The issue as to what kinds of foods diabetic patients should eat has become worrisome, especially considering the fact that some of the arguments are without scientific backing. While some are superstitious, others are simply a product of ignorance.

However, diabetic diets should be chosen based on our understanding of the metabolism of carbohydrates, proteins and fats. Experts and nutritionists agree there is no special diet for diabetics. There are no rigid rules to be followed while choosing or preparing foods for patients with diabetes; you only need to understand how the various nutrients work, the quantity needed by the individual, and what should be avoided in order to prevent complications.

The American Diabetic Association advises that you eat more starch, such as bread, cereal and starchy vegetables. One is required to take up to 6 or more servings daily. It is also advisable to eat the same quantity of food at about the same time daily to maintain a stable blood glucose level.

Nevertheless, in preparing a diabetic diet, the following formula should be applied: Carbohydrates = 50%, Proteins = 12% to 20% and fats = 30% to 35% (with no more than 10% saturated fats).

It is advisable to eat foods that contain complex high-fibre carbohydrates, because they help to slow down digestion and absorption of carbohydrates and increase sensitivity of tissues to insulin; as such prevent rises in blood glucose levels. Such foods include oats, cereals, peas, whole grain food, dried beans, vegetables, legumes etc. kidney beans and carrots also contain soluble fibres which are very useful.

Generally speaking, the following groups of foods are okay for the diabetic person - salad, desserts, poultry and egg dishes, pork, beef, breads, beverages, etc. Therefore the under-listed foods are safe for the person with diabetes: Red and green cabbage slaw, wilted spinach salad, oriental garden toss, sweet potato casserole, lemon squares, chewy coconut bars, sweet and sour stir-fry, pulled pork barbecue, Noodle kugel, penne salad primavera, sweet potato pie, rich chocolate cheese cake, pumpkin pie, pumpkin cheese cake, tapioca pudding, strawberry short cakes, strawberry cream pie, lemon meringue pie, apple pie, orange yoghurt, coconut custard pie, chocolate ice cream, chocolate cream pie, blueberry pie, apple dessert pizza, apple pancake, instant cocoa mix, lemonade shake-up, coffee latte, fitness shake etc.

The person must avoid sucrose, fructose, honey, white rice, corn-syrup, white bread, sweets, salty foods, alcohol, etc. If the diabetic adheres to the recommended foods, complications are easily prevented and the patient is bound to live healthier and longer.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Joseph_Ezie_Efoghor

If you are a type 2 diabetic and your LDL numbers start to climb, chances are your physician will want you to take a statin drug. These potent cholesterol-lowering medications, however, can have side effects, including the breakdown of muscle tissue and memory loss, so you may want to ask your doctor for a different test.

LDL stands for low-density lipoprotein and is often called "bad" cholesterol because it is said it raises your risk of heart problems and other blood vessel complications. It is low-density because particles of LDL cholesterol are relatively large compared to HDL or high-density cholesterol. It is lipoprotein because, as a fat, cholesterol does not mix with the water that makes up blood plasma. The fat has to be enclosed in a coating of protein that is soluble in your blood.

Not all kinds of cholesterol are created equal. Great, big fluffy particles of LDL cholesterol are too large to get stuck in the linings of arteries. Only slightly smaller particles of LDL cholesterol called APO-B actually get trapped in your blood vessel walls.

No scientific study confirms that LDL levels are a reliable predictor of risk for heart attacks and stroke in type 2 diabetics. The kind of fat in the blood that really needs to get measured is APO-B. Before you commit to any long-term use of a medication that can cause muscle damage and memory loss, don't you want to be sure you really need it?

Another thing diabetics need to know about LDL is that the number on the lab report isn't really a measurement of LDL. It's an estimate of LDL. The lab actually measures total cholesterol, HDL (small particles of cholesterol), and triglycerides (particles used to make LDL cholesterol). The measurement assumes that everything else is LDL.

However, it might not be. Especially if you have been taking omega-3 fatty acids or you have been very careful about your diabetic diet, the number your doctor gets back from the lab may be erroneously high.

According to the US government, your LDL should be below 100 mg/dl (2.6 mmol/l) if you have diabetes and many scientists are now pushing for stricter standards, including reductions to below 70 mg/dl (1.8 mmol/l) for high risk patients. Some authorities have even called for lowering your LDL by 30 to 40% regardless of what your starting level is.

Ask your doctor about the validity of your cholesterol measurements. Why not check and see if your health care plan will cover testing for APO-B. Make sure you are treating a condition you really have.

Would you like more information about alternative ways to handle your type 2 diabetes?

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Beverleigh_H_Piepers

Type 2 diabetes usually have normal, or above normal levels of insulin in their bloodstream but unfortunately their cells no longer respond to the insulin properly. It is the most common form of the condition and accounts for up to 90% of all cases of diabetes. This type of diabetes usually appears in people over the age of 40, who are often overweight, but is becoming more and more common in younger age groups, including children, as a result of the increase in obesity in the general population.

Type 2 may go undetected for many years and because people do not usually feel unwell, it is often discovered by chance at a routine medical check-up.

Type 1 diabetes is typically diagnosed in childhood, hence its other name, juvenile diabetes. This condition develops suddenly and insulin injections are nearly always needed as soon as it is diagnosed. The body's immune system attacks the pancreas, killing the islet cells responsible for producing insulin. As a result, the individual requires a constant supply insulin from an outside source (injections) to maintain stable blood sugar levels.

Type 2 diabetes sometimes advances to the point where the individual becomes insulin dependent due to later damage to the pancreas, but this is not considered to be a shift to type 1 diabetes. Type 1 starts as an autoimmune condition which prevents any insulin from being produced at all, while type 2 consists of resistance to insulin (whether produced by the pancreas or injected). In rare instances, a type 2 diabetic may completely stop producing insulin and be forced onto a daily insulin injection regimen, but this does not mean they 'become' a type 1 diabetic.

In many cases, type 2 diabetes can be prevented, kept under control or even reversed by:

• implementing a diet plan to lose weight
• controlling the amount and type of food eaten, and
• monitoring blood sugar levels as directed by your health care practitioner

Type 1 diabetes is incurable and irreversible... however, research is currently being conducted in an attempt to find a way to transplant healthy, insulin producing islet cells into type 1 diabetics.

Early signs of type 1 and type 2 diabetes are similar, and can include:

• increased urination including during the night-time
• excessive thirst
• hunger
• a change in weight, either an increase or decrease
• fatigue
• blurred vision

Type 2 diabetics may also suffer from an inability to easily heal wounds, severe headaches and tingling in their hands and feet.

Type 1 diabetics are placed on an insulin regimen, while type 2 diabetics are evaluated and a plan put in place to help minimize side effects and halt or reverse the progression of their condition. Diet is important to all diabetics... even diabetics on insulin need to monitor their food intake carefully in order to accurately calculate their medication doses and keep their blood sugar levels stable.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Beverleigh_H_Piepers

Right from the beginning, from the time you received your diagnosis of type 2 diabetes, the words you heard were high blood sugar levels. Unfortunately, over a sustained period of time these high levels have many detrimental health consequences. But as well as hyperglycemia, as a diabetic there are times when you will get to deal with low blood sugar levels or hypoglycemia.

There are several factors that can create hypoglycemia. Learning as much as you can about both high and low blood sugar levels will allow you react appropriately to either situation.

Hypoglycemia: The medical term for low blood sugar is hypoglycemia and can be caused by:

• excessive insulin
• not eating a snack or meal, and
• even exercising more than you normally do

If you have diabetes you will experience low blood sugar at some time.

Symptom recognition of hypoglycemia can prevent serious health situations. Know the signs:

• sweating
• a pounding heart
• shaking/trembling
• hunger
• anxiousness
• tingling
• confusion or difficulty in thinking
• drowsiness or weakness
• stroppy behavior
• speech difficulty
• nausea
• headache
• tiredness

If you have any of the above symptoms check your glucose level immediately and take the appropriate action if your level is below the acceptable range provided by your physician. Have a snack handy, you can quickly bring your sugar level back-up with a high-carbohydrate snack, such as

• half a cup of fruit juice or a regular soft drink
• eat a few pieces of hard candy (approximately 6 pieces)
• take two 15 gram glucose tablets (available at the pharmacy)

Moderate or severe hypoglycemia requires stronger measures. If the diabetic (hopefully not you), is having trouble staying conscious, an injection of glucagon would be required.

Hyperglycemia: Hyperglycemia is the medical term used to describe higher than normal blood sugar levels. The causes include the amount (and type) of food you eat, illness, infection, insufficient medication and being inactive or under emotional pressure.

Low blood sugar levels are easily identified... high blood sugar levels are not as easy to detect. Increased urination and thirst can be a couple of signs though, together with nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. Because hyperglycemia is not as easy to identify, it is important to check your blood sugars as directed by your health care practitioner.

Untreated hyperglycemia can lead to more serious problems including ketoacidosis. This is a severe complication and some people die of this illness. Ketoacidosis refers to the fact that your blood becomes very acidic as fat is broken down by your body for energy. Ketoacidosis occurs:

• most often in type 1 diabetics
• is rare if your have type 2 diabetes
• can happen in type 2 diabetes if your have another illness such as an infection or trauma that puts you under great stress

If you continue to experience high blood sugar levels, do not hesitate to contact your doctor to check if your eating plan and medication need adjustment.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Beverleigh_H_Piepers

Do you feel fatigued? Are you wondering why? Is it the tasks you do that sap your energy? Could it be something else such as type 2 diabetes? When your blood sugar levels change, it can have a tremendous impact on your energy level. It doesn't matter if the sugar levels are running high or low, your body is going to feel run down.

Being tired is something that can sneak up on any person and most people don't even know it. You've probably overheard someone say: "man, I am so worn out. I just can't do what I used to do at 25 or 30". True its accepted the aging process plays a role in how much energy you have and feel, however, this lack of energy can be attributed to type 2 diabetes as well. If you know you have this condition, you need to do everything you can to manage it.

How To Manage Your Energy and Type 2 Diabetes:

There are several things that can assist you in managing your type 2 diabetes and give your body energy. They include:

• following a healthy diet
• gaining control and reducing your blood sugar levels
• having a decent night's sleep
• getting plenty of exercise
• knowing what foods cause the blood sugar levels to increase
• losing weight and reducing your adipose fat levels

What Causes Blood Sugar Levels To Rise:

Everybody deals with stress but did you know that stress plays a part in the rise of blood sugar levels? When you work long hours or you push yourself to meet a goal, you can feel tired. One thing's for sure, stress can boost the levels of blood sugar in both diabetics and non-diabetics.

Now, if you want to feel less stress, you need to relax. You can do this by enjoying a nice warm aromatherapy bath, get a massage, start walking or listen to calm, soothing music.

Stress will also lead to infections... infections that cause low blood sugar levels are seen with diarrhea, nausea and vomiting. Infections related to high blood sugar levels will increase your body temperature. Blood sugar levels tend to increase because they are dealing with high amounts of stress hormones and insulin resistance.

Ways to Manage Your Tiredness:

One way to combat tiredness is to not forget to drink fluids. Even being mildly dehydrated can make you feel tired. A wise move is to also avoid coffee, soda or tea since they contain a lot of caffeine and can make you feel restless and sleep deprived... they interfere with your sleeping process. However, chamomile tea is very soothing.

Sleep is essential and it's much more significant than getting rest and relaxation. Sleep is the time that allows your body to repair itself. It also lessens the stress and fatigue you feel. Foods that can bring you down include eating fatty foods at breakfast... they can make you feel run down for the rest of the day. Having a high-fiber, low-fat, carbohydrate based breakfast, will help you to avoid that sluggish feeling for the whole day.

Would you like more information about alternative ways to handle your type 2 diabetes?

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Beverleigh_H_Piepers

Diabetes is a silent killer. It will advance on you without any symptoms or notice. Overweight, inactive lifestyles can lead to it. There are also certain ethnic groups who have a tendency to become diabetes in greater numbers than others. Symptoms can go unnoticed for a long time and it is hard to connect one with the other.

The most common symptoms for both Diabetes Type1 and Type 2 are a feeling of weakness and/or fatigue, constant thirst caused by body dehydration, constant urination, abdominal pain, nausea and/or vomiting, blurry vision, irritation, quick mood changes, constant infections, slow wound healing and menstrual changes.

The reason why it is hard to detect Diabetes is that all these symptoms will not show up at once. They will come and go, appear and disappear, so it is difficult to relate one with the other. The other fact is that they are usually unrelated to each other so a person may believe he or she is getting sick again, and not necessarily believe it is the same disease showing another symptom.

Constant monitoring and alertness about the person's ailments and pains is necessary to detect diabetes. Repetition of any of these symptoms or a combination of them should make the person consider testing himself for diabetes. There are other symptoms which become visible and are easier to relate to diabetes; these are constant weight loss, a rapid heartbeat, low blood pressure and low body temperature.

These are easier to track, detect and relate but unfortunately threes appear once the disease has already set in and treatment is necessary. The symptoms mentioned above will start appearing at the early stages of diabetes when some preventive measures can be taken. Diabetes advances slowly and may go unnoticed for a long time, knowing your body and being alert to these signs can help you prevent it or control it at an early stage of development.



Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Daniel_Szalok

Diabetes results in more than 170,000 deaths each year in the United States. According to the World Diabetics Foundation, the prevalence of diabetics has reached epidemic proportions. The World Health Organization predicts that developing countries will bear the grunt of this epidemic in the 21st Century, with 80% of all new cases of diabetes expected to appear in developing countries by 2025.

Diabetes is a disease of a liver that impairs the functioning of the liver as a result of the inability of the liver cell to convert excess glucose in the blood to glycogen. Diabetes mellitus is a set of related diseases in which the body cannot regulate the proper amount of sugar content (specifically, glucose) in the blood.

IMPORTANT OF GLUCOSE IN THE HUMAN BODY

Glucose in the blood gives you energy to perform daily activities which helps you through the day e.g walk briskly, ride your bike to work, do work that are very hard.

This is as a result of the failure of the pancreas to produce a hormone called INSULIN.Consequently; excess sugar is left in the blood and lit can only be lost through urine

EFFECT OF DIABETES MELLITUS

(1) It results to continuous dehydration.
(2) It may cause exhaustion or muscular weakness.
(3) It may lead to blurred vision.
(4) It also leads to loss of weight.

REMEDIES OR SOLUTION

(1) Drugs like diabetes should be used.
(2) There must be regular dose of insulin injection intravenously throughout life.
(3) Carbohydrates-rich food must be avoided.

SYMPTOMS IN DIABETES PATIENT

(1) Dehydration
(2) Thirsty always
(3) Lot of urination
(4) Urine contains more sugar when tasted.



Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Lateef_Taofeek_Ademola