minutes in a low flame, and then strain the mixture.

« A teaspoon of black cumin seeds (kalonji) to be boiled in a glass of water, till it reduces to half. If taken regularly, it helps to control the blood sugar.

« Prepare a mixture by adding equal quantities of turmeric powder and dried gooseberry powder with honey; or drink a mixture containing equal quantities of gooseberry juice and fresh turmeric juice in an empty stomach regularly.

« Prepare coffee with powdered fried fenugreek and wheat, taken in equal quantities.

« Eat fresh, tender curry leaves twice a day to reduce sugar.

« Take some tender guava leaves, and 3 grams of cumin seeds. Crush them together. Boil with one glass of water till reduces to half. Drink 2-3 times a day.

« Drink 8 glass of water in the morning on an empty stomach and walk for one hour.

Diet for a diabetic patient as prescribed in Ayurveda:

The main aim is to help the body absorb the sugar into the system.

Take about one kg of curd made from cow’s milk along with various types of gourds, but without salt. The greener the vegetables, the more valuable it would be. Sour fruits like tomatoes, oranges, pineapple, jamun could also be taken. The patient can also consume one or two chapattis made out of unsieved flour.

Cereals and sugar preparations should be avoided for some time. Hipbath is also recommended, as it is extremely beneficial in the case of diabetes, particularly for patients suffering from constipation.

Yoga is also advised by yoga specialists, which has proved useful in dealing with the disease.

For diabetes information, diabetes diet, diabetes treatment, diabetes causes visit www.diabetesmellitus-information.com

Tom alter
http://www.articlesbase.com/diseases-and-conditions-articles/diabetes-home-remedies-100577.html

Diabetes mellitus is a disease that causes higher than normal blood sugars in its sufferers. It is of two types: (1) Type I diabetes, which normally affects young people. It occurs when the body doesn’t make enough insulin to rid the body of excess sugar. The only way to treat that disease is to provide insulin to make up for the lost insulin from the pancreas. (2) Type II diabetes generally affects older people and is a condition where the body makes insulin but the cells of the body don’t respond to the insulin in the body.

The disease of diabetes mellitus affects 20.8 million people in the US or 7% of the total population. Nearly 6 million of them do not know they have the disease. Both genetics and environment and heredity play a role in who gets diabetes and who doesn’t. Poor dietary habits and obesity play a large role in the development of type II diabetes.

There are many people who don’t have diabetes mellitus but who are suffering from prediabetes, also sometimes called insulin resistance. Their body doesn’t respond well to the insulin made by the pancreas but the situation isn’t bad enough to raise the blood sugar levels yet. The body has higher than normal amounts of insulin in the system but it is enough to compensate for the blood sugar. Eventually, however, many prediabetics go on to develop diabetes in a few years.

There are several tests for diabetes mellitus. The first is a fasting blood sugar. This is normally less than 100 mg per deciliter. In prediabetes, the number is often between 100 and 120 mg per deciliter. In diabetics, the number is often above 120 milligrams per deciliter and is often much higher than that.

The other test for diabetes mellitus is called the “three hour glucose tolerance test” or “3 hr GTT”. This involves getting a fasting blood sugar and then giving the individual a small bottle of highly sugared liquid to drink. Then the blood sugar is tested at one hour, two hours and three hours after drinking the sugared liquid. If any number is above 200, then diabetes is diagnosed.

Another test for diabetes mellitus is to check the glycosylated hemoglobin level. This is a measure of the amount of “sugar coated” blood cells in the body. The normal level is 6.0 and numbers above that is felt to be diabetes.

The treatment for diabetes mellitus is different depending on the type of diabetes the person has. Type I diabetes is almost always treated by insulin shots. This is because there is no insulin being put out by the pancreas and so insulin must be replaced. Type II diabetes is often treated with diet and medications. The medications are those that make the cells of the body respond better to the insulin being provided by the pancreas. There are also medications that act to lower the blood sugar directly.

Those with diabetes mellitus must check their blood sugars frequently with a glucometer or blood glucose meter. This may need to be done as often as six or more times per day for type I diabetes and the values reached determine the amount of insulin the person needs per dose. Insulin shots are given before each meal and sometimes at bedtime. Type II diabetics don’t often need to check their blood sugars that often. Sometimes it is just checked in the morning and then after the evening meal.

Michael Webb
http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/all-about-diabetes-mellitus-106579.html

When there is a case of child diabetes, not only does the child suffer but the family does as well. With child diabetes, some of the daily responsibilities can include blood glucose tests, insulin injections, meal planning and treating low blood pressure depending on the type of diabetes your child suffers from. After the initial diagnosis, it is perfectly normal to feel both anxious and overwhelmed. However, since children notice these emotions it is important to keep them in check for your child.

Child Diabetes Testing Tips

If your child has trouble with needles then it is best to prepare the testing supplies where they cannot see them. When it comes time for the test make sure you do it as quickly as possible and let the child resume normal activities right after the test is complete. If a child is fine with the testing process then perhaps you can allow them to take part by doing such tasks as wiping the spot with alcohol or select which finger to use for testing. Your child will be calmed by having a sense of control over the testing process.

Mealtime Tips

Child diabetes can be especially challenging for a child when it comes to mealtime. If possible, it is best to make mealtime a calm and pleasant experience. Avoid choosing food for your child and expecting them to eat it, rather it is best to provide your child with a few food choices so they can still eat healthy but not feel forced to do so. Have everyone eat the same food so that the child won’t be left out and the family can have the benefit of eating healthy food.

Signs Of Low Blood Sugar In Child Diabetes

Despite all the efforts on behalf of parents, children with diabetes are still going to have low blood sugar from time to time. A sign of low blood sugar may be a change from a child’s normal behavior. If children become more irritable thank usual or are becoming sleepy during a time they normally don’t then this can be a good indication that their blood sugar is getting low.

In case of low blood sugars, you should have something such as juice or soda on hand. For children with diabetes it is better to have drinks rather than something that needs to be chewed. It is best to have a meal or snack follow these sugar sources since they will not last long and you don’t want the blood sugar levels to drop down again. To avoid low blood sugars at night it may be a good idea to do extra testing at night before bed.

So your child will be prepared it is a good idea to discuss and teach the signs of low blood sugar to your child. You should make sure they have a sugar source with them at all times and know what to do should their blood sugar get too low. It is also extremely important that you make sure your child wears a medical ID as all time. If your child isn’t comfortable with having, others see the medical ID bracelet then consider getting a medical ID that is on a necklace so it can be worn under their clothes.

Ann Marier
http://www.articlesbase.com/advice-articles/child-diabetes-how-to-help-your-child-cope-99554.html

Diabetes Type 2, or adult-onset diabetes, is a chronic disease where either the body does not produce enough insulin or the cells do not react normally to insulin. This affects the way the body metabolizes sugar (glucose). Diabetes Type 2 may be present for years before the person knows it. People may have high blood sugar levels when their diabetes is first diagnosed. Diabetes type 2 is one of the most prevalent reasons of hyperglycemia.

Insulin circulates throughout your network of blood vessels along with sugar, and acts as a key, opening channels that line your cells, which allows sugar to exit your bloodstream and enter your cells where it is used for energy. When insulin is not able to do its job, the cells can’t get the sugar they need, and too much sugar builds up in the blood. Insulin resistance, which is very common, doesn’t cause type 2 diabetes by itself. The pancreas usually rallies to compensate for the resistance by pumping out more insulin.

The overworked pancreas may eventually stop producing enough insulin and the person with type 2 diabetes may need to take daily injections of insulin. Blood samples are taken at intervals for 2 to 3 hours. Test results are compared with a standard and show how the body uses glucose over time.

Insulin levels drop as a result of decreased production, and blood glucose levels are allowed to rise to very high, toxic levels. Although diet and exercise, along with supplementation, are still strongly recommended, a number of prescription drugs might also be necessary. Insulin is a hormone made by the body to regulate the amount of sugar in the blood. High levels of sugar in the blood can seriously affect other body systems, particularly over long periods of time. Insulin is a hormone produced by the beta cells of the pancreas, an organ behind the stomach.

Regular exercise 3-5 times a week will not only keep your heart rate and blood levels in the right places but also ensure you are maintaining your body and reducing the risk of diabetes. Regular exercise tackles several risk factors at once. It helps you lose weight, keeps your cholesterol and blood pressure under control, and helps your body use insulin. Regular exercise helps control the amount of glucose in the blood. It also helps burn excess calories and fat so you can manage your weight. Regular exercise also may help lower blood lipids and reduce some effects of stress, both important factors in treating diabetes and preventing complications.

Exercise and weight loss are very important to prevent Type 2 Diabetes from worsening. Exercise increases the body’s energy level, lowers tension, and improves your ability to handle stress. Living with type 2 diabetes is a life changing experience.

Medical management of type 2 diabetes is essential, along with nutrition counseling, medication use, behavior change therapy, and physical activity as the focuses of therapeutic intervention. There are identifiable limitations (e.g., presence of complications leading to impairment or disability) and precautions (e.g., degree of metabolic control) to be addressed when developing a physical activity program. Medically speaking, endocrinology involves the diagnosis and management of these illnesses. Endocrinology is often associated with the study of diabetes and metabolism, or with reproductive medicine. Medicines for diabetes and other health conditions may need to be adjusted if a person is also using a dietary supplement.

Sandy Klocinski

Every morning I wake up knowing that I am a diabetic and that I have to check my blood sugar just to see if I am going to have a good day. It was not always this way. I enjoy food and my family loves my cooking and so do I.

Diabetes runs in my family but I thought that some how I was overlooked. Well my world of security came shattering down, when I was diagnosed with diabetes on my 50th birthday.

When I think back to the months before my diagnoses, I felt tired all the time. I was never one for drinking a lot of water but I was drinking it like it was going out of style. I didn’t worry too much about it because I wasn’t losing weight which was also one of the symptoms of diabetes.

What worried me was the 10 hour shift I was suppose to work each day at a surgery center. I would drag myself to work and then drag myself home. I can still remember the day I came home from work and couldn’t get myself out of the car because I was so exhausted. I even felt like honking the horn so my husband could come out and carry me inside the house. I am a registered nurse and I still ignored all those symptoms because I did not want to believe I had diabetes.

I decided to check my blood sugar with a glucometer a few days later and what I saw on that monitor scared me. My blood sugar was 285 (normal 70-120) it was a wonder that I was still walking around.

I also checked my urine and it also showed a lot of sugar. I was always in the bathroom and I thought it was because of all the water I was drinking.

I went directly to my primary care doctor and was very quickly assessed and diagnosed with diabetes after a few simple lab tests. I walked out of the doctor’s office with a prescription for a oral medication to be taken by mouth three times a day with meals and a machine called a glucometer which I used several times a day with a small amount of blood to check the level of my blood sugar.

Just the thought of turning my body into a pin cushion was not my idea of fun. Today, I still have a hard time poking myself! After all that, the doctor had the gall to tell me that if I lost weight, that would really help control the diabetes. They think losing weight is the number one cure for every disease known to man!

I was scheduled for a diabetic nutrition class and went to the class knowing that every food that I ever loved would be taken away from me. Let’s say I went to this class with a chip on my shoulder and had no intention to listen to that thin instructor tell me I could no longer eat those comfort foods that I grew up with and had also taught my family to enjoy!

That first day in class just dragged because I didn’t want to hear that the food I had enjoyed on a daily basis was lifting my blood sugars to a dangerous level not compatible with life. I think the words that really got my attention was “live longer.”

You see, I have a four year old grandson, who is the apple of my eye and I sure want to see him grow up. I finished my class and was determined to conquer this disease that I had to live with for the rest of my life. It seems that I didn’t have to give up my favorite foods but the portions were cut in half and lots of water became my friend.

Well good intentions lasted two years. I lost my oldest brother to stomach cancer. He was only 54 and my world was turned upside down. We were just getting to know each other again and I felt angry. Once again, I went to those comfort foods and I saw my blood sugars go sky high and my weight escalated as well.

I was starting to experience the effects of long term uncontrolled blood sugar. The bottom of my feet felt numb yet burned at night like fire. Falling asleep was almost impossible!

I was also experiencing blurry vision and felt dizzy all the time. I contacted my doctor and was put on insulin. I was depressed about having to poke myself all over in different places just to get my blood sugar back under control.

So here I was taking pills, using insulin, and feeling sorry for myself, and I was stuck in a situation I could not control. What was even worse was I had to teach diabetic patients of the importance of controlling their blood sugar and I was not practicing what I was teaching.

I was teaching a patient one day but the words were ringing loud and clear in my own ears. I admitted to the patient that I too was a diabetic and I had a hard time accepting lifestyle changes as well as changes in my eating habits. Every day was a struggle because I was fighting something that I let become greater than me.

I once again decided to tackle the dreaded dragon called diabetes. My sword would be my medications, knowledge, and the strength that came from my faith in god and family.

I admit I still struggle with my weight and exercise is not my cup of tea but I’m still working on that problem. I no longer feel guilty when I talk to my patients and now I share my story.

It is unbelievable how my patients open up and share their own personal struggles and victories. I can now teach them with the knowledge of a nurse and the compassion and empathy of a fellow diabetic.

I want to thank my family for helping me with my struggle with this disease. They have given me a reason for going on with life.

Here are some of the symptoms of diabetes.

1. Extreme thirst
2. Frequent urination
3. Fatigue
4. Weight loss
5. Blurry vision
6. Extreme hunger

These are only some of the symptoms. Not everyone experiences them at one time. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms call your doctor and let them know. So do not let Diabetes control you but rather you can learn to control it!

Jim Martinez
http://www.articlesbase.com/non-fiction-articles/diabetes-the-personal-life-journey-of-evelyn-martinez-110043.html

Bitter Melon Benefits, Medicinal Properties

Bitter Melon is reported to help in the treatment of diabetes and psoriasis. It has also been reported that Bitter Melon may help in the treatment of HIV

Bitter Melon is the English name of Momordica charantia. Bitter Melon is also known by the names Karela and Bitter gourd. Bitter Melon grows in tropical areas, including parts of East Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, and South America, where it is used as a food as well as a medicine. It is a green cucumber shaped fruit with gourd-like bumps all over it. It looks like an ugly, light green cucumber. The fruit should be firm, like a cucumber. And it tastes very bitter. Although the seeds, leaves, and vines of Bitter Melon have all been used, the fruit is the safest and most prevalent part of the plant used medicinally. The leaves and fruit have both been used occasionally to make teas and beer, or to season soups in the Western world.

Does bitter melon have medicinal properties?

Bitter Melon was traditionally used for a dazzling array of conditions by people in tropical regions. Numerous infections, cancer, leukemia, and diabetes are among the most common conditions it was believed to improve. Bitter Melon is reported to help in the treatment of diabetes and psoriasis. It has also been thought that Bitter Melon may help in the treatment of HIV, but the evidence thus far is too weak to even consider. The ripe fruit of Bitter Melon has been suggested to exhibit some remarkable anti-cancer effects, but there is absolutely no evidence that it can treat cancer. However, preliminary studies do appear to confirm that Bitter Melon may improve blood sugar control in people with adult-onset (type 2) diabetes.

Is it true that bitter melon capsules are effective in lowering blood sugar of diabetics?

The blood lowering action of the fresh juice of the unripe Bitter Melon has been confirmed in scientific studies in animals and humans. At least three different groups of constituents in Bitter Melon have been reported to have hypoglycemic (blood sugar lowering) or other actions of potential benefit in diabetes mellitus. These include a mixture of steroidal saponins known as charantin, insulin-like peptides, and alkaloids. It is still unclear which of these is most effective or if all three work together. Nonetheless, Bitter Melon preparations have been shown to significantly improve glucose tolerance without increasing blood insulin levels, and to improve fasting blood glucose levels.

Rich in iron, bitter melon has twice the beta carotene of broccoli, twice the calcium of spinach, twice the potassium of bananas, and contains vitamins C and B 1 to 3, phosphorus and good dietary fiber. It is believed to be good for the liver and has been proven by western scientists to contain insulin, act as an anti-tumor agent, and inhibit HIV-1 infection.

At least 32 active constituents have been identified in bitter melon so far, including beta-sitosterol-d-glucoside, citrulline, GABA, lutein, lycopene and zeaxanthin. Nutritional analysis reveals that bitter melon is also rich in potassium, calcium, iron, beta-carotene, vitamins B1, B2, B3 and C.

Even more effective than a conventional drug in lowering blood sugar!

Recently, the Department of Health in the Philippines has recommended bitter melon as one of the best herbal medicines for diabetic management. And multiple clinical studies have clearly established the role of bitter melon in people with diabetes. Scientists have now identified three groups of constituents that are thought to be responsible for its ‘blood sugar lowering’ action.

One of these, a compound called charantin, which is composed of mixed steroids, was found to be more effective than the oral hypoglycaemic drug, tolbutamide, in reducing blood sugar.

Another, an insulin-like polypeptide, called polypeptide P, appears to lower blood sugar in type I (insulin dependent) diabetics, while alkaloids present in the fruit have also been noted to have a blood sugar lowering effect. As yet, researchers are unclear as to which of these compounds is most effective or if it is the synergistic effect of all three. Further research is required to understand how these compounds actually work.

Compounds known as oleanolic acid glycosides have been found to improve glucose tolerance in Type II (maturity onset) diabetics by preventing the absorption of sugar from the intestines. Bitter melon has also been reported to increase the number of beta cells (cells that secrete insulin) in the pancreas, thereby improving your body’s capability to produce insulin (insulin promotes the uptake of sugar from your blood by cells and tissues).

Evidence:

A two-day Indian study published in 1999 examined bitter melon’s effect on 100 people with type 2 diabetes. On both days, researchers tested the participants’ blood sugar levels in a fasting state and after drinking glucose. Participants took 150 to 200 mi of bitter melon extract on the second day. That day, researchers found that 86 percent of the participants experienced an average 14 percent drop in blood sugar after fasting and after drinking glucose.

Dr John Anne
http://www.articlesbase.com/alternative-medicine-articles/bitter-melon-benefits-uses-and-research-for-diabetes-and-hiv-75173.html

They are the biggest killers in America: Diabetes, high cholesterol, high blood pressure and heart disease. The most common causes of these deadly conditions are: Physical inactivity, fattening snacks and beverages, obesity, stress, and smoking. The shocking news is that these diseases are so easily preventable.

A frequent cause of blame is the unhealthy food choices people make regularly. It’s okay to splurge once in a while, but it is the habits you follow daily that will determine your overall health. Constantly consuming chips, bacon, cakes, sugary drinks, candy, sausage, and cigarettes will get you nothing but poor health, deadly diseases, and a ticket straight to heaven prematurely.

According to the CDC over 63% (that’s over 180 million) of the US population is overweight or obese and is physically inactive, resulting in tens of millions who have chronic deadly, but preventable, conditions such as high cholesterol, high blood pressure, diabetes, and pre-diabetes. Recently the CDC reported that more than 70% (over 1.7 million) of all causes of death in America are caused by only three preventable factors: obesity, sedentary lifestyles, and smoking. The very fact that these factors are easily preventable is heartbreaking.

One of the major contributors to poor health is the excessive consumption of cholesterol. The body produces over 85% of the cholesterol we need and the sugar stores in our liver and muscles remain saturated due to physical inactivity. Because we are largely a couch-potato society and the food we consume every day is loaded with animal-based fats, the extra fat gets dumped into our arteries, belly areas, and under the skin all over our bodies.

Another major contributor to deadly diseases, poor health, and premature aging and death is physical inactivity. Most of us sit throughout an entire workday then go home and sit in front of the TV for another 5 to 6 hours while consuming large fatty meals, snacks, and sugary or alcoholic beverages that are rich in saturated fats, salt, and sugar, all of which contribute to increased belly fat. Shockingly, belly fat is the most dangerous kind because it causes inflammation in the arteries contributing to plaque build up in the arteries and insulin resistance leading to heart attacks and diabetes.

Yet another common issue is that people are unaware of how unhealthy the foods they consume are. When people don’t read nutrition labels they tend to consume very dense food and sugary beverages that are nutrient deficient. These foods are readily available in fast food restaurants and vending machines and contain loads of sugar, fat, and unwanted calories. Sugary soft drinks (which alone contribute to over 33% of all US obesity), sugary lemonade, sweetened iced tea, smoothies, lattes, and frappucinos, which contain loads of sugar and fat that further contribute to the accumulation of belly fat, make you more of a magnet to all sorts of deadly, but preventable, diseases. One of the worst mistakes people make as well is skipping meals which makes the body more efficient at storing and gaining fat weight.

Fortunately there are important steps to help you make balanced food and activity choices and help you start a lifestyle makeover process which will be your shield against deadly diseases as you age gracefully:

? If you have any chronic disease(s) take your medications as prescribed.

? Eat 3 main balanced meals, reduce your portion sizes, and raise your fiber intake.

? Consume 2 fruit and nuts snacks between meals.

? Switch all sugary drinks to water or diet soft drinks. Sweeten all other hot or cold beverages with artificial sweeteners or sugar-free flavoring powders. Limit all non-water beverages to a couple a day.

? Increase your daily walking activity to over 10,000 steps a day by making more frequent trips at home, the office, while shopping, and anywhere else.

The good news is that diabetes, heart disease, and other chronic diseases can be prevented, managed, and reversed with your own choices, actions and a lifestyle makeover. Now is the time to start putting these tips to good use and begin feeling better and living healthier right away!

George Tohme

The right grains for breakfast may have an important contribution to the blood sugar regulation after meals because certain grain products may have indigestible carbohydrates and a low glycemic index (GI), according to a dissertation from the Lund University.

The dissertation showed that people who usually have low GI breakfast concentrate easier during the rest of the morning, and may decrease their risk to suffer from obesity, cardiovascular diseases, or late onset diabetes. Whole-grain products with low GI may also improve short-term memory and mental acuity.

The right amount of indigestible carbohydrates along with whole-grains with low GI may keep the blood-sugar at a low level for almost ten hours, according to Anne Nilsson, author of the dissertation. The indigestible carbohydrates ferment in the large intestine and this may also produce a greater sense of satiety.

Previous studies showed that certain grains with indigestible carbohydrates may have a benefic effect for the metabolic syndrome, a condition that includes severe risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, high blood sugar levels, and abdominal fat.

The link between the blood sugar levels and mental acuity was also studied by Nilsson. The subjects received breakfasts with low and high GI, and performed mental acuity tests afterwards. The group that had a low GI breakfast focused better and had a better short-term memory compared to the other group. The results also show that people who have fluctuations in their blood sugar levels may also have a lower cognitive ability, said Nilsson.

(c) Project Weight Loss 2008. All rights reserved.

Alan Rosca
http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/control-your-blood-sugar-levels-with-the-right-grains-671238.html

Gymnema sylvestre is found naturally in central and southern India, where it has been used in traditional Indian medicine for almost two thousand years. It is known as ‘gurmar’ in ancient Indian texts, a word meaning ‘sugar destroyer’, which gives an indication of its uses in medicine.

It is used to reduce the absorption of glucose into the body, and also reduce the sweetness of foods, both of which are desirable for those wishing to lose weight and to reduce the level of sugar in their blood. It was used for this purpose in Ayurvedic medicine, subjects being given the leaves to chew. As with many other ancient Ayurvedic remedies, this use of gymnema sylvestre has passed into modern times, and has sound scientific basis. First, however a bit more about the plant itself.

It is found predominantly in the Western Ghats, and also to the west of the mountains, around coastal Goa. It is a vinous plant that climbs on other bushes and trees, known in Sanskrit as Meshasringa, or ram’s horn after the shape of the leaves from which the supplement is extracted. For what it’s worth, the official name seems a mix of Greek and Latin (gymnos(Gr) – naked and Silva (L)- forest) for naked forest. That, however, is irrelevant to its uses, so let’s have a look at the science involved and the active ingredients in the plant.

The main constituents are terpenoid saponins known as gymnemic acids, so one can assume that they were first found in this plant. They are glycosides, including hodulcine and ziziphin, which act as sweetness inhibitors so that there is no sweet taste in anything that is sweetened by sucrose. There are over 20 types of gymnemic acid in the leaves, of which the strongest, Gymnemic Acid 1, can suppress the sweetness even of artificial sweeteners such as aspartame.

These are not irreversible effects, and last only about 10 minutes, after which normal sweetness is detectable by your tongue. During the active period, however, a solution of normal sugar will taste like ordinary unsweetened water. However, is this just a matter of taste, or does it affect the sugar itself?

Studies have shown that animals fed the leaves of Gymnema sylvestre develop hypoglycemia, probably because it stimulates the pancreas to generate insulin that reduces the level of sugar in the blood. Further studies have shown the presence in the leaves of a number of types of acylated derivatives of deacylgymnemic acid. There are well over a dozen types of saponins known to be contained within the leaves.

Other chemicals found include anthraquinones, flavanoids, chlorophylls, querticol, phytin, a number of glycosides and anthraquinones. The bush also contains alkaloids, although these are constituents in most plants used in ancient remedies. This is by no means all of the chemicals discovered, and many of the minor benefits of using it could be due to the minor constituents of this amazing little leaf.

A study of the above constituents will reveal a few antioxidants, and it is no surprise that the extract from Gymnema sylvestre also possesses anti-inflammatory properties. Gymnemic acid is believed to have a similar chemical structure to saccharose, and the plant extracts can be used not only to reduce a craving for sugar, but also to treat digestive problems and high cholesterol levels. So what scientific evidence is there other than the obvious effects reported by those that use it?

A study in the UK in 2005 found that an aqueous extract of Gymnema sylvestre caused the secretion of calcium and insulin from mouse and human cells to be increased at a specific concentration without affecting the cellular function. This means that the supplement can be used to stimulate the secretion of insulin with people with Type 2 diabetes without otherwise affecting health. Its usefulness to diabetics is obvious, but there are other health benefits to those that are not diabetic.

Anything that modulates a sweet tooth must be of use to those seeking to lose weight, particularly if they feel the need for sweet foods. In fact Gymnema tends to reduce food cravings for carbohydrates and sweets, and can be used by those seeking a natural means of curbing their appetite for sweet and sugary foods. Because excess weight can lead to diabetes,

Although there have been many discussions about the biochemical mechanism of the gymnemic acids in this effect on taste, recent evidence suggests that the phytochemicals act on both your taste buds and on those parts of the intestine responsible for absorbing nutrients from digested foods.

Not only that, but studies have also indicated that Gymnema sylvestre removes the bitterness of acerbic chemicals such as quinine in the same way that it removes the sweetness form cakes and candies, and if you drank tonic water it would taste just like water. On the other hand, if you ate an orange, you would taste the acidity but not the sweetness.

The way to use this remarkable supplement is to follow the instructions, and within about a week you will be able to control your appetite much better, and any cravings for carbohydrates you previously had will be much reduced. After a month or so, you will notice an accelerated rate of weight loss if you had been overweight, and diabetics will find a significant reduction on blood sugar between insulin shots.

Gymnema sylvestre can take care of any sugar or carbohydrate cravings, and is of significant use to the overweight, obese or to diabetics, and the mechanism by which it works has now been all but understood, although there are still some biochemical secrets that this amazing plant has yet to reveal. This amazing herb can be found at your local or internet vitamin store.

Darrell Miller