Friday, January 14, 2011

Go For Diabetes Prevention…Stay Healthy

Although some people get diabetes from the genes, many do not. As long as we are not diabetic today, we have to do something to avoid it as early as now. Diabetes prevention is better than cure. Stay healthy – this is the best way to prevent diabetes.

Diabetes prevention

Diabetes is a big problem of the health that affects people of all ages – old and young alike. For one to prevent it is to stay healthy. Some get diabetes even at a younger age. Genes are the ones to blame. If it is the case, we cannot do something to prevent it. For those who are not diabetic and are not hit by diabetic genes, this illness can be prevented.

Ways to prevent diabetes

Submit yourself to blood sugar tests. See where you stand. Eat a balanced diet. Minimize sweets and carbohydrates. Let yourself get used to some substitutes like having whole wheat instead of white bread. Fruit juices also have much sugar. Thus, stay away from them.

Pregnancy. Diabetes prevention seems very hard for pregnant women who are overweight and older than 25. They are prone to diabetes before giving birth. They should have tried to stay healthy before pregnancy. But it is not too late. They still can watch the foods that they eat and try to lose excess fats and weights. If you are planning to get pregnant, try your best not to be overweight ahead. Be more careful if your pregnancy happens when you are older than 25.

Exercise regularly. Exercise helps burn excess fats in the body system. It reduces the risk of diabetes and other disease like hypertension and heart problems.
Check your weight. Do not get overweight. Your body will find it hard to use insulin if you have extra weight. Diabetes prevention is harder. You will be highly at risk of diabetes if you do. Be conscious of the things that you eat. Love your body. Love yourself. Stay healthy. Do not let diabetes happen to you.

Limit fast food and sodas. By eating in fast foods and drinking sodas, you will most likely get overweight and overweight makes you a candidate for diabetes. Do not go for iced teas and juices too.

Stay active. Keep moving. This is better than playing games in the computer or watching TV. Run around, play soccer or walk your dog. Keep moving everyday.

Exercise Your Way to Diabetes Management

Exercise – an activity good for all people for a healthy body and disease prevention. It is equally recommended even to those pregnant women and to those suffering from some illnesses. Exercise, like food is an essential part of everyone’s life. It is likewise a part of those observing a diabetes management.

Exercise for everyone

Exercise always tops the list as the best suggested regimen for a healthy body. With regular exercise, one can stay away from illnesses. Another benefit of exercise is to lose weight and a good way to avoid becoming obese, thus is a part of diabetes management for diabetic patients. Regular exercise lowers the risk of heart diseases and can help lower blood sugar levels.

If you are diabetic, the kind of exercise you choose is equally important. Talk to your doctor about it. He might have suggestions on what form of exercise fits you. Check your blood sugar levels before you exercise. If the sugar level is low, eat snacks. It lowers down during exercise and you might feel weak, dizzy or faint. Check for sores or blisters on your feet during and after exercise.

Diabetes management is something you want to be more careful about during exercise than the average person. Wear proper socks and shoes. Drink plenty of fluid before, during and after exercise. Warm up before exercising and cool down after. Exercise indeed can control diabetes and reduce the risk of long-term complications.

The benefits of exercise

Most doctors recommend aerobics exercise since it makes the heart works harder. Some aerobics exercises are walking, biking, jogging, aerobic dancing, swimming, rowing or chair exercises.

An aerobic exercise can increase the body’s sensitivity to insulin. With proper nutrition, it decreases body fat, thereby helping restore normal glucose metabolism. The main benefit of exercise is for the muscles to increase glucose uptake and enhance the body’s ability to store glucose. Going into an exercise program must be done slowly and gradually to be part of diabetes management. Never forget to talk to your doctor for specific advice.

Watch out for hypoglycemia

During exercise, watch out for hypoglycemia, a state where your blood sugar level is lower than normal. Signs are feeling shaky or anxious, sudden change of heartbeat or sweating more than normal. If you feel any of these, stop right away and take any of the following which can relieve the symptoms: ½ to ¾ cup of non-diet soda, ½ cup fruit juice, 2 tablespoons of raisins, 1 cup milk and others your doctor may advise in dealing with hypoglycemia.

An ideal exercise in diabetes management must be the accumulation of at least 30 minutes of moderate physical activities during weekdays. Since diabetes is associated with less activity and obesity, exercise can definitely give diabetic patients a lot of valuable effects.

Normal Pregnancy for Diabetic Women…Possible?

The good news is, women with diabetes can still have normal pregnancy. It should just be carefully planned and taken cared of before, during and after pregnancy. Diabetic women should coordinate properly with their doctor first if they plan to get pregnant.

Pregnancy for diabetic women requires special care and attention since they need the help of doctors and health providers for a healthy pregnancy. Diabetes may affect the health of both the mother and her child and may cause birth defects for the baby. It can cause complications for the mother too. Proper healthcare before, during and after pregnancy help avoid these adverse effects.

Before pregnancy

If you are diabetic and plan to get pregnant, have your blood sugar level under control 3 to 6 months before getting pregnant. The unborn baby’s brain, heart, lungs and kidneys form during the 8 weeks of pregnancy. Unfortunately, most women do not know they are pregnant until 5 to 6 weeks after conception. Months before pregnancy, take more folic acid to help reduce birth defects of the unborn baby. It is most important for diabetic women so as not to bring risk to you and your baby.

During pregnancy

A diabetic pregnant woman has the chance to deliver a healthy baby provided she controls her blood sugar levels throughout the pregnancy period. Otherwise, she might have miscarriage, stillbirth, her baby might have birth defects, heart defects and might be very large – putting both herself and baby at risk during delivery.

The safest medication during pregnancy is insulin. Avoid diabetes pills as the latter might be unsafe during pregnancy. Talk to your doctor about medications. Some of them are not safe for you and your baby.

Have a healthy diet, exercise regularly and avoid stress.

After your baby arrives

After pregnancy and with your new baby around, there are certain steps you can take to manage diabetes after giving birth. Breastfeeding is recommended even with diabetic women. Taking insulin while breastfeeding is safe but taking diabetes pills is not. Eat healthy snacks before and after breastfeeding to avoid lower-than-normal blood sugar levels. Drink enough water or liquids. Check your blood sugar levels more often than usual.

Pregnancy makes the woman experience extreme highs and lows. It can be her thrilling and awesome experience, but can be scary and frustrating if you are not prepared. Controlling the blood sugar levels is the main concern for diabetic women who are pregnant. With a good and effective plan, a trouble-free pregnancy and a healthy baby can be achieved. Normal pregnancy for diabetic women? Why not?

I am Diabetic, Would I Pass Diabetes to my Kids?

If I am diabetic, would I pass diabetes to my kids? If the answer is yes, maybe I should not have kids then. Or should not add the number of my children today.

Diabetic people know very well that their disease is fatal and can lead to a death earlier than normal people would. They also have to develop a sort of self-discipline to make them more cautious of their lifestyle and habits. If they think their lifestyle is not normal, they may not want this kind of lifestyle to be followed by their future children.

The decision is yours

In earlier stages, some diabetic women who knew the risks involved in getting pregnant and having a baby that can become diabetic, promised themselves not to have an offspring at all. But for some diabetics – men and women alike, when they fall in love and get married, priorities can change. Like any married person, they start to wish to have children. Then the question of “will I pass diabetes to my kids?” pops up on their minds.

The decision of having a baby or an additional baby if you are diabetic now is really something up to you. The fact is, there is a chance that the illness can be passed to your kids, but repeat, only a chance.

Facts and chances

Some people are diabetic, yet their parents are not. Some do not have diabetes, but their parents or grandparents are diabetic.

Would I pass diabetes to my kids is not a sure ball.

There are people who are diabetics but they are the very first person in their bloodline to have that disease. There was a case when both the father and mother are diabetic, but their two kids - both boys are not. If two people without diabetes can produce a child with diabetes, the chance of having a kid without diabetes is a pretty good chance too.

If you are a diabetic mother and nurse your baby with breastfeeding, it is really advantageous both to you and your baby. Remember that diabetes is not an infectious disease. Your baby cannot catch it from you. Thus, it is safe to breastfeed. Studies revealed that while breastfeeding, diabetic women decrease the amount of insulin that they need. Breastfeeding may also reduce your baby’s risk of developing diabetes in his later life. It is not a factor to pass diabetes to your kid.

Train your children with healthy routines

You may have children now, discipline them from the very start by applying the things that are good for you. Let them get used to eating healthy food and balanced diet. Make exercise part of your routine.

The most important thing is avoid becoming obese or overweight. It is one of the major reasons why people have diabetes. If you are overweight, make sure you discipline yourself to become normal since your eating habits and lifestyles maybe duplicated by your children and that they have the tendency to be diabetic.

These are good for you and your children as well. It is like hitting two birds in one shot.

Sweet Long Life!

People with diabetes can always have the chance to enjoy a sweet long life. If you think diabetes can destroy your life since diabetic lifespan is short, you are entirely misinformed.

Sweet long life is reachable

You just learned you have diabetes. You start to pray for you might die tomorrow. That is how short a diabetic lifespan is, as you think. Worse is, you stop pursuing your dreams as you know it will not be long before you leave. Come on! Diabetes is not a person with a gun that can kill you instantly. It will only be fatal when complications happen. It takes quite sometime to bring you to your funeral. Most of all, it should not stop you from pursuing your dreams. Have an active, normal, full life! Savor it like non-diabetic people do.

Life span of diabetics

Some people have diabetes for over forty years and still live for another 40 years. A person was diagnosed of diabetes and started living a sweet long life. While the doctor said he would die at age 32, he is now over 40 years old and still healthy. Diabetic lifespan may be underestimated, but this can be something good to make the diabetic more careful and disciplined. With the doctors’ warnings, many diabetics have lived for 34 years and still do not have damages from the disease. Still, several reach their senior years without complications.

Top secret

Their secret? They keep their sugar levels in normal range all the time.

Many diabetics exist that are still active, fit and do not have overweight issues. It is just about being disciplined

and coachable to the doctors. Their lives can still be a sweet long life by simply just watch their diet. Thus, the diabetic lifespan totally depends on how well he keeps himself balanced in terms of diet and weight.

By disciplining themselves to maintain their weight, diabetics are no exceptional people. Even if you are not diabetic, you still need self-discipline to avoid overweight. It is not something only diabetics should do.

The doctors’ advice to people with diabetes is to keep their glucose in a normal level – always. If this is followed, diabetes complications would not happen. We know well that diabetes complications are more deadly than diabetes itself.

Things that can help

With technology today, insulin and home glucose monitoring are one of the keys available for achieving a sweet long life. They help make diabetic lifespan extend and blood sugar maintenance more convenient and easy. For those who live with diabetes for a longer period, they know they can have the same life expectancy like people who have healthy pancreases. The advent of insulin, pumps and glucometers can be used to setup a system that can work well with diabetics and their lifestyle. Many choices make it possible for managing diabetes successfully.

If you have diabetes, you are in control of yourself. Be more responsible. Stay motivated and always on top of glucose readings. Live and prosper…like any other.

Dealing with Wounds For People with Diabetes

Wounds are a serious matter especially for people with diabetes. If not cared properly, it can be infected and result to more serious complications. Worse, it can lead to gangrened skin and amputation. It is of common knowledge that diabetics heal their wounds very slowly. In fact, for the non-diabetics, a slow-healing wound can be an alarming sign that they already have diabetes. In diabetes and non-diabetics, avoiding wounds and giving them extra care if they already exist, is of extreme importance.

Diabetics are more susceptible to infection since blood circulation is poor, leading to slower healing of wounds. People with diabetes tend to have neuropathy or numbness and vascular disease or hardening of the arteries. It is important to diabetic persons to thoroughly check their feet and hands for cuts, cracks or injuries to prevent infections and see to it that wounds can be healed immediately.

We may notice that the skins of diabetic people are dry, itchy and easily injured. This makes the skin to crack easily, inviting germs and bacteria to get into the cracks, feed on the glucose and get infected. Infections that are not treated quickly can lead to gangrened skin that may require amputation.

Avoid having wounds

For people with diabetes, avoiding wounds is a must since it can be harder to manage. Keep your skin thoroughly clean at all times especially the parts on the feet. Make sure it does not come in contact with things and objects that can cause damage and infection. Regularly moisturizing the skin is also recommended to prevent dry skin and cracks. Do monitor your skin for cracks and dry patches. If you find them, treat them with antibiotic ointment and bandage them if necessary.

What to do with infected wounds

If the wound is already present, give it extra care to avoid infection. Better consult a doctor before it becomes infected. Some of the signs that it is infected are when the wound becomes red, swollen, has a foul odor and if the skin around it is warm compared to the other areas. Infections, especially with those having diabetes can affect the control of the blood sugar and can lead to serious complications.

For cuts and scrapes, clean them thoroughly especially the open skin area and remove any dirt or debris. Use a good antiseptic wash to relieve pain and fight germs. Try sterile gauze pads or a clean wound to wipe the cut. It can also help remove dirt and possible germs that the wound may have come in contact with. You may secure the pads in place with a gauze wrap to seal out germs and dirt.

When Foot Ulcer Strikes the Diabetics

Foot ulcer is one of the most common illnesses found in diabetics. It is crucial since it brings the diabetes to a higher level. It is one of the painful realizations that diabetes really exists in one’s body.

Foot ulcers are the most common of all chronic wounds for diabetics. They are open wounds found on the top, soles or sides of the feet. Foot ulcers are present in almost all diabetics. They are difficult to treat and their treatment is notoriously frustrating and lengthy.

Foot ulcers account for one quarter in the US and Great Britain’s diabetic hospital admissions. Most Native Americans, African Americans, Hispanics and older men are most likely to develop foot ulcers. People who have diabetes-related ailments like kidney disease and eye problems and those who use insulin are at a higher risk. It can also strike those who are overweight, use alcohol and smoke.

Causes of foot ulcers

The four major causes of foot ulcers are:

Neuropathy. Neuropathy means numbness. It is when you lose sensation in the lower extremities and limbs. This happens because of prolonged high glucose levels. This creeps on the body of the diabetic person without him knowing it for so long.

This is the main culprit why diabetics cannot feel the small cuts on their feet, leaving their wounds untreated for long. Neuropathy makes the patient unable to shift or move his feet when pressure points develop, which can lead to development of wounds. The doctor can check your feet using monofilament, a simple painless test.

Vascular disease. This causes narrowing of blood vessels that can lead to wound development. Due to restricted circulation and blood flow, it makes treatment of foot ulcers lengthy and frustrating especially with diabetics. Vascular disease reduces the body’s ability of healing itself – increasing the risk of infection.

Skin irritation and friction. People who have neuropathy cannot feel any skin problems, irritation, friction or pressure points. To make sure, check your feet for peeling skin, redness or blisters.

Foot deformities. With neuropathy, patients break bones in their feet without feeling it – leading to a foot deformity. Foot deformities cause unnatural pressure on some areas of the foot and can cause wounds to develop.

Avoiding and preventing foot ulcers

Prevention is always better than cure. The best way to treat foot ulcers is never get a foot ulcer! However, if the wounds are already present, treat them quickly. The faster you treat them, the lesser problem you will have.

Doctors usually treat foot ulcers with offloading, debridement and applying medications and dressings. Extra care should be given to diabetics with foot ulcers. Offloading is foot rest which means reducing pressure on the wound by avoiding too much walking. Using crutches or wheelchair is highly recommended. However, this is commonly neglected by patients. They don’t follow their doctor’s advice…and suffer the consequences.

If a wound is already present

If you already have a foot ulcer, do something to avoid infection. Control your blood sugar levels and keep the wound clean and bandaged. The old way of thinking with wounds to “let it breathe” can actually hinder the healing process. Keeping it covered, clean and moist is the best thing to do.

To avoid foot ulcer for diabetics, never walk barefoot…nor reuse a syringe. Inspect your feet regularly to correct foot deformities such as corns, bunions or hammertoes. Part of feet care is to avoid smoking and drinking alcohol.

If you are diabetic, avoid cutting your nails close to the cuticle. It is recommended that you cut your nails straight across. Diabetics should also refrain from pedicure as these abrade the skin, which might cause wound and infection.

Kidney Failure – Most Fatal for Chronic Kidney Disease

Kidney failure, the final stage of chronic kidney disease is one of the causes of a major health and body problems with diabetics. Studies revealed that the main cause of kidney failure is diabetes. The care for kidneys should be included in diabetes care regimen as well.

Every year in America, more than 100,000 people are diagnosed with kidney failure - a fatal condition wherein the kidneys fail to rid body wastes. Kidney failure is the final stage of chronic kidney disease (CKD).

Patients with kidney failure undergo kidney transplantation to receive a healthy kidney from a donor. Some sort to undergo dialysis – an artificial process to clean the blood. While heredity, medical conditions or diet are factors that lead to kidney failure, it is found that high blood pressure and high sugar levels are its main cause. Most of all, diabetes is the major culprit.

Development of kidney disease

A kidney disease takes years to develop. In some people, the kidney’s filtering function is actually higher than normal in the first few years of their diabetes. Kidney failure and chronic kidney disease is far from reality.

As years pass, the kidneys begin to leak small amounts of blood protein called albumin into the urine. Yet, the kidneys’ filtering functions still remain normal. This is the first stage of CKD called microalbuminuria.

As the disease progresses, the kidney’s filtering function begins to drop. There will be more albumin that can be found in the urine. This stage is now macroalbuminuria or proteinuria. The body retains various wastes and as kidney damage develops, blood pressure often rises as well.

If a kidney disease exists, it should be treated as part of a comprehensive approach to the cure, care and diabetes treatment.

Therefore, kidney damage rarely occurs in the first 10 years of diabetes. Kidney failure usually has 15 to 25 years before it. If you are diabetic and do not have signs of kidney failure, the risk of having the disease decreases.

Kidney disease prevention

To prevent chronic kidney failure or any kidney disease, experts advise to a reduced protein diet. Excessive consumption of protein can be harmful so avoid high-protein foods. For those who already have kidney disease, a reduced protein diet can help delay the onset of kidney failure.

As usual for diabetics, intensive management of glucose counts. Test your blood glucose regularly and make sure it is normal or close to normal at all times. The routine should include consulting a health expert as well as manage food intake and physical activity.

Kidney failure and chronic kidney disease is a serious ailment worth avoiding. So, remember to check your kidney regularly as part of your diabetes checkup. Diabetics are always prone to kidney disease so better prevent it as early as possible.

Smoking and Diabetics: Why Cigarette Smoking is Deadly

Smoking has always been tagged as dangerous…for both diabetics and non-diabetics. Yet many people are doing cigarette smoking and are addicted to it. To maintain the body’s health, refrain from smoking. To increase life span for diabetics, smoking is advisably a no-no.

Smoking is really dangerous to your health. It turns your body from being healthy to damaged. Cigarette smoking is bad for everyone, everywhere… but for diabetics, it can be more damaging. Smoking increases a diabetic’s chance for complications such as stroke, heart disease and circulation problems.

Unfortunately, diabetics who smoke increase their risk of premature death. Smoking triggers fatalities by damaging the blood vessels and reducing blood circulation.

Smoking and diabetes makes one 11 times more likely to die of a heart attack or stroke. Smoking raises blood glucose levels. Just smoking a single cigarette already reduces the body’s ability to use insulin by 15%. Smoke more and diabetes can be harder to control.

The dangers of smoking

It is of general knowledge that smoking is more dangerous to diabetics than those with no diabetes. Cigarette-smoking can cut the amount of oxygen reaching the body’s tissues, leading to a heart attack or stroke. Diabetics who are smokers will have worse problems of healing their wounds, leading to more infections that would require foot amputation.

Smoking can damage the kidneys faster, increases joint and muscle pains, possibility to blindness, impotence, bleeding gums, dental disease and ulcers. Smoking diabetic women who are pregnant may have stillbirth or miscarriage.

What smokers should know

Many smokers do not quit smoking because they know diabetes is getting them already. It won’t matter. Smoking makes them feel better and is apart from diabetes that makes them feel bad all the time. Besides, smoking can let you avoid obesity.

Diabetics should take note that diabetes complications can be prevented with hard work and proper care. Cigarette smoking speeds up the “end” line though it may give a “good feeling” for a short time. But that “good feeling” can cause you your precious own life and a lifetime loss to your loved ones.

By all means, quitting is best

To stop smoking means reducing the risk of having deadly complications and thus increasing the longevity of your life. Quitting is a healthy change. The advantages of quitting are by all means, outweigh the smoking “advantages”. Save your precious, valuable health and life…quit smoking.

The Spirit of Alcohol Drinks and Diabetic Effects of Alcohol Drinking

Some people with diabetes love to take alcohol drinks and savor the experience of lifting their spirits. However, alcohol drinking has adverse effects on diabetics. Diabetics should consult their doctor on how much alcohol drinks to take and must follow a strict and disciplined plan on alcohol drinking. Still, the best thing is not to take alcohol drinks at all.

Alcoholic drinks

Albeit alcohol has calories, it has no nutrients. If alcohol drinks are taken with an empty stomach, the body’s blood sugar level goes too low and the blood fats are raised. For diabetics who want alcohol drinking, it is better to seek your doctor for an advice to the quantity.

The body processes alcohol the way it does with fats. Alcohol is equivalent to two fat exchanges. Alcohol drinks are advised only on those whose blood glucose levels are well-controlled and must be taken only occasionally. There is nothing to lose if it is not taken at all…and it’s the best thing to do for both diabetics and non-diabetics.

Drink moderately

Moderate drinking of alcohol can cause a rise in the blood sugar level, excess of alcohol drinks can likewise, dangerously decrease it. Sweet wine and beer have carbohydrates that are capable of raising blood sugar as well. Alcohol drinking may also increase blood pressure and can cause nausea and increased heart rate.

Moderation is the key. Avoiding undiluted liquors which are strong is as important as avoiding light wines that may contain more sweets. But moderation really depends on the individual. Most of the time however, self-control when it comes to alcohol drinking is harder to achieve.

Effects of alcohol drinks to diabetics

Drinking alcohol can stimulate appetite, causing someone to overeat and forget about blood sugar control. Alcohol can also interfere with medicines, making them ineffective to the body. People with diabetes must stay away from alcohol drinks and alcohol drinking to remain clear-headed most of the time to care for themselves such as performing injections, taking medicines on schedule and taking control of everything to control his sugar levels. And alcohol-drinking may divert himself from being sober enough.

Like smoking, alcohol-drinking to diabetics is extremely dangerous to one’s health.

Diabetes Heart Effects - The Deadly Stroke

The fear of having diabetes is its deadly effect. Heart effects are one of them. As an illness, diabetes is not deadly. But the deadly stroke is. It directly or indirectly can cause heart disease. When the heart is badly affected, we know it is absolutely fatal.

Heart effects and deadly stroke

The worst effect diabetes can bring is when it affects the heart – the central part of the body’s nervous system. It is one of the most dangerous and fatal of all effects since it can lead to a lot of worst conditions which ultimately brings death.

People with diabetes are most likely to have heart disease or stroke than those who do not have diabetes. Diabetics can have stroke earlier than those who are not. Middle-aged type 2 diabetics have a chance of a heart attack as high as non-diabetics who have already one heart attack.

Greater risks belong to those who already have gone through one heart attack. Diabetics heart attack is more seriously fatal. High blood sugar levels contribute to adverse heart effects because they can lead to a large amount of fatty materials inside the blood vessel walls. These fatty deposits hinder the flow of blood, leading to hardening of the blood vessels called atherosclerosis which can cause to a deadly stroke.

A normal healthy blood has smooth inner wall. Blood vessels with fatty deposits have the fatty materials building up inside, which narrows the blood vessel.

Of the 23 million people who suffer from diabetes in the United States, 95% of them have type-2 diabetes. Most are linked to obesity and old age. It costs the US economy more than $100 billion a year.

If you have already had a heart attack or a stroke, taking care of yourself can help prevent bad heart effects and deadly stroke. Be physically active, choose healthy foods wisely and take medications if necessary.

Heart attack risks and prevention

Diabetes. Diabetes is one of the major causes of heart disease that can lead to heart attack. Thus, having diabetes increases one’s risk of getting into that heart trouble.

Family history. Having a family history of heart disease increases your risk of heart illness and stroke. If someone in your family had a heart attack at an early age such as before age 55, then you maybe are at an increased risk of having the same fate.

Obesity. If your waist measures more than 40 inches for men, and more than 35 inches for women, you likely have central obesity that can lead to dreadful heart effects. Production of LDL or bad cholesterol is increased with abdominal fat, which can cause a deadly stroke. LDL is the blood fat that can have deposits inside the blood vessel walls. Blood vessels carry the blood from the heart to the rest of the body. Blocking the blood vessels is a deadly condition. Therefore obesity and high LDL levels can cause heart problems.

Low level of HDL (good) cholesterol. HDL removes fat deposits from the blood vessels and bring them to the liver to be removed. Increase the HDL levels of your body since they help clean your blood vessels.

Hypertension. High blood pressure or hypertension is one of the major contributors of worst heart effects. It makes the heart work harder to pump blood. It therefore can strain the heart, increase the risk of kidney and eye problems. Worse, it can bring deadly stroke and heart attack.

Heart care. Take good care of your heart by eating heart-healthy foods such as fiber, fruits and vegetables. Fiber lowers blood cholesterol. They are found in oatmeal, bran, whole-grain breads and cereals, peas, dried beans. Avoid saturated fats which are found in meat, eggs, butter, shortening, dairy products, tropical oils, lard, etc. Your cholesterol diet should be less than 300 milligrams a day.

Many indeed died of heart attack or stroke but the good thing adverse heart effects and deadly stroke are very preventable. It just requires plenty of discipline to choose the healthy right foods to eat and doing exercise and other physical healty activities.

Diabetes and Food – False and Facts About A Healthy Diet For Diabetic Persons

People with diabetes get a sudden change of their lifestyle and eating habits. The truth of the matter is: this lifestyle, healthy diet and eating habits should already have been observed even before developing diabetes. It is inspiring to know that even with the onset of diabetes, dealing with food can still be enjoyable. Just make it a habit to eat right.

Eating the right, nutritious and healthy food is the key to preventing and controlling any illness such as diabetes. The good news is: whether you are suffering from diabetes now or not, you still can enjoy the food you like. Add better healthy diet and eating habits to your routine and everything will be fine. For diabetes, eating habits should be: moderate eating, regular mealtimes and eating vegetables, fruits and whole grains.


Diabetes is becoming very common, but this is preventable with a healthy lifestyle and eating changes. Take more control over your health. If you are more concerned about diabetes, eat a healthy diet, maintain a safe weight and get more exercise. A diabetes diet is an eating plan which is low in fat, high in nutrients, and moderate in calories. It can prevent and control diabetes. It is an ideal diet for anyone!

Here are some of the false and correct ideas about a diabetic person and his healthy diet:

False: You can never eat normally again. You should eat only meals for diabetic persons.

Fact: Healthy food is the same – diabetic or not diabetic. Some expensive “diabetic” foods mostly offer no special benefit at all. You can eat normally with friends and family. The key is: eat moderately.


False: Avoid sugar at all times

Fact: Fortunately, you can savor your favorite treats as long as it is planned. Such as eating dessert and exercise. This pair is a good healthy plan and is not a threat to making diabetes worse.


False: You have to cut way down on carbs.

Fact: Balanced or healthy diet is the main key. For carbohydrates, serving size is important. Whole grains carbohydrates are a good source of fiber and are digested slowly and can keep the sugar levels more even.

False: It is best to have a high-protein diet

Fact: Eating too much protein, especially animal protein, can cause insulin resistance, as studies revealed. Insulin resistance is a key factor in diabetes. A healthy diet includes carbohydrates, protein and fats. These are needed by the body. Again, the key is a balanced diet.

Eating is the same for diabetic and non-diabetic people. We should remember these keywords – with or without diabetes: healthy diet or food, balanced diet, moderate eating, maintaining an ideal weight and exercise.

Diabetes Lifestyle – Living With Diabetes

Having diabetes is hurting at first. Gradually, you learn to live with it. You start to adapt to a diabetes lifestyle for your own sake. Then you get used to it. You find out that living with diabetes is not that difficult at all.

Diabetes strikes..adapting to diabetes lifestyle soonest

You have diabetes if your body either cannot make insulin (type 1 diabetes) or your insulin does not work as expected (type 2 diabetes). Living with diabetes is your next challenge.

If you have diabetes, it is important to know it early. Early means your diabetes has not created complications or does not affect some of your body’s parts yet. Many people already have kidney, eye, gum or nerve damage at the time they were diagnosed.

First, you found out you have diabetes symptoms. You have yourself screened for blood tests. A normal blood sugar test result is 70-99 mg per dL; prediabetes is of 100-125 mg per dL and test result higher than 126 mg per dL suggests diabetes. Start to think of ways to know diabetes lifestyle. However, you should have 2 tests with the 126 plus mg per dL on 2 different days to be sure and exact.


Diabetes has no cure but you can adapt to living with diabetes, staying healthy and preventing complications by watching your diet, exercising, controlling your weight and taking the medicine your doctor may have prescribed. That’s why, diabetes, when earlier detected is important so that you can make these lifestyle changes sooner.

First, lose weight. Go for an achievable, small and realistic short-term targets to lose weight. This needs a strong desire and will coupled with proper meal planning. You will have it easier if you go for a nutrition counseling to know your ideal weight.

Diabetics must lead a healthy diabetes lifestyle. A healthy lifestyle means to exercise regularly, eat a healthy diet, avoid stress, stop smoking and alcohol drinking and have a positive outlook in life.

Living with diabetes is not living in hell. ou can definitely live a normal life if your diabetes is well-controlled. However, some occupations are not suggested for diabetics such as armed forces, being a pilot, working on a ship and deep-sea diving.

Quench Your Diabetes with Water

It is part of the diabetes management plan to take in adequate amount of this universal solvent – water. Water is one of the best food elements we can take to keep our body healthy. Our body just needs water so badly. Just make sure you choose the good unpolluted water to take.

Water has been linked to diabetes. A diabetic person thirsts more often due to high glucose levels and water is the best way to break down sugar and quench the thirst. Water can be lost through exercise and perspiration. That’s why drinking water is vital to help physical performance and prevent fatigue.

Water is the best supplement for diabetic people since it contains no cholesterol, no fat, no caffeine and is low in sodium. Caffeine for one, is a dehydrator. Other drinks like sodas, juices and even flavored bottled water with artificial sweeteners should be avoided to prevent an increase in glucose levels. Besides, intake of acid-forming food and drinking sodas are some of the worst things one can do to his body and immune system. Acidosis or too much acid is most often associated with diabetes, cancer, arthritis, hypertension, gout acid reflux and many others.

Right water intake for everyone

Therefore, pure water should be taken most often. Bottled waters come in handy and promote consistent replenishment of fluids throughout the day. Studies revealed that diabetic patients should drink at least 64 ounces of water everyday which is about 4 glasses. This should be added to the diabetes management plan.

Drinking adequate water everyday is beneficial not only to a diabetic patient but for everyone. Water can decrease the appetite, very good to those who are trying to lose weight. The right amount of water intake helps people with diabetes maintain their health. Likewise, water helps reduce leg or ankle swelling, remove toxins in the body, prevent constipation and is good for digestion and the skin.

Choose good water

With tap or ordinary water mostly contaminated with pollution, ensure that your own share of water for intake has these properties and characteristics: alkaline, super hydrating, detoxifying, anti-oxidizing, minerals, Ph balanced and anti-aging.

Furthermore, avoid these flaws that some ordinary, commercialized water has: highly acidic, oxidizing, lack of minerals, age accelerating, toxic, not pH balanced.

Are You Diabetic? De-Stress Yourself

Stress has been the culprit of many diseases. It is more harmful to diabetic people. Though stress is sometimes hard to avoid, putting our health on top priority should help us find ways to avoid stress-causing situations. Read on.

Stress and diabetic patients

In a fast-paced society where people live at a breakneck speed, it overpowers your precious resources and time due to numerous social, personal and work obligations. However, emotional and physical stress can take a greater toll on health especially with diabetic people.

The blood sugar rises when somebody is stressed. The main function of epinephrine and cortisol hormones is to raise blood sugar so energy will be boost when it is needed the most. For example, when faced with danger or when fighting, blood sugar rises to help meet the challenge. Both emotional and physical stress can cause the hormones to increase, including blood sugars.

Diabetes and stress

Normal people have mechanisms in the body to control the blood sugar from rising abnormally. However, diabetic patients lost or lack these mechanisms so they cannot keep the blood sugar out of control. Due to lack of insulin, these hormones cannot be coped up so blood sugar levels rise during stress. Out-of-control blood sugar can result to complications like kidney problems, blindness, nerve damage, heart attacks and strokes.

Many situations can cause us distress, upset and stress such as being laid off from a job, business failure, relationship breakup and many more. These generally can cause worse effects on the blood sugar. It is important that we identify the situations that cause us stress. One of the best ways is to record the stress level you have to figure out eventually what are the events that make your blood sugar go up, especially if you are already diabetic. Some can feel their sugar going high if they are fighting with a spouse or missing the morning train.

De-stress yourself

Once the stress-causing situations are identified, find ways to chill them out. You may take up meditation, yoga or deep breathing, relaxation therapy or cognitive behavior therapy wherein you re-evaluate what causes your aggravation and change that behavior and view life in a more appropriate approach. Talking to a therapist, stepping back from the situation, eliminating caffeine, healthy eating, exercise and keeping a relaxing hobby like knitting, reading poems or hot bathing can be of great help too.

If You Come from a Diabetic Bloodline, is Diabetes Awaiting You?

If you know diabetes is present in the people ahead of you in the same bloodline, you know you are at risk of developing the disease. However, you have a great hope of becoming an exemption. Having a diabetic bloodline is not an assurance that you will have diabetes automatically. There are things you can do to avoid diabetes.

If you are healthy now, no diabetes at all but you have in your line a diabetic such as a parent, a grandparent, a great grandparent, cousin, relative, etc., this can be a sign that you need not be careless with your eating and lifestyle.

Diabetes was once known to be a mysterious illness since nobody did not know its real cause. After several years of research, it was found out that it runs in the blood. This is a major cause but not a leading one. Overweight is still the leading cause of diabetes. It should be more alarming than genetics.

It is impossible to earn all the negative things in one situation. Thus, it is not all that bad if you have a diabetic bloodline. It can be a friendly warning for you to watch out and be more careful so as not to inherit and develop diabetes.

Avoid the wrong routine and lifestyle

If diabetes is in your direct bloodline, say your parent has it, most likely, you can directly evaluate some routines in the family that lead to this disease. For example, you may have observed that your parent is not so careful about the choice of food, or he or she is overweight and do not exert the effort of getting in shape. These unhealthy lifestyles of theirs should not be followed so you will not get what they acquire. Fortunately, diabetes is not a contagious illness so you have the hope not to get the same fate as theirs.

Many people get diabetic even if they do not have a diabetic bloodline. Likewise, you can see a lot of people with diabetes among their family members, yet they are not diabetic. There is a big chance that you fall on the latter category.

What to do?

Just make sure you are not overweight. Do not eat too much, nor eat less. Go for a healthy, well-balanced diet. Highly suggested are those with lots of fiber and protein. Avoid a poor diet. Avoid living an inactive life. Do exercise at least 3 times a week.

Be more careful too if you get older. Old age is being blamed for diabetes also. Even without a diabetic bloodline, any person has a high risk of diabetes as he gets older. It is suggested that you get tested for diabetes so you can be more aware, more careful and can take actions quickly. Remember, prevention is above all, much better than cure.

Women and Diabetes: Health Challenges for Diabetic Women

Talking about women and diabetes, this illness causes many unique challenges for diabetic women. Diabetes in women increases the risk of depression, heart diseases, strokes, riskier pregnancy and infected children. Extra care should be taken seriously for women who already have diabetes.

Depression

For women and diabetes, depression is a common thing. Depression maintains a high rate of possibility to happen to people with diabetes among the general population, most especially to women. Depression happens about twice to most women than men, and at higher possibility for diabetic women. It can also lead to suicide.

The women’s increased rate of depression maybe contributed by several hormonal factors such as miscarriage, pregnancy, menstrual cycle changes, postpartum period, single parenthood, pre-menopause and caring for children and aging parents.

However, studies show that insulin-resistant people may have higher serotonin concentrations. Due to this clinical diagnosis, diabetic women may be more likely to suffer depression than those who are not diabetic.

Diabetes heart challenges

Before menopause, women are usually protected by estrogen against heart diseases. However, for women and diabetes, it is entirely different. Diabetes negates and overrides these protective effects in diabetic women at any age.

For women, diabetes is a unique condition. With it, they are 3 to 7 times more likely to have heart diseases than others. Symptoms of heart attack in women can be different from heart attack symptoms experienced by men.

Women have greater risk to diabetic coma than men. Diabetic coma is a result of lack of insulin and a poorly-controlled diabetes. Diabetic women have heart diseases rates like those of men yet more of them die from a first heart attack than diabetic men.

Women with diabetes experience congestive heart failure compared to those who are not. For women and diabetes, fatalities such as heart attack, chest pain, stroke and coronary heart disease are all involved.

Pregnancy for diabetic women

Pregnant diabetic women are posed with special challenges compared with women who do not have diabetes. They are more likely to develop toxemia, a disorder shown by swelling, visual disturbances, headache, protein in urine and hypertension. Type 1 and gestational diabetes results in some complications for the mother such as birth defects, high birth weight and type 2 diabetes in later years.

Children born of diabetic women are prone to overweight or obesity during adolescence and thus, at greater risk for diabetes as well.

Birth control pills can also be a major issue for women and diabetes. They can affect diabetes control and blood glucose levels. Most diabetic women should not use intrauterine devices because they are already at higher risk of infection, and these devices may lead to infection.

Eating Habits and Diabetes Diet

When you have diabetes, the first thing to look at with caution is your eating habits and the food you choose to eat. Eating has a major role in maintaining a safe blood glucose level. Diabetes diet include most foods taken by healthy people and knowing what they can do to the body.

Eating is most crucial

Of all diabetics regimen, eating habits are most critical since it is done at least three times a day. Our body is fed with food and food can be both useful and harmful to it. Maintaining a diabetes diet is as important.

To maintain a regular glucose level, which is the ultimate goal of diabetics, they likewise have to watch their food intake. This can be done with wisely choosing the right food and be physically active.

Foods for diabetics can be divided into 6 groups: starches, fruits, vegetables, milk, meat and meat substitutes and fats and sweets.

Food groups

Starches. Starches are grains, bread, pasta, cereal and starchy vegetables like potatoes and corn. They provide vitamins, fiber, carbohydrate and minerals. Whole grain starches have more minerals, fiber and vitamins and thus more healthy.

Eating habits that include some starches each meal is healthy for everyone, including people with diabetes. Thus, it should be included in the diabetes diet plan. Other starches are pretzels, rice, crackers, tortillas, beans, cereal, lentils and yams.

Vegetables. Vegetables have minerals, fiber and vitamins but low in carbohydrate. Examples are lettuce, vegetable juice, broccoli, spinach, peppers, green beans, carrots, tomatoes, chilies, celery, cabbage and greens.

Fruits. Fruits provide vitamins, fiber, minerals and carbohydrates. Examples are fruit juice, apples, strawberries, bananas, grapefruit, dried fruit, oranges, raisins, watermelon, mango, guava, peaches, papaya and berries.

Milk has protein, carbohydrate, calcium, minerals and vitamins.

Meat and Meat Substitutes. This group that can also be part of our eating habits includes poultry, meat, cheese, eggs, tofu and fish. Some of these foods are needed to be taken each day and must be part of a diabetics’ diabetes diet plan. They provide protein as well as vitamins and minerals. Meat and meat substitutes are chicken, beef, peanut butter, pork, lamb, turkey and tuna.

Fats and Sweets. For this group of food, limit the amount of intake all the time. Fats and sweets have lots of calories and not as nutritious as others. Some contain trans fats, saturated fats and cholesterol that increase your risk of heart ailment. Avoiding these foods helps you keep your blood sugar, blood fats and weight under control. The diabetic’s eating habits should refrain from fats and sweets though they can be taken in moderation in accordance with the doctor’s advice. Likewise, a diabetes diet plan mostly does not contain fats and sweets.

Fat examples are oil, cream cheese, salad dressing, butter, margarine, avocado, mayonnaise, bacon and olives. Sweets are ice cream, cake, syrup, pie, cookies and doughnuts.

When Diabetics Get Sick: How to Give Extra Care for Sick Diabetics

When diabetics get sick, extra careful should be given as it is like the sick getting sick again. Sick diabetics can tread in a dangerous line. When you are diabetic and you get sick, the first person to help you is yourself. Take good care of your own body and initiate finding help from others when necessary.

Take extra care of yourself

Getting sick is not healthy especially if you are diabetic. When diabetics get sick, they should try to be cured as soon as possible. While avoiding sickness is a top priority in the diabetic’s list, it cannot be avoided at times but sick diabetics can still do something. When you are sick, be more careful and provide extra care for yourself and your body.

For people with diabetes, becoming sick can make the blood glucose level go too high. This one should be taken into serious account. Try to avoid this by checking every 4 hours your blood glucose levels. Take note of the results.

When you are a diabetic and sick, drink at least one cup or 8 ounces of water every hour. When diabetics get sick, they should drink water and other liquids that have no calories or caffeine while awake. Sick diabetics should make sure to take their medicines religiously.

If you cannot take your usual food, take soup, popsicles, crackers or try drinking juice. Drink liquids that are clear if you cannot eat at all. Clear liquids like ginger ale. You still need to eat or drink liquids with sugar because you need calories. Not eating enough can increase your risk of hypoglycemia, which is low blood glucose.

Call for help

If you are diabetic and are sick, you need to call for help immediately if your blood sugar has been above 240 for more than one day. When diabetics get sick, they need help from a healthcare professional or doctor. When sick diabetics feel more sleepy than usual, cannot think clearly or have trouble breathing, these should be alarming signs . If you have had diarrhea for more 6 hours and you throw up more than once, these are also signs that you need medical help already.

Where help is available

Other than the doctors, there are medical professionals who are available in your area from whom you can seek help. They are diabetes teachers like dietitians, nurses, pharmacists and other health professionals. They can also be found in some recognized Diabetes Education Programs or Diabetes Information Clearinghouse in your locality.

Consult or ask your doctors about the availability of other help in your place. He may refer or recommend you to some other health professionals who can give you professional care as well.

On Healthy Food Choices and Recommended Food Intake

While food comes in variety, healthy food choices are mostly and highly recommended food intake in order to make the body sustain health. Since the body depends on our food choices, the responsibility for our own health and sound well-being totally rests on our very own decisions.

As foods come in variety, there are numerous healthy food choices we can have. While watching diet to maintain blood glucose levels, diabetics experts give their patients recommended food intake.

A diabetic with poor eating habits is at risk for several physiologic problems. Eating habits play a major role in a diabetic’s life. While food can be enjoyable, they can bring harm to the body too. Choosing the food you eat is a very important way of maintaining blood sugar levels for diabetics.

Carbohydrates and vegetables

Eat whole grain cereals and breads. Intake should be fewer when it comes to high-fat and fried starches such as potato chips, tortilla chips, french fries, pastries or biscuits. Instead of putting mayonnaise on a sandwich, use mustard. It is a part of healthy food choices. Eat cereal with fat-free, low-fat or skim milk.

Recommended food intake includes raw and cooked vegetables with little or no fat, dressings and sauces are a healthy choice. If dressing has to be applied, make sure it’s fat-free or low-fat. Steam vegetables using low-fat broth or simply, water. Mix them with a chopped garlic or onion, lemon or lime juice or some little vinegar or sprinkle with spices and herbs. When cooking, you may add a little piece of smoked turkey or lean ham instead of fat. If fat is needed, use olive oil, canola oil or soft margarines and avoid butter, meat or shortening.

Juicy fruits and milk

Have smaller fruit pieces. Fruits are always in the list of healthy food choices. Take raw fruits or juice without sugar. Prioritize on fruit than fruit juice. Aside from being more filling, whole fruit has more fiber and thus is a highly recommended food intake. Do not eat much high-fat or high-sugar fruit desserts like cherry pie and peach cobbler.

Choose fat-free, low-fat or skim milk. Fruit yogurt must be fat-free, low-fat or sweetened with a low-calorie sweetener. Plain low-fat yogurt is a good substitute for sour cream.

Moderate delicious meat, fats and sweets

Buy cuts of pork, ham, beef and lamb that have little fat on them. Rid off the extra fat. Eat turkey or chicken without the skin. When cooking meat and its substitutes, it is one of the healthy food choices to have meat but in cooking it, use the low-fat ways such as grill, broil, stir-fry, roast, steam or microwave. Recommended food intake for meats has always been put into moderate.

To add more flavor, use lemon juice, vinegars, soy sauce, ketchup, salsa, barbecue sauce, herbs and spices. Limit the amount of high-fat items like peanut butter, nuts and fried foods. Cook eggs using a cooking spray or a non-stick pan. Choose fat-free or low-fat cheese.

Try having sugar-free diet soda, popsicles, ice cream, frozen yogurt or hot cocoa mix. Share desserts in restaurants. Buy small servings of yogurt or ice cream. Divide homemade desserts into small pieces, wrap individually and freeze extra servings.

The All-Time Favorite: Dark Chocolates

Dark chocolates

Chocolates contain many health benefits of dark vegetables, since they are made from plants. Benefits include flavonoids that are antioxidants which protect the body from aging. Our body gets old because of free radicals that can cause some damages leading to heart disease. That is why you can hear that chocolates are good for the heart.

Go for dark chocolates instead of white, milk or ordinary chocolates. Ordinary chocolates have no health claims. Dark chocolate contains more antioxidants and has cocoa content higher than 65 percent.

Antioxidants in dark chocolates are about 8 times more than it is found in strawberries. By producing nitric oxide, flavonoids help balance certain hormones and relax blood pressure in the body. A small bar of dark chocolates everyday can help the cardiovascular system to run well. It has been noted that the two health benefits of dark chocolates related to the heart are: lower blood pressure and lower cholesterol. Studies show that dark chocolates reduce the bad cholesterol (LDL) by up to 10 percent.

Aside from tasting good, dark chocolates stimulate the production of endorphin, which gives a feeling of pleasure; they contain serotonin which acts as an anti-depressant; and stimulants such as theobromine and caffeine.


Fats in dark chocolates

The good news is: the fats in dark chocolates have less impact in your cholesterol. The fats are 1/3 palmitic acid, 1/3 stearic acid and 1/3 oleic acid. Thus, only 1/3 of the fats in dark chocolates are bad for you. Palmitic fat, the only unhealthy fat found in dark chocolates, is a saturated fat that raises heart and cholesterol risk; stearic acid is a saturated fat which has a neutral effect in cholesterol; and oleic acid is a healthy monounsaturated fat found in olive oils.

Dark chocolates and diabetes

Studies have shown that dark chocolates improve the body’s sensitivity to insulin. Due to its flavonoids, dark chocolates can help battle against diabetes. For those who are already diabetic, eating dark chocolates can help counteract with insulin resistance.

Take note that these benefits can be applied only for dark chocolates, not the ordinary chocolates.

Balance your calories

This does not mean that eating excessive dark chocolates everyday for diabetics is highly-advisable. Chocolates are still high in calorie and fats. Studies say that you may eat no more than 100 grams, or about 3.5 ounces of dark chocolates to get the benefits.

Balance is still the key. One bar of dark chocolate has about 400 calories. If you eat half of it, you get 200 calories then cut out other snacks or sweets and replace them with dark chocolates to balance the total calories.

Fruits and Diabetes – A Healthy Combination

Fruits are one of the most healthy foods there is. They are highly recommended to maintain healthy bodies, especially for those who are suffering from illnesses…even diabetes.

Fruits are good for diabetes diet

A person with diabetes has certain special needs that can be achieved from the choice of the food he eats. He should avoid eating foods which are rich in fats and cholesterol. The food he eats should be light, should contain much fiber and should be easy to digest.

Most fruits fit well with diabetics since fruits are low in fats and rich in vitamins and nutrients. Fruits have proved their beneficial effects on patients suffering from diabetes. Fruit contents have positive effect on the abnormal rise of blood glucose.

Fruits good for diabetics

Staying on the list of the fruits best for diabetics is the apple. Apples contain pectine, a source of galacturonic acid, one needed for cleaning toxic and harmful substances in the body. These acid fruits pectines, likewise work to decrease the body’s need of insulin at about 35 percent. Furthermore, apples have vitamin B1, the vitamin that can prevent brain cells damage that usually occurs because of diabetes or diabetic acidosis. Aside from that, vitamin B1 prevents other complications such as neurosis.

A study of people eating apples show that after 24 hours, the participants show decrease in symptoms. Apples reduced inflammation related to heart disease and diabetes. Apples are 38 on the glycemic index of Nutrition Data. The index is used to determine how a food affects blood sugar levels in the body. It is true. “An apple a day keeps the doctor away.”

Grapefruit. Grapefruits are 25 on the glycemic index. They are fruits good for diabetes. They naturally lower blood sugar levels. Studies revealed that none of any ingredients of grapefruit hinders insulin production. Fresh grapefruit has slow conversion rate in the body and thus, much better than juice.


Oranges. Oranges are 48 in the glycemic index fruits and thus good for diabetics. The vitamin C and fiber that oranges have control blood sugar levels and reduce weight.

Bitter melon. Bitter melon juice is used as a diabetic remedy in South America, Africa and Asia. Bitter melons are good fruits for diabetics because its natural ingredients lower blood sugar levels. A bitter melon can also help body tissues absorb glucose.

Bananas. Bananas are fruits good for diabetes because they are low in sugar and will not raise blood glucose levels. Eating bananas can help diabetics maintain or lose weight. The calcium in bananas is capable of reducing sodium in the body.

There you go. Aside from good to the taste, there are really no reservations when we eat fruits. They bring good health to us and are highly recommended in our everyday diet.

All About Cancer and Diabetes

Cancer in women especially those with diabetes is a near possibility than to those who have not. Women have to be careful to entirely avoid diabetes, and much more careful in taking care of their health when they already have diabetes.

Cancer in women with diabetes

People with type 2 diabetes have insulin-like hormones to circulate through their bodies. A new study find this has a surprising positive effect to reduce prostate cancer in men, but unfortunately for women with type 2 diabetes, this may double the risk of female genital and other cancers.

The Tel Aviv University’s Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medic-WEEine at the Sackler Faculty of medicine is the first to show the statistical differences of men and women when talking about cancer risks. It actually appeared that diabetes have a preventative effect on conditions in men, like prostrate cancer. The reduction of cancer risk has something to do with insulin-like hormones by 47 percent.

For women however, diabetes interaction with the female hormones exaggerates the risk, making cancer in women with diabetes more common. The presence of diabetes in a woman’s body makes some her organs like ovaries and uterus more receptive to some kinds of cancer. Albeit ovarian and colon cancers are serious, this should not cause panic since its overall risk in women is quite low in general. Still, physicians should take this into account when determining long-term patient histories.

Prevention is still better than cure

It is highly recommended by physicians for diabetic women to undergo screening for colon cancer as early as possible. These screenings are of vital importance. It can save a lot of lives.

Diabetes that is type 2, and characterized by high blood sugar and insulin deficiency, which can increase cancer in women with diabetes, usually occurs in adulthood and can often be managed with oral medication, exercise and proper diet.

The best prevention is to avoid diabetes entirely by having exercise and taking low-carbohydrates and high-fiber foods.

Memory Loss - When Diabetes Causes Erasure of Memories

Memory loss is one of the most frustrating effects of diabetes. It would have been an enjoyable life to live but when erasure of memories occurs along the way, it is such an unpleasant experience. This illness may not be as painful as others but the effects it may bring are. The key is control the diabetes by maintaining a healthy diet and lifestyle. It shall make a lot of sense.

Memory loss

Diabetes comes with many effects, one of the most frustrating of which is memory loss. While gradual erasure of memories does happen as one grows old, it can sometimes be caused by some body hormonal changes and circulatory problems.

Diabetes has alarmingly spread fast over the past few years. Over 23 million suffer from this disease in America alone. With diabetes, there is more sugar in the body than normal and early memory loss is likely to occur. When precautions are not taken immediately, diabetes might progress to obstruct the power of remembering things. Memory loss can make someone feel insecure and inadequate, aside from being very frustrated.

Glucose and the brain

Glucose is the brain’s most important fuel. Memory loss and erasure of memories starts in the brain. The glucose entry into the brain is managed at the blood-brain barrier. This barrier controls the brain environment. They are formed by cells that line very small blood vessels or capillaries. They regulate the entry of nutrients into the brain and the exit of chemically charged particles and by-products of brain metabolism.

Glucose storage in the brain is limited and the person needs glucose supply constantly from their blood for the brain to function normally. High level of blood glucose does not make better brain function, either high (hyperglycemia) or low (hypoglycemia). These abnormal levels of blood glucose are believed to be contributors of memory problems in diabetics.

How to avoid memory loss

However, erasure of memories can be avoided even with diabetes. Diabetics should religiously watch their food intake. Foods with protein, calcium and fiber can help replace lost nutrients and stimulate blood flow. It is always healthy to eat a lot of vegetables, fresh fruits, legumes, low fat dairy products and lean meat. Take food that are rich in zinc, magnesium, chromium as part of your diet.

As always, one of the most rewarding regimens that also help promote better blood circulation is exercise.

Physical activities such as solving crossword puzzles, reading and making yourself busy are some of the ways that can keep the brain alert. Short-term memory is most likely to be affected first. Brain stimulation can minimize this. Diabetes is not the only culprit for memory loss. There are many others too that cause erasure of memories. It is important to have a regular checkup to determine if diabetes is already present

Diabetes is better detected while on its early stage. It might be a life-long illness, but it should not be the cause of so much upset and frustration. By carefully watching one’s diet, activities and lifestyle, diabetes and its effects can be managed. Many diabetics have lived longer lives to prove that…and don’t let your memories lost too early.

Hearing Impairment: Diabetes Links to Hearing Loss

Diabetes with its many effects can be one of the causes of hearing impairment. Its onset can cause early hearing loss among diabetics. Hearing loss can be an embarrassing situation especially for the younger people. See the diabetes links to hearing loss and how this can be prevented.

Diabetes links to hearing impairment

Hearing impairment is one of the major problems of people with diabetes. The kind of hearing loss they experience is different from the one caused by old age.

Hearing loss and diabetes are linked medically for many years, even with diabetic children. Regular hearing tests are highly recommended for diabetics as part of their regular screening. Hearing loss is often the result of a number of ways diabetes affects the ears. A person with diabetes can lack keratin protein, the one which forms a protective layer within the ear canal, making the wax to travel outwards and likewise prevents over stimulation of the tissue of the ear canal. Abnormal levels or absence of keratin protein can cause hearing impairment.

The way diabetes deteriorates the epithelial tissue in the ear canal causes hearing loss. This is the second link between diabetes and hearing loss that can cause over sensitivity of the ear canal to plastics used in hearing aids eventually causing fungus, yeast, infection and irritation when air circulation is limited by a hearing aid.

The third link is nerve damage or neuropathy, a common complication that most diabetics experience. High blood glucose levels cause chemical changes in the nerves. This can destroy their ability to transmit signals. When the nerve damage happens in the neurological system of the ears, hearing problems or speech understanding can be hard.

Ear protection and hearing loss cure

Diabetics with hearing impairment protect their ears when being exposed to noise to prevent more damage. Damage caused by diabetes is usually in the nerves and inner ear blood vessels. Heart disease and stroke can also cause hearing loss and ear damage.

Doctors should remind their diabetic patients to include ear checkup in their routines. This is as important as other screenings like vision screenings, foot infections and others.

Some of the products that can assist diabetics with hearing impairments are TV listening devices, amplified telephones, and hearing aids.

Breaking News – You Have Diabetes Symptoms and You Are Diabetic. What’s Next?

First, you feel that the diabetes symptoms are present in you. Then you go into screening and the doctor confirms that you are diabetic. Is your death near? Can life still go on normally?

The occurrence of diabetes

Diabetes happens when sugar builds up in your blood instead of going to the cells. Diabetes symptoms begin to show up. You become diabetic when your body has insulin deficiency. Insulin is a hormone that processes the glucose so they enter to your body and can be utilized as energy. The pancreas is responsible for producing insulin.

Thus, diabetes happens for many reasons: malfunctioning of the pancreas, much sugar intake, genetics or the body cells ignore the insulin. Worse, excess sugar in blood leads to serious problems like damage of the nerves, kidneys and heart.

Diabetes symptoms showing up

These are the signs that you have diabetes: extreme thirst, extreme hunger, frequent urination, sores or bruises heal slowly. That’s it! You have these diabetes symptoms. You are diabetic. You have all these signs plus dry itchy skin, unexplained weight loss, blurry vision, unusual tiredness or drowsiness, tingling or numbness in the hands or feet, frequent or recurring skin, gum, bladder or genital yeast infections.

People who are mostly at risk of diabetes are those: more than 45 years of age, overweight, don’t exercise regularly, diabetes runs in the family, gain diabetes during pregnancy and you are an African American, Hispanic American/Latino, Native American, Asian American or Pacific Islander.

Now that you have diabetes, what’s next?

Well, having diabetes is not the end of the world. Be calm. Live a normal life but make it a point to watch over your diet and lifestyle. With those diabetes symptoms present and you being diabetic, there is nothing to fear. Nobody died of diabetes alone, but with the complications it brings.

Ask your doctor’s advice. Love yourself more. Research on the food and lifestyle a diabetic person must follow. Be part of diabetic websites and forums like this website diabetes.com.sg to stay updated.

Thursday, January 13, 2011

How to Deal with Diabetes and Chemotherapy Fears

The first thing we should know how to deal with is the occurrence of diabetes and cancer. Chemotherapy follows if cancer already happens. Diabetes and chemotherapy fears occur when both diabetes and cancer are already present and that there is a need for chemo.

Doctors, clinicians, family and loved ones can help diabetes and cancer patients on how to deal with diabetes and chemotherapy fears. Fear starts when one is suggested to go chemotherapy to kill cancer cells. It is but normal to be scared and anxious especially for first timers.

When your cancer is for real

With chemotherapy as a treatment, you finally realize that you have cancer and it is for real. This is when chemotherapy fears start and it is important to know how to deal with it.

For the first phase of a chemo treatment, no symptoms might be felt and the patient shall question himself if he made the right decision to go chemo or not. That the benefits of treatment are far better than the side effects. Diabetes patients who have undergone health dilemma most likely already know how to deal with this. If they can submit to their doctors fast, the faster diabetes and chemotherapy fears can be discarded.

Specify your fears

Doctors recommend patients to identify their fears. Specify which one are you afraid of. Is it the chemo itself or its diabetes side effects? Chemotherapy fears can be fear of losing hair. Or of changing appearance. Or of dying.

Are you afraid of nausea? Of fatigue? Or of pain? Or are you simply afraid of staying in a clinic or hospital. The more specific the fear, the more specific is the help. For cancer patients, there exists more cancer support groups than diabetes support groups. Some diabetics who develop cancer know how to deal with the ailment faster than they had with diabetes. So, diabetes and chemotherapy can come in handy too.

The doctor can help you mostly. For example, if you are afraid of the needles or of the IV put in your arm or hand, your doctor will see to it that you get a local anesthetic to numb the area or you get a sedative.

A support group can be very helpful. It can make the chemo experience normal. They can help get rid of your chemotherapy fears and how to deal with it throughout the treatment and make action plans to move on normally.

Other techniques

To know more on how to deal with diabetes and cancer, there are some techniques that help rid diabetes and chemotherapy fears. Examples of which are prayer, guided imagery, aromatherapy, massage, meditation, hypnosis, journaling, music therapy, support groups, yoga and tai chi.

Love of self, family and friends

It is significant for a patient to have a good family foundation to feel his self-worth. The love the patient has for his family and close friends can make him fight for his cancer not only for his own sake but for the sake of those whom he loves. Then chemotherapy fears and how to deal with the treatment can be just any

Can Diabetes and Chemotherapy Go Together? Chemotherapy Effects On Diabetics

Diabetes and chemotherapy can be a quite fearful combination. When diabetics develop cancer, both has to be treated. Chemotherapy is a famous cancer treatment. However, there are chemotherapy effects on diabetes.

When a diabetic develops cancer, there is no choice for diabetes and chemotherapy not to go together. However, it is not the end of the world. One should not lose hope. Modern medicine is always ready to help. The only thing to consider are the chemotherapy effects on diabetes.

Cells

Chemotherapy, as a cancer treatment targets the cells. Cells are the body’s basic unit of life. Our body is made up of many cells that divide and grow in a programmed way to yield more cells so the body grows and stays healthy. These cells die naturally and replaced with new ones when they become damaged or old.

Cancer starts in cells when this process goes wrong. For some cases, diabetes causes cancer and cancer causes diabetes. That is why diabetes and chemotherapy can go together when the two ailments are already present. The diabetes patient must be ready for the chemotherapy effects on diabetes with the help of his doctor.

When cancer occurs and cells do not die when they should and new cells are produced, extra cells which the body does not need become numerous and may form a tissue called tumor.

Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy means to treat by chemicals to kill cancerous cells. Shortened as “chemo”, it is a systematic therapy, meaning, it affects the entire body by going through the bloodstream.

Chemotherapy uses chemicals which intervenes with the division of the cell. This cancer treatment damages the proteins or DNA so that cancer cells will commit suicide.

With diabetes and chemotherapy going together, the major diabetes treatment is healthy diet and lifestyle to make the ailment harmless. While cancer treatment is chemotherapy and there are really chemotherapy effects on diabetes.

Chemotherapy hits the cells that are dividing rapidly, including the normal cells. However, normal cells can recover from damage while the cancer cells cannot.

Adjuvant, neoadjuvant and chemo regimens

Adjuvant chemotherapy is a post-surgery treatment, when needed as a cancer primary treatment. This is oftentimes true with breast cancer treatment.

Neoadjuvant chemotherapy is a pre-surgery treatment so that lesser tissues can be removed as this can shrink the cancer cells. In most cases, chemo medicines are given in combination also known as chemo regimens.

Diabetes and chemotherapy

Chemotherapy effects on diabetes are usually on the patient’s sugar level. Others are are nausea, vomiting, fatigue and loss of appetite. The latter affects the patient’s food intake and eventually on the sugar levels, which is crucial with diabetes.

Chemo cures cancer that has metastasized because the medicines can travel throughout the body. It occurs in cycles, giving the body time to heal itself between doses.

Chemo can also kill good cells that multiply. Good cells are found in the digestive tract, bone marrow and hair follicles. This results to hair loss, decrease blood cells production and inflammation of the lining of the digestive tract.

Prevention – the Best Way to Fight Diabetes and Cancer

It is always good news for everyone that even the world’s most dreadful diseases can be avoided through prevention before they ever happen. Prevention is the best way to fight diabetes and cancer. All the hassles, fears and anxiety of having cancer is nothing if we prevent of having it in our body in the first place.

Prevention can be easy if we are willing to do it. Just keep in mind that it is simple and non-complicated. Yet, it is the best way to fight both diabetes and cancer. For those who already have diabetes, they still can stay healthy if they consistently live a healthy lifestyle and still can prevent cancer. Furthermore, diabetics are trying to discipline themselves to live a healthy life everyday. Cancer prevention can come just easy.

Cancers that are behavioral are easy to prevent, an example of which is smoking and drinking. Choosing not to smoke or drink alcohol greatly lower the risk of many types of cancer – like mouth, throat, lung and liver cancer. Even if you are a currently smoking, quitting can still significantly reduce your chances of getting cancer. It is a one of the prevention anyone can do to fight diabetes and cancer.

We can all avoid skin cancer by keeping away from the direct rays of the sun. We can do so by protecting ourselves with a shirt, a hat or staying in the shade. Skin cancer prevention can mean to use sunscreens. Sunscreens are not expensive and easy to apply. Yet they are one of the simplest and best ways to fight cancer of the skin.

Food and diet

Diet is known to play a significant role in prevention of type 2 diabetes by reducing one of the major risk factors, obesity.

Deoxyribo Nucleic Acid (DNA)

Healthy food and diet are important for prevention of any health problem especially diabetes and cancer. The food we eat is linked to the formation of cancer in our body. Doctors recommend diets which are low in fat. Fresh fruits, vegetables and whole grains are best to eat everyday.

Fruits and vegetables

Eating fruits and vegetables can help a poor diet to be healthy. Vegetables have antioxidants that may help stop or prevent cancers.

Antioxidants such as vitamin C help the body repair itself after an illness or stress. It likewise helps the body be protected from illness in the future. They are a great prevention and the best way to fight cancer Lycopene in tomatoes, for example, help protect your eyes from sight problems.

Vaccines

Some vaccinations are associated with cancer prevention. While healthy food and lifestyle can prevent both diabetes and cancer, vaccination hits cancer prevention more. This includes vaccination for the human papillomavirus which is related to cervical cancer. Vaccines for hepatitis B prevent the Hepatitis B virus, that can cause cancer in the liver.

Screenings

Systematic screenings are very effective to detect small tumor irregularities as early as possible even if symptoms are still not present. Mammograms, pap smears, breast self-examination and testicular self-examination are very effective screening methods to detect cancers early so early treatment can also be applied.

When Diabetes Causes Cancer: Important Facts to Know

General knowledge tells us how cancer works and how deadly it is. For diabetics, there can be a possibility when diabetes causes cancer and cancer can be an additional threat. It is an important fact to know how it can happen. As prevention is the best way to avoid it, more cancer information is highly essential.

How diabetes causes cancer

Diabetes and cancer are two overwhelming diagnoses not only to patients but for clinicians as well. One of the important facts to know is that an average of 12% of people with cancer have diabetes. Both diabetes and cancer pose a dreadful challenge for the clinicians to care for their patients.

While diabetes increased by about 30% during the 1990s with the ageing population having obesity as a prevalent issue. Connecting diabetes to cancer becomes more alarming.

Researches have found out that diabetes causes chronic liver disease that can lead to liver cancer. Liver cancer incidence happens twice with people who are diabetics than those who are not. Cancer of the liver caused by diabetes is most likely more dangerous since it usually goes undetected until becomes severe.

Diabetes causes cancer most likely in the liver and pancreas. Also one of the most important facts to know is that pancreatic cancer likewise causes diabetes. About 80% of patients with cancer in the pancreas also are diabetics.

Studies found that some drug treatments for diabetes can lead to pancreatitis especially to diabetics who are taking the drugs for a long time. Some diabetes drugs cause abnormalities in the pancreas. It is important to consult your physician when taking diabetes drug treatments and discuss about their possible side effects.

Cancer causes

Other than diabetes, cancer can occur due to several factors like Deoxyribo Nucleic Acid (DNA), genes and carcinogens. While the possibility of the fact that diabetes causes cancer, DNA function is also one of the most important facts to know about cancer occurrence.

There are 4 DNA genes which responsibly manage the cell division process. One are oncogenes which schedule the division of the cells; second are the tumor suppressor genes who tell cells when not to divide, a thing that keeps the cells in control. The third DNA cells are the suicide genes which advise the cell to kill itself when something goes wrong; and fourth-repair genes which instruct a cell to repair a damaged DNA.

In contrast, when a cells’ gene mutation stop these 4 DNA genes, then cancer occurs. Cancer inhibits the function of oncogene and tumor suppressor, resulting to uncontrollable cell growth and correct DNA damage. Knowing that diabetes causes cancer does not mean that non-diabetics are safe from cancer. Indeed, these are important facts to know about this deadly ailment.

Cancer can also be the cause of a genetic situation that is inherited from the family members. A fault in a gene can make someone develop cancer in later life.

DNA can also be damaged by substances called carcinogens. These substances promote and help cancer. Examples of these are arsenic, asbestos, tobacco, radiation like x-rays and gamma, the sun and compounds in car exhaust fumes. When the body is exposed to carcinogens, free radicals can be formed and these in turn steal electrons from the body’s other molecules. The cells are damaged by free radicals and affect their ability to normally function.

While diabetes causes cancer, and DNA, genes and carcinogens, additional important facts to know is age.

As we age, mutations in the DNA that can cause cancer shall incrase. So are viruses such as human papilloma virus (which causes cervical cancer), hepatitis B (causes liver cancer), Epstein-Barr (causes childhood cancer), HIV and others which weaken the immune system.

To People With Diabetes: Be Warned of Cancer Signs and Symptoms!

As in any illness, cancer can be non-threatening if treated earlier. For the people with diabetes who are said to have increase risk of developing cancer, knowing specific cancer signs and symptoms can play an important role of preventing further illness like cancer.

For people with diabetes, their healthier lifestyle change can cut the risk of developing cancer. However, they have to keep an eye on cancer signs and symptoms even if the connection of diabetes and cancer is not clearly defined yet, the first thing to do is to avoid diabetes, or curing it. Then cancer can also be avoided.

The presence of diabetes doubly increases the risk of cancer in the liver, bladder, pancreas, breast and colorectal. This is most common especially for older age, poor diet, obesity and lack of physical activity.

Likewise, inflammation, too high insulin and high sugar levels commonly occurring in diabetes can also be cancer contributing factors.

Presence of cancer

There are a variety of signs that cancer already occurs in the body. For those people who have diabetes, seeing cancer signs and symptoms in their bodies can be an additional alarming issue. Cancer depends mostly on where it is located, spread and how big the tumor is. Some signs and symptoms are shown through the skin such as a lump on the breast or testicle and change in mole or wart.

Cancer is many diseases, not just one. There are various different cancer types, about more than 100. They are named after the organ being attacked, or after the type of cell where it started. Examples are colon cancer, lung cancer and skin cancer.

Types and categories

Types of cancer are grouped into categories. For people who have diabetes, cancer can be one of its complications. Cancer signs and symptoms likely appear where they are located. Cancer main categories are: sarcoma – when cancer begins in the fat, muscle, bone, blood vessels, cartilage and other supportive or connective tissue; carcinoma – when cancer begins in skin or in tissues which cover or line the internal organs. Thus symptoms likely appear in the skin.

Lymphoma and myeloma – when it begins in the immune system; leukemia – when it begins in blood-forming tissue like the bone marrow and central nervous system – when it begins in the tissues of the spinal cord or the brain.

When and where symptoms are found

Oral cancers can be shown through white spots in the tongue or white patches inside the mouth, a very disgusting occurrence for people who have diabetes already. Many cancer signs and symptoms are less apparent but can be felt. Brain tumors can be early detected because they affect cognitive functions that are important.

Pancreas cancers which can likely be linked with diabetes, do not show much signs and are detected late until they can cause pain when they push against nearby nerves or they interfere with a liver function, causing the skin and eyes to be colored yellow.

Since cancer interferes with the body’s normal hormone function, it is possible that it can also be presented with fatigue, fever, anemia, excessive sweating and unexplained weight loss. Hoarseness, coughing and short of breath can point to throat or lung cancer. For people with diabetes, brain cancer is not so connected. Brain cancer signs and symptoms can be headaches, vertigo or seizures. With cancer, the liver can be enlarged, causing bones to be painful, brittle and easily break.

What we can do

No matter what studies reveal, the best thing to do is to try our best to decrease our risk of diabetes and cancer. Eat healthy food, especially plant-based, maintain an ideal body weight and be physically active everyday.

Diabetes to Cancer – a Possible Threat

Diabetes to cancer? Is it possible? As for anyone, cancer can happen and it can be a diabetes complication, hence indeed a possible threat. Today, cancer is the leading cause of death all over the world. Studies show that there are links between diabetes and cancer and should not be taken lightly.

Cancer

Cancer tops the list of causing death in Canada. Linking diabetes to cancer is an emerging fact. It has become more commonly a possible threat. We know for a fact that cancer is a killer disease not only in Canada but all over the world. Others are lung diseases, diabetes, accidents, influenza, Alzheimer’s disease, kidney disease and suicide.

Cancer cases are high for people aged 55 to 64. Usually, 48 per cent of death of these age range is caused by cancer. Breast cancer is the leading cancer among women. It is anticipated that 1 in every 9 women shall develop breast cancer and 1 in 28 shall die because of it.

Prevention is better than the cure....even with cancer. Like preventing a diabetes-to-cancer case. Yet prevention is cheap and nobody wants to stop eating meat and do exercise. So a possible threat poses as diabetes- and cancer-related death rate is climbing.

Diabetes to cancer

During an assembly of experts initiated by the American Cancer Society and American Diabetes Association in December 2009, there was a common statement suggesting that incidence of cancer is caused by diabetes and some diabetes treatments and risk factors. This has become an issue for further studies.
It is important thing is to take necessary precautions like eating healthy foods and living a healthy lifestyle. Having diabetes can lead to a more cautious diet and lifestyle which can help prevent complications like cancer.

Sleep and Diabetes: Help Can Come From Foods That Put Us To Sleep

This modern computing age can be somewhat difficult for people with diabetes. Enough sleep and diabetes is an important pair. It is good to know that there are foods that put us to sleep. While people wish to do as many things as they can, they cannot just stay awake always. The body needs sleep to revitalize…and sleep can never be substituted by anything.

In a stressful world like ours, many people find themselves deprived of sleep. However, with diabetics, sleep and diabetes is crucial to health. Sleep deprivation are caused by a number of reasons, one of which is diet. There are foods that put us to sleep as there are foods that keep us awake. There is always the right time for everything. Logically enough, to give yourself sleep, avoid the foods that can keep you awake.

To be able to sleep, you do not necessarily take sleeping pills immediately. Consider taking foods that can naturally help you sleep. Then you can end up sleeping like a baby again.

Tryptophan, serotonin and melatonin

One of the body’s sleepers is tryptophan, an amino acid that makes serotonin and melatonin, which in turn makes the brain relax. For good sleep and diabetes, take the foods that has tryptophan, they are the foods that put us to sleep. Tryptophan-produced serotonin is a neurotransmitter that sees to it that nerve traffic slows down so that the brain will not be busy. Melatonin is a substance that helps regulate sleep.

Sleepers

Best sleepers are complex carbohydrates, calcium, milk, cheese, soybean nuts, seafood, meats, whole grains, beans, poultry, rice eggs, sesame seeds, peanuts and sunflower seeds. Also included are apple pie, raisin cookies, pasta, scrambled eggs and many others.

Lighter meals are better sleepers than heavy meals. Heavy meals prolong the work of the body’s digestive system, depriving you of good sleep. Their internal work can keep you awake and thus, not good when we talk about the sleep and diabetes healthy issue.

It is not just eating the foods that put us to sleep but eating evening meals earlier also matters a lot. As the sleep wisdom worthy of heeding says, “Don’t dine after nine.”.

Avoid spicy or heavy foods. Do not take alcohol. If not controlled properly, alcohol causes restlessness and an uncomfortable night.

Eat cherries. They are rich in melatonin.

Refrain from eating too much fat. Fats give us difficulty in sleeping and fats are not good for diabetics. People who lack sleep usually overeat – good or bad snacks. People who lack sleep most likely overeat and may lead themselves to obesity.

There they are. Good sleep and diabetes lead to a healthy living. Definitely, diet can help with those foods that put us to sleep. Having a good night’s sleep makes the following day a more productive one. You feel revitalized, rested, healthy, active and extremely awake. We are ready to face workloads and challenges ahead.

For Busy and Active Diabetics - Foods That Keep You Awake!

Good news for busy and active diabetics. There are foods that keep you awake. Having diabetes does not mean you cannot be active. Diabetics can still live a normal life, and like anybody else, can be productive as much as they can. If you are one of those active diabetics, always on the go, seeking to strike a balance between work and personal tasks to fully enjoy life, the food you take plays a great role in helping you achieve your goals.

Yes, there are foods that keep you awake. Your mind might be alert and active, but the rest of the body drags you to sleep. You do not need to take vitamins to keep you alert all the time. You can take natural foods to help you stay awake healthfully.

Tyramine, taurine and tyrosine

For the busy and active diabetics, it is good to know that there are foods that keep you awake. In order to be alert, your body needs foods that contain tyramine and taurine. Tyramine is an amino acid that makes the brain release norepinephrine, a stimulant that can keep you awake. Foods that have tyramine are usually taken during breakfast such as bacon, ham, cheese, sausages, tomatoes, peppers, fish and smoked meats.

Another amino acid that can make you alert is taurine. This can be found in “energy drinks as well as in coffee, cola or tea. However, if combined with caffeine, this can cause high blood pressure, dehydration and increased heart rate. Most likely, they are also addicting.

Not only should busy and active diabetics avoid drinks with taurine and caffeine but anyone as well. There are still an array of foods that keep you awake.

Taurine and caffeine become more dangerous when alcohol is added and alcohol is definitely not recommended for people with diabetes. Better go for natural foods. An energy drink has stimulants and alcohol has depressant.

If you really need to stay awake, consider other food choices before taking caffeine or energy drinks. Though they can make you awake for about two hours, heart palpitations and sweating can make you lose focus and shaking. It is more dangerous than helpful. After which you crash and feel tired more than ever.

Another waker for busy and active diabetics is the amino acid called tyrosine. Tyrosin perks up the brain and is found in protein-rich foods. It is one of the components in foods that keep you awake.

Iron and protein

If you are one of those busy and active people, take iron because they are one of the foods that keep you awake. Lack of iron causes fatigue. It is common in women since they have menstruation.

Iron is an important part of hemoglobin, the protein which distributes oxygen to the body. Daily dose of iron for women should be 15mg and 10 mg for men. Iron-rich foods are organ meat, liver, oatmeal, clams, tofu and oysters. Taking these foods helps you regain the energy needed for busy and active diabetics to stay awake.

Taking high-protein meals without mixing it with carbohydrates are foods to keep you awake too since it contains tyrosine.

Water

The most effective step to stay awake and fight fatigue is water. Active people often have water with them. Drink water if you feel drowsy. After which, you feel better and your body seems cleaner.

To stay awake, simply eat and drink the right food and beverages and you will find yourself prepared for anything from a boring afternoon to an all-night work.

Yet, if you have diabetes, remember not to overwork as sleeping and enough rest are essential to staying healthy.
 
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