Obesity and the Increased Risk for Diabetes

By Richard Lobbenberg

People with type 2 diabetes tend to be overweight or obese, and while there is general agreement about a link between the two, the scientific understanding is still not yet clear. It seems that obesity, especially with fat accumulation in your abdomen, promotes insulin resistance which then causes your pancreas to try and secrete more insulin. If your pancreas can't keep up to the increased demand, then your cells can't process glucose (sugar), for which the insulin is necessary. When this happens, you have developed type 2 diabetes. The other way type 2 develops is when your pancreas cannot produce enough insulin regardless of resistance. Type 1 diabetes occurs when your pancreas simply doesn't produce any insulin at all.

So what happens in obese people and insulin resistance? It has been shown that a high fat diet causes abnormal glucose production in your liver. In healthier people, glucose production in the liver only occurs when your blood sugar levels get too low. This behaviour of your liver with obesity, increasing blood glucose levels, is an important step towards developing insulin resistance. This has to do with a process by which the endoplasmic reticulum in your cells, which process fats and proteins, become 'stressed'. The endoplasmic reticulum then send out signals to tell your body to ignore insulin until the fat processing has finished.

Other studies show that a diet high in sugar can be a precursor to developing diabetes as well, perhaps explaining why some people who are not overweight but maintain poor diet habits can develop insulin resistance.

Further scientific evidence points to fat cells producing a hormone known as resistin. This hormone supposedly prevents cells from using insulin properly, affecting your blood glucose levels, your appetite, and your fat storage.

The bottom line is that your pancreas secretes insulin as you eat, and your cells, using insulin, permit the transport of sugar (glucose) inside, to be converted into energy. Diabetes prevents your cells from using the insulin, causing your blood sugar levels to be higher than normal, and your cells to lack the necessary ingredients to produce energy, which of course is essential for basic life functions. How obesity is connected to helping create this situation may not be perfectly clear, but you can certainly be sure that exercise and a healthy diet will not only combat obesity, but will also help you manage diabetes.

Yoga is a great exercise, and is good for all levels of people - it's just a matter of finding the right teacher for you. Acupuncture can help to regulate your blood sugar and energy levels, and can even help you to lose weight.

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How Obesity Affects Diabetes

By Joan Loganeski 

According to recent research studies, the obesity epidemic in America has produced an alarming spike in the number of Diabetes II cases. This is seriously bad news because diabetes is no joke. Diabetes can kill through kidney failure and heart attacks. Moreover, quality of life decreases dramatically with severe diabetes since this condition brings blindness through cataracts and amputations. How does obesity impact diabetes? How is insulin production impacted by obesity? How does the body's intake of insulin impacted by obesity? Find out below and get ready to make the lifestyle changes you need to lose weight and avoid the

hard impact of diabetes II.

Excess fat means excess stored energy

When you eat something, your body breaks it down into its components. One key component is energy. Your body can do one of two things to the energy you consume-it can burn it to support your body's operations, or it can store it. Believe it or not, our bodies burn quite a bit of calories every day. Every time you breathe, you burn calories. In fact, every time your body functions work, it needs to burn energy to make the functions happen. The problem is when we eat more energy than we consume, our body can only store the energy. Humans, like other animals, store energy in the form of fat. If you have too much stored calories in your body, you become obese. Simply put, obesity is bad news. Why? It can trigger all sorts of health conditions like high blood pressure, heart disease, and Type 2 Diabetes. Talk about bad news. Obesity triggers diabetes by increasing the amount of fat in the gut.

High fat in the gut impacts cell sensitivity to insulin

As the body stores more and more fat, fat is distributed throughout the body. However, most of it will be stored in the gut and waistline. High fat concentrations in the blood makes cells less sensitive to insulin. Insulin is a powerful chemical signal released by the pancreas which tells the body's cells to let in sugar and burn it. Cells need to burn sugar for energy. When there is too much fat in the gut, the body's cells become less sensitive to the insulin signal. As a result, the cells don't let in sugar to burn it. Instead, sugar builds up in the diabetic's bloodstream. Too much sugar in the bloodstream causes damage to blood vessels and organs. Think of shattered glass coursing through your body-that's how much of a risk elevated blood sugar levels can pose to your health.

Heavy fat in abdomen reduces insulin output

It's bad enough that heavy fat concentration impacts the body's processing of insulin, obesity also works to reduce the body's insulin output. As I have mentioned above, the human body produces insulin to signal cells to let in sugar and burn it as an energy source. Obesity also impacts the organs that produce insulin-the pancreas. High fat levels affect the pancreas to produce less insulin. Paired with impaired insulin processing, the reduced level of insulin availability spells a lot of trouble to the diabetic since this will only serve to skyrocket the amount of sugar in the diabetic's blood.

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Facts About Gluten

By Dr Doni Wilson

It is absolutely astonishing to think how much gluten exists in our foods and in the common diet. I mean, somehow, it has found its way into most everything you can imagine. In fact, I often find when talking with patients, that there is gluten in every single meal.

"Where is the gluten?," you might be asking.

Think of it this way, what do most people eat everyday?

Breakfast: cereal and/or toast

Lunch: sandwich and/or soup

Dinner: pasta, pizza and/or bread

Dessert: cookies, cake and/or pie

Each of the foods just mentioned (unless they are the gluten-free version) contain gluten.

Let's step back a bit and ask: what is a grain? I find that grains are not often something people talk about.

Grains are foods made from wheat, corn, barley, oat, rice, millet, quinoa, and amaranth. Examples are bread, pasta, tortillas, cereal, and cookies.

So then, what is gluten? Gluten is a protein in certain grains: wheat, rye, barley and oats. Gluten is what makes bread soft and chewy.

Even more specifically, there are two main proteins in gluten, gliadins and glutenins. One particular gliadin, found in wheat, is what leads to celiac disease and gluten sensitivity.

Barley and rye contain a gliadin that looks very similar to the one in wheat, and therefore, when the body reacts to wheat gluten, it usually reacts to barley and rye gluten too. Oat gluten is slightly different, but also often causes the same reaction.

What is the bottom line? To avoid gluten, you need to stop eating anything made from wheat flour. Not just "whole wheat." Anything that says "wheat" in the list of ingredients. Then you also need to avoid rye, barley and oats.

Wheat flour and gluten are also often found in foods that you might not think of as containing wheat. For example, soy sauce and many other sauces, as well as gravy and soups, contain gluten. In the case of sauces and soups, gluten makes them thick and creamy.

Gluten is a nice thing in cooking and baking; It makes foods look and taste good. However, in the human body, especially in people who have an allergic response to gluten, too much (or even a little) is not a good thing.

After repeated exposure (every meal, or most every meal, for years and years), and stress in general (which we all have), many people (many more then are actually diagnosed) start reacting to gluten.

For some people the reaction begins at an early age (less then 1 in some cases). For others, it may be later in life (I see patients of all ages who have discovered that they have a gluten sensitivity).

It is almost impossible to imagine that the foods we love, like bread and pizza, might actually be causing our health problems. It is as if we think we will have nothing to eat if not for gluten. And for good reason. It is in most everything that is commonly served and sold in stores and restaurants.

In reality, it is BECAUSE most all of our foods contain gluten that so many of us (myself included) have become sensitive to it.

The wonderful news is that there ARE many foods available that do NOT contain gluten. It takes a bit of a shift in thinking about what to eat, but there is no doubt in my mind that we can live without gluten.

Actually, at this point, we can't live with it.

DONIELLE WILSON, ND is a natural health expert and Naturopathic Doctor with a private practice in New York City, Port Jefferson, NY, and Connecticut. She specializes in showing women, men and children how to achieve their wellness goals by finally getting the answers they've been looking for to their most perplexing health challenges.

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Back to School and Back to Health

By Dr Doni Wilson

Back to school time is a great reminder of how change, whether it's positive or negative, can be perceived as a stress in our bodies.

Add on top of that... a computer in the shop, a dentist appointment, home repairs (a few examples from around my house)... and stress becomes palpable.

We can't remove all the stress, but we can support our bodies under stress so that we have the least negative impact.

Even starting with the basics can make a big difference.

Here are 4 reminders for supporting your body (and your child's body) under stress:

1. Get up in time to have protein (perhaps a protein shake like the Hamptons Shake) before going to school or work.

2. Bring food with you that you can eat (food that matches your body's needs - refer to your IgG food intolerances) so that you can eat every 3-4 hours.

3. Eat again when you get home, and take digestive enzymes to ensure that you get the most from your food.

4. Allow time for your body to down-shift and to get plenty of rest.

What happens when stress gets ahead of us?

It could be as simple and yet bothersome as a cold, or as complex as an autoimmune condition. Either way, as soon as your health is impacted, it becomes yet another stress on top of all the rest, and at some point it can feel too big and too difficult to master.

But that's not the end of the road.

There are ways for us to find out how your body has been impacted by stress (test your cortisol and neurotransmitters), which stresses are continuing to drag your system down (certain foods perhaps), and what exactly to do to help your body recover (using nutrients and herbs).

It is a process, however. Your body begins to shift over night, with the right kind of support, but consistency is needed in order to get ahead of the stress curve.

Our bodies, after all, are great at adapting to stress, and so it takes time to recalibrate and retrain our systems to stay healthy under stress.

Two patients this week had labs come back showing that their autoimmune antibodies, which were previously elevated, are now negative.

In conventional care that is considered "remission."

In my practice, that is what is possible when we support our bodies under stress.

With diligence and continued curiosity about what your body needs, we can get there for you too.

DONIELLE WILSON, ND is a natural health expert and Naturopathic Doctor with a private practice in New York City, Port Jefferson, NY, and Connecticut. She specializes in showing women, men and children how to achieve their wellness goals by finally getting the answers they've been looking for to their most perplexing health challenges.

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Best Blood Foods

By Daniel Hook

Most people know that in order to have a healthy immune system and body, they need to have healthy blood in their body so that everything can function properly. If you've ever heard the saying "you are what you eat", this is very true, especially when it comes to your health and the amount of healthy, clean blood that your body makes each day. By eating the right foods, you'll be sure to have plenty of rich blood that is able to deliver oxygen throughout the different areas of your body, and help fight off different diseases.

One of the most important foods you can eat in order to maintain healthy blood is vegetables. However, you want to be sure that you are eating the right vegetables in order to get the nutrition you need for your blood.

The best vegetables for your blood are those that are dark in color, dark as dark leafy greens. Dark green vegetables contain high levels of both iron and magnesium, which are both essential for the production of healthy red blood cell levels. You can eat this food as a salad, fry zucchini, or use different recipes in order to get a flavor that matches your unique taste, while still getting the nutrition that you need for your blood.

Oranges are an important food for your blood because of the high amount of vitamin C that is found inside of this fruit. Oranges contain over your daily intake of vitamin C, and this vitamin works to detox your blood of impurities, while providing your body with the nutrition it needs for healthy blood function. While this should be used on a regular basis, it is especially effective when you have a cold, or another illness that requires you to have your blood cleansed on the different impurities. By drinking orange juice, or eating fresh oranges, you are ensuring that your blood is purified and able to produce, and flow through your body properly.

Nuts and grains are often not considered when it comes to healthy blood production, but they are actually important in a variety of ways. Both of these foods contain high levels of fiber and protein, which are essential for healthy blood production. When it comes to certain glands in your body that secrete hormones into your blood, such as the thyroid gland, they need to get the right amount of protein and fiber so that they can complete this job efficiently.

Other than the foods that you eat, you want to be sure to drink 8-10 glasses of water per-day in order to keep your blood healthy. When you drink enough water, your blood is flushed of all impurities and the water allows the oxygen to flow more freely through your system. It is recommended that you drink water that is at room temperature in order to get the most benefits from the consumption, because your body is able to absorb and utilize room temperature water better than it can with cold water.

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This is Diabetes - A Disease Growing Fast to Epidemic Proportions

 By James K. Robinson

A summary and some stunning statistics

I am a diabetic, a person who suffers from the disease called diabetes, a disease that is growing at a fast rate in North America where in the United States and Canada there are now more that 25 million people diagnosed as being diabetic and where another 6 million are estimated to have the disease and do not yet know it, probably because they have not visited a doctor of late. And it gets worse, the forecast by health authorities is that one in three children born from this moment on will end up with diabetes. And a stunning number of 57 million people have the condition called pre-diabetes, referred to in the text below. And a major problem linked to diabetes is the similarly growing incidence of obesity.

So what is diabetes?

There are three main types of diabetes and a few others less common. There is also a condition referred to as pre-diabetes - and that is a something to be watched for because, as its name suggests, it can lead to the real thing, not a happy prospect for anyone.

No cure

It is generally accepted by the medical profession that there is no cure for diabetes and the condition must be contained and controlled within a specific tolerable range by the adoption of appropriate lifestyle changes. Those include more healthy dietary approaches that are even better if accompanied by exercise and perhaps weight loss and possibly medication to assist in controlling the levels of glucose that enter the bloodstream after eating.

But some say it IS curable

However, having said that there is no cure, I must add that there are a number of quite renowned and successful medical practitioners who insist that by adopting certain dietary approaches the disease can be brought under control until it does not manifest itself and the diabetes will, in effect, not exist for the individual who follows and adheres to that approach. The gestational form of diabetes, mentioned below and not very common, is a temporary diabetic condition suffered by a small percentage of pregnant women.

The three main types of diabetes are known as type-1 diabetes, type-2 diabetes, and gestational diabetes, of which type-2 is by far the most common, making up about 90 to 95 percent of all cases.

In the past, but less so nowadays, type-1 and type-2 were referred to respectively by the more descriptive names of juvenile diabetes and adult-onset diabetes.

Type-1 Diabetes

Sadly, type-1 diabetes is most often a disease that develops in childhood or in young adults, although it sometimes strikes adults. It is called an autoimmune disease that occurs when the individual's immune system fails to function properly. The immune system is the collection of biological processes in the human body that normally protects us all against disease. But instead, in the case of type-1 diabetes, the immune system actually destroys cells in an organ of the body, called the pancreas, which make insulin. The result is that from that time on, the type-1 person must take insulin each day to stay alive.

Insulin and glucose

Without insulin, the glucose produced from the food we eat and that is needed to provide energy for all the body's cells cannot be delivered into those cells and when that happens, life cannot survive for long. Without a source of insulin, a type-1 diabetic can fall into a life-threatening coma. A parent of a diabetic child lives with that constant fear and concern that such an event might occur.

Type-2 diabetes

The most common form of diabetes, is a condition in which an above normal level of glucose exists in the blood. That can occur for more than just one reason but most likely due either to insufficient insulin being produced by the body or resistance by the cells of the body to the insulin that is being produced. And it may be a combination of both of those factors.

The role of insulin

Insulin is needed to join with the glucose in the bloodstream and aid in the delivery of the glucose to the trillions of cells in the body where it is needed. It is the insulin's ability to interact with the receptors that exist on the outer membrane of the cells, in a way acting like a mediator, that enable the process to take place to completion.

To illustrate, in the process, the insulin acts like a key that opens a door to a cell allowing the glucose to enter into the cell. Without that key, without insulin, the glucose cannot be absorbed. And that would lead to a dangerous life threatening situation if not remedied promptly.

Gestational diabetes

Is a usually temporary form of the disease developed by some women, usually late in their pregnancy, who may not even be aware of it because no symptoms are exhibited. It is not common, occurring in perhaps about 5 percent or more of pregnancies but one unfavorable outlook for the mother is that there is a 40 to 60 percent chance of them later becoming full type-2 diabetics by about 5 to 10 years later.

What is pre-diabetes?

According to the American Diabetes Association (ADA), there are 57 million people in the United States who have pre-diabetes. People with pre-diabetes have higher than normal blood glucose levels but levels not high enough for a confirmed diagnosis of diabetes. In pre-diabetes there is an increased risk of developing type-2 diabetes, and research indicates that damage to the body does occur especially in the cardiovascular system, meaning both the heart and the circulatory system, and that can lead to heart disease and stroke.

Important research relating to pre-diabetes

An important clinical research study called the Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP) showed that type-2 diabetes is preventable by adopting lifestyle changes that includes improved eating habits, adding or increasing physically active, and weight management. The weight target is to get down to a body mass index of 25 or less and to exercise for at least 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week. The Body Mass Index (BMI) is a chart of human body weights related to height and is used by doctors to aid in determining the degree of variance, if any, of a patient's particular readings with known acceptable index values.

Diabetes is not contagious, it is not a disease that others can catch but in some cases it may have a heredity genetic component so that more than one member of the family may develop the disease. But the cause is really unknown although certain factors are known to increase the possibility of developing diabetes.

Type-2 diabetes is especially associated with obesity and is considered to be a lifestyle disease of the developed western world associated with our generally more sedentary life. The incidence of diabetes is increasing as we, as a population, consume more readily available foods that are rich in fats and contain more calories than we need to sustain our levels of energy output.

Incidence of diabetes

According to data from the Multinational Project for Childhood Diabetes by the World Health Organization, type 1 diabetes occurs equally among males and females but is more common in whites than in non-whites

Type-1 diabetes is uncommon in most African, American Indian, and Asian populations while some countries of northern Europe, including Finland and Sweden, have high rates of type 1 diabetes. The reasons for these differences are unknown. As mentioned above, type-1 diabetes develops most often in children but can occur at any age.

Type-2 diabetes is more common in older people, and overweight people and occurs more frequently in African Americans, indigenous native Americans, and some Americans of Asian origin, Hawaiians and other Americans of the Pacific Islands. Also it is more common among Latin Americans, a segment of the population that is growing faster than the rest.

Author's Comment:

This article is one of a series dealing with diabetes and its impact on personal health and the cost to public health-care.

I am a diabetic, writing from the perspective of a patient for my fellow diabetics and others.

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Choosing the Correct Shoes

By Paul D Kennedy 

Diabetes threatens your feet in two major ways:

[1] It can cause neuropathy (nerve damage) that reduces your feet's sensitivity to pain. This starts off as funny, tingly feelings in your feet... signs of abnormal nerve function. Eventually you can lose all sensation in your feet and are not able to feel anything at all. You could break a toe or step on a piece of broken glass and never feel a thing.

[2] Diabetes can also cause poor circulation. This is because high glucose levels in your blood can narrow the small blood vessels in your feet, restricting blood flow. When the blood flow in your feet is reduced, any wounds you get heal more slowly.

In addition to these two major threats, foot deformities, such as bunions or hammertoes, can also create pressure points that result in ulcers developing. Because you are diabetic, your immune system is less effective, so these ulcers and other infections take much longer to heal.

If these foot ulcers and infections prove impossible to cure, your doctor will have no choice but to recommend amputation of the infected foot. However, at this stage, the pains in your feet will have become so unbearable that you'll probably welcome amputation, even though it means crutches or a wheel-chair for the remainder of your life.

Preventing damage
There are three things you can do to avoid damaging your feet beyond repair.
The first is to exercise stringent control over your blood glucose levels in order to prevent diabetic neuropathy or prevent it getting any worse than it is already.

The second is to check your feet carefully every day for blisters, sores, cuts, redness, warm areas, swelling, ingrown toenails, and so on. If you find anything abnormal, show it to a doctor or nurse and have it treated ASAP.

The third is to wear the right kind of shoes.
In addition, you should wear slippers around the house because going barefoot exposes your feet to injury. And if you go swimming, you should wear protective shoes in the water.
So what is the right kind of shoes?

Choosing shoes wisely
To choose the correct shoes you need to answer several questions:
How healthy are your feet? Do you still have normal sensation in your feet? How bad is any loss of sensation? Do you have any abnormalities or foot deformities? How painful are your feet when you walk?
According to experts, diabetics with good blood sugar control and healthy feet can wear ordinary shoes. Indeed, if this is you and you are a woman, you can even wear high heels around the office, ie for short periods when you are not doing much walking; but not when travelling to and from your work. However, if the sensation in your feet is impaired, you should avoid high heels because you won't feel the stress these kinds of shoes put on the forefoot and toes.

For diabetics with impaired sensation and circulation, or minor foot deformities, special diabetic shoes (or comfort shoes) are available. These shoes are made of soft leather. They have a deep toe box that is rounder and wider than usual.

My person preference is to use jogging shoes or runners. My favourite brand is Asics because they have a gel in the sole which seems to absorb all kinds of shocks from walking on concrete. I buy a size that is about two sizes larger than the size I wear in conventional shoes (ie, a size 12 instead of a 10) because this gives me plenty of room for my toes. I can walk comfortably with these runners.

The only real drawback with Asics or other brands of runners is the garish colours. Currently I'm wearing bright blue runners because that was the only colour available when I bought them. I'm looking forward (as are my diabetic colleagues) to the day when the makers of sports shoes start making their runners in discrete shades of brown, black or grey.

Bad shoes
There are several types of shoes that all diabetics should avoid.
Don't wear flip-flops. They expose the toes to injury. In addition, they are not very supportive, and the strap that goes between the toes can cause a blister or irritation.

The standard rigid leather-style shoes should also be avoided. They are usually not flexible enough for diabetics, so if you have a blister or irritation, the shoe cannot expand.

Prescription shoes
If your feet are very bad, if the circulation in your feet or the sensations you can feel deteriorate significantly, or you develop foot ulcers or deformities, a range of therapeutic shoes is available. Before buying these you should seek the advice of a qualified podiatrist.

Depth shoes are shoes with extra vertical room so that artificial foot supports, such as custom-moulded inserts, can be used. Most foot ulcers are related to pressure and depth shoes with mould inserts are designed to redistribute the pressures on the foot.

If your feet are so badly deformed that they cannot be accommodated by any other kind of shoe, you may need custom-moulded shoes. In these kinds of shoes, the entire shoe is moulded from a cast of your foot.

Shoe-buying check-list
Here are some pointers for buying new shoes:

• Make sure the uppers are soft and stretchable.
• Laced shoes are better than slip-ons (loafers) because they fit better and offer more support.
• A cushioned sole absorbs shocks much better than a thin leather sole.
• A sole containing gel is best.
• Try on shoes later in the afternoon because your feet swell a bit during the day.
• Try on shoes while wearing the socks that you'll be using with them.
• Make sure there is plenty of room between your big toe and the tip of the shoe, at least half the width of your thumb.

Once you've bought new shoes, get used to wearing them gradually. Wear them for just an hour or so the first day. Then check your feet for blisters. Try them for three to four hours the next day and gradually build up the time you spend wearing them.

Paul D Kennedy is a type 2 diabetic. He used his skills as an international consultant and researcher to find a way to control his diabetes using diet alone. He stopped taking medications to control his blood glucose levels about five years ago.

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Let Nature Be The Cure For Diabetes

By RP Bhalla

According to the American Diabetes Association (ADA), there are 18.2 million people in the United States, or 6.3% of the population, who have diabetes. While an estimated 13 million have been diagnosed with diabetes, unfortunately, 5.2 million people are unaware that they have the disease. This undiagnosed population accounts for about $18 billion in health care costs annually, the study shows.

That a large number of potential diabetics may escape scrutiny in western countries is not unusual when you consider that the figures in the developing countries are much higher. Diabetes being rampant world wide, surveys and statistics seldom tell the true story.

In an effort to improve the situation, new recommendations have been issued calling for changes in the way diabetes is detected and diagnosed. The guidelines were developed by an international panel of experts and have been endorsed by the National Institutes of Health (NIH). For the first time, all adults are being urged to undergo a blood test for diabetes by age 45 and have additional tests every three years, thereafter. Previously, only people who doctors suspected of having diabetes, were screened.

"Potentially, there are 1 to 2 million people in the population who could be diagnosed using this criteria," said Dr. Richard Eastman of the NIH. "We think that many more will be diagnosed, since it's a relatively easy test to perform on routine blood work done in a doctor's office."

Millions of Americans may have chronic kidney disease (CKD) and not know it, according to a study appearing in an upcoming issue of the Clinical Journal of the American Society Nephrology. "Our research indicates that much of this burden in the U.S. is in persons with pre-diabetes and undiagnosed diabetes, who are not being screened for CKD," comments Laura C. Plantinga, M.Sc, University of California, San Francisco. The researchers believe that broader screening may be needed to detect patients with these two "relatively silent yet harmful diseases."

Those harboring even the slightest suspicion about their condition should remember that diabetes, as a disease, is neither forgiving nor discriminating. Don't mislead yourself into believing that those early symptoms, no matter how innocuous, could be "just one of those things." Because, if the symptoms are genuine, there is no escape from the consequences. And it matters little whether you are a middle-aged man or woman, or a five year old toddler.

Common symptoms of diabetes are fatigue, frequent hunger, excessive thirst and a frequent need to urinate. It can also cause blurred vision, a dry mouth and dry or itchy skin. And a recurring weight loss. Go in for treatment immediately, as on the long run, it can lead to a heart disease, stroke, kidney failure, a loss in vision and damage to the nervous system.

Strictly speaking, there is no cure for diabetes in the western form of medicine. The "treatment" as the word is referred to in context of diabetic patients will consist of chemicals, pharmaceutical drugs and injections. This is to manage your sugar levels within stipulated levels artificially, and is a life long process. In reality, this medication is designed more to control the symptoms than to address the disease permanently.

Alternately, nature has provided us with cures that have stood the test of time for hundreds of years. In other words any therapy that relies on the body's own healing powers may be considered a natural cure. These include herbal remedies, diet and water therapies.The cause of diabetes is not just having too little insulin. It is about an organ that is showing the symptoms of dysfunction and is reacting to the effects of an unnatural, harmful diet.

The controlling of blood sugar levels in your system is not as difficult as you are given to believe. It is about giving your body what it needs, and remove the chemicals that block your recovery. Reversing diabetes is quite straightforward when you focus on the root cause of the disease. Nature cure will teach you about managing diabetes, allowing your body to naturally produce insulin resulting in a greater level of health, vitality and energy.

Many herbs and spices possess anti-diabetic properties which can help to manage and reduce the effects of diabetes. Herbs and vegetables like garlic, bitter gourd juice and water with fenugreek soaked in it, can lower blood sugar levels. Exotic spices like ginseng, turmeric and gooseberry can increase the activation of pancreatic cells to increase insulin production. The ADA supports foods that include beans, berries, citrus fruits, dark leafy green vegetables, nuts, tomatoes and cold-water fish.

The search for a safe and effective remedy that could substitute the effect of insulin in controlling blood sugar has resulted in the discovery of a brand new natural cinnamon based supplement in Britain, called Diabecinn. The need for an effective herbal cure like this has never been greater, as the UK is facing a huge increase in the number of cases of diabetes. Conventional anti-diabetic drugs like Metformin can control blood sugar levels effectively but they come with a long list of harmful side effects.

Sadly, the main reasons behind this increase in diabetes is our sedentary lifestyles coupled with our growing reliance on processed and sugar-rich foods. Food giants will become bigger and the big Pharmaceutical companies will have it like never before.

This article is written so that you can take positive steps to protect yourselves. A recent UK government report revealed that 24,000 diabetes deaths a year could be avoided if patients lost excess weight, kept to a healthy diet and were properly informed of all their available treatment options.

R.P. Bhalla is a retired airline captain and an expert on Finance, Social Affairs and Health and Wellness. He writes exclusively on Family, Health and Money matters.

http://diabetes-nature-cure.com

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Curing Diabetes Naturally

By RP Bhalla

Twenty-five years ago, if your doctor told you that you had diabetes, it could be a life shattering moment. Diabetes, by its inherent nature, or call it simple coincidence, descends upon people when they are in their mid-fifties. Whether you were a highly successful person or someone struggling to make ends meet, in medical terms, there were no choices. It would not be long before you were confined to the "pill and the syringe" routine. And hoping for the best. At worst you could volunteer a murmur: "What a nuisance!" and get on with your life, or what was left of it.

Times have changed now. Gone are the days when the world began and ended with what happened in the USA, U.K. and possibly a couple of European countries. The world is a global village today. Information Technology has spread its tentacles all over. And, if medical science has not met that illusive success it had hoped for, it is certainly not for the want of trying. One such disease is diabetes. After the discovery of insulin in 1921, no new or worthwhile treatment has been introduced in almost a hundred years.

Yet, diabetes, as a disease is on the rampage. In the last three decades it has increased ten-folds. And with 7 million cases reported every year, medical specialists and research experts predict that in the year 2050, one person in three will suffer from the disease. Could there be anything more catastrophic?

To add to the medical woes there are more than 10 million people out there living with diabetes today... and don't even know about it! That, these people suffer in such ignorance is perhaps worse than suffering from diabetes of the worst kind. A large study conducted in Europe found that such people with high blood sugar levels are at an increased risk of developing cancer even when they have no overt signs of diabetes.

The most important causes for diabetes appear to be genetics and obesity. While there is little that one can do about one's genes, there is much that can be done to keep one's lifestyle under check. Are you aware that on an average, an American consumes at least 150 pounds of refined sugar every year. Add to that a sedentary life, indisciplined eating habits and obesity, and you have the recipe for diabetes on your finger tips.
What if you could return to a normal life again? And a life of good health, happiness... and increased longevity of life. For this, you need to know that diabetes cannot be cured but it can be treated very successfully. The use of herbs and plants to treat diabetes successfully date back 4000 years. According to the World Health Organization, India is the largest producer of medicinal herbs and is known as the botanical garden of the world.

Some of the condiments like fenugreek, cinnamon, ginseng, gooseberries and bittergourd have always found a place in your kitchen. Metaformin, the only pharmaceutical drug, that has been relatively successful in controlling blood sugar levels owes its origin to botanical sources.

Amazingly, Gymnema Sylvestre, a leafy plant, that grows wild in the South Asian countries has proven to boost the production of insulin and reduce blood sugar levels beyond expectations. Such has been the measure of success that some of the top colleges and medical centers in the USA, and the world over, have sat up and taken notice. And for the more discerning, medical tourism to countries known for their nature cure facilities, is fast gaining popularity. The treatment is reported to be effective and inexpensive.

This is not about Food Giants and the Big Pharmas. This is about you. The aim of any diabetes treatment is to keep blood glucose levels as near to normal as possible. And as you probe deeper you will realize that there are so many natural and scientifically proven methods to do that. Diabetes and nature cure is a vast subject and the more you explore... the more you will discover.

After retiring as a senior airline captain in his late fifties, R.P.Bhalla spent ten years in the research and study of Sociology, and Health and Wellness. A devoted family man, an avid golfer and dog lover, he writes exclusively on Family, Health and Money matters.

http://diabetes-nature-cure.com

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One Step To Cure Your Diabetes

By RP Bhalla 

The number of those actually suffering from diabetes, and not yet identified or declared as such, is so overwhelming that the American Diabetes Association (A.D.A.) has gone into an overdrive. It has invited all citizens around the age of 45 to voluntarily come forth for a simple blood test and follow it up every three years. The wisdom of this decision possibly lies in the belief that these persons are likely to progress to the same diseases that are common to diabetes. And besides the extent of human suffering, the cost to the Government runs into billions of dollars.

So, if during a routine medical examination your doctor diagnoses you as a "borderline case of diabetes," take heart, and don't allow yourself to lapse into a state of helplessness. Yet, it would be fair to accept that in today's date and age, few of us realize how vulnerable and delicate our lives are until we find a real health crisis staring at us straight in the face. At the same time if you spare a thought for those who trudge along without care or concern, and without the least idea of what medical catastrophe might be in store for them, you may do well by counting your blessings.

Now you may be left wondering what hateful things you did to get here and what you should do next? Call it unfair but In cases of a well-regulated lifestyle, diabetes can only be attributed to your genes. It was something waiting to happen and you have no one else to blame. Alternately, if you have been living a life of over-indulgence, hear the warning bells and alter your lifestyle without delay. According to most medical specialists this is the stepping stone to diabetes.

Prosperity brings money and the markets are abundant with rich foods and inviting beverages. These may not do you any good but are hard to resist. It seems strange that those who cry foul over an extra pinch of salt in their diet, never protest over the generous content of sugar in their pudding. Worldwide, people consume much more sugar than is good for them. And the ultimate beneficiaries are the rich food corporations and the big pharmaceutical companies. The system is so designed that they both make big money. The only person to lose out is you.

It is in order to see a diabetes supervisor to learn what the disease is about. But before you take one small step towards a cure, don't forget that except giving you 10 minutes of his time, and medication that could possibly do more harm than good, your doctor will have nothing else to offer. Based on a large-scale study at Duke University School of Medicine, the New England Journal of Medicine has published that diabetes drugs offer few benefits and never live up to their claims. If you want to stop the progressive damage that diabetes is likely to cause your health, accept the fact that there is no cure for diabetes in the conventional medicine, as practiced in the western countries.
It is worthy of note that no effort, money or time has been spared to find more suitable ways to treat diabetes around the world. Except for the discovery of Insulin in 1921, medical science has failed to make a breakthrough. The A.D.A. encourages research that is innovative and novel but decades later, the "syringe and the pill" routine remains the only treatment that western medicine has on offer.

Remember, a diabetes-free life is not an impossible dream. You can normalize your blood sugar levels with natural and holistic methods, and produce the results that conventional medicine has been deliberately turning a blind eye to for years. According to Dr. Al Sears, M.D., Wellington, FL,: "Our leaders in medicine have sought to make us a nation dependent on drugs and sought to suppress natural solutions even if proven to actually work."

Yet, It is no hidden secret that outside this mold are dedicated M.D.s, Naturopaths and specialists in Alternate Medicine who have devoted their lives to the treatment of diabetes in the only way nature intended a cure.. This prompted the Diabetes Prevention Program to conclude, in a nationwide study, that simple diet and lifestyle changes are many times more effective than any medication. In the end this is the only one step to cure your diabetes.

After retiring as a senior captain with an international airline, R.P.Bhalla spent ten years in the research of Social Sciences and Health and Wellness. A devoted family man and a social activist, his hobbies are animal
care, golf and writing.

 http://diabetes-nature-cure.com

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How Nature Controls Diabetes

By RP Bhalla

People who take good care of their diet and exercise, seldom encounter diabetes. And, the unfortunate few who do, can attribute this to their genetic make up. It is not uncommon to see Type I diabetes passed on from one generation to the other. Yet, those afflicted are quick to seek a recourse and continue to live healthy and fulfilling lives. This is because they are aware of the dangers, and pitfalls of the disease and face it in a positive manner.

Sadly, this set of people are far outnumbered by those whose lifestyles are often their undoing. Their indulgence leads them to reckless ways and it is not long before diabetes sneaks upon them without fanfare. These people are either unaware of the early signs or tend to ignore them. Little do they realize that diabetes, as a disease, makes silent inroads into the body and it is only a matter of time before it will unleash its fury. Eventually, no organ in the human system can find escape from some form of damage.

"What is diabetes?" one may ask. In simple words it is the inability of the body to convert glucose recovered from your diet into energy, due to an irregular supply of Insulin. This is a hormone produced by the pancreas, an organ close to the stomach, and is essential to the whole process. So vital is the need of Insulin to the human body that before its pharmaceutical discovery in 1921, those who were Insulin-deprived naturally, had shorter life spans. In Type I diabetes there is inadequate production of insulin whereas in Type 2 diabetes, the insulin fails to perform its desired functions within the body. It is not surprising therefore, that according to the American Diabetes Association (ADA), 90%-95% of the 21 million identified patients in the USA have type 2 diabetes.

Normally, the human body is so designed that blood sugar levels are naturally controlled by self-regulating mechanisms known as homostatis. Insulin is released into the bloodstream to keep the blood sugar levels within a suitable range at all times. But, after a period of time, the system is incapable of coping up with rich foods and a sedentary lifestyle. An American consumes 125 lbs of sugar annually, not accounting for the vast array of beverages to choose from. Information available from the Fructose Information Center claims that in its crystalline form, the fructose content is 100% sugar with accompanying traces of lead, chloride and arsenic as a part of the final package.

So if you are wondering how dangerous diabetes really is, the answer is simple: "Very dangerous." And there is no drug, treatment or cure on earth that has 100% success rate for any disease. In a joint report the American Cancer Society and the ADA have reported that people with Type 2 diabetes have an increased risk of developing cancers of the liver, pancreas, colon and bladder. Most cancers don't cause diabetes," says Dr. Pankaj Shah, an endocrinologist at the prestigious Mayo Clinic, USA. "Mostly, diabetes increases the risk of cancer."

The sad truth is that besides the pill and the syringe route, doctors have little to offer, except empty words. With the limitations of conventional medicine so apparent, it is disturbing to hear of people whose lives have been ruined by a helpless and stereotyped medical system. The fact is that the human body was designed to produce insulin naturally and not have it pumped in artificially, for the rest of the life. This is why the choice of all treatment options must be made available to the patient.

However, when the choice of nature cure is brought up, most people revolt at the thought of some medieval potion being poured into their bodies. Little do they realize that nature cure is the healthy process where the body exercises its own powers to heal itself.

Fruits are important natural foods for diabetes. Fruits like cranberries, pomegranates, apples, citrus fruits, bananas, papayas and oranges are tasty to eat, have high nutritional value and low sugar content. According to the Canadian School of Natural Nutrition, the diet for diabetics should include low-fat, high-fiber organic foods. There are natural herbs and spices, in every day cooking, that have insulin-enhancing qualities and antioxidant effect.

The purpose of any diabetes cure is essentially to keep your sugar levels and excess weight in check. So why struggle with daily medication when you can benefit from nature cures that are centuries old and have treated millions of people the world over?
It's your decision really... but don't take too long over it.

After retiring as a captain with an international airline, R.P.Bhalla spent ten years in the research and study of Social Sciences and Health and Wellness. A social worker and wildlife enthusiast, he writes extensively on Family, Health and Money matters.

http://diabetes-nature-cure.com

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Treating Diabetes With Natural Cures

By RP Bhalla 

Mostly, people develop diabetes when they are in the age group of 50-55 years. Medical experts attribute it to an over-indulgent and sedentary way of life. However, for those effected, it can turn out to be a nightmare. At this stage in life, few people are in a position to cope up with additional problems, leave alone one that may effect their health and well-being. Doctors mean well but their medication is routine, and advice seldom reassuring. Under these circumstances, people seeking help do not know where to find it.

As a matter of fact, there are many treatment options available. The fears of people diagnosed with diabetes are misplaced if they believe that the best part of their life is over, and the outlook for the future is bleak.

What they desperately need, besides a moderation in lifestyle, is a simple vitamin regimen. Add to that, some form of exercise and an appropriate nutrition method. As a part of the nature cure philosophy, where all human bodies are considered to be different from one another, the mode of treatment may vary from person to person. It is about providing the best solutions nature created for the human body. And, the success rate is phenomenal.

There is no doubt that diabetes is one of the major cause of heart disease, kidney failure and premature illness and deaths around the world. A report released by the National Cancer Institute, USA, states that there is an elevated risk of cancer among those diagnosed with diabetes. Edward Giovannucci, a professor of Nutrition and Epidemiology at the Harvard School of Public Health, USA, and co-author of the report, says: "We are going to see a greater numbers of people with both diseases."

Doctors may put up a brave front but the truth is that they are just as helpless and frustrated as their patients. After the discovery of insulin, nearly a century ago, medical research has achieved little that deserves mention. That 95% diabetics suffer from Type 2 diabetes and the cause of the disease still remains unknown calls for some serious thinking.

Sadly, medical practitioners are never encouraged to think "out of the box." So, they try every known treatment and medically accepted ideas. But, nothing really works. It is generally observed that the symptoms of the disease remain hidden only as long as the patient is taking medicines. They reappear as soon as the medication is withdrawn. This confirms that in conventional medicine the main cause of diabetes never seems to be addressed.

Diabetes is on the rampage worldwide, and the numbers of those effected is staggering. Yet it is to the credit of the older civilizations of the East, that they have their own, time-tested, methods of cure. Based on nature cures and alternate medicine, the emphasis is on treating the body as a whole, getting rid of the toxins and pin-pointing the real cause of the disease. And, all that is needed to achieve this is the use of spices, herbs, fruits and selected vegetables. These methods are effective, inexpensive and guaranteed to provide relief in 4-6 weeks.

Today, natural cures are gaining recognition in the USA with more colleges of naturopathy opening their doors to new aspirants. And, a fine breed of highly successful doctors have taken it upon themselves to enter the fields of nature cure, and alternate medicine. A strong emphasis has been placed on teaching, the physicians of the future, how to treat diabetes patients with complementary medical techniques in a more integrated manner.

Dr. Mona Morstein, Chair of Nutrition and Supervising Physician at Southwest Naturopathic Medical Center, Arizona, USA, has found significant results and benefits from a naturopathic treatment regimen for diabetes. This comprehensive and individualized course of treatment is ideal for patients, no matter which type of diabetes they suffer from. According to Dr.Morstein, it was very satisfying to withdraw some of the routine medications, and lower the risk for developing complications in the future.

On the other hand, Dr. Gary M. Levin, M.D., took to the study and research of natural cures after a lifetime in conventional medicine. He discovered a natural, effective treatment for the disease. He says: "Diabetes is curable, especially Type 2. There is a 96% reduction in the need for insulin or other Type 2 medications. And the Type 1 patients reduced insulin intake on an average of 81% in only a few weeks. Most patients have left their years of diabetes behind, saying they are completely cured."

Natural cures were intended to make everyone self-sufficient in health related matters. They are based on simple techniques. Once the fundamentals are grasped, there is no further need of a doctor. Anyone can practice it at home. It is about learning nature's little secrets so you never encounter any illness throughout your life.

After retiring as a captain with an international airline, R.P.Bhalla spent ten years in the research and study of Social Sciences and Health and Wellness. An expert in aviation medicine and a wildlife activist, he writes extensively on Family, Health and Money matters.

http://diabetes-nature-cure.com

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Diabetic Complications During Pregnancy

By Reham Lotfy Hassan

With proper planning, you can have a normal pregnancy and a healthy baby. The most important thing is to keep the glucose level as your doctor has recommended and strict control over the A1C goal for several months before becoming pregnant.

Risks to the fetus
The blood glucose level generally does not cause health problems for the baby. However, an occasional episode of high blood glucose can affect you and it is important to note that the first trimester is a critical time for the development of fetal health.

There is an increased risk of miscarriage during the first three months of pregnancy. If the mother has high blood sugar levels, the fetus may develop breathing problems or deformities in the spine, skeleton, kidneys, heart and / or circulatory system.

From the fourth to the ninth month, the main risks are a large baby (known as macrosomia) or stillbirth. About 30% of babies born to diabetic mothers have macrosomia. However, apart from their size, these babies are usually healthy.

Risks to the mother
• Vision and renal complications vision problems due to retinopathy can worsen during pregnancy. Additionally, severe women suffer from hypertension in the third trimester of pregnancy. Keeping the blood glucose level and strict control before and during pregnancy can help prevent these complications.
• Problems during birth if the baby is larger than normal, this can give an early birth or cause a cesarean delivery.
• Hypoglycemia; this doesn't harm the baby, but repeated episodes of hypoglycemia may lead to complications in the health of the mother.

Tips during Pregnancy
First: Keep your blood glucose before and during pregnancy normal to protect the health and welfare of the baby. The level of glucose and A1C should be controlled for a few months before being pregnant.

The American Diabetes Association (ADA) recommends that women achieve the following glucose levels:
• Blood glucose 80-110 mg / dL before meals.
• Blood glucose less than 155 mg / dL two hours after meals.
• During the period before conception and the first trimester, obtain the lowest possible level of A1C.

Second: During pregnancy, your doctor will check your A1C level more frequently. Your target can be achieving A1C less than 6%.

Third: You should visit your doctor and get ultrasounds more frequently than women without diabetes. These controls ensure a healthy pregnancy.

In conclusion; watching your blood sugar on regular basis can save you and your baby a lot of serious problems.

I am a dentist and a medical writer.

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Type 2 Diabetes - Anti-Diabetic Medications, B12, Calcium, and Older Brains

 

 By Beverleigh H Piepers:

Brain function can become impaired in older people who have been diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes. Researchers at the University of Melbourne in Australia investigated the possible relationships between treatment with the oral anti-diabetic medication Metformin, vitamin B12 supplements, and calcium supplements.

Their study, reported on in the journal Diabetes Care in September 2013, included 126 people with diabetes and 1228 non-diabetics. The participants with diabetes had worse brain performance than those without the condition. Among diabetics, the worst performance was seen among those taking the anti-diabetic medication, Metformin. The Type 2 diabetics taking vitamin B12 and calcium supplements showed better brain function than those not taking the supplements.

From these results it was concluded that taking vitamin B12 and  could help to maintain good brain function in those diabetics who were taking Metformin. They suggest more research be undertaken to determine what possible benefits vitamin B12 and calcium might have.

Vitamin B12 deficiency can lead to:

• anemia,
• dementia, and
• numbness or tingling in the arms and legs.

The recommended daily allowance (RDA) for vitamin B12 is 2.4 mcg for a nonpregnant adult over 14 years of age. Vegan sources of B12 include nutritional yeast, fortified soy products, and fortified cereals.

Calcium deficiency can lead to brittle bones or osteoporosis, and puts patients at risk of fractures. Most calcium in the body is stored in the bones and teeth, where it can be brought out for other functions as needed. Calcium levels in soft tissues also play important roles...

• nerve cells need calcium to transmit messages.
• the heart, blood vessels, and other muscles need calcium to contract.

Calcium interacts with the protein calmodulin to provide the energy for muscles to contract. The mineral is also necessary for blood clotting and for a number of enzyme and other protein functions.

The RDA for calcium for:

• adults 19 to 50 years of age is 1000 mcg.
• women 51 and over and men 71 and over need 1200 mcg per day to help prevent osteoporosis.

Soy milk, green leafy vegetables such as spinach, and broccoli are good sources of calcium. Physical activity helps your body to hold calcium in the bones, where it both strengthens your bones and is stored for use in the rest of your body as needed.

The best activities for storing calcium in the bones are exercises that involve lifting and weight-bearing. Walking or running stresses the leg bones and vertebrae, making them ready to take on calcium. Lifting something over your head puts some stresses onto your arms and vertebrae. Lifting a weight over your head and running and walking while holding it up is good for strengthening your bones and maintaining an adequate supply of the calcium you take in.

Type 2 diabetes is not a condition you must just live with. By making easy changes to your daily routine, its possible to protect your heart, kidneys, eyes and limbs from the damage often caused by diabetes, and eliminate some of the complications you may already experience.

For nearly 25 years Beverleigh Piepers has searched for and found a number of secrets to help you build a healthy body.

The answer isn't in the endless volumes of available information but in yourself.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com

Type 2 Diabetes - Signs You Have Low Blood Sugar

 

 By Beverleigh H Piepers 

Low blood sugar can be very dangerous. One of the main reasons is you may not even be aware your blood sugar levels are dropping until they're already too low. Here are signs that can let you know it's time to take action to prevent your blood sugar from dropping any further...

Your autonomic nervous system controls sweating and this is one of the first symptoms to appear if your blood sugar drops. You will start perspiring, regardless of the current room temperature.

Hunger or feeling like you are starving, even if you have recently eaten a meal? This indicates you need extra glucose, ideally from food that's rich in carbohydrates, e.g. fruit juice, soft drink or raisins. It's best to keep snacks with you so you can give yourself that quick lift.

Becoming emotional for no apparent reason. You may feel anger, become hysterical, start crying or have a powerful urge to be left alone. This is a neurological symptom of low blood sugar and should not be ignored.

Feeling light-headed or dizzy can be another sign. You can even lose consciousness if these symptoms continue.

Your anxiety levels may increase. This is caused when your adrenal glands release epinephrine (also known as adrenaline), which tells your liver to make extra sugar. This causes an "adrenaline rush" which causes anxiety and overwhelms you.

You may experience blurry or double vision. If you notice this, stop whatever you are doing and rest. Eat some carbs to bring your levels back up again. If you do that, it should soon settle. Close your eyes if it's too hard to cope with but make sure you are sitting or lying down to avoid falling.

Tremors and shakes (caused by your nervous system) can be felt when your blood sugar levels aren't balanced. Catecholamines are released and these chemicals increase the production of glucose and cause these symptoms.

Lack of concentration. Because your brain is sensitive to sugar levels falling, you may find your thoughts wander or find it hard to focus on any one subject.

Your speech may start to slur. Your brain may not notice the change in your speech if it's starved for glucose but people around you will notice. It can sound like you're drunk, even though you haven't touched alcohol. Police come across this quite often but they know to check for diabetes if alcohol doesn't appear to be involved.

Hypoglycemia can occur at night and the symptoms include: 

• restless nights,
• nightmares,
• night sweats,
• waking suddenly and yelling out, or
• feeling confused and unrested when you wake.

If you have a snack before you go to bed, this should ease the severity and frequency of such symptoms.
Be aware of these signs and symptoms - take action the moment you notice them to avoid further complications. It's also advisable to make your family and friends you are a diabetic and what they can do to help if they see these symptoms.

Type 2 diabetes is not a condition you must just live with. By making simple changes to your daily routine, its possible to stabilize your blood sugar and protect your heart, kidneys, eyes and limbs from the damage often caused by diabetes, and eliminate some of the complications you may already experience.

For nearly 25 years Beverleigh Piepers has searched for and found a number of secrets to help you build a healthy body.

The answer isn't in the endless volumes of available information but in yourself.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com

Type 2 Diabetes - Poor Quality Sleep, Obesity and Diabetes

 By Beverleigh H Piepers 

In an article published in the journal Endocrinology and Metabolism Clinics of North America in September 2013, members of Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, United States, point out that during sleep your brain uses less sugar than it does when awake. In industrialized nations where electric lights are available, the amount of sleep people get has decreased over the last several decades.

From this information it has been suggested that decreased sleep or poor quality of sleep could be involved in the Type 2 diabetes epidemic and possibly the obesity epidemic as well.

According to an article published in September 2013 in the Journal of Korean Medical Science, sleep could not only be associated with developing Type 2 diabetes, it could also have something to do with controlling blood sugar levels in people who already have the condition.

Researchers at the Kosin University in Busan, Korea, found that diabetics under the age of 65 who had 7 hours of sleep per night had an average HbA1c of 7.26. Their blood sugar control was better than diabetics in the same age group who slept less than 6, 8, or 9 hours per night. In Type 2 diabetics 65 years old or older, the lowest average HbA1c level 7.26, was seen in those who slept 6 hours per night.

From this information it has been suggested the variation of results in the different age groups could be due to the older adults having had Type 2 diabetes for a longer period of time.

Last but not least, researchers at the University of Toronto in Canada suggest the quality of sleep could be important in the fight against obesity and Type 2 diabetes. In a study reported on in the journal Sleep Medicine in August 2013, the researchers reviewed all the research published on sleep quality and various diseases. A decrease in a kind of sleep called slow wave sleep (SWS) and increased rapid eye movement (REM) were associated with:

• depression,
• obesity,
• Type 2 diabetes,
• high blood pressure, and
• molecules associated with inflammation.

From this information, it was concluded that more studies on sleep architecture are warranted toward a better understanding of how to prevent Type 2 diabetes and other unhealthy conditions.

Sleep architecture is the term used to describe the sleep patterns. REM and non-REM (NREM) are the two types of normal sleep. NREM is further divided into four stages, the two deepest of which are SWS, or deep sleep. Sleep patterns are measured with the use of an electroencephalograph, or EEG. Electrodes are placed onto the scalp and electrical waves from the brain are measured during sleep. The day could come when sleep studies are conducted routinely to pick up disturbances and correct them to prevent obesity, Type 2 diabetes, and other disorders. Until then, get a good night's sleep.

Type 2 diabetes is not a condition you must just live with. By making easy changes to your daily routine and having good quality sleep, its possible to protect your heart, kidneys, eyes and limbs from the damage often caused by diabetes, and eliminate some of the complications you may already experience.

For nearly 25 years Beverleigh Piepers has searched for and found a number of secrets to help you build a healthy body.

The answer isn't in the endless volumes of available information but in yourself.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com