Diabetes is one of the common metabolic diseases that occur due to defects in the carbohydrate metabolism in the body. It affects approximately 17 million people (about 8% of the population) in the United States.

Causes of Diabetes

• Excess intake of oil and sugar
• Hereditary and genetics factors also leads to diabetes
• Increased cholesterol level
• Over weight
• Stress
• No physical activities

Symptoms of Diabetes

• Frequent urination
• Excessive hunger and thirst
• Problems of back and joint pain
• Tiredness or general weakness
• Loss of weight
• Long time for healing of wounds

Complications of Diabetes

• Diabetes may lead to blindness, kidney failure, and nerve damage.
• It is also an important factor in accelerating the hardening and narrowing of the arteries (atherosclerosis), leading to strokes, coronary heart disease, and other large blood vessel diseases.
• It is also the leading cause of blindness in United States. It can cause a number of eye problems, some of which can lead to blindness if not addressed
• It also increases the risk of gum disease and tooth loss
• Diabetic patients also suffer from impotence or erectile dysfunction.

Do’s and Don’t for Diabetes

• Avoid all kinds of sugary and sweet foods.
• Eat bitter melon herbs either in powdered form (powder of bitter melon seeds) or cooked vegetables. It is very beneficial in the treatment of diabetes.
• Also avoid coffee, sugar, refined flour and alcohol.
• Include onion, sprouts, beans, garlic, and tomatoes in the diet as it helps in lowering the sugar level in the blood.
• Do not eat junk food and oily food as this will control your level of cholesterol, lowers your blood pressure level, and diabetes

Home Treatments for Diabetes

• Gooseberry helps to cure diabetes and brings the blood sugar level to normal.
• Curry leaves also helps in controlling body weight and also diabetes. Chewing (8-10) curry leaves in an empty stomach to bring sugar level in urine and blood to normal.
• Dry the leaves of mango tree and make its powder in a grinder. Mix the dry powder (1 teaspoon) of mango leaves in a glass of water and drink it everyday to cure diabetes.
• Soak few fenugreek seeds in water and keep them overnight. Have these softened seeds in the morning.
• Garlic contains allicin, which works at reducing the sugar level in the blood.
• Jamun has also specific action on the pancreas, which controls the conversion of starch to sugar. Always seek the insights of a qualified health professional before embarking on any health program.

Where to Find Useful Diabetes Information to Control the Disease
Diabetes Mellitus is a disease that is least understood by the common masses.

How is diabetes caused?
Diabetes is actually a metabolic disorder wherein the body feels an acute lack of the energy-producing hormone, insulin. Insulin, which is produced by cells in the pancreas, break down the food we eat and convert it into energy, which helps us carry on our daily activities.

Sometimes, this insulin is either deficient due to some autoimmune disorder in the body or because of the body's own capacity to absorb the amount present in it. Either way, the body fails to generate the energy automatically and slowly starts breaking under the strain of it all.

Here are some things to note about diabetes and what it is:

• Firstly, most of us tend to think that diabetes is caused by a wrong lifestyle and / or eating habits. It is important to understand that the above does not directly cause this disorder, though they could be contributing factors for the same. Hyperglycemia or the presence of excess sugar in the body is the prime indicator of diabetes, but this need not necessarily be caused by sugar intake. In fact, it could well be your excess fat intake that could be the cause of your diabetes.
• People often tend to buckle under the false impression that one has to completely cut off sugar if one suffers from diabetes. Discuss with your doctor as to how much sugar is ideal for you.
• Eating fruits is not necessarily counter-effective to your diabetes medication. While there are certain fruits such as mangoes, grapes and avocados that are totally loaded with calories and carbohydrates, there are yet others that are quite harmless and actually bestow great benefits on the body. Apples and citrus fruits are best for you if you are suffering from diabetes.
• As concerns vegetables, green leafy vegetables are the best for you, as they are a rich source of Vitamin B and Vitamin C, which naturally contain calorie-reducing properties. Potatoes and corn are best avoided, though.
• Another common concern is that one cannot have carbohydrates in one's diet. They supply tremendous energy to the body. It is not recommended to avoid them altogether from your diet. Ask your doctor to prescribe the ideal diet for you - one in which you can also include carbohydrates.
• Taking Aspirin is considered harmful for diabetics. But a recent body of research claims that this is actually good in moderation, as Aspirin prevents thickening of the arteries, hence reducing chances of heart attacks to that extent. But this medicine also has many undesirable side effects, so it is most advisable to have a word with your physician before consuming the same.

We hope the diabetes information we provided you here helped educate you better on the disorder. Take care of yourself, keep under control and you will be able to live a full life in spite of diabetes!

There are so many changes the body undergoes during pregnancy that it becomes easy to ignore the changes in the feet. During pregnancy the body releases hormones that allow the ligaments to relax in the birth canal. The ligaments in the feet also relax, causing the foot to lengthen and widen. Many will complain of a shoe size increase by one or two sizes. In most circumstances, this flattening and widening of the foot is benign and no problems result.

In the diabetic, this change in foot size is important to recognize. Despite the increase in foot size, many moms will continue to wear the same size shoes. As a diabetic, properly fitting shoes are of utmost importance. Increased pressure on the foot can cause areas of rub or irritation and potentially result in ulceration. Once there is ulceration, one is at risk for infection, delayed healing and further diabetic foot complications.

Diabetic neuropathy is the single greatest risk factor for developing foot ulcerations. Neuropathy is the loss of sensation in the feet commonly caused by diabetes. Many individuals will develop neuropathy before they are diagnosed with diabetes. Others will develop neuropathy years after being diagnosed with diabetes. Luckily, gestational diabetes is not typically associated with neuropathy.

Unfortunately, type I diabetics develop neuropathy much earlier than type II diabetics and may have neuropathy during their pregnancy. Even mild neuropathy increases the risk of ulceration. Wearing shoes which are too small causes an increase in friction and an increased risk of skin breakdown.

Wearing properly fitting shoes during and after pregnancy is of particular importance. Although the ligaments relax in the foot during pregnancy, they do not stay relaxed. The post-pregnancy foot is at higher risk for developing foot problems. There are multiple reasons contributing to the increased risk. The flattened foot places excess stress on the ligament that holds up the arch. The weight gain from pregnancy places excess stress on the feet. Moms are also carrying their baby, added weight which transmits to the feet. To decrease your chances of foot problems during and after pregnancy follow these steps:

1. Check your feet everyday: This is an absolute necessity if you are a type I diabetic or if you have diagnosed neuropathy. Look for cuts, sores, bruises, openings or areas of irritation. Remember, if your nerves are not functioning properly, then you may not feel everything in your feet. If you cannot reach your feet, have a family member check your feet or place a mirror on the floor and put your feet over it.

2. Check your shoes before you put your foot in them.

3. Don't walk around barefoot: Wear a supportive shoe, one that has a rigid sole and bends only where the foot bends (at the toes). If a shoe seems too confined, find a slipper which has a semi-rigid sole, or try a clog or slip-in shoe with a more rigid sole. The remaining aspect of the shoe can be soft and flexible and allow for swelling, but the sole should be rigid from the heel to the ball of the foot.

4. Buy shoes that fit your feet: Be aware of the changes your feet are going through. The feet are most likely widening and lengthening. Make sure the shoes don't cramp the toes. Your feet will not shrink after the birth.

5. Watch out for folds in your socks: A simple fold can cause rub or irritation on your feet. Serious consequences in diabetics can include ulceration and infection.

6. Dry your feet and between toes after showers: Increased moisture between your toes can lead to skin breakdown and eventual ulceration.

7. Don't be a victim of fashion: Most moms will avoid high fashion during pregnancy, but many try squeezing into that strappy heel after. Wearing high heeled shoes puts excess stress on the ball of the foot, cramps the toes and increases the chances of ankle sprains. Tight shoes will increase the chance of ulceration for those with neuropathy.
Check the water by inserting your hand into the water to wrist depth.

8. Don't use a heating pad on your feet: Although the idea of heat on your feet may sound soothing after a long day, the heat will increase swelling and inflammation. Sore feet respond better to ice. Roll your foot over a frozen sports water bottle to help ease the achiness in the arch. The heating pad can cause burns in those who have neuropathy.

9. Don't use any medication on the skin: Be careful of topical medications during pregnancy and during breast-feeding. Don't use medicated corn pads from the local drug stores if you have neuropathy.

Diabetes and Pregnancy is Not Sweet
To bear a child in this world is no doubt one of the most wonderful things that can happen to a woman. But for some women, it is not as simple as carrying a child in your womb and delivering them after nine months. For the longest time, diabetes and pregnancy are two things that didn’t really mix well together. It was used to be discouraged by health workers and doctors due to the complications that may arise from the combination of the two. Thankfully, after years of research and advances in medicine, diabetic women are now given the same chance as any other woman to experience the joys of being a mother.

Women with diabetes now have better chances of having a successful pregnancy. If you are planning to become pregnant, one of the most important things that you must do is to monitor your blood glucose level tightly 3 months before the planned pregnancy and aim for an almost normal level. This is very important so that your body would be prepared for the pregnancy, but most of all, because high blood glucose levels during the first trimester of your pregnancy could cause birth defects in your baby or even miscarriage. It is highly recommended that you consult your doctor way before your planned pregnancy so that he can give you the proper guidelines and program to follow for a successful and safe pregnancy.

Since monitoring your blood glucose level and maintaining it to an acceptable level is of utmost importance, you must put a lot of effort into this. One of the things that you have to do is to develop a special diet that will help you maintain a healthy sugar level. This is usually done with the help of your doctor. Another is to continually self-monitor your sugar level and this should be done 6-8 times a day. Lastly, in order to control your sugar level, use insulin injections instead of oral medications as the effects of oral medications on the baby are still unknown.

Once you’ve become pregnant, it becomes more critical as the baby is now growing inside you. Therefore, the things that you’ve been doing before the pregnancy must still continually be practiced and strictly followed. Ideal gain weight during the pregnancy varies and must be consulted with your doctor, but for a person with a normal weight to start with, 25-35 pounds of gain weight is considered to be ideal.

There are also times that a non-diabetic pregnant woman develops diabetes midway through the pregnancy. This is called gestational diabetes and it happens to 3-5% of pregnant women. Since it occurs midway during pregnancy, birth defects are not as much of a problem as formation of organs occurs during the first 3 months of pregnancy. Still, it could be very dangerous as it could result to the death of the baby. Thus, the precautions done by the women who are diabetic even before the pregnancy must also be strictly implemented in this case especially when it comes to controlling the blood sugar level.

Another complication that may occur during a diabetic pregnancy is having a very large baby. During pregnancy, there’s a lot of interaction happening between the mother and the child. As the mother nourishes the baby, a very high glucose level in the blood received by the baby could cause the baby to become very large. This is due to the inability of the natural insulin in the baby’s body to convert the excess glucose into energy and it becomes converted into fats instead. Thus, you have a very fat baby. This could lead to a more complicated delivery, often needing a cesarean section. After the baby has been delivered, he/she still has to be monitored closely for changes in the blood sugar level.

Women who develop gestational diabetes often lose it after the delivery. However, there are some who retain it and develop type 2 diabetes. Women who developed gestational diabetes must be tested every year for type 2 diabetes as a precautionary measure. Extra large babies also tend to develop obesity and type 2 diabetes later on in their lives. Although this could not be prevented altogether, living a healthy lifestyle and taking precautionary measures can help lower its chances of happening.

In the end, although it’s much more complicated than a normal pregnancy, pregnancy in diabetics now has a good chance of success.

Diabetes: A disease in which the body doesn't produce or properly use insulin.
Insulin: A hormone, insulin unlocks 'doorways' in cells and allows glucose that comes from sugar, starches, and other foods, to enter the cells and be used as energy.

Diabetes causes
Diabetes Can Cause:
Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA)

Hypoglycemia
Retinopathy: Nearly 39,000 Americans lose their sight to diabetes each year.
Nephropathy: One out of three people with insulin-dependent diabetes develops kidney failure and need kidney transplants.

With a specific virus or bacteria;
Exposure to food-borne chemical toxins; and
Exposure as a very young infant to cow's milk, where an as yet unidentified component of this triggers the autoimmune reaction in the body.

Type 1 diabetes is typically recognized in adulthood, usually after age 45 years. It used to be called adult-onset diabetes mellitus, or non–insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. These names are no longer used because type 2 diabetes does occur in younger people, and some people with type 2 diabetes need to use insulin.

Type 2 diabetes is usually controlled with diet, weight loss, exercise, and oral medications. More than half of all people with type 2 diabetes require insulin to control their blood sugar levels at some point in the course of their illness.

Poor Diet (Malnutrition Related Diabetes): Improper nutrition, low protein and fiber intake, high intake of refined products are the expected reasons for developing diabetes.

Obesity and Fat Distribution: Being overweight means increased insulin resistance that is if body fat is more than 30%, BMI 25+, waist girth 35 inches in women or 40 inches in males.

Diabetes Symptoms
The symptoms of type 2 diabetes due to high blood sugar may include:
• Increased thirst
• Increased hunger (especially after eating)
• Dry mouth
• Frequent urination
• Unusual weight loss
• Increased fatigue
• Irritability
• Blurry vision

Diabetes treatment
See a picture of glucagon, which is typically administered as an emergency diabetes treatment when a patient is suffering from symptoms of hypoglycemia -- confusion, seizures, or unconsciousness

If the patient is obese and has had difficulty losing weight on their own, talk to a healthcare provider. Eat a consistent, well-balanced diet that is high in fiber, low in saturated fat, and low in concentrated sweets.

When these measures fail to control the elevated blood sugars, oral medications are used. If oral medications are still insufficient, treatment with insulin is considered. Adherence to a diabetic diet is an important aspect of controlling elevated blood sugar in patients with diabetes. The American Diabetes Association (ADA) has provided guidelines for a diabetic diet.

Diabetes remedies
Bittermelon (karela) is one of the best options 21. Srivastava Y, Venkatakrishna-bhatt H, Verma Y, et al. Antidiabetic and adaptogenic properties of Momordica charantia extract: An experimental and clinical evaluation. Phytother Res 1993; 7:285–9...

Take 15 fresh mango leaves and boil them in 1 glass of water. Filter and drink the next morning. As a part of diabetes home remedy treatment, grapefruit is considered most beneficial.

Diabetes Causes and Prevention
Diabetes is a disease that affects the body natural ability to change carbohydrates and sugars into energy. There is no known cause for the onset of diabetes. However, there are certain factors that place a person at higher risk of contracting diabetes.

The risk factors of diabetes can include:
A family history of diabetes
Obesity
Poor diet
Physical inactivity

Different Types/Different Causes of Diabetes
There are three main types of diabetes -type-1, type-2, and gestational. Type-1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease and most often affects children and young adults. An autoimmune disease is one in which the body ability to fight infections is decreased causing the body to attack its own cells. In type-1 diabetes, the body often attacks the beta cells in the pancreas -the cells that produce insulin in the body.

The main diabetes causes of type-1 diabetes are:
Infections with specific bacteria or viruses
Food-borne chemical toxins
Cow’s milk -an unidentified component in cow milk can trigger an autoimmune reaction in the body. Young infants who are given cow milk have a higher risk of contracting type-1 diabetes.

The main diabetes causes of type-2 diabetes are:
Increasing age
Obesity
Physical inactivity
Poor diet

The main diabetes causes of gestational diabetes are:
Hormones produced during pregnancy blocking actions of insulin
Mother body can't produce enough insulin
Common Causes of Diabetes

There are some common diabetes causes that include genetic causes as well as environmental causes. The risk of diabetes is higher if there is a family history of diabetes. Environmental factors that can lead to the onset of diabetes include poor diet, lack of exercise, obesity, and stress. Diabetes is a disease that can be prevented -or controlled once a diagnosis has been made.

Prevention and Control in Diabetes
While the symptoms of diabetes are not life threatening, diabetes can lead to other more serious diseases and illnesses. People who have been diagnosed with diabetes are at a higher risk of diseases and illnesses such as heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, neuropathy and nerve damage, foot conditions, and blindness. It is extremely important to control your diabetes in order to avoid the onset of these more serious and sometimes life-threatening illnesses. A healthy diet should consist of fresh fruits, fresh vegetables, and carbohydrates in healthy portions, Omega-3 fatty acids, proteins in healthy portions, and fiber.

A healthy diet not only helps your overall health, but also can be a major factor in offsetting the symptoms of diabetes. The longer you can prevent the symptoms of diabetes, the longer you can decrease the risks of more serious illnesses associated with diabetes. A regular exercise routine is also an important factor in the prevention and management of diabetes. By keeping your muscles toned and your blood flowing correctly, you can help your body to fight off infections and your body will be able to help in managing the symptoms of many illnesses. Strong muscles in the abdomen are essential for helping your digestive system work normally.

A Long, Healthy Life It is possible to live a long, healthy life. You can help ensure that your body will work properly for a long time by beginning a healthy diet and routing exercise program early in life.

By choosing to live a healthy lifestyle, you are choosing to consciously help your body fight of the symptoms of many illnesses and diseases.

Diabetes is a disease that results from too much sugar (glucose) in the blood, which means that your body does not have sufficient insulin available to convert food into energy. Insulin is a hormone that helps sugar enter the body's cells and maintains the level of sugar in the blood.

The main concern while monitoring diabetes is to watch that the sugar level does not cross the normal range. This means that one requires cutting down on many types of food and consuming regularly those foods, which are fine at regulating diabetes.

People with diabetes should try to manage a healthy weight and consume a diabetic food that is:
1) Low in fat quantity
2) Low in sugar quantity
3) Low in salt quantity
4) High in fruit and vegetables
5) High in starchy carbohydrate foods, such as bread, chapatti, rice.

There is no such diabetic food that diabetes patients should never eat. In addition, there is no requirement to cut out all sugar. But, people with diabetes should aim and eat only small amounts of foods that are high in sugar, fat.

What foods to eat in Diabetes?
1) People with Diabetes must take lots of fruits and vegetables in which fiber content is very high. Such type of food lessens the need for insulin, the reason being it releases energy into the body cells slowly. A high fiber diet means more chromium, which is very cooperative in the treatment of diabetes.
2) As for vegetables, onion, garlic, ginger, radish, spinach, kale, cucumber, carrot, tomato, cabbage and cucumber are outstanding in the diabetes treatment. Moony, kidney beans which have been sprouted, and unripe banana which is cooked, are also advisable.
3) Fenugreek seeds which have been soaked in water are almost fine for diabetic patients and should be included in diabetic food plan.
4) In fruits diet, you can take guava, Indian blackberry (also called jaunt), fig, kiwi fruit, apples, citrus fruits and pomegranate juice. As, fruit juice is high in fructose (fruit sugar) and can cause blood sugar levels to rise rapidly, it’s excellent for diabetics to drink fruit juice with a meal and avoid having more than one small glass a day.
5) Substitute white sugar with palm sugar, dates and honey, if you desire to have something sweet.
6) Fats like olive oil and peanut oil should be included in diabetes food plan.
10) Eat non-fat dairy foodstuffs such as skim milk, non-fat yogurt and non-fat cheese, plain yoghurt.
11) Some herbs and vegetables are specially prescribed for diabetes, like Bitter Gourd and bitter melon juice.

What to avoid?
1) Processed foods, white sugar, white flour and junk food, must be completely avoided. Avoid sweets, glucose, fruit sugar, cakes, ice cream, chocolates and soft drinks.
2) Avoid smoking and alcohol as far as achievable.
3) Try to give up from sweets, ice-creams and chocolates, including the so-called sugar-free kinds.
4) Foods made from white flour, rye, corn, polished rice, bread, cakes, biscuits, pies.
5) Cottage cheese
6) Avoid commercially package foods such as fast foods, chips, ready-to-eat foods, snack foods and "health foods."

Some useful tips you should remember while eating out
• You should give preference to water and calorie-free "diet" drinks instead of regular soda, fruit mock tails, sweet tea and sugar-sweetened drinks
• You must avoid creamy toppings like mayonnaise as far as possible.
• Try to eat high-fat topping salads, dressings, cheeses, and croutons.
• Choose a thin-crust pizza with more vegetable toppings but limit yourself to one or two slices. Left the extra cheese, which add calories, fat, and sodium.
• Finish your meal with sugar-free, fat-free frozen simple yogurt or a little cone of fat-free yogurt.

Diabetes Foods and Nutritional Requirements for Diabetics
Diet plays an important role in managing diabetes. This article will help you know about the diabetes foods and nutritional requirements for diabetics.

Diabetes Foods
Foods that can be eaten as much as one wants – Green leafy vegetables, fruits except banana, lemon; clear soups, onion, salads, mint, spices, plain coffee or tea, skimmed and butter milk
Foods that can be eaten in moderation – Fats, meat, egg, cereals and pulses
Foods to be avoided – Simple sugars (glucose, syrup, sweets and honey), dried fruits, cake, fried foods, candy, alcohol and nuts

Nutritional Requirements for Diabetics
Carbohydrates – High carbohydrate and high fiber diet improve insulin binding and increase in monocyte insulin receptor binding. High carbohydrate diet is likely to elevate serum triglyceride levels (endogenous cholesterol). Hence carbohydrate is maintained to about 50% of total calories. Most carbohydrates should be in form of polysaccharides such as bread, cereals, beans, etc. Rapidly absorbed mono and disaccharides such as sweets, chocolates and sweetened drink should be avoided.

Proteins – A diet high in protein is good for the health of diabetics because it supplies the essential amino acids needed for tissue repair. In patients with NIDDM, consumption of protein along with carbohydrate will lower the blood glucose concentration due to amino acid stimulation of insulin secretion; this help to compensate for the defect in glucose mediated insulin secretion seen in so many of these patients. Protein also promotes satiety and helps both types of diabetic patients to adhere to the carbohydrate allowance.

Fats – Low fat diet increases insulin binding and also reduces LDL and VLDL levels and lowers the incidence of atherosclerosis which is more common in diabetics. Fat content in the diet should be 15-25% of total calories and higher in polyunsaturated fatty acids.

Dietary Fiber – Diets high in carbohydrate and fiber improve glucose metabolism without increasing insulin secretion. They lower fasting serum and peripheral insulin concentrations in response to oral glucose administration in both diabetic and non-diabetic individuals. Fenugreek seeds which contain high fiber are useful to diabetics.

Artificial Sweeteners - High content of sugar consumption is undesirable for diabetics and for obese individuals. Non-caloric and high intense sweeteners are available as sugar substitute. Always seek the insights of a qualified health professional before embarking on any health program.

In the United States alone there is an estimated 17 million people that suffer from diabetes. Of those 17 million who suffer this disease nearly 5.9 million have not been medically diagnosed. The reason for this could well be that many of the early warning signs of diabetes are shrugged off by those who suffer them because the symptoms do not seem that severe.

In the early stages of diabetes the symptoms can be more of a minor annoyance, leading those who are diagnosed saying things like "I don't feel sick". Many of the early signs of diabetes are often attributed to some other ailment or condition.

The sooner the symptoms of diabetes are recognized and diagnosed the better the chances of a managing this condition and avoiding many of the serious and sometimes life threatening complications this disease can bring. Diabetes is the sixth leading cause of death by disease in the United States today.

The American Diabetes Association has a list of the early warning signs of diabetes and they include:
1. Increased Urination - This is caused by high blood sugar levels which increase the amount of blood that flows through the kidneys.
2. Excessive Thirst - The increased output of urine can lead to dehydration.
3. Extreme Hunger - Because diabetes is characterized by a lack of insulin or insulin resistance glucose is unable to cross over from the blood stream into the cells where it is needed for energy production. The body thinks it's hungry because of the energy deficit and manifests hunger pangs.
4. Unexplained Weight Loss - The body will start to break down its own proteins (muscle) and fat to make up for the perceived lack of cellular energy.
5. Fatigue - Caused by the decreased energy levels.
6. Irritability and Depression.
7. Vision Impairment - An increase in blood volume caused by high blood glucose levels can lead to swelling of the eye's lens.

Everyday stress can cause fatigue, irritability, and depression. Depression is known to cause weight loss. Many of these signs and symptoms start out small; barely noticeable and as time progresses many people don't actually see the changes because of the slow rate at which they occur.

These symptoms will get progressively worse as the affects of the diabetes creates a variety of complications that affects many of the bodily systems. It is important to note that these symptoms will not resolve themselves.

The sooner one can recognize the early warning signs of diabetes the sooner they can seek medical attention. Diagnosing diabetes early is key to successfully managing its long term affects. There is no known cure for diabetes but with lifestyle changes and proper medical treatment it can be controlled and its affects minimized.

What Are the Beginning Signs of Diabetes and What Should You Do When They Appear?
There are many times when the beginning signs of diabetes are overlooked by those that are developing the disease. One of the reasons may be that a lot of people have failed to educate them on what the symptoms of diabetes are even though they show the signs of someone that should be concerned about developing this dreaded disease.

The beginning signs of diabetes are nearly identical for both Type 1 diabetes and Type 2, but it is the speed of the onset of these symptoms which is the difference between the two. The onset of Type 1 diabetes is rapid, and it usually attacks people at a very young age. The signs of Type 2 diabetes tend to set in more gradually, and this version of the disease tends to affect people 30 years or older.

Since the symptoms of diabetes Type 1 and Type 2 are so similar we will cover them quickly, and then we will turn the focus of the article more towards Type 2 diabetes. We will do this because of the estimated 194 million people that suffer with the disease worldwide Type 2 diabetes cases make up over 184 million of them. The number of people suffering either type is likely to grow rapidly if the current trends continue.

The beginning signs of diabetes are frequent urination, excessive thirst, unexpected weight loss, weakness, fatigue, and tingling or numbness in the hands, legs, or feet. This disease can destroy your organs, and kill you quickly, if not put in check right away.

The reason that I wanted to rush through the symptoms of diabetes and get right to Type 2 is because evidence suggests that Type 2 diabetes can be better managed, delayed, or prevented all together with the right diet and the use of certain enzymes, minerals, herbal extracts, and specialty supplement that are designed to lower blood sugar levels and increase insulin production and secretion.

Whether you have already begun to suffer the beginning signs of diabetes or not, you can receive benefits from the use of these dietary aids. They can be of great help in managing this disease before it ever begins to get out of control, and they could even delay or possibly prevent the onset of this disease.

Before the discovery of insulin in 1921, everyone with type 1 diabetes died within a few years after diagnosis. Although insulin is not considered a cure, its discovery was the first major breakthrough in diabetes treatment.

Today, healthy eating, physical activity, and taking insulin are the basic therapies for type 1 diabetes. Blood glucose levels must be closely monitored through frequent blood glucose checking. People with diabetes also monitor blood glucose levels several times a year with a laboratory test called the A1C. Results of the A1C test reflect average blood glucose over a 2- to 3-month period.

Healthy eating, physical activity, and blood glucose testing are the basic management tools for type 2 diabetes. In addition, many people with type 2 diabetes require oral medication, insulin, or both to control their blood glucose levels.

Adults with diabetes are at high risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD). In fact, at least 65 percent of those with diabetes die from heart disease or stroke. Managing diabetes is more than keeping blood glucose levels under control--it is also important to manage blood pressure and cholesterol levels through healthy eating, physical activity, and use of medications (if needed). By doing so, those with diabetes can lower their risk. Aspirin therapy, if recommended by the health care team and smoking cessation can also help lower risk.

People with diabetes must take responsibility for their day-to-day care. Much of the daily care involves keeping blood glucose levels from going too low or too high. When blood glucose levels drop too low--a condition known as hypoglycemia--a person can become nervous, shaky, and confused. Judgment can be impaired, and if blood glucose falls too low, fainting can occur.

People with diabetes should see a health care provider who will help them learn to manage their diabetes and who will monitor their diabetes control. Most people with diabetes get care from primary care physicians--internists, family practice doctors, or pediatricians. Often, having a team of providers can improve diabetes care. A primary care provider such as an internist, a family practice doctor, or a pediatrician.

An endocrinologist (a specialist in diabetes care)
A dietitian, a nurse, and other health care providers who are certified diabetes educators experts in providing information about managing diabetes.

A podiatrist (for foot care)

An ophthalmologist or an optometrist (for eye care)
The team can also include a pediatrician or a neonatologist with experience taking care of babies born to women with diabetes. The goal of diabetes management is to keep levels of blood glucose, blood pressure, and cholesterol as close to the normal range as safely possible. A major study, the Diabetes Control and Complications Trial (DCCT), sponsored by the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), showed that keeping blood glucose levels close to normal reduces the risk of developing major complications of type 1 diabetes.

This 10-year study, completed in 1993, included 1,441 people with type 1 diabetes. The study compared the effect of two treatment approaches--intensive management and standard management--on the development and progression of eye, kidney, nerve, and cardiovascular complications of diabetes. Intensive treatment aimed to keep A1C levels as close to normal (6 percent) as possible. Researchers found that study participants who maintained lower levels of blood glucose through intensive management had significantly lower rates of these complications. The United Kingdom Prospective Diabetes Study, a European study completed in 1998, showed that intensive control of blood glucose and blood pressure reduced the risk of blindness, kidney disease, stroke, and heart attack in people with type 2 diabetes.

Successful Diabetic Management
It is also known as adult onset diabetes as it contrasts with type 1 diabetes and which typically form later in your adult life when the pancreas lost the facility to manufacture insulin that your body require.

When you are afflicted with the following symptoms, fix an appointment your doctor as soon as possible: extreme thirst, extreme urination, inexplicable weight loss, vaginal itching, and blurred vision, wound that takes too long to recuperate, fatigue and weakness, headaches, existence of sugar in urine, elevated levels of blood sugar.

With the existence of such symptoms and if you have a family history of having diabetes and are obese, immediately seek the advice of a physician. Types 2 diabetes can cause severe long term complications such as loss of eye sight, amputation of the limbs, kidney failure, heart attack, etc. Do not be complacent if you are diagnosed with type 2 diabetes as your inability to follow doctor's order might compromise your quality of life.

With type 2 diabetes, there is no available cure and the best answer is through exercise, diet and medications, Type 2 diabetes can be dealt with only if you are disciplined by staying clear of sweet things, reducing your weight to a manageable level and when it comes to fruit, though healthy, consume moderately as many types of fruit do contain sugar. Plan your meal well and avoid too much salts and sugar.

Type 2 diabetic is manageable with no requirement for insulin injection but discipline is vital. With a successful diabetic management plan, type 2 diabetic can be controlled and your lifestyles do not have to compromise. With the right exercise and regular medications, diet also play an important part and you can acquire delicious diabetic recipes by following the recipes at www.healthydiabeticrecipe.com. A healthy diabetic recipe need not be bland but one you can enjoy.

With all the proper diabetic management techniques, it need not be a chore and your diabetic diet can be just as appetizing. Diabetes though a severe condition, need not be life threatening if there is successful diabetic management system.

Like all complicated matters there are certain misunderstandings regarding Diabetes.

Today I want to dispel some myths regarding diabetes.
Eating too much sugar causes diabetes
Type 2 diabetes is mild diabetes
People with diabetes eventually go blind
It's not safe to drive if you have diabetes
People with diabetes can't play sport
People with diabetes are more likely to get colds and other illnesses
People with diabetes can't eat sweets or chocolate
People with diabetes shouldn’t eat bananas or grapes
People with diabetes should eat special diabetic foods
Now for some serious myth bashing...

Can get diabetes from someone else?
There is a chance that a person whose parents or brothers and sisters have diabetes might get diabetes, particularly Type 2 diabetes. But lifestyle factors also play a part.

Eating too much sugar causes diabetes
Eating sugar does not cause diabetes. Diabetes is caused by a combination of inherited and lifestyle factors. However, eating a diet high in fat and sugar can cause you to become overweight. Being overweight increases your risk of developing Type 2 diabetes, so if you have a history of diabetes in your family, a healthy diet and regular exercise are recommended to control your weight.

Type 2 diabetes is mild diabetes
There is no such thing as mild or borderline diabetes. All diabetes is equally serious, and if not properly controlled can lead to serious complications.

People with diabetes eventually go blind
Although diabetes is the leading cause of blindness in people of working age, research has proved you can reduce your chances of developing diabetes complications – such as damage to your eyes – if you:
• Control your blood pressure and glucose levels
• Keep active
• Maintain your ideal body weight
• Give up smoking

It's not safe to drive if you have diabetes
providing you are responsible and have good control of your diabetes, research shows that people with diabetes are no less safe on the roads than anyone else. Nevertheless, the myth that people with diabetes are not safe persists.

People with diabetes can't play sport
Pakistan's famous all-rounder Wasim Akram has diabetes; many other people with diabetes take part in active sports. People with diabetes are encouraged to exercise as part of a healthy lifestyle. Keeping active can help avoid complications associated with diabetes, such as heart disease.

People with diabetes are more likely to get colds and other illnesses
No. You are no more likely to get a cold or another illness if you’ve got diabetes. However, people with diabetes are advised to get flu vaccinations. This is because any infection interferes with your blood glucose control, putting you at risk of high blood glucose levels and, for those with Type 1 diabetes, an increased risk of ketoacidosis.

People with diabetes can't eat sweets or chocolate
Sweets and chocolate can be eaten by people with diabetes just like the rest of us, if eaten as part of a healthy diet. Remember that confectionery foods tend to be higher in fat and calories too so for this reason they should be limited especially if you’re trying to lose weight.

People with diabetes shouldn’t eat bananas or grapes
All fruit and vegetables are extremely good for you. Eating more can reduce the risk of coronary heart disease, some cancers and some gut problems. This also helps to improve the overall balance of the diet. Eating a variety of different fruit and vegetables ensure you get the maximum benefit.

People with diabetes should eat special diabetic foods
Diabetic versions of foods offer no special benefit. The healthy diet for people with diabetes is the same as that recommended for everyone – low in fat, salt and sugar, with meals including starchy foods like bread and pasta and plenty of fruit and vegetables.

Type of Diabetes

Different Type of Diabetes
There are many types of diabetes, but the three most common are:
1. Type 1
2. Type 2
3. Gestational

These three types of Diabetes are same with some differences, everyone with diabetes has one thing in common and that is little or no ability to move glucose out of the blood into the cells, where it is converted into body's primary fuel. We all have glucose in our blood, whether or not we have diabetes. Main source for glucose is food which we eat. When we eat, the digestive system breaks down food into glucose, which is absorbed into the blood in the small intestine. Without insulin, glucose can’t move into blood cells. Scientists don't know the exact reason behind cause’s diabetes, but it seems to be a result from a combination of genetics and environmental factors, including viral infections, poor diet, and sedentary lifestyle. People with diabetes can live fulfilling, healthy lives.

Type 1
Diabetics with type 1 diabetes, also known as insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus or IDDM don't produce insulin and require regular supply of insulin to keep their blood glucose levels normal. Type 1 diabetes was known as juvenile-onset diabetes, but that name has been changed because type 1 diabetes also strikes young and older adults alike.

Risk factors
A family history of the diabetes increases risk for next generations.
Diabetes can happen in people of every society, but it's most common among whites.
Being age 20 or younger increases the risk.

Most of the children, whose parents are diabetics, do not suffer from this disease, but scientists still believe that heredity plays a big role in Type 1 diabetes because it tends to run in families.

Researchers have researched on several genes that appear to increase risk of type 1 diabetes. But they haven't got a single gene that causes diabetes.
Type 1 diabetes has many hallmarks of an auto-immune condition. In auto-immune diseases, the immune system, this protects from disease by killing invading germs. In the case of type 1 diabetes, the immune system kills the cells in the pancreas that produces insulin.

Type 1 diabetes often occurs shortly after a viral infection, and doctors sometimes notice a sharp jump in type 1 diabetes diagnoses after viral epidemics.

Type 2
Approximately 95 % of diabetics suffer with type 2 diabetes which is also known as non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus or NIDDM. Type 2 Diabetics produces insulin, but the cells in their bodies are "insulin resistant" they can't respond properly to the hormone, so glucose is accumulated in their blood. Some people with type 2 diabetes inject insulin, but mostly can control the disease through a combination of weight loss, exercise, a prescription oral diabetes medication, and tight control.

Risk factors
Similar to Type 1, Type 2 disease also runs in families and increase the risk for upcoming generations. Most of the diagnosed people with type 2 are above of age 30 or older. In comparison of whites and Asians, type 2 diabetes is more commonly found among Native Americans, African-Americans, Latinos, and Hispanics.

Insulin resistance results in increment of weight and decrement of physical activities. Most of the people suffering from type 2 diabetes have sedentary lifestyles and are obese; there weight increases at least 20 percent more than the recommended weight according to their height and build.

Less exercise, especially for those who are overweight, increases the risk for diabetes. If a female developed gestational diabetes during pregnancy, she is at a higher risk of type 2 diabetes later.

Females who have given birth to babies weighing 9 pounds or more are at an increased risk of Type 2 Diabetes.

Scientists are not sure, but type 2 diabetes, like type 1 diabetes, flows from families to families, which shows some genetic connection. In fact, a genetic link in Type2 diabetes seems even stronger in comparison with type 1. Researchers also have a doubt on genetic susceptibility to obesity.

Obesity is the only single most important cause of type 2 diabetes. 75% of people with type 2 diabetes have problem of being overweight. That's why type 2 diabetes is usually linked with diet and exercise.

Less weight and good muscles helps the body use insulin more effectively. People whose weight is above their hips have a greater risk of developing type 2 diabetes than those who carry it on their hips.

Age also plays an important role in type 2 diabetes. Most of the newly diagnosed are of age 55 and above, and around 11 percent of Americans ages 65 to 74 suffers from type 2 diabetes. However, it is not sure if age is a cause of type 2 diabetes or it is simply a reflection of the fact that people tend to gain weight and become less physically active as they grow older.

Gestational
Gestational diabetes affects only to pregnant ladies without any previous history of diabetes. Nearly 137,000 U.S. females develop gestational diabetes each year.

Typically, gestational diabetes is cleared up on its own after female’s delivery. But research shows that about 40% of females with gestational diabetes face type 2 diabetes within 15 years. All pregnant ladies should be tested for gestational diabetes between their 24th and 28th weeks of pregnancy.

Gestational diabetes and insulin resistance can be prevented by keeping a healthy weight, having healthy food and with the help of regular exercise.

Risk factors
Diabetes problem flows from generation to generation.

Increase in weight, increases insulin resistance.

Native Americans, African-Americans, and people of Hispanic or Latino descent are at increased risk. Hormones may play an important role. Pregnant ladies produce various hormones important for their baby's growth. However, these hormones may interfere with the mother's body's ability to properly use insulin, causing insulin resistance.

Every pregnant lady has some degree of insulin resistance. But if this resistance becomes full-blown gestational diabetes, it usually appears around the 24th week of pregnancy. That's why all pregnant ladies should be screened for gestational diabetes at that time.

Diabetes seems like an innocent health condition to individuals who do not realize what it is. But there are thousands of people in the world who have to manage with it and control it every day. For a couple they have only had the problem a short while and were able to enjoy their childhood without any concerns. One of the best ways to monitor your diabetes is with the use of a blood glucose monitor. This is a handheld device that can measure your blood glucose levels or blood sugar. This is one of the many things that can induce you to hurt when you are dealing with diabetes and if not controlled the patient will suffer challenging health problems.

Numerous people will grow drained of monitoring their blood glucose levels all day long and sometimes twice a day. That and the thought of pricking their finger each time is very irritating and unpleasant for many. To help relieve them of this problem research workers were able to create a better way to check it. They produced the continuous blood glucose monitor.

This device is able to analyze your levels through the function of a tiny sensor that is situated underneath the skin. It will be able to moderate the level that is held inside the tissue fluid and offer you a proper reading. The individual can observe the levels after the sensor has directed the information to a wireless monitor. Continuous glucose monitors are pricey - but they are some of the most precise to utilize.

Diabetic Blood Glucose Monitoring
The most important part of any diabetes symptom management is monitoring blood glucose levels. There are three main ways that glucose levels in the blood can be monitored.

1. Fasting Blood Glucose:
Fasting blood glucose or fasting blood sugar is taken after an eight hour fast and measures the level of glucose in the blood at that time. Depending on the lab conducting the test the normal value of this test should be between 70 to 110 mg/dl. If the diabetes is uncontrolled these fasting glucose levels are much higher then normal.

2. Glycosylated hemoglobin:
Glycosylated hemoglobin (HgbA1c) is produced through a process that is irreversible. Hemoglobin combines with glucose as the red blood cells circulate through the blood stream and forms glycohemoglobin. Depending on the amount of glucose in the blood stream a certain amount of glycohemoglobin is formed during the red blood cells 120 day life span. The more glucose in the blood stream the greater the end value. Short term factors such as food, exercise and stress will not affect this value making it easy to take a blood sample at any time and is much easier then scheduling a fasting blood glucose test.

3. Self-monitoring.
This type of blood glucose test can be done in the diabetics own home with a glucometer or blood glucose meter, which is available for purchase at any pharmacy. This device is used to monitor glucose levels at any time but in particular before and after eating and before bedtime. The glucometer is used with a drop of blood obtained through a finger prick to measure blood glucose levels at specified times during the day. By self monitoring the diabetic can chart their glucose level which is important to maintain glycemic control. Through this method the affects of their meal plan, exercise program and other factors can be evaluated to see if the goal of their medical nutrition therapy is being met.

This allows their doctors and nutritionists to individualize the care plan to the particular diabetic's needs. This makes the older method of offering general diet plans and tear-off diet sheets a thing of the past.

The type of diabetes and treatment that is prescribed will determine the number of times the diabetic will need to test the glucose levels in their blood. Diabetic blood glucose monitoring is the lifeline that allows all diabetics to control their disease and live a normal life.

Diabetes in your child affects the entire family. It can change your life and your child's life for the worst. But that doesn't mean that diabetes should prevent your child from enjoying a fulfilling life full of health, joy and happiness. Knowing what to do, doing research on the disease and working closely with your health care team will help you and your child overcome diabetes.

Diabetes in Children
Type 1 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes in children. The cause or causes of childhood diabetes are still not known, but the factors are believed to be much the same as with adults: viruses, genetics and the environment play a role in childhood diabetes.

Symptoms are also similar to adults: Increased appetite, increased thirst, increased urination, weight loss, fatigue, abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting. Behavioral problems may also be a symptom of diabetes in a child.

Treatment
Most diabetic children are treated with insulin. Insulin shots are the most common way of administering the insulin. Older kids also use insulin pumps for treatment.
As with adults, control of blood glucose levels is important, and an essential part of doing this is by having a healthy diet and exercising regularly. Talking to a trained dietician will help you come up with healthy eating habits for your child.

You play an important role in your child's life with diabetes. Educate yourself and find out what you must do to help your child face the challenges of diabetes, both emotionally and physically.

Become familiar with your child's treatment; understand what you must do as a parent. Your child's health care team can help you. Learning how to administer insulin shots, knowing the symptoms of low blood sugar and making sure your child follows their daily treatment routine are important things you must know.

Teaching Self Care
Teaching your child how to take care of him or herself and getting them involved as soon as they are old enough is crucial for the child's independence and self esteem. Remember, you won't be able to be with your child at all times. You must encourage and supervise your child, but not overwhelm them by being too overprotective, as it will cause emotional problems. Teaching your child how to test their blood glucose levels and how to administer insulin as soon as they are old enough is a vital part of getting them involved in self care.

Understand the physical and emotional issues that your child is going through, both growing up and having to face diabetes. Encourage them and keep them emotionally strong, not letting them stop or avoid treatment for any reason.

Conclusion
Facing the challenge of diabetes for you and your child will not be easy. Nonetheless, making the effort to educate yourself and better help your child is well worth it and rewarding. Teaching your child self care and independence will better improve the child's well being, both physically and emotionally. Working closely with the health care team will help your child stay healthy and avoid complications. Remember, your child has diabetes, but that doesn't mean he or she doesn't deserve a healthy, happy life. It is in your hands to help your child achieve just that.

The Role of Parents in Their Diabetes Children Life
Diabetes is an illness which affects both adults and children. There are two important types of diabetes, type 1 diabetes which is more severe than type 2 and usually occurs during childhood and type 2 diabetes which usually occurs to old people, people who are overweight and also other categories.

To begin with, type 1 diabetes is an affection that not only changes the body system structure but also the lifestyle of children. Diabetes in children may occur at early ages such as 2 or 3 years old but also when the child approaches of his/her years as a teenager. In addition to this, parents have the most important role in the diabetic child life. Parents not only make sure that their children blood glucose is in control but also they have the task to explain to them about their new lifestyle, the procedures that involve diabetes and not in the last place, the most important task, to support and encourage their children.

Moreover for children with diabetes self-confidence, self-control is essential for an almost normal life. Much more parents should develop to their children the sense of responsibility and independence but they should always keep an eye of them in order to help and guide them whenever they need it.

First of all, an important category of children with diabetes are the 3 years old children. In these cases parents have the most important role in their children life and moreover in their life as diabetics. At this age group, children aren’t t aware of their condition and cannot take care of themselves. So, parents should be always near their diabetic children, they need to test their blood glucose daily, to administrate insulin injections a few times a day, to calculate their special diets and also to encourage their infants to make physical exercises.

Secondly, children between 3 and 7 years start to be aware of what happens to them and moreover they tend to involve in their own treatment. Children have other activities, they go to school and in these cases parents cannot be with them like before. This age is quite difficult for children with diabetes because they notice that they are different than the other children of their age. In this case, parents should support them and encourage them. Making them feel that they aren’t t less than the other children.

Thirdly, another category is between 13 and 18 years, at these ages, teenagers take over more and more of their daily diabetes management. Even though they are in charge with everything concerning their treatments and diets, parents should still keep an eye on their teen children. Because of the age, teenagers tend to become rebellious, they refuse their parents advice and help, and they are even unwilling to keep an accurate log of their blood sugar readings.

Hormones like glucagon and insulin regulate the level of sugar in your blood, thus avoiding diabetes. These two hormones are secreted by your pancreas and are the key in protecting you from diabetes. The most important thing to know in this case is that the production of these two hormones is the ultimate thing that protects us form diabetes or any other sugar related problems that you might suffer from.

First let us talk about the first important hormone in avoiding diabetes; insulin. It is produced by the beta cells of your pancreas. What makes your body produce insulin is of course a high sugar level in your blood. Without the production of this hormone, you will suffer from diabetes. To protect you from diabetes, when the levels of glucose in your blood are high, the insulin produced is higher, and the other way around, thus doing everything it can to protect you from diabetes.

Glucagon, the other hormone that fights against diabetes is produced by the alpha cells of your pancreas. This hormone works the other way around than insulin, because the both are very tighten up together in fitting against diabetes. So if you have a high level of glucose in your blood, than no glucagon will be produced, because at the same time insulin will do its part in avoiding diabetes. The normal level of glucose in a person that does not suffer from diabetes is somewhere between 70 to 100 mg/ dl. Any diabetes test should be taken after fasting, because right after you eat, you level of glucose tends to get a little bit higher, but that does not mean you have diabetes.

Insulin is a very necessary hormone in fighting against diabetes. The type 1 diabetes happens in people whose islet cells do not produce any insulin. The second type of diabetes, the type 2 diabetes develops in people who, somehow, have developed a resistance to insulin. In this second case of diabetes, the levels of insulin that one has are almost the same or even higher than in a person that does not suffer from diabetes. But the difference is that people, who have diabetes, have a problem with their cells, which do not respond to insulin.

Some Enlightening Information about Insulin Resistance, and Insulin Resistance Syndrome
Believe it or not—I was astounded!—well over 60,000 searches are done online each and every month for the term insulin resistance. That means a lot of people are curious, and possibly concerned about this. Here is some information that hopefully will clarify some of the “mysteries” surrounding insulin resistance and insulin resistance syndrome.

Most cases of reactive hypoglycemia (1) are labeled idiopathic, which means “unknown cause”. I believe insulin resistance causes most cases of idiopathic reactive hypoglycemia, and that insulin resistance is caused, in turn, by diet and heredity. Insulin resistance can be an early warning sign of Type II diabetes and studies have shown that Type II diabetics may have been insulin resistant for up to 12 years before diagnosis.

(1. By far the most common cases of chronic hypoglycemia are types of reactive hypoglycemia. Reactive hypoglycemia is also called postprandial hypoglycemia, postprandial syndrome or functional hypoglycemia and symptoms appear two to five hours after you eat. Insulin is supposed to trigger the acceptance of circulating blood sugar (glucose) into the body’s cells, but over time and with an over refined diet; your cells can become insulin resistant. When cells are insulin resistant, it takes increasing amounts of insulin to trigger the acceptance of additional sugar into cells in your body.

Your blood pressure, cholesterol and triglycerides readings go up, and you are now at risk of heart attack.

Syndrome X (aka Insulin Resistance Syndrome) is defined as insulin resistance with high blood pressure and high triglycerides. If you have Syndrome X, you are also at increased risk of developing cancer.

We already know that some people are more likely to get diabetes or cancer or heart disease. The more refined foods, especially sugar, that we eat, the more insulin the pancreas produces. No one should be eating the amounts of sugar that most of us do, but some people’s bodies can resist the effects longer.

Insulin resistance happens when your body has been overwhelmed with too much insulin for so long that your cells stop listening. For the cells of your body, a constantly high level of insulin is just like constant noise in your ears.

Over time, you learn to ignore the noise, and it takes a louder sound to get your attention. Your cells view insulin in the same way. It takes more and more insulin to get your cells to pay attention. When your cells ignore insulin and refuse to “open” to take in sugar from your blood, your pancreas simply sends more insulin until your cells begin to respond. The excess insulin has several effects. First, by the time the cells finally begin to accept sugar, there is so much insulin available that your blood sugar drops too much—hypoglycemia. Second, insulin resistance causes more insulin resistance, so eventually there is a lot of insulin floating around your system all the time.

All that insulin makes it difficult to keep your blood sugar steady. When the insulin resistance train has been accelerating on its track for a while, your body really isn’t handling sugar properly anymore, and you will have an “abnormal sugar metabolism”. One way an abnormal sugar metabolism will show up is in chronic hypoglycemia.

Processing sugar is hard work. Eating a donut or a cookie or a granola bar causes a blood sugar spike that the pancreas must deal with. Every spike requires the release of insulin to get it back under control. If we eat a lot of refined foods containing a lot of sugar, we find ourselves living on the blood sugar roller coaster. Abnormal sugar handling, over time, causes increased insulin resistance.

We know that a high level of sugar in the blood is bad. That’s why diabetics stop eating sweets and take medication. A high level of insulin is also bad, but more insidious. Insulin is not meant to sit around in the body all the time and excess insulin causes a host of problems. For one thing, insulin is a storage hormone, so if you have too much insulin, you will gain weight because excess sugar is stored as fat.

Excess weight is a major risk factor for diabetes, and so is overworking the pancreas by producing too much insulin. In early Type II diabetes, the pancreas is working very hard to keep up with the demand. Insulin levels in the body are abnormally high, and your blood sugar may be alternating between high and low. This leads to full-blown diabetes when the over-worked pancreas simply can’t produce the amounts of insulin needed to overcome the insulin resistance of the body’s cells. This slide into Type II diabetes is much more likely in people who are significantly overweight. Sixty-five percent of people living with diabetes will die of a heart attack or stroke.

In addition to Type II diabetes, insulin resistance can cause an increase in blood pressure, “bad” cholesterol and triglycerides. Dr. Gerald Reaven first recognized that these problems are linked in the late 1980s. In his book, Syndrome X, Dr. Reaven states that Syndrome X “…may be the cause of 50 percent of all heart attacks”. Dr. Reaven also suggests that Insulin Resistance Syndrome “…affects between 60-75 million Americans”. More recently, experts have also come to believe that Syndrome X (aka insulin resistance syndrome) also increases the risk of cancer.

The more of the following risk factors you have, the greater the chance you have Syndrome X:

Overweight, a sedentary lifestyle, over age 40, non-Caucasian ethnicity, a family history of Type II diabetes, high blood pressure or cardiovascular disease, a history of glucose intolerance, a diagnosis of high blood pressure, elevated triglycerides/low HDL cholesterol, or cardiovascular disease.

Consult your physician, and be prepared to change your diet and your lifestyle ASAP to turn back the advance of abnormal blood sugar, insulin resistance and Syndrome X!