By Denchi Minh

Doctors and licensed dieticians recommend that people who are diabetic should watch or limit what they eat. Treating diabetes is complimented by a well balanced diet and lifestyle. With the good advice from a licensed dietician, a diabetic diet meal plan becomes easier to manage.

Through this diet plan, the diabetic could plan or mix and match the daily meals he or she would take. This is without compromising the carbohydrate intake he or she needs to limit.

A Diabetic diet differ from people to people. There is a different meal plan for type 1 and type 2 diabetics. Type 1 diabetics only need to watch the food they take each day and pair it up with insulin. On the other hand people who are suffering from type 2 diabetes need to reduce their weight.

What follows is a diabetic diet plan that is appropriate for the type of diabetes the person is suffering from.

Diabetic diet meal plan for type 1 diabetics:

The right number of protein and carbohydrates is essential to one who is suffering from this type of diabetes. Planning a diet meal plan is essential to this person due to the many complications of diabetes.

Complications like heart diseases, kidney failure and high blood pressure are very common diseases for type 1 diabetics. Ideally food that is low in cholesterol, sugar, fats and sodium are what they need to focus on eating. Meal plans for type 1 diabetics include a mix of high fiber rich foods like green leafy vegetables and fruits. All of this is to help reduce blood pressure and stabilize the blood glucose level of the person.

Diabetic diet meal plan for type 2 diabetics:

It is necessary for one who is a type 2 diabetic to watch his weight. A diet meal plan for type 2 diabetics contain fiber rich foods, fish that are rich in omega 3 and fatty acids, healthy fats and carbohydrates. Type 2 diabetics should essential ignore food that has high levels of fats, sodium and cholesterol.

Small and frequent eating is recommended for people suffering in type 2 diabetes. It is much easier to control glucose levels if eaten is small portions rather than a whole meal.

Sample diabetic diet meal plan for an entire day:

• Breakfast diet menu
o 2 4½-in waffles
o 1 cup yogurt
o ¾ cup blackberries
o A cup of Coffee or tea

• Lunch diet menu
o 1 cup beans
o 12 crackers
o ½ cup broccoli or ½ cup cauliflower
o A diet soda

• Dinner Diet menu
o 4 oz hamburger in a 1 hamburger bun. It is laced with 1 tablespoon ketchup, 2 lettuce leaves and 2 tomato slices
o 1 cup of celery sticks
o Skim milk

By Denchi Minh

When a person is diabetic they are advised to go to a licensed dietician in order to provide them with a diabetes diet menu.

The diabetes diet menu is a specialized kind of diet that aims to help a diabetic lose weight and reduce their blood sugar levels. A reduction 500 calories in a daily basis can result to a pound of weight lost in a week's time.

The diabetes diet menu gives you an option in choosing the meal that would complement the required calories you need each day. Each menu that is given by the dietician provides calories in such a manner than 50 percent are for calories, 20 percent are from proteins and 30 percent coming from fats.

Each meal is complimented by a snack so you wouldn't have to go hungry at all. These meals are to be complemented by exercise in order for you to achieve the goal you need, which is of course reducing your weight.

Below is a sample diabetic diet menu that covers for an entire day.

• Breakfast sample menu

o 2 4½-in waffles laced with 2 tsp margarine
o 4 Tbsp light syrup
o 1 cup yogurt
o ¾ cup blackberries
o A cup of Coffee or tea

• Lunch sample menu

o 1 cup chili with beans
o 12 crackers
o ½ cup broccoli or ½ cup cauliflower
o 1 apple
o A diet soda

• Dinner sampe menu

o 4 oz hamburger in a 1 hamburger bun. It is laced with 1 tablespoon ketchup, 2 lettuce leaves and 2 tomato slices
o 1 cup of celery sticks
o 1 cup of watermelon
o 2 tablespoon of peanut butter for the sticks
o Skim milk

Diabetics are required to lose weight in order for their body to improve its tolerance to insulin. Insulin is used by the body in order to effectively convert sugar into energy. The body cannot properly transpose sugar into energy because of the high levels of fats in the system.

The body becomes tolerant to the insulin it secretes and by then the body cannot effectively use the glucose in the blood. When this happens the body needs to inject higher dosage of insulin in order to counter act the amount of glucose in the blood.

We should take note that a diabetes diet menu doesn't mean they will have to stop eating sweets or their favourite dishes. The diabetic only needs to reduce them in a minimal level.

By Denchi Minh

Healthy eating is vital for a type 2 diabetic individual because his food consumption is the biggest determinant whether he will be able to have the illness under control. And the best known way to be able to eat healthy is through following a Diabetes Diet Menu. The meal program may be complex and time consuming to create but the rewards will definitely be worth it. Eating the right foods when supplemented with enough exercise will even allow the individual with type 2 of the illness to live with his sickness without the help of medicine. For those with type 1 however it is an entirely different story.

In preparing a Diabetes Diet Menu it is paramount that the kind of illness is determined first; whether it is type 1 or type 2. Type 1 means there is not enough insulin being produced by the body to regular and maintain stable blood sugar levels. Type 2 on the other hand means there is enough insulin but the body cannot utilize the insulin effectively. Comparing the calorie needs for a type 1 diabetic to a type 2 one will be enough to illustrate the huge difference in their needs. 30 calories per kilogram of body weight is generally the recommended dose for type one. Type 2 on the other hand is normally required to consume only 1800 calories per day at most.

Other factors should also be taken into account when devising a Diabetes Diet Menu. The weight of the person is one good example. His weight will greatly influence the amount of calories he can consume each day. Maintaining a desirable weight is crucial to a diabetic because being overweight may lead to various complications. Having too much body fat may result to heart problems and clogging of veins and arteries. The level of activity the diabetic has will also have huge bearing. This is because when a person conducts a physical activity he will burn a certain amount of calories.

Creating a Diabetic Diet Menu is not easy. Consulting a dietician is the best option in order to make sure you will do everything right. A dietician is a person that is adept at creating meal combinations best for the needs of an individual. Through analysis of your situation they will be able to tell you your recommended dietary allowance. You can also work with the dietician to incorporate the foods you love on the meals provided they will not be harmful to your health.

By Denchi Minh

Diabetes has several adverse effects to a person's body. It may even lead to very serious complications that in the worst case scenario can lead to paralysis, amputation of extremities, or even death. Fortunately for those suffering from type 2 of the disease the dangers can be greatly minimized through proper exercise and a diabetes diet menu. A healthy meal plan is essential not only to ensure that the diabetic meets all his nutritional needs without causing his blood glucose level to become too low or two high but also to help him maintain a desirable weight. Being overweight is a major handicap for a diabetic because it greatly increases the dangers of having the illness.

A diabetes diet menu can help type 2 diabetics more than any available medicine. It helps stabilize blood glucose levels more effectively by guiding the diabetic in consuming the proper amounts of nutrition. A meal plan usually comes in the form of a seven-day eating program. It includes the preparation and composition of each meal including the size of each component as well as when each meal should be eaten. Most plans provide six small meals in even intervals of two to three hours. The small size of the meals helps avoid sudden spikes on the blood sugar level after a meal. The increased number of meals helps compensate for the reduction in meal size. And the regular interval between each meal helps stabilize the amount of nutrients in the body.

Adjusting to the diabetes diet menu may be really hard at first especially since small meals tend to not be satisfying enough. Keeping track of the time also has a high chance of being overlooked. But the biggest hindrance in following a meal plan is the taste. This is why one's food preferences should always be considered when creating an eating program for him. Avoid including foods he does not like to eat and replace them with alternatives he finds more appealing. Alienation can also slow down the adaptation process. Eating something different from the rest of the family members can be very discouraging. It is best that other family members also follow the diet. Healthy eating will never hurt anyone.

It will take some time before you and your body can fully adjust to the diabetes diet menu. Be patient. Eating right is will not only allow you to keep the illness under control, it will also help you avoid other sickness.

By Denchi Minh

The Diabetes Diet Menu is the most important tool in a diabetic's fight to adapt and live with Type 2 of the illness. It can be defined as a healthy meal program that is formulated specifically to cater to the needs of the individual involved. The current blood sugar level, general health, taste in food, and daily activities are the most essential considerations in creating the plan. Each meal should as much as possible consist of a combination of foods the diabetic likes to eat. This will greatly make it easier for him to follow the plan. The meal schedule should also not interfere with his day to day activities. With the many considerations involved, it can be concluded that the right plan for one diabetic may not be the right one for another.

The Diabetes Diet Menu can be really complicated to create because so many things need to be considered. What to eat, how much to eat, and when to eat are the most basic questions that need to be answered. In deciding what to eat the nutritional value of each food should be determined and then compared to your daily dietary needs. It is of vital importance that the blood sugar level remains stable. Avoiding foods that contain high levels of glucose is the best way to do so. One however should never forget not to overdo avoiding sugar. This is because having a too low blood glucose level is just as dangerous as having one that is too high.

How much to eat is also an important factor when devising a Diabetes Diet Menu. This is because a diabetic should avoid large meals due to the fact that consuming large meals means absorption of large amounts of nutrients within a small span of time. Such has very high chances of causing blood sugar levels to suddenly rise which may lead to very serious complications. A diabetic should therefore eat only small meals. The number of meals per day should then be increased to compensate with the decrease in meal size.

When to eat is another vital question in preparing a Diabetes Diet Menu. The schedule of each meal should come in regular intervals each day. This will help ensure that balance in nutrition is maintained. Eating at regular intervals will also help the body adapt faster to the new schedule. The time of meals should also fit in nicely with the normal daily activities of the diabetic.

By Jim Morham

What if I told you lowering cholesterol naturally is safer than drugs?

The question of how to lower bad cholesterol has been asked for decades. I can remember first hearing about bad cholesterol (LDL) back when I was a teenager. Bad cholesterol is a waxy substance made by your liver. Diet also contributes to the formation of this substance. Stress has also been associated with cholesterol production from the liver as well. LDL which stands for low density lipoprotein is the worst of the lipids. As measured by the health care industry, LDL cholesterol should be measured in your blood at no more than 0-99 mg/dl which stands for milligrams per deciliter.

How to determine cholesterol levels

When your primary care physician gives you your annual checkup he or she will order a blood work up as part of your physical. This is standard operating procedure since other than scans and ultra sounds the blood tells just about everything about you physical condition. When your doctor determines how to lower your bad cholesterol it will be based on the blood work that is called a Lipid Panel. The Lipid Panel will show the three types of cholesterol that the body makes. The three legs to the stool are LDL, HDL or good cholesterol referred to as High Density Lipoproteins and Triglycerides. The three combined should yield a total panel of 199 mg/dl or less according to the (NIH) or National Institutes of Health. HDL, the good cholesterol should 39mg/dl or better. This number is better for your body the higher it gets. My own doctor told me of a patient who had an HDL in excess of 190mg/dl. I can only imagine what she did for a living. Obviously no stress and she must have been on a very special diet.

Options for treatment

Assuming you test results come back and you have a LDL of over 99mg/dl my guess is your doctor is going to prescribe a drug regimen to show you how to lower your bad cholesterol. The most widely prescribed family of drugs to combat bad cholesterol is referred to as Statins. Statin drugs control and inhibit an enzyme that has to do with the production of cholesterol in the liver. Most of these drugs have commonly known names like Lescol, Zocor and Lipitor. Studies have shown these drugs to have a positive effect at lowering LDL in the blood stream. When your health care provider is determining how to lower your bad cholesterol he or she should look very closely at what other kinds of medication you are currently taking because side effects are common with these types of drugs. The most common side effects can be manifested in elevated liver enzymes. There are schools of thought that believe that over time and with the wrong dosage, the side effects could result in liver failure. If you are taking these types of medication, it's highly recommended that you abstain from alcohol and have your blood tested several times a year in order to detect any potential problems.

Alternatives to Statins

Many patients are now opting for natural cholesterol remedies like Omega 3 fish oil. Omega 3 acts as a lubricant to your arteries and is easily digested and poses no threat to you liver. Many studies have shown the positive effects of a diet high in Omega 3 and the results of lower instances of coronary heart disease and instance of stroke. Most importantly, if you and your doctor are trying different programs based on how to lower your bad cholesterol the doctor most likely will recommend a regimen that includes all natural Omega 3 fish oil.

Conclusion

If you are trying to figure out how to lower your bad cholesterol in order to improve the overall quality of your health and avoid the possibility of coronary heart disease, consider the natural way to lower cholesterol. Your liver will love you!

By Christine Crotts

Gestational diabetes refers to diabetes that is induced by being pregnant. This type of diabetes affects the mother's blood sugar levels and high levels can affect your pregnancy and the baby's health. The third trimester is usually when the risks are the highest. About 4% of pregnant women will develop gestational diabetes. High risk women are screened as soon as possible during their pregnancies and all other women will be screened at between 24 and 28 weeks.

There are very few symptoms of gestational diabetes, and its detection should be a regular part of your pre-natal care. A blood test will determine if you require further testing to see if you are suffering from this disorder. Further testing will involve a glucose test that has you drink a sugary solution and then test your blood sugar levels.

Treatment usually involved exercise, eating changes, checking blood sugar often and possibly taking insulin shots to keep blood sugar levels within a target range. Again, there are few symptoms, but many risk factors you can consider.

1. Two possible symptoms of gestational diabetes are increased thirst and too frequent urination. You may also experience increased hunger or blurred vision. These can be difficult to differentiate from typical pregnancy symptoms.

2. Another risk factor is based on age. In particular, risk goes up after the age of 25.

3. Pre-diabetes, characterized by elevated blood sugar levels, are also indications to watch for. While every pregnant woman will have some elevation of blood sugar while pregnant, it is not normal to reach diabetic levels.

4. Other risk factors include previous unexplained stillbirth, or a baby that weighed more than 9 lbs. Gestational diabetes can cause birth defects and increased risk for miscarriage in early pregnancy months. In the last trimester, it can cause over-nutrition and excess growth for the baby. Large babies increase risks during labor and delivery.

5. If you are overweight by 20% or more of your ideal weight prior to becoming pregnant, you increase your risk.

6. If member of your close family such as a parent or sibling have diabetes, you are also at increased risk of developing it during pregnancy. Diabetes is genetic and tends to be handed down in families.

7. Developing gestational diabetes means you will be checked regularly after your pregnancy to make sure blood sugar levels have returned to normal. Women who have gestational diabetes are more likely to develop diabetes later in life.

By Robert S. Nelson

Neuropathy is nerve damage as a result of constantly high blood glucose levels. This is a complication of diabetes that can impact any part of the body. When damage occurs it can strike any of our vital organs. Some individuals never have any symptoms of nerve damage while others may have numbness or pain in their hands, feet, arms and legs.

Nerve damage is very commonplace affecting nearly 60% - 70% of all diabetics. You have a greater chance of getting neuropathy as you age and if you've had diabetes for a number of years. If you have suffered from diabetes for 25 years or even longer then you are at the greatest risk of developing nerve damage. Some of the other factors which could make you a high risk for nerve damage are not managing your blood sugar effectively, being too heavy, having high concentrations of blood fat as well as having high blood pressure.

It is unknown what actually causes nerve damage but there are those who believe several factors contribute to this complication. Below are some possibilities:

* Autoimmune disorder - when the body attacks its own cells

* Metabolism - your sugar levels are too high and you've had diabetes for a long time

* Behavior - consuming alcoholic beverages and smoking

* Your genes - you may have inherited a sensitivity to this disorder

There are different types of symptoms with neuropathy based on which nerves are affected. As mentioned previously there may be no symptoms at all, but others may feel pain or tingling in their hands, legs, arms and feet. The symptoms can be so subtle that you may not even realize that you have any. On the other hand, for some individuals the pain comes on suddenly and is severe especially for those with focal neuropathy.

The following lists some of the possible symptoms:

* Pain, numbness or tingling located in the feet, legs, arms and hands

* Having diarrhea, vomiting, nausea or being constipated

* Being dizzy, faint or light-headed

* Trouble focusing or pain behind one eye

* Sexual problems

* Bladder problems

* Irregular heart beat

* Weakness in the legs

The following shows the four different types of nerve damage and how they affect the body:

* Autonomic neuropathy - impacts the involuntary system like your heart, lungs and digestion. Should the autonomic nervous system be compromised problems will be experienced with the eyes, heart, lungs, digestion, bowel movements, sexual response and others functions. The area that is affected will determine the type and severity of your symptoms.

* Peripheral Neuropathy - targets the nerves to your feet, hands,legs and arms and is the most common type of neuropathy. The leg contains the longest nerves and as a result these are the ones that are damaged more frequently.

* Focal neuropathy - depending on the nerve that is damaged is can cause muscle weakness or pain. The areas that can be affected are the legs, torso and more commonly the head, in particular the eyes.

* Proximal neuropathy - affects the legs, hips, buttocks and thighs causing pain as well as muscle weakness. This will affect your ability to move around and is most often found the elderly.

Both a physical exam and a neurological exam are necessary to determine if you have any nerve damage. In addition to the routine medical checkup that all doctors give they will also look for any tender or painful region and will also check your mobility. In addition, there will be tests to check your reaction to different stimuli such as touch, temperature and vibration.

Maintaining safe blood glucose levels is the best treatment for nerve damage. This is actually the only means you have which will keep this disorder from getting worse. Although medication is available they only relieve the symptoms.

By Teo Eng Say

Diabetes is a condition known as having a higher than normal blood glucose in the body. When insulin was discovered in 1922 it was then thought to be a cure for diabetes. However, it was realised that over a long period of time it could lead to stiffening of the blood vessels and reduction in oxygen and nutrients to the tissues. There is no cure but only prevention of complications.These long-term complications include heart attacks, stroke, poor circulation in the legs, problems with the eyes, kidney and nerves.

Heart Attack and Stroke

This is a complication of enlarged vessels known as Atherosclerosis. Deposits of fats and fibrous tissue in the vessel's walls can build up and sometimes lead to rupture or damage. This can be slowed by reduced intake of cholesterol, stopped smoking, reducing blood pressure and adopting a healthy lifestyle.

Smoking is very addictive and carries with it an additional risk of cancer. It kills one out of every two who smoke and takes away 10 years of life expectancy. It only exacerbate the condition of diabetes. One of the signs of stiffening of blood vessels is an increase in blood pressure. High blood pressure can cause the blood vessel to burst ( stroke ) and damage organs over the years especially true of the kidney.

Blood fats - cholesterol and triglycerides levels are important indicators for the control and prevention of diabetes. Cholesterol itself are classified as HDL ( high-density lipoprotein ) and LDL ( low-density lipoprotein ). Ideally, one should have a HDL of 1.2mmol and LDL of 3.5 or lower. High triglycerides increase the risk of atherosclerosis development and it is advisable to keep in the range below 1.5mmol/l.

The heart is the blood pump of the body. It needs a blood supply of its own to provide its muscle cells with oxygen and energy. There are three main vessels that supply the heart and any narrowing or damage of these vessels will cause a starvation of oxygen in the heart muscle. This is painful and is called angina. Over a long period this will result in heart attack. Angina produces a feeling of tightness in the chest. Heart attacks are usually more severe chest pain, breathlessness, sweating and pain spreading to the neck, jaw or down the left arm.

Transient ischaemic attacks (TIAs) are temporary interruptions of blood supply to part of the brain. Symptoms include severe headache, numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg, difficulty in talking or swallowing, confusion or difficulty in talking, change or loss of vision in one or both eyes or dizziness or difficulty in co-ordination.A stroke is a result of permanent damage to areas of the brain by a reduction or stoppage in blood supply.

Nerve Damage ( Neuropathy )

Foot problems are associated with diabetes because it causes nerve damage and poor circulation. There are three types of nerve damage- sensory, autonomic and motor.

Sensory nerve damage or also known as a gradual loss of sensation to temperature, pain, pressure, vibration or positioning of the foot.Some may feel a tightness and stiffness of the skin and in more acute cases a painless feet failed to detect a sensation stepping on a nail or a cut by a sharp object.

Autonomic nerve damage are nerves that control the function of sweating. It will result in dry skin and loss of its elasticity- splitting and cracking of skin. Motor nerve damage is the third set of nerves that control the movement through muscles. It will lead to wasting of muscles and an alteration of the foot leading to deformity.

Eyes - Retinopathy

High levels of blood glucose found in diabetic patients can result in the narrowing or blockage of the vessels at the back of the eye. If left unchecked will lead to vessel rupture of the eyeballs and may result in loss of vision.

Kidneys - Nephropathy

It is a medical term for kidney ( renal ) disease. The kidney functions as a filter to capture the glucose, salts and other watery components of the blood and what is left is the urine which then passes out from the kidneys to the bladder. If excess glucose is present in the kidneys it will become less effective as a filter and that will result in protein leak. Typical symptoms are tiredness, nausea and loss of appetite, itchy skin and swelling of ankles, hands and eyelids.

Want to know more on diabetes and weightloss please go to http://blog.learnmoreaboutyourhealth.com

By Aaron M Harris

Everyone gets confused in the health-food aisle. Believe me, you are in good and intelligent company. Sometimes it helps me to imagine the great leaders of the world, and how little they know about flax seed oil, a product I find absolutely fascinating.

Omega-3 has been receiving a lot of attention lately, and we consumers need to step up and figure out what's going on with omega-3 benefits.

After listening to a lot of "health professionals" describe fish oil as a lubricant for your joints, I think it's time to put down a few facts to think about. Here I want to talk about one big possible benefit of omega-3: helping to prevent or alleviate diabetes.

"Prevention" and "alleviate" sound like distant terms, but I know they mean a lot to everyday people who suffer from diabetes--people like you--who happen to have very high levels of LDL cholesterol, simply because their bodies aren't set up to eliminate it properly.

Diabetes is often linked to high triglyceride levels as well, and there are many remedies which will help the body normalize these levels.

One fact we can rely on is that fish oil and omega-3 supplements have been proven to lower levels of harmful triglycerides. These supplements therefore alleviate the general effects of both types of diabetes.

Lowering these harmful blood elements also causes LDL cholesterol levels to go down, and HDL levels to rise. We already have two well-tested reasons to take an honest look at fish oil supplements.

Many diabetes sufferers are unable to produce their own omega-3 within their body, and must take supplements in order to maintain healthy levels of these essential acids.

One great benefit of taking an omega-3 supplement is normalized levels not only of other fatty acids, but of good versus bad cholesterol as well.

How can you quantify the benefits of a balanced and well functioning circulatory system? Clearly even alleviating one or two of these concerns will go a long way toward changing the quality of life for someone suffering from diabetes.

I've always felt it was my job, even if it was a little uncomfortable, to be sure that my friends with diabetes were taking some kind of omega-3 supplement. These special molecules have made a difference in the lives of millions of people, and there's no reason to ignore benefits backed by personal research.

Stay informed about sources of omega-3 and also about new levels of toxins in many supplements. If you don't know about PCBs, now is the time to find out.