Diabetes mellitus is a disorder characterized by the inability of the body to either produce or respond to insulin making it impossible to maintain proper levels of glucose (sugar) in the blood. The extra glucose is excreted in the urine and because of the high level of glucose more water is flushed through. The diabetic experiences excessive urination and thirst.

The term Diabetes mellitus literally explains these symptoms: The Greek term diabainein, means "to pass through" (referring to the excessive urination) and mellitus comes from the Latin "sweetened with honey" (referring to the excessive presence of sugar).

There are basically two major types of diabetes: Type 1 (insulin-dependent) and Type 2 (non-insulin dependent).

Type 1 (formerly known juvenile-onset diabetes, because it is diagnosed in children or young adults) is caused by both genetic and environmental causes. In this case, the person's immune system produces antibodies that destroy the cells that produce insulin. Because the body can't produce insulin on its own, daily insulin injections are required.

Type 2 (formerly known as adult-onset diabetes, because it normally appears in people aged over 40) is the most common form of diabetes, accounting for about 90% of cases. Genetic factors play a major role in the development of Type 2, but obesity is also a major factor. A typical Western lifestyle means a diet that is high in fat and low in carbohydrates and a minimal exercise plan and these habits are strong risk factors. A third type of diabetes, known as Gestational Diabetes, affects women who have high blood-sugar levels during pregnancy. There is also a high probably that women who experience gestational diabetes will develop Type 2 diabetes at a later stage.

Diabetes symptoms to watch out for include; frequent urination, excessive thirst and hunger, unusual weight loss, increased fatigue, irritability and blurry vision. The American Diabetes Association (ADA) website is an informative starting point for all. Visit the site today and take the Online Diabetes Risk Test, which can help you determine if you are at risk of developing diabetes. If you are diagnosed with diabetes the ADA website has informative articles the disease, plus lots of suggestions on lifestyle and diet changes for those diagnosed with diabetes. A quick Internet search for "Diabetes Supply" will also bring up various sites offering products suitable for those living with diabetes.

There's lots of help and advice available literally at your fingertips.

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

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


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

Food-borne chemical toxins
Cows milk -an unidentified component in cow milk can trigger an autoimmune reaction in the body. Young infants who are given cow milk have a higher risk of contracting type-1 diabetes.

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

The main diabetes causes of gestational diabetes are:
• Hormones produced during pregnancy blocking actions of insulin
• Mother body can’t produce enough insulin


Common Causes of Diabetes
The risk of diabetes is higher if there is a family history of diabetes. Environmental factors that can lead to the onset of diabetes include poor diet, lack of exercise, obesity, and stress. Diabetes is a disease that can be prevented -or controlled once a diagnosis has been made.

Prevention and Control in Diabetes
While the symptoms of diabetes are not life threatening, diabetes can lead to other more serious diseases and illnesses. People who have been diagnosed with diabetes are at a higher risk of diseases and illnesses such as heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, neuropathy and nerve damage, foot conditions, and blindness. It is extremely important to control your diabetes in order to avoid the onset of these more serious and sometimes life-threatening illnesses.

There are medications that can be used in the control of diabetes, as well as many natural remedies. However, the single most important aspect of a diabetic management plan is a healthy diet and exercise. A healthy diet should consist of fresh fruits, fresh vegetables, carbohydrates in healthy portions, Omega-3 fatty acids, proteins in healthy portions, and fiber. A healthy diet not only helps your overall health, but also can be a major factor in offsetting the symptoms of diabetes. The longer you can prevent the symptoms of diabetes, the longer you can decrease the risks of more serious illnesses associated with diabetes.

A regular exercise routine is also an important factor in the prevention and management of diabetes. By keeping your muscles toned and your blood flowing correctly, you can help your body to fight off infections and your body will be able to help in managing the symptoms of many illnesses. Strong muscles in the abdomen are essential for helping your digestive system work normally.

A Long, Healthy Life
It is possible to live a long, healthy life. You can help ensure that your body will work properly for a long time by beginning a healthy diet and routing exercise program early in life. By choosing to live a healthy lifestyle, you are choosing to consciously help your body fight of the symptoms of many illnesses and diseases.

For example, having type II diabetes might cause people to feel more depressed because they are sick. Likewise, having depression might cause people to not eat healthy or get any exercise and lead to diabetes. Many scientists, me included, feel that there are common lifestyle factors that lead to type II diabetes and depression at the same time. There are an abundance of studies implicating exercise (or lack of it) in the onset of both diseases. There are also many studies highlighting the role of nutrition in both diabetes and depression.

Now, a new study, published in the October 2007 edition of PLOS Biology, sheds more light on this relationship with a focus on insulin at the center. Anyone with diabetes is well versed in the importance of insulin. It is a primary hormone that controls blood sugar levels, which the body needs to maintain tight control over for survival.

Insulin has many jobs
Your pancreas releases insulin into your bloodstream whenever blood sugar levels rise. In type II diabetes two things go wrong. One, your pancreas becomes less responsive to making and releasing insulin; and two, cells throughout your body start to ignore the insulin that is released. Since insulin is important in so many different body functions, this becomes a serious problem.

The findings in the new study revolve around another role of insulin in the brain. The researchers discovered that dopamine activity in a part of the brain that promotes feelings of pleasure and reward are dependent upon insulin. In my opinion, this has a couple of far reaching implications.

Does insulin promote addiction?
The research suggests that diabetics, who lack the ability to produce insulin, will have a more difficult time feeling joy and pleasure because the brain circuits that control these feelings will be less active. This may be one link between the co-occurrences of type II diabetes and depression.

From a scientific perspective, this is a very interesting finding. But from a health perspective how does it help us prevent these diseases in the first place? The new research suggests that rises in insulin might boost the activity of pleasure and reward centers, the same ones that are stimulated by addictive drugs like amphetamine and cocaine.

When does your insulin go up? It goes up after a high sugar meal. It means that high sugar meals might stimulate addictive centers in the brain.

I've been touting the benefits of feeding yourself and your kids low-glycemic (essentially low sugar) meals for some time. This new research adds fuel to that argument by suggesting that sugar might actually be addictive. Maybe not in the same sense that elicit drugs are addictive, but that they have some degree of addictive tendencies themselves.

The irony is that eating high-glycemic meals actually makes you feel good in the short-term by increasing insulin and boosting activity of your brain's pleasure centers. But after years of eating sugar your pancreas will eventually burn out and lead to type II diabetes and possibly depression, leaving you with the opposite feelings that you ate the sugar for in the first place.

The take home message?
Get the high sugar cereals and other foods out of your house. Don't set yourself and your kids up for a lifetime of battling the cravings for these disease promoting foods.

Why does depression cause diabetes?
The diabetes disease can be brought on by depression. Cortisol, a stress hormone can increase if you get depressed. This hormone can reduce insulin sensitivity. Once insulin sensitivity is compromised the diabetes disease can begin to flourish in your body. This condition of depression is more prevalent in older people. Depression is often undiagnosed. Loss of a loved one may be characterized as grief, a temporary issue instead of depression.

In the four states of Pennsylvania, California, North Carolina and Maryland 4,681 men and women were tracked with an average age of 73. The Archives of Internal Medicine disclosed the following: In these three scenarios (single bouts of depression, chronic depression and depression that worsened over time) an increased risk of diabetes existed in all three cases when depression prevailed.

Some signs for possible depression problems can show up physically or emotionally. Check for some of these symptoms so you can put yourself on a healthier track for yourself. The sooner you recognize any of these issues the quicker you can right your ship.

You just don't care. Enjoying things is not on your priority list. Your sleep schedule has run amok. You have a hard time falling asleep or you often arise during the night. Quick weight gains or losses occur.

You feel tired most of the time.
Your self esteem has gone down hill. You feel like you cannot do anything right and you worry about being a burden to people. Mornings usually are the saddest time of the day for you.

You have suicidal thoughts or you think about different ways to harm yourself.
Should you have any of these symptoms you can be hurting yourself mentally but you may compound the issue by bringing on type 2 diabetes as well. Let's break the combination of diabetes and depression by seeing a doctor or joining a support group so you can voice your issues and improve your condition.

Recognizing these issues is the first step to gaining a healthier lifestyle. If you have any concerns about diabetes or potential diabetes issues then claim your free ecourse. It will help you deal with diabetes in a safe and natural way.

By Nick A Jones

People sometimes ask, "what can I do if I get invited to a party".

The answer is simple, GO!! You can do all the things your friends do and go to all the same places. Once you know you have diabetes this is easy. You now have to manage it, if it is managed well you can even snack and eat some of the so called bad foods.

Say you are invited to or even want a birthday party for you or your child.

You can have the traditional party cake and then frost it with non-dairy whipped topping. Hamburger, pizzas, hot dogs all OK. Make sure there is activities planned as well during the party so that any extra carbs are used up and don't get the chance to become sugar in the blood.

If you are having canned fruit then stay away from fruit canned with syrup because the fruit will absorb some of the sugar in the syrup, this is because the syrup has the higher concentrate of sugar, higher than the fruit. You can't rinse this off neither as it is in the fruit. Go for fruit in natural juice but again make sure you read the label and this time you can drain or rinse the fruit juice off. I'm sure you know the bad things to look out for, high fructose corn syrup, sucrose, dextrose, lactose. What about stuff like sorghum, molasses, dextrin or invert sugar (that sounds OK), all a big no no, sugar, sugar, sugar. You can get diabetic canned fruit which won't have any extra sugar and will often be in water but not compulsory.

What about cookies I hear you ask, well again you can buy diabetic cookies and sugar free ones or you can bake your own to take to the party.
A couple of things to remember though. Diabetic may not mean sugar free, just that one or more of the ingredients have been changed. It could be salt free, have a sugar substitute. You may also find that just because something is sugar free it is not always lower in calories. If you are baking your own then you need to get a good diabetic cookbook that explains the nutritional makeup for their cookies.

Desserts, Well you do have to be extra careful as most desserts are full of sugar, if you can get some input to the party this will be easier to manage as you can take the route above, make you own but with the right ingredients. That same cookbook should help. Also the same applies, what does sugar free and diabetic really mean?

Enjoy the party, watch what you eat and get in involved in preparing as much as you can. Read the labels, understand what it all means and you will be OK. Gain as much knowledge as you can and this will assist you to make the right choices.

By Denchi Minh

Gestational Diabetes is a condition in which the body fails to produce extra insulin which is required by the body to regulate blood sugar levels amidst the hormonal changes brought about by pregnancy. This results to alarmingly high blood sugar levels for the pregnant mother. Glucose levels will revert back to normal after delivery but this does not mean that the condition is harmless. The abnormality may endanger both the mother and the infant during the entire 9 months of pregnancy and during delivery. But the most serious complications are the chances the infant will develop certain illnesses when he grows older.

Gestational Diabetes can make delivery extremely difficult and dangerous especially if the baby is quite large. It may require the mother to undergo cesarean delivery because too much glucose impedes the regeneration of cells that and necessary bodily changes required to give normal delivery. It also greatly enhances the risks of the mother developing hypertension after child birth. Hypertension is a serious illness that can prove to be fatal when left alone. It may result to seizures or sudden periods of unconsciousness. Seizures can be very dangerous especially if they occur in hazardous places or situations.

Gestational Diabetes can also endanger the health of the newborn baby. The baby may be born overweight and grow up obese. He may have metabolic problems and will find harder time to lose weight. He may also have low blood sugar levels which may lead to lack of energy and concentration. This will make his day to day life very difficult because he may not have enough energy to do the things he wants to do. Normal body functions such as digestion will also be impeded making abnormally fast weight gain a problem. Jaundice is another problem the baby may experience. It is the yellow pigmentation of the eyes and skin.

Gestational Diabetes can cause very huge problems in the present and the future but such can be avoided with very simple solutions such as proper diet and enough exercise. The pregnant woman should develop meals that can provide his recommended dietary allowance while keeping her blood sugar levels stable at the same time. Eating healthy is always the best way to control and manage all forms of diabetes. A healthy diet along with regular exercise will also prevent excessive weight gain during the pregnancy. Excess body fats greatly increase the risks of developing complications such as heart attacks.

By Edward Griss

It is estimated that 24 million people in the United States have diabetes. From that count there are a possible 6 million that have not yet been diagnosed. Recent research has found that adding almonds to diet can help prevent the onset of Type 2 diabetes which is the most prevalent type of this disease, accounting for up to 95% of all cases.

Diabetics either have an inability to use the hormone that allows glucose to be turned into energy or a decreased amount of insulin. When blood sugar levels are left uncontrolled, vital organs can be severely damaged. Studies have shown that one of the benefits of adding almonds to a diet is that the disease could actually be prevented.

During a study which was conducted at the University of Medicine and Dentistry in New Jersey, 65 adults with pre-diabetes, the condition where blood glucose levels are high but not enough to be diagnosed with the disease, found that eating an almond enriched diet dramatically improved their insulin sensitivity compared to the control group who ate no almonds.

Having pre-diabetes raises the risk for developing Type 2 Diabetes, heart disease and stroke. There are two tests and two different sets of numbers to determine whether one is a pre-diabetic. The IFG level is 100-125mg. IGT levels would be 140-199mg. IFG is an overnight fast while IGT is a two hour test.

The really good news is that there is a lot that can be done to delay and prevent the onset of Type 2 diabetes. Studies have shown that a patient can lower their risk just by losing 7 percent of their body weight through physical activity and diet. Almonds are beneficial in both of these pursuits. This delicious and nutritious super food can also send bad cholesterol numbers falling and gives protection against cardiovascular disease while helping to prevent weight gain and obesity.

The European Journal of Clinical Nutrition published another study that following a diet that includes almonds not only lowers blood LDL level, but also lowers C-reactive protein levels, a key marker with the inflammation of blood vessels. This inflammation can lead to clogged arteries making the heart pump faster. The C-reactive proteins dropped 24 percent, an amount equal to the reduction achieved by taking statin drugs without the debilitating side effects.

A different study reported in the Journal of Nutrition found that after eating a meal with almonds, blood samples taken directly after the meal showed lower blood sugar and insulin levels and that the levels of protective antioxidants had increased. So not only are almonds beneficial to warding off diabetes, but they show anti-aging benefits as well.

Here is how the healthy fats in almonds help aid in weight loss. Today's diets are nutritionally very poor and a body that is under nourished constantly craves food. The body will continually send out hunger signals in an attempt to fill that deficiency leading us to eat more nutritionally deficient foods. Eating nuts which have a large vitamin and nutrient density helps break this cycle of steady weight gain through the years.

All these wonderful health benefits can be gained by consuming just a handful of almonds a day. They are delicious and can be eaten in numerous ways! Add them to salads, desserts and protein rich meat dishes and watch how this little super food benefits you.

By William J Clark

Diabetes translates to Siphon in Greek. Diabetes is mainly of two types: The Type 1 Diabetes is a case in which the body does not manufacture insulin and Type 2 Diabetes is a case in which the body does not manufacture enough insulin.

Until now there is no remedy for the permanent cure of Diabetes Type 1 and 2. If diabetics are not controlled in time, it may pave the way for contracting other serious diseases. Very difficult medical conditions can happen if you aren't careful.

People with diabetes now have many more natural food options, providing important fiber consumption while cutting down on fat and sugars. You must eat regularly to control your blood sugar. When mealtimes are spread out at regular intervals during the day, it is a lot easier to balance blood glucose levels.

It is important to consider snacks, as well as regular meals.

To maintain blood sugar levels, diabetics can use low-fat, high fibre snacks.

Eating less fat not only helps in reducing extra body fat but also enhances the health of blood vessels. Daily fat intake should not pass 50 grams. Polyunsaturated and mono-unsaturated fats are essential for our health and we can get it from safflower, sunflower, canola and olive based spreads and oils including seeds, nuts, olives and seafood.

Is it advisable for me to eat a sugar free diet?

A balanced diet must contain a minimum amount of sugar and fat but a high amount of fibre. Although, some foods containing high amounts of sugar can be eaten sometimes, and artificial sweeteners may be substituted on occasion. Monitoring blood sugar levels is an essential component of managing diabetes.

Are carbohydrates good for you?

It is very important for diabetes patients to keep up high energy levels.

What are considered good carbs?

Have a balanced diet with little of the sauces, dressings or toppings. These amounts should be controlled according to the advice of a dietitian.Fibre is also an unavoidable factor.

Dieticians believe that 30-40 grams of fiber work best. Natural fibre is provided by Mother Nature to help maintain a healthy digestive system, which then lowers blood sugar levers and blood fat.

Those who suffer from diabetes ought to take the advice of a dietitian. A dietitian can assist in developing a meal plan using delicious natural foods and help them maintain a healthy natural diet for a longer sustaining life. You should always seek medical advice if your have diabetes.

By Jessica Lane

A number of medical and government organizations offer online diabetes education for patients with the disease and their families. The National Institute of Health administers both the National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse and the National Diabetes Education Program, while the American Association of Diabetes Educators provides valuable patient resources through its online presence. Still, much more can be done to ensure that those affected by diabetes have the solid informational resources they need to understand the root causes of this disease and understand the necessary testing procedures and treatments that can help patients protect themselves against its symptoms.

Blood Sugar Monitoring

Depending on the severity of the blood glucose fluctuations, some Type 2 diabetic patients can control their diabetes with diet and exercise while others require insulin injections in order to maintain a healthy blood sugar level throughout the day. Regardless of which method is used to control blood glucose levels, patients should monitor their blood sugar on a regular basis. The most common type of blood glucose meter is the testing strip reader; these devices require that patients draw a drop of blood and place it on a specially treated strip, which is then chemically analyzed in the meter to provide an accurate reading of the current levels of sugar in the bloodstream. Newer monitoring systems can provide continuous readings, but they typically require that a sensor be worn at all times. This can prove impractical for some patients, but it provides the highest degree of protection against blood sugar spikes or unexpected hypoglycemic incidents.

Insulin Therapy

Type 1 and some Type 2 diabetic patients who require insulin injections to control their diabetes have a number of options available to deliver the insulin into their bloodstreams. While syringes continue to be the most popular method, newer insulin injection devices can provide added convenience for diabetes patients and, in some cases, may allow more accurate, faster delivery of the needed insulin. Insulin pens offer disposable convenience. Some models are designed to use small pre-filled cartridges that can be tossed after use, while other pen-style insulin injection devices are fully disposable after one or more uses.

For diabetes cases that require more constant treatment, insulin pumps deliver a metered dose of the hormone, providing more insulin after meals and a maintenance dose at all other times. Each patient is different and will require an insulin regimen tailored to their specific physical condition. Long-acting insulin offers protection against blood sugar fluctuations for a longer period of time, while short-acting insulin can provide rapid relief from major swings in blood sugar levels.

Patients, caregivers and family members need a thorough understanding of diabetes treatments and symptoms in order to ensure the health and well-being of those affected by the disease. By informing themselves about the current treatments and warning signs associated with diabetes, patients and their families can act as partners with health care professionals in controlling the progress and symptoms of diabetes in their own lives.

By Sarfraz Zaidi

Stress-Diabetes Connection- Is there any and what is the mechanism?

While there are several factors that contribute to the development of diabetes, stress is an important one.

This is how:

Type 2 Diabetes:

About 95% of diabetics suffer from Type 2 diabetes, which occurs due to a process in the body called insulin resistance. Stress is a major cause for insulin resistance. Obesity is another important culprit for insulin resistance. Stress Eating is the main underlying cause for obesity. In this way, stress significantly contributes to a person's obesity and risk for developing diabetes.

Insulin resistance is a process in the body which causes insulin, a chemical in your body, to be less effective in keeping your blood sugar normal. Consequently, your body produces more insulin in order to keep your blood sugar normal. This compensatory increase in the amount of insulin may control your blood sugar for a while, but it's harmful for the rest of the body. Large amounts of insulin can raise your blood pressure and increase your risk for cancer. Insulin resistance also increases your risk for heart attacks and strokes.

After many years of escalating insulin resistance, eventually your insulin producing cells in the pancreas get exhausted and cannot churn out the huge amounts of insulin. At this point, your blood sugar starts to rise and you end up being diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes.

Type 1 Diabetes:

Type I diabetes is the other type of diabetes. It is much less common, accounting for about 5% of diabetics. Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease in which your dysfunctional immune system starts to attack and kill your own insulin producing cells. Eventually your pancreas is unable to produce any insulin and you become diabetic.

Stress negatively influences immune system and plays a major role in the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases.

Stress Worsens Diabetes.

Many diabetics know that their blood glucose gets elevated when they are under stress, even though their eating habits didn't change at all. They also know that with the release of stress, their elevated blood glucose comes down.

Over the years, I have seen many such examples. I vividly remember one particular case.

The gentleman was a highly successful businessman who was struggling to keep his blood glucose levels down. Then he went on a vacation to his native homeland in a rural setting. When he came back from vacation, he came to see me. "Doc, you've been telling me about the effects of stress on diabetes. You are absolutely right. During my vacation, my blood glucose readings were perfect for the first time. Now that I'm back at work, my blood glucose levels are going up again." He was genuinely excited to see for himself the strong relationship between stress and high blood glucose levels.

Even subtle stress can elevate your blood glucose levels. For example, some diabetics get so preoccupied by their blood glucose readings that they stress themselves out. As a result, their blood glucose reading starts to escalate. Then they get more stressed out and a vicious cycle sets in.

I remember one lady who was always preoccupied with her blood glucose readings. During one visit, I told her to stop checking her blood glucose. Two months later, her diabetes was under better control, as evidenced by her blood test report from the laboratory. She was completely amazed.

These examples clearly demonstrate the negative impact of stress on diabetes.

By Howard Cusato

As a type 1 diabetic who has been living without any medication and with normal blood sugar levels for a while now, I know that a natural cure for diabetes is not a myth. If you doubt it, the best way to find out is to test it.

Apart from changing your diet (by removing quick sugars and adding complex carbohydrates and raw aliments to it) and exercising more, which is the best way to end your dependency on insulin injections, there is a simple habit to take which will help.

To drink medicinal herbal teas to naturally cure your diabetes!

Nature is very intelligent. For everything it creates, there is an opposite somewhere. Sweet is no exception. Some plants make the blood sugar level high, especially when they are cooked and transformed, and some others balance it, especially when untransformed and raw.

I have been studying those plants for just two years, and every day I am astonished about what they can accomplish. Some plants lower the blood sugar level as a result of digestion. Some others help the pancreas secrete more insulin, and some others help the whole process of digestion, which then frees the pancreas from some tasks, giving it more efficiency to process sugars and carbohydrates. Even though I can't explain exactly how they all work, I know for sure that many medicinal plants do help to lower the blood sugar level and can work as efficiently as insulin when combined with physical exercise and a good vegetarian meal without fast sugars, and with complex carbohydrates.

Among those plants, there is eucalyptus, ginseng, fenugreek, black walnut leaves, avocado leaves, agrimony eupator, dandelion, burdock, chicory, blueberry leaves and roots, artichoke, psyllium, and many more. They are excellent if taken half an hour to an hour before meals, mixed together and with other plants to make an excellent herbal tea.

Eat medicinal plants to naturally cure your diabetes!

Most of the plants mentioned above can be eaten, but most are bitter and hard to chew. However, a few are easier to find palatable and to prepare.

For salads, you may easily use, by themselves or mixed with other types of salads: cress, dandelion leaves, chicory, and different grasses and other types of salads. If they don't all have the great ability to balance blood sugar level, all greens are excellent for health.

For sprouts, you may use fenugreek, chia seeds, arugula, which have a certain hypoglycemic action, and all other sprouts also, which will fill you with proteins, nutrients, enzymes and complex carbohydrates (with no incidence on your blood sugar level) and help you prevent cravings for sugar.

For roots, you may use burdock, Jerusalem artichoke, sweet potato, dandelion, chicory. It is better to eat them raw, for example grated in a salad, of in a smoothie. An example of a great smoothie for diabetics would be an apple, half its volume of Jerusalem artichoke, and a little bit of fresh ginger. Add a little bit of water, blend it, and you have a delicious, healthy smoothie, which will help you digest your meal, especially if taken a half-hour to an hour before eating.

Try all those aliments, experience them, mix them, and you will learn how to cure naturally your diabetes!

By Irdayante Kadir

If you try to check popular health conditions that we encounter worldwide nowadays, you may find diabetes as one of those health problems that a lot of people are suffering from. This condition has to do with the rise of glucose from the normal range due to many reasons. Normally glucose is being stored in the body cells but because of lack of insulin being secreted from the pancreas what happens is that sugar is then being stored in the blood which then leads to diabetes.

Since more and more people are being affected by this particular health condition, you are probably wondering how you will be able to prevent yourself from acquiring this particular health problem. First you should know what the symptoms are. And the common symptoms of diabetes may have to do with frequent urination, blurred vision, stomach aches, your hands and feet feels numb, over fatigued and sudden weight loss. Although, such symptoms may also pertain to different health diseases, if you have such symptoms and you are suspecting that it has to do with diabetes you must see a doctor.

You might want to know what causes diabetes and why a person can acquire such health problems, right? There are a lot of finding that diabetes can be acquired due to extreme overeating as well as obesity. Sugar is not merely the culprit for this, but you can as well acquire such health issue through excessive intake of fats and food rich in protein. The whole process slows down the person's metabolism as well as the presence of other health diseases which can complicate the patient's health condition.

Now, you are probably thinking how you will be able to prevent yourself from acquiring diabetes. Excessive fat is one of the major reasons why a person may acquire this health problem. As people grow older, too much fat can lead to various health problems as it continuous to produce negative effects on the human body. Not only will fats be stored on your body cells but on organs as well which then impairs your body organs from functioning normally. So, the first thing that should come into your mind is how you will be able to eliminate excess fat from the body effectively to keep you from acquiring such health problems.

Since there are a lot of areas in the body which stores fat, maybe you are wondering what to focus on first. Well, you can start with eliminating excess fat from those abdominal walls. Too much abdominal fat is known to lead to extreme cases of diabetes. Aside from its uncomfortable feeling it is not so appealing as well to have too much of that belly fat. To reduce chances of increasing fat being stored on those abdominal walls you will have to engage with a proper diet plan to follow religiously. Of course you already know what the healthy foods are. Proper diet and nutrition is a must! It is also essential for you to perform regular body exercises and make sure to keep a healthy lifestyle.

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 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 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.

By Beverleigh H Piepers

Type 2 diabetes is a disease no one wants to find out they have. However, if there is a good thing about this illness is that it can be prevented long before it's ever diagnosed. So many people are walking around in a constant state of prediabetes and have absolutely no idea they are heading down a dark, potentially fatal road. If you have prediabetes or are overweight, you have an opportunity to turn your life around and improve your health.

Prediabetes is a medical condition that can be treated well in advance of turning into full-blown Type 2 diabetes...it is defined as having a fasting blood sugar reading of 100 to 125 mg/dL (5.5 to 6.9 mmol/L). This blood sugar level is not high enough to give you a diagnosis of Type 2 diabetes, but it surely means if you do not intervene now, you are well and truly on your way.

Recently, the Diabetes Prevention Program study proved conclusively that people with prediabetes are able to prevent the development of the disease by making simple changes in their diet and increasing their level of physical activity. Many of these people are able to return their blood sugar levels back to a normal range.

Another part of the study showed that certain medications might help to delay the development of Type 2 diabetes, but exercise and diet actually worked better than the medications. Simply exercising 30 minutes a day at a moderate pace, paired with a 5 to 10% reduction in body weight equaled a 58% reduction in diabetes.

The American Diabetes Association (ADA) is working hard to help people grasp their risk of developing prediabetes. The idea is to try to "turn back the clock" so that people can know their risk early and prevent diabetes from ever becoming a problem at all.

Among some of the recommendations being made by the ADA are certain dietary suggestions. For instance, people with prediabetes should be eating:

* a lot of fruits and vegetables from every color of the rainbow
* they need to consume non-starchy vegetables such as broccoli, green beans and spinach with meals
* another recommendation would be to add more whole-grain foods over processed grain products that you normally see in the interior section of your grocery store
* including more fish in the diet is also a recommendation along with choosing lean cuts of meat and non-fat dairy such as skim milk

Of course, there are many other tips and tricks that a prediabetic can use to avoid contracting the illness.

Stopping Type 2 diabetes in its tracks before it becomes a potentially life-threatening disease is so important as it is growing more and more prevalent in today's society. Fast food and on the go lifestyles are not helping people to understand that their Type 2 diabetes risk is growing daily.

By Meloi Uragon

First of, this topic will surely help you especially if you're about to take a nursing exam or even if you are currently working as one of the personnel in the medical field. This will be focusing on the anatomy of the human body which is affected, signs and symptoms, pathophysiology or the reason why a specific sign/ symptom is present. Of course all these things will happen if and only if the person involved is consuming a lot of sweets because it goes with the saying "anything that is less or in excess is fatal". In this case, we will concentrate with the known disease called Diabetes...

Diabetes as we all know has 2 main types namely: Diabetes Mellitus and Diabetes Insipidus. DM has 2 types as well and those are DM 1 or Insulin-dependent Diabetes Mellitus (IDDM) and DM 2 or Non-insulin dependent Diabetes Mellitus (NIDDM). It's about DM that we will be focusing our attention to since the other one which is DI or Diabetes Insipidus' main concern is a problem with the production of the so-called antidiuretic hormone from the posterior pituitary gland and not merely about an abnormality in the function of insulin being produced by the pancreas.

Let's start with the anatomy. The pancreas has beta cells that are responsible in producing insulin which in turn controls or regulates the amount of glucose in our body. The food we eat will be broken down into small pieces known as glucose and then it will be utilized by our cells by the help of insulin. Clients with elevated blood glucose levels or should we say hyperglycemia triggers their pancreas to produce more insulin to transfer glucose from the blood into the cell because the insulin serves as the mode of transportation for the glucose to enter the cell.

DM-1 is said to be insulin-dependent because there is no production or there is a total absence of insulin and that is why there is excessive hyperglycemia. Glucose are needed by cells in order for them to perform cellular activities to produce ATP or energy. Since insulin is absent, there will be cellular starvation because the cells are not getting something to utilize such as the glucose. So in order to compensate, the body should look for other energy sources and that process is called gluconeogenesis which involves the breaking down of fats or lipids. The end-product of gluconeogenesis is the formation of ketones, hence, the name diabetic ketoacidosis.

On the other hand, DM-2 still has insulin production but is insufficient. Since there is still insulin availability, the client is called non-insulin dependent.

Signs and Symptoms of DM can be easily remembered as the 3Ps: Polyuria, Polydipsia, Polyphagia

Polyuria or excessive urination is present because of osmosis (movement of water from an area that has a lesser concentration of solutes to an area that has a greater concentration of solutes). Since the client is losing a large amount of fluid through urinating, the body will compensate and the brain will trigger the hypothalamus to have the urge to drink more for fluid replacement and that is now your Polydipsia or excessive thirst. Polyphagia or excessive swallowing or eating is an effect of the cellular starvation (we get sugar/ glucose from the food we ingest).

By Robert S. Nelson

Diabetes is a dysfunction of your metabolism. The metabolic process is a collection of chemical operations that takes place in all living things so as to sustain life. Whenever we consume foods that consist of carbohydrates like cereal, bread, dairy foods, fruits, vegetables, etc., our bodies break down these food items into glucose, the major fuel resource for the human body.

The glucose enters into the blood in order to be consumed by our cells for energy. Should there be too much sugar in the bloodstream it moves into the liver where is gets saved as glycogen that your body can make use of at another time if necessary. But, for the cells to be able to take in the glucose the hormone insulin has to be available.

Insulin is actually a hormone made within the pancreas that enables the sugar within the blood to penetrate the cells in our bodies. After you have eaten, insulin is secreted from the pancreas in appropriate quantities to encourage the assimilation of blood sugar by our cells which lessens the level of glucose in the bloodstream.

Diabetes takes place when your pancreas ceases producing insulin, doesn't make enough or your body's cells can't effectively work with the insulin which is secreted. Consequently the body consists of an increased quantity of blood sugar. Despite the fact that your bloodstream has so much sugar, your cells are unable to process it and over time the sugar will exit from your body through your urine.

Diabetes Mellitus

Most of us have heard the word diabetes, so then what on earth is Diabetes Mellitus? Whenever anybody makes use of the word diabetes these individuals are talking about diabetes mellitus, the terms are interchangeable.

This particular medical lingo comes from a couple of completely different places. The term diabetes originates from the Greek term "diabainein" which means to move through. This in all likelihood was making reference to the increased urination that is usually connected to this disease.

The word "mellitus" originated from Thomas Willis a British physician who lived back in the 1600s. Despite the fact that it was widely known for hundreds of years that urine of individuals with diabetes is sweet, he applied the Latin term which meant "sweet as honey." Add them together and you'll wind up with a term that when translated stands for "excessive sweet urine."

There exists, however, an additional type of diabetes in which this is simply not the fact. "Diabetes Insipidus" features a number of the identical symptoms as diabetes does including being very thirsty and urinating often. In spite of this, in this instance you will not find extra blood glucose getting passed via the urine. In actuality the urine is watered down and tasteless therefore the word "insipidus" which happens to be Latin for devoid of taste.

Conclusion

Diabetes is actually a condition which affects almost twenty-six million individuals in the United States with millions more that are not even diagnosed. During this past year there were two million individuals above 20 years of age that were newly identified as having diabetes.

What you really need to know about diabetes is that it's a very dangerous illness that can cause additional complications such as nerve and eye damage, cardiovascular problems, kidney failure and stroke to mention a few. For these reasons early diagnosis and treatments are crucial to prevent truly serious as well as possibly fatal consequences.

By Douglas Royer

If you are not diabetic, chances are you probably know someone that is. Millions of people around the world are somehow affected by Diabetes, and sadly thousands die each year. There are literally hundreds of studies that show exercise is one of the most effective ways to manage diabetes. One of the easiest and most natural exercises anyone with diabetes can participate in is walking. The benefits of walking are numerous and cannot be over emphasized. The following tips are certainly not all inclusive but provided as a general guideline to get you started on your way to a healthier you.

1. Get your doctor's approval

As with any form of exercise, it is vital to consult with your physician before starting a walking program.

2. Walk with a friend or group

Let's face it walking is boring at times. Sometimes it's difficult to stay motivated so join a walking group or at least walk with a partner. Relieving boredom will help you stick with a plan.

3. Wear comfortable walking or running shoes.

If you are diabetic, always be conscientious of your feet. Wounds often heal slower and can lead to potentially serious complications. Wear comfortable, well fitted shoes and always wear socks. Inspect your feet daily to avoid a plan ending blister or chaffing.

4. Create goals, develop a plan, tell people about it

In the beginning your only goal should be to get started, however, as you progress you may want to develop a plan. A plan could be simply to maintain your weight and help your body become more efficient at processing insulin. A plan also could be as complex as losing a lot of weight or to walk a marathon. Tell people about what you are doing. A support group will go a long way in keeping you motivated. In any case, a diary will help you to develop a plan, record your progress, and help you chart your way to achieving your goals. Be sure to schedule in a rest day periodically and remember that minor setbacks are sometimes unavoidable. Avoid disappointment by making these a part of your plan.

5. Start out gradually

In the beginning stages of a new walking regimen you should be cautious. After all walking is physically demanding none the less. Start out gradually by walking a block or walking 10 minutes. While walking, take the talk test. If you can carry on a conversation you're probably walking the right pace. If you're having difficulties carrying on a conversation, slow down! Your body will let you know when you can increase the distance or time. In the beginning it doesn't matter how far or long you walk, your only goal should be to get started.

6. Avoid low sugar (hypoglycemia)

Until you know how walking affects you glucose levels, test before and after a walk. Any exercise may cause your body to more effectively process insulin so it's possible for your sugar levels to drop significantly. Be sure both you and your partner know the signs of hypoglycemia (sweating, rapid heartbeat, fatigue, and dizziness.) You should always carry a source of quick acting sugar like glucose tablets or a small container of juice. A diabetic ID bracelet is quite inexpensive and could be a lifesaver.

7. Drink plenty of water before, during, and after your walk

Your body is made up of 90% water so be sure to replenish fluids by drinking water before and after. During longer walks or warm days your body needs more water so try to carry water with you to avoid dehydration.

Exercise helps your body to do everything more efficiently including the way your body processes insulin. It is without a doubt possible to reduce or eliminate the need for insulin or medication entirely. Exercise is not a cure for diabetes, but the reward of a well thought out walking regimen is a lifetime of diabetes management. Walking is definitely a routine a diabetic can live with. Why not step up, step out, and go for a walk today?

By Aurther Shoko

Diabetes just like high blood pressure and heart disease is a chronic disease that affects millions of people all across the globe. In fact millions more people are living with diabetes without knowing it. When left unchecked diabetes can even cause loss of sight, limp loss through amputations and may cause other existing diseases to deteriorate rapidly such as high blood pressure, heart disease and even kidney disease. The following are some questions often asked about glucose and diabetes;

What Is Glucose Monitoring?

Glucose monitoring involves a keeping watch of the levels of blood glucose. This prevents a diabetic condition from deteriorating any further. It helps diabetes patients to be in control of a diabetic condition. Results of a glucose monitoring will inform what food one eats, the activities they engage in and the medications they need to take. Using a blood meter a patient pricks the tip of a finger with a special device to obtain a blood sample which the meter uses to interpret blood sugar levels.

What Is Whole Blood and Plasma Calibration?

This is a simple concept which yet confuses many that is used to define how blood glucose is measured. A blood glucose meter can be calibrated to measure glucose levels in the blood using whole blood or plasma. Plasma is a part of whole blood. Plasma calibrated measurements are often used in labs.

Both whole blood and plasma measurements numerically point to one and the same thing. It is best understood as temperature measurements. temperature can be measured in degrees Celsius or degrees Fahrenheit. Both mean the same thing in as giving us an understanding of the accurate state of the weather.

What Is Continuous Glucose Monitoring?

A fairly new technique, CGM as it is also known in short involves the insertion of a tiny device under the skin to continuously provide glucose levels for days on end and even up to a week. This device sends signals to yet another device that is attached to the belt like a pager of the patient. This does not eliminate the need for a standard meter. The user will still need it to take a sample of their blood in order to program the CGM device.

These are some of the often asked questions about diabetes and glucose. It needs to be remembered that diabetes is a chronic disease which can be managed for a life time. Monitoring and measurement is only but a part. A lot more depends on what a person eats, exercise and so on. Our eating habits will need to change to accommodate a diabetic condition.