Did you know that a third of all people that have diabetes are not aware that they have diabetes? Symptoms may seem tolerable, and most people just move on and don't pay attention to the bodies warning signals. Know you have diabetes or if you are pre diabetic, is important because you can start improving your life style and making the necessary changes to lessen the effects of diabetes in the future.

Sometimes people experience type 2 diabetes symptoms but don't get a check up, since these systems can just be overlooked. Take a look at some of the symptoms that are associated with type 2 diabetes.

-Feeling thirsty.

-Feeling cranky.

-Lots of infections and cuts and bruises that heal slowly.

-Blurred vision.

-Lots of skin, gum, or bladder infections.

-Vaginal yeast infections.

It is important to find out early if you have diabetes because treatment can prevent damage to the body from diabetes. Even though type 2 diabetes is commonly associated with being over weight that does not mean that just because you are not overweight you are safe from having type 2 diabetes. Also, type 2 diabetes usually arises in adult years, but children can also be diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. Sometimes Type 2 diabetes develops so slowly that you do not have symptoms until you already have some more serious problems from the disease. Many people are pre diabetic, when blood sugar levels are above normal but not high enough to have diabetes, for years before they know they’ve develop Type 2 diabetes.

If you suspect you are experiencing any of these symptoms, go see your doctor. If you are diagnosed with diabetes, work with your doctor and follow your treatment plan. This usually consists of a healthy diet, regular exercise and checking your glucose levels more often. Working closely with your doctor can help you feel better and in more control of diabetes. With your treatment plan you can help delay or even prevent serious health complications by keeping your blood sugar under control.

By Terry Robbins

Prevention is always the best way with any disease and is even more important with diabetes and the various symptoms of diabetes especially if you think you or a loved one is at risk and are wondering what pre-diabetes is and what the risk factors for pre-diabetes are. Not being ignorant of your risk factors will help you determine the actions you need to take to reduce your risks of developing diabetes and the various symptoms of diabetes.

Diabetes relates to how the body processes carbohydrates and sugars that we consume in our daily food. When these carbohydrates and sugars enter the body, they are converted into glucose which is the simplest form of sugar and distributed to the blood. When this distribution to the blood occurs, the pancreas immediately kicks in and produces insulin which is a hormone that removes the glucose from the blood and distributes it to various parts of the body that need this glucose for energy.

With a diabetic, the pancreas does not produce any insulin (Type 1), not enough insulin or the body becomes resistant to the insulin produced (Type 2) leading to an accumulation of blood glucose levels with the glucose having no place to go and the body being starved of energy. The only way that the body is able to remove this glucose from the blood when insulin malfunctions, is to eliminate the glucose through urine leading to various diabetes related complications such as coma, blindness, heart disease, limb amputations, kidney disease, etc.

As you can see, diabetes is no joke and if you can reduce your risk of developing this condition or delay the onset of diabetes and the symptoms of diabetes, you need to do everything you can to accomplish this.

There are no gray areas with Type 1 diabetes which usually starts in childhood and the onset of this type is very rapid. There are however, gray areas with the more common type of diabetes which is Type 2 diabetes which has long been considered adult onset diabetes although with the current epidemic of Type 2 diabetes, the diabetics with this type have started to get younger and younger. This gray area with type 2 diabetes is known as pre-diabetes.

What is Pre-Diabetes?

When some people are at high risk for developing Type 2 diabetes, they are usually monitored closely by their doctors which leads to a possible diagnosis of pre-diabetes. Pre-diabetes means that although the blood glucose levels are higher than what is considered normal, they are not high enough to warrant a diabetes 2 diagnosis.

When this occurs, there is no telling how long it will take or if the individual will develop Type 2 diabetes and the various symptoms of diabetes. By becoming proactive and adopting a healthy lifestyle that includes monitoring the blood sugar levels and consuming more complex carbohydrates and other healthy eating habits in addition to adding daily exercise, the risk of developing the symptoms of diabetes and Type 2 diabetes will be delayed or eliminated.

When you are determined to be pre-diabetic, your doctor will usually monitor your blood glucose levels on a annual basis to ensure that the levels remain at a healthy rate. He or she will usually advise you to invest in a blood sugar monitor to be used by you regularly to check your blood sugar levels and make changes as needed depending on the results shown on the monitor.

What Are The Pre-Diabetes Risk Factors?

a. Have a family history of Type 2 diabetes
b. If you suffered from gestational diabetes during your pregnancy or pregnancies
c. If you are obese or overweight and/or lead a sedentary lifestyle with no physical activity
d. If you are at least 45 years of age

According to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation International (JDRFI), “every year over 13,000 children are diagnosed with type 1 diabetes.” There is no known cure for this stealthy disease that attacks and destroys the beta cells that produce insulin. Symptoms present themselves suddenly and progress rapidly. Knowing what symptoms to look for, if you suspect juvenile diabetes has gripped your child, will lead you to seek the medical counsel of a physician.

Know the Symptoms:
If your child has been potty trained and begins wetting themselves frequently, consider juvenile diabetes as a possibility.
Extreme thirst and a keen desire for cold drinks that are sweet.

Eyesight problems such as blurred vision.

Irritable.
Child complains of nausea and is vomiting. (Acute symptoms that need immediate attention) Losing weight while continuing to display a healthy appetite.

Listless, tired, abnormally quiet.
Falling into a coma. (A life threatening condition that requires immediate medical intervention)
It’s not always apparent that a child has type 1 or juvenile diabetes. Some of the symptoms seem like average childhood problems that occur. Untreated diabetic children may display restless behavior and an apathetic attitude when it comes to school. The inability to focus on tasks at hand leaves them somewhat dysfunctional and frustrated. Rapid, deep breaths that have a fruity odor are another more subtle sign that could easily be overlooked. The behaviors may go unnoticed by parents as symptoms of juvenile diabetes until the child reaches diabetic ketoacidosis. DKA is a serious condition with the body receiving little or no insulin and resulting in energy being produced by the breakdown of fat. This process causes ketones or acids to spill into the blood stream as toxins. One quarter of the children with juvenile diabetes has all ready advanced to the level of diabetic ketoacidosis before seeing a physician or being diagnosed. If the juvenile diabetes continues to go untreated, the child may lapse into a diabetic coma.

A diagnosis is made through blood tests that target glucose levels and urine tests that measure the level of ketones and glucose. The tests are far simpler to read than reading the behaviors of your child and being able to pinpoint them as potential symptoms of juvenile diabetes. With knowledge comes power and by knowing the symptoms parents have the power to begin successful management of type 1 diabetes giving their child the opportunity for as normal a childhood as possible.

By Beverleigh H Piepers

A major part of controlling Type 2 diabetes is making the right food choices, from portion control to the kinds of foods and the frequency that they are consumed. But another huge factor that plays into the success of controlling this disease is exercise. In fact, many who suffer with this ailment may not be fully aware how much exercise can benefit them.

Exercise works for Type 2 diabetics in a number of ways. First, it not only helps to control weight, but it does so not by starvation, but by eliminating excess fat the healthy way. This is not only good when you look at it from a weight standpoint, but it is also good when you look at the location of the weight.

It is a known fact that having excessive fat in the midsection, in other words a large belly, spells disaster for Type 2 diabetics. Actually, a specific type of belly fat called visceral fat, is to blame. This is fat around the liver and other organs inside the abdomen and is different to subcutaneous fat. Subcutaneous fat is fat under the skin and can be removed by liposuction... liposuction cannot remove visceral fat. The cells of visceral fat manufacture chemicals that prevents other cells from responding to insulin as they should and the chemicals also trigger inflammation.

Exercise not only benefits removing this fat for the sake of Type 2 diabetes and lower blood sugar, but for other conditions as well. When an individual exercises they will lose weight from areas that carry the largest reserves first, so in this case, belly fat would be eliminated and a diabetic would reap the benefits of trimming down their midsection.

Working out and shedding some weight is a good idea, not just for diabetes management but for warding off other illnesses as well.

So what exercise is best? Doctors recommend aerobic exercise for several reasons:

* it is one of the best ways to burn fat efficiently
* it does not involve rapid, sudden movements that can burn sugar too rapidly, possibly leaving the diabetic in a hypoglycemic state, or suffering form a rapid drop in blood sugar

If you find you can only do light aerobic exercise such as slow walking, cycling, or even other activities that don't really raise your heart rate by much, check with your doctor and see if you can extend the number of minutes you actually exercise. More time spent doing aerobic exercise can help compensate for less intensity.

Aerobic exercise also improves circulation efficiency and helps to lower blood pressure. Plus, it doesn't put too much stress on your joints or feet. Don't forget warming up is critical and monitoring blood sugar levels is equally important. Starting out slowly and listening to your body will allow you to get in a good workout without causing undue damage.

Left untreated, it leads to cardiovascular disease, kidney disease, blindness and joint problems.
You can do something about this with a diabetes natural remedy involving changes to your diet, losing weight and supplementation – all of these together will allow you to control your diabetes and lead a normal life.

Type 2 Adult Diabetes
Type 2 Adult Diabetes really shouldn’t be called ‘Adult’ diabetes, since the majority of new diagnoses are in children; the blame for this lies fairly and squarely with the modern 'fast food' and soft drink diet.

Risk factors for diabetes include:
High intake of sugar, refined and processed flour, caffeine, and soft drinks
Symptoms are varied and may include: sudden weight gain or extreme weight loss, fatigue, frequent urination and chronic thirst – these are warning signs (amongst others) which should be checked out.

A positive test showing sugar in the urine and blood is another test. The blood of a diabetic becomes thicker and stickier and the person can be more prone to blood clots which leads to stroke or heart disease.

In Type 2 diabetes, you’re actually producing plenty of insulin - in fact maybe too much because of the high sugar intake. The job of insulin is to carry sugar to the cells where it’s used to make energy.

In a diabetic, two things can happen:
1) The cells become resistant to insulin – in this case the cell membrane which is made up of goods fats and protein doesn’t function correctly and
2) The insulin becomes less effective – this is caused by excess intake of sugar, alcohol, refined flour etc depleting the minerals (particularly chromium) required to make the insulin work.

Caffeine will severely aggravate the condition.
A diabetes natural remedy involves taking control of the disease, which is really nothing more than a nutritional deficiency and lifestyle disease.
To get the disease under control it’s a matter of losing weight, exercising, having a good diet and using the right supplements.

Steps to take for a Diabetes Natural Remedy
• Increase your protein intake – this repairs the cell membrane.
• Reduce your intake of sugar and increase your intake of complex carbohydrates.
• Lose weight and exercise – reduces your risk of cardiovascular disease
• Eat frequently - have 6 meals a day – this helps keep your blood sugar more constant.
• Completely avoid milk and alcohol.
• Drink plenty of fresh, filtered water (8-10 glasses per day) and no pop or soft drinks.
• Supplementation is essential – use all 90 essential nutrients and additional antioxidants.

Diabetics lose vital minerals and vitamins in their urine and this further complicates the disease. Your goal, and the goal or your health care provider, SHOULD be to reduce the medication you are on and to achieve a normal and healthy life.

Unlike many prescribed medications, the diabetes natural remedy approach will not affect your kidneys or your liver

Start Taking Control
Recommended Supplements include:
• All 90 Essential Nutrients necessary for health including 98% absorbable plant derived liquid minerals, a multi-vitamin/amino acid supplement, and essential fatty acids to help rebuild the cells.
• A Chromium/Vandium supplement - will provide a diabetes natural remedy by assisting with natural regulation of blood sugar.
Here’s a summary of how some of the essential nutrients work:
• Chromium and Vanadium – these two minerals can actually help the insulin transport sugar to the cells, or even replace its function. Chromium works to make insulin more effective and Vanadium can actually do the job of insulin and transport sugar to the cells.
A study by the University of Vancouver in 1985 stated that: ‘Vanadium will replace insulin for adult onset diabetics.’ o Zinc helps blood sugar get into the cells and helps insulin to work better; magnesium also makes the insulin work better and can lower your risk of diabetes complications such as blindness and heart attack; selenium, copper and manganese all have a protective cellular function when blood glucose levels are high and selenium can assist with lowering blood sugar.
• Vitamin C and vitamin E help get sugar out of the blood stream and into the cells, keeps the blood vessels healthy and help protect against kidney damage and heart attack. Vitamin E may improve the body's response to insulin. Biotin (a B group vitamin) can lower blood glucose; B6 and B12 along with Folic acid also may help prevent diabetic complications.
• Essential fatty acids supplements help rebuild the cells, and may assist with better weight control and reduce blood sugar levels
• A herbal extract from a climbing plant known as Gymnema sylvestre has been used since the 6th century BC and helps lower blood sugar and repair damage to insulin producing cells in the pancreas

Hypoglycaemia
In any discussion about a natural diabetes remedy, it’s important to talk about hypoglycaemia as this can lead to diabetes and serious health problems. It’s characterized mainly by mood changes such as nervousness, irritability, lack of concentration (typical symptoms of lack of blood sugar).

In a hypoglycemic person, as the blood sugar level begins to drop - they respond to this by taking sugar. In addition the adrenals start producing more adrenalin to raise the blood sugar levels. The blood sugar level gets very high and the body starts to produce excess insulin. This can then lead to a cycle of blood sugar highs and lows.

If untreated or poorly maintained, this can easily lead to Adult Type 2 Diabetes or even worse, the adrenal glands may stop functioning correctly causing major problems.

The diabetes natural remedy described above:
1) having a diet low in sugar, high in protein;
2) taking supplements – including the essential nutrients plus a chromium and vanadium supplement;
3) and eating 6 meals a day – will work for people suffering from hypoglycemia.

The additional vitamin C, vitamin E, minerals and essential fatty acids you get from supplementing, will also support the adrenals and cell membranes, and make the body’s control of blood sugar more effective.

Type 1 diabetes or ‘Juvenile’ onset diabetes
A diabetes natural remedy can be applied also to Type 1 diabetics. Your aim should be to try to use as little insulin as possible to do the job of controlling blood sugar. Adopt the same approach as for Type 2 diabetes, that is:
• Increase your protein intake and have 6 meals a day
• Reduce your intake of sugar and increase your intake of complex carbohydrates
• Supplementing is essential. You need to take in all 90 Essential Nutrients necessary for health including plant derived liquid minerals, a multi-vitamin/amino acid supplement, and essential fatty acids to help rebuild the cells. An additional supplement of chromium and vanadium will provide a diabetes natural remedy.

Diabetes is a complex nutritional deficiency disease that can be managed by simple changes to lifestyle, diet and through supplementation. A diabetes natural remedy involves:
1. Eliminating sugar, bad fats and caffeine from your diet and increase your intake of protein, fibre, plenty of water and ‘good’ fats.
2. Eat plenty of green leafy vegetables and small to moderate amounts of fruit
3. Exercise and lose weight – this will lower your risk of a number of other complications – including heart disease
4. Supplement with all 90 essential nutrients including plant derived colloidal minerals, a good multi-vitamin supplement and essential fatty acids.
5. A Chromium/Vanadium Supplement is also needed for a diabetes natural remedy

By Anthony J. Carter

Many people will think about diabetes as just one disease, but there are actually different types. The distinction between the different types of diabetes is important because this will determine the type of treatment that is offered. There are two main types of diabetes but things can get confusing because one type can have different names. So for instance, type 1 diabetes might also be referred to as insulin dependent diabetes (IDDM) or juvenile onset diabetes. Type 2 diabetes can also be called non insulin dependent diabetes (NIDDM) or adult onset diabetes.

What is Diabetes?

Diabetes is a disease that affects the body's ability to moderate the amount of sugar in the blood stream. If our blood sugar level climbs too high then we can start to have many health problems and may even end up losing our eyesight and limbs. If our blood sugar level is persistently high then it could kill us. Low blood sugar is equally as dangerous because it can make us collapse and even fall into a coma.

The blood sugar level in the body is regulated by a hormone called insulin. This is produced by the pancreas and the level of insulin released will usually be determined in response to our blood sugar levels. If these levels climb too high the body will release some more insulin to get things back to normal. With diabetes this ability of the body to regulate the blood sugar level with insulin is compromised.

The Different Types of Diabetes

With type 1 diabetes the pancreas is not producing insulin to manage the blood sugar levels within the body. This disease is usually first apparent in the individual when they are young; this is why it may be referred to as juvenile onset diabetes. With type 1 diabetes the individual will be expected to use insulin injections for the rest of their life. This explains why it might also be referred to as insulin dependent diabetes (IDDM).

Type 2 diabetes tends to occur in adulthood and thus you have the name adult onset diabetes. With this condition the pancreas is still able to produce insulin but it isn't enough to correctly regulate blood sugar within the body. In most instances people with this condition will not be required to have regular insulin injections; thus it is called non insulin dependent diabetes. Instead the individual will be expected to take regular medication and make changes to their diet and lifestyle.

Treatment of the Different Types of Diabetes

The aim of all diabetes treatment is to keep blood sugar levels within safe limits. This can be hard in the beginning and the doctor may need to experiment in order to find the solution that works best. There are different types of insulin available to treat those with IDDM, and the regime will often involve a mix of short and fast acting insulin. With NIDDM it will be a question of getting the diet right and finding the most suitable medication.

Diet is a vital component in your overall diabetes control program and to keep blood sugar levels under control, a diabetic diet strikes a balance among the carbohydrates, fats, and protein you eat, when you control your body functions through exercise and by using a diabetic diet, your pain and agony seems to diminish.

Diabetes is not a life sentence to a rigid and restrictive menu plan.
The diabetic diet basically involves limiting your carbohydrate intake in order to control your glucose levels. The recommended carbohydrate content of diabetic diet is 60%, fat content 30-35%. Another important characteristic of a diabetic diet is to eat regularly, at the same times each day, and to eat a consistent amount of calories each day; the diabetic diet is not only for diabetics: it is an excellent, balanced alternative for anyone.

Since the diabetic diet is one which is low in saturated fat and cholesterol, look for cookbooks that emphasize low-fat cooking, the diabetic diet is a bit stricter and calls for avoiding grains and fruit but you have about 30g of carbs daily. The ideal diabetic diet is also good for cholesterol with its emphasis on low fat, high complex carbohydrate and high fiber.

The most important aspect of the diabetic diet is meal planning, your meal plan should be adjusted to take into account carbs sugars and fat in the diabetic food, the general principle is to control body fat means less sensitivity to Insulin, which keeps the blood sugar level in check.

Carbohydrate Counting offers suggestions and tips about how to eat carbohydrates while maintaining your insulin needs and diabetes control, by following a consistent diet control, a diabetic patient ought to be able to maintain good health in general, but you should remember that an effective control of diabetes requires an integrated approach which also includes exercise, weight control and a good diabetic diet.

When you have diabetes, your medications are your best friends, as they will help you keep your condition under control, remember that one of the main goals for a diabetic diet is to lower your weight and maintain it, to put it in simplified words, diabetic diet is a balanced healthy diet plan which is vital for Diabetes treatment.

The diabetic diet is aimed at helping to control blood sugar levels, the less fluctuation, especially rapid release of glucose into the blood, the better, an adherence to a diabetic diet is an important aspect of controlling elevated blood sugar in patients with diabetes mellitus.

Diabetes Living with diabetes can be a stressful time not only for you but for your family too. The condition can strike at any point during your life, from infancy through to seniority and initially be very daunting. It’s thought that in the UK alone there is around 2 million people who are Diabetic.

Types Of Diabetes Type 1 Diabetes is mostly developed in the young and is a result of the body not being able to provide enough insulin for day to day living. This normal controlled with insulin injections and a controlled diet. Type 2 Diabetes is mostly seen in middle aged and senior citizens. This condition is normally caused through poor diet, lack of exercise and being overweight or obese. In fact obesity is a linked strongly to this form of Diabetes.

Symptoms Of Diabetes The obvious symptoms of Diabetes are a constant feeling of being thirsty, lack of energy and feeling extremely tired most of the time. You may also notice sudden weight loss and frequently feel the need to urinate, especially at night.

Causes Of Diabetes There are two main reasons why Diabetes occurs; either the body is starved of insulin caused by the pancreas not producing sufficient amounts required for normal living. If left long enough without treatment a whole host of other problems can occur. These include kidney, eye and heart damage.

Treatment Of Diabetes Type 1 Diabetes is normally treated with life long insulin injections, together with a strict diet. Where as type 2 Diabetes is usually caused by the way a person lives their life. By following a strict diet and introducing regular exercise you can greatly help prevent this form of Diabetes.

Myths
• Diabetes can not be developed from consuming sugary snacks or high fat foods. However, type 2 diabetes is strongly linked to obesity which may have a direct result on what you eat.
• Diabetes is not contagious
• Diabetics can eat sugar, although careful monitoring must be adhered to.
• Stress does not cause Diabetes. Although Stress can make Diabetes worse if you are already a Diabetic.

By Michael Zadeh, M.D.

Diabetes is a condition where the body cannot use blood sugar effectively. According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, an estimated 18 million Americans are known to have diabetes, and in 5.2 million the condition is undiagnosed.

Patients with diabetes will often find themselves needing surgery for one reason or another. Whether it's an elective procedure or an emergency surgery, your diabetes affects the way your body protects itself and heals in several ways. Strict control of blood sugar levels are a crucial part of the post-operative course, especially when it comes to healing of the surgical wound. The following are just some of the ways that uncontrolled diabetes can delay wound healing:

Poor Circulation: Arteries play a major role in the circulatory system by carrying blood pumped by the heart to the rest of the body. High blood glucose levels stiffen the arteries and cause narrowing or blockage of the blood vessels leading to decreased blood flow. With decreased blood flow the body's ability to get oxygen and nutrients to the site of the wound is also decreased. A wound that is not receiving the necessary amount of blood flow, oxygen, and nutrients that it should will exhibit a delay in the healing process.

Nerve damage: Long standing, uncontrolled diabetes affects the nerves and their functioning. Most commonly, the result is a loss of sensation-a condition referred to as diabetic neuropathy. Sensation is one of the most effective ways our bodies let us know when something is not right. Through the feeling of pain we may discover the presence of infection, blistering, or opening of a surgical wound. In diabetics with nerve damage, this sensation is lost and as a result these potential problems may go undetected. This can lead to a neglected wound, delays in treatment and prolonged wound healing.

Impairment of the Immune System: Diabetes reduces the body's natural ability to fight infections. Increased blood sugar levels cause dysfunction of immune cells. As a result, minor infections may turn into major problems and smaller wounds may become large defects due to a breakdown in the healing process.

What you can do to improve wound healing

Wound healing in diabetic patients can often be a long and challenging endeavor. The key to promoting healthy wound healing and preventing diabetes related wound complications is to keep your blood sugar levels under control. Other medical conditions such as high blood pressure or cholesterol should also be controlled if present. Maintaining a healthy diet, a consistent exercise routine and frequent monitoring of the surgical wound are all effective ways of managing blood glucose levels and providing the necessary nutrients required for wound healing.

Diabetes mellitus is one of the most serious diseases that is typified by having too much blood sugar in the body. These high sugar levels occur because the body produces insufficient amounts of the hormone, insulin or insufficient cells to be targeted by insulin.

Diabetes is categorized in different types, namely type 1 diabetes, type 2, type 3 and the one that is called gestational diabetes. Pancreatic failure is what helps doctors diagnose the type of diabetes that a patient has. The cause of a particular type of diabetes is usually identified during the course of treatment. The type of diabetes is sometimes hard to classify because there are many common symptoms for 2 different types of diabetes.

Diabetes can easily be detected by testing the level of blood glucose. Diabetes has symptoms, however, the symptoms for diabetes is also associated with the symptoms of other diseases. Below are some of the usual symptoms that a diabetic experiences.
1. Urinating more frequently than normal, especially at night. People often neglect this symptom; they will approach their doctor only if this symptom gets out control.
2. Sudden weight loss. If you are not on a diet but you are constantly losing weight, you better consult your doctor about it. This is just one of the symptoms for diabetes but it can also be a symptom for other diseases, so you better visit the doctor to make sure.
3. Slow healing of wounds, especially in the feet and ankle area.
4. Blurred vision, lack of sensation on the skin and itching of the hands and feet are also a very important symptom that a person should not ignore. Persons who are suffering from this symptom should consult the doctor immediately to get their blood sugar levels checked. Everyone must take a blood glucose test, especially those who have history of diabetes mellitus in his or her family. Diabetes is a hereditary disease that could have been passed on in the genes your family for generations.

The symptoms for type 1 and type 2 diabetes are different. The symptoms for type 1 becomes obvious in just a few weeks while the type 2 is extremely noticeable and they develop over a long period of time. This disease should be detected immediately so that the victim of the disease can get proper treatment to save him from having very serious complications.

By Beverleigh H Piepers

Type 2 diabetes is one of the leading causes of chronic complications and disabilities in the United States according to Healthfinder.gov. Some of the most common complications associated with this condition when poorly controlled include:

* serious eye and kidney problems which can compromise your quality of life
* heart disease... people with diabetes have 2 to 4 times the normal risk of heart disease and stroke

Type 2 diabetes is mainly characterized by increased blood sugar levels coupled with an increased resistance to insulin, a special naturally occurring chemical substance that facilitates the transport of energy-providing blood sugar into individual cells.

According to Healthfinder.gov, once Type 2 diabetes commences it's journey, it can never be cured. But don't lose heart! The good news is this form of diabetes can surely be controlled.

For those who are afraid that they at a high risk of developing this health problem, there is more good news: Type 2 diabetes can be delayed and prevented.

So, what steps can you take?

1. Control your weight: Many overweight and obese people end up having Type 2 diabetes. In fact, according to a study published in 2006 by the Postgraduate Medical Journal, eighty-six percent of overweight and obese patients have Type 2. Furthermore, even a modest weight reduction of five percent would improve their health outcome and increase their odds against continuing on with this health complication.

2. Eat right: Eating healthy foods is considered by Healthfinder.gov as one of the most important steps for the prevention of Type 2 diabetes. What does eating right mean?

* eat regularly. This means starting your day by eating breakfast, then go no more than five waking hours without a meal or snack. By keeping food in your system, you avoid wild fluctuations in blood sugar
* eat balanced meals... include protein and carbohydrates at each meal with at least one fruit or vegetable
* keep meat and poultry portions to a minimum
* eat lots of fruits and vegetables
* eat a little less of everything but vegetables
* trim the fat: eat leaner meats, skinless poultry and low-fat or reduced-fat dairy products
* learn to share your single serving of dessert with another person
* eat small meals... and learn to eat them slowly
* never starve yourself
* cut down on your favorite foods. Never try to cut them out altogether
* never forget to have healthy food choices when you eat out

3. Be more active: As mentioned by Healthfinder.gov, having regular physical activity may lower your risk for Type 2 diabetes. Even two and a half hours of exercise over the week can make a lot of difference to your health.

4. Have good control of your blood pressure and cholesterol levels.

Type 2 diabetes can really be delayed or prevented. Having a healthy lifestyle is the best defense against this disease. So why not take charge of your health and start reinventing your lifestyle today?

Introduction
Unfortunately, this trend is increasing dramatically. [1]
Conventional Treatments
•Phentermine (Adipex, Fastin, Ionamin)
•Diethylpropion (Tenuate, Tepanil)
•Phendimetrazine (Adipost, Bontril, Plegine, Prelu-2)
•Benzphetamine (Didrex)

New drugs for weight loss include Meridia and Xenical:
•Sibutramine (Meridia) is a new drug that increases the levels of both serotonin and noradrenaline in areas of the brain that regulate food intake and body weight.
It inhibits and enzyme (pancreatic lipase) essential to fat digestion.

Conventional dietary approaches to weight loss focus on reducing the calories eaten in a diet. It is a simplified approach based on making the energy intake (from dietary calories) less than energy expenditure (from exercise). The low-fat diet comes from this theory, since fats have the highest amount of calories by weight.

Unfortunately, most low-fat foods are extremely high in carbohydrates. Carbohydrates (sugars) are quickly converted into glucose in the body, and are used for quick energy. Fats are used for long-term energy storage, and are the body’s second choice for energy. High-protein diets are based on the theory that the body will burn carbohydrates and fats for energy before protein.

Alternative Approaches
Alternative approaches to weight loss, in general, focus on lowering dietary carbohydrates (instead of fats). Low carbohydrate diets are routinely recommended to control diabetes, and many consider obesity and overweight to be early forms of diabetes. In diabetes, the glucose (blood sugar) levels are highly elevated. In pre-diabetes, insulin is not as effective and higher levels are needed to maintain normal glucose levels.

Metabolic Syndrome X
•Insulin resistance (the inability to properly deal with dietary carbohydrates and sugars), and type II diabetes
•Abnormal blood fats (such as elevated cholesterol and triglycerides),
•Overweight, especially abdominal obesity, and
•High blood pressure (hypertension).
Metabolic syndrome X is caused by a diet high in simple carbohydrates, such as sugar, white flour, bread, pasta, donuts, cookies, candy, etc. Refined carbohydrates not only raise glucose and insulin to unhealthy levels, they also are devoid of vitamins, minerals, and nutrients our bodies need to properly utilize these foods.

Chromium
Chromium is required to break down the cellular insulin resistance that causes higher-than-normal blood sugar levels. Insulin resistance is a component of diabetes and Metabolic Syndrome X. Overweight people usually suffer from insulin impairment that prevents the proper cell uptake of carbohydrates (sugars). Excessive serum glucose is converted into body fat.
Chromium has received widespread publicity for its ability to lower serum glucose levels by increasing insulin sensitivity. Studies have shown that chromium supplementation results in a slight reduction in body fat and an increase in lean body mass.

In 1997, Austrian researchers conducted a study to assess the effects of chromium yeast and chromium picolinate on lean body mass during and after weight reduction with a very-low-calorie diet. Thirty-six obese non-diabetic patients undergoing an 8-week very-low-calorie diet followed by an 18-week maintenance period were evaluated. During the 26-week treatment period, subjects received either placebo or chromium yeast (200 mcg/day) or chromium picolinate (200 mcg/day) in a double-blind manner. After 26 weeks, chromium picolinate–supplemented subjects showed increased lean body mass. Researchers reported chromium picolinate, but not chromium yeast, is able to increase lean body mass in obese patients in the maintenance period after a very-low-calorie diet without counteracting the weight loss achieved. [2]

Magnesium
While chromium has received the most media attention, the scientific literature shows that magnesium plays an even more important role in regulating carbohydrate metabolism.
About 80% of Americans are magnesium-deficient. Magnesium is involved in a number of enzymatic reactions required for cells to uptake and metabolize glucose. Magnesium deficiency causes insulin resistance and elevated blood sugar levels. [3-6]

Vitamins B6, B12 and Chromium
A recent study found that among overweight or obese men and women, long-term use of multivitamins, vitamins B6 and B12, and chromium were significantly associated with lower levels of weight gain. [7]

The study used data from the VITamins And Lifestyle (VITAL) cohort study of western Washington. Participants (n =15,655) completed questionnaires about 10-year supplement use, diet, health habits, height, and present and former weights.

The study defined high use as:
•Multivitamins > 5 pills/week,
•Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine) > 35 mg/day,
•Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin) > 35 mcg/day,
•Chromium > 150 mcg/day
•Vitamin B6 is a cofactor for glycogen phosphorylase, which breaks down glycogen (stored glucose) to form energy.
•Vitamin B12 is a cofactor of methylmalonyl CoA mutase, which converts methylmalonyl CoA to succinyl CoA, an intermediate in the Krebs cycle, the central energy production pathway in the body.

Conclusion
In this article we present conventional and alternative approaches to weight loss, including diet, vitamins and minerals, and Metabolic Syndrome X.

References
1. Flegal, K.M., et al., Prevalence and trends in obesity among US adults, 1999-2000. Jama, 2002.
2. Bahadori, B., et al., [Effect of chromium yeast and chromium picolinate on body composition of obese, non-diabetic patients during and after a formula diet]. Acta Med Austriaca, 1997.
3. Paolisso, G., et al., Magnesium and glucose homeostasis. Diabetologia, 1990.
4. Lefebvre, P.J., G. Paolisso, and A.J. Scheen, Magnesium and glucose metabolism. Therapie, 1994.
5. Nadler, J.L., et al., Magnesium deficiency produces insulin resistance and increased thromboxane synthesis. Hypertension, 1993.
6. Nadler, J.L. and R.K. Rude, Disorders of magnesium metabolism. Endocrinol Metab Clin North Am, 1995.
7. Nachtigal, M.C., et al., Dietary supplements and weight control in a middle-age population. J Altern Complement Med, 2005.

By Robyn Ferreira

Eat small meals throughout the day. One of the most important ways to maintain insulin levels is to not consume too much carbohydrates or protein at any one meal. Although carbohydrate has a powerful effect on stimulating insulin, protein can also stimulate its release.

By not eating too much of either at any one meal, you are well on your way to balancing your insulin. You should have some protein at every meal. Protein's main hormonal role is to stimulate the release of glucagon, which is a mobilization hormone.

Glucagon also does a real good job on controlling insulin output. Therefore, if you really want to balance your insulin, protein is what you need. But be careful about eating too much protein and remember the palm of your hand is a good rule to go by with measuring your protein.

At any one meal never eat more protein than would fit in the palm of your hand. Your body cannot handle any more than that, at a meal, and any excess protein at a meal is turned into fat. Always eat your fruits and vegetables, anyone can eat one cup of pasta, but it's hard to eat six cups of steamed broccoli.

But both contain the same amount of carbohydrates.bur remember fruits and vegetables are low density carbohydrates. By eating primarily low density carbohydrates, such as fruits and vegetables, you set up a natural control system that helps control the total amount of carbohydrates being consumed at any one meal.

And the fiber in low density carbohydrates helps slow down the rate of entry of carbohydrates into the bloodstream, thus lowering insulin secretion. On the other hand, grains, starches, pasta, and bagels are very high density carbohydrates, which mean it is very easy to eat too much of them.

This is why it is recommended using high density carbohydrates in small amounts, such as condiments, if you want to control your insulin. Always choose low fat sources of protein such as chicken, turkey, fish, low fat cottage cheese or soy bean based products.

Some carbohydrates should be combined with proteins and fats, in order to keep your insulin levels in check. Smaller portions of lean meats, including chicken and fish, and healthy fats found in olive oil, canola oil, fish oil should be eaten with small portions of whole grain to get the best health benefits.

Some suggestions of non-starchy vegetables, that have low glycemic content, should be eaten in your diet. These are some good choices:

* broccoli
* asparagus
* avocado
* cauliflower

Legumes such as beans, peas, peanuts, and soybeans are also healthy for people who are insulin resistant.

These are good weight loss programs to help you not only achieve your weight loss goals but feel great too.

What are normal blood sugar levels? Fasting (blood sugar level after not eating for 8 hours) blood sugar should be between 70 milligrams per deciliter to 100 mg/dL. Your blood sugar should not be above 100 at any given time; If it is, this suggests a pre-diabetes condition. A level of 100 - 199 suggests prediabetes. A level over 200 suggests that you have either Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes.

There are several steps in lowering your blood sugar. Try the following if you are interested in more normal blood sugar levels.
A. Begin slowly lowering your carbohydrate intake. If you want to get very specific on which foods you can and cannot eat, I recommend the diet as per Dr. Richard Bernstein. Also, check out our diabetic recipes page for some delicious low carb meals. If you stick to a pre-calculated amount of carbohydrates per meal, your insulin amounts should be the same every day.

B. Test your blood sugar more frequently. We test from 5 - 10 times per day. If your fingers can take it, the blood sugar readings are imperative to helping understand if the insulin amounts are correct or not. Know your A1C. This test is very revealing as to how you are doing with blood sugar levels and should be under 6.0%.

C. Pay attention to how and when your type of insulin works. For example, before meals, Isobel gets about 2 units of Regular Humalin insulin. This particular insulin is given about 40 minutes before a meal because it takes that long to begin working. Humalog on the other hand is a more fast acting insulin and if given for meals, should only be given about 5 minutes before eating.

D. Stop snacking and limit yourself to three meals per day. Snacking is habitual and can easily be broken.

The level of blood sugar control predicts the onset and severity of diabetes-related complications for both types of diabetes. This means that if you have diabetes, if you can keep your blood sugar levels as close as possible to normal, you can live a normal life span with few or even no complications at all. A non-diabetic's normal blood sugar range is from 70 - 100. There is no reason why a diabetic can't strive for the same levels.

By Vicki Kron

Diabetes is a serious disease and without proper control excess blood sugar can cause nerve and organ damage to your body. One of the biggest problems is that the nerve damage is a slow and degenerative process. Many times you don't know damage is occurring until the damage is permanent and painful.

Examples of the damage that can happen when your glucose is out of control are pain, burning, tingling, or loss of feeling in the feet and hands. This is peripheral neuropathy. Abnormal sweating is another example of nerve damage as is light-headedness upon standing. Some people suffer problems swallowing and keeping food down. Other symptoms are bowel problems, problems urinating, and bladder and kidney infections. Many women suffer repeating yeast infections. Diabetes causes erectile dysfunction for some men. Infections in the limbs that cannot be healed and could lead to amputation occur for some diabetics. Damage to the nerves of the eyes is one of the biggest causes of blindness in the United States.

How can you stop and reverse nerve damage? The best way is to gain tight control of your diabetes. Along with diet and exercise, it is most important to check how the food you eat affects your blood glucose. If you disregard this critical step, you won't have a clue that the lasagna you had for lunch is causing a big spike in your meter reading. The thing about pasta is that some diabetics say it doesn't cause their sugar to rise. That's because they tested 2 hours after their meal. But pasta is usually slow to digest and it might take as long as 5 hours to register on your blood glucose meter. You might not have an increase after dinner, but what about that weird spike at bedtime? It's the pasta checking in...Letting you know it still is there.

Here are the steps to take to gain that tight control; Measure your blood sugar at least 4 - 5 times each day.

* Measure the first thing in the morning, as soon as you get up.
* Measure 2 hours after each meal.
* Measure before turning in for the night.

Keep a log of the rise and fall of your meter readings. You will probably see that grains and sugars are the worst offenders for high glucose numbers. Grains include breads, pastas, rice, oats, barley, rye, and quinoa: you get the idea. Because bread is "Whole Wheat" doesn't actually mean that it is a healthy choice for a diabetic. Let your metering device be your guide. Fruits will also cause your sugar to spike. The best fruits for diabetics to eat are berries. This includes blueberries, strawberries, and raspberries. An apple a day may keep the doctor away, but for diabetics, it might also cause a rapid glucose rise, so keep fruits to a minimum.

Many physicians will tell you to check your sugar upon arising and before going to bed. If you choose only these times to test, you will not know which foods actually raise your blood glucose, and which foods do not.

Do some experiments. Test your blood sugar and then eat your favorite food. Test your blood after one hour. Record the reading. Test again after 2 hours. Record the reading. What is your meter telling you? At one hour your sugar number may read close to normal but if it spikes to very high numbers after 2 hours, you know this is a food item to avoid. If your blood count is in the normal range this is a food you can actually eat and enjoy. You may learn that some of your favorite foods cause the highest sugar numbers. If your 2 hour reading is over 140, it's time to reconsider what you are eating. You will have to find a replacement that keeps your blood meter in the safe zone.

Many studies show that post-meal blood numbers of 140 and higher and fasting-blood numbers over 100 cause permanent nerve and organ damage and cause your diabetes to progress.

Nerve damage is frightening, painful and could be life threatening. It's very important to keep your blood counts in check and under control. You have the power to learn how to regulate your blood sugar. It is an achievable goal. The decision to eat the right food, exercise on a regular basis along with constant blood monitoring will allow you to master your diabetes and prevent, stop and reverse nerve damage.

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 insulin via injection or an insulin pump are the basic therapies for type 1 diabetes. The amount of insulin must be balanced with food intake and daily activities. Blood glucose levels must be closely monitored through frequent blood glucose checking.

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 and insulin to control their blood glucose levels.

People with diabetes must take responsibility for their day-to-day care. When blood glucose levels drop too low from certain diabetes medicines--a condition known as hypoglycemia--a person can become nervous, shaky, and confused. Judgment can be impaired. If blood glucose falls too low, a person can faint.

Treatment of type 1 diabetes: Type 1 Diabetes must be treated with insulin shots. Insulin cannot be taken as a pill because the juices in the stomach would destroy the insulin before it could work. Lack of insulin production by the pancreas makes type 1 diabetes particularly difficult to control. Treatment requires a strict regimen that typically includes a carefully calculated diet, planned physical activity, home blood glucose testing several times a day, and multiple daily insulin injections.

Treatment of type 2 diabetes: Treatment typically includes diet control, exercise, home blood glucose testing, and, in some cases, oral medication and/or insulin. Approximately 40 percent of people with type 2 diabetes require insulin injections.

By Beanie Tompkins

According to medical studies, obesity and weight gain can greatly increase the risk for diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. It can also have negative impacts on those already diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes, aggravating glycemic control and insulin levels. Therefore, the American Heart Association recommends individuals suffering from diabetes or at risk for diabetes to aim for a BMI of 25 kg/m or lower. They suggest healthy weight loss may be the most important way to manage Type 2 diabetes.

Diabetes and Weight
Based on studies, the American Heart Association states that diabetes and obesity are interlinked conditions. Many cases of diabetes have been shown to be caused by obesity or rapid weight gain in individuals with insulin resistance. Insulin resistance is caused by the body becoming numbed by rapid spikes in blood sugar levels due to diets rich in sugars, unhealthy fats and refined carbohydrates. When these types of diets are not modified when an individual's body becomes insulin resistant, it can quickly lead to Type 2 diabetes.

When an individual has diabetes, their metabolism cannot handle blood sugar levels, leading to too much glucose and cholesterol in the blood. The excess glucose can quickly lead to weight gain. When insulin injections are added into the equation, more glucose is added into the blood. This can easily lead to further weight gain. In return, the weight gain can aggravate blood sugar levels, leading to an unfortunate circular pattern.

Therefore, it is very important for diabetic individuals to work toward weight control in order to prevent further complications with their diabetes that may lead to cardiovascular diseases. This can be accomplished with a diet that avoids refined carbohydrates and is rich in vitamins and minerals combined with a regular fitness program. Your doctor or a health expert will have suggestions on the best weight loss regime for you to undertake.

Weight Loss Benefits
There are many benefits of weight loss in diabetic individuals, including lowering blood sugar levels as stated above. Since diabetes is linked with weight gain and loss, when you begin to shed pounds, blood sugar levels should begin to lower as well. If you are successful with your weight loss program, there is the chance that you will be able to stop taking your insulin medication. Since weight loss can lead to controlled blood sugar levels, you may no longer need the medication in order to stabilize it, especially if the condition has been caused by obesity or rapid weight gain.

Weight loss will also lead to a reduction of blood pressure and to lower cholesterol levels. This aids in preventing the complications that could lead to cardiovascular diseases. The combination of lower blood sugar levels, lower blood pressure and lower cholesterol levels will not only prevent complications and the aggravation of diabetes, but it will lead to a much healthier body and will generally improve your way of life.

Even today, new treatments for type 1 and type 2 diabetes are being developed. At the moment none of these have withstood the ultimate test of time but there is some hope.
One of the new treatments now being made available is a drug based on the saliva of a venomous lizard – the Gila Monster. This new treatment is delivered to the patient by injection in much the same way as insulin. Some early trials and tests have seen many participants withdraw from the treatments because of more side effects than those caused by insulin. It should be noted that all research to date on this treatment has been sponsored by the pharmaceutical company that produces this drug.

Inhalation is another new treatment going through trials. The insulin is prepared in a dry micro-fine powder which is inhaled directly into the lungs. From there it is absorbed into the blood stream. Researchers reported limited success in treating patients with type 1 diabetes with an antibody called ChAglyCD3. This seems to preserve some of the valuable beta cells within the pancreas to permit at least some insulin production and release from within the body itself. Treatment with this antibody slows the progression of the autoimmune response and the associated destruction of the insulin producing cells of the pancreas. Some adverse side effects have been reported and the treatment has yet to be proven as completely safe.

Insulin pumps that are implanted into the body are now available for the type 1 diabetic for whom regular insulin shots are essential. These small pumps are embedded in the abdomen and deliver a constant dose of insulin direct to the liver.

There are some researchers claiming success in identifying the gene responsible for the development of type 2 diabetes. This particular gene is thought to cause an excessive production of the protein PC-1 by the body, and it is this particular protein that causes insulin resistance within the cells. Geneticists hope that further research will assist diabetics through the development of the following possible treatments:
• Development of a diabetes vaccine. Experiments are already being conducted on lab animals to test a vaccination against the auto-immune response that causes type 1 diabetes.
• Scientists are using genetic engineering to create liver cells that produce insulin. Although insulin is produced in this procedure, there is no internal control mechanism, so the insulin levels from such cells remains constant regardless of the body’s requirement for this hormone. More research is required.
• Stem cell research is aiding as well. There is an enormous amount of research into the therapeutic use of stem cells. Stem cells are the very basic building blocks of the human body. Researchers hope to find a way to use stem cells to make insulin producing cells to replace those that have been damaged by the autoimmune problem that causes type 1 diabetes.

By Moira Haarhoff

Living with diabetes can become comfortable or remain a source of constant worry, depending how you approach the issue. Any form of stress or worry can, in turn, cause your sugar levels to fluctuate, so getting things under comfortable control is obviously your main aim.

Timing and a regular routine are everything, particularly if you take diabetic medication, which tends to rule the body as much as your food intake. If forming a regular routine seems impossible to someone young and spontaneous, persuade him or her to try it for a month. The benefits can be felt within a few days, as the body adjusts.

Carrying glucose sweets (as is recommended) to ward off unexpected sugar lows can just as easily start sudden swings in sugar levels. An apple, a wedge of cheese or about 15 almonds, eaten before the danger signs become obvious, could be more helpful than resorting to high-sugar pick-me-ups.

Eating small amounts at two- to three-hourly intervals is recommended, which should reduce meal sizes considerably, but ensure mid-morning and mid-afternoon snacks are eaten. Don't confuse the word 'snacks' with processed packet junk food.

Regular exercise is still the best way to lower sugar levels. Diabetics benefit most from some exercise at the same time daily rather than more, less often. It all goes back to routine, diet and medication.

A combination of meds and exercise could drop you quickly to a difficult place, so it's wise to take the time to find out what suits you best. Beware the sun (which reacts with some medication); carry water, wear a medical alert bracelet and don't push yourself too hard.

But regular exercise also promotes weight loss, general fitness, lowers overall blood pressure and reduces stress, releasing the natural endorphins that make life seem more fun.

Moving directly from exercise to a formal business appointment can really throw you out, especially if the meeting runs late and you need to drive afterwards. When your blood-sugar levels are too low, you should not be behind the wheel of a car.

It's also not really a good time to be using crowded public transport or walking a long distance, so if you move around a lot independently, munch an apple or a couple of raw carrots if necessary and always wear a medical alert bracelet.

Good planning can make living with diabetes a far more comfortable experience. And if you have been recently diagnosed, the benefits to your health once a good routine is established will make you want to jump for joy.