For people with diabetic, they are sensitive to sodium as it can raise blood pressure and create problems in addition to their diabetic condition. Less sodium in the body can help to retain less water and less fluid in the blood vessels and allow the blood flow to apply less pressure on the body. Let us look at some ways people with diabetic can do to their diabetic plan to help improve blood pressure.

Always taste your food first before adding too much flavorings. If you find the food to bland, you can then sprinkle some salt or soy sauce for flavor. Try avoiding salt or salt by products as food seasonings. You can try other great flavorings such as pepper, herbs, lime juice or onion and garlic. If you buy seasoning from supermarket, try to get those salt free seasonings instead. Some seasonings like garlic salt contain lots of salt, so switch to garlic powder or fresh garlic for a healthier choice.

When eating out, ask for food to be prepared without or with little amount of salt, and ask for a sauce plate so that you can add flavor to your food by yourself instead.

When buying packaged or canned food, read the labels before you buy. Look for those with no salt added or low sodium products.

Usually, packaged food contains higher salt content. Natural food is definitely a better choice. However, we always have processed food as part of our diet. So what can we do to stay away from sodium and keep our diabetic diet healthy? The key is food label. Food labels can give you important information that can help you to pick the right food. Right now, most processed food has labels that show:

• Standard serving size.
• Calories and calories from fat in each serving.
• A list of nutrients and ingredients in the food.
• The recommended daily amounts of nutrients in the food.
• The relationship between the food and any disease it may affect.
• For instance, some food is not recommended for children use.

For some food, you have a choice of different brand. By comparing the information on the labels, you can choose the brand that is healthier and more suitable for your diabetic diet plan to keep your blood pressure down. Food label information helps you to keep track of the amount of nutrients, salt, and fats you are eating every day, and this information is very important to a healthy diabetic diet plan.

So, start making the necessarily changes to your eating habits and take action to watch what you eat. Even with diabetic, you too can live healthily.

1200 - 1600 Calorie Diabetic Diet Plan
The basic principle behind a calorie controlled diabetic diet is of course controlling your daily calorie intake. A 1200-1600 calorie diet is based around consuming no more than those calories per day. The benefits of these diabetic diets is that they give you the opportunity to control your sugar levels in your blood stream, this in turn will give you better control over your weight and reduce any heart complaints. The 1200-1600 daily calorie diets are aimed at small women who exercise, small or medium-sized women who want to lose weight, and medium women who do not exercise much. The key to any calorie controlled diabetic diet is Carbohydrates. Carbohydrates is the main source of Glucose or sugar, this is also your body's main source of energy. A 1200-1600 calorie diabetic diet works on controlling your intake of fat, protein, fat, and carbohydrates.

One gram of carbohydrates equals four calories.
There is no big secret to these diabetic diet plans other than eating a healthy balanced diet. A diabetic controlled diet is all to do with maintaining a balance of carbohydrates, fat and protein that you consume in your 1200 - 1600 calorie plan. For diabetics it is advised to break your meals into 4 to 6 small snacks and meals.

• 6 serving of starches
• 2 servings of milk and yoghurt
• 3 servings of vegetables
• 2 servings of meat or meat substitute
• 2 servings of fruit
• Up to 3 servings of fats
  

The above gives you a guide for portioning suggested from each food grouping. Sticking to your 1200-1600 calorie diet plan is essential because any excess calorie intake may increase your body fat.

To aid your success you could pack your foods the night before - ensuring you have your fresh foods maid already. Keep your food simple to start, just start by calorie counting and progress from there. Try eating you foods a little slower and avoid foods that have a high calorie and fat content.

The symptoms of adult diabetes are symptoms that should be recognized. Recognizing a symptom or sign for diabetes is important because diabetes is a condition that can be life-threatening. Diabetes is a disease where high levels of sugar in the blood exist, creating a symptom or sign for diabetes. Diabetes can be caused by too little insulin in the body, by the inability to use insulin or both of these. Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas to regulate blood sugar levels. About 17 million persons in the USA suffer from symptoms of adult diabetes.

Diabetes consists of three main types:

• Type 1 Diabetes - is usually diagnosed in childhood.
• Type 2 Diabetes - accounts for about 90% of all cases of diabetes and usually occurs in adults. The pancreas do not make enough insulin to keep blood glucose levels normal, frequently because the body does not use the insulin produced very well. Symptoms of adult diabetes and Type 2 diabetes is becoming more common with the increasing number of elderly Americans, with the failure to exercise and increasing obesity rates.

* Gestational Diabetes - is high blood glucose that develops during pregnancy in a woman who does not have diabetes.

Here are the most common Type 2 symptoms of adult diabetes:
1. Blurred Vision
2. Fatigue
3. Impotence in Men
4. Increased Appetite
5. Increased Thirst
6. Infections That Heal Slowly
7. More Frequent Urination

How does one know if symptoms of adult diabetes that are being experienced are actually indicating diabetes? The best way is to do a blood test called the fasting blood glucose level test. Diabetes is diagnosed if this test shows blood glucose is higher than 126 mg/dL on two different tests. What does one attempt to do for stabilizing blood sugar levels and diabetes? While there is no cure for diabetes, the immediate objectives are to stabilize blood sugar and eliminate any symptom or sign for diabetes and high blood sugar. Long-term, the goals of treatment are to prolong ones life, to relieve symptoms of adult diabetes and prevent long-term complications that may result such as heart disease and kidney failure.

A person with symptoms of adult diabetes should work closely with their physician to keep blood sugar levels within acceptable ranges. Besides oral medications, the good news is that Type 2 diabetes may respond to treatment with exercise, diet improvements and weight management.

Best Laboratory Tests for Diagnosis of Diabetes Mellitus
History and physical examination are most important tools for diagnosing diabetes Mellitus, however to confirm diagnosis one should have following laboratory tests.

• Urine sugar test
• Urine ketones test
• OGTT-Oral Glucose Tolerance Test, (also called glucose challenge test)

Blood glucose tests
FPG-Fasting plasma glucose Test

Random plasma glucose Test
Tests for ongoing monitoring of diabetes control:

• HbA1c blood test - an average blood sugar measure over about 3 months.
• Fructosamine blood test - an average blood sugar measure over about 2 weeks

How frequently a person must check his sugar level is the decision of your doctor. It mainly depends upon patient’s age and number of risk factors like blood pressure, higher cholesterol or smoking. If you are above 45 years then you should have your blood sugar level after every 3 years.

A- Urine sample for sugar and Ketones:
You may have your urine analysis for sugar or ketones which are produced by breakdown of fat and muscle cells to diagnose diabetes but you should keep in mind that if you are having positive urine test for sugar then it is not necessary that you are suffering from diabetes because there are other conditions as well which also cause sugar to appear in urine.

B-THE FASTING BLOOD GLUCOSE (SUGAR) TEST
For diagnosing Diabetes Mellitus one must have this test because it is best, easy and comfortable to perform. You should have overnight fast (at-least 8 hours) before performing this test. If fasting blood glucose is below 100mg/dl, then you don't have diabetes. Between 100mg/dl to 125mg/dl is called a Pre-diabetes or Impaired fasting glucose condition. If fasting blood glucose is above 126mg/dl on more than two occasions then you are suffering from diabetes.

C-RANDOM (NON-FASTING) BLOOD GLUCOSE TEST
it is also a good test for diagnosing diabetes. In this test we take sample of blood shortly after taking a meal and then check glucose level in blood.

D-ORAL GLUCOSE TOLERANCE TEST (OGTT)
Though this test is not commonly used these days but it is still a gold standard for diagnosing diabetes. For diagnosing gestational diabetes this is best test.

• Person is not taking anti diabetic drugs or any drug which alters blood sugar level.
• Before test, person should eat high carbohydrate diet for three days.
• No alcoholic beverages.
• On test day one should not smoke or take coffee.

Glucose Tolerance Test Procedure:
First normal blood glucose is tested. Then person drinks 75gm of glucose, for pregnant woman dose of glucose is 100 gm. Then blood samples are taken at particular intervals for measuring blood glucose level. Blood glucose level is measured five times over a period of 3 hours. In simple words, in normal person, this blood sugar level gets higher value by taking 75gm of glucose; however it falls down quickly, but in person having diabetes the blood sugar level rises higher than normal but does not come down quickly. If a person has fasting blood glucose above 140mg/dl and 2 hours value after 75gm of oral glucose greater than 200mg/dl and considered as diabetics. If 2 hours blood glucose value between 140-200mg/dl is labeled as Pre-diabetic condition or impaired fasting glucose. During pregnancy, 2 hours blood glucose value between 140-200mg/dl is treated as a case of diabetes.

OTHER TESTS
Glycosylated hemoglobin Test or HB A1 Test:
Very important test which tells you how good you are in controlling your blood sugar. It shows your blood sugar control during the past 2 to 3 months. Intravenous GTT:
This test is performed in individuals who have intestinal disease or malabsorption.

Extended GTT:
In this the oral Glucose Tolerance Test is extended to 3-4 hours rather than 2 hours, for appearance of symptoms of hyperglycemia.
In short if your fasting blood glucose is more than 126mg/dl on two or more days, or your random blood glucose is above 200mg/dl or your oral glucose tolerance test is positive i.e. 2 hours blood glucose value between above 200mg/dl after 75gm of glucose, then you are suffering from Diabetes Mellitus.

Diabetes mellitus is actually the name given to a group of diseases that are characterized by high blood sugar levels in your body. These blood sugar, or glucose, levels must be maintained within a certain range, or your body can be adversely affected.

Insulin is a hormone that allows body cells to absorb and store glucose, which converts to instant energy. If the body becomes deficient in insulin, the body may succumb to one of several forms of diabetes mellitus. Cells have difficulty absorbing glucose, which then builds up first in the blood supply and then urine. Since those affected must urinate frequently, the water-solute balance in the body is altered. Sufferers grow increasingly thirsty. Without glucose, body cells will then begin to deplete other valuable sources of fat and proteins as alternate energy sources. Sometimes rapid weight loss is the outcome, as is ketone accumulation within the blood and urine. Such a condition can result in what is called ketoacidosis, which affect the acid-base balance and can interfere with normal brain function.

Diabetes mellitus can lead to kidney failure, blindness and nerve damage. Diabetes is one of the major causes of strokes and coronary heart disease. Costs of battling diabetes mellitus are rising at alarming rates, with billions of dollars spent every year in treatment and drugs to fight symptoms, in addition to hospital stays and physician's visits. Diabetes mellitus is the third leading cause of death in the United States, only after heart disease and cancer.

Genetics is a factor in whether or not you're apt to develop diabetes mellitus, as is your ethnic background. African Americans and Native Americans have higher prevalence for acquiring the disease than Caucasians. Birth weight can also be a factor, and the lower the birthrate, the higher your chance of acquiring Type 2 diabetes. By far, however, the greatest contributor to acquiring diabetes mellitus is obesity. American's today are growing heavier than they've ever been before, which is a reason why diabetes mellitus is on the rise.

While diabetes mellitus is a chronic condition, it can be controlled through careful diet and exercise programs. Blood glucose monitors used daily can keep the disease under control for those instructed to inject insulin. For those diagnosed as borderline, maintaining a normal weight and diet are vital to prevent the disease from growing worse. While diabetes mellitus can also be inherited, careful diet and maintaining a healthy life style can slow its onset.

All about Diabetes Mellitus
Diabetes mellitus is a disease that causes higher than normal blood sugars in its sufferers. It is of two types:

1. Type I diabetes, which normally affects young people. It occurs when the body doesn’t make enough insulin to rid the body of excess sugar. The only way to treat that disease is to provide insulin to make up for the lost insulin from the pancreas.
2. Type II diabetes generally affects older people and is a condition where the body makes insulin but the cells of the body don’t respond to the insulin in the body.

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

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

There are several tests for diabetes mellitus. The first is a fasting blood sugar. This is normally less than 100 mg per deciliter. In prediabetes, the number is often between 100 and 120 mg per deciliter. The other test for diabetes mellitus is called the “three hour glucose tolerance test” or “3 hr GTT”. This involves getting a fasting blood sugar and then giving the individual a small bottle of highly sugared liquid to drink. Then the blood sugar is tested at one hour, two hours and three hours after drinking the sugared liquid. If any number is above 200, then diabetes is diagnosed.

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

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

Those with diabetes mellitus must check their blood sugars frequently with a glucometer or blood glucose meter. Insulin shots are given before each meal and sometimes at bedtime. Type II diabetics don’t often need to check their blood sugars that often.

Diabetes in dogs is associated with obesity through either over feeding or a high fat diet. Since today many dogs are overweight, you really have to look at the ingredients and avoid a diet high in fat and sugar in their food.

Causes of Diabetes in Dogs:
Many people are astonished to know that pet foods and treats contain sugar. "Ground yellow corn, chicken by-product meal, corn gluten meal, whole wheat flour, animal fat preserved with mixed-tocopherols (form of Vitamin E), rice flour, beef, soy flour, sugar, sorbitol, tricalcium phosphate, water, salt, phosphoric acid, animal digest, potassium chloride, dicalcium phosphate, sorbic acid (a preservative".

Pet Food Sugar:
We find that corn, sugar and sorbitol all contain sugar. Corn contains sugar in fact it is high on the gylcemic index for food that contain higher amounts of sugar. Sorbitol is a sugar alcohol, which causes irritable bowel syndrome and is instrumental in developing IBS as well as diarrhea.

Another cause of diabetes in dogs is cortisone treatments, shock or a stressful event. The result is the development of diabetes mellitus or quite simply Sugar Diabetes. Also the obesity in dogs causes a higher rate of insulin to counter the higher blood glucose levels. If the need for insulin is higher than the body can provide the consequence is a diabetic condition.

Diabetes can occur in puppies, which is typically called juvenile onset diabetes, or in adult dogs at later stages of life after consuming sugar in their foods.

Symptoms of Diabetes:
The general symptoms of Canine Diabetes are: drinking more water than usual, eating more, change in appetite, lethargy, frequent urination, weight loss, and general weakness.

How to Avoid Diabetes:
The question is what to feed your dog with all the changes in pet foods in the last twenty years; dog food quality has drastically been reduced. The most obvious answer is not feed your dog foods that contain sugar by checking the ingredients of your pet food. What is best for a diabetic dog or to prevent the onset of diabetes is a raw, natural diet with fresh vegetables.

Feedings:
If your dog already has diabetes, feedings should be two or three meals a day instead of one large meal. This method helps to balance out blood sugar throughout the day, rather than having the levels of sugar changing radically.

Avoid Moist Dog Foods:
These are the moist foods in cellophane plastic wrappers and semi-moist treats which contain a good quantity of sugar but all canned and packaged foods contribute to this disease. A high soluble fiber diet is recommended to slow the assimilation of glucose and a healthy lifestyle.

Supplements:
There are herbs and supplements that can help balances blood sugars in dogs. For instance brewer's yeast contains a high amount of chromium a mineral that naturally balances blood sugar levels. Usually one teaspoon of brewers yeast for small to medium sized dogs, and one tablespoon for larger dogs with each meal. Vitamin E reduces the need for insulin and Vitamin C also helps the immune system.

Blood sugar in pets when not balanced can lead to many other diseases such as of the heart, kidney, liver diseases and cataracts as well as intestinal disorders.

Exercise:
A good daily workout for your dog keeps the blood sugars down and prevents diabetes. My dog chasing a Frisbee or a ball is all good in keeping a lean and trim dog in good shape and avoiding high veterinary bills. The right mix is important, for optimum health and although Veterinarians carry a line of "diabetic dog foods", I would expect that they are not organic or without additives. Most specialty expensive brands of dog foods contain additives that counter act the advertised vitamins they have added; therefore they balance out to produce no improvement at all. The ideal foods are those that are: certified Organic, "with no byproducts or additives especially sugar and corn.

If you dog are overweight, you will have to calculate a calorie count for daily intake, to determine the right amount. Your dog's ideal weight can be achieved and weight loss can occur by using this method to keep the weight down.

Insulin for Dogs:
Dogs that have Type 1 Diabetes require insulin, which can be treated with human Insulin.
Diabetes in Dogs is More Common than You Think
Just like humans, dogs can develop or be born with diabetes; in fact, about one in four hundred dogs develop the condition, and it’s getting more common. Dog diabetes is similar in symptoms and action to the human variety.

Watch for the following symptoms if you suspect your dog may have this problem:

• Excessive consumption of water under normal conditions
• Excessive urination
• Increased appetite
• Weight loss or gain for no apparent reason
• An intolerance to exercise
• Recurrent infections
• Thinning skin and fragility (this is very serious)
• Cataracts

Symptoms have a gradual onset, so you may not notice it right away. If you want to quick test your pet for diabetes, you can use urine keto/glucose strips (which are sold for use in the Atkins diet). A glucose-positive test indicates likely canine diabetes; if it shows ketones, you need to get him to the veterinarian right away.

Never try to treat diabetes in dogs yourself. It is critical that diabetes in dogs be treated as quickly as possible. Though they are unlikely to die in the early stages of the disease, a dog’s eyes are very sensitive to elevated blood sugar and can be blinded after only a few days of untreated diabetes.

Treatments for Dog Diabetes
The primary component in treating your dog’s diabetes is his diet. A high-fiber, moderate-carb diet can put dog diabetes into remission, for instance. This means it’s time to quit the table scraps and talk to your vet about the best dog food. Some veterinarians will also prescribe insulin bolus supplements for mealtimes, or a restricted-fat diet for dogs that also have pancreatitis. Rarely, he may prescribe oral medications; get a second opinion if he does.

After diet has been regulated, you may have to give your dog regular insulin injections. There are many animal and synthetic insulin brands used to treat diabetes in dogs. The most common is probably Can insulin or Vetsulin, but don’t be surprised if your veterinarian prescribes human insulin instead.

Treatment for diabetes in dogs should start slowly and conservatively, largely because an overdose of insulin can kill your dog in just minutes. You should buy a blood glucose meter for your dog and test him yourself, as urine strips aren’t accurate enough to monitor glucose levels. Follow your vet’s directions; he will probably tell you that your pet’s glucose should remain between 100-180 mg/dL, preferably toward the lower end. Readings over 250 should be called in to the veterinarian, as that is where canine diabetes can cause serious damage.

Hypoglycemic reactions, marked by lethargy, confusion, loss of bladder and bowel control, vomiting, and seizures, can be treated by rubbing honey or corn syrup on your pet’s gums and rushing him to the vet. Low blood glucose (40 mg/dL) without symptoms should be treated by giving your pet treats right away. Do allow your dog to drink as much water as he wants at all times; don’t worry that he’s drinking too much.

We have four recipes for diabetics, which you will really enjoy.

Pasta with tomato sauce

Ingredients for 4 dishes:

• 4 tomatoes, peeled and cut cube shape
• ½ mug fresh basil
• 3 spoons red onion, minced
• 3 spoons extra virgin olive oil
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• salt
• black pepper powder
• 250 g pasta

Put the tomatoes, the basil, the onion, the olive oil, the vinegar, the garlic, the salt and the pepper in a big bowl and mix them gently.

Boil the pasta for 10 – 12 minutes, according to the instructions on the package and drain them well.

You obtain 4 dishes of pasta and you can put them in heated plates. You can pour tomato sauce on each dish of pasta and you can decorate them with a fresh basil leaf.

Chicken with basil

Ingredients for 4 dishes:

• ¼ mug fresh basil
• 2 spoons of fresh mint
• ¾ mug of chicken soup
• 3 green onions
• 2 garlic cloves
• 1 spoon minced ginger
• 2 spoons extra virgin olive oil
• 1 small egg plant cut cube shape, un-peeled
• 1 minced onion
• 1 red pepper, without seeds, cut julienne
• 1 green pepper, without seeds, cut julienne
• 500 g chicken, without skin or bones, sliced
• 2 spoons of soy sauce

Put the basil, the mint, ¼ of the chicken soup, a minced green onion, the garlic and the ginger in a blender and mix until all the ingredients are minced.

Heat a spoon of olive oil in a pan, at low temperature. Add the egg plant, the onion, and the peppers until the vegetables are soft (about 8 minutes). Put the mixture obtained from basil and the other spices in a pan in which you have heated 1 spoon of olive oil, stirring continuously. Add the chicken, the soy sauce and heat them for 2 minutes. Add the egg plant mixture and stir until it is heated inside. This is one of the recipes for diabetes which can be served hot, on plates which have been heated previously and decorated with green, minced onion.

Brown rice with asparagus

Ingredients for 6 dishes:

• 1 spoon olive oil
• 1 mug brown rice
• 3 mugs of water
• 1 cube concentrated chicken soup
• 1 small onion, minced
• 250 g mushrooms
• 250 g asparagus
• 2 spoons grated cheese
• ½ cup minced parsley
• nutmeg

Heat the olive oil at low temperature. Add the rice and heat it, then add slowly the water, the soup cube, the minced onion, the mushrooms and the nutmeg. Boil the rice for 30 minutes. If it is necessary, add water so that the rice can boil well. Cut the asparagus, throwing away the wooden part of the stalk and add it to the rice. Cover it and let it boil at low temperature.

Sugar Free Recipes For Diabetics
Most people are rather surprised to learn just how many foods have extra sugars added to them. Instead of resigning yourself to the diets of yesterday that were outlined for people diagnosed with the condition, substitute sugar free recipes for diabetics for the recipes you regularly use in your meal planning.

With the additional knowledge about diabetes that we have today and the modern views as to what are the best type of foods to eat, using the diabetic food pyramid is deemed to be the best approach for planning healthy meals. The pyramid is arranged with the widest portion, or the base, designated for starches such as whole grains and breads, the vegetable and fruit section is next, and then meat and diary products. The very smallest portion is allocated for both sweets and fats, which don't have a set recommended amount for daily serving sizes as the majority of people who have been diagnosed with diabetes are strongly encouraged to avoid eating foods from this section of the pyramid.

With sugar free recipes for diabetics, you're still able to enjoy the foods you love, but without worrying about your health. On occasion, you can still enjoy a sweet treat like cookies or cakes, as long as you remember to plan the rest of your day's meals accordingly.

Sugar free recipes for diabetics are in abundance as there are numerous resources in place for those who have been diagnosed with the disease, including libraries, cookbooks, the internet, as well as doctor's offices and local community centers. Instead of giving up your favorite foods, simply replace the sugar with any one of the sugar substitutes available on the market today, including aspartame, or maltitol and xylitol.

I don't know about you, but just the smell of cinnamon makes me feel warm and fuzzy all over. My favorite cookies to make are Snicker doodles because I just LOVE the smell of them baking. There's just something warm and delicious about it.

The sense of smell is powerful - and when my kids smell Cinnamon, they are going to feel warm and fuzzy all over because of the fun we've had in the kitchen. But, you might be surprised to know that the history of Cinnamon goes weary back - it was one of the first trade spices.

Moreover the Lord speak unto Moses saying, Take thou also unto thee principal spices, of pure myrrh five hundred shekels, and of sweet cinnamon half so much, even two hundred and fifty shekels, and of sweet calms two hundred and fifty shekels, And of cassia five hundred shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary, and of oil olive and him:
And thou salt make it an oil of holy ointment, an ointment compound after the art of the apothecary: it shall be holy anointing oil.

Exodus 30:22-25 NKJV
The ointment or oil was used to anoint the tabernacle of the congregation, the ark of the testimony, the table and all the vessels, the candlestick, the altar of incense, the altar of burnt-offering, etc.

That cinnamon was an ingredient in this holy anointing oil
That is called "an ointment compound after the art of the apothecary. Does cinnamon have health benefits as well?

There are cinnamon pills for diabetes; cinnamon bark used medicinally by the Chinese for calming stomach acids, cinnamon bark is used in India for childbirth labor, and cinnamon increasing blood circulation and creating a warm feeling.

The Diabetes Cinnamon Cholesterol Connection
If you or a loved one has diabetes, or high cholesterol, then the diabetes cinnamon cholesterol link is likely to be of interest. Since early times, cinnamon has been one of the most loved of all spices. Whilst cinnamon I readily available in most grocery stores and health stores today, it still remains a valuable aid to improving health.

Traditionally cinnamon was used not only as an ingredient in native dishes, but also as a medicine. In studies cinnamon has shown great potential in the treatment of type 2 diabetes. Recently, a study in the Diabetes Care journal indicated that eating just half a teaspoon of cinnamon daily can significantly reduce the level of blood sugar.

Also, this same study identified that cinnamon is able to reduce triglycerides, LDL cholesterol (which is the bad cholesterol) and overall cholesterol levels in study participants.

Here are some of the other health benefits that come from including cinnamon in a healthy diet:
Improved digestion – Cinnamon, along with other related spices have been used as an aid to digestion for a long time. People that suffer from conditions like Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), Crohn’s Disease and other stomach and digestion disorders can often find that including cinnamon in their food helps with digestion.

Better circulation and thinning of the blood. Just like garlic, cinnamon can act as a blood-thinning agent. Although it may not be as powerful as garlic in acting as a blood thinner, it does thin the blood and increase circulation.

• Toning of tissue in the body – There has been some studies that seem to indicate cinnamon has the ability to tone the tissues in the body.
• Pain relief and muscle stiffness – Many people who have cinnamon in their diet report that they often have reduced pain and lessened swelling in the joints.
• Menstrual pain – Cinnamon, has been used by women to reduce the level of menstrual pain and cramps they suffer with.
• Cinnamon is a strong anti-microbial agent and as such has the ability to kill common germs as E. coli and other bacteria.
• Arthritis pain relief – Research carried out recently has shown that cinnamon contains anti-inflammatory properties, which may be useful in reducing the pain associated with arthritis.
• Congestion relief – Cinnamon and other spices have been used for many years to reduce congestion.
• Improved urinary tract health - Those who have cinnamon in their diet have reduced problems and infections.
• Helps prevent gum disease and tooth decay – Again, there is evidence to suggest that cinnamon can help in the fight against tooth decay and gum disease.

We started out this article by looking at the diabetes cinnamon cholesterol connection, but with all the benefits that cinnamon supplies is would be beneficial to include it as part of most peoples health diet.

Having diabetes means a lifetime of maintaining their diabetes and the blood sugar and controlling their glucose levels. The blood sugar level shows of how much glucose, which is a basic sugar, is found in the bloodstream. Glucose, in one form or another, is in many of the foods that we eat, so diet is a very important part of controlling the glucose levels in your bloodstream.

Diet and exercise are also key factors in controlling diabetes; in fact some doctors say that diet alone can control type 2 diabetes. The diabetic will be given dietary guidelines by their medical practitioner no matter what type of diabetes you have.

It is suggested that diabetics pay rigorous attention to their diet and self-monitoring activities to establish which foods because the worst glucose-level peaks and troughs, then make "self adjustments".

However, the best way of controlling diabetes, and the only way for those with type 1 diabetes, is for patients to test their glucose levels regularly - as instructed by their doctor - and to take the appropriate levels of medication or injection of insulin.

Since a diabetics body either doesn't produce insulin, as in Type 1 diabetes, or cannot process the insulin that it makes, which is found in Type 2 diabetes, these blood sugar levels can vary much more then those of a person in perfect health.

Diabetics afflicted with type 1 diabetes should be checking their blood sugar levels daily before eating. The number of tests each day should a minimum of 2 times per day, but some patients may need as many as 6 tests in a day. These tests help determine how much insulin needs to be taken into the body to help process the glucose.

Type 2 diabetics are able to control their diabetes with drugs and dieting. However they too need to be monitoring their blood sugar levels a few times a week. This should be done immediately after eating a meal or up to 90 minutes after eating. To check your blood sugar levels, the most commonly used method of obtaining a blood sample is to prick the finger. You then take the blood that is released and put it onto a testing strip, which comes with blood sugar level testing kits. Lots of research is on going and a new gadget is now available that checks a diabetic's blood sugar and lets them know if it falls to a dangerous low. Monitoring devices are now coming on the market and by late summer will be available in the United States.

These monitors are not as accurate as "normal" blood tests, finger lances, but researchers are hoping that within a couple of years it will allow a diabetic to forgo putting their finger to test for blood glucose levels. If the monitor signals that blood sugar levels are low, it is necessary to take a blood test for confirmation. The monitors are also slow to show rapid changes that occur, especially when you exercise. This monitor is working to make finger lances outdated for all diabetics.

Those who have used the monitors report little discomfort. A patch worn on the abdomen may hurt when it goes on because there is a tiny wire placed under the skin to measure the glucose in cell fluid. The receiver is about the size of a cell phone. A patch can be worn for several days before changing.

Researchers are working toward pairing the new monitoring device to insulin pumps. These pumps have been on the market for years and could reduce the time needed for controlling diabetes to a minimum. The monitoring portion of the device will not be available until later this summer, so it isn't fully automatic yet, but it is promising news for those who are trying to control Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes.

The insulin is prepared in a dry micro fine powder form which is inhaled directly into the lungs from where it is absorbed into the blood stream.

Best Laboratory Tests for Diagnosis of Diabetes Mellitus
History and physical examination are most important tools for diagnosing diabetes Mellitus, however to confirm diagnosis one should have following laboratory tests.

• Urine sugar test
• Urine ketones test
• OGTT-Oral Glucose Tolerance Test, (also called glucose challenge test)
• Blood glucose tests
• FPG-Fasting plasma glucose Test
• Random plasma glucose Test

Tests for ongoing monitoring of diabetes control:
HbA1c blood test - an average blood sugar measure over about 3 months.
Fructosamine blood test - an average blood sugar measure over about 2 weeks

How frequently a person must check his sugar level is the decision of your doctor. It mainly depends upon patient’s age and number of risk factors like blood pressure, higher cholesterol or smoking. If you are above 45 years then you should have your blood sugar level after every 3 years.

A- URINE SAMPLE FOR SUGAR AND KETONES
You may have your urine analysis for sugar or ketones which are produced by breakdown of fat and muscle cells to diagnose diabetes but you should keep in mind that if you are having positive urine test for sugar then it is not necessary that you are suffering from diabetes because there are other conditions as well which also cause sugar to appear in urine.

B-THE FASTING BLOOD GLUCOSE (SUGAR) TEST
For diagnosing Diabetes Mellitus one must have this test because it is best, easy and comfortable to perform. You should have overnight fast (at-least 8 hours) before performing this test. If fasting blood glucose is below 100mg/dl, then you don't have diabetes. Between 100mg/dl to 125mg/dl is called a Pre-diabetes or Impaired fasting glucose condition. If fasting blood glucose is above 126mg/dl on more than two occasions then you are suffering from diabetes.

C-RANDOM (NON-FASTING) BLOOD GLUCOSE TEST
it is also a good test for diagnosing diabetes. In this test we take sample of blood shortly after taking a meal and then check glucose level in blood.

D-ORAL GLUCOSE TOLERANCE TEST (OGTT)
Though this test is not commonly used these days but it is still a gold standard for diagnosing diabetes. For diagnosing gestational diabetes this is best test.

Person is not taking anti diabetic drugs or any drug which alters blood sugar level.
Before test, person should eat high carbohydrate diet for three days.

No alcoholic beverages.
On test day one should not smoke or take coffee.

Glucose Tolerance Test Procedure:
First normal blood glucose is tested. Then person drinks 75gm of glucose, for pregnant woman dose of glucose is 100 gm. Then blood samples are taken at particular intervals for measuring blood glucose level. Blood glucose level is measured five times over a period of 3 hours. In simple words, in normal person, this blood sugar level gets higher value by taking 75gm of glucose; however it falls down quickly, but in person having diabetes the blood sugar level rises higher than normal but does not come down quickly. If a person has fasting blood glucose above 140mg/dl and 2 hours value after 75gm of oral glucose greater than 200mg/dl and considered as diabetics. If 2 hours blood glucose value between 140-200mg/dl is labeled as Pre-diabetic condition or impaired fasting glucose. During pregnancy, 2 hours blood glucose value between 140-200mg/dl is treated as a case of diabetes.

OTHER TESTS
Glycosylated hemoglobin Test or HB A1 Test:
Very important test which tells you how good you are in controlling your blood sugar. It shows your blood sugar control during the past 2 to 3 months.

Intravenous GTT:
This test is performed in individuals who have intestinal disease or malabsorption.

Extended GTT:
In this the oral Glucose Tolerance Test is extended to 3-4 hours rather than 2 hours, for appearance of symptoms of hyperglycemia. In short if your fasting blood glucose is more than 126mg/dl on two or more days, or your random blood glucose is above 200mg/dl or your oral glucose tolerance test is positive i.e. 2 hours blood glucose value between above 200mg/dl after 75gm of glucose, then you are suffering from Diabetes Mellitus.

Diabetes is a medical disorder which is characterized by hyperglycemia or high blood sugar levels. The two main forms of the condition - Type 1 diabetes and Type 2 diabetes. In both cases diet is a key factor in the treatment of diabetes.

Type 1 diabetes is usually diagnosed very early on in life and is caused by a genetic fault which affects the body’s ability to secret insulin. Most people with Type 1 diabetes have to take daily insulin injections. Diet is very important for these people as a means of controlling their diabetes however dietary change cannot prevent Type 1 Diabetes from occurring.

The number of cases of Type 2 Diabetes has increased drastically in recent years. It is often referred to as Adult Onset Diabetes and occurs later in life. It is strongly associated with increased body mass and obesity, and the risk of developing this disease can be greatly reduced through dietary monitoring, weight reduction and exercise.

Uncontrolled or untreated diabetes has many risks, which can be life threatening. Such complications include cardiovascular disease, chronic renal failure, and retinal and nerve damage. Proper diet, medication and lifestyle changes can keep diabetes under control.

The risks of developing Type 2 Diabetes can be greatly reduced with a few easy-to-make lifestyle changes. It has been proved that wrong eating habits, obesity, lack of exercise, bad habits like smoking and stress all contribute to causing Type 2 diabetes. The Harvard Medical School associate, the Joslin Diabetes Center has noted that at least 10 million Americans who are at high risk for Type 2 diabetes can lower their chances of getting the disease with diet and exercise. Eating sugar and refined carbohydrates does not cause diabetes, however a high intake of these foods may contribute significantly towards weight gain - which is responsible for diabetes. Achieving and maintaining an ideal body weight as an important step in the prevention and treatment of diabetes.

A reduction in both simple sugars and the intake of simple carbohydrates is ultimately beneficial in the treatment of diabetes. This means reducing white bread, simple cereals, juices and high-sugar beverages. Complex carbohydrates like whole grain pasta, breads, pulses and basmati rice should be eaten in preference - portion size is still important though.

Proteins assist in building muscle tone and repairing cells; however some protein-containing foods are high in fat such as meat. Therefore keep protein portions to around the size of your fist, and take 1 portion with each meal. Choose lean options such as fish, eggs, tofu and lean meat.

An overall reduction in fat intake is important in both the prevention and treatment of diabetes. Trans fats, found in many processed foods, are the most harmful. Saturated animal fat found in meat and dairy also contributes to boosting your cholesterol. Monounsaturated fats such as olive, peanut and canola oils have protective effects - so use these as your oil of choice. Avocadoes and nuts also contain monounsaturated fats. Drinking plenty of water is essential to wash away the toxins from the body.

A good fruit and vegetable intake is crucial in the treatment of diabetes. These items contain an array of anti oxidant vitamins as well as different types of fibers that help to stabilize blood sugars. Of course fruit contains some natural sugar (fructose) so if you have been diagnosed with diabetes you need to ensure you spread it throughout the day and sticks to around 3 portions.

Exercise is crucial in preventing diabetes - both from the point of view of regulating weight and in preventing insulin resistance (which can occur prior to the development of diabetes). There are some natural remedies available for the treatment of diabetes like fenugreek seeds, onion and garlic, margosa or neem extracts (azadirachta indica - a subtropical tree) and bitter melon or bitter gourd extracts. Such remedies have no proven efficacy however and should not replace prescribed medication for diabetes control.

Strength Training Helps to Prevent Diabetes
A study in Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise (July 2006) shows that lifting weights can help to prevent and to treat diabetes. Extra fat prevents your body from responding normally to insulin. Before insulin can do its job of driving sugar from the bloodstream into cells, it must first attach to little hooks on cell membranes called insulin receptors. Having extra fat in cells turns these receptors inward, making it far more difficult for insulin to attach to the receptors. This prevents insulin from doing its job of lowering blood sugar levels, even though your body is making plenty of insulin. Doctors can measure how cells respond to insulin with a sugar tolerance test.

In this study, adolescent boys were given a program of lifting heavy weights twice a week. After only 16 weeks, their muscles were larger and they lost fat. Sugar tolerance tests showed that the ability of their bodies to clear a load of sugar from their blood streams improved dramatically. This means that a regular weight lifting program deceases insulin resistance and thus reduces risk for becoming diabetic.

Managing the supplies and items needed to control diabetes on a daily basis can be frustrating and stressful. There are several new products out on the market to make your life simpler and less stressful when it comes to managing your diabetes and your diabetes supplies.

Socks
Comfortable and supportive socks are important especially if you have high glucose levels. These elevated glucose levels can cause problems in the nerves of the feet and lead to issues with proper blood circulation. Using the correct socks will prevent damage by blisters or other abrasions to the feet and can help with increasing circulation and prevent swelling.

Blood Glucose Monitors
One of the most important tools for the management of diabetes a good, reliable blood glucose monitor is an essential for testing your sugar levels. Many monitor now offer painless testing that requires only a small fraction of the amount of blood that older monitors require. In addition to monitors make sure you have the correct test strips for your monitor.
Blood pressure monitors
It is estimated that between twenty and sixty percent of all people with diabetes also have high blood pressure. If you are in this group it is important to consider having a blood pressure monitor handy to keep track of any changes in blood pressure due to diet, stress, medication changes or changes in routine. Electronic blood pressure monitors are now available and they are as reliable as and much easier to use than the traditional stethoscope blood pressure monitor.

Glucose gel and tablets
Glucose gels and tablets should be carried at all times, especially if the individual has type 1 diabetes. Hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar, can occur and it is critical to be able to have immediate access to either glucose tablets or gel. Glucose gel is faster acting than tablets as it is more readily absorbed by the body during hypoglycemia.

Software
There are many inclusive and comprehensive diabetes software programs available on the market. These software programs allow the patient to monitor and track all data, as well as helping with food and menu planning.

Insulin cases
Insulin is very susceptible to changes in temperature, and can be difficult to travel with if the appropriate travel case is not available. Rather than having to restrict how far you can go, consider purchasing an insulin case or travel case to prevent excessive heating or cooling of your insulin supply.

Diabetes is a fact of life for many people. Having the correct and most up-to-date supplies can make managing diabetes easier, safer and more convenient.

Diabetes: 5 Ways Hypnosis Can Help
Diabetes is now classified as a worldwide epidemic. Blindness, kidney disease, impotence and many other illnesses are often the direct result of out-of-control or undiagnosed diabetes.
Fortunately, there are several ways hypnosis can help.

1. As a person with diabetes, do you ever feel stressed?
2. Are you the parent of a child with diabetes?
3. Do you wish that you, your child or spouse were more motivated to exercise?
4. Wouldn’t it be great if it were easier to make better food choices?
5. Is your diabetes causing embarrassing, personal problems?

Now, since a hypnotist is by definition, a stress management consultant and a motivational coach, all of the above challenges can be powerfully addressed by using hypnosis but please note the following: a hypnotist is only part of your diabetes support team. The primary method by which hypnosis helps a person with diabetes is by reducing harmful stress. There are two fundamental ways in which stress negatively affects a person with diabetes:

1. Stress robs a person of necessary personal power that is crucial in giving a person the emotional ability to make choices that benefit their health and well being.
2. As a diabetic’s stress levels increase, so does their blood sugar. This is due to the ‘fight-or-flight’ response that people experience as a result of negative stress. When a person enters this state of mind, their body releases chemicals known as ‘insulin-antagonists’. These chemicals temporarily block the action of insulin while simultaneously causing the release of stored sugar in the liver and muscles.

With the above understanding about the two ways that stress affects a person with diabetes, let’s see how that information, specifically point one (as point two is self-explanatory), then applies to the five problems listed in the second paragraph.

This harmful state of emotional affairs then makes it more difficult for a diabetic to follow their doctor’s recommendations. Looking at statement two, it can be noted that stress packs a powerful double punch for parents of children with diabetes. This is because first, the parent is stressed out caring for an ill child and second, the child has overwhelming stress because they are not as equipped as an adult to deal with the enormous responsibility of successfully managing their disease. The parent must also then have to deal with their child’s stress. This double-whammy makes it very difficult to achieve the kind of precise care that is needed for good child diabetes management.

In statement three, the fundamental issue is exercise. Since 95% of all persons with diabetes have Type 2 and since 90% of all those persons are obese, the implications for enhanced exercise motivation are all too clear. For example, it is well documented that many Type 2 diabetics have had complete symptom remission after achieving a significant reduction in weight typically due to exercise and diet improvement. Additionally, exercise greatly contributes to one’s sense of well being and this therefore becomes a positive motivational cycle.

Statement four addresses a concern that many people have, not just those with diabetes. “I wish I could just eat better!” is a familiar refrain. Again, as a hypnotist helps a person to reduce their feelings of stress, they can then help that person to strengthen their inner commitment to making better food choices. Please note that even a small reduction in a diabetic’s long term blood sugar tremendously reduces their chances of having serious complications later on.

Statement five refers to conditions that are difficult for most people to talk about. For brevity’s sake this discussion is limited to one very common embarrassing problem: impotence. Nearly 60% of all males with diabetes experience impotence. A male diabetic may choose to take a medication for impotence when that medication is inappropriate and quite possibly harmful. This concern is also relevant to those millions of men with undiagnosed diabetes.

In conclusion, a hypnotist can be an important part of a diabetic’s health care team because a person can be responsibly coached by a properly trained hypnotist to more effectively deal with the above mentioned issues.

When I mentioned to friends and colleagues that my sister had gestational diabetes I was surprised by how many people told me they also had suffered with this condition. My sister was not that lucky. She had to monitor her blood sugar and give herself insulin shots.

Gestational diabetes is the most common complication during pregnancy, which affects 2-3 percent of pregnant women. When you eat food, your body converts it to glucose and it enters your bloodstream. Your pancreas releases insulin to help convert the glucose into fuel for your body. If your body cannot produce enough insulin to convert the glucose into energy the glucose remains in the bloodstream, which is known as high blood sugar and is referred to as Diabetes. Gestational diabetes unlike normal diabetes is just for the period of time you are pregnant and disappears once the baby is born.

With a healthy diet and exercise gestational diabetes can normally be controlled. On the rare occasion you may have to administer insulin shots. My sister had fun during her pregnancy testing her blood sugar regularly and giving herself insulin shots. Towards the end of the pregnancy she was tired of the shots and was extremely happy when the doctor told her she could stop with the shots after her daughter was born.

My sister just had her second child and again dealt with gestational diabetes during her pregnancy. Normally once you’ve experienced gestational diabetes with one pregnancy you are more likely to endure it again during your next pregnancy.

There are some factors that can make you more at risk for gestational diabetes, which include:

• Obesity
• Family history of Type 2 diabetes
• Gestational diabetes in a previous background
• Smoking

The risk of getting gestational diabetes also increases as you get older. During pregnancy you will be tested at about 26-28 weeks and if the preliminary test is positive then a Glucose Tolerance test will probably be done. If you are at higher risk to get gestational diabetes you will often be tested earlier in your pregnancy.

Many people have normal births without complications with gestational diabetes. There are a few extra tests and monitoring that are done depending on the severity of the gestational diabetes. Some women will have a caesarean section because having high blood sugar can cause the baby to grow too large for a normal delivery.

After giving birth the gestational diabetes normally disappears. Your newborn will also be checked as some babies can be born with low blood sugar. Good diet and a healthy lifestyle can help reduce your chances of getting Gestational diabetes so when you are thinking of getting pregnant is sure to take extra care of yourself for the sake of your own health and the health of your baby.

How a Gestational Diabetes Diet Can Help In Your Pregnancy
For a healthy woman to have normal pregnancy, she just needs to have a nutritionally balanced diet. A pregnant woman suffering from gestational diabetes, however, needs to be extra careful in her diet. Her diet needs to take into consideration her diabetic condition as it is probably the only way she can control her blood sugar level without having to resort to insulin injections.

How To Eat During Pregnancy
to maintain a proper gestational diabetes diet, the diet should keep the mother's blood sugar as normal as possible and at the same time, it has to provide all the required nutrition to both the mother and growing fetus. This includes larger amounts of minerals and vitamins which can be taken in the form of lower fat diary products, whole grain cereals and breads, fruits and vegetables. If the doctor prescribed additional prenatal vitamins, they should be taken in conjunction with the proper gestational diet. During pregnancy, the caloric increase is around 300 calories per day during the second and third trimesters. When in doubt, always consult your doctor.

Foods to avoid
all food high in sugars should be avoided at all cost. This includes pies, ice creams, sweets, cakes, cookies, soft drinks, commercial yogurt, jams and jelly. Eating such high sugared food will cause spikes in the blood sugar level which are dangerous. A gestational diabetes diet must be designed to keep the blood sugar at a normal level and thus cannot include food that contains high amount of sugar. Even fruit juices should be taken sparingly as it contains high level of sugar naturally (even without additional sugar added). Tomato juice is probably the best choice for fruit juice in the diet as it contains the lowest level of sugar.

Foods to Take
There are some types of foods which should be taken in order to help decrease the amount of insulin required to keep the blood sugar at normal range. Food such as vegetables, cereal, grains, beans, peas and other starchy foods or complex carbohydrates are excellent. In the gestational diabetes diet, dietary fiber must be included too as they are crucial in helping with the digestive process. This includes whole grain cereals and breads, fruits, vegetables and legumes.

However do not cut out all the fats in the diet. Some fats are required in the diet to complete the nutrition as they are required in the absorption of certain vitamins by the body. Diabetes and pregnancy can be controlled and monitored through a healthy gestational diabetes diet. This will ensure a healthy pregnancy and a normal successful delivery.