Omega 3 Fish Oil - Pre Diabetes And The Diabetic Undershirt

Pre diabetes is a health state that is considered a possible precursor to type 2 diabetes. It is likely that it will be only a matter of time before pre diabetes is treated as a disease. People are looking for ways to decrease the effects of pre diabetes.

Type 2 diabetes is a small vessel disease. The increased circulating blood sugar seems to "poison" the linings of small blood vessels. These blood vessel's linings thicken and make it more difficult for nutrients to cross from the blood stream into the surrounding tissues. As a result, tissues such as the eyes, heart and kidneys undergo pathological changes.

One of these changes occurs in the feet. The small vessel changes of high blood sugar levels cause the nerves throughout the body to lose function. In the feet, the nerves help monitor small changes in pressure and other potential injuries to the tissues in the feet. Because the feet are constantly impacting the ground, it is possible that the feet may not be able to detect serious injuries before it is too late. As a result, people with diabetes are at risk for injury and even amputation of the limb if the injury is severe enough. In addition, people with diabetes have a more difficult time healing.

A company was recently touted as having a sensor that could be worn as an undershirt. Attached to the shirt is a sensor that records the accumulative effects of the day's activities. The thought is that by monitoring the forces produced during the day's exercise and normal activities, the individual would be able to determine when repetitive forces reached a threshold where they put the feet at risk for breakdown of the skin.

Once the skin breaks down in a person with diabetes, there is the distinct possibility that the break in the skin will not seal over. Any ulcer may become more difficult to heal and in many cases impossible to heal. Therefore, the sensing device could alert the patient to increased risk for skin breakdown.

The device is manufactured by a company called Sensics. To date, the device is only available for health professionals who are in charge of caring for people with diabetes. Stay tuned.

What is interesting is that technology is being used to detect another threshold with respect to type 2 diabetes. Type 2 diabetes is the number one cause of amputations in the United States.

Many people are not able to alter their diet or exercise level to the degree that will significantly impact on their risk for developing type 2 diabetes. As a result many people have turned to supplements to give themselves an edge in the Sugar War that is all around us.

Omega 3 fatty acids have been shown to reduse the risk for people with pre diabetes progressing to type 2 diabetes. Omega 3 fish oil is known for its positive effects on a variety of health conditions including pre diabetes.

omega 3 fish oil

You need to use the freshest and purest omega 3 fish oil sources. New Zealand is known for the best omega 3 fish oil. Find out what steps New Zealand takes to bring you the best omega 3 fish oil. All you have to do is click on the link and find out more.

Don't wait to fight type 2 diabetes. It's not waiting to fight you. Protect yourself.

Try omega 3 now

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Robert_Urban_M.D.

View the original article here

Free Diabetes Meter - What Are the Benefits?

Diabetes, cancer and heart disease are representative of the chronic diseases that are considered to be leading causes of disability and death according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). Among adults, diabetes is responsible for the majority of cases of kidney failure, blindness and non-traumatic amputations of the lower extremities. Almost 24 million people in the US have been diagnosed with diabetes and the number of new cases is increasing each year. Furthermore, many cases remain undiagnosed, and these numbers are estimated to be between six to eight million. The disease can be controlled, so a free diabetes meter is just the thing most folks need.

Having diabetes means your blood sugar or blood glucose is too high. A diabetes meter only needs a drop of blood to test the level of glucose in your bloodstream at any given moment. Blood sugar is typically measured in milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL), but these units are rarely referred to when discussing the target range. Before meals or first thing in the morning before breakfast, the target range is 70 to 130 for most people. An hour or two after eating a meal, the target level should be lower than 180. A free diabetes meter or glucometer can be used at home to test your blood sugar levels at regular intervals.

There are many sources for a free diabetes meter. A number of online companies offer free meters and test supplies to those who qualify by filling out a short survey. There are also advertisements in popular magazines, especially health and fitness magazines, that explain how to get your free glucose meter. You can also find brochures in the doctor's office, drug store and other health facilities. You can also receive free cookbooks, meal planners and recipes for diabetics. All this can help you maintain acceptable blood sugar levels in order to ward off the serious and devastating complications of the disease.

Your free diabetes meter can provide quick and accurate results regarding your blood glucose levels. If the level is too high, that can alert you to cut back on white bread or pasta during your next meal. Although it is a little more complicated than that, it still gives you an idea on how to use the diabetes meter in conjunction with meal planning. After each test, record your results in a log book. Over time you will see trends that will help you better manage diabetes.

Chad Nellis is a health and wellness professional in San Diego where he helps Diabetics with Free Diabetes Meter and Yoga at Yoga For Athletes. Chad's goal is to help people find fulfillment in all aspects of their lives by utilizing events, tools, and strategies that make the process of health and personal growth exciting & entertaining

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

View the original article here

These Are Bad Foods for Diabetics - 5 Foods to Avoid Right Now

One way of prevention and managing diabetes is by swallowing pills in which the body metabolism gets weakened in the long run. Another way is by eating right foods and avoiding bad foods for diabetics. A simple description of unhealthy foods for diabetics can be taken for evaluation by getting into the back shouldering lines.

Simple carbohydrates:

As simple carbohydrates are self potent to raise blood sugar levels, better you avoid such foods high in carbohydrates. The food grains brown or yellow turn white when they are processed to 'fine'. When the food grains undergo refining process, the fiber characteristic of the outer shell is crashed to zero measure. Right now, the grains are high carb foods that can increase blood sugar levels. White rice, white bread, potatoes, refined pasta, and white yeast rolls are all in the list of bad foods for diabetics. The consumables using flour, butter, and baking powder are listed as fatty foods. For diabetics, they are all mostly causing damages to organisms.

Fatty dairy products:

Whole dairy products are fatty foods. They are loaded with high fats and simple carbohydrates that are contributing extremely to cause distorted rise in blood sugar in the bloodstream. It is important that a diabetic keeps off or maintains a restriction of whole milk, yogurt products, sliced cheeses, and ice creams. These are accounted as harmful and not worth of healthy foods for diabetics.

Saturated fats:

Meats, pork, beef, and coconut products are high in saturated fats. As saturated fats can breed up the levels of triglycerides, the chance to increase the risk for heart disease and associated problems is more. So, such bad foods with saturated fats ought to be avoided for diabetes. Consuming foods with saturated fats can result in increased cholesterol deposits inside the arteries. As the foods high in fats such as butter, whole milk dairy products, dark meat of poultry, and poultry skin are not healthy foods for diabetics, they can be avoided for eating.

Salty foods:

Many of the food supplements and snacks are prepared with added salt, rich in sodium, to enhance the taste to the sharp edge. Sodium has been proven to cause circulation problem by absorbing more water than needed to the body. So, canned meats, and soups should be avoided.

Harmful drinks:

As alcoholic drinks lower sugar levels, eliminating these can be safe for your health. Fruits in the form of juices with added sweeteners, high in fructose, can be one of the reasons to cause spikes in blood sugar levels.

View the original article here

Understand and Manage Diabetes - Tips for Controlling Diabetes

Diabetes is a progressive disease marked by high levels of glucose or blood sugar. This situation may be caused by:

an unhealthy pancreas not making or producing enough insulin, and orthe liver, muscles and fat cells not assimilating or absorbing or responding to the insulin a normal manner.

This results in excess sugar or glucose in the blood and is the beginning of an extremely unhealthy and dangerous health condition. This condition may be identified or suspected through the symptoms of blurry vision, excessive thirst, fatigue, frequent urination, intense hunger and unusual weight loss.

Now, conventional wisdom says that there is no cure for diabetes. However, there are some traditional schools of thought that suggest that in some cases this malady can be reversed.

Even so, we know that we can use diet, exercise and medicines to control and manage blood sugar levels, and in this way alleviate or prevent the symptoms associated with diabetes.

To effectively treat or manage diabetes we should:

monitor and control our blood pressure and cholesterol levelseducate ourselves about diabetes and the best or optimal approaches for monitoring and managing itmaintain a regular exercise regimenmanage our diet, paying close attention to our intake of fats, carbs and proteins. Vegetables, particularly green and leafy, should always be on the menu. And here I would like to specifically add herbs, because herbs are foodUse medication as prescribed by your health care professional.

Of course, it seems that for most people the biggest challenge with a diabetes management or control program is the diet part of it.

What to eat, how much to eat, when to eat, how to prepare what you will eat?

Your health care professional or dietitian will most likely discuss the Food Pyramid with you. The three (3) major food groups - carbohydrates/fruits/vegetables, proteins and fats - should be discussed and understood.

Most health care professionals recommend that you eat most of your meals from the carbohydrates/fruits/vegetables group. However, not all carbs are created equally, and you must consider the related glycemic index factor.

This is one reasons why it's very important to discuss your food intake with your diet planning team. The plan should be specifically designed for you, taking into consideration your age, weight, level of physical activity and of course your current health status.

View the original article here

Type 2 Diabetes - How Sleep Deprivation Can Help Put on the Pounds!

Diabetes can make you feel more tired than normal for a number of reasons... people with Type 2 diabetes, especially if they are overweight, may unknowingly suffer from obstructive sleep apnea, caused by the narrowing of the upper airways.

What wouldn't you give to sleep like you did when you were a child? Do you remember how your Mom would coerce you to bed at exactly 8pm, telling you how you would grow taller the next day if you had enough sleep? Then, college came along, and your body adapted to long hours of studying (or was it partying?) and 2 to 3 hours of sleep each day. Now at the workplace, where a typical day means 8 or 9 hours of labor, 3 hours of socialization, 3 hours of housework and what's left of the hours is devoted to other activities and sleep.

Do you would think your active 18-hour days would keep you fit and healthy? But no, you are still overweight, tired and almost always, hungry.

Why is this the case?

Studies have shown that there is a relationship between sleep deprivation and weight gain. Since the main purpose of sleep is to recharge and renew our bodies, a lot of hormones that have something to do with energy and appetite are also affected.

Hormones like:

1. Dopamine and serotonin: If you sleep less hours, the body balances its hormone levels by making you crave sweet, sugary foods since these have the same dopamine-serotonin releasing effect.

2. Ghrelin: Ghrelln is an appetite stimulating hormone. Lack of sleep leads to excess release of this hormone which makes you feel hungry, even if you just ate.

3. Leptin: Leptin is called the satiety hormone. The body delays release of this hormone if you don't get enough sleep.

Simply put, if your body does not get enough sleep, it feels like it's artillery has not been stocked, therefore, it compensates by sending out signals to make you eat more so it can get more ammo. This is why adults who get less than 7 to 9 hours sleep have a hard time controlling their weight.

According to the American Diabetes Association, regular sleep loss leads us to have increased levels of proinflammatory cytokines and low-grade inflammation known to trigger insulin resistance and the development of Type 2 diabetes. As well, overweight people are at a high risk of developing sleep disorders like sleep apnea (a condition that causes temporary gaps between breaths while sleeping).

People who don't get enough sleep during the night typically have low energy throughout the day... especially to exercise or prepare nutritious meals. So now you see that lack of sleep can affect weight gain and increase your risk in developing Type 2 diabetes.

Here are some tips to help you sleep better:

make your bedroom your sleep sanctuarygo to bed and wake up around the same time every daystart winding down about 2 hours before bed. Do not exercise, eat in excess or attend to something stressfulavoid stimulants like coffee or tea before going to bedSleep is not a luxury, but a necessity. Sleep recharges you both mentally and physically. You are better able to fight off stress when you are well rested. Most adults still need about 8 hours of sleep. There are many studies linking obesity and Type 2 diabetes.

To discover answers to questions you may be asking yourself about Type 2 Diabetes, click on this link... Natural Diabetes Treatments

Clicking on this link will help you to learn more about Type 2 Diabetes Solutions... Beverleigh Piepers RN... the Diabetes Detective.

Beverleigh Piepers is the author of this article. This article can be used for reprint on your website provided all the links in the article are complete and active. Copyright (c) 2010 - All Rights Reserved Worldwide

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

View the original article here

Can One Doctor Help Manage Diabetes?

Bad eating habits and lifestyle issues are aiding to rise of diabetics. Treatment of diabetes has led to a specific specialization in medicine called as diabetologists or diabetic consultants. But the question that arises is - If Diabetes is more of a lifestyle disease then how can just one doctor help? Answer to this is an emphatic 'NO'.

A Doctor all alone cannot help a diabetic. It involves stress on lifestyle modifications which require intensive counseling not only from a dietitian but also from a psychiatrist at times. Moreover, the patient should be regularly told as to how many calories should he / she eat and in which form along with medicines to control Diabetes.

According to Dr Kirti Soota, leading Diabetic Consultant in Delhi, "Intensive Dietary Counseling at times 1-2 hrs is required for diabetic patients by the Dietitians. This is apart from usual 15 minutes that a doctor normally spends with the patient. This is required as patients at times go in depression because of a feeling that their lifestyle would change completely and slowly their condition will deteriorate. At times alcoholics ask whether diabetes would result in a complete stop on their alcohol intake. May be the patient has become diabetic as he/she was alcoholic. In such cases help of a psychiatrist is also required."

Along with Diabetes there are other co-morbid conditions that need to be monitored. Patient also needs to be observed for his lipids, liver functioning, glycosylated hemoglobin. Vascular neuropathy also needs to be ruled out in such cases. Foot amputations are one of the major problems of diabetics as they don't even come to know if some sort of infection has happened in their feet. To avoid these conditions, proper feet examination needs to be done for diabetics all the time.

All the above suggest that treatment / management of Diabetes is a team effort by doctors (Diabetic Consultants, Psychiatrists etc.) and dietitians as it not only includes treatment through medicines but also requires a lot of lifestyle modifications. Hence a patient should choose their team i.e. Doctor & Dietitian very carefully.

View the original article here

Diabetes in America: Emotional Support Needed

According to the Center for Disease Control almost 11% of the adult population in the United States has been diagnosed with either type-1 or type-2 diabetes. An additional 57 million people have pre-diabetes which is a condition when average blood glucose levels are higher than normal but not high enough for a diabetes diagnosis. Both of these populations total 81.6 million people in the US that have diabetes or are at risk for a diabetes diagnosis if their lifestyles are not changed. The agency projects that as many as 1 in 3 adults will have diabetes by 2050 which equates to 39 million people. The majority, 90% to 95%, of these individuals have type-2 diabetes.

Taking Control

Although these statistics indicate a significant epidemic, the outlook for individuals does not have to be a hopeless one. Unlike other chronic illnesses, diabetes allows individuals to take control of their lifestyle and make significant impacts on their quality of life. By taking control and incorporating healthy habits into one's daily life, one can significantly minimize the risk of diabetes complications which can include eye complications, kidney disease, heart disease, stroke, sexual dysfunction, and extremity amputation. For some individuals there is even a possibility of reversing diabetes.

The Diabetes Lifestyle

So what does a healthy diabetes lifestyle consist of? First, for many it involves the elimination of unhealthy habits such as smoking, excessive drinking, overeating, poor diet and a sedentary lifestyle. Second, it involves the incorporation of healthy lifestyle habits into one daily life that includes a low carbohydrate and low sugar diet, exercise, glucose monitoring, a medication regimen, consistent visits to a medical team and constant learning about the disease and its lifestyle.

Even though individuals with diabetes can significantly reduce the risk of diabetes complications by adhering to a healthy lifestyle, very few individuals do. For example, 70% of the individuals with type-2 diabetes are considered overweight and their diabetes diagnosis is correlated with their being overweight. For many of these individuals, losing weight can reverse a type-2 diabetes diagnosis. Given this, diabetes continues to grow with almost 90% of the diagnosis' being type-2.

So why is it difficult for individuals to make healthy lifestyle changes and significantly impact diabetes complications and quality of life? The answer is complicated and it may involve practical and emotional dynamics which include knowledge and acceptance. A research study concluded that 95% of diabetes care is considered self-care. That means that only 5% of diabetes care is provided by a medical team and the remaining 95% of the care must be provided by the individual with diabetes and their families. In general, self-care consists of making significant lifestyle changes that include the elimination of unhealthy behaviors and the integration of healthy behaviors. This may mean giving up favorite foods, stopping smoking, and starting an exercise program For many learning the diabetes lifestyle and incorporating it into one's life can be an overwhelming and emotional endeavor. It is no wonder that many people with diabetes are not motivated to make such significant lifestyle changes.

Support

How can individuals be supported through this transition to a healthy diabetes lifestyle and how can one become motivated to learn and live a diabetes lifestyle? Countless studies have been conducted on the correlation between depression and diabetes. Depression has been identified as a significant factor why individuals do not adhere to a healthy diabetes lifestyle, even though the benefits are compelling. Other emotional struggles also appear to interfere with one's motivation to make the necessary lifestyle adjustments, such as fear, anger, sadness and denial. The process of developing motivation can be emotional as one works through these emotional dynamics. Trained counseling professionals at the Colorado Counseling and Wellness Institute can provide support and guidance to help individuals move towards acceptance and develop motivation to live a healthy life with diabetes. Diabetes is being called a lifestyle disease, and hopefully if all Americans can begin to live a healthy lifestyle, the diabetes trend will starting moving down.

View the original article here

Are Your Symptoms Really Indicative of Diabetes 219?

Each person who experiences symptoms of diabetes may experience different symptoms. One person might come down with symptoms and get diagnosed quickly. Another person's diabetes symptoms might be more subtle and that person could be misdiagnosed a few times before a correct diagnosis is made. You need to know which symptoms are almost always diabetes related. In this article we will talk about some of the major symptoms of this disease. If you or your loved ones experience any of these symptoms I urge you to see a health care provider immediately.

The most noticeable signs of each Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes is that the body stops the production of insulin in the means it usually does so. Still, this is not as apparent as, say, the symptoms from the common flu. Generally, is only noticed when you meet with your doctor for another matter. When a blood or organ test is done, the lower levels of insulin can be observed. Type 1 often times gets diagnosed when a person is rather young and is usually discovered on the account of the physician trying to diagnose a bug. Are you more easily irritated and don't know why? While every one has bad moods occasionally, unexplainable irritability could be caused by issues with your blood sugar levels. If your blood sugar levels are unstable, it is a sure sign to get checked for diabetes. The reason people start becoming more irritable when they start becoming diabetic is because their body is no longer processing food correctly. So if you can't find an explanation for your mood swings, have your doctor test your for diabetes and hypoglycemia.

Do you find it difficult to concentrate? Do you suddenly faint for reasons unknown? These symptoms too may signify diabetes. Diabetes prohibits the body's ability to regulate insulin and blood sugar levels. The reason you may feel light headed or even faint is because of the fluctuation of your blood sugar levels. You need to consult your doctor if you experience these spells especially if you experience feeling drained of energy after. You may have lower than normal blood glucose. Or you could simply need insulin treatments. You should consult your doctor to figure out what is going on.

Diabetes is usually a challenge to diagnose. This is as a result of not everyone being familiar with the main signs of diabetes so they don't know what to watch out for. A good rule of thumb is if you are not acting like your usual self, it is time to get a hold of your physician.

Make sure to remember that the symptoms that are directly associated with diabetes are not usually shown outwardly. A blood test and test of your pancreas will be vital to give you a correct diagnosis. After you have the appropriate diagnosis, you'll be able to find out how to feel better and get back to a normal lifestyle.

View the original article here

Skin Disorders Linked To Diabetes

It goes without saying that people with diabetes have many things to worry about. Skin care must rank high on their list of these priorities.

Who hasn't heard about a diabetic having a toe or foot amputated because of gangrene? However, there are many other skin care disorders that can affect the skin of those with diabetes.

To compound the problem, diabetes often causes nerve damage making it hard for diabetics to even know if they are experiencing any skin problems. This poses a danger as any infection or other skin problem must be treated early to avoid any longterm complications.

There are some skin conditions that happen to diabetics that are also common to non-diabetes as well. Some of these would include acanthosis nigricans, bacterial infections, fungal infections, allergic reactions, and itching.

However, some skin conditions are only linked to diabetes. These would include: diabetic dermopahty (white spots), necrobiosis lipoidica diabeticorum (NLD), bullosis diabeticorum (diabetic blisters) and eruptive xanthomatosis.

Dehydration is a condition that is very common to diabetics, especially if their blood glucose levels are not in control. When the skin becomes dry it has a tendency to crack. These cracks allow bacteria and other infectious agents to enter the body. If these infections are not treated early serious medical conditions can occur, often leading to amputations

Adding to the problem for diabetics is that circulation to the extremities of body is not good. This causes any sores or other skin problems to heal slowly.

As is true in most health issues, prevention is the best cure. This is certainly the case in preventing complications due to any of these skin disorders.

Fortunately, with proper skin care, most of these skin problems can be either prevented or treated. Many of these skin disorders can be avoided by proper blood glucose control.

People with diabetes have many skin problems but by following the advice of their doctor or other health care they can avoid many of the skin disorders that are linked to diabetes.

Diabetes is fast becoming an epidemic. The American Diabetes Society estimates that by 2050 one out of three Americans will suffer from diabetes. It is imperative for everyone to educated themselves on the symptoms of diabetes as well as learning how to avoid developing it.

Visit Symptoms of Diabetes to learn more about diabetes and how it can affect you and your family.

There are many complications associated with diabetes, read about them at Skin Disorders.

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

View the original article here

Type 2 Diabetes - Including Almonds In Your Diet May Help Reduce Your Risk of Diabetes!

At 162 calories per ounce almonds are something to be eaten sparingly, but their fat content could be helpful in weight control and the prevention of Type 2 diabetes. That was the conclusion reached by researchers who published the results of their study in the journal Nutrition and Metabolism, January 2011.

Fourteen volunteers with impaired ability to handle sugar were included in the study. Each was given the same breakfast with whole almonds, almond butter, almond flour, almond oil or no almond product. Those who ate whole almonds felt the fullest and had the most even concentration of blood sugar throughout the day. Almond butter and almond oil decreased blood sugar levels and the volunteers who consumed almond oil showed even levels of blood sugar throughout the day. It was therefore concluded the inclusion of almonds with breakfast would likely help to control overeating and blood sugar levels.

An ounce of almonds (23 nuts) provides:

3 grams of dietary fiber or 14 per cent of the recommended daily allowance (RDA) of fiberplus 6 grams of protein7 per cent of the RDA of calcium, and6 per cent of the RDA for iron

They are also a good source of vitamins E and B2 (riboflavin). With a glycemic index (GI) of 0, almonds actually help to lower the GI of any meal in which they are included.

Recipes which include almonds: Slivered almonds make a nice breakfast with oatmeal and cinnamon. Or try a recipe English chef Jamie Oliver created for the Almond Board of California. His recipe for roasted almonds also includes olive oil, coriander and chili peppers.

Allrecipes.com recommends barley salad with apricots, almonds, yogurt, honey, onion, parsley, canola oil, lemon, cinnamon, turmeric and nutmeg. Also from allrecipes.com is a recipe for beet salad with almonds, which also includes olive oil, chives, lemon juice and feta cheese.

When buying almonds buy the kind that have their skins still on them, since that is where most of the fiber is located. If you buy them with their shells still on them you can use the shells for composting.

Grow your own: Almond trees provide beauty to landscaping with their light pink blossoms in the spring. They are related to peaches and the nut resembles a peach seed inside the fruit. Plant almond trees in sunny locations, with plenty of fertilizer or compost in the hole. Planting two or more trees near each other is a good idea for cross- fertilization. Prop up a sapling with a strong stick to keep it from blowing over the first year. Pruning away dead branches and keeping the tree from getting too bushy will help it to grow and allow the wind to blow harmlessly through it.

Harvest your almonds in the summer when the fruits dry and split open, making the seeds easily accessible.

To discover answers to questions you may be asking yourself about Type 2 Diabetes, click on this link... Natural Diabetes Treatments.

Clicking on this link will help you to learn more about Type 2 Diabetes Solutions... Beverleigh Piepers RN... the Diabetes Detective.

Beverleigh Piepers is the author of this article. This article can be used for reprint on your website provided all the links in the article are complete and active. Copyright (c) 2010 - All Rights Reserved Worldwide

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

View the original article here