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Monday

What Are The Causes Of Diabetic Insipidus And Effective Treatment For The Disease

Diabetes insipidus (DI) is a rare condition that occurs when the kidneys are unable to conserve water as they perform their function of filtering blood. It is often confused with diabetes mellitus because a symptom that both diseases have in common is frequent and excessive urination.
The word diabetes comes from the Greek word for siphon. A physician in ancient Greece coined the disease diabetes because sufferers passed water like a siphon.
The addition of insipidus and mellitus is to differentiate the concentration of the water passed by the person. Insipidus comes from the latin for no flavor. Urine passed by someone suffering from DI is highly diluted. Mellitus is also derived from the latin for honey and consequently diabetes mellitus (DM) is noted for passing urine that is sweet and concentrated.
There are four types of DI. These are :
Neurogenic diabetes insipidus - also called central diabetes insipidus.
This is caused when the anti-diuretic hormone or vasopressin produced by the hypothalamus and stored in the pituitary gland is not produced in sufficient quantity. Vasopressin causes the kidneys to preserve water but excrete the same amount of waste products.
Nephrogenic diabetes insipidus (NDI) also known as vasopressin resistance because the kidneys are unaffected by the secretion of vasopressin.
NDI is believed to by genetically passed on or caused by kidney diseases or as a side-effect of using drugs like lithium for other illnesses.
The third type is called gestagenic and occurs during pregnancy.
The fourth type is known as dipsogenic DI and is characterized by excessive fluid consumption. The excess fluids cause vasopressin to be supressed.
The primary symptoms of diabetes insipidus are excessive urination (polyuria) and excessive thirst (polydipsia). Symptoms for diabetes insipidus will be markedly abrupt. The sufferer will want to drink vast quantities of water. They will have difficulty sleeping as they will want to go to the toilet all the time. In the case of children there will be frequent bed wetting.
Diabetes insipidus testing involves a fluid deprivation test. As the name suggests the patient avoids drinking any fluids for a prescribed time period. The urine is then analyzed to determine it's concentration and composition.
Diabetes insipidus treatment involves having a good and plentiful source of fluid. In the case of neurogenic DI the drug desmopressin is taken to control the frequent thirst and urination.
There is no natural cure for diabetes insipidus but it doesn't pose any serious complications to the health if the person can take on fluids whenever they feel thirsty. It is confused with diabetes mellitus because the symptoms are similar but testing will determine which disease the person may be afflicted with.
Learn more about diabetes at http://www.diabeticdietsplan.com . The site deals with many complications that can be caused by diabetes including diabetic retinopathy and numbness in the feet from diabetes . Adrian Whittle writes on issues related to diabetes including diets for diabetics and healthy and balanced eating for diabetes.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Adrian_Whittle

Diabetes Symptoms Low Magnesium Levels Connected

In addition to other diabetes symptoms low magnesium levels have been noted in African Americans and Hispanic adults, two groups that have an increased risk for developing type II diabetes. Researchers have suggested that dietary supplements to prevent diabetes type II development should include magnesium. Here we look at the latest research.
Magnesium is one of the most abundant minerals found in the human body. It is required to perform over 300 different biochemical reactions and is important to the formation and maintenance of strong bones, normal muscle and nerve function, normal heart rhythms and a healthy immune system. Magnesium deficiency was first described in the early 1930s. Inadequate magnesium intake (less than 300-400 mg/day) has been associated with cardiovascular disease, diabetes, high blood pressure and other health problems.
Over the last year, much research has focused on the prevention of type two diabetes symptoms, low magnesium levels and the importance of supplements to prevent diabetes. The role of magnesium that is specifically related to diabetes is unclear, but according to recent studies of type two diabetes symptoms low magnesium levels may reduce insulin sensitivity in the cells.
Food of all types, not just sweet foods or carbohydrates are converted by the stomach into glucose, which the cells use for energy. Without glucose in the cells, people tire easily and the muscles and organs cannot function properly. Without insulin, the glucose is trapped in the blood stream and cannot enter the cells.
In response to increased blood glucose levels that follow a meal, increased insulin production should be seen. Researchers have measured blood levels of insulin, as well as blood glucose levels in non-diabetics after fasting, in order to establish a norm. Recently they have measured fasting levels of magnesium, as well, in an effort to design supplements to prevent diabetes type II.
In type I diabetes, people do not produce insulin and must inject insulin on a regular basis. In type II diabetes, a combination of insulin resistance or reduced insulin sensitivity and a reduction in insulin production causes higher concentration of glucose in the blood stream. Eventually, people with type II diabetes may also need insulin injections to deal with high blood glucose levels. Supplements to prevent diabetes type II should promote insulin production and secretion, as well as improve insulin sensitivity in the cells.
Insulin resistance or reduced insulin sensitivity simply means that the cells of the body do not recognize insulin as they should. Dietary supplements to prevent diabetes 2 should include magnesium, but also provide nutrients that support insulin production and improve insulin sensitivity.
To prevent the onset of type II diabetes symptoms low magnesium levels may need to be addressed early on in life, particularly if there is a family history of the condition. Recently certain genes have been identified that may help scientists identify those people who are at risk, but it will be many years before genetic testing is commonplace or able to make those predictions accurately. But, the research does support the long held belief that type II diabetes does “run in families”.
The chemical process by which the cells respond to insulin is complex, but you can think of insulin as opening a door in the cells that allow glucose to enter. Without sufficient insulin production, glucose cannot enter the cells and be used for energy. Instead, glucose builds up in the bloodstream, causing eventual damage to the organs and muscles of the body.
In type II diabetes, there may be sufficient insulin production, at least in the early stages, but for some reason the cells do not recognize and respond appropriately to the insulin. Glucose still builds up in the bloodstream and eventually causes damage.
In several studies concerning the prevention of type II diabetes symptoms low magnesium levels have been discussed.
In the Nutritional Epidemiology Program over 1700 men and women without diabetes participated. Researchers demonstrated that those people with higher intakes of dietary magnesium also had higher fasting insulin levels. The researchers concluded that higher magnesium may reduce the risk of developing type II diabetes. If you are at risk for developing the condition and the amount you get from your daily diet is questionable, appropriate amounts of magnesium should be included in your supplements to prevent diabetes type II.
Another study at the Obesity Research Center in New York showed that in people with diabetes symptoms low magnesium levels were also present. Individuals who had diabetes had significantly lower levels of magnesium in their blood streams than did those with normal fasting glucose levels. This study focused specifically on two ethnic groups (African Americans and Hispanic Americans) that have an increased risk for type II diabetes.
In another study, a chemical was used to induce diabetes in laboratory rats. An increase in blood glucose levels, blood cholesterol levels, blood pressure and fat to body weight ratio were all noted, while magnesium levels decreased. After administration of magnesium for eight weeks, all of these factors returned to normal levels. Researchers concluded that magnesium may play a part in the management of diabetes and the prevention of its vascular complications.
In addition to the relationship to type II diabetes symptoms low magnesium levels may be associated with metabolic syndrome.
Metabolic syndrome is a cluster of metabolic abnormalities that increase the risk of developing heart disease and type II diabetes. According to the Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts University in Boston there is currently no firm consensus on the most appropriate dietary recommendations for the prevention and treatment of metabolic syndrome, but general guidelines have been established, including decreasing obesity, increasing physical activity and reducing intake of saturated and trans fats. The Center also states that additional supplements that may be important include calcium, vitamin D and magnesium.
Many companies sell supplements to prevent diabetes type II. Magnesium is only one important ingredient. In order for these supplements to be effective, the manufacturers must do the research concerning bioavailability, delivery and ingredients.
To learn about the supplement manufacturers who have done the research and examined the evidence related to diabetes symptoms, low magnesium levels and other potentially helpful nutrients, please visit the Diabetes Type Two Info Guide.
Patsy Hamilton was a health care professional for over twenty years before becoming a health writer. Currently she is writing a series of articles about preventing diabetes. Read more at http://diabetes-type-two-info-guide.com.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Patsy_Hamilton

Diabetes: The Nutrition Mission

One of the harder parts of being a diabetic is the endless struggle between sugar levels and food. Often times we forget just how much fat and carbohydrates we accumulate in the foods we eat. There are several key things we can do to make this transition easier for ourselves. Everyone loves sugar and sometimes it is hard to accept that this (our love) is making us sick.
Often we try to ignore the nutrition aspect of our plan all together, in hopes that if we don't look it will just go away. This is not a good option and can cause damage that cannot be repaired. When we look at our diet, first we must determine how many servings of carbohydrates we eat on a regular basis. You should spend at least a week to two week reviewing this information. Purchase a log or journal to take note of each serving you consume. (The important word here is EACH) if you are not being honest with yourself you will only hurt yourself!
After you have established a base amount, then you can determine what is healthy for a diabetic. Generally 100-150 daily is enough. Around 30 in the morning; 45 at lunch; and maybe 45 at dinner; everyone is different so consult your nutritionist for further details. In your mission to better nutrition you must also consider what types of food to eat. May people do not realize that natural sugars cause elevated sugar levels also?
Many fruits and fruit juices contain natural sugars. These are important to monitor closely. Just because they are fruit doesn't mean they can't hurt you. Listed on the back of the packages of all types of foods you eat is a nutrition chart. This contains all the information you need to determine if the food is right for you and how much of the particular food you should eat.
There are two listings to look for whenever you pick up a package: 1. Total Carbohydrates-2. sodium
The amount of total carbohydrates is very important. Carbohydrates once in your body turn to sugar, the more you have the more it affects your sugar level. The American Diabetes Association found that the level of sugar in a product didn't matter as much as the amount of carbohydrates a diabetic consumed.
Now it is recommended that the amount of carbohydrates is limited and controlled to lower blood sugar levels, along with medication in some instances, as well as exercise.
Sodium is also important because being a diabetic increases your chances of having high blood pressure and cholesterol. Consult you physician to determine the proper amount of sodium you should include in your diet daily.
Many of us don't realize the incredible amount of sodium we intake on a daily basis. Ever heard the saying "out of sight; out of mind"? Just remember taste it before you shake it!
There are many products out that have substitutions for sugar or salt, designed for diabetics. I have listed a few that maybe useful. Also listed are a few of the fruits and other foods containing natural sugars that need to be taken with care.
Another important part of preparing meals is making sure the portions are the proper size. Each food must be weighed in order to maintain a proper diet. There are a few sites listed below this article that maybe able to help you understand portion sizes and weight. You can purchase a scale at most department stores at a reasonable rate to allow you to properly weigh each serving. There are also books available that can give a nutrition chart for the foods that are not packaged and of course Americas favorite fast foods.
Though there are extra steps one must follow, when being a diabetic; you can still lead a healthy and productive live. With proper nutrition and education you can learn to control and take care of this disease properly, this will cause fewer complications later on in life.
Recommended Fruits:
Apples Lemons Plums Grapes
Fruits Moderate In Sugar
Peaches Mangos Cherries Papayas Oranges
Bananas
Helpful References:
The American Diabetes Association
The Public Health Net
Everyday Eating Provide recipes for diabetics.
Books:
A good book for nutrition counting; lists foods from A-Z Including Fast Foods
The Complete Nutrition Counter Written by: Lynn Sonberg
Michael Russell
Your Independent guide to Diabetics
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Michael_Russell

Stress and Diabetes - Not a Good Combination

However your wife, doctor friend relative or the taxi cab driver told you, taking it easy was great advice. Especially if you are a diabetic. I will show you what I mean in a little while. So please calm down and take it easy. I know that sometimes when I hear someone say take it easy I start to get riled up. Let's put that on the side for now. We will get to it later.
It's how we act when these situations show up. It is not the situations that make us stressful. For some of us some situations are easy for us to deal with while others get very nervous and tense with those same incidents.
Why it's bad to have more stress if you are a diabetic?
Having more sugar enter the blood stream is what makes us diabetics in the first place. As we get riled up form some situation some hormones react to the stress and help our bodies allow more sugar into the blood. This extra sugar is needed for energy to deal with the situation. Do the body's hormones permit the exact amount of sugar needed to combat the situation? I think not. Whatever excess sugar is left in the blood stream from one of these events elevates your blood sugar level. Not good if you are a diabetic.
Being aware of these or similar stressful situations is the first step.
You cannot do anything about these events unless you are aware of them. That is the first step. Make yourself be awar. You can start asking yourself questions like what can you differently when stressful situations stat to come forward. Knowing what some of these stressful situations are for you is key. What may be tense for you may not be tense for others. So know your stressful self.
Now that you are aware of some of your stressful situations what do you do next?
By relaxing you will lessen the levels of stress hormones in your blood. Less hormone action will mean less sugar into your blood. You can accomplish this with muscle relaxation techniques. This will help deal with the diabetes disease.
You may need to practice these new methods for a while until they become natural for you. Keep yourself open to new actions will be part of the relaxation process. Reducing your stress hormones is a key to reduced blood sugar. Stay on course.
Relaxation techniques will help you ease your diabetes. They are a part of a complete diabetes natural solutions care program. Go grab your free e course about creating a all-inclusive diabetes program for yourself.
Handling stress is part of a good diabetic strategy. What we eat is also high on the diabetes disease list of useful tips. The Diabetic Warrior has beat the disease using diet. Get his free MP3.
If you would like to learn more about defeating diabetes from someone who has conquered the disease with food then go grab your free MP3. Go here right now www.diabetesnaturalsolutions.com/freeMP3.html
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Aron_Wallad

How To Come To Terms With Diabetes

The best way to deal with diabetes is to admit to yourself, more than to anybody else, that you have it. Then a person is in the right position to understand diabetes. A person should arm themselves with as much information about the condition as possible. Research everything possible on this condition. Check if the American Diabetes Association may have a local chapter in your area where they can assist as well as encourage you.
It is important for a person with diabetes to develop new energetic pursuits, pastimes and habits. Exercise is a healthy habit that should be an important part of a diabetic's life. The main rule is to always consult with a health professional before start any exercise program. After that, find a exercise program that you enjoy and that's about 30 minutes long. Exercise after a meal and for 30 minutes every day is the goal for people with diabetes. Blood pressure being reduced and the body's capability to make insulin are results of exercising, as well as improvement of a person's good cholesterol and decreases in blood glucose levels. A person with diabetes should check their blood before and after exercising.
When a person has diabetes, it is imperative that they know that they are in charge when it comes to their own personal health. They must take the reins when it comes to sticking with an exercise program. They must stay on their toes when it comes to checking their glucose levels. They must keep a sharp eye out concerning the foods that they eat. Just as people watch their calorie intake when trying to lose weight, people with diabetes need to watch their carbohydrate intake. Diabetics need to keep within the range of their carbohydrate intake established by their health professional.
Doing the right things to take care of diabetes can also help to take care of your heart as well. There is a higher possibility for a person to have a stroke and a heart attack when they are a diabetic. Four to six times more so for women compared to two to three time more so for men. These numbers increase even more when they are smokers as well.
When and where you can in your life, get your loved ones and friends involved. Educate them about diabetes. The more they understand this condition, the more they can offer their support. See if your friends mind exercising right along with you. You can join them during their exercise time. Let your spouse or partner and kids be a part of the meal planning. You can also involve your family in the actual cooking of the meals. This can help the person with diabetes not to feel that they are alone in dealing with this condition.
An optimistic outlook is so important when dealing these type of chronic conditions. It can help you and those you love deal with the difficulty of diabetes. Your attitude determines your altitude. How you look at life can really help at how long you can live in life. This is even more true when you're a diabetic.
Michael Russell
Your Independent guide to Diabetics
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Michael_Russell

Toddlers With Diabetes - Tips For Success

If your child is under the age of two and has been diagnosed with diabetes, know that there are many alternatives and options available that will control this condition and ensure your child has a happy, healthy, and normal childhood.
The number of toddlers with diabetes is increasing, so know that you are not alone. Diabetes is a condition where the pancreas does not process sugar effectively.
Since there are many different types of diabetes, ask your physician to explain the exact condition that affects your child.
Also, consider seeking out parents of other diabetic toddlers in your area to glean information and support from individuals who are in your shoes.
* Learn About The Disease *
Diabetes can be frightening to anyone, but especially a parent of a toddler with diabetes.
Instead of allowing the disease to take over your life, strive to learn as much as possible about the specific type of diabetes that affects your child.
Also, be sure to learn the side effects of diabetes and any symptoms that you should be aware of that are associated with a potential problem caused by the disease.
By educating yourself, you take away some of the unexpected associated with any disease that affects a child.
Finally, learn about the proper ways to care for your child and exactly what medications or medical techniques are necessary in controlling this condition.
Many toddlers with diabetes can control the condition by switching to a favorable diet.
* Test Blood Sugars Often *
Especially with children , testing blood sugar can be difficult.
However, this task is necessary in order to determine if your child is having problems so that you can stop any potentially deadly problems before they start.
Since a blood sugar test typically involves a pin prick, consider ways to make the entire process less scary and painful for your child.
There are several high quality testing monitors on the market that are made especially for youngsters with diabetes.
Also, speak with your child and let him or her know the exact reason why this test needs to be performed.
Education is the key to understanding.
* Develop A Schedule *
Schedules are important in the life of any child, but especially one that has been diagnosed with juvenile diabetes.
By developing a schedule for your child and ensuring that he or she sticks to it, you are working diligently to control the diabetes.
This schedule is especially important when it comes to meal times. Most diabetics need to eat smaller meals more frequently.
With small children, consider developing a game that will allow him or her to stick to the schedule without feeling regimented.
As you child grows and enters into schooling, you should maintain this schedule to prevent potential problems from developing during the day.
* Plan For The Worst *
If you properly control the disease, the risks of complications or problems are less likely to happen.
However, you should always have a plan in mind in the event the worst does happen.
Create a special diabetes station in your home and be sure that everyone in your home (even another child) knows how to use the equipment properly.
You may also need to teach your child that suffers from diabetes on the correct way to use the medical equipment in case he or she needs to self medicate.
By developing a plan, everyone will know exactly what to do and panic will be avoided so that the problem can be solved immediately. This is also the case when you are traveling.
Carry a small kit just in case your diabetic child should have to need medicine to stop a potential problem.
Mike Herman Is The Publisher of 4HealthConcerns.com. Where He Has More Information On Juvenile Diabetes That You Can Research While Relaxing at Home
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mike_Herman

What Is The Diabetes Food Pyramid

The diabetes food pyramid is a food educational diagram aimed at simplifying the food choices that diabetics have to make. A new version of the food pyramid was released by the United States Department of Agriculture in 2005. The American Diabetics Association has commented that the diagram is useful for diabetics and can help non-diabetic people make sensible food choices that can serve to prevent further cases of the disease occurring.
The pyramid is divided into sections. Each section consists of a food group. The sections take up more surface area at the bottom of the pyramid and get less and less until the top. This relative surface area is a representation of the importance of each food group in a healthy diet.
Thus the bottom has most surface area and is most important in a healthy diet. The bottom section consists of grains and starches (or carbohydrates). These include oats, wheat, rice and rye. It also includes starchy vegetables like potatoes and peas. Dried pulses like lentils, black-eyed peas and other dried beans are also recommended.
The pyramid suggests 6 to 11 servings from this food group per day are part of a healthy diet. This of course will vary according to the size and age of the person, number of calories to be consumed each day and the individual goals set by the person.
The next sections that have equal surface areas are vegetables and fruit. Vegetables means raw or cooked from fresh ingredients. Vegetables are good for fiber, nutrients and vitamins. The pyramid guidelines for this food group are 3 to 5 serving a day for a balanced diet.
Fruit provides similar benefits as vegetables. They can also be used if a person thinks they need to supplement their vitamin intake. The pyramid recommends 2 to 4 serving of fruit a day.
Vegetables and fruit have featured in the 5-a-day campaign run by health authorities in many parts of the world, advocating 5 pieces of veg or fruit per day for a balanced diet.
The next section is diary products like milk and yogurt. Diary products are rich in calcium and other minerals that the body needs. To minimize fat intake low milk products should be used. The pyramid recommends 2 to 3 servings per day.
Meat products or meat alternatives are the next section. These products essentially provide protein to the body. Low fat protein is recommended. Lean red meat, chicken or fish are the preferred choices of the pyramid. It suggests 6 ounces of protein a day is adequate for a balanced diet.
The last section at the tip of the pyramid is the fats, sweet foods and alcohol. These include any alcoholic drinks, candy, cakes and ice cream. I know, if you have a sweet tooth that's pretty bad news. These food stuffs should be eaten occasionally or as a treat. There is no recommendation of a daily intake of these types of food.
The pyramid helps people to make the right choices of food groups to be eaten in a balanced quantity. The visual nature of the diagram helps to get the essential information across instantly. It can be found in most health food shops or on the Internet. Get a copy and stick it in your kitchen so that you can refer to it when cooking.
Learn more about diabetic diet plans at http://www.diabeticdietsplan.com The site deals with cooking ideas for diabetics, types of food for diabetics and some of the complications that can result because of diabetes. Adrian Whittle writes on issues related to diabetes including common symptoms of diabetes, diabetic retinopathy and diabetic neuropathy.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Adrian_Whittle

Thursday

Find Out About Diabetes Natural Remedy

Now before you get all excited thinking that a cure for diabetes has been found, that is not the case at all. But some studies have shown that there are certain substances that can act as a diabetes natural remedy to help or control your type 2 diabetes. It is important to note that the studies to date are not conclusive, but this article talks about some of the things that have been found in the studies to date, which indicate promise.
First of all, before you start taking anything, you should talk with your doctor about it, especially if you suffer from diabetes. Some of the things that you may be considering taking may conflict with some other medications you are taking, and you can find yourself in a worse place than when you started. This cannot be emphasized enough -- work with your doctor or your qualified health care professional before changing your diet or routine.
Now the good news -- some studies have found that some elements can act as a diabetes natural remedy for type 2 diabetes. Again, studies are not yet conclusive but I thought it would be important to share some of those things with you here.
Ginseng - Some studies have indicated that North American ginseng may help diabetes. More specifically, the help would be in the form of improved control of blood sugar as well as glysosylatged hemoglobin levels. This is a form of hemoglobin in the blood which is used to monitor blood glucose levels over time.
Chromium - This trace mineral has been found in some studies to play an important role in carbohydrate and fat metabolism, and helps the body cells to respond properly to insulin. The indication that chromium, in low doses, may help is because many people with diabetes were shown to have a low chromium level. The studies on this are very preliminary, and does not apply to all types of chromium; for example, chromium picolinate is not recommended at all.
Cinnamon - Yes, believe it or not, testing showed (inconclusively) that cinnamon can be a diabetes natural remedy. Although the number of patients tested was small and the positive results were small, the betterment of the patient was thought to be statistically significant and warrants further study.
Zinc - Like chromium, diabetes patients were typically found to have a low level of zinc in their bodies compared with the norm. Zinc plays an important role in the production and storage of insulin.
Again, these results are inconclusive, but the results to date are promising, especially since a diabetes natural remedy like these mentioned and others are significantly less expensive than prescription drugs, as well as typically not having the possible nasty side effects that some prescription drugs contain.
Looking for more information about diabetes natural remedy? Visit our web site for more information about many aspects of diabetes at http://www.diabetes-data.com/diabetes_natural_remedy.php
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jon_Arnold

Eating Healthy with Diabetes

Diabetes is a disease that has to do with the body not properly using insulin, or not producing enough of it. Insulin is the hormone that converts sugars and starches into the energy that is needed to get through each day. Managing diabetes can be broken down into three parts; healthy eating, medication when needed, and physical activity. The key to effectively managing diabetes is controlling your blood sugar by way of a healthy lifestyle which means eating right, exercising and maintaining a healthy weight at all times.
The best way to ensure that you are eating correctly when managing your diabetes is to follow the diabetic food pyramid, which has guidelines for different food groups, and directs on how many of each food group to consume every day in order to remain healthy. The diabetic food pyramid is different than the typical Food Guide Pyramid, in that it recommends foods based on carbohydrates and proteins rather than on calories and fats. It is important for diabetics to consume a variety of foods every day. For example, eating tortillas, apples, broccoli and chicken and drinking milk in one day would effectively cover the grains, fruit, vegetable, dairy and protein groups. Eating brown rice, mangoes, tomatoes, beans and yogurt in a single day would also cover the same food groups, but in a different way. It is imperative that you eat from each food group, and are consuming the proper number of servings every day to ensure healthfulness.
Starches & Carbohydrates: The Starch group is made up of grains, starchy vegetables and beans. These are the carbohydrate-loaded foods like breads, cereals, beans, starchy vegetables and pasta. These foods should be consumed at every meal, as they are essential for creating the energy that you need to remain healthy. You should plan on consuming anywhere between six and eleven servings per day, but the number of servings depends on the calories that you need every day, and your specific diabetes treatment plan. Examples of single servings of starches and carbohydrates are single slices of bread, small plantains or potatoes, a half cup of cooked cereal like oatmeal, a third of a cup of cooked rice, or a small tortilla.
Vegetables: Vegetables are healthy foods for everyone, even diabetics. They are preferred in their raw form, but can also be consumed after being cooked. Vegetables are packed with vitamins, fiber and minerals and are very low in calorie which makes them easy to fit into any eating plan. Typically, you should consume three to five servings every day of bright vegetables like carrots, eggplant, tomatoes, spinach and broccoli. A serving of vegetables translates to roughly a half cup of cooked vegetables, or a full cup of raw vegetables. If you prefer to drink vegetable juice instead, note that a half cup qualifies as a full serving of vegetables.
Fruits: Fruit, like vegetables, is extremely healthy for everyone including diabetics. It can give you energy, fiber, minerals and vitamins, so you should consume around 2 to 4 servings of fruit per day. Examples of single servings of fruit include single small pears or apples, a half cup of orange or apple juice, a single small banana, or half of a large one, or a quarter cup of raisins or other dried fruit. Fruits are preferred raw, or as juice when no sugar has been added.
Dairy Foods: People with diabetes can benefit greatly from low-fat and fat-free dairy products. Both milk and yogurt give energy, calcium, vitamin A and protein among other essential vitamins and minerals. Fat-free milk is preferred, and should be consumed daily. It has less saturated fat, total fat and cholesterol than regular milk. You should plan on consuming between two and three servings of dairy per day, unless you are pregnant in which case you should plan on consuming twice that amount. An average serving translates to roughly a cup of plain yogurt that is fat free, or a cup of low-fat or non-fat milk.
Meats & Proteins: This group contains meat like beef, pork, chicken and turkey, in addition to eggs, nuts and soy products like tofu and soy milk. You should plan on eating only small amounts of several of these foods each day. They provide us with protein, which helps to build tissue and muscles in addition to giving essential nutrients and vitamins. You should plan on consuming between two and three servings daily. A serving size is generally two to three ounces of a meat like fish or chicken, three to four ounces of tofu, or an ounce of cheese.
Want to learn more about Diabetic Diet?, feel free to visit us at: http://www.about-diabetics.info/Articles/Diabetic_Supply_Testing.php
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Arturo_Ronzon

Herbs Good For Diabetes

As diabetes, particularly type 2 diabetes, becomes more prevalent in society there is continuing interest in ways to treat the condition. Conventional medical wisdom advocates the use of medication and a change in lifestyle as a way to manage diabetes. A change in lifestyle generally means taking on more exercise and altering eating habits. Altering eating habits include monitoring the types of foods that a person eats, especially fatty foods and carbohydrates. Thus a diabetic is urged to take responsibility, in consultation with a dietitian or doctor, for their diet. As people become more involved with their meal plans interest has grown in the types of supplements and herbs good for diabetes. This article will discuss some of the main herbs that are believed to be useful for diabetics.
This list of herbs can be used as a supplement or in cooking :
Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum) leaves are used as a herb or Fenugreek seeds are used as a spice. They can be taken as a supplement or in cooking. In a limited clinical test on humans, Fenugreek was seen to stimulate insulin secretion from the pancreatic cells and could help to lower the blood sugar levels.
Cinnamon or Cassia is a spice that is derived from the bark of the Cinnamon or Cassia tree. It can be used in cooking and is popular in Chinese food. University tests using Cassia (often marketed as cinnamon) on humans show significant lowering of blood glucose levels in those that took higher dosages to the placebo test cases.
Banaba (Lagerstroemia Speciosa) is a tree common in South East Asia. The leaves of the tree are used as a traditional medicine in parts of Indonesia and the Philippines. Tests in Japan and the USA found that the active ingredient in Banaba is Corosolic acid, that has the effect of lowering blood sugar levels.
Ginseng or Asian Ginseng (Panax Ginseng) is a herb that can be added to cooking, taken as a supplement or tincture. Chinese medicine has extolled the power of ginseng as a general cure all and booster of the immune system. It has also been suggested that it can lower glucose levels in blood and lower blood pressure.
Turmeric (Curcuma Longa) is a member of the ginger family Zingiberaceae. The active ingredient in Turmeric is Curcumin. In clinical tests on rats, curcumin was seen to lower glucose levels in rats. Turmeric is used in cooking, especially Indian curries and other cuisine from South East Asia.
Stevia also known as Sweet leaf or Sugar leaf is a shrub found in South and Central America. As the name suggests, it is noted for it's sweet taste. Extracted Stevia is widely used as a sweetener alternative to sugar in Japan. It has little effective on the blood sugar level so is useful for diabetics.
Neem Tree (Meliaceae Azadirachta) is part of the Mahogany family. Neem leaves are used in Ayurvedic medicine and are thought to reduce blood sugar levels.
Ginkgo Biloba is the extract of leaves taken from the Ginkgo tree. The extract contains flavonoid glycosides that are noted for antioxidant qualities and improving blood circulation, especially to small capillaries. Poor circulation is a common problem for diabetics so this can aid or prevent complications like diabetic neuropathy or diabetic retinopathy occurring.
Indian Kino Tree (Pterocarpus Marsupium) also known as Malabar Kino. The bark of this tree is soaked in water to leave an extract that is used in Ayurvedic medicine. The active ingredient in the Kino tree bark is epicatechin. In clinical tests involving mice, epicatechin was seen to increase the cAMP content in pancreatic islets cells which are responsible for producing insulin.
Bitter Melon (Momordica Charantia) is an edible fruit that is known for it's bitter taste. It is often used in South East Asian and Indian cooking or made into a tea. In Ayurvedic medicine it is often described as "plant insulin" as it contains a protein similar to that found in bovine insulin. The active ingredient is thought to be p-insulin or polypeptide-p. When extracted from bitter melon and injected into the body it performs like a slow acting animal insulin. It could be used as a source of insulin of Type 1 diabetics with further research into extraction of p-insulin.
It should be remembered that many of the herbs mentioned have undergone little or no clinical testing. Much of the evidence that these herbs work is either anecdotal or has been passed down from ancient medical traditions such as Ayurvedic or Chinese medicine. If you decide to use these herbal remedies, particularly as a supplement. It is advised that you discuss your decision with your doctor and monitor your blood sugar levels closely until you a familiar with the type of effects that the supplement will have on you.
Learn more about herbs and other supplements for your diabetic diet plan at http://www.diabeticdietsplan.com . The site deals with diets and eating healthy foods, diabetic cooking and how to get diabetic supplies. Adrian Whittle writes on issues related to diabetes including common symptoms of diabetes and related complications like diabetic retinopathy and diabetic neuropathy.
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Diabetic Tests and Exams: Do You Have Diabetes?

As the occurrence of diabetes only increases, it is well to know if you have the disease or not. Diabetes requires special tests and exams to monitor blood sugar levels, and diagnosing the disease is not always easy.
Your first step should be with your doctor. He will ask you about your family history, and if diabetes runs in the family or not. He will also ask about other risk factors. In addition he will want to know what medications you are taking. You will be asked if you are allergic to any medications and if you have high cholesterol or other early signs of cardiovascular disease.
The blood test itself is simple. One of easiest methods for checking and testing blood sugar levels is with a finger stick. This will give blood sugar levels immediately but do understand that they are not always as accurate as a laboratory test. A pinprick is made on a finger, a drop of blood is placed on a test strip, and then it goes into a small machine. These same test kits are used by diabetics keep track of their levels at home. Occasionally, you will get an unusually high or low reading which requires a re-test. Also they are only accurate to within about 10 percent of the reading a laboratory would get.
A fasting plasma glucose test may be ordered by your doctor. For this test, you will need to fast eight hours before your test is scheduled. Your blood will be drawn, usually in the morning, and your reading should be no more than 126 mg/dl. If the reading is higher, you probably have diabetes. The test may be done again on another day to verify the results, or you may be asked to take a glucose tolerance test or a glycosylated hemoglobin test.
These other tests are more accurate and will confirm whether you are diabetic or if you are considered pre-diabetic, which might mean you have a high risk of developing diabetes in the future.
The oral glucose tolerance test involves drawing blood and testing it, then drinking a very sweet drink and two hours later you will have another blood sample drawn. If this test shows your blood glucose level to be over 200 mg/dl, you are diabetic. A reading between 140 and 200 would suggest a pre-diabetes condition.
The most accurate test of all is the glycosylated hemoglobin test. This is a measurement of how high your sugar level has been over the last 120 days. This time period reflects the normal life span of all red blood cells. Extra glucose attaches to red blood cells and stays there for the life of the cell. It is the best measurement for people who already have diabetes. This test is being used more often as a diagnostic tool for testing for diabetes.
Lastly, you may have seen advertisements on TV about monitors that do not require you to stick your finger each time you need your blood levels tested. These kits will make it easier for those who use their fingers at work. These are also a good choice for those who need to test several times a day. Many diabetics will test their sugar levels and adjust their insulin accordingly.
For more information and resources on type 1 and type 2 diabetes, symptoms, treatment, solutions and facts about diet and diabetes, visit Jeremy Parker's complete reference guide on Diabetes.
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Link Between Diabetes And Overweight

There is little doubt that being overweight or obese is not good for the health of the body. Along with increased risk of heart disease and other vital organ failures people are thought to be more susceptible to acquiring diabetes. This is not completely accurate as there are 3 different types of diabetes that are acquired in different ways. Let's start by defining these types of diabetes to find out the link between diabetes and being overweight.
There are three types of diabetes. Type I, type II and gestational diabetes.
Type I diabetes is a result of the pancreas stopping production of insulin, the hormone used to reduce glucose in the blood. It is thought that this is an autoimmune reaction by the body whereby the body destroys the cells in the pancreas responsible for producing insulin. Although it is not known why this occurs, research suggests that there is some genetic inheritance linked to type I diabetes. Acquiring type I diabetes is not linked to being overweight. Even so, a person with type I diabetes should stay fit and eat healthy food as being overweight or obese can increase the chances of further diabetic related complications such as neuropathy.
Type II diabetes is believed to be related to obesity or being overweight. Again, the exact reasons why this occurs are not known but anecdotal evidence suggests this is so. Nearly 90% of type II diabetics are overweight and the chances of acquiring type II are increased dramatically if a person is overweight or obese.
Type II diabetes develops from pre-diabetes or when the body become resistant to insulin. Insulin resistance is where the body does not use the insulin that it produces effectively enough to reduce blood sugar levels.
Glucose in the blood is effectively the fuel of the body. By supplying glucose to all the cells in the body via the bloodstream we ensure that the cells works together to keep the body functioning normally. Excess glucose is transformed to glycogen in the fat,muscle and liver cells by insulin. This is how insulin manages to reduce the blood sugar level.
It is believed that excessive fat cells make the job of insulin harder and gradually the more insulin is needed to reduce the glucose level. If this continues the body will go from insulin resistance to full blown type II diabetes.
Gestational diabetes is a result of pregnancy. It is thought that hormone secreted during pregnancy affect the ability of insulin. Generally, this only lasts during pregnancy and the body goes back to normal after childbirth.
Thus people who are overweight are likely to develop type II diabetes. It is believed that by making changes in eating habits and exercising regularly can significantly reduce the chances of developing insulin resistance and type II diabetes. It is even possible to reverse type II diabetes, or reduce the need for medication, by changing your lifestyle to include more exercise and healthy eating.
Healthy eating and exercise are key to preventing type II diabetes. If you would like to learn more about diabetic food and get some tips on diabetic cooking then visit http://www.diabeticdietsplan.com
Adrian Whittle writes on issues related to diabetes including diabetic complications like diabetic ketoacidosis and diabetic neuropathy.
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Diabetes Blood Sugar Levels

You find out that you suffer from diabetes. It is a tough blow because once you develop this disease it is with you for life. There is no cure though it can be kept totally under control with proper diet, medication, and good exercise. Diabetes is a disease by which your body does not produce sufficient insulin (produced by the pancreas) to break up the sugar in the blood, causing it to accumulate. Lack of assimilation of glucose from the blood will result in many symptoms, such as constant fatigue, continuous thirst and hunger, loss of weight and so on.
There are only two ways to fight this disease: Increase the insulin in he body with the help of injections and other medications, and control the intake of sugar to prevent its build up in the blood. When you are diagnosed with diabetes, your diabetes blood sugar level will be measured through a blood test specially prescribed for this purpose. Subsequently, you can do this test in the safety of your home with the help of the glucose meter kits that are available for this purpose.
The doctor will have advised how to use this tool to measure the diabetes blood sugar level, and you can also read carefully the instructions that come with the kit. The process is simple and can be done by absolutely any adult. The following steps will be needed to measure your diabetes blood sugar level at home:
clean your hands by washing them for at least 3-4 minutes under running water clean the area that you want to prick with a pad wet with surgical spirit. Most of the glucose meters will need blood from the finger tip; in rare cases you can also get blood from the forearm, palm or any other fleshy part of your body. when you prick a finger, do not do it the standard way – on the pad – but do it on the side; this will be less painful once you finished pricking, collect a drop of blood on the glucose meter the meter will almost immediately show you what diabetes blood sugar level you have
Once you have the reading, follow the instructions of the doctor carefully. In case of any doubts, get in touch with your closest diabetes center or your medical practitioner for further advice.
Kerry Ng is a successful Webmaster and publisher of The Diabetes Info Blog. Click here for more helpful information on Diabetes: http://www.diabetes-info-blog.com
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Diabetes Vegetarian Diet - How Will A Diabetes Vegetarian Diet Change Your Life?

Diabetes is a health risk that affects 18.9 million people and 6.3% of the population in America today. More and more people are turning to a diabetes vegetarian diet to help control their need for insulin. A diabetes vegetarian diet is lower in fats, oils, sugars and processed foods than the Standard Western Diet.
Diabetes is the medical name given to the condition where the body can no longer use insulin to burn sugar. The condition can be from a low amount of insulin or resistance to the insulin at the cell level. In either case a persons blood sugar rises and can cause serious damage to the blood vessels, liver, cardiac disease, stroke and ultimately lead to a coma state.
Case studies and research have shown that people who follow a vegan diet for 22 weeks reduce the need to take medication. Becoming a vegetarian is not as difficult as you would think. Of course this should always be followed with regular blood tests and with the consultation of your regular doctor.
Diabetes isn’t cheap – for patients or the insurance companies. Patient supplies and medications are long-term financial issues that can significantly impact a patient’s savings. Insurance companies may pay for supplies but only after the deductible is met. Insurance companies also have increased costs with the long-term complications of the disease.
Diabetes vegetarian diets have been shown to be helpful in the treatment and long-term effects of diabetes. Medical research shows that there is a 50% less chance that vegetarians will develop heart disease and have the lowest rate of coronary artery disease of any group, a secondary effect of diabetes. Those that follow a vegan diet are also nine times less likely to become obese, a significant side effect of diabetes.
The diabetic condition can and will change with diabetes vegetarian diet and lifestyle alterations. The amount the condition worsens or gets better depends on the amount of change a person is willing to work through. Remember that we eat to live and don’t live to eat.
Diabetes vegetarian diets are an easy holistic and natural way to make a positive impact on the treatment and management of your diabetes. The long-term medical complications from diabetes have a considerable negative effect on health and every day functioning. Long-term effects include kidney failure, coronary artery disease, stroke, heart attack, peripheral vascular disease and sciatic nerve damage.
Only you can make a decision to change the course of your illness. Diabetes vegetarian diets will make that change and help you to fill a full and healthy life.
Vanessa Youngstrom, a nurse practitioner, enjoys writing and educating on health and wellness topics. You’ll find more articles at http://www.HealthAndWellnessIssues.com
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Toddlers With Diabetes - Tips For SuccessToddlers With Diabetes - Tips For SuccessV

If your child is under the age of two and has been diagnosed with diabetes, know that there are many alternatives and options available that will control this condition and ensure your child has a happy, healthy, and normal childhood.
The number of toddlers with diabetes is increasing, so know that you are not alone. Diabetes is a condition where the pancreas does not process sugar effectively.
Since there are many different types of diabetes, ask your physician to explain the exact condition that affects your child.
Also, consider seeking out parents of other diabetic toddlers in your area to glean information and support from individuals who are in your shoes.
* Learn About The Disease *
Diabetes can be frightening to anyone, but especially a parent of a toddler with diabetes.
Instead of allowing the disease to take over your life, strive to learn as much as possible about the specific type of diabetes that affects your child.
Also, be sure to learn the side effects of diabetes and any symptoms that you should be aware of that are associated with a potential problem caused by the disease.
By educating yourself, you take away some of the unexpected associated with any disease that affects a child.
Finally, learn about the proper ways to care for your child and exactly what medications or medical techniques are necessary in controlling this condition.
Many toddlers with diabetes can control the condition by switching to a favorable diet.
* Test Blood Sugars Often *
Especially with children , testing blood sugar can be difficult.
However, this task is necessary in order to determine if your child is having problems so that you can stop any potentially deadly problems before they start.
Since a blood sugar test typically involves a pin prick, consider ways to make the entire process less scary and painful for your child.
There are several high quality testing monitors on the market that are made especially for youngsters with diabetes.
Also, speak with your child and let him or her know the exact reason why this test needs to be performed.
Education is the key to understanding.
* Develop A Schedule *
Schedules are important in the life of any child, but especially one that has been diagnosed with juvenile diabetes.
By developing a schedule for your child and ensuring that he or she sticks to it, you are working diligently to control the diabetes.
This schedule is especially important when it comes to meal times. Most diabetics need to eat smaller meals more frequently.
With small children, consider developing a game that will allow him or her to stick to the schedule without feeling regimented.
As you child grows and enters into schooling, you should maintain this schedule to prevent potential problems from developing during the day.
* Plan For The Worst *
If you properly control the disease, the risks of complications or problems are less likely to happen.
However, you should always have a plan in mind in the event the worst does happen.
Create a special diabetes station in your home and be sure that everyone in your home (even another child) knows how to use the equipment properly.
You may also need to teach your child that suffers from diabetes on the correct way to use the medical equipment in case he or she needs to self medicate.
By developing a plan, everyone will know exactly what to do and panic will be avoided so that the problem can be solved immediately. This is also the case when you are traveling.
Carry a small kit just in case your diabetic child should have to need medicine to stop a potential problem.
Mike Herman Is The Publisher of 4HealthConcerns.com. Where He Has More Information On Juvenile Diabetes That You Can Research While Relaxing at Home
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Diabetes and Caffeine

The jury is still out on whether or not caffeine leads to diabetic problems. Although researchers in Japan are saying those who drink coffee or green tea can reduce their risk of diabetes, caffeine remains a concern as a higher risk for diabetes. The Japanese study focused on people who drink black, green, or oolong tea and who were between the ages of 40 and 65. The researchers are confident that those who drink at least three or more cups of caffeine each day are able to reduce their risk of diabetes by 33 percent. However, it should be understood that other substances in coffee affect the metabolism, and can cause other health problems.
The vast majority of research shows that avoiding caffeine is the answer to reducing the risks of diabetes. Researchers from a well-known university medical center found a strong tie between caffeine intake and increased levels of glucose and insulin among people who have Type 2 diabetes.
This is because insulin is needed by the cells to convert glucose into energy. Having caffeine with a meal hinders the body’s ability to metabolize the meals that are eaten, and therefore should be avoided. Fasting subjects who took part in this research saw no significant change in glucose or insulin levels, meaning there seems to be a correlation between food and caffeine.
The diabetic goal is to keep the blood glucose level down. In addition to eating a healthy diet and getting plenty of exercise, diabetics should also consider avoiding caffeine.
How does caffeine affect our bodies? Diabetes is the inability to control sugar levels in the blood. This can be due to either the body not producing enough insulin, or having a hormone that resists insulin. Laboratory mice are often fed a chemical called alloxan. Alloxan is used in the mice to poison the cells that produce insulin and creating the conditions for diabetes. Research literature shows us that alloxan is produced in our body from caffeine. Theories suggest that caffeine produces this toxic substance in our bodies and either causes diabetes, or makes existing diabetes harder to control.
Americans love caffeine, and are consuming beverages with caffeine at a historic high. Because of this we may be getting massive doses of alloxan through the drinks we consume.
Why does alloxan hurt our body? A free radical generator damages our pancreas and can result in pancreatic cancer. A free radical will cause aging, diseases, and especially cancer.
Caffeine is popular because it gives us the little extra burst of energy we think we need to get through the morning or the day. Some people drink huge amounts of caffeine during the day. The soft drink industry encourages consuming caffeine and some are targeting the younger market in order to boost profits. The 15-21 year old age group is supporting the high caffeine levels by buying products that have abnormally high levels of caffeine. Even a well-known tea company is promoting a high-powered tea with high amounts of caffeine in it. Even some fruit juices and bottled waters now contain caffeine.
Overall, caffeine contributes to many diseases including depression, pancreatic cancer, and diabetes. It is safe to say, that those who are at a high risk for developing diabetes should avoid caffeine. Caffeine is not only found in coffee, tea, and sodas, but also in chocolate. You should also know that even decaffeinated products have a form of caffeine that produces the deadly alloxan.
For more information and resources on type 1 Diabetes, type 2 Diabetes, symptoms, diet and solutions visit Jeremy Parker's complete reference guide on Diabetes.
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Wednesday

Treatment And Symptoms Of Cat Diabetes Mellitus

Cat diabetes mellitus affects cats the same way it does with people. A lack of insulin due to insufficient hormone secretion causes this condition in cats. This type of diabetes is call type one. The other type of cat diabetes mellitus is type two, which is caused by insufficient hormone insulin response by the cat’s body cells. This health problem is not as common in cats as in humans.
Some Symptoms your Cat has Diabetes
Diabetes in cats is caused by the body’s inability to use glucose the way the body needs to. The result is the accumulation of glucose in the blood causing hyperglycemia. Onset of this condition needs monitoring very closely.
Excessive urination also called polyuria is an early symptom of feline type 1 diabetes. Excessive thirst may also accompany the condition, which is called polydipsia. Diabetes in cat’s often causes weight lost even if they continue to eat healthy and regularly due to the improper utilization of glucose because of a lack of hormone insulin.
As the cat diabetes mellitus progresses, the cat will experience vomiting, weakness, lack of appetite and dehydration. Feline diabetes affects older cats more than it does younger cats and generally, male cats become prone to cat diabetes more so than females. No one set cause of feline diabetes has been diagnosed, but it is believed that the pancreatic disease and improper hormone levels, overweight and genetic predisposition may cause the onset of cat diabetes.
How to Treat Cat Diabetes Mellitus
Although no cure for feline diabetes exists, the treatment depends on how bad the diabetes is and how fast you determine your cat has a health concern. If your cat requires ketoacidosis care, which is countering the dehydration with the administering of fluids and insulin. Some times cats with diabetes need to receive up to two shots a day preferably by way of the subcutaneous way.
As an alternative to insulin injections, the oral hypoglycemic drug may work on the cat with feline diabetes. Many drug manufactures have different types of oral hypoglycemic available for use under a veterinarians advice. The proper diet for feline diabetes requires cutting the sugar intake in the food. As you see, caring for a cat with diabetes requires some of the same conditions as a person would have to follow.
Living with a cat that has diabetes may require some strict dedication to ensure the health of the cat. Veterinarians offer many suggestions has to how to treat the cat diabetes mellitus and do explain how to care for your cat in case injections need to be administered. Cat diabetes needs special attention to food, water and medication, along with urination and bowel movements to keep the cat healthy. With all the proper care, a cat will live a long and healthy life. The onset of cat diabetes mellitus will have some affects on the older cat, but if caught early, the cat remains healthy throughout the treatment.
You can also find more information on cat insurance and urinary cat health problems. Aboutcathealth.org is a comprehensive resource to find more information about cat health.
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Complications of Diabetes

If you have diabetes or have recenty been diagnosed, you have a lot to come to terms with. Not only do you need to manage your blood sugar levels all the time, you need to be concerned about long-term complications of diabetes.
Hopefully with continued medical research, there will a cure for diabetes in your life time. But until the cure comes, you need to be aware of certain complications and what you can do to avoid them.
1. Diabetic retinopathy. This is a microvascular disease that affects the tiny blood vessels in the back of your eyes. High blood sugar over many years weaken the walls of the blood vessels and some blood and fluid leaks out. Nearly every person with type 1 diabetes will have some level of retinopathy within 20 years of their diagnosis, whereas 1/4 of those type 2 diabetes will have it within 2 years of their diagnosis. The best way to prevent diabetic retinopathy is by maintaining normal blood sugar levels.
2. Kidney Disease. This is also a microvascular disease that affects small blood vessels. Exposure to high levels of glucose over the years can create complicated changes that can allow protein molecules to escape, spilling it in the urine. If you have diabetic retinopathy or high blood pressure, you are more likely to have kidney disease. The best way way to prevent or slow down the progression of kidney disease is by managing your blood glucose levels and your blood sugar. You must also follow a low protein diet.
3. Diabetic Neuropathy. This is a nerve disorder in which the nerves become damaged. It can affect many body systems, including your feet, legs, hands, urinary tract, digestive tract and sexual organs. This is one of the most common complications of any type of diabetes. Neuropathy is the reason for 87% of the amputations in the United States every year. You should have regular check-ups with your medical doctor. He or she should be testing for reflexes, eyeball motion, sensation in your feet legs etc.
4. Heart Disease. This refers to the diseases of the heart. Heart failure occurs when the heart muscle is too weak to pump blood throughout your body at the rate it should. It does not mean that your heart completely stops. Coronary heart disease is the most common form of heart disease. It occurs when the coronary arteries become narrowed or clogged by cholesterol and other fat deposits and can't supply enough blood to the heart. In a survey by the American Diabetes Association, it was discovered that 68% of those with diabetes had no idea that they had an increase risk for heart disease.
5. Cardiovascular Disease (CVD). This is the disease of the arteries within your entire body. For example, a stroke or problems with the arteries in your leg would be a cardiovascular disease. The risk factors for CVD is obesity, hypertension, high triglyceride levels, low HDL cholesterol levls and lack of physical exercise.
Diet, exercise and maintaining normal blood sugar levels are key to preventing or prolonging the onset of these complications.
Perriann Rodriguez is the founder of http://www.diabeticadvisory.com, a free online resource center for diabetic research info and managing diabetes through diet, exercise and knowledge.
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Lose Weight And Keep It Off By Tracking What You Eat-Diabetes Diet

One of the most effective ways to lose weight is to track what you eat. Tracking what you eat is a way to assess your eating patterns. By writing down everything you eat, you learn exactly what you eat and how it affects you. You can detect patterns and eating behaviors and how they impact your weight loss goals. Many people underestimate how much food they actually consume. Many wonder why they start a diet and can’t seem to shed the pounds. One reason is that people underestimate the quantity they eat. What people think of as a single serving can actually be equivalent to three or even four servings. A triple-sized portion can greatly impact your weight loss success. Another reason is hidden calories – what some people think of as a healthy snack is actually loaded with calories that head straight to your thighs. Learning how to track your food and calorie intake is a great way to take charge of your weight loss plan and have it work for you.
Start out by writing down everything you eat. Don’t change your eating habits until you know what your eating habits are. Record every morsel – from the cream cheese on your breakfast bagel to the duck sauce on your stir-fry. Write down portions and amounts of what you eat as well. Check for servings sizes and measure portions you consume. Just as importantly, track your calorie intake. That duck sauce might seem harmless – but in reality be loaded with calories. Understanding how many calories you consume is an important element of weight loss. The amount of calories you consume and the amount of calories you burn determines whether or not you lose weight. So knowing how many calories you consume is crucial to your success. Although it may seem daunting, there are resources that can make your calorie tracking easy and stress-free. Electronic calorie counters can provide you with the calories count of thousands of your favorite foods. Calorie counters can even tell you the calorie count of your favorite fast food items. So whether you are at home or on the go, an electronic calorie counter will help you stick to your weight loss plan.
Once you’ve determined how much you actually eat and the number of calories you consume, you can then look at changes you may need to make. By tracking how much you eat, you can see over a period of time how your food consumption affects your weight loss. You can also congratulate yourself for healthy habits you may not have known you have. Tracking what you eat provides you with the tools to be successful at losing weight and managing your goal weight once you’ve shed the pounds.
Coheso, Inc. ( http://www.coheso.com ) makes handheld devices and other products for diabetes management and weight loss. CalorieSmart is a handheld calorie counter helps people tailor their weight loss plan. More information about CalorieSmart can be found at http://www.coheso.com/caloriesmart-d.html . Track3 is a small customizable handheld carb and calorie counter that helps individuals self-manage their diabetes
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Why Should You Check Blood Glucose Levels Because Of Diabetes

Diabetes is a problem with the blood glucose level in your body. Blood glucose is essentially the energy that we supply the body with so that it can function. This might be things you never think about, like antibodies healing cuts and bruises or it might be the energy your body uses to play a squash game.
Glucose gets into the blood from digested food. The process it uses to convert glucose to energy uses an hormone called insulin.
Insulin is produced in the pancreas. When somebody has diabetes, insulin is not produced or the insulin that is produced is ineffective. In a non-diabetic person the insulin converts glucose to glycogen, and in the process, reduces the glucose level in blood. In a diabetic this does not occur and the blood glucose level gets high.
High glucose levels in the blood can cause all sorts of problems to a persons health. In type 1 diabetes a person with high glucose level blood can get diabetic ketoacidosis that can lead to coma and death if not detected and acted upon.
Chronically high blood sugar levels can lead to heart disease, poor circulation, nerve damage, foot and eye problems and a host of other problems.
Thus high blood sugar levels can lead to acute and chronic illnesses that range from mild and irritating or critical and dangerous. Therefore it is important to check the blood glucose level because it tells you the state of your diabetes and the likelihood of complications occurring.
Monitoring your blood gives you the information you need to treat your diabetes.
Your doctor will tell you what the ideal range of glucose in your blood should be based on your particular circumstances.
General guidelines are based on just before meals and 2 hours after a meal. The range is measured in millimoles of glucose per liter of blood (mmol/l)
Before meals an ideal reading is 4-6 mmol/l , a fair reading is 6-8mmol/l and a poor reading is 8 + mmol/l.
After meals an ideal reading is up to 8mmol/l, a fair reading is up to 10 mmol/l and a poor reading is 10+ mmol/l.
With this information you can determine whether you need to take insulin, medication or some other strategy that can control the glucose level.
Testing is normally done by pricking your finger and allowing a drop of blood to fall onto a testing strip. The testing strip is then put into a blood testing monitor that will give you a reading in about 30 seconds on so.
Testing blood gives you control over diabetes and allows you to plan your day without the disease impacting on your life too much.
Monitoring is an essential part of your strategy for dealing with diabetes but just as important are ways to prevent and minimize the impact that the disease has on your body. The best methods to do this involve eating a specific diet and taking regular exercise. If you want to learn more about diabetic diets then visit http://www.diabeticdietsplan.com . The site deals with diets and eating healthy foods, diabetic cooking ingredients and some common symptoms and conditions of diabetes. Adrian Whittle writes on issues related to diabetes including symptoms of diabetes, diabetic retinopathy and diabetic neuropathy.
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Do You Know What Is Needed for A Diabetes Diet? Read On And Find Out!

You have just been told by your doctor that you have diabetes. It may have come as a shock, or it may have been expected because others in your family have diabetes. Do you know, right now, what the diabetes diet consists of? Do you know what foods you can or cannot eat on a diabetes diet? I hope that this article will provide you with some of the information you need to create the diabetes diet that will work for you. Carefully planning meals plays an important role in helping to manage diabetes.
Just recently a study by the American Dietetic Association's (ADA) and other diabetes experts have shown that meal planning proved to be extremely helpful in controlling diabetes.
A nutritionally sound diabetes diet is an important part of every diabetic's treatment. The typical diabetes diet can lack certain vitamins that can negatively affect glucose levels.
Diabetics need key vitamins and minerals in their diet and in their systems. These are essential because they help their body's ability to metabolize the nutrients in the food. The most common form of diabetes is the type where they have high blood sugar levels. The diabetes diet must help lower the sugar level and maintain it at a more steady level. High blood sugar levels contribute to a wide variety of illness and even death. Conditions such as heart disease, eye disease (glaucoma specifically) infections, stoke, and others, are a few that are made worse by high blood sugar levels.
This may sound like an overwhelming life style change. It is...as are all diets. The diabetes diet involves a life style change. In fact the diabetes diet along with exercise can decrease your risk by 58 percent! The diabetes diet can help you lose 5% - 7% of your body weight, thus reducing the risk. The diabetes diet AND exercise can be more effective the medication.
The diabetes diet plan for your meals will help set the goals for fat and caloric intake. The diabetic meal plan has only about 1,300 calories each day. Roughly forty five percent is from carbohydrates, about 31 from protein and the rest form fat. Each individual will modify the diabetes diet to meet their goal.
The diabetes diet should contain legumes (food from pods producing plants such as alfalfa, clover, peas, beans, lentils, lupines and peanuts). These are high fiber, low cholesterol, and slow digesting (meaning the full feeling lasts longer).
Each meal of this diabetes diet will help the diabetic pay more attention to the portions consumed. Foods are measured out at the beginning of each day, for that day. This will help create a routine stay in practice.
An important addition to the diabetes diet is a nutritional supplement of good quality. They should contain vitamins and minerals. The best you can find are "Pharmaceutical Grade". You will not get those at GNC, Wal-Mart or similar stores. Search and compare, look and ensure, know what you are getting.
It is best to eating small meals several times a day will keep away that hungry feeling. That hungry feeling makes one tend to overeat. Eating every three to four hours will help keep that hunger feeling away. It does this by keeping food in the stomach all the time.
The snacks (between breakfast and lunch or between lunch and supper are important to the diabetes diet plan and to the sugar level control. The snacks in the diabetes diet are grouped into categories. There are "milk snacks" (skim milk), soy milk, or yogurt. Protein snacks in the diabetes diet plan are hard-boiled egg, a quarter cup of low fat cottage cheese or a reduced fat string cheese, and about a quarter cup of nuts (mixed is fine).
The fruit list has a medium-size piece of fresh fruit, about a ½ a cup of cut up fruit, and about a quarter cup of dried fruit. Have you ever eaten those dried fruits you get in the market? WOW! What a CONCENTRATED FLAVOR!
In a diabetes diet you can eat any of these in any combination. Mix and match a measured portion of protein with a correct portion of fruit. Example: 1 cup yogurt with ½ cup of chopped pears.
These are just a few suggestions for a diabetes diet. I thank you for your time and for reading this diabetes diet article. Remember always consult your primary medical care provider before changing diet.
Keith Standifer is a business owner and an advocate for healthy diets for all. Read more about some of the high quality nutritional supplements he uses. Visit my web site at http://www.healthisyours.usana.com
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Diabetes in Cats

Its scary when you first know your cat has diabetis but once you start understanding the disease and get more used to the monitoring it becomes easier for you and your kitty.
Informing yourself of the disease is crucial, its not the same as human diabetis and its a complex disease that you need to inform yourself about.Don't feel overwhelemed by the amount of information. Get all the info printed and make it a point to read them every night until you basically have learned the info by heart.
First of all, Feline diabetes is extremely difficult to regulate. Feline metabolism is simply not designed to be diabetes friendly. By "regulate," we mean finding the correct insulin dosage for steady, healthy blood sugar levels.Feline metabolism is built specifically for short, fast bursts of power and speed, not long chases, unlike dogs. It can take a very long time to find the right dose of insulin, and the "right" dose can change on you with little or no notice. Stress, even things that don't appear to us to be stressful, can set off sugar spikes in cats.
Thus, you MUST monitor your cat at all times. At any sign of trouble,at least call your vet. You'll get better over time at recognizing what needs immediate attention.
Signs of trouble (over-insulin) include:
Balance loss, unsteady walking (they'll act drunk ...)
Head shaking
Sudden craziness - this is different from the regular feline nightly run around and be active craziness. Sometimes, the cat might let out a horrible witchy yowl at top voice, spin madly around chasing its own tail 4-5 times, jump in the air, fall on the sides, pant and ultimately even lose consciousness.
So, in such instances have a light corn syrup handy. If you over-insulin (which is all too easily done) you will need to get come easy sugar into your cat FAST.
The insulin is given subcutaneaously, that is, directly under the top layer of skin, and NOT into the blood. What you'll do is lift your cat's skin somewhere around the scruff or near that area, just as you would do to check hydration (something you'll want to do daily, by the way ...) You'll then have a little tent of skin lifted off from the body. You'll insert the the needle along the long line of the tent (think of a long pole supporting the tent like a roof line) rather than from side to side of the tent. Inject and you're done. You'll get to where you can do it easily.
Never give another shot if you think you missed the shot (sometimes you can make a mistake and give the shot to the fur.. which isn't helpful at all!) but its always best for your kitty to skip a dose than have a double shot.
Eating is crucial - and it is equally crucial that your cat eats something immediately before or after the insulin shot (just like human diabetics). This can be difficult, as cats often don't eat when they don't feel well, so start finding all the creative treats you can find that will entice your cat.You can probably try home-made (no salt or spices) chicken broth, which gels when cold; baby food (all meat, NO spices, particularly onion powder, which is poisonous to cats); wet food (from the vet, particularly made for kidney problems); TUNA (the special favorite.) Experiment, but don't go overboard, and remember that however 'underboard' is more dangerous.
As the diabetes progresses, be on the watch for other complications; Joint problems , need for heat, blindness. You'll need to make environmental changes to accommodate such things as they develop. Some cats can come down with renal failure as a secondary condition to the diabetes. These are all treatable, but it will add to the adjustments you and your cat will need to make.
Find out where your nearest emergency animal hospital/clinic is NOW before you need that information. Because you will need it.Unless you are extremely blessed, there will be at least once or twice that you will need to rush your cat for immediate care, because he goes into diabetic coma (the warnings I mentioned above.) Keep the number someplace where you can find it at a moment's notice.
Towels are your friend. They can be used to wrap a cat who struggles when given shots; they can be used to put under a cat who is retching to catch the vomit (towels, unlike rugs and floors, are easily thrown into a washing machine!);they can make emergency beds as the cat's ability to navigate the environment changes. They can be used with plastic to catch extraneous urine around the litterbox (again - washable!).
Periodically ,talk to your vet about cat's diet. He may already be on lower-protein food. If not, it may be time to introduce it. Kidney problems necessitate lower protein foods than normal
This can be a harsh statement, but to be realistic, Diabetes in cats is fatal -- you may have weeks or years, depending on how well your cat's blood levels regulate. Now is the time for the two of you to come to an agreement about what constitutes a quality-of-life threshold. Only you and your cat can decide when that is for the two of you. But it is a conversation you should start, now,while you can still enjoy yourselves together as you have it.
Anand Srinivasan is the author of http://XooXonline.info a website of varied themes and topics for the internet surfer who wants to surf but does not know what to!
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Recognizing Early Symptoms Diabetes

Early symptoms diabetes
Stay alert in recognizing early symptoms of diabetes. Certain symptoms put you on notice and you'll want to decrease the chance of developing into complications. You'll do yourself a lot of good with early treatment if necessary to maintain optimum health. If you don't have the early symptoms of diabetes looked your risking more than you need too.
Some of the early signs of the diabetic issue are frequent urination, blurry vision, irritability, extreme hunger, excessive thirst, unusual weight loss and increased fatigue. Sometime these show up together so be attentive and sensitive to your how you feel. Unfortunately over 20 + million people now have various forms of the disease. That's almost 25% or 1 out of 4 of our population. Of those one-third don't even know it.
If you are of member of Pacific Islanders, African American, Latino, Native American you'll be a little more cautious since diabetes is more common among these groups. Weight, age, hereditary issues, and lack of exercise are factors. Symptoms are similar in juveniles. Keeping alert about your child certainly is important along with the many other issues that already occupy your mind for their well being.
Type 1 generally is found in child and young adults with heart disease, blindness and kidney damage are of the biggest concerns. Type 2 is the most common where the body doesn't produce enough insulin so the body is able to use up the sugar intake. With the depletion of the food chain, fast foods with highly processed ingredients the problem will continue to grow. All ages are effected and it's scary to find out a person has it.
Although serious, people can certainly live long and happy lives. So spending some time today taking care of yourself is really a great investment. Firm up with some liquid quality vitamins and minerals to keep the immune system strong as possible for as long as possible. Get adequate rest, exercise at least some and try to cut down on the processed foods and turn to fruits and vegetables as well. By having some understanding of early symptoms diabetes you'll just that much better equipped to deal with the issues.
For more on diabetes symptoms, treatment and care
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What are the Long-Term Effects of Gestational Diabetes?

Gestational diabetes is the third type of diabetes which occurs typically during pregnancy. Although it may disappear after the baby is born, if the condition is left untreated, then it may not only harm the health of the mother but also the health of the fetus too. In a small number of cases, gestational diabetes occurs temporarily during pregnancy.
The symptoms seen in gestational diabetes patients are almost the same as the symptoms of diabetes mellitus. The patient experiences increased thirst and passes urine frequently. It is very important that the sugar level in the blood is tested by the prenatal medical team at regular intervals, so that it can be kept under control. The high levels of insulin in the mother's system can result in large babies, although no birth defects have been known to occur.
During the first trimester most birth defects manifest themselves, and gestational diabetes does not typically occur until the second trimester. Factors that need to be considered during pregnancy to determine whether or not the mother is at risk, are whether she had gestational diabetes during her previous pregnancy, if the previous baby was overweight and also the age of the mother. Chances are that the mother will develop type 2 diabetes later in life if she has gestational diabetes during her pregnancy - even if the condition disappeared after she gave birth.
If a woman is at risk of getting gestational diabetes or is showing symptoms of the disease, she should get the required tests done by the 28th week or even earlier if she had experienced it during her previous pregnancy. The tests will be done by a physician performing glucose tests to determine if there are increased chances of getting gestational diabetes, after which extensive tests can be done to complete the diagnosis.
Gestational diabetes can put your baby at risk! The mother has the risk of developing type 2 diabetes at a later stage, as well as hypertension or high blood pressure. Some of the most common problems seen in infants are:
• Macrosomia (excessive birth weight)• Jaundice• Respiratory distress syndrome• Low calcium • Levels of magnesium • Increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes later in life
Once the problem is diagnosed, the treatment started will depend on the health of the mother. The age and weight of the mother have to be considered. The treatment will be given according to her preference. Either she could opt for a strict diet regime and exercise with proper monitoring of blood sugar levels or, in more severe cases, she could go for insulin treatment. Whatever method is chosen, the main focus will be on controlling the sugar levels in the blood.
Knowing how to recognize a diabetes symptom is crucial. Find out more about recognizing a diabetes symptom at http://DealWithDiabetes.com/diabetessymptom.html.
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Diabetes Type 2 and Artificial Sweeteners

Diabetes Type 2 (adult onset)
Refined carbs/sugars are actually the biggest contributing factor to type 2 diabetes--that is, the type of diabetes people develop later in life. The major contributing factor to type 2 diabetes is eating too many refined carbs. Type 2 diabetes is one of the easiest things for your body to heal. Are you ready? It is so simple. Quit eating carbs. It really is that simple. I have yet to meet anyone who was a type 2 diabetic who could not totally control their blood sugar levels without any insulin just by cutting carbs out of their diet.
All Artificial Sweeteners are Hazardous to Your Health. Like most things, everything starts out as a good idea. When NutraSweet was first invented it was actually made from grapefruit rinds. All the studies were done on this sweetener. It passed with flying colors. Then DuPont bought the rights, examined it under a microscope and chemically made it in a lab because it was cheaper. But there was one problem, this new artificial sweetener is essentially formaldehyde. And at temperatures above 95 degrees (the human body is 98 degrees) the artificial sweetener actually changes to formaldehyde in the body. Formaldehyde is the chemical they use to put into dead people to keep them from rotting before they burry them.
Some people want to argue that it takes large amounts of artificial sweeteners to induce cancer in rats. And in the small quantities the sweetener is found in food it is not harmful to humans. To that I have this to say: I don’t know about you but I don’t want to put anything in my body that causes cancer in any quantity, large or small. Living in the world we do today you are being exposed to toxins that cause cancer. So anywhere I can easily eliminate getting additional toxins, I will.
The truth about supplements. I also share this and more with you in my free e-course that this article is a part of. Go to http://www.HealthyEatingDiet.com to get the full e-course. Dr. Jamie wants to help give you Permanent Results with his "non-diet." He is also giving you dozens of valuable free gifts to "ethically bribe" you into helping him make his new book, "The Ultimate Non-Diet" a #1 best seller. For details on the book go to: http://www.TheUltimateNonDiet.com/free
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HOME::Health-and-Fitness/Diabetes

In today’s world of instant gratification, we all want our needs met with instant satisfaction. In the world of diabetes, it doesn’t happen that way. If you’ve browsed the internet for diabetes treatments, or cures, I’m sure you’ve found several sites promising almost instant cures, magic pills, herbs, and other formulas to make your diabetes go away. What’s the real truth?
The fact of diabetes Type 1 or Type 2 is that there is no instant cure. READ THIS AGAIN….There is NO INSTANT CURE FOR DIABETES. You diabetes didn’t occur overnight, and it’s not going to go away overnight. Diabetes is a chronic disease with severe and sometimes deadly complications. With proper care and management diabetics can live a normal, productive, happy life. There’s nothing available to make your return to good health happen overnight. Over time you can improve your health and your life.
Don’t misinterpret what I’m saying to mean there’s nothing you can take to help control your diabetes. There are some vitamins, minerals, and natural herbs that will assist you in gaining control of your blood sugars. More on this in a moment, but first I want to share with you a couple of things you must do to control your diabetes.
The keys to learning how to control and manage your diabetes are learning and applying what you learn to your daily life. Learn all you can about diabetes. Your health care providers and others are willing to share their knowledge. Don’t be embarrassed or feel uncomfortable if there’s something you don’t understand about how to get control of your diabetes. Ask questions until you feel you DO understand. Take classes, read, study, and apply what you’re learning into your daily life.
The steps you take each day will determine how well you’re able to control your diabetes. Diabetes control usually requires changes in two major areas…nutrition and activity. Lifestyle changes to accommodate the food you need to eat, and the activities you need to include each day, should become a permanent part of your life.
Your physician may prescribe medication for you. Simply taking the medication doesn’t “cure” diabetes. The medication is prescribed to help your body to effectively metabolize the food you eat, thus reducing the level of glucose or “sugar” in your blood. Diabetes management, unlike many other chronic diseases, requires more than taking your medications.
Taking your medications may help to relieve the high blood sugars, but it doesn’t cure what caused the problem. That’s where the lifestyle changes make the difference. Obesity is often a major contributing factor to type 2 diabetes. If you’re overweight with diabetes, weight loss and increased activity can often get you back on the road to good health.
There are several vitamins, minerals, and herbs that do affect blood sugar. Before you decide to try any of the advertised supplements natural or otherwise, be sure to do your homework. Read and learn about what’s in the supplement you’re considering. Talk with your health care professionals. Then make the decision to try it or not.
Remember, learn all you can about your diabetes. Apply what you learn to your daily life. You’ll see results.
This article was written by Janet Smith, author of AAA Success Formula For Diabetics; Simple Secrets to a Happy and Healthy Life. After 46 years as a diabetic and landing in intensive care 28 times in 36 months Janet has discovered how to bring it all together for rewarding results. http://www.masterdiabetes.com
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