Monday 30 May 2011

How To Control Type 2 Diabetes In Three Steps

How To Control Type 2 Diabetes In Three Steps

Mainstream medicine still claims that there is no cure for diabetes. However, many people are curing this debilitating condition every day.

This article explains how it is possible and outlines three action steps that you can take to prevent or even reverse type 2 diabetes naturally.

In diabetes, glucose builds up in the bloodstream because it's having trouble getting into the cells where it belongs. As a result, it may damage blood vessels of your organs such as kidneys and heart.

But why is that? Glucose uses insulin to open channels in the cell's outer membrane so that it can pass through. The problem is that during diabetes insulin is no longer able to open up the cell.

Suddenly, you may start experiencing unusual thirst, extreme hunger, fatigue, blurred vision and other symptoms of type 2 diabetes. The following three steps will allow you to control diabetes more effectively:

  • Improve your diet. Stop eating all refined sugars, processed foods and dairy products. Start consuming fresh whole foods high in fiber. These dietary modifications will help you balance your blood sugar, reduce inflammation and turn on all the right gene messages that are necessary for controlling diabetes.
  • Keep off the excess weight. Most people with diabetes are overweight or obese. Exercise can help with weight loss and improve insulin sensitivity. It's simple - regular physical activity is a powerful way to reduce blood sugar and reduce your risk of complications. Talk to your health care provider about what kind of exercise is appropriate for you. Even a 30 minute walk a day can have a huge impact on controlling type 2 diabetes.
  • Embrace the power of herbs. Diabetes symptoms can be controlled with many herbal remedies. More specifically, scientific research is now shedding more light on healing properties of various plants that either control blood sugar (bilberry, salt bush) or treat the side effects of diabetes (ginkgo biloba).

It's important to realize that high blood sugar is only a symptom - not the cause of diabetes. The real problem is a diet high in carbohydrates and processed foods together with an unhealthy lifestyle. This is why you won't find the answer to your condition in a pill bottle.

Monday 23 May 2011

Diabetes Doesn't Slow Charlie Kimball

Diabetes Doesn't Slow Charlie Kimball

Diagnosed four years ago with Type I diabetes that sidelined him for a year, Kimball is attempting to become the IndyCar Series' first licensed driver with the disease to race in the Indianapolis 500. Extensive research on the disease (including whether others have raced with it) convinced the rookie he wouldn't be affected as long as he followed precautions including glucose-monitoring mechanisms in his No. 83 Dallara/Honda.

Not only has it provided a full-season ride with Chip Ganassi Racing, but an insulin technology sponsor and platform to speak on.

"People who may aspire to be driver, when they're diagnosed, see that door as being closed, and I aim to prove otherwise," said Kimball, 26. "Because you're diagnosed doesn't mean you can't chase your dream and live your passion.

"The modern insulins, blood sugar testing, the monitor I wear, the understanding of the physiology and the science behind diabetes and good glucose control and management means I have better tools than ever before to race cars professionally. All the new technologies in the last 10, 20, years not only have made this possible, I can continue to compete. I want to prove that I'm a racing driver, and diabetes is part of who I am."

Wednesday's misty conditions canceled practice at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, denying the English-born Californian a chance to gain laps in his Honda, supported by Levemir and Novolog FlexPen, which delivers insulin. His steering wheel features a glucose monitor while the dash features a blood-sugar gauge that his physician and pit crew can access as well. A hydration bladder feeds him orange juice or sugar water.

His car number is an ode to the year that Ganassi, who has won three Indy 500s as an owner including last year, finished a career-best eighth as a driver at the Brickyard. Finally, Kimball's father, Gordon, worked for McLaren, Benetton and Ferrari and helped build engines that won at Indy in the 1980s.

Though weather has slowed Kimball's oval introduction at Indy — he passed last weekend's Rookie Orientation Program — his road course background has helped his IndyCar get off to a solid start. A 10th-place run at Barber Motorsports Park near Birmingham, Ala., highlighted that early-season stretch on road and street courses, and he stands 21st in points, 110 behind leader Will Power.

He enters Indy with the benefit of two title-winning teammates that have won the Greatest Spectacle in Racing — Scott Dixon and defending champion Dario Franchitti— as well as Graham Rahal, son of 1986 winner Bobby Rahal and the series' youngest race winner. That has him confident of earning one of 24 spots in Saturday's qualifying.

"I looked for precedents, and that gave me an indication that I'd be able to do this," said Kimball, who deferred entrance to Stanford to pursue his dream. "For a while my racing was self-centric, but now I'm doing this to make a difference and have an impact."

Wednesday 18 May 2011

Fasting Cuts Risk for Heart Disease and Diabetes

Fasting Cuts Risk for Heart Disease and Diabetes

Researchers from the Intermountain Medical Center's Heart Institute in Utah have found that regular fasting cuts the risk of both heart disease and diabetes. The study comes from Utah because the state's large number of Mormon residents are asked to fast at least once a month. For many of them, not eating at all has real, long-lasting health benefits.

"Utahns and LDS [Latter Day Saints] people have a lower risk of cardiac mortality. Even today, despite the fact that smoking rates have declined in most states, and quite considerably in some states, the Utah rate of cardiac death is much lower than in most states," said Dr. Benjamin Horne, one of the team of researchers at the institute.

How does it work? Basically, fasting allows the body to burn fat as fuel, Horne said, and that reduces its overall number of fat cells. Fewer fat cells mean lower cholesterol, increased insulin sensitivity, and a lower risk of diabetes.

Researchers first looked at fasting back in 2007. That initial round of work suggested that it cut the risk of heart disease. Their new findings show that it can improve other measures of heart health and overall wellness, such as weight, blood sugar, and triglycerides.

Utah, with its sizable Mormon population, was the perfect place for the study, Horne said. While other religions include fasting, they don't make a habit of it. "Most of the world's population doesn't fast on a regular basis," he said.

Doctors involved in the study want to continue examining the benefits of fasting, a topic that hasn't been studied in depth. They plan on using a grant from the Deseret Foundation-a nonprofit connected to the institute-to continue their work, concentrating on how fasting might help those already managing heart disease and diabetes.

Interested in trying out fasting for yourself? Horne recommends that you look before you leap. Some people simply shouldn't fast for health reasons. "People have to be careful," he said. "If there is some interest, they ought to talk to their physician first."

The Intermountain Medical Center scientists presented their findings at the American College of Cardiology in New Orleans in April.

Monday 16 May 2011

Connecting Diabetes and Dementia

Connecting Diabetes and Dementia

Diabetes and dementia have a connection, and what we can do to delay it will be on the table during a diabetes education event in Sidney.

“I am clarifying the ties between dementia and diabetes,” said Dr. Dorothy (Sam) Williams, of her speaking engagement on May 14 at the Mary Winspear Centre.

Williams is vice-chief of Geriatric Medicine for the Vancouver Island Health Authority (VIHA), chief of staff for the VIHA South Island region, and acting chief of staff for Vancouver Island. She is a full-time clinician in geriatrics, a clinical instructor with the Department of Internal Medicine at UBC, a past president of the Medical Staff Association for South Island, and a member of the provincial Physician Health Program’s “Physicians Advocating Wellness” groups.

She’ll speak on Brain Function and Diabetes … What is the connection? during the Canadian Diabetic Association Vancouver Island regional annual meeting.

“Given that those high prevalence rates for both diabetes and dementia it really is increasing the awareness in the research world that this association has to be looked at and has enormous public impact,” she said. “We know that if you have diabetes you are more likely to develop a dementia. What we don’t yet know is if you have diabetes and you’re treated, will that decrease your chance of dementia?”

It’s unknown if treatment for diabetes has an ongoing effect on dementia

That’s where the research world is now turning to,” she explained. In 25 years of research into dementia there’s nothing to treat the illness; treatments are symptomatic only, Williams noted.

“If treating diabetes can slow down the dementing process that would be the first time that has ever been shown.”

She feels the world is paying attention because of the pandemic in diabetes primarily caused by change in diet and obesity.

“At the end of the day it’s everybody that needs to hear this,” she said. The common sense treatments suggested, losing weight, eating healthier and changing lifestyle are still the best options. “We keep coming back full circle. At the very base of it is lifestyle modification.”

Williams speaks during the diabetes education event and annual general meeting Saturday, May 14 at 8:45 a.m.

Thursday 12 May 2011

Exercise in Diabetes

Exercise in Diabetes

Exercise is an important part of diabetes combating regime. Eating low sugar diet and healthy food only helps in curbing the problem to some extent. However, doing exercise regularly cuts the risk of type 1 and 2 diabetes largely in patients. Generally, diabetes is caused due to increased blood sugar level and extra weight. Doing cardio like walking, cycling, swimming, etc regularly lowers down the sugar level and keeps the sugar under control. It also reduces the need of insulin and medicine.

If you are suffering from diabetes problem then you should start doing it today. The best thing about doing exercise is that it is easier than taking insulin injection. Excess of weight has direct connection with diabetes. However, it is necessary for you to get your weight checked. Try to lose moderate amount of weight to bring your diabetes in control. Exercising includes lots of benefit like proper blood circulation, heart pumping, calories burning, body strengthening, metabolism boosting etc. Doing exercise for 30 to 60 minutes daily benefits the patients by cutting down intake of insulin. Include cardiovascular activities like running, aerobics and cycling as part of your daily routine.

Researchers have found that the risk of type 2 diabetes can be reduced by 50 percent, if one does an hour of moderate exercise daily. Normal cycling, brisk walking, swimming lowers the risk of type 2 diabetes in women. Physical activity not only reduces weight but also improves insulin sensitivity. Working out makes one feel fresh, increases stamina, and lighten up mood. It is always beneficial to do exercises to stay healthy and fit.

Tuesday 10 May 2011

Diabetes in Kids Comes With Hefty Price Tag

Diabetes in Kids Comes With Hefty Price Tag

Medical costs for children and teens with diabetes are six times higher than for other young people in the United States, a new study finds.

Researchers from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention examined health insurance claims made in 2007 for nearly 50,000 youth aged 19 and younger, including 8,226 with diabetes.

Annual medical expenses for youth with diabetes were $9,061, compared with $1,468 for those without diabetes. Prescription drugs and outpatient care accounted for much of the extra medical costs.

The highest medical costs were for youth with diabetes who required insulin, which included all those with type 1 diabetes and some with type 2 diabetes. The annual medical expenses for those who received insulin were $9,333, compared to $5,683 for youth with diabetes who did not require insulin.

Medical costs for all Americans with diabetes, most of whom are adults, are 2.3 times higher than for those without diabetes, according to the CDC's 2011 National Diabetes Fact Sheet.

The diabetes-related difference in medical costs may be greater among young people than adults due to higher medication costs, visits to specialists and medical supplies such as insulin syringes and glucose testing strips, according to the researchers.

They noted that 92 percent of youth with diabetes required insulin, compared to 26 percent of adults with diabetes.

Wednesday 4 May 2011

Diabetes Costs Are High for Young People

Diabetes Costs Are High for Young People

Young people who have diabetes face much higher medical bills than children and teenagers who do not have the disease, and much of the extra tab is due to prescription drugs and outpatient care, the CDC says.

A new CDC study says the annual medical expense for young people with diabetes totals about $9,061, vs. $1,468 for teens and kids without the disease.

The young people with the highest medical costs in the study were treated with insulin, which is typically used by patients with type 1 diabetes, also known as juvenile diabetes, and sometimes used in type 2 diabetes, which more commonly develops after childhood.

Patients with type 1 diabetes can’t make insulin and thus must receive insulin treatment.

Some patients with type 2 diabetes do not produce enough insulin to control their blood glucose levels and also are treated with insulin.

Insulin Treatment Raises Costs

In the study, children and teens age 19 or younger who received insulin treatment had average annual medical costs of $9,333. Those who did not receive insulin but did take oral medications to control blood glucose spent on average $5,683.

The study investigated medical costs for children and teenagers 19 or younger who were covered by employer-sponsored health insurance plans in 2007. Estimates were based on claims data on nearly 50,000 young people, including 8,226 with diabetes.

“Young people with diabetes face medical costs that are six times higher than their peers without diabetes,” the CDC’s Ann Albright, PhD, RD, says in a news release. Albright is director of the CDC’s division of diabetes translation. “Most youth with diabetes need insulin to survive, and the medical costs for young people on insulin were almost 65% higher than those who did not require insulin to treat their diabetes.”

Most people with diabetes are adults. The CDC says medical costs for people with diabetes are 2.3 times higher than costs for those who do not have the disease.

Researchers say the difference in medical costs associated with diabetes may be greater for youths than for adults because of higher medication expenses, more visits to specialists, and medical equipment such as syringes to deliver insulin, as well as glucose testing strips.

The CDC says 92% of youths with diabetes are treated with insulin, compared to 26% of adults with the disease.

Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes

There is no known way to prevent type 1 diabetes, which is believed to be caused by genetic and environmental factors, although the exact cause is unknown. It develops when the body’s immune system prevents the pancreas from producing adequate insulin.

In type 2 diabetes, which is associated with obesity, older age, heredity, physical inactivity, and other factors, the body is unable to properly handle or produce insulin.

Type 2 diabetes is fairly uncommon in young people 10 to 19, though rates are higher in this age group than in younger children.