Diabetes Continuing Education - Vital in Management of the Disease

Dealing with diabetes is a lifelong commitment that involves major changes in one's lifestyle. The knowledge about this disease is pretty much incomplete, new things come up rather so quickly in the prevention and treatment of diabetes. It is therefore highly important for a diabetic or people who live with diabetics to undergo diabetes continuing education to be informed and be aware of the dynamics of this serious illness.

Thanks to the worldwide campaign regarding diabetes, awareness of the disease has increased immensely over the past few years. Unfortunately, there is still no established cure for diabetes. What people who are afflicted with the condition can do, however, is to manage the disease especially with the great advancements that have been witnessed with the care and treatment of diabetics.

Management of diabetes primarily involves learning how to cope with this disease in daily life not only for the sufferer but for people close to him or her as well. It is a continuing task that greatly affects a lifetime. Therefore diabetics and their families are in great need of being up to date with the latest information.

Where to Get Diabetes Continuing Education
People now are gaining better and better access to information from many sources. However, the most important source of diabetes continuing education is the diabetic's doctor. Normally a diabetes specialist is someone who is certified by the board in endocrinology, diabetes and metabolism. Such specialists are the foremost sources of information about diabetes as they have been trained to zero in on the disease. The diabetes specialist would provide the essential general instructions on how to manage the disease.
Apart from managing the disease itself, a diabetic should also know how to manage specific conditions that may develop because of and together with diabetes.

Diabetes Curable

Diabetes affects over 18 million people, another 15 million may not yet be diagnosed, and that is in the United States alone! Currently diabetes is the 3rd leading cause of death in America. The truth about diabetes is that the body does not produce, or properly use, the insulin necessary for the body to absorb glucose (sugar). The glucose then accumulates in the bloodstream until levels get dangerously high. This condition then leads to diabetes symptoms like: lack of energy, unusual weight gain, restless sleep, blurred vision, and tingling sensations in the affected individual.

Millions have gone to their family doctor with symptoms of diabetes, only to find they are prescribed diabetes medication, told to begin a diabetes diet, and change their lifestyle for the rest of their lives. Suddenly, controlling diabetes becomes their entire life. The great news is; diabetes management can be attained with less diabetes medicine for people diagnosed with type one diabetes and especially, type 2 diabetes. There are certain herbs for diabetes treatment that alleviate many of diabetes symptoms. These herbs are:
Banaba; well known for its ability to lower blood sugar levels and transport glucose in the bloodstream (referred to by some as "botanical insulin").

Bitter Melon; known to improve glucose tolerance and for its regulative abilities (considered the best for diabetes management by the Philippines Dept. of Health).

Diabetes is Not a Disease - It is Only A Disorder

Introduction :

This article is mainly intended to make the reader understand what diabetes is, what causes diabetes, the diagnosis, the signs and symptoms, the types and the treatment to help the reader remove his worst fears about this disorder.

So What is Diabetes?

Diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic disorder characterized by the elevated blood sugar level. It occurs when the pancreas does not produce enough insulin, or put in other words, when the body cannot effectively use the insulin it produces.

What Causes Diabetes?

Diabetes is basically a genetic disorder influenced by environmental factors such as obesity, lack of exercises and stress which may trigger the disease in predisposed individuals. Heredity is also one of the main reasons.

Signs and Symptoms :
Diabetes can appear with or without symptoms. The most common symptoms are increase in frequency in urine(poly urea), increase in thirst(polydypsia), giddiness, weakness, delayed wound healing and unexplained weight Loss.

Diabetes Prevention and Management

Diabetes is a hormone disorder that can cause problems with the kidneys, legs and feet, eyes, heart, nerves, and blood flow.Diabetes can cause many complications. Acute complications (hypoglycemia, ketoacidosis or nonketotic hyperosmolar coma) may occur if the disease is not adequately controlled. Diabetes is on the increase, probably because people are living longer, getting fatter and leading increasingly inactive lifestyles. Diabetes, without qualification, usually refers to diabetes mellitus, but there are several rarer conditions also named diabetes. The most common of these is diabetes insipidus in which the urine is not sweet; it can be caused by either kidney or pituitary gland damage. The term "type 1 diabetes" has universally replaced several former terms, including childhood-onset diabetes, juvenile diabetes, and insulin-dependent diabetes. "Type 2 diabetes" has also replaced several older terms, including adult-onset diabetes, obesity-related diabetes, and non-insulin-dependent diabetes. About 3 to 8 percent of pregnant women in the United States develop gestational diabetes.

Diabetes can also cause heart disease, stroke and even the need to remove a limb. Pregnant women can also get diabetes, called gestational diabetes. Type 1 diabetes mellitus--formerly known as insulin-dependent diabetes (IDDM), childhood diabetes. Type 2 diabetes mellitus--previously known as adult-onset diabetes, maturity-onset diabetes, or non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM). Symptoms of Type 2 diabetes may include fatigue, thirst, weight loss, blurred vision and frequent urination. Some people have no symptoms. A blood test can show if you have diabetes. Exercise, weight control and sticking to your meal plan can help control your diabetes. Most people affected by type 1 diabetes are otherwise healthy and of a healthy weight when onset occurs. Diet and exercise cannot reverse or prevent type 1 diabetes. Gestational diabetes is caused by the hormones of pregnancy or a shortage of insulin. Women with gestational diabetes may not experience any symptoms.

Diabetes Risk For Men

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Men with diabetes face several health concerns, including increased risk of heart attacks and strokes and impotence (not being able to have or keep an erection).

Above the age of 50, the likelihood of having difficulties with an erection occurs in approximately 50-60% of men with diabetes. In men over 70, 90% have erectile dysfunction problems (link to diabetes and ED page)

Diagnosed and controlled, diabetes can be successfully managed to minimise its impact on health and well being. You can prevent or delay diabetes complications like damage to eye sight and nerve damage to fingers and toes. However many men do not realise they suffer from the disease. Around one third of the men with diabetes are not aware of their illness.

Diabetes Signs and Symptoms

If you find yourself with any of the following symptoms, it is important you visit your doctor or health practitioner and get tested for diabetes:

o feeling tired

o frequent urination (especially at night)

o being very thirsty

o weight loss

o blurry eyesight

o recurring skin, gum, or bladder infections

o sores that heal slowly

o dry, itchy skin

o loss of feeling or tingling in your feet

Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes

There are different kinds of diabetes:

o Type 1 diabetes is usually first diagnosed in children, teenagers, or young adults.

o Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes. People can develop it at any age, but it is often diagnosed in later life and is commonly found in men who are over weight and do little exercise.

What is Diabetes?

Most of the food we eat is turned into glucose (sugar) for our bodies to use for energy. The pancreas makes insulin, which helps sugar get into the cells. When you have diabetes, your body either doesn't make enough insulin or can't use the insulin it does make. This causes sugar to build up in your blood. Over the years, high blood sugar leads to problems like heart disease, stroke, blindness, kidney disease, nerve problems, gum infections, and amputations.

Diabetes-Related Problems in Men

Men with diabetes suffer more from some diabetes-related health problems than women. The American Diabetes Association reports that:

o In people who develop diabetes before the age of 30, men develop retinopathy (a vision disorder that can lead to blindness) more quickly than women.

o Having the main symptoms of peripheral vascular disease (pain in the thigh, calf, or buttocks during exercise) is linked to a two- to three-fold increased risk of coronary heart disease, stroke, or cardiac failure in men with diabetes.

o Amputation rates from diabetes-related problems are 1.4 to 2.7 times higher in men than women with diabetes.

"Beer Pot" Belly Equals High Diabetes Risk

Overall obesity, measured by high body mass index (BMI) and a "beer pot" belly, measured by a large waist circumference, both accurately predict the risk of type 2 diabetes in men, but abdominal obesity appears to be the better predictor, new research shows.*

Both BMI and waist circumference are useful for assessing health but waist circumference can indicate a strong risk for diabetes whether or not a man is considered overweight or obese according to his BMI, researchers said.

As waist circumference increased, so did the risk of developing diabetes, with the risk in men with the highest waist circumference (up to 158 centimetres) increasing by 12 times.

The study findings also suggest that the currently recommended cut-off for high waist circumference of 102 cm (40 inches) for men may need to be lowered to 95 cm.

Many of the men who developed type 2 diabetes had measurements lower than the cut-off and the risk associated with the waist circumference increased at a much lower level than previously thought.

Sleeping Too Much Or Too Little Increases Diabetes Risk

Men who sleep too much or too little are at an increased risk of developing Type 2 diabetes, according to a study by the New England Research Institutes in collaboration with Yale School of Medicine researchers.

Six to eight hours of sleep was found to be most healthy.

In contrast, men who reported they slept between five and six hours per night were twice as likely to develop diabetes and men who slept more than eight hours per night were three times as likely to develop diabetes. Previous data have shown similar results in women.

The elevated risks remained after adjustment for age, hypertension, smoking status, self-rated health status and education.

Too little sleep appears to produce metabolic disturbances like decreased carbohydrate tolerance, insulin resistance, and lower levels of the hormone leptin leading to obesity. The mechanisms by which long sleep duration increase diabetes risk requires further investigation.

You Can Delay or Prevent Type 2 Diabetes

When you take steps to prevent diabetes, you also lower your risk for heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, blindness, and amputation.

Small changes in your lifestyle can make a difference.

They include:

o Getting 30 minutes of physical activity five days a week and losing 5 to 7 percent of your body weight.

o To help you lose weight, choose low-fat foods and foods high in fiber.

o Cut down on fat and cholesterol by having low-fat dairy products, lean cuts of meat, fish, poultry, fruits, and vegetables.

o Limit foods high in salt and sugar.

Know Your Risks That Can Lead to Type 2 Diabetes

It's important to find out early if you have type 2 diabetes or if you are at risk of developing it. To find out if you're at risk, check off each item that applies to you.

o I am overweight or obese. (Obesity is measured with a body mass index (BMI), which shows the relationship of weight to height.)

o I have a parent, brother, or sister with diabetes.

o My family background is African American, American Indian, Asian American, Latino, Maori or Pacific Islander.

o I have high blood pressure.

o My cholesterol is not normal. My HDL or "good" cholesterol is less than 50 or my triglycerides are 250 or higher.

o I am not very active. I exercise less than three times each week.

Talk to your doctor or health care practitioner about the risks that you checked off. If you are age 45 or older, also talk about getting tested for Type 2 diabetes. If your test result is normal, you should then be tested every three years. People younger than age 45 who are overweight or obese and checked off any of the items above should also talk about getting tested for diabetes

* SOURCE: American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, March 2005.

Is there a natural Answer for Diabetes-Related Erectile Dysfunction?

Many researchers and satisfied customers of potent herbal formulations like Herbal Ignite give an enthusiastic yes to this question. Products like Herbal Ignite boost natural testosterone levels without the negative feedback associated with Hormone Replacement Therapy. Herbal Ignite capsules help your body produce more testosterone, instead of adding outside testosterone from an outside source.

Herbal Ignite to enhance virility and reduce male menopause symptoms has been researched and refined by modern science so today's men can enjoy quality controlled extracts of concentrated active ingredients.

Herbal Ignite's special formula has helped thousands of men enjoy a better sex life and an improved sense of well being with minimal unwanted side effects

To find out more about Herbal Ignite just Google the term "Herbal Ignite".

Tim Bickerstaff was once an active sportsman and golfer, but enjoyed a bit too much of the 'good life' and now like many men of his age has got health issues like arthritic knees, diabetes and weight-related issues.

Men's health is a second career for Tim, who enjoyed a prominent radio and television profile spanning 40 years in New Zealand and Australia

Tim enjoys writing articles on Men's health and is a successful author of various e-books.

To find out more about Tim visit the following link. http://www.herbalignite.com/USA/About+Us/Meet+Our+Team/Tim+Bickerstaff.html

Diabetes Test and Control

What is Diabetes?

Diabetes is a defect in the body's ability to convert glucose to energy. It is caused due to insufficient production of glucose by the pancreas. In diabetes patients, the production of glucose is impaired.

What are the symptoms of Diabetes?

Patients with Type-1 diabetes usually develop symptoms over a short period of time, and the condition is often diagnosed in an emergency setting.

Symptoms of type 1 diabetes:

Increased thirst
Fatigue
Nausea
Increased urination
Weight loss in spite of increased appetite
Vomiting

However, because Type-2 diabetes develops slowly, some people with high blood sugar experience no symptoms at all.

Symptoms of type 2 diabetes:

Increased thirst
Impotence in men
Increased appetite
Increased urination
Blurred vision
Fatigue
Slow-healing infections
How to diagnose diabetes?

The diagnosis of diabetes is made by a simple blood test measuring blood glucose level. Usually blood glucose level tests are repeated on a subsequent day to confirm the diagnosis. Your health care team may also request that you have a glucose tolerance test. If two hours after taking the glucose drink your glucose level is 200 or above, you will be diagnosed as having diabetes.

How can I control diabetes?

Gather all the information about diabetes, its symptoms and causes
Check your blood glucose level regularly
If find any symptom of diabetes, visit your health care team for diagnosis of diabetes
Ask your health care team about how to check blood glucose level at home
Stop smoking
Exercise daily
Follow a healthy meal plan
Check your vision at regular intervals, If found blurred visit your health care team
Check your feet regularly for checking the occurrence of diabetes
If you are diabetic, monitor you diabetes regularly
Follow instructions of health care team strictly
Avoid sweet ingredients, use sugar free food
Can diabetes be cured?

As yet, there is no treatment for either type of diabetes, although there are many ways of keeping diabetes in control. Studies have shown that good control of blood glucose (blood sugar) is the key to avoid diabetic complications later.

What are the treatment options to cure diabetes?

Diabetes is incurable. The only option is to prevent ourselves from diabetes or to keep diabetes under control.

Is diabetes a hereditary disease?

You are at higher risk of Type 2 diabetes if you have a parent, brother or sister with diabetes.

Complications of Diabetes

If you have diabetes, you are much more likely to have a risk of stroke, heart disease, or a heart attack. In fact, 2 out of 3 people with diabetes die from stroke or heart disease. There are three conditions that make people with diabetes vulnerable to foot problems. These are vascular disease and foot deformities. About 30 percent of patients with Type 1 diabetes and 10 to 40 percent of those with Type 2 diabetes eventually will suffer from kidney failure. Diabetes also may cause damage to nerves in your body.

Author is running an online health care guide, find more about Diabetes - its common symptom, how to check it, how to control diabetes and various treatments of diabetes

Diabetes Testing

Regular blood glucose testing by people with diabetes is important to help control it, and also prevent long-term complications. Good control of blood glucose levels can prevent or reduce serious complications.

Frequent testing can show how changes in diet, exercise, medications or weight are having an effect on a patient's diabetes. Close monitoring of blood glucose levels allows control and timely intervention to prevent diabetic complications.

Why is testing important for diabetic patients?

Regular monitoring of blood sugar levels (blood glucose) gives valuable information as to whether the level is within the normal range. If kept in control, this can delay the onset or development of long term diabetic complications, which can even be life-threatening.

People with type 1 and type 2 diabetes can monitor their blood sugar themselves, by using thumb prick blood tests which are available as home kits. Self-monitoring is very important for long-term health.
What are the routine tests that are followed?

Regular self testing, recording of blood glucose levels by thumb prick blood tests, laboratory test of HbA1c (glycosylated haemoglobin) level a few times a year should be taken.
Other tests that should be performed routinely include: urine test to monitor kidney function; blood fat levels (cholesterol & triglyceride levels), and tests for kidney function.
Regular blood pressure measurement and treatment if needed.

Examination of the feet is also necessary, as the patient may not be aware of loss of sensation from early nerve damage.

Also, get eyes tested every 1 to 2 years, depending on test results.
How is diabetes and pre-diabetes diagnosed?

The following test are the normal tests whoich are used for diagnosis:

1. Fasting plasma glucose test -
This measures the blood glucose with a minimum gap of at least 8 hours without eating. It is best done on an empty stomach in the morning. This test is used to detect diabetes or pre-diabetes.
If a person's fasting glucose level is 100 to 125 mg/dL, you have a form of pre-diabetes called impaired fasting glucose (IFG), meaning that one is quite likely to develop type 2 diabetes but does not have it yet.
A level of 126 mg/dL or above, confirmed by repeating the test on another day, means that one is diabetic.

99 mg/dL and below - normal, not diabetic

100 mg/dL to 125 mg/dL - pre diabetic

126 mg/dL and above - diabetic.

2. Oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) -

This measures the blood glucose after one has not eaten for least 8 hours, and then 2 hours after drinking 75 grams glucose-containing beverage. This test is used to diagnose diabetes or pre-diabetes.
This test is more sensitive than the fasting plasma glucose test for diagnosing pre-diabetes.
If 2 hours after drinking the liquid, the blood glucose level of a person is between 140 and 199 mg/dL, then it a form of pre-diabetes called impaired glucose tolerance or IGT, meaning that one is more likely to develop type 2 diabetes but does not have it yet.

Glucose level of 200 mg/dL or above, confirmed by repeating the test on another day, means that one has diabetes.

139 mg/dL and below - not diabetic, normal

140 mg/dL to 199 mg/dL - pre diabetes

200 mg/dL and above - diabetic

Gestational diabetes is diagnosed based on plasma glucose values measured during the OGTT. Blood glucose levels are checked four times during the test. If the blood glucose levels are above normal at least twice during the test, then the person has gestational diabetes.

3. Random plasma glucose test -

This measures blood glucose without regard to when you ate your last meal. This test, along with an assessment of symptoms, is used to diagnose diabetes, but not pre-diabetes.

A random blood glucose level of 200 mg/dL or more, alongwith presence of the following symptoms, can suggest that one has diabetes:

· increased urination

· increased thirst

· unexplained weight loss

Other associated symptoms include fatigue, blurred vision, increased appetite, and sores that do not heal.
Test results are confirmed only after repeating the fasting plasma glucose test or the oral glucose tolerance test on a different day.

What is HbA1c or the glycosylated haemoglobin test?

HbA1c (glycosylated haemoglobin) gets collected in red blood cells when they are produced. This gives a clue about the blood sugar levels over a couple of months - the average lifespan of a red blood cell. Thus, this test shows the average blood glucose level over time, as compared to the thumb prick test, which indicates blood glucose at the time of testing.
If the HbA1c level is above 7%, consult a doctor for a better diabetes management plan.
If the HbA1c level is above 8%, the doctor may change medication or a more intensive insulin regime be used.
The combination of HbA1c test and thumb prick test results give a better indication of variations in blood glucose levels than either test alone.

How often should blood sugar testing be done?

Diabetic patients who are taking insulin injections should self test 3-4 times everyday, especially before retiring to bed. Type 2 diabetic patients on medicines should self test around a few times every week.
It is best to check glucose levels first thing in the morning; and before and after meals. Keep changing daily test times to get a better idea of the changes to blood glucose levels.

For diabetes information, diabetes diet, Diabetes Testing,diabetes causes visit http://www.diabetesmellitus-information.com

Diabetes Type 1: What Everyone Needs to Know

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Diabetes is a difficult disease for a child and parent. Physical, emotional, and psychological tolls exist on a daily basis for those living with diabetes. The rate of newly diagnosed patients has increased exponentially over the years, inexplicably by doctors, yet awareness and education has not. It is crucial that in order to work towards a cure for type 1 diabetes, an awareness of the disease, symptoms, treatment, management, complications, and prevention must first be established.

Diabetes exists in two forms-type 1 and type 2. Approximately 95% of people suffering from diabetes have type 2, while only 5% of Americans suffer from type 1. Though type 2, sometimes referred to as adult on-set diabetes, is more prevalent, type 1, otherwise known as "juvenile" diabetes, is often considered the more serious of the two. Type 1 diabetes is most commonly diagnosed in children; however, it is possible to be diagnosed in adulthood. When the body ingests food, the stomach begins to break down its contents into protein, fat, and carbohydrates. It is carbohydrates that further break down into glucose, which the body uses for energy. In a normal, healthy body, the pancreas releases a hormone called insulin, which helps the cells absorb and use the glucose. The insulin acts as a key to the cell, so that when it is released, it opens the cell allowing glucose to be absorbed. However, when insulin is absent, the cell cannot open and absorb the glucose from the bloodstream. A type 1 diabetic's pancreas does not function properly-it releases little to none of the hormone, insulin, as it should. Therefore, when glucose enters the bloodstream, it is forced to remain there because insulin is not present to open the cell for absorption. It is key to understand that type 1 diabetes is "considered to be an auto-immune disease because the insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas are attacked and 'erroneously' destroyed by the immune system early on in the disease process, resulting in little to no insulin production in the pancreas". Thus, a type 1 diabetic requires insulin therapy to maintain normal blood glucose levels.

Diabetes is an auto-immune disease that scientists believe has to do with genes. Genes are "like instructions for how the body should look and work...but just getting the genes for diabetes isn't usually enough. In most cases something else has to happen-like getting a virus infection-for a person to get Type 1 Diabetes". In other words, diabetes is not considered to be an infectious disease, and it is not like a cold that can be caught from being in contact with someone who suffers from the disease. Unfortunately, doctors still cannot predict who will develop the disease and who will not.

There are many classic symptoms associated with type 1 diabetes that can develop either suddenly or gradually. The most common symptom is frequent urination, followed by increased thirst, weight loss, fatigue, and increased appetite. If anyone experiences these symptoms, especially if there is a family history of diabetes, it is important to seek medical attention immediately. Failure to treat these symptoms could result in other health problems such as "stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, breathing problems, and even loss of consciousness. Doctors call this diabetic ketoacidosis, or DKA".

Currently, there is no cure for type 1 diabetes; however, there are some treatments being explored. The three main treatments being explored are Pancreas transplants, Islet cell transplantation, and Stem cell transplants. Pancreas transplants are quite rare because of the risks associated with them. Upon transplantation, one would need a "lifetime of potent immune-suppressing drugs to prevent organ rejection". In addition to these immune-suppressing drugs, a "high risk of infection and organ injury" exists among those receiving a transplant. Islet cell transplantation "provides new insulin-producing cells from a donor pancreas". Similar to a pancreas transplant, islet cell transplantation requires the use of immune-suppressing drugs, which carry the same risks. The risk of the immune system destroying the transplanted cells is also a risk. Finally, stem cell transplant is another treatment being explored. Stem cell transplantation involves "shutting down the immune system and then building it up again-[which] can be risky". All three of these treatments are promising, yet scientists are still working toward finding a more successful and permanent treatment for diabetes.

While there is no cure for diabetes, it is important to follow a strict diabetes management plan in order to live a healthy life. Regular blood glucose monitoring and insulin therapy are two important forms of proper diabetes management. Fortunately, technology advancement over time has allowed blood glucose monitoring to very simple. Upon diagnosis, patients receive a blood glucose meter to carry with them at all times for blood glucose testing. This meter allows a diabetic to monitor their blood glucose, or "blood sugar" level, at liberty in order to maintain better diabetes control. A meter only requires a small drop of blood, and readings are available in approximately five seconds. It is important to keep blood sugar levels between 80 and 120 as much as possible. If steady glucose levels are not maintained or diabetes management is neglected over time, serious complications can result such as "seizures, blindness, kidney failure, heart attack, amputations and strokes.

Insulin therapy is another key to healthy diabetes management. Regular insulin doses help control blood glucose levels following meals and overnight. There are two main types of insulin: short-acting and long-acting. Short-acting insulin is administered during the day or following meals. It is called short-acting because of the small amount of time needed for the insulin to take effect. This is especially important following meals because, as the body absorbs the glucose from food, blood glucose levels rise quickly. Short-acting insulin combats the swift rise in glucose levels and helps maintain a steady blood glucose reading.

The second type of insulin is long-acting insulin. This is administered before going to sleep at night because the insulin slowly acts upon glucose levels. Instead of immediately having an effect on blood glucose levels, the long-acting insulin slowly applies itself keeping glucose levels steady throughout the night. The amount or type of insulin that a diabetic receives varies from person to person-no one person is the same. As a diabetic becomes adjusted to their body and the disease, they will begin to assess their body's need for insulin. Some will require more insulin than others, and this generally happens over time. As a diabetic patient continues to live with the disease, their body will become more and more dependent on synthetic, or manufactured, insulin rather than its own.

In addition to blood glucose monitoring and insulin therapy, a healthy diet and active lifestyle are key to proper diabetes management. Living with diabetes can mean making a significant dietary adjustment for a newly diagnosed patient. While fats, proteins, and carbohydrates may have never been considered prior to diagnosis, a type 1 diabetic's diet revolves around them. Careful planning and measuring of food intake to insulin ratio is strenuous and time-consuming, yet essential. It is important for the body to receive all of its essential nutrients while maintaining proper blood glucose levels. This requires careful calculation of carbohydrate, or carb, to insulin ratio. Each diabetic has a standard ratio of insulin per one carb. Fifteen grams of carb is, for general purposes, considered one carb. Based on how many grams of carb are in a meal, the ratio of insulin can then be calculated. It is difficult to imagine doing calculations like this for every meal, but that is the reality of living with diabetes.

The final element of proper diabetes management is maintaining an active way of life. A healthy lifestyle allows a person with diabetes to maintain better control over their diabetes. Being active helps lower blood sugar because "muscle contraction, increased blood flow and increased body temperature cause the body to be more responsive or 'sensitive' to insulin during and soon after exercise. In addition, when muscles contract, they can take up glucose from the bloodstream independently of insulin". Since muscle contraction can take up glucose from the bloodstream without insulin during exercise, being active is particularly encouraged when blood glucose levels are elevated. This will help bring high glucose levels down to a more normal reading quickly. Thus, a well-balanced diet and active lifestyle are imperative to proper diabetes management.

Serious complications can evolve from poor management of diabetes. Seizures, diabetic coma, ketoacidosis (ketones present in the blood stream cause the kidneys to shut down), loss of vision, depression, amputation, and premature death are all complications of diabetes. Lauren Stanford, at 13, felt the frustrations of living with diabetes: "I wanted so bad to be like my other teenage friends who were free to worry about nothing more than boys and movies and fun," she says. Lauren, like many teenagers, began to neglect her diabetes in order to feel "free" like other children her age. Not only did she neglect to monitor her blood glucose levels, but she began skipping insulin doses as well. Lauren went on to say that, "On October 30th I collapsed and was rushed to Children's Hospital in Boston where I was put in the ICU. I could have died. Diabetes almost got me". Ignorance and neglect of diabetes management can carry serious health risks as seen in Lauren's story. It is important to realize that diabetes is not a disease that will go away if ignored. Rather, serious complications can evolve from neglect. Therefore, it is very important to handle Diabetes in a serious and responsible manner.

Type 1 diabetes is a serious disease that carries serious consequences and health risks from poor management. Therefore, the bruises, holes, and tender skin from finger pricks and injections are a necessary part of life for one living with diabetes. Many parents suffer from the guilt of hurting their child with daily sticks, but this is what keeps a child with diabetes alive. Regular glucose monitoring, insulin therapy, a healthy diet, and active lifestyle are the most important steps in proper diabetes care. Many children and adults suffer from type 1 diabetes, but with the advancements of technology, those suffering from diabetes are able to live a healthy and happy lifestyle until a cure is found.

My Family Plate is a website that was created to post and make available health related content and tools from various experts for educational purposes. Get a FREE weight loss plan for adults, family weight loss advice, health and fitness tips, and student generated research papers on health, disease, diet, weight loss, and exercise. Go to http://myfamilyplate.com

Diabetes: So Far so Good

There was this guy who jumped off the 37th floor of a tall building. As he fell, people at each floor inside the building heard him say as he passed them, "So far, so good...so far, so good..."

Diabetes is a disease which cannot be "trusted." I know that's an odd way of putting it, but bear with me for a moment here. As a medical professional, I have dealt with countless cases of diabetes. I have always been amazed people will plan for the future as they build lives, careers, families, dreams...creating and pursuing commitments for the long term... And yet, one issue stands out consistently. People with diabetes tend to hope the disease will just "maintain itself," that it will just stay at status quo for the long term.

Diabetes cannot be trusted to stay anywhere...much less at status quo. Like the guy falling from the 37th floor, people with diabetes tend to keep telling themselves... "So far, so good...so far, so good...so far, so good..." Folks, hope is NOT a strategy. It is a necessity, but it is NOT a strategy in dealing with a disease like diabetes.

Diabetes: The "fall out" is too great to ignore...

As I said earlier, I am amazed how well people can plan for the long term, creating and pursuing future commitments but do NOT plan long-term for diabetes. Of course, the natural question is: "What are the long term issues with diabetes?"

With diabetes, a person is two to four times more likely to develop cardio-vascular disease. Being a cardio-vascular surgeon, I saw this particular problem constantly in my field. And I saw it consistently in young and middle aged people with diabetes.

With diabetes, people are TWENTY-FIVE times more likely to develop retinopathy (deterioration of the retinas). Because of diabetes, 24,000 people lose sight every year!

With diabetes, 60-70% of those afflicted suffer nerve damage which can lead to non-traumatic lower limb amputations. This is due to the fact that open sores that do not heal, accompany diabetes. As they become ulcerated, the diabetic faces complications which can lead to amputation of limbs.

People with diabetes are AT RISK for kidney failure.

Diabetes is responsible for the increased risk for strokes...two to six times more likely because of their condition.

Diabetes: the good news or the bad news...

Well, which do you want...the good news or the bad news first?

As a doctor, having dealt with diabetes in many patients, it's always best to know the BAD news up front. Why? Complacency is harmful to your health. The danger with diabetes is people get complacent. Nothing seems to happen until, suddenly, it seems to sneak up on you with its complications...

The bad news can be REALLY bad if you are someone who has any of the following conditions which terribly complicate diabetes. Complicating factors are:

1 smoking,

2 high cholesterol,

3 high blood pressure,

4 obesity,

5 physical inactivity

With these factors, predicting the progress of diabetes is very problematic. Simply put, they MUST be brought under control, if possible. Diabetes thus becomes very unpredictable.

By keeping your blood glucose under control, you can reduce the risk of complications of diabetes up to 76%. That's good news.

More good news: By healthy eating, responsible dietary weight loss, regular physical activity, monitoring blood sugar... you can reduce risk in diabetes.

Bad news: Status quo again. You're still "stuck" with diabetes.

Diabetes: Being hit by "friendly fire."

Both type 1 and type 2 diabetes are auto-immune conditions. In type1 diabetes, the immune cells are mis-instructed to attack islet cells in the pancreas that make insulin.

Mind you, there is nothing wrong with the islet cells. There is MIScommunication by the immune system of the body. In other words, immune attack cells can get faulty messages and destroy healthy tissue. Isn't it just awful that your diabetes can be caused by "friendly fire?" (Military terminology here. The good guys are hitting their own good guys with artillery fire.)

MIS-communication .... hum. Sounds like what's needed is a healthier communication system at the cellular level so the body isn't attacking its own healthy cells.

Now, for some really good news...

Glyconutrition is the nutritional provision which provides the body with healthy CELLULAR COMMUNICATION. In other words, for diabetes, this means less "friendly fire."

A study published in the 1997 issue of the Proceedings of the Fisher Institute for Medical Research showed people with type 1 diabetes who were given glyconutrients "...reported a dramatic improvement in their health, including a decrease in vision problems, better wound hearing, less infections, and lower blood pressure." (Miracle Sugars, by Rita Elkins, M.H., Woodland Publishing, p. 26 -Excellent quick reference incidentally!)

Remember, both type 1 and type 2 diabetes are auto-immune conditions. Read carefully, this next statement by medical researcher, Dr. Neecie Moore:

"Glycobiology has achieved critical breakthroughs in the medical field, primarily by addressing what could be the greatest plague in health care today -- auto-immune diseases. Multiple sclerosis, arthritis, diabetes, Crohn's disease and colitis are just a few of these diseases."

Research on glyconutrition is growing wonderfully. For example, the Ophthalmology Department of Harvard University in 1995 reported that one of the glyconutrients (mannose) can be an energy source for diabetes (instead of the damaging glucose), providing energy without risk of eyesight damage. (Miracle Sugars, p.27).

Also, mannose can stimulate the pancreas to produce more insulin "...thus lowering the amount of insulin needed to control this disease." (Miracle Sugars, p. 27. I told you this was a good book! In case you're wondering, I receive no remuneration from it whatsoever. Remember, I'm a physician. Doctors "make money the old fashioned way"...they charge you.)

Oh yes. Glyconutrients are NON-prescription. Anyone can get them and they are non-toxic (they're food!) Safe, NON-prescription, effective...That's the stuff real medical discoveries are made of. Diabetes may very well become a scourge of the past.

Think of it. No more friendly fire.

No more diabetes "status quo."

...So far, so good...

Dr. Robert Gamble is retired from a very successful Cardio-Thoracic surgical career spanning three decades. He is now active in researching medical issues such as glyconutrition and offers his insights for public benefit. Glyconutrition: This new science is sending shockwaves through the entire medical industry and may be the missing link between health and disease. For information and business opportunity [http://www.glycoshare.com] or call toll free1-866-735-5871.

Diabetic Foot Pain - How You Should Deal With It

There are many aspects of diabetes that scientists and doctors have yet to understand, as well as emerging aspects of the disease that can be difficult to work on with current technology. For instance, there is still no known link between sleep apnea and diabetes, although sleep apnea can put people at a greater risk for cardiovascular disease, as can diabetes. Diabetic foot pain is also common, and well documented. Certain correlations have yet to be established, and new complications arise as scientists observe more people suffering from this much dreaded disease.

A well-known symptom is gangrene of the feet, which can often lead to amputations. A new aspect of the disease is its genetic component, and both molecular biologists and diagnosticians are working to understand how people can get diabetes from their parents.

How Do You Get Diabetes?

There are three main types of diabetes, but the three major forms come about because of the inability of the body's insulin-producing cells to excrete adequate levels of insulin. Insulin aids in breaking down whole sugars and carbohydrates into forms that the body can use for energy. Without insulin, sugar levels in the blood increase, translating into organ and tissue damage.

Type I diabetes is considered an autoimmune disease, where the body's immune system destroys the pancreatic cells that produce insulin. Type II diabetes and gestational diabetes both involve resistance by the body's tissues to the effects of insulin; gestational, or pregnancy-related diabetes, however, will often subside after the baby is delivered.

Diabetes is not catching, and for people suffering from diabetes continuing education is necessary in order to inform them and their loved ones about treatment regimens, as well as information on what can cause diabetes. For instance, obesity is a large risk factor for Type II diabetes, so people who have a family history of diabetes must take care to eat a balanced diet that is low in sodium and saturated fats.

Fatty Abdomens

Understanding the causes of diabetes can help physicians design a treatment regimen that can help patients manage the disease better. Disease management for diabetes can include a strict diet, increased physical activity, and fitness techniques to lead to weight and fat loss. Research shows that abdominal fat is a great risk factor for diabetes, so people with fatty abdomens are often recommended a stricter fitness regimen, as well as regular checkups to see if diabetes type II has already developed.

Genetics, however, also plays a big part in this disease, so the real question in the scientific community now is: how is diabetes inherited? Type I and Type II diabetes can be inherited, and they can also be triggered by various stimuli such as stress, viral infections, or even drugs. Currently, scientists are studying what mutations are required for diabetes to completely set in, how these mutations are brought about, and if they can be passed from parent to child.

What is Diabetic Foot Pain?

Because diabetes can damage the nerves of the feet and impede blood circulation, foot pain can be common in people suffering from diabetes. In fact, there are special shoes for diabetics that are designed to deal with this pain. People who suffer from diabetes have stiff joints, and will often bleed because of the decreased clotting ability of the blood. This means that wounds can heal much slower, and with decreased nerve function in the feet, people with diabetes can often have foot wounds without knowing it.

With more damage to numb feet, a person suffering from diabetes might not be aware that he or she needs to take antibiotics or apply certain ointments in order to deal with diseases of the foot. And because circulation is impeded, wounds in the feet might not heal at all, resulting in foot ulcers or gangrene. At this point, amputation is the only cure.

Diabetic foot pain is only the start of one's worries, so deal with it before it gets out of hand. Always monitor your feet for wounds, and clean your feet every day with soap and warm water. Rinse your feet well and dry it carefully. If you find wounds, apply ointments immediately, or consult with your diabetic doctor about treatment regimens. You might also have to undergo physical therapy in order to keep the muscles of your feet active. Such therapy might be expensive, although some packages of health insurance for diabetics will include it.

Flor Serquina is a successful Webmaster and publisher of Learn-About-Diabetes.com. She provides more information on topics such as diabetic foot pain, diabetic doctor and sleep apnea and diabetes that you can research on her website even while lounging in your living room.

Discount Diabetic Supplies - Keeping Healthy Within Your Budget

Diabetes is a disease that affects hundreds of thousands of people each year: without the proper management, diabetes can keep people from leading healthy, productive lives. Diabetes disease management, however, is not only difficult but costly. People with some types of diabetes need frequent insulin shots, or have to take oral insulin, both of which can be expensive. As a result, discount diabetic supplies are in high demand.

What diabetic medical supplies are required, and why are they needed by diabetics? Because diabetics can also suffer from a wide variety of complications, they also need to undergo different treatment regimens that can help ease these complications. Such complications can include cardiovascular disease, renal or kidney failure, liver failure, hypertension, and general organ and tissue damage.

Why is Insulin So Important?

There are three principal types of diabetes, and all of them involve the inability of pancreatic cells to produce the metabolic hormone insulin. Insulin aids in the breakdown of complex sugars and carbohydrates into forms that the body can use for energy. If insulin is not present in large quantities, or if insulin is not present in functional form, sugar levels can increase substantially in the blood. This can cause widespread tissue and organ damage, and, in extreme cases, result in sugar shock and eventual coma.

Type I Diabetes

Type I diabetes was once called juvenile diabetes, as it was often found and diagnosed in children. Type I diabetes is essentially an autoimmune disease. People with Type I diabetes have overactive immune systems that destroy the insulin-producing cells of the pancreas, so that they require constant doses of insulin.

Type II

Type II diabetes develops in adulthood, and is often associated with obesity, which scientists find is a large risk factor for this type of diabetes. In Type II diabetes, the body's tissues and organs are resistant to insulin. This condition is similar to the third type of diabetes, which is called gestational or pregnancy-induced diabetes. Gestational diabetes arises because higher levels of pregnancy hormones can make organs more resistant to insulin; this diabetes type, however, generally disappears after delivery.

Insulin therefore has to be produced in large amounts in order to cater to the needs of rising numbers of people suffering from diabetes. This important hormone was once sourced from cadaver pancreases, which was a highly inefficient method that made insulin shots expensive. In the advent of recombinant DNA technology, however, microbial cells are used to produce large amounts of human insulin, which can then be harvested and purified from the microbial culture.

Today, insulin is available in oral or tablet form, which can be useful in dealing with all types of diabetes. However, insulin shots work best for Type II diabetics who are too far advanced in the disease and whose bodies do not have adequate resources to respond to tablets. Recently, insulin has also been approved in inhaled form, although this type of insulin is prescribed for people suffering from Type I diabetes.

What are Diabetic Supplies Used For?

In general, diabetic insulin supplies can be expensive: if not in oral form, people suffering from diabetes need syringes and specifically designed inhalers to deliver insulin. For people who are far advanced in the disease, dialysis machines can be in demand in order to clean out the kidneys or liver, and generally rid the body of toxins that its organs can no longer properly dispose of.

Many corporations and insurance companies can be contacted to provide information on diabetes supplies, as well as free diabetes supplies for patients who are in immediate need of therapy. For instance, Liberty diabetic supplies and Medicare are common examples of providers that work closely with doctors in ensuring proper medical care for diabetics, as well as efficient disease management.

Supplies For Diabetic Complications

There are also medical supplies that are used in therapy regimens that deal with complications of diabetes. For instance, diabetes can impede blood circulation and can damage the nerves of the feet. People with diabetes often need to undergo foot amputation in order to get rid of gangrenous tissue or foot ulcers. To prevent this from occurring, physicians will often prescribe physical therapy, which can require special machines to carry out. Physical therapy can keep nerves active, and muscles toned.

If you are suffering from any form of diabetes, you might be recommended some forms of therapy that will require you to purchase discount diabetic supplies. Always consult with your doctors and insurance company about them, as well as low-cost or free alternatives that are reliable and matched to your needs. With good maintenance, you can keep your diabetes in check, and you can still be healthy.

Flor Serquina is a successful Webmaster and publisher of Learn-About-Diabetes.com. She provides more information on topics such as discount diabetic supplies, diabetes medic alert bracelet and medical diabetes bracelet which you can research on her website even while lounging in your living room.

Do You Have These Diabetes Risk Factors?

What causes Type 1 diabetes or Type 2 diabetes is not definitively known, but there appears to be at least two general factors that increase the likelihood of developing diabetes. The first factor is genetics and family medical history, who in your family has diabetes? If one parent has diabetes, your chances of developing diabetes doubles. The second factor is environmental. Several studies have indicated that exposure to cow's milk, wheat products or intestinal viruses in the first few months of a baby's life increase the child's chances of developing Type 1 diabetes.

With the possible exception of environmental triggers, why Type 1 diabetes happens is relatively difficult to ascertain. But unlike Type 1 diabetes, risk factors for Type 2 diabetes have been more readily identified. Genetics and family medical history play a large role in whether an individual will become diabetic. Fortunately, some of these risk factors can be prevented or reversed prior to the onset of Type 2 diabetes.

Obesity is probably the highest risk factor when it comes to Type 2 diabetes. According to the National Center of Health Statistics, almost 60 million adults are within weight levels defined as being obese. The Center's study also reveals that the number of children who are overweight is rising at alarming numbers. Obesity in children has tripled since 1980. Even more alarming is that the number of children who have been diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes has also risen.

Leading an inactive, sedentary lifestyle is one of the worse things for someone predisposed to diabetes. Not only does inactivity contribute to overall poor health, it is a major cause of rising obesity rates. Exercising daily will greatly enhance your health with the added bonus of reducing risks factors for developing diabetes.

Eating poorly or the wrong foods will also contribute to obesity. Studies show that almost 90% of people with Type 2 diabetes are also clinically obese. Lack of adequate fiber in the diet and too much fat and simple carbohydrates increase the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes.

Another factor is age-related. As we get older, our bodies become more inefficient in carrying out certain functions, including the production of insulin. While age in and of itself is not a risk factor, it does increase the chances of developing Type 2 diabetes even in relatively thin persons. As we age, so do the cells in our bodies which eventually become more resistant to insulin. According to the American Diabetes Association, more than 50% of Type II diabetes occur in persons over 55 years of age.

Individuals with Metabolic Syndrome are at high risk of developing Type 2 diabetes. Metabolic Syndrome is a group of risk factors that include central obesity (characterized by excessive fatty tissue around the abdomen), blood fat disorders such as high triglycerides and low HDL cholesterol, glucose intolerance and elevated blood pressure. Having high blood pressure is both a risk factor for Type 2 diabetes and a complication of diabetes. People with hypertension are more than twice as likely to develop Type 2 diabetes than those with normal blood pressure. High cholesterol (high LDL and triglyceride: so-called "bad cholesterols") levels not only place you at increased risk for developing diabetes and it is also associated with risk of heart disease.

Type 2 diabetes increases by up to 50 percent in women who have diabetes during pregnancy. Known as gestational diabetes mellitus or GDM, it places both mother and child at risk for developing Type 2 diabetes in later years.

Certain ethnic groups are at higher risk than others for developing Type 2 diabetes. Studies have shown that Hispanic Americans, African Americans, Native Americans and Asian American/Pacific Islanders all are at greater risk for diabetes.

Diabetes is a life-threatening disease that affects millions of people. Denise Durbin explains what makes Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes so dangerous and how to tell what the symptoms of diabetes are at DiabetesCareFAQs.com

Free Diabetic Diet Plan - Good Food for a Good and Healthy Life Ahead

Diabetes mellitus is the tenth top-most prevalent disease in the world today, with at least 17 million persons with diabetes in 2006. Its prevalence continues to grow, and estimates show that the number of persons with diabetes will double by 2030. Concentration of diabetic patients can be found in the more developed countries due to the trend of lifestyle changes in these countries especially in the nature and composition of the "Western" diet.

Food Plays An Important Role

This is the more compelling factor in explaining the increase of the incidence of diabetes in recent years. The food we eat plays an important role in controlling glucose in the blood. Since diabetes is basically a disorder with the ability of the pancreas to produce insulin, a healthy balanced diet, fitted out to the nutritional needs of the patients, will help a person with diabetes to establish a regular routine for eating meals at fixed times every day and to choose the right amounts of the healthiest types of food during each meal. Knowing how each food can affect one's case of diabetes is at the backbone of every free diabetic diet plan.

In most cases of persons with diabetes, a proper diet is often the most effective way to keep levels of glucose within the right range. Carbohydrates are digested into glucose in the body. This explains the need to keep intake of carbohydrates within moderate levels in order to control blood sugar.

Regular Meal Schedule

Diabetic patients must never skip meals or snacks and must eat at the same fixed schedule every day. Using an exchange list can be helpful in maintaining variety in food intake while ensuring the appropriate mix of carbohydrates, proteins, calories, and other food nutrients. In this way, dieting does not turn into a struggle. By using an exchange list, persons with diabetes will find it easier to make wise choices with their food intake.

There is no standard or fixed diabetic diet plan. All eating plans should be flexible and should consider the lifestyle and the specific health needs of each patient. Aside from keeping glucose levels within moderate range, a diabetic diet is also meant to reduce the risk for the complications that may result from diabetes such as cardiovascular diseases, hypertension or renal failure. A good diet can lessen the other risk factors that may further aggravate the diabetic condition such as obesity, hypertension, and bad cholesterol.

Less Fat, More Fruits and Vegetables

Seeking the professional help of a registered dietitian can also be helpful. A dietitian can help a diabetes patient develop a meal plan that would tell what kind of food can be best eaten during meals and the amounts needed to keep body glucose within normal levels. In most diabetic patients, a healthy meal plan consists of 20% to 60% of calories from carbohydrates, 20% for protein, and 30% or preferably less from fat.

Generally, at every meal, a diabetic person may have two to five choices of carbohydrates or up to 60 grams, 1 choice of protein, and a small amount of fat. Carbohydrates are best when derived from fruits, vegetables, dairy, and starchy foods. Diabetic patients should also avoid preserved food. Fresh fruits and vegetables are especially good for diabetics.

Poultry and Fish for Protein

On the other hand, protein can be taken from meat, poultry or fish. Poultry and fish should be preferred than red meat like pork or beef. Extra fat and poultry skin should be avoided. Finally, fat can be found in products such as butter, margarine, lard, and oil. It can also be derived from dairy and meat. Diabetics, as much as possible, should avoid fried foods, egg yolks, bacon, and other high-fat products.

Caution should also be observed in consuming processed food products. Before eating any of processed food products, a diabetic patient should look at the "nutrition facts" label on the packaging. In this way, one is able to determine what kind of processed food products are healthy and what are to be avoided.

If a diabetic patient closely follows one's diet plan - eating the right kind of food, ensuring the right serving sizes, and sticking to the fixed meal schedule - one will be assured of consuming a consistent amount of carbohydrates, calories, proteins, and fats every day. Without a diet plan, it becomes difficult for a diabetic patient to control glucose levels in the blood. Uncontrolled high glucose levels can increase risks of further diabetic complications.

Being creative within the rules of a diabetic diet plan can also help maintain variety in food preferences makes eating as healthy and normal as other people. With good food and a good free diabetic diet plan, even persons with diabetes can look forward to a good and healthy life ahead.

Flor Serquina is a successful Webmaster and publisher of Learn-About-Diabetes.com. She provides more information on topics such as free diabetic diet plan, diabetic pregnancy diet and diabetic diet menus that you can research on her website even while lounging in your living room.

Gestational Diabetes Diet Information

Gestational Diabetes Diet

Gestational diabetes is seen in pregnant women when they develop high blood glucose levels during pregnancyA gestational diabetes diet will provide essential nutrients for both mother and unborn baby without making the baby grow too much.

One concept is that the pressure of the pregnancy itself affects it, but whatever the reason every woman who is detected with it will require to go after a gestational diabetes diet plan.
In those cases wherever gestational diabetes diet and exercise are sufficient to get blood levels back to normal, and day by day medications are prescribed.

Pregnant women with type 1 or type 2 of diabetes meet a higher chance of miscarriage and early birth. A well-considered diet plan plays an enormous role in the life of a pregnant woman.
Gestational diabetes diet is calling for dietary changes which, the pregnant woman may not be used to, however controlling this type of diabetes it is vital.

A gestational diabetes diet, along with additional treatments decreases successfully the problems caused by having abnormally large babies, as women with this problems often do. Gestational diabetes diet needs including a daily chart that keeps track of the quantity of calories eaten.

A pregnancy gestational diabetes diet is uncommon from the best pregnancy diet for women without diabetes and consists of a number of uncommon parts. Most of the women gain from a gestational diabetes diet and exercise, however some may necessitate medication beside everyday life adjustments. To prepare your gestational diabetes diet, seek advice from a dietitian who can advise you a appropriate diet based on your health condition, your height, weight, age, the growing baby needs, in addition to your glucose level intolerance.

Cure Your Diabetes in 4 Weeks

Imagine your blood sugar gone in 4 weeks. Imagine your doctor telling you to back off your insulin dosage. Imagine avoiding the pain, suffering and expense from suffering from this disease. Imagine curing Type 1 diabetes and reversing Type 2 diabetes.

If you would like to learn how to reverse diabetes, drug-free, in four weeks from today, using safe and proven remedies, please visit us today. We offer a 100% guarantee on our 70+ page remedy report (e-book) for 1 whole year and challenge you to cure yourself at home with the cutting edge research put together in a step by step report

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Reverse Diabetes

How to Reduce the Risk of Developing Diabetes

Diabetes mellitus is perhaps the most alarming of the medical problems in the developed world. Notwithstanding all the efforts of diabetes experts and diabetes researchers, the problem is becoming even worse, with increasing numbers of people being diagnosed as suffering from diabetes mellitus each and every year.

Some researcher maintain that up to 10% of people in the USA have diabetes, and many of these poor people are unaware of the fact! Moreover, for many of these poor people, it may well have been avoidable if they had known about earlier in their lives.

The most important danger in the diabetes problem is ignorance of the problem amongst those who are at risk.

If you believe that you could be in a high risk group, it is sensible to get as much information as you can about the main types of diabetes, the most important symptoms to watch out for, what you can do to decrease the threat of diabetes, and what the key diabetes management techniques are. Additionally, if you are expectant, you need to learn about the dangers of gestational diabetes, a type of diabetes which can be present in up to one in four pregnant women.

Although Type 1 diabetes is quite uncommon, Type 2 diabetes is approaching crisis point in the US, with other nations following on behind. Diabetes Type 2 used to be called "adult-onset" diabetes, but in the present day this expression is not really appropriate as overweight teens in the United States are becoming diabetic at a rapid rate.

In these examples of diabetes in kids, most diabetes specialists think that modern-day teenager's daily food intake, (which has really unhealthy levels of refined carbs), is to blame as it can result in insulin resistance, and that can cause type 2 diabetes.

Irrespective of the fact that the true cause is unknown, what we know is that diabetes is a serious illness, it cannot be cured at the moment, and it can bring about long term health risks.
The quickest approach to lessen the chance of getting diabetes mellitus is to take up a healthy way of life.
If you adhere to the advice listed below, you will decrease the chances of getting diabetes, and if you already have it, minimize the damage that it may lead to.

I Can Reverse Diabetes? The Facts and Tips to Help You Cure Your Diabetes

You can reverse diabetes and don't let anyone tell you differently. If you are borderline diabetes, pre-diabetic, type 1 or type 2, you may be able to do what nobody thought was possible 10 years ago... cure your diabetes with your diet, exercise and supplementing the right minerals, vitamins and herbs.
Diabetes is becoming an epidemic. In fact, in 10 years many experts believe that people who suffer from diabetic is going to double. Kids who are as young as 8 years old are now borderline type 2 diabetics.
It is no wonder that billions of dollars are being spent on diabetic research. And you are going to reap the rewards of the newest research that shows you can actually cure your diabetes by learning how to reverse it and cure it with your lifestyle.

Facts about Diabetes Research
1. Research states that counting carbohydrates is one of the best and most important tools you will learn and use for reversing and curing diabetes. People who understand the role complex carbohydrates plays on their diabetes will be able to pick a balanced nutrition plan to help reverse diabetes.
2. People who are diabetic or pre-diabetic should be on a 1600 to 1800 calorie diet. By understanding the diabetic food pyramid, carbohydrates and calories, you will better understand how to control your diabetes.
3. Exercise research and its benefit for diabetes have shown the following:
a. Exercise will reduce insulin resistance
b. Ward off diabetes complications
c. Help lose weight
d. Help maintain a steady blood sugar level for life
4. By looking at most sufferers, experts have found many common deficiencies in most diabetics. Research is showing by supplementing minerals, vitamins, amino acids and some herbs, many of these deficiencies can be eliminated.

Tips to Start Your Home Treatment Today
Whatever diabetic stage or type you are at, it is important that you are proactive with your health and treatment. Always be discussing treatments with your doctor or health provider.
Here is a list of various things you might start today!
1. Obviously, you should start counting calories. You should do whatever you can to get your daily calorie count under 2000. A diabetic on a 1600 calorie diet should get 50% of these cal. from carbohydrates.
2. You should also educate yourself on the diabetic food pyramid. Because your body works differently, it is important to know what your body needs to function properly.
3. It should be a goal of yours to get your fasting blood sugar level under 100 mg/dL in a test at your doctor's office (For Type 2 Diabetics). This can be done pretty effectively by increasing your protein intake and limiting your carbohydrate intake.
4. Typically there are 3 phases when controlling your diabetes with your diet. Because Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes are different, it is important to go through the phases in accordance with your type. You can learn more a Reverse Diabetes.
5. Educate Yourself. Did you know that there are numerous deficiencies in diabetics which can be remedied with supplements? For instance, the federal government suggests that an average adult needs somewhere between 20 to 40 mcg of chromium daily. But if you are diabetic, prevention and treatment should be at 200 mcg of chromium daily (1 to 3 times daily).

Investing in the Mass Marketing of Diabetes Reversal

The problem has not been reversing diabetes. Since 1999, with the breakthrough 'Edmonton Protocol,' reversal of diabetes has been clinically proven to work. More than 80 percent of diabetics undergoing this transplant surgery were 'insulin free,' after three years. But, the hurdle which has eluded researchers thus far is the ability to provide broad commercial use of these transplant surgeries for the general population. New research may offer hope for a greater number of the 21 million diagnosed and potential diabetic sufferers.
Diabetes is the fifth leading cause of death in the United States. More than 200,000 die every year because of complications from diabetes. It is the leading cause of blindness and causes 40 percent of kidney failures. The small narrow organ behind your stomach, called the pancreas, breaks down nutrients by releasing enzymes into your small intestine. The pancreas releases insulin, which moves glucose into your cells to produce energy. In a Type 1 diabetic, the pancreas can no longer produce insulin, and the glucose stagnates in your bloodstream instead of being moved into your body cells to produce energy. About 10 percent of all diabetic cases, known as Type 1 diabetics, are at the highest risk for heart disease, strokes, limb amputations and other vascular disease-related complications. A Type 1 diabetic must inject insulin for his or her entire life.
Before the Edmonton Protocol was developed at the University of Alberta, only eight percent of the 267 pancreatic islet cell transplant patients were able to remain free of insulin injections after a year. In Edmonton, Canadian surgeons developed a technique implanting healthy human islet cells into Type 1 diabetic patients who could then produce their own insulin. The ten-fold success rate increase in success became the industry standard for reversing diabetes, but there was a serious problem with this procedure. Transplantations were limited to high-risk Type 1 diabetics because of supply problems.

In this case, the broad divergence between the number of diabetics - about 80,000 per million, and the number of human donors - roughly 22 per million, made widespread commercialization of the Edmonton Protocol impossible. There simply aren't enough human donors available. Not by a long shot - at most, there may be less than 6,000 pancreatic donors compared to nearly 2 million Americans suffering from Type 1 diabetes. During a typical transplant, about one million islets would be required for a successful surgery in the average person. To obtain sufficient islets cells to perform this transplant procedure, at least two pancreatic organs are needed. Additional organs could be required to help the patient's insulin production reach the desired level.

University of Minnesota Reverses Diabetes in Monkeys
How are researchers remedying the supply shortage? Recent research demonstrates top scientists have turned to xenotransplantation to increase the number of islet cell donors. Another milestone took place at the University of Minnesota this past February when researchers at the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation islet transplant centers reversed diabetes in monkeys by transplanting islet cells from pigs. Researchers said pig organs are similar to those of humans. Pancreatic organs from pigs are more readily available to help save the life of a Type 1 diabetic. More than 60 million pigs were traded on the Chicago pork belly market last year, offering an abundance of pig islet cells for a much larger number of diabetic transplant surgeries.
The novelty of the Minnesota research included a cocktail of immunosuppressive drugs which prevented the body's immune system from rejecting the cross-species transplant of the pig's islet cells. In the control group monkeys, which were not given immunosuppressive drugs, rejected the pig islets after a few days. While the drug mixture helped the lab monkeys survive much longer - a median of more than 140 days, the side effects of those drugs eventually caused their demise. Human subjects may demand a longer survival level after a transplant surgery.

Is It Possible to Prevent or Reverse Diabetes Complications?

Can you really prevent the complications of diabetes? Is it even possible to reverse the complications of diabetes? What steps can you take, if any? Well, there are some definite things you can do to make your life healthier with diabetes.

The first thing you must do if you want to prevent complications from diabetes is to keep studying. Learn everything you can about diabetes. It is amazing how little information people, even people with diabetes, have about the disease. If you want to be a healthy diabetic, you need to continue learning all you can.
Continually educating yourself about diabetes is a great way to prevent or reverse the effects of diabetes.
There is a continuous stream of new information and new technology in the study of diabetes. Many of these new advances can help you live a healthier and longer life with diabetes. To improve your health need to keep up on a regular basis with the advances that doctors are making.

Of major importance, in keeping diabetes under control, is your diet. In dealing with diabetes, watching the food you eat and really paying attention to nutrition is one practice that can save your life and even prevent some complications in the future. If you have been recently diagnosed with diabetes, very likely your health, obesity level, and normal diet are not very good. Most adults diagnosed with diabetes have a very common history of eating too many harmful foods and having a very poor diet practices.

You need to become watchful of every bit of food that you put in your mouth. You need to ask yourself if that food is going to provide your body the nourishment it needs or deplete your body of its needs. You will need to follow a diet for diabetics. But you diet for diabetics is also great diet for everyone. A good diabetic diet is a diet that is good for anyone who wants to nourish the body and have plenty of energy whether or not they have diabetes.

Knowing The Different Types Of Diabetes

While the number of cases of diabetes has been on the increase in the U.S., most people don't understand what the different forms of diabetes are. Even though we have heard the term diabetes, few really understand what diabetes is, and more importantly, the symptoms to look out for. Over 25 million people have diabetes and 6 million more have it and don't even know it. Diabetes has become a very serious health issue. There is no cure for Type 2 Diabetes at this time.

How does one get diabetes?


Whenever we eat our food, the body goes to work in taking the food and changing it into energy. It does this by turning it into sugar, or glucose, while digesting it. This is what gives us energy. During this process, the pancreas releases insulin which controls the amount of sugar in our bloodstream. This is what keeps us healthy. Without this insulin, the sugar remains in our bloodstream, creating several health related problems. Among them are possibility of blindness, kidney failure, nerve damage, and other organ function problems. If diabetes is left untreated, it will cause death. Tha's why it's so important to be tested on a regular basis and know what your blood sugar levels are.

What are the different types of diabetes?


Type 1 Diabetes - You may have heard of this form of diabetes as "juvenile" diabetes since it is usually found in young children. Type 1 Diabetes is found in only 5-10% of all diabetic cases. It is diagnosed when the pancreas fails to produce any insulin at all, or too little of an amount to do the body any good.
With Type 1 Diabetes, patients must have a daily injection of insulin. Without these daily injections they will not survive.

Natural Remedies For Diabetes - Vital Information For Adults and Children

Diabetes is a disease caused by a failure of the biological mechanisms for regulating blood sugar, due to insufficient of the production of insulin (hormone that is needed to convert sugar, starches and other food into energy) by the pancreas. The disease is characterized by a significant increase in blood sugar. Three major types of diabetes are Type 1 diabetes, Type 2 diabetes and Gestational diabetes.

Type 1 diabetes is characterized by a loss of insulin production by particular cells of the pancreas (Beta cells or Langerhans cells. The causes of this loss of insulin production are still unknown. Type 1 diabetes can affect children or adults but, most of times, it starts between few months of life and about 35 years. The organism of a diabetic patient rejects, by the formation of antibodies, cells which are capable of producing insulin. The symptoms are discomfort and frequent urination which can lead to dehydration and weight loss. Type 1 diabetes accounts for 10% of patients with diabetes.

Pathophysiology of Diabetes Mellitus - Get to Know the Meaning

What is Diabetes Mellitus?

Diabetes mellitus is a chronic health situation in which the body stop working to generate adequate amount of insulin or react strangely to insulin.When we talk about the categorization of diabetes mellitus, it is of three natures, namely,

1. Diabetes
2. Diabetes and Gestational diabetes.
3. Hyperglycemia which is the ultimate outcome for all the three types of diabetes.

Pathophysiology of diabetes mellitus is complicated, as the disease is characterized by diverse etiologies but share some related signs,symptoms and complications.

Meaning of pathophysiology
Pathophysiology means the learning of alteration seen in natural mechanical, bodily, and biochemical functions that are maybe caused by a disease or as a  result of an irregular syndrome. The pathophysiology of any given ailment or syndrome give details to  its source,symptoms and effects

ACCU-CHEK Compact Plus Meter Kit

ACCU-CHEK CompactPlus Diabetes Monitoring Care Kit - All-in-one convenience.

Product Features Lancet technology makes testing less painful Attachable lancet device allows you to easily carry the system Automatic coding and a new 5-second test Pre-loaded 17-test drum helps remove struggling with test strips All-in-one convenience

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Prevent Type 2 Diabetes

Diabetes is not contagious. Diabetes is a disease in which the body does not produce or properly use insulin. Diabetes means a disease where people have too much sugar in their blood. Diabetes mellitus is a disease where people have too much glucose (a kind of sugar) in the blood. Diabetes is likely to be underreported as the underlying cause of death on death certificates. About 65 percent of deaths among those with diabetes are attributed to heart disease and stroke. The cause of diabetes continues to be a mystery, although both genetics and environmental factors such as obesity and lack of exercise appear to play roles. There are 20.8 million children in the United States, or 7% of the population, who have diabetes. The three main types of diabetes are type 1 diabetes , type 2 diabetes and gestational diabetes. Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes. In type 2 diabetes, either the body does not produce enough insulin or the cells ignore the insulin. Insulin is necessary for the body to be able to use sugar. Sugar is the basic fuel for the cells in the body, and insulin takes the sugar from the blood into the cells.

Type-2 diabetes accounts for more than 90% of all diabetes worldwide. Type 2 diabetes usually occurs gradually. Diabetes mellitus type 2 is often associated with obesity and hypertension and elevated cholesterol , and with the condition Metabolic syndrome. People develop type 2 diabetes because the cells in the muscles, liver, and fat do not use insulin properly. It is also associated with acromegaly, Cushing's syndrome and a number of other endocrinological disorders. About 90-95% of all North American cases of diabetes are type 2, and about 20% of the population over the age of 65 has diabetes mellitus type 2. The fraction of type 2 diabetics in other parts of the world varies substantially, almost certainly for environmental and lifestyle reasons, though these are not known in detail. Family history and genetics play a large role in type 2 diabetes. Low activity level, poor diet, and excess body weight (especially around the waist) significantly increase your risk for type 2 diabetes.

Accu-Chek Compact Plus Diabetes Monitoring Kit, (Pack of 2)

Please note: Due to packaging updates, the image shown may temporarily appear different from the product received.
Ultra Thin Design for Less Painful Testing.
100 ~ Sterile Lancets.

For use with all OneTouch®Penlet® and OneTouch®UltraSoft™ brand automatic blood samplers from LifeScan, and most other blood sampling devices.


Customer cupport and service: 1-800-227-8862

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Preventing Pre-Diabetes - and Prevent Pre-Diabetes From Advancing to Diabetes

Former Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy Thompson called diabetes an epidemic in this country. A precursor to type 2 diabetes is a condition know as pre-diabetes. Many many millions of Americans suffer from it and many don't even know they have disease.

They also don't know that with a little effort a great many of those diagnosed with pre-diabetes can halt the progression to type 2 diabetes and some may even return their blood sugars to normal.

Pre-diabetes occurs when blood sugar levels are higher than normal, but are not high enough to be classified as type 2 diabetes. Type 2 diabetes, is a chronic condition that affects the way the body metabolizes sugar, your body's main source of fuel. Many people with pre-diabetes go on to develop type 2 diabetes within 10 years. Health & Human Services estimates that about 40 percent of U.S. adults ages 40 to 74 currently have the condition. Add to that total the number of adolescents and the numbers are bleak.

Pre-diabetes and diabetes type 2 are being called a health epidemic for our country. Consider that without intervention, one in three children born in the year 2000 will develop diabetes in their lifetime. If that child is Hispanic and female, she has a one in two chance of developing diabetes in her lifetime. That equates to roughly one new case of diabetes being diagnosed every 25 seconds. This can be prevented with education to high risk groups and some very simple steps.

And the cost of pre-diabetes and diabetes to the U.S. is $132 billion per year. Direct medical costs account for $92 billion per year and the rest is made up of disability, lost work time and premature mortality. Diabetes contributed to 213,062 deaths in the year 2000. Overall, the risk for death among people with diabetes is about 2 times that of people without diabetes. Additionally people who have pre-diabetes have a 50 percent higher risk for heart disease or stroke. You can see the dangers and costs associated with it. It is a formidable challenge.

Many people don't know they have pre-diabetes but may be at risk. If you're overweight and more than 45 years old you may be at risk, check with your physician for testing. If you're overweight but younger than 45 years old and have HBP (high blood pressure), high triglycerides levels or are of African-American, Hispanic, Latino, Native American or Pacific Island descent, you are urged to check with your physician.

The testing for pre-diabetes has become more sophisticated in recent years. But with more accurate testing, however, comes bad news. Studies done from 1999 through 2002 suggest that at least 54 million American adults had pre-diabetes in 2002. And this does not exclude children as 2 million adolescents aged 12-19 or 1 in 6 overweight adolescents aged 12-19 are estimated to have pre-diabetes

Knowing the risk factors for pre-diabetes and the very simple steps to avoid it can save lives, save money and improve the quality of life for those affected. From above you may have guessed already a single devastating risk factor. In a word it is obesity.

Obesity is defined as a body mass index (BMI) of 30 and above and accounts for nearly 300,000 deaths in the U.S. each year. Obesity is associated with more chronic health problems than smoking, heavy drinking or being poor. And recognizing it as a risk factor for pre-diabetes can help you avoid the disease.

Losing weight, becoming physically active and eating a healthy diet, may be enough to forestall pre-diabetes from developing into diabetes. Research has shown that losing 5 to 7 percent of body weight (about 10 to 14 pounds for a 200-pound person) through diet and increased physical activity can prevent or delay pre-diabetes from progressing to type 2 diabetes. And in some this regime can even return their blood glucose levels to normal.

Also recommended is eating modest portions of food throughout the day-rather than one or two larger meals. This also helps to control blood sugar levels. Eating small meals and snacks also provides more opportunities to eat healthy foods with beneficial nutrients. Stay away from fad diets and don't eliminate food groups. Try to skip empty calories like sodas and avoid fried and fatty foods. +

Pre-diabetes is a chronic condition that can go undetected unless you have your blood sugar tested. By maintaining a healthy lifestyle-eating a nutritious diet, exercising and maintaining a healthy weight or losing excess pounds-you can avoid the disease and the toll it can take on your body.

This alone may save you and many more Americans from pre-diabetes which may progress to type 2 diabetes and all the complications associated with that disease. Some prevention now may save you from a lifetime of insulin and the devastating effects of diabetes.


 have been a nurse for over 30 years. And as a baby boomer, I am concerned about the state of health care in the U.S. My step-son and daughters will be asked to change the system that will provide care for my care when I become Medicare eligible. And prevention is the most cost effective way hold down health care costs.
For more information on chronic diseases and health care please visit Health Resources Health Resources provides timely information and tips on a variety of health care issues. Health Resources focuses primarily on prevention as a means to lower health care costs. Visit Health Resources today.

Signs of Diabetes

Diabetes is a disease in which the body does not produce or properly use insulin. Insulin is a hormone that is needed to convert sugar, starches and other food into energy needed for daily life. There are 20.8 million children and adults in the United States, or 7% of the population, who have diabetes. While an estimated 14.6 million have been diagnosed with diabetes, unfortunately, 6.2 million people are unaware that they have the disease.

Diabetes can cause many complications. Acute complications (hypoglycemia, ketoacidosis or nonketotic hyperosmolar coma) may occur if the disease is not adequately controlled. Serious long-term complications include cardiovascular disease (doubled risk), chronic renal failure (diabetic nephropathy is the main cause of dialysis in developed world adults), retinal damage, nerve damage (of several kinds), and microvascular damage, which may cause erectile dysfunction (impotence) and poor healing.
About 3 to 8 percent of pregnant women in the United States develop gestational diabetes. As with type 2 diabetes, gestational diabetes occurs more often in some ethnic groups and among women with a family history of diabetes.

Diabetes affects more than 20 million Americans. About 54 million Americans have prediabetes. Diabetes, without qualification, usually refers to diabetes mellitus, but there are several rarer conditions also named diabetes. Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease. An autoimmune disease results when the body's system for fighting infection turns against a part of the body. In diabetes, the immune system attacks and destroys the insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas. The most common form of diabetes is type 2 diabetes.

ACCU-CHEK Compact Mail Order Test Strips, 51-Count Box

ACCU-CHEK Compact Test Strips are for testing glucose in whole blood. For use with ACCU-CHEK Compact and ACCU-CHEK Compact Plus.





Price: $35.95

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