Education for Diabetes

Sometimes the condition of diabetes may be confusing as well as frightening. It is very necessary to understand the type of diabetes so that one can deal this problem easily and properly so that a person may feel better, both physically and emotionally. It is very necessary for a diabetic person to take and treat this condition seriously even their condition is fine. Diabetes is a metabolic disorder and it is characterized by difficulties with processing glucose. It results in an elevation in blood sugar as well as other related health problems. Basically there are three main types of diabetes – type1 diabetes, type2 diabetes and gestational diabetes. Though symptoms and potential risks are very common but treatment plans for the various types of diabetes are very different.

Sometimes type 1 diabetes is also known as “insulin-dependent diabetes”. In this condition the immune system attacks the cells which are responsible for generating insulin. Insulin is a compound which is necessary for digesting glucose. Person suffering from type1 diabetes must take insulin accordingly after monitoring their level of blood glucose in order to treat properly the disease. To make patients healthier in general, some change in life style is also recommended. Almost 10-15% of diabetics suffer from this type of diabetes.

Type 2 diabetes is related with the development of insulin resistance. In this condition the body suddenly requires more insulin to process glucose than it can produce. The main cause of this type of diabetes may be genetic and life style factors, being overweight etc can put a person at risk of developing type 2 diabetes. This condition can be treated with the change in lifestyle and sometimes with the help of medication as well.

The third type of diabetes is related with the gestational diabetes which arises in pregnant mothers. Usually this condition is diagnosed quickly as the women remain in continuous observation by a doctor. Some women may develop gestational diabetes late in pregnancy also. Usually this form of diabetes disappears after the delivery of the baby. Women who suffer from gestational diabetes have 40 to 60 percent chances to develop type2 diabetes. You have to maintain a reasonable body weight and you have to remain physically active to prevent development of type2 diabetes.

It is very necessary for a diabetic person to keep their blood sugar under control. If level of blood glucose is controlled properly then it will minimize the risk of complications.

There are mainly two different types of diabetes found in the people – Type 1 diabetes and Type 2 diabetes.

Type 1 diabetes is also known as insulin dependent or juvenile diabetes. It is a condition in which there is an absolute lack of insulin. Due to the attacking of the body’s immune system, the beta cells which are present in the pancreas and are responsible for making and secreting insulin die. Thus there are no cells available to make insulin. So in this case the body will die without getting supplemental insulin immediately or in near- immediate future. The only treatment for this type of diabetes is insulin shots. Almost 10% of the people get affected by this kind of diabetes.

Where as in type 2 diabetes, beta cells are present therefore insulin is also present. This type of diabetes is also known as non-insulin dependent diabetes. In this condition the insulin which is produced is less than the amount of insulin required by our body. About 90% people get affected by this kind of diabetes. The treatment of this type of diabetes includes proper diet, activity/exercise, and pills but in some cases insulin also becomes necessary.

There are more differences between type 1 and type 2diabetes –

Usually type 1 diabetes starts during childhood whereas type 2 diabetes is usually diagnosed during adult hood. As type 1 diabetes affects mostly young babies and children, it is known as juvenile-onset diabetes. People suffering from type 1 diabetes lack total insulin whereas type2 diabetics have too little insulin.

Even the causes of type1 and type2 diabetes are totally different. It is not possible to prevent type 1 diabetes where as type 2 can be prevented. But type 2 diabetes may be genetic also. It may be the result of obesity or high blood pressure. The symptoms of type 1 diabetes are very severe. Suddenly the child becomes extremely weak and sick, urination is increased, experience increased thirst, nausea, vomiting, stomach and abdominal pain, excessive fatigue, weight loss and decreased appetite. Immediate medical attention or usually hospitalization is required for the person suffering from these symptoms. On the other hand, type 2 is often diagnosed before the presence of any symptoms.

Even the treatment for type 1diabetes and type2 diabetes are different. Healthier life style, reducing sugar, carbohydrate consumption, doing regular exercises is sufficient to manage the condition. But type1 diabetes cannot be managed so easily. Intake of insulin injection with restricted diet is essential for type 1 diabetes.

The natural treatment of type 2 diabetes is meant to divert your attention away from the tedious and often painful management of the disease using insulin and drugs. There is no denying that, beta cells of the pancreas often do not regenerate again to serve the purpose it was created for; hence, alternatives become handy and compulsory. For sure; you will not give a second thought to anything that will stop you from endless lifelong insulin jabs; you needed this help as early as yesterday.

What is type 2 to start with? In short, it is a situation where the pancreas does not produce enough insulin therefore glucose builds up in the blood without serving any good purpose. It’s a double effect, cells are deprived of energy and glucose is flooded. The created disaster if it persists ends up damaging the eyes, kidneys and other vital body organs; in simpler terms you are as good as dead in advance if not assisted.

In looking at natural ways of treating the problem, there is no denying that science has failed; and for sure if insulin jabs is the commandment for life, then science has failed; so let’s pursue plan B. Plan B is natural methods of treatment. Credit for this direction goes to our natives; our traditional oral healers who up to date can treat without any reference to any manual. They prescribe and are dead accurate; having been handed the skill way back and leave it to scientists to prove them right in a test tube.

The following is a run down of names of compounds and names of plants derived from if any; anyhow the majority is supplemental prescribed as food supplements. If found in enough concentrations, the source plant itself is utilized otherwise the element is concentrated and served in form of a tablet. Most of the elements listed below are trace and glycemic in nature operating at cell level interactively.

These alternatives therefore, as documented, are many and for the purpose of this discussion, I will touch the most pronounced very briefly.

Mormordica Charantia – a vegetable known by many names and found in Asia, presents various qualities that turn round the high glucose in the blood to tolerant levels. It’s a very effective agent, highly recommended for use in local hospitals for the management of glucose in diabetic patients. It’s extracts, have particular insulin like protein, that trigger the pancreas to produce insulin and fight the flooded glucose with a resultant positive effect to the patient. It has been found too to bring about the increase in cell glucose uptake.

Gymnema or “gurmar” also termed “destroyer of sugar” does exactly that – destroying high blood glucose level by bringing about increase in uptake just like mormordica. It also promotes the healing and regeneration of cells of the islets of langerhans in the pancreas.

Fenugreek, a legume rich in fiber, lowers blood glucose and improve insulin levels in the blood.

Ginseng promotes glucose uptake and transportation including decreasing fasting blood glucose.

Magnesium as an element served as a supplement. It facilitates intracellular movement of glucose across cell membranes; this being a rare or missing element in diabetic patients.

Aloe Vera Gel is known to reduce blood glucose and hbA1c molecules from studies through its phytosterol compounds.

Other compounds and elements include vanadium, vitamin C, zinc, cinnamon and chromium.

Following a healthy diet plan while suffering from type 2 diabetes is very important for a patient. It has been observed in numerous cases that patients do not consider their diet an important element in the treatment and cure of type 2 diabetes. When advised about following a special healthy diet plan to reverse and manage their type 2 diabetes, they pose a question as to why should they adopt a special diabetes diet plan? And many other such questions that are irrelevant of the relation type 2 diabetes has with the patient’s diet.

It is very important to explain here why patients should pay utmost importance to improving their diet and dieting plan before moving on to the diet plan itself. Type 2 diabetes is caused by constant high sugar levels in the blood. People are usually unaware of the effects that these packaged and overly processed foods have on their health. These foods contain high levels of refined sugar. In scientific terms, it is also known as simple carbohydrates. There are mainly two categories of carbohydrates present in the food we eat. One is the complex carbohydrates while the other type is called simple carbohydrates which are mostly present in junk food.

Simple carbohydrates are easily breakable and transferable into the blood stream by the digestive system. This raises the blood sugar levels and puts the pancreas under immense pressure because it has to produce the natural hormone called insulin to keep up with these increased blood glucose levels. Hence, a time comes when the insulin is no more helpful to the body and it stops lowering the blood sugar levels causing type 2 diabetes or insulin resistance. The patients should follow the following diet plan that will help them maintain a lower blood sugar level by eating in small amounts over five sessions that are laid throughout the day.

Breakfast: The patient should go for a complex carbohydrate breakfast that may include a bowl of whole grain cereal, slice of whole grain bread, or oatmeal. Addition of proteins through the use of yogurt and high protein meats such as bacon, made from turkey or an egg is necessary. And last but not the least, end the breakfast with a nice fruit serving and full glass of water.

Pre-Lunch Snacking: Snacking is a great way of preventing hunger and easy weight loss. Pre-lunch snacking should have high amount of fiber foods. Fruits such as unpeeled pears and different berries should be eaten with fervor.

Lunch: The best lunch for a type 2 diabetes patient should be taken no later than a maximum of five hours after breakfast. And, should include proteins and both simple and complex carbohydrates. A small amount of desert sweetened with honey.

Post Lunch Snacking: Try to time this snack between lunch and dinner. It should help the patient to avoid over eating at dinner.

Dinner: It should be taken at least four hours before the patient has to go to bed and must contain complex carbohydrates and a good amount of fats.

The condition known as type two diabetes it’s a metabolic disease, which is produced by glucose levels in blood (glycaemia) over the normal limits. If the affected person does not treat its symptoms carefully, these levels reach excessively high values, giving place to health problems or chronic complications. The purpose of this brief article is to provide the essentials of a diet for type 2 diabetes patients.

THE DIET’S MAIN GOAL

If we talk about the main goals of a controlled and specialized diet for type 2 diabetes patients, it should be -first place- to limit the amount of simple carbohydrates taken within the regular foods, and, therefore, avoid the abrupt sugar elevations in blood, that is to say, the hyperglycemia. In second place, it should be to reduce weight in the obese diabetic patients, by limitation of the amount of calories. A short term goal with the vast majority of patients is habitually to maintain diabetic patients within their normal weight.

THE DIET RECOMMENDATIONS

CARBOHYDRATES

Simple carbohydrates (sugars)

When sugars hit directly the intestine, the glucose levels raise quickly. Therefore, the diabetic patients must avoid them or limit them in their daily consumption (it is possible to be taken in a 20% in the form of milk and fruits). Within the foods that contain simple carbohydrates we have: sugar of all type, honey, jams, refreshments, gelatins, caramels, chocolate, normal fruit in conserve or bottle, sweet beer, wines, cakes, pies, candies, etc. The fresh fruit, the conserve fruits or compotes without sugar and the natural juices of fruit without sugar contain natural simple carbohydrates and to avoid a fast ascent of the sugar levels they should not be taken in great amounts in a single food.

Complex carbohydrates

Once in the intestine, complex carbohydrates tend to fragment and they happen slowly to the blood. Because of this, sugar levels in blood do not rise so quickly and maintain the levels more time compared with simple carbohydrates. The foods that contain complex carbohydrates are: vegetables, rice, flour, soup, potato, maize and cereals (breakfast cereals). Logically, these foods must be taken in sensible amounts distributed throughout the day.

FIBER

The foods of vegetal origin contain fiber. The fiber does not digest in our digestive apparatus, contributes to volume and slows the passage of the food through stomach and intestine, contributing this way to the absorption of carbohydrates. That’s the reason why the rich fiber foods are very advisable for the diabetics. Foods with high fiber content are: integral bread, natural fruit with skin, fresh vegetables, cooked vegetables, dry beans and other vegetables.

PROTEINS

They are necessary for the growth of the body and the repair of body tissues. The foods that contain proteins are: meats, fish, eggs, cheese and milk. In addition, these foods contain fats.

FATS

Fats, taken in high amounts, can originate cardiovascular upheavals of the sanguineous circulation with time. Some of the foods with a high content in fats are: butter, margarine, oil, cream, inlays, fruits droughts and sauces for salads. Also the rich protein foods contain fats. The ideal would be to ingest a 70-80% of vegetal fats and a 20-30% of animal fats.

AMOUNT OF FOOD

The majority of the type 2 diabetes patients use diets between 1250 and 1750 calories. It is fundamental to say that the amount of daily ingested calories depends on the power cost and must be directed to locate the weight of the diabetic within the normal limits, and based on important data like height, sex, age and habitual physical activity. Even though, the obese diabetic patient should lose extra weight and those -fortunate enough- with fit weight must maintain it.

I have type 2 Diabetes and was told taking Cinnamon tablets daily would help lower my sugar.I was just wondering how many tablets a day is recommended? And should they be taken all at once or at different times? Thanks so much for any helpful advice.

Type 2 diabetes is a metabolic anarchy in which the body does not respond to the possessions of the hormone insulin. It’s also known as insulin resistance. In addition to this, some people with type 2 diabetes also may not generate sufficient amounts of insulin in the pancreas.

The role of insulin is to assist movement of sugar (glucose) from the bloodstream into the body’s cells, where it’s used for energy. Insulin also helps the liver to store surplus glucose. When the body cannot process and use glucose appropriately, the body’s cells do not get the energy they need. Medically, this is known as incapability to metabolize glucose, which results in a peculiarly high level of glucose in the blood, called hyperglycemia.

Type 2 diabetes often develops gradually from a condition called prediabetes, and symptoms may not appear for years. Symptoms can comprise of excessive thirst, which develops because of hyperglycemia, or high levels of glucose in the blood, it acts as a sponge to pull fluid out of the body’s tissues. This leads to sunstroke and extreme thirst as well as repeated urination. This pulls fluid away from the eyes, resulting in blurred vision.

As the body’s cells aren’t able to get the glucose they need for energy, people with type 2 diabetes may feel tired and weary. Without the appropriate energy supply for the cells, people with type 2 diabetes may feel very hungry, and weight loss may effect because the body has to use other sources for energy, such as burning muscle and fat supplies. High level of sugar in the blood makes it more difficult for the body to defy and fight infection and to heal, resulting in recurrent infections, especially skin infections and open, slow healing sores.

High amount of glucose in the blood can also pilot to coma, hyperosmolar hyperglycemic nonketotic syndrome, and shock. Over time hyperglycemia damages the body’s blood vessels, foremost to serious long-term complications, such as diabetic retinopathy, kidney failure, and blindness, kidney failure, serious skin infections, gangrene, cardiovascular disease, stroke, peripheral neuropathy, disability, and death.

The list of signs and symptoms mentioned in various sources for Type 2 diabetes includes the 27 symptoms listed below –

No early symptoms – many people have Type 2 diabetes without knowing it

Early mild symptoms – from moderate blood sugars (which are dangerous and lead to serious complications) –

1. Skin rashes
2. Skin infections
3. Athlete’s foot
4. Poor skin healing
5. Urinary tract infections
6. Candida
7. Thrush
8. Dry itchy skin
9. Flaky skin
10. Skin ulcers
11. Peripheral neuropathy
12. Paresthesias
13. Foot tingling
14. Foot numbness
15. Hand tingling
16. Hand numbness
17. Blurred vision
18. Sexual problems
19. Erectile failure
20. Unusual vaginal dryness
21. Premature menopause
22. Absent periods
23. Poor healing – any type of difficulty in healing of minor infections, injury or after surgery.
24. Weight loss
25. Weight gain
26. Drowsiness
27. Malaise

My dog is a Jack Russell Terrier and is 11 years old. He weighs about 11lbs. I have just found out that he has diabetes. My family is heart broken. Is there a diet my dog can eat (preferably Holistic) to help with his diabetes. He would need to take insulin shots twice a day. He may also have Cushings disease. Also, how much and how often should he eat food?

Listen to Kevin, an American Idol Finalist with Type 1 Diabetes. He and Crystal are proof that having diabetes shouldn’t stop you at anything! He wants you to join him in the Aim for the Cure! www.kintera.org

If you have diabetes, a healthy, well-balanced diet can help you control it What you should know: •Balance carbs with protein, fat, and fiber •Reach for nutrient-rich foods like fruits and vegetables •Monitor your intake of fat and sweets Related Videos: •Diabetes videos, www.youtube.com •Weight Control videos, www.youtube.com Related Health Articles: •Type 1 Diabetes Type 1 diabetes, also called insulin-dependent diabetes, is a disorder thatoccurs when your body produces little or no insulin… bit.ly •Type 2 Diabetes Today, diabetes afflicts over 20 million Americans — an increase of roughly 14 percent in just the past few years — and almost everyone knows at least one person who has it. But that doesn’t mean it’s well understood by most people. One out of three people with Type 2 diabetes isn’t aware that they have the condition, and even those who know they have it often aren’t sure how to control it… bit.ly •Checking Your Blood Sugar By testing your blood sugar regularly, you can track the effectiveness of your medication, make informed decisions about meals and exercise, and head off problems such as high blood sugar or low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) before it’s too late… bit.ly •Diet and Diabetes Can watching my diet help me control my diabetes?… bit.ly Related Products: The following are products sold by CVS/pharmacy that may be of interest to you: Resource Diabeti Shield Medical Food Mixed Berry $44.79 bit.ly Transcript Hi, I’m Vicmar Toro and I’m a CVS …