Controlling Diabetes for your comfortable life

Diabetes was noticed by primordial civilizations and even treated in the Middle Ages; however the specific cause of this disease remains a mystery to modern day science. Also for unknown reasons, rates of diagnosis steadily increased over the last 20 years and the American Diabetes Association now declares diabetes an epidemic.

Adequate care and funding for years was substandard despite the spike in diagnosis - and only recently has the bar been raised to where it is today. Through grassroots efforts, both international and national, the standard of care has been raised. This has been vital in the life expectancy, quality of life and equal opportunity employment for those affected by the disease.

The disease is not to be taken lightly as resulting complications can include but are not limited to heart disease, blindness, nerve damage, kidney damage, and blood vessel damage. A dedication to rigid management and control is the fundamental armor needed for the daily battle against the disease.

Diabetes is a physiological syndrome in which the body does not produce or adequately use insulin; the vital hormone needed to convert sugar, starches and other food into energy. Climbing rates and jumping statistics now lead researchers to believe that genetics is not the only role in a diabetes diagnosis. Obesity, specifically a “Western-diet,” may be key players in this potentially debilitating disease.

Whether newly diagnosed or a life long diabetic, it is never too late to begin a diabetic care regimen. As an active participant in their own health care, the patient should work out a detailed health plan stating diet and exercise requirements, as well as consistent intake of pills and insulin. Specifically, managing the body’s blood glucose level and keeping it as close to normal as possible helps patients feel better in their day to day life and reduces the risk these long term complications.

Every patient should have a blood glucose meter, using their doctor’s guidance in choosing such a tool. This meter gives a blood glucose level at any one time and the number on the monitor should be documented. Keeping a log of these levels is an essential addition to the process; the pattern can potentially shed light on the body’s response (or lack of) to treatments. Changes can then be made accordingly and systematically.

Medical management of diabetes, for many, is not as frustrating as the emotional management. Meters and tools spit out numbers, levels and percentages – tangible, comprehensible data that can be adjusted. These numbers however, if not up to par, can trigger feelings of anger, depression, and frustration within the patient.

Patients should always keep in mind that numbers and levels should not be used as the mode for judgment. They are simply a way to track patient care plans and do not reflect the person behind the disease.

However, this is always easier said than done. The American Diabetes Association maintains a thorough website loaded with information and should be used as an available tool for gaining knowledge and support (www.diabetes.org ). For many diabetics, as well as their loved ones, volunteering in the fight against diabetes is a rewarding way to gain control and find community support. Gaining power over diabetes is not only physically beneficial, but mentally and emotionally stabilizing.

By: Maryann Loprete

What Are The Symptoms Of Type 2 Diabetes

What Are The Symptoms Of Type 2 Diabetes


Type 2 diabetes, which is sometimes called non-insulin dependent diabetes, is a condition that develops over time. Your body becomes resistant to the effects of insulin resulting in increased blood sugar levels. Family history of diabetes and obesity are two of the biggest risks factors for developing type 2 diabetes.

Insulin is a hormone that is produced by the pancreas. Normally, insulin levels fluctuate in relation to the amount of glucose in your body. The level will increase after eating and decrease if no food is being consumed. The main function of insulin is to move the glucose to various destinations throughout your body. If you have more glucose than your body needs, the excess will be stored in the liver, where it will be released as needed. It is a complex balance between the pancreas, liver, insulin and glucose.

In type 2 diabetes one of two things can occur. Your pancreas will stop producing the needed levels of insulin or your body will become resistant to insulin. In both cases, the result will be high blood sugar levels.

Your body has ways of telling you when something is wrong. It is important that you know the symptoms of type 2 diabetes because, the sooner treatment starts, the less damage will be done to your body. The following paragraphs will give you an idea of what to look for in type 2 diabetes.

Extreme fatigue is often an overlooked symptom of type 2 diabetes. This is probably due to the fact that it is such a general symptom and is associated with other factors such as busy lifestyle, not getting enough sleep or stress. However, if you always feel tired and sleepy, even after a good night's sleep, you should see your doctor.

A drastic change in weight is a good indicator of diabetes. You may eat more because you are feeling hungry all the time. This will result in weight gain. Excess fat in the tissues causes your body to become even more resistant to the effects of insulin. The opposite is true also. You may eat more than normal but start losing weight. This is due to the fact that your muscles don't get enough glucose to exert energy or grow.

Blurry vision is another sign of diabetes. High blood sugar levels will pull fluid from tissues. This includes the lenses of the eye, making it very difficult to focus. Most vision problems will be resolved once the diabetes is treated. However, in a few cases, blindness can result from diabetes, especially if it is left untreated.

Another symptom of type 2 diabetes is frequent infections or slow healing infections and cuts. Diabetes interferes with the healing process. Increased incidences of yeast infections is a big indicator of type 2 diabetes.

If you notice that your gums are becoming red, swollen and inflamed you need to see your doctor. Diabetes will increase the risk of developing infections in your gums and in the bones that hold your teeth in place.

Your body is an amazing , complex machine. Listen to what it has to say. If you are experiencing any of the above symptoms, see your doctor right away. The sooner treatment begins for type 2 diabetes, the sooner your life can return to normal.

Diabetic wristbands to help patients with diabetes feel safer

Diabetic wristbands are made to help diabetes patients feel more secure about receiving the correct treatment that they need if anything were to ever go wrong. The two-way Diabetic Bracelet with an I.D. card is a great way to make sure that all diabetes patients will be able to receive treatment. Since there are three different types of diabetes, they are all treated differently. These diabetic wristbands and bracelets allow others to know what kind of diabetes a person has and how to treat them.

Diabetic wristbands as well as diabetic bracelets these days may be hard to find, but http://www.diabetes-information-research.com/diabetic-wristbands.html was created to help inform people about diabetes and where they can purchase a diabetic wristband for themselves, for a friend, or for a family member.

Diabetes is a syndrome that is characterized by metabolism that is disordered. This usually causes high blood sugar. These high levels of blood sugar results in low levels of insulin. The symptoms of diabetes include:

•excessive urination,
•excessive thirst,
•increased fluid intake;
•blurred vision,
•weight loss,
•and lethargy.

Unfortunately, when people have diabetes, many of them do not know it because these symptoms are not always visible. These symptoms only occur if the blood sugar level is high. A slightly elevated level will not create symptoms.

There are three different types of diabetes. These include:

•type 1,
•type 2,
•and gestational diabetes, which only occurs during pregnancy.

All three types have different causes, but all of them occur due to beta cells that belong to the pancreas. These cells become unable to produce enough insulin for the body, and this does not allow the body to prevent hyperglycemia.

At present, there is no cure for type 1 diabetes. For type 2 diabetes, many patients undergo gastric bypass surgery. Fortunately, there are numerous ways to treat diabetes once it has been detected.

Cooking for diabetics

Diabetes is one of the most constant illness, which can happen to be severe due to unhealthy food habits. If you or any of your family members or friends are affected by this very badhorrible illness, make certain you or your loved one is following a correct diet chart. You might not be acquainted the detail on diabetes cooking, but do not get worry. We are providing detail information on this food preparation so that you do not face any difficulties while you are cooking diabetic foods..

There are numerous differences between diabetic foods and normal food stuffs that we take daily. While you are practicing diabetes cooking, make sure the food should be tasty so that diabetic patient does not get uninterested consuming the same food each day. Check with the doctors. He or she would help you to find the appropriate diabetic-friendly food, using those ingredients, which do not change your sugar levels. Good diets always balance your high sugar level and make you healthier than before. Few healthy ingredients to do food preparation are grains, spices and dried herbs, legumes and beans, Bitter Melon, etc. Without these ingredients, your good diabetes cooking will be partial.

Legumes and Beans are useful for making diabetic foods. They are considered as low calorie vegetables. Eating these vegetables is good for diabetic. Spices and dried herbs are capable to offset the sugar level of your body. Spices and herbs include curry powder, ground ginger, bay leaves, caraway seeds, saffron, ground cinnamon, red pepper flakes, cloves are very testy and useful. Try to use these ingredients at the same time you are doing diabetes cooking. Grains are themain ingredients for food preparation. It includes essential fiber, which can be helpful for the diabetic to get rid of this persistent disease as quickly as possible.

Grains help to build up glucose. Without grains, your special cooking is imperfect. It is much wanted for your healthy diet plan. Research shows that Bitter Melon has shown intensity to prevent this terrible disease fast. Although it is not well known ingredient, but currently it is used for diabetes cooking. The taste is not so good quality, purely bitter. While you are into cooking, use little amount of Bitter Melon so that your food is not tasteless.

Consuming enormous amount of salt and sugar can be harmful for your physical condition. Make sure you are not adding much of these ingredients to your cooking. Otherwise, your sugar level would be high. You can get tea or coffee without sugar. You can also take sugar free sweets. Burger or pizza can be taken. Even though you should keep in mind that too much intake would certainly affect on your sugar levels. Diabetes cooking should be done well and with great deal of attention. If not, your attempt will be a waste of time and this cooking will be unsuitable.

I am sure you have acquired much information on diabetes cooking . If you want to learn more on diabetes cooking, you can also consult the experts. They will give you a proper idea on diabetes cooking.

by Heinz Golz

We can say diabetes can be cured

"The People" have had enough apparently!

An "insider" revealed today that the "World of Medicine" is scamming people - and even worse: with the help of "law-makers!"
It seems that "money" (as usual) has blinded doctors and medical practitioners to the degree that they are now willingly *suppressing* the truth regarding diabetes - its control, management, and even its cure!

That's right: "cure!"
And what should shock you even more:
It seems that it's against the law to say the word "cure" when describing anything that actually cures you.

Yet it's very much okay to say that something "treats" or helps "offset" the symptoms of some health condition or disease.

But if you say "cure" (and even including when you in fact have a real and bona fide cure for something and can even prove it!) you can get arrested.

Ever wonder why we have a "healthcare" industry and not a "healthcure" industry?

It's simply because no one's out to "cure" anyone because there's little money in doing so.

Instead, keeping you sick and marginally pain-free is all anyone's really out to do for you these days - as doing so means you being "forced" to buy all the same drugs over and over again, and again, and ... (you get the point!)

Of course, if a cure came along it would mean you buy it one time, and then you're cured - and that's that (over and done!)

But a number of doctors, philanthropists, and just plain old "good folks" armed with "real answers" and "real solutions" are stepping up and are NOT afraid of "Uncle Big-Bully Brother!"

One courageous fellow by the name of Melford Bibens, CPT, is doing exactly this, as he overcame "naturally" the dreaded disease Diabetes!

Not only that, but Melford has lectured and personally helped individuals beat the disease to the point that proven sufferers have actually gotten re-diagnoses as "no longer having the disease at all!" (Something that's pretty much always been ruled out as a possibility altogether! - and now which may even be against the law!)

But it's not certain how long Melford will be allowed to do this because "Uncle Sambo" has actually started using "Gestapo" tactics whereby people and businesses truly offering "cures" have been raided with masked armed police who even go to the point of forcing customers in the stores to get down on the floor at gunpoint!

by rob dangelo

Redeeming Unsaturated Fat

The most dreaded word in many dieter’s vocabulary is ‘fat’. It is not uncommon to hear a dieter discuss their avoidance of eating fat as if it were something thoroughly unwholesome, or even life-threatening, like an allergen, or a contagious disease.

In one way, this impassioned hatred of fat is positive. It reflects a generally understood medical truth that overindulging in fat-rich foods often causes unwanted, and unhealthy, weight gain.

However, in another way, this fat-phobia is potentially dangerous, because awareness of fat is not enough; an understanding of how fat influences weight gain and overall health is required. Unfortunately, those who dread and avoid all fat “as a rule” are overlooking an important difference between saturated fat and unsaturated fat.

Saturated fat is often the real culprit when it comes to unwanted, and potentially unhealthy, weight gain. These types of fats, which are solid at room temperature, initiate the production of LDL cholesterol, or “bad cholesterol”. In addition to weight gain, as cholesterol increases, so does the risk of heart disease. In fact, saturated fats increase LDL cholesterol disproportionately more than dietary cholesterol itself; that is how powerfully bad it is to the human body[i]. Dreading and avoiding this kind of fat is therefore quite intelligent.

Some dieters, however, are motivated less by concerns about high cholesterol and heart disease than they are about cosmetic weight gain. This is not a criticism; the adverse health effects of excess weight are well documented, as are the emotional traumas and social stigmas that tragically affect tens of millions of overweight people, especially children[ii].

Unquestionably, an excess intake of saturated fat is linked to weight gain. This is because a fat gram contains more than twice the amount of calories as a protein gram – 9 calories versus 4 calories[iii]. As a result, dieters can eat more than twice as many protein grams as fat grams to achieve the same amount of caloric intake. For dieters who are steadfastly watching every calorie, this 125% calorie difference between protein and fat can have an enormous impact.

Fat cells, once created, cannot be removed[1]; they can only be made smaller through the body’s metabolic calorie-burning process[iv]. Since an individual’s rate of metabolism is determined largely by genetics, a dieter with a slower than average metabolism will spend months, perhaps even years longer struggling to shrink fat cells then would his or her metabolically-gifted counterpart[v].

It is quite easy to understand, based on the above discussion, why the very idea of fat is dreaded by dieters; both because of the health hazards it poses, and its capacity to create excess fat cells. And it is just as easy to understand why many people are so afraid of consuming this kind of fat that they strive to remove all fat from their diet. This, however, is a large nutritional oversight.

Fat is a macronutrient that the body requires for a number of important functions. Fat is a source of energy. It helps keep the body warm, it aids in the absorption of some vitamins, and helps regulate the proper functioning of the brain and nervous system[vi]. This appears, however, to be a contradiction.

On the one hand there are health and weight gain hazards associated with fat, and on the other hand, there are proven health benefits associated with fat. How can this be? The answer is easily understood when we differentiate between the two types of fat: saturated and unsaturated. The kind of fat associated with health hazards is the former; the kind that the body needs and uses effectively is the latter.

There are two sub-types of unsaturated fat: polysaturated fat, and monosaturated fat. Popular foods that contain polysaturated fat include safflower oil and corn oil, while monosaturated fats are found in such foods as olive oil and peanut oil. These unsaturated fats are those that provide the body with the most useful and efficient sources of fat that lead to the health benefits noted above.

However, though there is a clear benefit to eating unsaturated fats instead of saturated fats, both types continue to offer eaters the standard 9 calories per gram. As such, no eater should consume an excess amount of fat.

Equipped with the awareness and understanding that avoiding saturated fat is hazardous to health, and that there is such a thing as “good” (unsaturated) fat, it would be expected that most nutritional supplements on the market have created foods that reflect this understanding. This is, regrettably, not the case.

Most nutritional supplements contain some fat content; many even contain saturated fat for some inexplicable reason[2]. Tragically – and there is no other word – many dieters are deceived into eating self-described nutritionally intelligent foods that may be “low calorie”, and may even have some vitamins and nutrients, but they but they are adding to the individual’s limited capacity to ingest fat grams. Many people who seek to lose weight by eating nutritional supplements often gain weight. They erroneously believe it is the result of a slow metabolism, when the culprit is the amount of fat grams ingested.

Fortunately, there are several fat-free food supplements on the market today. There are several important benefits of this strategy that benefit dieters of all sizes.

The obvious benefit is that a dieter does not have to count fat calories when eating these nutritional supplements; they are 100% fat free, and do not add to their daily fat-intake limit.

Less obviously, however, is that a zero-fat nutritional supplement that contains protein can stimulate the digestive system and minimize fat storage. This is because the protein content can help regulate the body’s ability to effectively absorb the calories that it derives from carbohydrates and fats. For example, a dieter who eats a sugary, fat-filled cupcake can mitigate fat storage and increase nutrient utilization by eating it with a protein-rich nutritional supplement.

The world of nutrition has long since known the link between dietary fat and weight gain. Unsaturated fat can be a trusted ally in the fight against weight loss. Understanding how it differs from saturated fat helps demystify the stigma of unsaturated fats – a stigma that should be reserved for its unhealthy cousin, saturated fats.

by: Protica Research

Dispelled Diabetes Myths


2 Dangerous Myths About Diabetes Dispelled
There are myths about virtually everything that one can think of, especially on the subject of diabetes. If you are a diabetic then it is important to wade through the untruths and understand the realities of living with this disease. Fortunately, most myths that you may hear about diabetes are not nearly as negative as they sound. In fact, many are just flat out lies. Below are a few myths about diabetes that you may or may not have heard:

Myth #1: Becoming hypoglycemic can cause brain damage because it kills brain cells.

The experience of hypoglycemia can come on extremely fast and leave a diabetic with an extreme headache that is accompanied by weakness and at times mass confusion. Because of these complications that result from hypoglycemia, people have assumed that this can link directly to the killing of brain cells and eventually destroy the function of your mind.

However, studies upon studies over the years have proven that people that suffer from the effects of hypoglycemia do not lose any mental function whatsoever. Children on the other hand, may indeed experience some loss of mental functioning because their brains are still not fully developed.

The good news is that the human body has an endless supply of hormones that are able to reverse the effects of hypoglycemia. And in addition to your body's defense mechanisms, there are things that a person can do directly to prevent hypoglycemia. For example, before embarking into heavy exercise be sure to check your blood glucose levels as well as keep with you an emergency supply of glucose that your body can absorb rapidly.

Myth #2: Now that you have diabetes you cannot exercise.

This is probably the most dangerous myth about diabetes that can have life or death consequences. In fact, the direct opposite is true. If anybody should exercise it is men and women that have diabetes! Routine exercise is probably the most beneficial preventative measure that a person can utilize in order to defend against complications that result from type 1 or type 2 diabetes.

This does not mean that if you've never exercised in your life and are over the age of 40, then you should run out and start participating in marathons, but it does mean that you can slowly start conditioning your body with slow walks and light exercise that can increase in intensity over time.

Is there ever a time when diabetes can prevent you from exercising? Of course, for example when a person is suffering because of a severe kidney infection, or hemorrhaging of the eyes, etc. However, this is just common sense and is not in any way, shape, or form a reason not to exercise on a daily basis once these symptoms subside.

Put on a Party that Everyone Can Enjoy Even Guests with Diabetes

People who have diabetes -- a disorder of the metabolism, in which their body has trouble converting food into energy -- must pay close attention to everything they eat. Their bodies do not have the mechanisms necessary to properly regulate their blood sugar levels.

Diabetes affects about 17 million Americans so chances are good someone who has the illness will attend your next party. Since you don’t want anyone to feel left out, here are some tips to help you plan a party every guest will enjoy:

* For the main meal, offer your guests variety. Have fish, poultry and lean cuts of beef, veal or pork available so there will be something for everyone. Remove the skin -- which is high in fat -- from poultry. This will benefit not only diabetics, but everyone at your party.

* Instead of creamy mashed potatoes, which are high in carbohydrates, offer a variety of grains and fresh vegetables for side dishes. Those items are all on the Diabetic Food Pyramid and good for everyone. Keep in mind, basic foods are always the safest. Avoid sauces, and casseroles, especially those with cheese and cream sauces.

* For dessert, provide your guests with healthy, low-carb alternatives to the sweet holiday treats. Put out platters with bagel chips, pretzels, low fat crackers, raw fruits and vegetables.

“People with diabetes must avoid foods high in carbohydrates because they send the body’s blood sugar levels soaring,” says Gary Janson, president of American Medical Supply, a Florida-based diabetic supplies company that serves clients in all 50 states. “When you eat, your body breaks down all carbohydrates, and some portion of proteins, into a sugar substance called glucose. The hormone, insulin, directs glucose to enter the cells, creating energy.”

In a regular, healthy person, the body carefully monitors the amount of sugar which is circulated in the blood and removes it when high levels are detected. Diabetics’ bodies either produce inadequate levels of insulin or none at all, so their blood sugar level is chronically high. Over time, patients with diabetes can develop such complications as blindness, kidney disease, nerve damage, heart disease, stroke, increased risk of infections or even amputations.

People who have diabetes should regularly check their blood sugar levels. The cost of testing supplies can exceed $1,200 a year for someone who tests their blood sugar three times a day. While Medicare and most third party insurers cover some of the cost, patients can incur substantial out-of-pocket expenses while waiting for insurance reimbursement.

To help patients avoid this expense, companies such as American Medical Supplies specialize in taking the hassle out of ordering and paying for supplies by billing insurance providers and Medicare directly, with no upfront cost to the patient.

When it comes to diet, here are some things people with diabetes need to keep in mind -- not only during the holidays, but throughout the year:

Foods that must be avoided:
* Sugar
* Sweets
* Honey
* Jam and Jellies
* Cakes and Pastries
* Sweetened Juices and soft drinks
* Fried food
* Fermented foods

Foods that can be eaten in moderate quantities:
* Fats
* Nuts
* Cereals/Roots/Tubers
* Pulses
* Fruits
* Milk Products
* Meat Products
* Eggs
* Artificial Sweeteners

Foods that are always safe:
* Vegetables
* Green Leafy Vegetables
* Spices
* Food high in fiber content


by: ARA

Relieve constipation with aloe vera

Menstruating or pregnant women should not use Aloe Vera, in any form, to relieve constipation

Aloe Vera is a wonder herb that has been around for thousands of years. It has been used for both external and internal problems – skin rashes, burns, ulcers, internal bleeding. It also promotes bowel movements, which helps to relieve constipation. I have found that some people are allergic to Aloe Vera. So if you show a rash or have any other undesirable symptoms, don’t use it.

Aloe is an astringent, acts to tighten muscles, and has purgative and laxative action – dispels fecal matter that has collected in your colon. There are many aloe vera products to choose from. For best results, choose an aloe that is close to that of fresh organic aloe whole leaf.

Using Aloe Vera Gel to Relieve Constipation

Take two tablespoons of pure aloe vera gel mixed with apple juice. You can use other types of juices that fit your taste.

If you use aloe juice drink, mix 1/3 of aloe juice with 2/3 of a juice you like just before bedtime or just on awakening.

Or, if you can handle the taste of the juice, drink a glass of Aloe Vera juice as soon as you wake up and one just before bedtime. This will promote a bowel movement when you wake up.

Relieve Constipation with Aloe Vera Capsules

Aloe Vera can also be taken in capsules. Because aloe can have a strong griping action, it is best to take this herb with a calmative herb such as turmeric. Aloe can also be mixed with powdered fennel seeds. But, you can take aloe as described above and see how you react to it. I know many people who take it without turmeric and they don’t have any side effects

The best aloe vera is, of course, fresh aloe gel from a leaf. Look for an aloe that has been hand and not machine pressed. When aloe has been machine pressed, it can be contaminated with the yellow sap that is contained in the outer skin of the aloe leaf.

This yellow sap has strong laxative and irritating action in the gastrointestinal tract. A good aloe should not have more than 10 parts per million of yellow sap.

Aloe has been shown to lower blood sugar levels. Diabetics may find a need to lower medication dosages when using aloe for a long time. But monitor this with your blood tester and your doctor.

In addition, aloe vera has a cleansing action and restores a healthy balance of the good bacteria in your colon.

Here’s how to use Aloe Vera to relieve constipation

Use aloe for 5 days and then rest 2 days. Using aloe on and off like this can help to reduce allergic reactions from long-term use.

Typical recommendations are:

·Aloe gel – 2 tablespoon each day
·Aloe vera juice – 1 quart each day
·Aloe vera concentrate – 5 g up to 3 times each day

Remember, if you’re pregnant do not use aloe vera. It has not been studied for women during this period.

Drinking peppermint tea when taking aloe vera capsules can relieve mild cases constipation. You can also mix aloe gel with peppermint tea to form a constipation drink.

Taking aloe vera to relieve constipation can give you good results since aloe vera has a strong action in the colon.


By : Rudy Silva

The Benefits of Whey Protein

The benefits of whey protein are so numerous and apply to so many different groups of people, that listing them all would be quite a large undertaking. In the sense of an overview, the benefits of whey protein make it an excellent choice for individuals of all ages who struggle to maintain a healthy diet and to improve their overall health.

Providing all of the essential amino acids, which are the building blocks of healthy muscles, nails, skin and other connective tissue, whey protein not only is almost completely devoid of cholesterol but aids in the removal of “bad” cholesterol from the body. Whey protein has the ideal combination of amino acids to help improve body composition and enhance athletic performance.

Whey protein is an excellent source of the essential amino acid, leucine. Leucine is important for athletes as it plays a key role in promoting muscle protein synthesis and muscle growth. Whey protein is a soluble, easy to digest protein and is efficiently absorbed into the body.

It is often referred to as a "fast" protein for its ability to quickly provide nourishment to muscles. The body requires more energy to digest protein than other foods (thermic effect) and as a result you burn more calories after a protein meal. Whey protein is an excellent protein choice for cancer patients as it is very easy to digest and very gentle to the system.

Whey protein may be added to a wide variety of foods and beverages to increase the protein content without affecting taste. Healthy nutrition practices have been shown to play a role in helping to manage, and possibly prevent, the onset of type-2 diabetes. Whey protein, a high quality, high biological value protein, is a good choice for diabetics who need to carefully manage food intake.

A recent study in Europe compared whey protein to casein, the primary protein in milk. They found that older men who consumed whey protein showed greater protein synthesis, or growth, which helped limit muscle loss over time.

by: Marcus Peterson

Brief Overview Of Diabetes And Diet

Diabetes has been around for centuries. There are presently sixteen millions diabetics in America, but eight million do not know that they have the disease. Today, diabetes is in third place as the cause of mortality, behind cardiovascular diseases and cancer.

Diabetes is caused by a disruption in insulin production in the body. Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas when the level of blood sugar, glucose, increases – after a meal, most commonly. With the help of insulin, glucose moves from the blood into the cells. The cellular components turn the glucose into energy. When glucose does not enter cells, it stays in the blood and is filtered by kidneys which later eliminate it from the bloodstream.

Diabetes is a chronic disease that occurs when insulin in the body does not work as it should. Main symptoms of diabetes include excessive thirst, excessive urination, excessive appetite, fatigue, blurred vision, frequent and slow-healing infections including bladder, vaginal and skin. In men, diabetes may be accompanied by such symptoms as erectile dysfunction.

In order to timely recognize diabetes, everyone should be familiar with the different types of diabetes as well as with main symptoms of diabetes.

Type 1 diabetes is a life-threatening condition which is less common. Those suffering with this type of diabetes need complete insulin replacement because the body does not make sufficient amounts of this essential hormone.

The most common type of diabetes is type 2 diabetes, or non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. 90 f all diabetes cases in the US are diagnosed as Type 2.

There is also gestational diabetes, which occurs during pregnancy due to specific hormonal changes in the body of the expectant mother.

Diabetes is often accompanied by obesity and high cholesterol and is a disease that often runs in families, so if one of your family members has it, you have a higher risk of developing diabetes too. Lack of activity, a diet rich in fats and processed products and obesity significantly increase your risk for diabetes.

Diabetes can be prevented and controlled by amending your diet. When we eat a product that is rich in sugar, the pancreas starts to produce more insulin to turn the sugar into energy. Saturated fat is transformed by the liver into sugar, which triggers the same response of pancreas – more insulin, more energy.

When the body doesn’t use this energy, it stores it as fat in the liver, on the stomach and hips. The more sugar and fat we eat, the more “storage space” our body requires.

However, when you switch to eating vegetables, cereals and other fiber-rich products cooked or seasoned with olive or grape seed oil, the pancreas does not need to produce any extra insulin. As a result, fat is not deposited in the body and the blood sugar levels remain stable. By avoiding sweet and fat-rich foods, blood sugar levels remains balanced which can delay the onset of diabetes and for those already diagnosed as diabetic can help them manage the condition.

South Beach Diet Or Another Fad Diet ?

I have thoroughly researched this diet and am giving you every detail of south beach diet for information.

South beach diet book is founded on the premise that switching to good carbs stops insulin resistance and curbs appetite which leads to weight loss. Also, good fats protect the heart and prevent hunger.

But this is hardly true as you will learn after reading this article.

South beach diet book offers a simplistic solution to weight loss. All you need to do is eat good carbs like whole grains, vegetables and beans instead of eating bad carbs like sugar white breads and potatoes.

South beach diet says, fast sugars are worst for dieters and slow sugars are good.

And how are these foods classified as fast or slow? The Glycemic Index.

According to south beach diet, the food having a high Glycemic Index causes the blood sugar to spike (go up) immedietly after having the meal,whereas the food with a lower GI does not drastically shoot up the blood sugar levels.

But this theory is only partially true. Yes, the foods with high GI are good for diabetics in helping them to keep their blood sugar levels in check, but contrary to popular belief, the glycemic index of a certain food is not the same.i.e. it depends on how the food is processed, stored, ripened and cooked.

Further, south beach diet is formulated on the premise that good carbs like whole grains have a low glycemic index and bad carbs like sugars, white flour and refined grains have a higher GI.

BUT THE TRUTH IS....

Bread is high GI whether whole wheat or white because it is made from finely ground flour.

Pasta is low GI, whether whole or white(thin languine has a high GI as compared to the thick one)

"Instant white" rice is low GI whereas "Uncle bens converted white" rice is high GI.

Take the case of sugars...Glucose is high GI, Sucrose is medium GI and fructose is low GI

This illustrates that recommending foods based on GI is confusing as well as misleading. On top of it all, there is no research to support the claim that the rise in blood sugar by eating high GI foods leads to high blood insulin levels, and that this leads people to overeat.

To summarise...there is no evidence to suggest that eating low GI foods leads to weight loss.

Now lets have a look at the south beach diet menu.

South beach diet book claims that you won't feel hungry while on this diet. This is impossible considering the fact that some of the menus average only 1200 calories, which is too low not to feel hungry.

The diet encourages you to eat seafood, chicken breast, lean meat, vegetables,whole grains, some fruits, beans, low fat cheese, nuts, oils and whole grains. fatty meats, high fat cheese, refined grains, sweets, juice and potatoes.

The choice of foods in this diet plan are somewhat healthy compared to other leading diet plans like ATKINS but restricting the consumption of carrots, bananas, pineapple and watermelon is the worst part of south beach diet.

The meal plan consists of three phases :

Phase 1 of south beach diet :

You are allowed to eat normal size helpings of chicken, meat, turkey, fish and shellfish, vegetables, eggs, cheese and nuts. You can have three meals per day. Desserts, coffee and tea are also allowed.

But for the first 14 days you are not allowed to eat bread,rice,potatoes,pasta or baked goods and even fruits!

Phase 2 of south beach diet :

You can slowly begin to reintroduce carbs into your diet again. The diet advices you to take all the forbidden foods in phase 1 like bread, pasta, fruits etc. in moderate quantities but at the same time not as much as you were having before.

Phase 3 of south beach diet:

This part is the most relaxed. Dr.Agastson says that you can now forget that you are on a diet. He says that now onwards it is just a healthy lifestyle you are used to, and going to adhere for the rest of your life.

All in all, south beach diet is one more money spinning fad diet for the creator of this weight loss program and a phsychological prop(support) for people who are allways hopping from one diet to the other in search of a hollywood like sexy body.

The initial weight loss caused by this diet is on account of calorie restriction and not because of low Glycemic Index or an invisible switch as Dr. Agastson's marketing language wants you to believe.

Your health could be 100 times better without south beach diet weight loss program,if you choose healthy foods like green vegetables,whole grains,fiber rich foods and vegetables.

And if you are eager to lose those extra pounds,why not do it the most natural way with the weight loss principles of Ayurveda medicinal science?

This is the most effective long term,scientifically proven solution to excess fat.

You can get real cutting edge fat burning secrets of Ayurveda in my Free 5day email ecourse by subscribing to my newsletter at: www.eweightlosstips.com/weightlossltr.htm

by : Rajesh Shetty