Food Preservatives Can Be Harmful

Foods today have not undergone the natural food chain anymore, since people have changed them to produce more than less, to meet the demand of cheaper and more food. For instance, cows no longer eat green grass, their main and natural source of food. Instead, they eat corn, while the fishes eat poultry and chickens eat fish. When it comes to plants, fresh vegetables and fruits are usually exported while local markets also sell goods coming from other countries.

Food prices are rising, but in reality, people spend less on modern food than in ancient times, courtesy to the contemporary practice of food production. However, the price is perhaps greater than what is expected. This write up is not aimed to scare people and eradicate some modern foods which are mostly fast processed, from everyday diet, but to give knowledge of the ingredients people may not be aware of, and in a way, are depriving themselves of the fundamentals of nutrition.

Food processing and preservation

Food shelves today are mostly filled with fake foods, junk foods and processed foods, which are actually real food that undergo devitalizing chemical processing and are infused with preservatives. Canned foods, hot dogs, low-fat yogurt with artificial sweeteners are examples of these processed foods. Intake of these foods costs the body more to digest and eliminate, than offering nutrition. That is a poor return of investment while the body is left depleted and sluggish.

Ancient people used salt, sun drying and fermentation to naturally preserve foods. From this simple food preservation evolved more complicated methods, and today, food companies use thousands of chemicals and additives to process food, many of which can be devastating to the health. Many preservatives used today carry toxic chemicals that are more problematic to the health of humans, than the decay they aim to stop.

Furthermore, the good intentions of food processing during the early days have de-evolved to find ways of cheaper food processing to produce more and increase profits, while the health of the consumers is jeopardized.

Preservatives

Preservatives are additives that prevent the food from spoiling. Some examples are nitrates, nitrites, benzoic acid and sulfites like sulfur dioxide and metabisulfites.

Nitrites and nitrates are found to cause nausea, headaches and asthma in some people. These preservatives are found in meats like bacon and ham. Sodium nitrite in some foods is converted to nitrous acid when humans ingest it. Despite showing increased cancer rates in animal testing, it is still in use.

Margarines, carbonated beverages and fruit juices usually have benzoic acid or sodium benzoate, which can cause allergic reactions, and even death in some people.

Sulfites are used to stop fungal spoilage and browning of peeled vegetables and fruits, like apples, potatoes and dried fruits, to prevent brown spots. It is also applied to molasses. Along with the toxins it contains, it bleaches rotten foods and conceals inferior vegetables and fruits. They have similar effects as nitrites and nitrates, plus allergic reactions. Sulfites destroy vitamin B1, thus, it is not allowed to be used in foods with such vitamin. People who are sulfite-sensitive, respond to the foods containing them with adverse reactions. It is found to worsen asthma in humans and about 5 to 10 percent of chronic asthmatics are thought to result from sulfite sensitivity.

There is also the controversial butylated hydroxytoluene, one of the most common preservatives, which is permitted at a low level in foods. With butylated hydroxyanisole, it is investigated further for its ability to harm genetics. Research showed these compounds BHT and BHA can damage red blood cells and trigger chemical sensitivity.

 

While foods with preservatives cannot all be harmful, the addition of milk and vitamins to them, help cover up the adverse effects they can cause. If most people understand the consequences of preservatives, or how the food they eat is processed, they will be able to make wiser choices on how many of these foods they are willing to eat. 

Image courtesy of Luis Tamayo - Flickr

Diabetes Diet: Have These Three Foods in Your Diabetic Diet Plan

Diabetes diet is composed of healthy foods that even non-diabetics can take. The diabetic diet plan is a guide so the patient with diabetes will never go astray of the choosing the foods to take.

For the sake of health, diabetics should learn to live with diabetes diet and strictly follow their diabetic diet plan. There are foods that are body-friendly so that you can have them daily without fear of adverse effects on your body as these foods can help put the blood sugar levels to safe range.

Starches

Take starches as they are the source of energy. The body converts starch to sugar which will fuel the cells for energy. Starches provide carbohydrates, minerals, fiber and vitamins to the body. Go for whole grains as its fiber content can slow down digestion and helps in the control of blood sugar. Whole grains are brown rice, whole-wheat bread, air-popped popcorn, whole-wheat pasta, millet, barley, whole-grain cereal and oatmeal. Diabetes diet may also have whole grain crackers, graham crackers and rice cakes as well as putting these in the diabetic diet plan.

Fruits

Fruits are where the fiber, vitamins, minerals and carbohydrates are. The carbohydrates in fruits greatly affect blood sugar. People with diabetes can eat fresh fruit everyday, and not fruit juice as the latter can spike blood glucose levels. The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disorders advised diabetics to eat the fruit rather than drink the juice.

Vegetables and Fats

Vegetables and fats are essential for the body’s health. Diabetics should eat vegetables everyday as part of their diabetic diet plan. Go more for orange and green colored veggies as part of diabetes diet or diabetic diet plan. They are most loaded with beneficial vitamins and must be taken most often. These include kale, broccoli, carrots, mushrooms, asparagus, cabbage, tomatoes, peppers and zucchini.

Good fats sources are salmon, olive oil, almonds, peanuts, walnuts and vegetable oils.

To give you further and sure assistance, please consult your doctor, dietitian or any health professional for the best-tailored diabetic diet plan.

Coping Up: Live with Diabetes Normally

Having diagnosed of diabetes, it is a must that the patient will be coping up and live with diabetes normally. It is important to have presence of mind, positive attitude and sense of responsibility so diabetes is easier to live with.

Coping up with diabetes is extremely important in order to manage and control the disease well enough. Live with diabetes normally with presence of mind, positive attitude and sense of responsibility. Diabetes may not be cured but it can definitely be controlled; and it should be controlled whether you like it or not so that it will not bring further damage to the body and will not lead to other diseases nor complications.

When you are diagnosed with diabetes, and will start to live with it, you may think that your life is spinning around meals schedule and monitoring of the illness. These can appear extremely stressful most especially for parents caring for diabetic kids or teens.

Diabetes does not end our world. Coping up can be simple. Learn to live diabetes normally by treating it like an additional responsibility. It is similar to having an additional child or an additional car that you need to take responsibility for; and the rewards? Health and a more fulfilling life.

The things that are required to a diabetic patient to do, are actually the things that should be done by everyone to live a healthy life.

For patients with diabetes, it is of topmost importance that they monitor their glucose levels, watch over the food they eat, perform exercise regularly, keep cholesterol and hypertension levels in control and try to avoid stress.

It is also important for diabetics to take extra care of their skin, eyes, feet, teeth and gums. Even without the need of coping up with diabetes, or for those who do not need to live with diabetes normally, these are still needed to be taken cared of.

The skin, feet, eyes, teeth and gums are body parts that are most susceptible to be damaged by diabetes. Practicing proper hygiene is important to the skin and the feet. These should always be cleaned by washing and keeping dry to avoid sores.

There really are a lot of ways to manage and control diabetes. Living with diabetes is practically simple if you are an innate optimist. Just treat it like a companion that you are responsible of taking care of.

American Diabetes Association Diet Plan

The American Diabetic Association and American Diabetes Association developed six exchange food lists to be included in the diet plan of diabetics. It may not easy to follow but the delicious recipes might help.

Below are some of the contents of the list by the American Diabetes Association for a variety of choices for a healthy diet plan.

For appetizers you may have avocado dip, apples with dip, Crispy potato skins, Eggplant with toasted spices, fresh fruit kebabs, fresh spring rolls with shrimp, Grilled pineapple, Sweet and spicy snack mix and white bean dip.

For beverages, have Fruit smoothies, Orange dream, Sweet ginger tisane and Watermelon-cranberry agua fresca.

For bread recipes: Apple corn muffins, Best honey whole-wheat bread, Buckwheat pancakes, Carrot and spice quickbread, Cinnamon rolls, Irish brown bread, Morning glory muffins, Muesli breakfast bars, Pumpkin-hazelnut tea cake
Raspberry chocolate scones, Rhubarb pecan muffins, Southwestern cornmeal muffins, Three-grain raspberry muffins and Whole-grain buttermilk biscuits.

The American Diabetes Association also have these foods as diet plan dessert recipes: Baked apples with cherries and almonds, Berries marinated in balsamic vinegar, Carrot cake, Cheesecake, Chocolate pudding pies, Creamy fruit dessert, Grapes and walnuts with lemon sour cream sauce, Grilled angel food cake, Strawberries and cream, tropical fruits with mint and spices and Warm chocolate souffles.

In your main dish recipes, you may have the following: Asian pork tenderloin
Asparagus, tomato and red pepper French bread pizza, Baked macaroni, Baked oatmeal, Baked salmon with Southeast Asian marinade, Broccoli, Chinese fried rice, Chinese noodles with spring vegetables, Cinnamon French toast, Lasagna, Oriental chicken with braised pineapple ring, Roasted salmon, Rolled ham and Swiss omelet, Stuffed eggplant, Thai crab cakes, Tuna steak sandwiches and Vegetarian kebabs.

The American Diabetes Association have these foods for the salad recipes diet plan: Apple salad with figs and almonds, Citrus salad, Crab salad, Cucumber pineapple salad, Mango tango salad, Tuna pasta salad, Warm coleslaw with honey dressing, Warm potato salad, Yellow pear and cherry tomato salad.

For sandwich recipes: Chicken and coleslaw wrap, Tuna salad sandwiches and turkey club sandwich.

For Sauce and dressing recipes: Lemon or lime glaze for chicken, fish or vegetables, Orange basil vinaigrette and Vegetable salsa.

For Side dish recipes: Black bean cakes, Chinese-style asparagus, Eggplant with toasted spices, Garlic mashed potatoes, Roasted potatoes and sweet carrots.

For Soup recipes: Carrot soup, Chicken adobo soup with bok choy, Creamy asparagus soup and summer vegetable soup.

The Amazing Contents of Salmon

Looking closely at the contents of salmon, you will really come to appreciate this food item. Salmon is amazingly rich in omega 3 fatty acids – one that helps our brain and heart function efficiently. It also has selenium for healthy hair and nails; as well as protein and a lot of vitamins all in one food item.

The contents of salmon are very good for the body that it is recommended to be taken regularly. Salmon is the best source of omega 3 fatty acids. Fatty acids or omega 3 is so important to our body because it prevents heart disease and helps our brain function properly, it improves concentration and can aid us in staying focused for a long time. That is why it is sometimes called the “brain food”. Another important content of salmon is selenium, which is proven to help in the health and growth of nails and hair.

Like most fishes, salmon is high in protein. It energizes the body and keeps the blood runs smoothly like a well-oiled machine. Not only that, the contents of salmon includes vitamins like A, B6, B12, D, magnesium, phosphorous, calcium and iron. That is credited to salmon’s meaty flesh that is thick and close to its stingy long bones.

The vitamins and nutrients in salmon collaborate to regulate the blood glucose levels, enabling the sugar to be absorbed to the bloodstream efficiently, making metabolism under control and helping prevent obesity.

Fortunately, Mother Nature abounds in salmon. Thus, it is not an endangered specie nor a treasured marine friend that is presently over fished. They are plenty and reproduce astronomically, needing no farming at all. Being abundant of them is a priceless gift of the world especially these days when heart, blood circulation-related, liver and kidney problems are rampant.

With such amazing contents of salmon, you can eat it as regularly as you can to boost your heart health and general health. Salmon tastes great too no matter how you prepare it and will not ruin any of your diet plan or weight-loss programs. It gives us good cholesterol and helps get rid of bad cholesterol.

It is really amazing how a delectable food item can be as wonderful as this!

Advance Diabetes Care: The Strip-Free Testing Device

A strip-free glucose meter device is a good for diabetes care as it solves some testing issues among diabetes patients; such as waste disposal and convenience. For diabetics, testing device system such as the blood glucose meter is an essential equipment to monitor their blood sugar levels; and how well have they managed the disease.

The new technology of strip-free testing device gives way to a new era in diabetes care. The blood glucose meter might be fairly small, but it informs the diabetic of his sugar level, thus helping him manage his diabetes or make up his mind about the right medication, practice and application for him.

Blood glucose meters usually need test strip that it uses only once. The test strip is thrown away after use so the patient needs a lot of strips for his blood glucose meter.

Blood glucose self-monitoring is not easy for everyone to adopt. Patients do testing which frequency is less than what is recommended of them because they may lack time, find it complicated to handle test strips, or they merely wish to be discreet. They may like this new strip-free testing device and will improve their self diabetes care.

The patients who fail to glucose test in line with the guidelines of management goals and healthcare professionals are increasing their risk of complications and hypoglycaemia.

Recently however, a new technology has been introduced, the strip-free technology which is indeed a breakthrough as it breaks down the barriers of glucose testing.

The new strip-free meter fits high-frequency users whose lifestyles are super busy. It uses a distinctive cassette concept and a continuous tape which is good for 50 tests and a sole drum having six lancets. Both the continuous tape and lancets are approved wastes of the household. The strip-free device is a big improvement in diabetes care and simplification of the testing process for patients. This eliminates the need for single lancets, single test strips and sharp bins for patients.

Brett Lewis, Diabetes Care Director at Roche said that the revolutionary cassette-based system paves new standards in blood sugar testing, eliminating worries over issues like disposal of wastes. The new test device has a comprehensive feature with a five-second test time, with only 0.3µl volume of blood needed and strip-free. It is indeed a clear step advance in diabetes care.

The strip-free glucose testing device has 500 test memory plu 7, 14, 30 day averages; requires no coding, has data which is downloadable to Excel and an approximately five seconds measuring time.

Is Soda Safe for Diabetics?

Since soda is a very common and handy beverage, chances are people take it frequently, even those with high blood sugar. The question is, is it safe for diabetics? Read on.

High Glucose Levels

Diabetics already have too much sugar in their bloodstream. Soda is definitely not safe for diabetics. If they drink soda, they put themselves to greater risks for high glucose. A can of soda has about 15 tbsp. of sugar or more that can cause a great spike in the glucose levels. According to DiabetesWellBeing.com, taking more than one can of soda daily can cause diabetics significant damage which may result to diabetic coma.

Therefore, diabetics should refrain from drinking soda and other beverages containing high sugar mainly because they can cause problems quickly.

Patients with diabetes who drink soda daily risk themselves of developing hyperosmolar syndrome. Most of the sodas have lots of sugar, sugar substitutes and corn syrup which are difficult to be converted to energy. These contents of soda are not safe for diabetics. They shall result to large amounts of sugar to remain in the blood and become paste-like and thick. Hyperosmolar syndrome can result to diabetic coma, as it causes the body’s inability to drain the fluids out, according to MayoClinic.com. This can be a potential life-threatening state especially for those who have diabetes. Sufferers should consult their medical doctor immediately.

Delayed healing

Soda can also cause delayed healing of the wounds in diabetics. Its high content of sugar makes it hard to be processed. So the glucose levels are elevated, causing current cuts and wounds on the skin to be fed by bacteria; and poor blood circulation causes the cuts to be open longer. That is why soda is not safe for diabetics. Thicker blood is harder to be removed and elevated sugar prevents healing; and can lead to a need of amputation.

Diet Soda

Diet sodas do not have much sugar that can endanger diabetics. However, its artificial sweeteners may cause confusion to the brain, leading to hunger and cravings. This can lead to consuming a lot of carbohydrates that are sugar in themselves.

Though diet sodas are not directly sweet, they may have indirect adverse effects especially for diabetics. Further studies are still conducted to prove if diet sodas are safe for diabetics or not. Some health professionals do recommend to refrain from them just the same.

Natural Ways to Balance Glucose Levels

Here are some of the easy-to-apply natural ways to balance glucose levels. Balancing blood sugar is the main concern for the health conscious and diabetics especially. To do so, we should not just rely on medication and treatment but must also do our part.


Balancing the glucose levels is the theme of diabetics. Fortunately, there are a lot of natural ways to balance glucose levels which are easy, simple and doable.

When you eat something, your intestines and stomach break the food and convert it to glucose. This glucose is needed by the cells for energy, but for the cells to use them, they need the help of insulin. With diabetes, there can be short of insulin production or the body is resistant to using insulin, particularly because of excess fats. So glucose stays in the blood, pancreas secretes more insulin until it gets tired and gives up. That is when diabetes occurs.

To help yourself and your body stay healthy, you can do the following which are just some of the natural ways that can help balance glucose levels:

Eat often, eat small

The body processes better if the food comes in small amounts. It is easier in the pancreas, intestines and digestive enzymes. It may vary in individuals, but you may eat 4 to 6 meals a day, of 400 to 600 calories each depending on your caloric intake. Eat every four hours, at least.

Increase water consumption

The body is fed much of water. To be dehydrated is dangerous, as it is difficult for the blood, which carries glucose and insulin.

Involve your muscles

The muscles are the consumers of glucose. Being physically active make the muscles utilize glucose and coerce the body to be insulin sensitive. Physical activity or exercise is one of the effective natural ways to balance glucose levels.

Make sure you get off belly fat

If you are male, below 40 inches belly circumference is safe. For female, below 35 inches. Belly fat can increase insulin resistance and heart disease. It can increase dramatically under high stress because of the release of cortisol from adrenals. Exercise, relaxing baths, meditation and massage can help you de-stress.

Monitor your thyroid

Your thyroid and pancreas have a link between them. If your thyroid is not properly working, chances are your pancreas is suffering some imbalance which can lead to insulin resistance. Check your thyroid regularly.

Laugh more

An old adage says that laughter is the best medicine. There was a study where 19 diabetics attended a lecture on one day and a comedy show on the next day, after meals. It was found that their blood glucose levels were down on the day of the comedy show than the lecture day. Thus, a good way to lower glucose level is to laugh a bit.

How Ginseng Can Help Diabetics

There are studies which found that ginseng are good for diabetics. The studies were done in United Kingdom, Canada and United States. So far, the researches conclude that ginseng, which have been used by Chinese people for many years, can also play a big role in Western medicine.

There are two new studies which suggest that the red ginseng herb may help normalize the levels of blood sugar in diabetic patients. In one study, patients with type 2 diabetes who consume pectin-like fiber with high viscous and ginseng have notable decrease in blood glucose levels as reported by Alexandra Jenkins, a candidate of PhD of University of Surrey, United Kingdom.

The study had 30 diabetic patients with whom medication taken helped them control blood sugar, but did not help in normalizing the glucose levels. The participants were given three times daily for 12 weeks, either capsules which contents were ginseng grown in North America or placebo.

After four weeks, the participants were switched. Those who received ginseng capsules took placebo and those who received placebo took ginseng. Blood samples taken after each break from diabetics showed that glucose levels of ginseng takers became more normal, but not during the time when they took placebo.

The herbal preparation appeared to be safe, with no adverse effects, but when beyond medication, it can be unsafe. Chinese people who apply ginseng to cure various ailments have been doing so for 5,000 years. Just like acupuncture, ginseng can have a role in Western medicine.

Korean ginseng

Another PhD candidate from University of Toronto, John L. Sievenpiper studied Korean ginseng’s role in improving insulin sensitivity, as compared to placebo. He said that ginseng appeared to aid the patient to process the insulin better.

Ginseng can be good especially for type 2 diabetics. Kaufman, head of Center for Diabetes at Children’s Hospital, Los Angeles said there is no doubt that natural herbs like ginseng can be effective in correcting the body’s defective reaction to insulin.

A research published in the Archives of Internal Medicine shows that one specie of ginseng at least may have therapeutic value. In the study of University of Toronto, having American ginseng before meals appear to cause significant reduction to blood sugar, diabetics or non-diabetics alike.

Diabetes and Atkins Diet: The Atkins Diabetes Revolution

Let us see how diabetes and Atkins diet can go hand in hand in managing blood sugar. The typical therapy for diabetes are drugs and a good diet of carbs and sugar. Many have known that limiting carbs, especially grain and refined sugar is an effective solution of preventing and managing type 2 diabetes.

Diabetes and Atkins diet can go hand in hand to achieve best health results. One of the more famous diets these days is Atkins Diet. This diet focuses more on lean protein and low consumption of carbohydrates. Atkins Diet can bring a substantial weight loss in a short period. It consists of four phases: Induction, On-Going Weight Loss, Pre-Maintenance and Lifetime Maintenance.

The Atkins Diabetes Revolution mainly has exclusive levels of meal preparation and carbohydrates intake. It begins with 20 grams every day, increasing to 40 then 60 grams every day. Dr. Atkins popularized the relationship of insulin and overweight.

Stage 1: Induction

In the first phase, the consumption of some lean fats and carbohydrates is very limited, 20 grams or lower. It helps patients with diabetes and individuals who are addicted to sweets, or those who are obese to reduce weight. Atkins diet also helps those who still do not have diabetes, reduce the risk of having diabetes. The limitation of carbohydrates in this phase
can lead to the state of ketosis, meaning the body burns its stored fat as fuel because of the absence of incoming glucose.

This phase mainly consists of high protein like chicken, fish, preferred vegetables and eggs. Carbs particulary pasta, sugar and bread are limited. Even nuts and fruits should be refrained.

This stage lasts about two weeks and can significantly change your metabolism. Exercising fair enough is important too.

Stage 2: Ongoing Weight Loss

This fits those with diabetes well. Atkins diet in the second phase, lets healthy carbs come in like vegetables and fruits. Whole grains are added in small quantities. It gradually introduces selected foods such as fruits, vegetables and nuts with the aim of still reducing weight.

The body continues to burn stored fats and the more balanced choice of foods allows a much wider meal variety. The patient should continue educating himself/herself of Atkins theory and keep in mind that his weight loss goal is 10 lbs.

Stage 3: Pre-Maintenance

This phase is for balancing carbohydrates, the stage where one accomplishes his normal and ideal weight. This can take maybe more than a few months.

Stage 4: Lifetime Maintenance

Just like the lifetime health maintenance especially those with diabetes, Atkins diet is meant to be followed forever. The patient should live a life of the ideal or standard weight which is a healthy weight.

Atkins Diet meals are fresh, lean and delectable. It makes becoming active and healthy easier to achieve.

How Mediterranean Diet Can Help Diabetes

Mediterranean diet is one of the versatile diet plans. Mediterranean diet can help diabetes if is applied religiously. It is versatile because it has a lot of entries, and a variety at that. Some people find it easy and practical.

The Mediterranean diet can help diabetes too because just like any diet, it helps the person on track of balanced foods and maintain a healthy weight. It is more famous for those who love sea foods. This diet plan mainly consists of fish or shellfish as a primary source of protein; together with legumes. Mediterranean diet is also known as rich in whole grains and vegetables and low in red meat. The red meat is replaced with poultry or fish.

Cooked and raw vegetables are plenty in this diet as well as desserts of spiced and fresh fruits served in the evening meal. Natural vegetable oils such as found in avocado, and olive oil are the primary sources of fats in the Mediterranean diet. It can help diabetes since it avoids animal fats, margarine and butter. Some have lean red meat as an option, albeit it should be strictly kept to minimum.

Since the Mediterranean Diet has a wide variety of entries, it is easy to follow and is not a boring diet. The regional flavoring and spices added keep the meals from being bland and repetitive. Thus, losing weight with Mediterranean Diet is easier.

Eating a Mediterranean Diet may help type 2 diabetics keep their illness under control even without drugs. Many people find this diet as better than a typical low-fat diet.

Mediterranean and low-fat diets

A study in Second University of Naples, Italy showed that type 2 diabetics who adapt Mediterranean Diet are doing better. It really can help diabetes with a lot of vegetables, whole grains and fats from olive oil are better in managing diabetes even without medications than those who ate low-fat diets.

The study was of two groups – one group took Mediterranean diet and the other took low-fat diet. After four years of studying, researchers found that only 44 percent of people on the side of the Mediterranean diet ended up requiring medications for diabetes compared to the 70 percent on the low-fat diet followers.

Healthy Diabetes: Rebuild Your Immune System

If you are a diabetic can still have healthy diabetes if you manage the disease well. It is also better if you rebuild your immune system most especially if you are type 1 diabetic.

Have a healthy diabetes. Rebuild your immune system. As we know, a weak immune can cause trouble to someone’s health. That is just so since it is the body’s defense mechanism against external attacks that can cause sickness and damage to the body.

The immune system deficiency causes some body abnormalities including type 1 diabetes. While some research are still ongoing on how to strengthen the immune system through medical or clinical procedures, there are some of the more practical, easy and accepted ways to do so. The following are some of those:

Drink a lot of water every day, at least 64 ounces or eight glasses. Water is a main ingredient of the body’s fluids. It aids the kidneys and liver to function properly – flushing out the harmful impurities. Have healthy diabetes by rebuilding your immune system with water. Dehydration can bring adverse effects to the immune system, and at some levels, can be deadly.

Practice a healthy diet intake. Nutrients from good food contribute to the body’s health. Some of these good foods are whole grains, oats, whole wheat bread, flax seed, steamed or raw vegetables especially those that are dark green and fruits particularly berries and the citrus varieties.

Eliminate unhealthy foods. Some of these are white or refined sugar, caffeine, animal fats, alcohol and trans fats.

Quit smoking or never smoke at all. If you are a smoker, no matter how hard it maybe, you need to quit. You can never have a healthy diabetes with smoking. Rebuild your immune system by quitting smoking. Cigarette chemicals are very harmful indeed to the immune system.

Have a regular exercise. A physical activity like climbing stairs, brisk walking, scrubbing the kitchen or jumping rope are exercise in themselves. Do your exercise for at least 30 minutes a day. The point is your heart rate must increase for a certain amount of time.

Rest, avoid stress and relax. Stress is one of the major culprits of weakening the immune system. If you have a stressful job and you cannot do anything about it, do some de-stressing activities like taking a hot bath, taking a walk, getting a massage or reading a book. Healthy diabetes is having enough sleep. Good sleep is important to rebuild your immune system. Make sure you sleep seven to nine hours during the night so that tackling your day can be easier and will not cause you irritability and exhaustion.

Include vitamins C and E in your intake. Vitamin C helps promote the production of white blood cells. The latter are good in fighting out infections and surface-coat the cells to prevent the entrance of viruses. Some vitamin C sources are papaya, guava, orange and strawberries.

Vitamin E aids promote the production of cells which destroy bacteria, germs and cancer. Vitamin E lowers the risk of heart disease. It can be found in grains, vegetable oils and seeds.

Have a healthy diabetes by taking some lean protein because they have amino acids which are the building blocks of the body. They are good too for you to rebuild your diabetes. They increase white blood cells count. The more white blood cells one has, the stronger his immune system becomes. Lean protein are good quality. They come from eggs, turkey, chicken, beans, lentils and omega-3.

Beta carotene is an anti-oxidant that can make the immune system stronger. It triggers the production of cells that can kill infections. Take beta carotene sources like spinach, carrots and sweet potatoes. Beta carotene can lower cancer and rheumatoid arthritis risks. It is especially important for elderly people.

Other foods good for the immune system are garlic, yogurt and lemon.

Diabetes in Infants: Can Infants have Diabetes?

Diabetes in infants is possible. The more difficult part of their diabetes is that infants cannot express how they feel, nor give out complains, as they still cannot talk. However, the signs and symptoms of diabetes in adults are the same with the symptoms that they can have.

Yes, diabetes in infants can happen. Some very important signs that the infant have diabetes are excessive drinking and excessive urination (which brings in more wet diapers). These conditions are polydipsia and polyuria respectively. The infant still loses weight even if his eating habits are normal. The slower healing of sores can be obvious, with dry and itchy skin. The infant may not display blurry eyesight immediately but can give signs of hunger and fatigue (thus, he may sleep more than usual). In some infants, there can be a velvety dark rash on the neck, or tingling in the feet.

Infants should be examined immediately especially when already showing signs and symptoms of diabetes. Examination can be done by simple urine and blood tests to determine diabetes in infants. Exam results can be fairly fast, like a few minutes or a few days.

Type 1 diabetes, an immune system-related disease can be most of the types infants can develop. It is when the beta cells of the pancreas cannot produce insulin because the immune system mistakenly regards it as an enemy, thus attacking or destroying it. The lack of insulin makes the sugar stay in the blood, making the latter loaded with sugar, which brings many harmful effects.

Type 2 diabetes or resistance to insulin, affects the liver, muscle and fat by them not able to effectively process insulin. Insulin production is enough, but the body does not listen to insulin properly. This holds true with diabetes in infants.

Type 1 diabetes is most likely the one that affects the infants. Consult the pediatrician immediately who can diagnose the infant and give you valuable information on the best ways to manage diabetes in the baby.

It is worthy to know the risks. Type 1 diabetes affects one of every 400 – 600 children as reported by National Diabetes Information Clearing House. Non-Hispanic, white children are most susceptible. Albeit genetics plays a major role, infants with no family history of diabetes may still be hit.

Since infants have high metabolism, they can get dehydrated easily. Contact the infant’s pediatrician if he shows the following: sweating, crankiness, trembling, bluish fingers or lips and paleness. These can be signs of hypoglycemia.

Diabetes Complication: How to Avoid Glaucoma

Eye disorder is one of the diabetes complications. You sure do not want to have a blurry vision or be blind in addition to your diabetes. So make sure to avoid glaucoma especially if you are already diabetic.

Glaucoma, a kind of eye disease is one of the diabetes complications. If you are already diabetic, make sure you know how to avoid glaucoma.
High blood sugar can cause eye disorder like glaucoma. Glaucoma is caused by the damage of the eye’s electric wire (optic nerve) because it is pressed by extra fluid. The situation causes damage to the eyesight.

To avoid or remedy glaucoma, see that your blood sugar level is within 90 to 130 mg/dL before meals and less than 180 mg/dL one hour or two hours after meal.

You may use eye drops that are prescribed by your doctor as there are a lot of types of eye drops. There are eye drops that reduce the fluid production in the eyes, others give the eyes moisturizer. Eye drops may help avoid diabetes complications on the eyes and can be useful to avoid glaucoma. Generally though, eye drops help lower the pressure at the back of the eyes which glaucoma brings in.

Do not expose yourself to sports that can lead to eye injury. Some eye injuries might lead to glaucoma immediately or some time later. Boxing and baseball are the most common in causing eye injuries and glaucoma.

Have regular eye check-ups to monitor your eyes’ health. If you have diabetes, hypertension and heart disease, you are more susceptible to glaucoma. Frequent eye exams help early detection of glaucoma and early medication matters to avoid general damage to the eyes. If you are aged 18 to 60, avoid diabetes complication in your eyes earlier by having a complete eye exam every other year. Regular eye checkup is a useful way to avoid glaucoma. For those older than 60, complete eye exam should be done every year. For African Americans, they should start yearly complete eye exam upon reaching 30 years old.

Maintain a healthy weight. Overweight can lead to insulin resistance and the latter increases eye pressure.

Maintain a healthy range of blood pressure. Blood pressure, when high can also increase eye pressure, thus increasing the risk of glaucoma.

Give your eyes protection when you need to, like power tools when you do welding. Wear protection to prevent your eyes from being hit especially if you are diabetic. It can give diabetes complication to your eyes faster because eye damage can lead to glaucoma. To avoid glaucoma, wear protection tools.

Do not take caffeine and alcohol. According to the study by Avisar and his colleagues in “Annals of Pharmacotherapeutics”, caffeinated coffee can elevate eye pressure. Alcohol has not been proven to cause eye damage yet but healthcare professionals may suggest abstaining from alcoholic beverages as well.

Have doses of vitamins A, B complex, C and E. They can help protect your eyes. Seeds, whole grains, fresh fruits, vegetables and nuts are sources of these. Carrots and dark green leaves of vegetables are very helpful. Drinking green tea may help too.

Do not gulp a lot of liquids at once. Consume liquids gradually throughout the day.

Nephropathy: When Diabetes Hits Kidney

Diabetes can cause diabetic nephropathy, meaning kidney deterioration. It is best to manage diabetes well to avoid deadly complications. When diabetes hits kidney, health problems do accumulate.

Kidney disease among patients with diabetes is usually called diabetic nephropathy. When diabetes hits kidney, there should be some adjustments, treatments and medications to be made fast to avoid further kidney-related health problems. About 40 percent of diabetics shall develop nephropathy – a term generally used to describe the deterioration of kidney functions.

The kidneys have millions of small clusters of blood vessels that filter the waste from the blood. Diabetes can damage this fragile filtering system, which can lead to kidney illness or failure that may require dialysis and transplant.

The high level of sugar in the blood which characterizes diabetes can cause a major damage to the kidneys. The National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse (NKUDIC) gave some information on the kidneys’ function to help us appreciate its vital function and that long complication of diabetic nephropathy is avoided earlier. If diabetes is already present, never let the time come when diabetes hits kidney.

NKUDIC states that there is a need for sugar to be broken to smaller molecules so it can exit the bloodstream. If it cannot exit the blood properly, its large particles can be a poison upon entering the kidneys – damaging the kidney’s tiny filtering tubules.

Even small interruptions in the brain due to inadequate insulin release to some receptors, can already lead to disorders in the kidney. Indeed, proper functioning of the insulin in the brain is needed by the kidneys to output urine properly.

Now, let us see how diabetes gradually damage the kidneys that can lead to diabetic nephropathy. Diabetes can easily injure the tiny blood vessels of the body. When diabetes hits kidney, it damages the blood vessels of the kidneys, and the latter cannot properly clean the blood. The body shall retain more salt and water resulting to ankle swelling and more body weight. Waste materials accumulate in the blood. Urine remains in the bladder which can cause infection from the fast growth of urine bacteria that has a lot of sugar.

In the long run, the kidneys’ inability to rid off the “poisons” from the blood can cause the increase of creatinine and urea. This is known as “chronic renal failure”, “end-stage renal disease” or “end stage kidney disease” and already requires dialysis or transplant.

Exploring the Effects of Chiropractor in Diabetes Sufferers

Chiropractor which used to treat vertebral subluxations are suspected to have some other beneficial applications to treat other diseases as well. Chiropractic care is studied if it can give benefits to diabetics.

Researchers are trying to find proofs that chiropractor maybe able to give a valuable involvement to a total program of betterment to help those who suffer diabetes. Chiropractic care was focused on correcting spine misalignments, called vertebral subluxations, a condition that affects the relationship between the organs and the nervous system.

Diabetes is found to be the fifth most fatal disease in America and a growing global epidemic. Chiropractic treatment can help the spine and the joints aligned; to lessen the pain and improve circulation. Chiropractors usually deal with patients who have disorders or diseases from sciatica (back to leg pain) to diabetes; and experiencing some symptoms of such.

Each patient needs a customized chiropractic treatment plan to get the best results. Chiropractors use a lot of various techniques though there are some which are more common. Chiropractic care was thought to help adults who suffer from headaches and back pains. Current research however shows that it has other applications.

The potential for chiropractor to help patients with diabetes is vitally important since the occurrence of diabetes is rapidly increasing.

A study which was published in the Journal of Vertebral Subluxation Research (JVSR) highlighted the positive response to chiropractic when applied as part of an integrative care and treatment of a person with an adult-onset diabetes. Along with the chiropractic care, the diabetic also received exercise and nutritional guidance.

After a month in the program, the glucose and urine levels of the patient normalized, and it was credited to chiropractor or chiropractic care. The medical doctor who did the monitoring of his progress said the patient does not need insulin if his condition remains stable.

Further examinations, investigations and research still need to be conducted so as to answer the questions if application of chiropractic treatment can really help a patient in his difficulties in handling blood sugar. To know more about it, ask some information from your health professional.

Transfer Factor for Diabetes

Further studies are ongoing whether transfer factor can directly help patients with diabetes deal with the disease, in order to ensure the partial findings of the past that it can possibly do, even indirectly.

Transfer factor has been promoted to cure a large number of diseases, including diabetes though it has not been proven enough yet. A transfer factor is a chemical taken from a human body or animal that already had developed immunity or protection against a disease. Taken by mouth or given as shots, transfer factors for different diseases are so far done in laboratories only intended for experiments. Research wants to see if transfer factors are capable of passing the immunity to those who need it.

Transfer factors are applied to people who have infections or who have weak immune systems. The infections can be caused by viruses or bacteria causing sinus infections, influenza, bronchitis, swine flu, chickenpox, common cold, hepatitis B, fungal and yeast conditions, leprosy and some parasitic infections. Transfer factor can also be applied against diabetes, infertility, autism, systemic lupu serythematosus (SLE), chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), Alzheimer’s disease, balding and many others.

Type 1 diabetes which is an autoimmune disease signifies a disorder in the immune system but is not related to infection, a thing that transfer factor is said to be effective in fighting off. However, transfer factor offers the ability to control the immune system that responds hard; to aid building the balance as what happens with type 1 diabetes.

For type 2 diabetes, transfer factor can help in fighting against inflammations. Diabetics, either type 1 or type 2 have higher risks for infection because their bodies are incapable of utilizing glucose. The transference factors can extensively reinforce the immune system to respond faster and more efficiently before health threats come.

Sweeten Your Holidays with Healthy Sweets

Welcome this season with enjoyable events and mouth-watering food treats. As a diabetic, sweeten your holidays with healthy sweets. It is not because that you are diabetic that you should deprive yourself of enjoying the holidays.

Sweeten your holidays with healthy sweets. As it is expected to have holiday sweets, this one can be a tougher challenge for diabetics. However, taking holiday sweets is fine. Indulge in small portions of these sweets to give room for other carbs. When you can do the preparation yourself, go for sugar substitutes instead or reduce the amount of sugar in the recipe. You can add flavorings instead like cinnamon, vanilla and nutmeg.

Choose to prepare your food

Make tarts and fruit pies, instead of those loaded with fats and sugar. However, they still have to be consumed in small portions. It is always better to be in control so if possible, you may host the party or prepare the food yourself.

If you are a guest at a party

You still can sweeten your holidays with healthy sweets even if you are a mere party guest. However, it can be more challenging if you are attending a party as a guest. Being diabetic and trying to lose or maintain weight can be tough when faced with a rich buffet. In order to not ruin your diabetic regimen, make sure not to go to the party hungry. Do not lose control. Take time to inspect the food first, before taking your picks.

Go away from those that are full of sauce. Treat yourself to a little bit of many things, sweets or non-sweets. Be more conscious on the portions that you take.

Desserts

Sweeten your holidays with healthy sweets in desserts. If you prepare the desserts yourself, substitute the typical fattening desserts with healthier options. For example, prepare fruit tarts or pumpkin pie instead of cakes. Decrease the amount of sugar in preparing the desserts by one-third and add other spices or vanilla extract instead. Instead of ice cream, take fat-free, or low-fat yogurt or sorbet. For cookies, use small or holiday cookies.

Good Diabetes Care May Reduce Blindness, Heart and Kidney Disease

Many studies are geared towards improving diabetes care at cheaper costs. Health professionals know that good diabetes care can lessen a patient’s lifetime risks of blindness, heart and kidney diseases, which are most common complications of the diabetic population especially among diabetic senior citizens.

It has been shown in the United States that investing to improve diabetes care in qualified health clinics is found to be worth the investment; as it will lead to reduction of blindness, heart and kidney diseases risks. Such should also be applied to all clinics worldwide as it can bring about quality improvements especially to reduce major diabetic complications. Investments on diabetes care improvement are equal to investment to develop new treatments like new diagnostic technologies or better medications and drugs.

Diabetes care in clinics

Clinics which support patients with diabetes see to it that diabetic patients receive standard care. Diabetes care includes regular blood sugar control testing, eye exams, checking blood pressure, assessment of blood cholesterol and fats as well as regular follow-ups.

Diabetes care in clinics also includes preventive treatments like ACE inhibitors and aspirin can lead to the reduction of blindness, heart and kidney disease. Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors are drugs for treating congestive heart failure and high blood pressure. Aspirin is to prevent strokes and heart attacks.

Clinical and personal diabetes care

Having diabetes care in clinics is of vital importance as well as personal care. Clinical care shall affirm the effectiveness of the patient’s personal diabetes management. Both reduce the lifetime risk of blindness, kidney failure and cardiovascular complications.

Furthermore, a longer life with fewer complications is not far from possible. After all, better diabetes care and management are all it is to avoid complications – and complications are the scariest part of having diabetes. Investing time, effort and money for diabetes care to reduce risks of blindness, heart and kidney disease is definitely worth it.

Diabetes Complication: Types of Neuropathy

One of diabetes complications is neuropathy. Diabetes neuropathy happens when the creeping of diabetes in the body’s systems causes damage to the patient’s nerves. Neuropathy comes in many types depending on what nerves are affected and what causes them.

Peripheral neuropathy

One of the diabetes complications is peripheral or sensorimotor neuropathy, the most common type of diabetic neuropathy is a condition wherein the problems of the nerve affect those outside the spinal cord and brain. These nerves compose the peripheral nervous system. Peripheral neuropathy is a neuropathy or nerve damage happening in the nerves of the extremities – feet, toes, legs, fingers, arms and hands. Some causes of peripheral neuropathy aside from diabetes are injury, toxins and infections.

Nutritionists and scientists confirmed that peripheral neuropathy is directly caused by a lack of vitamin B12.

Hereditary Neuropathy

When a nerve damage happens because of a genetically-transmitted nerve disorder usually in the hands and below the knees, then that is what you call hereditary neuropathy. Another diabetes complication, it is also known as sensory neuropathy.

Idiopathic Neuropathy

When doctors cannot pinpoint a specific cause to neuropathy, it is called “idiopathic”. This neuropathy usually affects the seniors or those who are 60 years or older. The development of this neuropathy is slow but bothersome.


Toxin-Related Neuropathy

Certain peripheral neuropathies result from exposure to toxins and chemicals (such as mercury, lead, thallium, organic insecticides, mercury and solvents). Intentional exposure, like that of drug or chemical abuse, often leads to peripheral neuropathy.

Drug-Related Neuropathy

Some medications such as HIV, AIDS or chemotherapy have peripheral neuropathy as a side effect. Thus, to stop the neuropathy, the medication should also be stopped.

Compression Neuropathy

When nerves become constrained or compacted, that is compression neuropathy. Not a direct diabetes complication, this neuropathy can be a result of inflammation or trauma such as carpal tunnel syndrome.

Nutritional/Vitamin Deficiency Neuropathy

A neuropathy caused by malnutrition, alcoholism, reduced absorptive surface and neuropathy-inducing vitamins.

Autonomic Neuropathy

Autonomic neuropathy damages the genitals, bladder and stomach where bladder can be paralyzed. Diabetics cannot feel that they are full and have the tendency to keep the urine in the body longer. Such results to urinary tract infections.

Radiculoplexus Neuropathy
Radiculoplexus neuropathy affects the nerves near the shoulders and hips. It is also called proximal or amyotrophy neuropathy.

Other types of neuropathy are cranial neuropathy (affects one of the brain’s 12 cranial nerves), focal (restricted to one nerve group), distal symmetric polyneuropathy (caused by poor glucose control), mononeuropathy (affects a single nerve usually caused by injury) and mononeuritis multiplex (damage to at least two different nerves resulting to brain disorder.