Archive for the ‘Diabetes Treatments’ Category

Treating an illness stimulates the economy. Curing it does not.

I am a type 2 diabetic. My doctor tells me that regardless of what I do as for as medication, diet, exercise, etc that my numbers will continue to get worst.

Are there diabetes treatments that work but are not accepted by the medical community in general? Please site your sources.

It is very important that people understand that exercise and losing weight can prevent or delay diabetes.

In the United States, almost 21 million people are living with diabetes and an estimated 6.2 million of these people don’t even know that they have diabetes.  According to the American Diabetes Association, people with diabetes have medical expenditures that are 2.3 times higher than non-diabetics.  Yet, most diabetes cases are preventable or reversible through exercise, weight loss, and healthy living.

What if the 6.2 million people who were undiagnosed knew they had diabetes? Or the estimated 57 million Americans with Pre-Diabetes were educated on how they could mange their health and avoid becoming a Type 2 Diabetic?

Being diagnosed as Pre-Diabetic does not mean that Type 2 diabetes is inevitable. If you lose weight and increase your physical activity, you can prevent or delay diabetes and even return your blood glucose levels to normal (ACSM 2006).

Do you know the signs of diabetes? Take a look around you. Do you see any signs of diabetes in your friends and family right now? It is very possible that there are people that are diabetic (or will become diabetic) around you every day. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that one in three Americans may develop diabetes in their lifetime. Those statistics are staggering and PREVENTABLE for most.

What about Type 2 diabetics that have been diagnosed? What if we educated them that through diet and exercise they could reduce their medication or eliminate it? Let’s get down to the business of taking some personal responsibility for our health.

Many of you who are trying to understand diabetes and take responsibility for your health immediately have several questions:

• Should you cut out sugar?
• Is your weight putting you at risk?
• If you are skinny, you don’t have to worry, right?
• Can exercise and diet really help YOU?
• How do I control blood sugar levels?

And then there are the issues that you might not even know to ask about:

Having diabetes for more than five years can increase your likelihood of developing cardiovascular disease
Regular exercise can make you more sensitive to insulin, which can reduce medication dosages.

What is insulin?

Insulin is the main hormone that controls the entry of blood sugar from the blood stream into the cells of the body to be used as energy.

How does exercise influence the insulin hormone? Exercise has an insulin-like effect on the body. When exercising, your muscles require a steady flow of sugar to keep contracting and keep you moving. Exercise increases the rate at which your muscles take up the sugar from your blood stream.  Exercise acts the same as insulin by emptying the excess sugar in your blood stream into your muscles. This action, therefore, lowers your blood sugar.   In fact, a twenty minute walk a day can lower glucose levels by twenty points.

Here is a great example to explain insulin’s function in your body. Think of insulin as a bus for a moment. Glucose (sugar) is the passenger. There are two types of diabetics. Type 1 diabetics manufacture no insulin (or have no bus), which, according to the Center for Disease Control, is 5% – 10% of all diagnosed cases. The second type (Type 2), have insulin resistance, which means the bus is there, but it is not picking up passengers and, there are less buses running the route. According to the Center for Disease Control, Type 2 diabetes accounts for 90%-95% of all diagnosed cases.

When you exercise, your muscles work harder than usual and require more fuel than usual; so your muscles send out their own buses to pick up the sugar in the bloodstream and carry it back to the muscles. Working muscles take over for insulin and (for Type 2 diabetics) they can even show the buses (insulin) how to work again (pick up passengers).

Exercising has many benefits for a diabetic. It increases glucose uptake by the cells, improves insulin sensitivity by improving glucose metabolism and reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease. Reduction of blood glucose levels improves insulin sensitivity by making it more effective. Exercise may reduce dosage requirements or need for medication and improve the ability to lose and/or maintain body weight if combined with an intuitive diet.

What are the common misconceptions?

There are many popular myths about diabetes.  Here are a few that I hear often.

1.  Diabetics must stay away from sweets.

While simple carbohydrates or sweets raise your blood glucose levels, you can safely eat an occasional sweet if you eat them in moderation and make them a part of your meal plan.

2.  Only obese people get diabetes

The key thing to remember is that there is no typical “diabetes” body type, genetic trait, race, age or gender. Type 2 diabetes is caused by lifestyle choices.  While being obese puts you at risk for Type 2 diabetes, also keep in mind that 20% of people with Type 2 Diabetes are slim.

3.  There is no natural remedy for diabetes.

The natural remedy for diabetes is called exercise and balanced eating.  In addition to that, always monitor your your glucose levels, combining exercise with balanced eating, or use medication.

4.  I am only borderline and a high blood sugar reading is normal for me.

There is no such thing as being borderline.  You are either a diabetic or not.  While a high blood sugar may seem normal for you, keep in mind that having high glucose levels are not safe.

Diabetes is a serious disease and it is best that you take personal responsibility for your body.  There are serious health complications especially when you are stressing your body with high blood sugar levels.

5. I don’t believe that exercising will do me good.

The Diabetes Prevention Study revealed that exercising for a total of two hours a week can reduce the risk of developing diabetes by 50%, that can be as little as 20 minutes, 6 days a week.  This means that even taking a short, ten minute walk before and after work can help you prevent diabetes or lower your glucose levels.

Diabetes is serious but you can do something about it.  Get educated about your disease, determine what your beliefs are about diabetes and make lifestyle changes starting today.  Exercise a little everyday until you build up to the recommended guidelines and eat a balanced, healthy diet.  Keep in mind that over 90% of diabetes cases are preventable and can be maintained with some natural remedies such as exercising, healthy eating, and/or combined with low doses of medication.

What are some common diabetes terms?

1.  Type 1

The body cannot manufacture its own insulin because the beta cells of the pancreas that are responsible for insulin production are destroyed. It is an auto immune disease that destroys insulin producing cells in the pancreas.  About 5-10% of all diagnosed cases (CDC 2005)

2.  Type 2

This is also known as insulin resistance or adult onset diabetes.  The body loses its sensitivity to insulin so the body’s cells are unable to utilize insulin properly. About 90% – 95% of all diagnosed cases fall within this category.

3.  Pre-Diabetes

This is the onset of diabetes.  If your fasting plasma glucose test (FPG) indicates your levels are 100 mg/dl to 125 mg/dl, you will be diagnosed with pre-diabetes as your body is already showing signs of becoming a diabetic.  This requires you to change your lifestyle if you want to prevent having diabetes.

4.  Gestational Diabetes

This is a form of insulin resistance.  This is when the glucose levels rise due to the pregnancy hormones interfering with the mother’s insulin.  In most cases, this ends with the birth of the child.

5.  Metabolic Syndrome

A combination of medical disorders that increases the risk factors of developing cardiovascular disease, obesity, hypertension, low high-density lipoprotein (HDL), high cholesterol levels and elevated plasma triglyceride levels.

6.  Hypoglycemic

This is when you have abnormally low blood sugar levels which could be caused by excessive insulin or your diet. Some of the symptoms are:

• trembling or shakiness
• nervousness
• rapid heart beat
• increased sweating
• headache
• impaired concentration or attentiveness
• unconsciousness
• coma

7.  Hyperglycemic

This is when you have abnormally high blood sugar levels.  Some of the symptoms are:

• frequent urination
• thirst
• nausea
• abdominal pain
• dry skin
• disorientation
• labored breathing
• drowsiness

What are the telltale signs of diabetes?

Some very telltale signs include:

• frequent thirst, hunger and urination
• weight loss
• fatigue
• crankiness
• frequent infections
• blurred vision
• cuts/ bruises that are slow to heal
• tingling and numbness in hands and feet
• recurring skin, gum and bladder infections

What are the guidelines for exercising safely?

• Prior to starting an exercise program, always consult with your doctor first.
• Track your blood glucose levels during your exercise program.  Do this before exercising, immediately after exercising and two hours after exercising
• Always warm-up, cool-down, stretch and adhere to an intensity of Type 1 (3 to 5 RPE) and Type 2 (3 to 6/7 RPE).
• Always wear well-fitting, well cushioned, supportive shoes
• Minimize trauma to your feet by wearing polyester or cotton polyester socks.  This will keep your feet dry.
• Remember that any strenuous, high-impact or static activity must be approved by your doctor.
• It pays to be prepared.  Keep a carbohydrate snack with you.  These snacks must have about 10-15 grams of carbohydrate.
• Wear identification that lets people know that you have diabetes.  This will come in handy in case of a hypoglycemic response http://www.n-styleid.com
• Understand and monitor the signs of exercise-induced hypoglycemia
• Do not exercise if you have 250 mg/ dl blood glucose levels or if you have ketones in your urine
• Certain diabetic conditions require specific and strict guidelines.  If you have autonomic neuropathy, peripheral neuropathy, neuropathy, retinopathy or any other related conditions to diabetes, it is required that you obtain your doctor’s approval before starting an exercise program.
• If you are new to exercising, it is best that you exercise with a partner.  Do this until you know your body’s response to exercise
• Always check your feet before and after exercise for lesions
• Drink plenty of water. A good rule is to take a mouthful or two at least every fifteen minutes

Are there any natural ways to help fight off diabetes using natural herbs and foods?  If so please list them.  I am paying out 0+ a month on medications that do not seem to be helping, and have been doing so for the last 3 years.  I follow a strict diet with little to no sugars and carbs, but all I manage to do is go deeper in debt and get sicker.

Do you know that the bark of an Indian tree cures diabetes?

About Diabetes

You are diagnosed with diabetes if your blood glucose (sugar) levels are above normal.  This occurs when the glucose cannot get into your cells and as a result, your cells are deprived of their glucose, which is their food.  As a result your cells are starving for their food (glucose).  This is similar to surrounding a starving person with lots of delicious foods and then sewing their mouths closed so they are unable to eat.

In the United Stated, about 17 million Americans are believed to have diabetes and unfortunately, one-third of those patients don’t even know they have it.  Diabetes is a serious health concern and is among the leading causes of death in the US.

It is very important for people with diabetes to have a physician who closely monitors their health as diabetes can cause serious health complications.  These include heart disease, blindness, kidney failure, and lower-extremity amputations.  It would be of significant to note that most diabetics develop heart disease.

In fact, a diabetic carries the same risk of having a heart attack as someone who already has had such an event.  This is the reason why it is very important for diabetics to have their cholesterol levels and blood pressure closely monitored and treated when necessary.  Additionally, any use of tobacco products multiplies the risks and should be stopped immediately.

Kinds of Diabetes

There are different kinds of diabetes though the basic features are the same.  A basic feature of diabetes is the inability of the body to utilize glucose (sugar) for energy which causes the glucose levels of the person to rise up above normal levels.

Below are the three important areas that you should understand:

1. The cells in your body which use the glucose are important as they must be able to remove sugar from the blood and put it inside the cell as a fuel.
2. The insulin which is made by your pancreas (an organ near your stomach) is important to allow the sugar to enter the cell (the key to unlock the door to enter).
3. Glucose is broken down from your food or from muscle and liver from a storage form of glucose called glycogen.

Think of diabetes as a locking gas cap on your car.  If you understand how a locking gas cap works, then you can understand how diabetes works.  All the cells in your body have a locking gas cap on them. Insulin is the key to the locking gas cap, and glucose would be the fuel for the car.

Below are some of the different scenarios that exists for different types of diabetes.  The result of all of these scenarios is excess glucose in your blood.

1. The body totally stops making insulin (keys) so you can’t get glucose (fuel) into your cells.
2. Your body makes some insulin (keys) but not much as your body needs.  Therefore, only a few of the cells can be unlocked and opened to put the glucose (fuel) inside.
3. Some of the locks on the cells become rusty and won’t work properly.  So even if you have insulin (keys), you can’t get the cells to open. This is called insulin resistance. If the cells won’t open, you can’t get glucose (fuel) inside the cell for energy.

Types Of Diabetes

1.  TYPE 1

This accounts for 5-10% of diabetics and is usually diagnosed in children and young adults.  In this type of diabetes, the pancreas does not make any insulin (keys) at all.

2.  TYPE 2

This is the most common form of diabetes and accounts for 90-95% of all cases.  In this type of diabetes, either one of the two scenarios can occur.  These scenarios causes the body to be unable to utilize the glucose like they are meant to do so.  Insulin resistance is the term used when your cells ignore the insulin.

• either your body doesn’t make enough insulin (keys), or
• the cells in your body ignore the insulin (the lock is rusty and doesn’t work)

3. GESTATIONAL DIABETES

This type of diabetes only accounts for a small number of cases and can only be acquired by pregnant women.  If this is left untreated, it can cause problems for both the mother and the baby.  This type of diabetes usually disappears after the pregnancy.

4. OTHERS

Other types of diabetes results from specific genetic syndromes, surgery, drugs, malnutrition, infections, and other illnesses may account for 1% to 2% of all cases of diabetes.

Risk Factors

Below are the risk factors that increase your chance of developing diabetes:

1.  TYPE 2

Risk factors for Type 2 diabetes includes:

• older age
• obesity
• family history
• prior history of gestational diabetes
• impaired glucose tolerance
• physical inactivity
• race/ethnicity

2.  TYPE 1

Risk factors for Type 1 diabetes are less well defined than it is for Type 2 diabetes.  Here are some of the risk factors that are involved in developing this type of diabetes:

• autoimmune
• genetic
• environmental factors

Symptoms of Diabetes

Here are some of the symptoms of diabetes:

• frequent urination
• excessive thirst
• unexplained weight loss
• extreme hunger
• sudden vision changes
• tingling or numbness in hands or feet
• feeling very tired much of the time
• very dry skin
• sores that are slow to heal
• more infections than usual

In addition, nausea, vomiting, or stomach pains may accompany some of these symptoms in the abrupt onset of type 1 diabetes.

If you think you or someone you know has diabetes, it is advisable that you visit a physician for a diagnosis right away.  It is important to remember not all the symptoms need to be present.  You may have some or even none of the above symptoms.

Avoiding Sugar

Since glucose is sugar, is it enough to just avoid sweets?  Unfortunately, it is not that simple.

The truth is, most food, and all of the carbohydrates you eat, are broken down into its simplest structure – glucose. As food arrives in your stomach, the acid starts to break the food down immediately. Proteins are broken down for their amino acids, and carbohydrates for their glucose.

Once your gastrointestinal system breaks your food down into something your body can utilize, the blood picks it up and carries it to your cells for energy.  In healthy people, the blood picks up the glucose absorbed from the GI tract, and sends a signal to your pancreas (an organ near your stomach) to make and release insulin.

As mentioned above, in Type 2 diabetes, your body doesn’t make enough insulin (keys) or your cells could be ignoring the insulin that is there (the locks are rusty and won’t work).   In both situations, your cells are starving as they do not get the glucose they need for energy.

Meanwhile, all the extra glucose is just floating around in your blood and can’t be used.  Unfortunately, when all that extra glucose is floating around in your blood, it causes damage to your blood vessels and organs.  That damage increases your risk of heart disease.  That is the reason why it is very important to keep your blood glucose levels as close to normal as possible. When the glucose levels get really high, the glucose starts to leak out into your urine.

Treating Diabetes

There are several things you need to do to help control your diabetes.

1.  TYPE 1

The basic therapy for type 1 diabetes include:

• healthy eating
• physical activity
• insulin injections

It is important that the amount of insulin taken must be balanced with food intake and daily activities.   For patients with type 1 diabetes, blood glucose levels must be closely monitored through frequent blood glucose testing.

2.  TYPE 2

The basic therapy for type 1 diabetes include:

• healthy eating
• physical activity
• blood glucose testing

In addition, many people with type 2 diabetes require oral medication, insulin, or both to control their blood glucose levels.

Some of the oral medications work by stimulating your pancreas to make more insulin (keys). Other oral medicines work to make the rusty locks start working again.   It fixes the lock on the cells so the insulin (keys) can open the cell to allow the glucose (fuel) inside. Once the glucose (fuel) is allowed inside the cells, your blood sugar levels will drop back down to normal.

Medicines for Diabetes

There are many different types of medications that your doctor may prescribe for diabetes.  However, do note that these prescriptions can cause certain nutritional deficiencies which can increase your risk for chronic degenerative diseases.

NutraMD Diabetes Essential Nutrients supplement was designed to work with your diabetic medications by replacing lost nutrients, reducing the risk of dangerous side effects, and promote better health

The main classes of diabetic medications include:

1.  SULFONYLUREAS

Sulfonylureas include the following medications:

• Orinase
• Tolinase
• Diabinese
• Glipizide
• Glyburide
• Amaryl
• Prandin
• Strarlix

The main function of sulfonylureas is to increase insulin production in the beta cells of the pancreas. Sulfonylureas can interfere with the body’s normal metabolism of Coenzyme Q10.  And since CoQ10 is necessary to make energy in all tissues of the body, this effect may decrease your body’s natural ability to utilize or burn up sugars.  It may even reduce the ability of the pancreas to produce insulin over time.

2.  BIGUANIDES

Biguanides include the following medications:

• Glucophage (Metformin)
• Glucovance (metformin + glyburide)

The main functions of biguanides are to lower the production of glucose by the liver thereby reducing blood glucose levels. Your doctor may prescribe this type of medicine in combination with sulfonylureas insulin, or a class of drugs known as thiazolidinediones.

Unfortunately, biguanides have been shown to deplete vitamin B-12, folic acid and Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10). A few of the problems which may arise from deficiencies of folate and vitamin B-12 include the following:

• Heart disease
• stroke
• anemia
• arthritis
• joint pain
• muscle pain
• neuropathies (nerve damage)

Because diabetes increases your risk for heart disease, stroke, and neuropathy, it is especially important to prevent nutritional deficiencies which may add to these risk factors.  To reduce potential side effects of nutrient deficiencies, it is recommended that you take NutraMD Diabetes Essential Nutrients supplement as long as you are on your diabetic medication.

Because both medication types listed above can deplete CoQ10, it is important to understand some of the symptoms of a deficiency.  CoQ10 deficiency has been linked to the following diseases and symptoms:

• congestive heart failure
• high blood pressure
• rhabdomyolysis (muscle break down)
• muscle and joint pain
• fatigue

To achieve maximum benefit from the diabetes medications as well as minimize potential side effects of nutrient deficiencies, compliment your prescription medication by taking NutraMD Diabetes Essential Nutrients supplement.  Doing this will balance the risk/benefit ratio further in your favor.

3.  THIAZOLIDINEDIONES

In summary, diabetic medications prescribed by your doctor are necessary to treat your condition; however, you should also be aware that the long term potential nutritional side effects may be just as big a risk factor for your health as the disease you set out to treat in the first place. Put the odds in your favor and maintain your health with NutraMD Diabetes Essential Nutrients supplement

Keeping Your Blood Sugar Under Control

Frequent blood tests monitor your blood sugar.  It is highly recommended that patients with diabetes should have a home blood monitoring kit.  Some doctors ask their patients to check their blood sugar as frequently as six times a day, though this is an extreme case.

The more information you have about your blood sugar levels, the easier it will be for you to control it. People with diabetes must take responsibility for their day-to-day care, and keep blood glucose levels from going too low or too high.

1.  HYPERGLYCEMIA

Hyperglycemia is when your blood sugar is too high.  When your blood sugar is too high, you may not experience any symptoms but the high levels of glucose in your blood is causing damage to your blood vessels and organs.  That is why it is important to have your body utilize the sugar properly and get it out of your bloodstream.

2.  HYPOGLYCEMIA

Hypoglycemia is when your blood sugar is too low.  Having low blood sugar can be very dangerous and patients taking medication for diabetes should watch for symptoms of low blood sugar.

Monitoring your blood sugar regularly to avoid both low and high blood sugar is very important.  Always keep your blood sugar as close to normal as possible at all times.

How the doctor knows if you are keeping your blood sugar under control

It is common for some patients to not follow the proper diet and exercise on a regular basis.  Some of them only follow these on the days leading to the blood test in the doctor’s office so their fasting blood glucose test results will be good for the doctor.  They want to look like they are doing a good job controlling their blood sugar.

However, there is a test that will show your doctor the real picture over the past 3 months or so.  This is called the hemoglobin A1C (HbA1C) test.  Hemoglobin is the part of your blood or red cells that carries oxygen to your cells. Glucose sticks to the hemoglobin in your red cells of the blood as they emerge from the bone marrow where they are made.

The amount of sugar on the red cell is proportionate to the blood sugar level the moment the red cell goes into circulation, and remains at that level for the life of the red cell. So if there has been a lot of extra glucose in your blood, there will be a lot of glucose stuck all over your hemoglobin. Since the average lifespan of the hemoglobin in your blood is 90-100 days, a HbA1C test shows a doctor how well you have been controlling your blood sugar over the last 3 months.

This test is a check on the overall sugar control, not just the fasting blood sugar. So it is important to control your blood sugar at all times, and not just before visiting the doctor. The most important reason to control your blood sugar is so that you can live a longer, healthier life without complications that can be caused by not controlling your diabetes.

Repercussions of not controlling your diabetes

The complications of diabetes can be devastating.  Both forms of diabetes ultimately lead to high blood sugar levels, a condition called hyperglycemia. The damage that hyperglycemia causes to your body is extensive and includes:

• Damage to the retina from diabetes (diabetic retinopathy) is a leading cause of blindness.

• Diabetes predisposes people to high blood pressure and high cholesterol and triglyceride levels. These independently and together with hyperglycemia increase the risk of heart disease, kidney disease, and other blood vessel complications.

• Damage to the nerves in the autonomic nervous system can lead to paralysis of the stomach (gastroparesis), chronic diarrhea, and an inability to control heart rate and blood pressure with posture changes.

• Damage to the kidneys from diabetes (diabetic nephropathy) is a leading cause of kidney failure.

• Damage to the nerves from diabetes (diabetic neuropathy) is a leading cause of lack of normal sensation in the foot, which can lead to wounds and ulcers, and all too frequently to foot and leg amputations.

• Diabetes accelerates atherosclerosis or hardening of the arteries, and the formation of fatty plaques inside the arteries, which can lead to blockages or a clot (thrombus), which can then lead to heart attack, stroke, and decreased circulation in the arms and legs (peripheral vascular disease).

• Hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar, occurs from time to time in most people with diabetes. It results from taking too much diabetes medication or insulin, missing a meal, doing more exercise than usual, drinking too much alcohol, or taking certain medications for other conditions. It is very important to recognize hypoglycemia and be prepared to treat it at all times. Headache, feeling dizzy, poor concentration, tremors of hands, and sweating are common symptoms of hypoglycemia. You can faint or have a seizure if blood sugar level gets too low.

• Diabetic ketoacidosis is a serious condition in which uncontrolled hyperglycemia (usually due to complete lack of insulin or a relative deficiency of insulin) over time creates a buildup in the blood of acidic waste products called ketones. High levels of ketones can be very harmful. This typically happens to people with type 1 diabetes who do not have good blood glucose control. Diabetic ketoacidosis can be precipitated by infection, stress, trauma, missing medications like insulin, or medical emergencies like stroke and heart attack.

• Hyperosmolar hyperglycemic nonketotic syndrome is a serious condition in which the blood sugar level gets very high. The body tries to get rid of the excess blood sugar by eliminating it in the urine. This increases the amount of urine significantly and often leads to dehydration so severe that it can cause seizures, coma, even death. This syndrome typically occurs in people with type 2 diabetes who are not controlling their blood sugar levels or have become dehydrated or have stress, injury, stroke, or medications like steroids.

Pre-diabetes

Pre-diabetes is a common condition related to diabetes. In people with pre-diabetes, the blood sugar level is higher than normal but not high enough to be considered diabetes. Pre-diabetes increases your risk of getting type 2 diabetes and of having a heart disease or a stroke. Pre-diabetes can be reversed without insulin or medication by losing a modest amount of weight and increasing your physical activity. This can prevent or at least delay the onset of type 2 diabetes. When associated with certain other abnormalities, it is also called the metabolic syndrome.

What are normal blood glucose levels?   The amount of glucose (sugar) in your blood changes throughout the day and night.  Your levels will vary depending upon when, what and how much you have eaten, and whether or not you have exercised.  Below are the American Diabetes Association categories for normal blood sugar levels.  These are based on how your glucose levels are tested:

1.  A FASTING BLOOD GLUCOSE TEST

This test is performed after you have fasted (no food or liquids other than water) for eight hours. A normal fasting blood glucose level is less than 100 mg/dl.  A diagnosis of diabetes is made if your blood glucose reading is 126 mg/dl or higher. (In 1997, the American Diabetes Association lowered the level at which diabetes is diagnosed to 126 mg/dl from 140 mg/dl.)

2.  A “RANDOM” BLOOD GLUCOSE TEST

This test can be taken any time.  A normal blood glucose range is in the low to mid 100s. A diagnosis of diabetes is made if your blood glucose reading is 200 mg/dl or higher and you have symptoms of disease such as fatigue, excessive urination, excessive thirst or unplanned weight loss.

3.  ORAL GLUCOSE TOLERANCE TEST

Another test called the oral glucose tolerance test may be performed instead.For this test, you will be asked, after fasting overnight, to drink a sugar-water solution. Your blood glucose levels will then be tested over several hours. In a person without diabetes, glucose levels rise and then fall quickly after drinking the solution.

In a person with diabetes, blood glucose levels rise higher than normal and do not fall as quickly.A normal blood glucose reading two hours after drinking the solution is less than 140 mg/dl, and all readings between the start of the test until two hours after the start are less than 200 mg/dl.  Diabetes is diagnosed if your blood glucose levels are 200 mg/dl or higher.

What To Do When You Have Diabetes

People with diabetes should consult with a health care provider who will monitor and help them learn to manage their diabetes. In addition, people with diabetes may see the following health care professionals:

• endocrinologists, who may specialize in diabetes care
• ophthalmologists for eye examinations
• podiatrists for routine foot care
• dietitians and diabetes educators who teach the skills needed for daily diabetes management

Diabetes, and its precursor, the metabolic syndrome, can lead to a multitude of problems if not adequately controlled. These include:

• vascular diseases that result in heart attack and stroke
• kidney damage leading to kidney failure
• damage to nerves (neuropathy)
• retinal damage leading to blindness
• high blood pressure
• various metabolic defects such as high triglycerides or high cholesterol

It is therefore crucial to control the diabetes as well as all the other risk factors for artery diseases that cause heart attack and stroke.  To control this, your doctor will insist on a good diet and regular exercise. Medications are added to lower the blood sugar.  If these are inadequate, insulin or other injectable medication will be required.

The medications that treat diabetes may cause depletion of folic acid, which in turn can cause a high homocysteine, which is a risk factor for artery disease that underlies heart attack and stroke.  You can shift the risks in your favor by taking NutraMD Diabetes Essential Nutrients along with your doctor prescribed medications.

I am not looking to bring out the truth or share what I discover.

I am just seeking if I can cure diabetes so I won’t have to suffer through any more treatments. I feel like I wanna die.

If it is being underground I wanna know.  I am sick of No hope.

Are there any cures for Type1 diabetes????

One of the things that you need to do when you are diagnosed with diabetes is to understand what the disease is all about.  It is normal to feel afraid when diagnosed with diabetes.  You will feel better once you know what it is and how to deal with it.  Keep in mind that diabetes is a serious disease and should be treated immediately.

What Diabetes Means

When you have diabetes, your body loses the ability to use insulin properly and in some cases, loses the capability to create sufficient insulin that your body needs.

Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas.  It helps you move glucose (sugar) from your bloodstream into the cells of your body to produce the energy needed for the body to function.  Without insulin, the sugar cannot enter the cells and this results to the sugar build up in the bloodstream.

The Different Types of Diabetes

1.  PRE-DIABETES

Pre-diabetes is a condition in which people have a higher than normal level of blood sugar but not high enough to be considered diabetes.  When you are diagnosed with pre-diabetes, it is highly recommended that you adapt a change in lifestyle to prevent Type 2 diabetes.

2.  TYPE 1 DIABETES

Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease.  The immune system attacks the beta cells in your pancreas, which produces the insulin.  When the immune system attacks the pancreas, this causes the pancreas to:

• lessen the amount of insulin it makes; or
• stop making insulin at all

This type of diabetes is more common among whites than it is among people of other races.

3.  TYPE 2 DIABETES

Type 2 diabetes is the most common type of diabetes.  In fact, in the United States alone, more than 20 million people are affected by this condition.

Type 2 diabetes occurs when your body cannot properly utilize the insulin that it produces.  This condition is called insulin resistance.  This usually happens when you are overweight and body fat makes it harder for the body to use the insulin your body produces.

There may be other risk factors, including aging, physical inactivity, race, family history of type 2 diabetes, etc.

4.  GESTATIONAL DIABETES

Gestational diabetes occurs during pregnancy when blood sugar levels are higher than pre-pregnancy levels. While the cause of this type of diabetes is still unknown, some experts believe that the hormones produced by the placenta interfere with the mother’s capacity to use her own insulin.

If this type of diabetes is not carefully controlled, the baby may be affected. Fortunately, gestational diabetes is usually caught in an early stage and the baby does not suffer any complications.

Testing for Diabetes

There are two different test which can determine the type of diabetes a person has.  These are:

• The FPG test (Fasting Plasma Glucose) – measures the glycemia level after fasting for an eight hour period.
• The OGTT (Oral Glucose Tolerance Test) -  measures the glycemia level after drinking a standardized drink, rich in glucose. Glycemia levels are then tested several times over a period of four hours.

What To Do When You Have Diabetes

While being diagnosed with diabetes can be frightening, others have opted to look at this as an excellent opportunity to adopt healthier habits.  Take control of your health, choose the right treatment for you and implement it immediately.

If you are a Type 1 diabetic, you will need insulin each and every day. If you have type 2, gestational or pre-diabetes, you probably will not need insulin.

Remember that it is vital that you keep your glycemia level under control.  Maintaining it in the correct range is the first mandatory step.  Scientific studies have consistently shown that attaining this goal helps minimize the risk of complications.  Strict blood sugar control drastically reduces the chances of suffering most of the diabetes-related complications such as kidney, eye and nerve diseases.

Another important issue is the way you deal with food.  Healthy eating habits can help diabetics control their weight and their diabetes easily.  Opt for the low Glycemic Index (GI) diets which help maintain body weight and blood sugar in the right levels. It is also important for the diabetic to follow a heart-healthy diet with high complex carbs content, high fiber and low fat content, to prevent hypertension and high cholesterol.

Keep in mind that no matter what type of diabetes you have, you do not need to live a miserable life full of restrictions and sufferings.  Improve your condition with the appropriate lifestyle modifications including diet, weight control, exercise and nutritional supplements.

Controlling Diabetes

People with Type 1 diabetes can control their disease with a combination of a healthy diet, frequent exercise, the appropriate nutritional supplements, and of course insulin.

On the other hand, people with other types of diabetes may be able to keep their glycemia under control and even reverse their diabetes with just diet, exercise and supplements.  These are the three fundamental pillars of any diabetes treatment.

What companies are doing research on cures for diabetes?

It is surprising to know that majority of the people diagnosed with diabetes are not properly informed on the dangers that a diabetic are confronted with.  If diabetes is not properly managed, it will continue to worsen and will result in complications.  These complications are the true killers of diabetes.

With all things being equal, a diabetic, on average,  has a shorter life span than the non-diabetics.  They live almost 10 years less than their non-diabetic counterpart.  This is largely due to diabetic complications.

What Are Diabetic Complications?

Diabetic complications are due to a condition in which the excess sugar saturates the inside of the body cells.  This is called by the medical community as the Advanced Glycation End (AGE).  This condition also includes the following:

• coronary artery disease
• vascular disease
• blindness
• kidney disease
• retinopathy (blindness)
• loss of feeling in the hands and the feet (peripheral neuropathy)

Since diabetes do not exhibit symptoms in the early stages, it is possible for a diabetic to remain undiagnosed for years. It is during these years that the beginnings of diabetic complications can gain a foothold due excess sugar in the cells (AGE).

Are Diabetic Complications A Certainty?

Over time, there is a higher potential of a diabetic becoming diagnosed with one or more diabetic complications.  How well the diabetic monitors and controls his blood sugar will determine whether or not complications will arise.  Excellent control of blood sugar as well as adapting an active lifestyle will benefit the diabetic in preventing and slowing down the onset of diabetic complications.

Keep in mind that drastic rises and falls of blood sugar can be hard on the body and the excess sugar present in the cells can create havoc on the different nerves within the body as well as the capillaries, veins, and arteries.

The Different Types Of Diabetes

There are two types of diabetes -

• Type I
• Type II

Of the people diagnosed with diabetes, 10% have Type I while the other 90% have Type II.

Type I is usually found in children and young adults.  It develops when the pancreas fail to produce insulin which is needed to break down sugars and starches to convert them into energy.  On the other hand, Type II usually occurs later in an adults life.  It develops when the pancreas is unable to produce enough insulin.  This can be due to several factors such as obesity.

The main difference between the two types is that Type I diabetics are completely dependent on insulin and take daily injections while majority of the Type II diabetics rely on oral medication and/or changes in diet and exercise.  There are only a few Type II diabetics who require insulin shots.

The Risk Factors Surrounding Diabetes

There are several risk factors that can push a pre-diabetic into full blown diabetes.  These are:

• being overweight
• family history of diabetes
• lack of adequate exercise
• history of gestational diabetes (occurs during pregnancy and usually disappears after delivery)
• certain ethnic groups

People over 45 years of age and has one or several of the risk factors mentioned above should be screened for diabetes each year, preferably during an annual medical exam. It has been shown that people with these risk factors comprise the majority of diagnosed cases of diabetes each year.

What Tests Help Diagnose Diabetes Cases?

There are two main tests used for determining whether or not a person has a glucose intolerance:

1. Fasting Plasma Glucose Test
2. Oral Glucose Tolerance Test

Both of these tests can determine glucose intolerance in which blood sugar is higher than what is considered normal. Do note however, that this is not always an indication of diabetes.

Can The Onset Of Diabetes Be Prevented?

Making a significant lifestyle change can help a lot in preventing the development of a full-blown diabetes especially with people who are considered high risk.  Some of the changes that you can do include:

• changing unhealthy diets
• adapting an exercise program to help offset increased blood sugar levels
• keeping the body healthy
• losing weight especially if considered obese by the medical community

Those who are diagnosed with pre-diabetes need to stay on a strict diabetic diet.  It is best that you consult your healthcare professional for a diet that is right for you.  Eat small, nutritious meals.  Consider eating five times a day instead of only three.  It would also be good to limit cakes, candies, cookies, and other things made of simple sugars.

On the other hand, if you already have a full-blown diabetes, it would be advisable that you strictly follow the diet that your healthcare professional recommends.  Keep your cholesterol, blood pressure and blood sugar within proper limits and have your eyes checked every year.

Keep in mind that diabetes can contribute to blindness, kidney disease and heart disease.  Further, complications from diabetes caused nearly 70,000 deaths in 2000.

Diabetic Complications

As mentioned above, diabetic complications can be prevented, lessened or delayed by paying serious attention to your lifestyle.  A diabetic who eats right, keeps his blood sugar in control and within accepted limits, exercises and gets proper rest can expect to have a quality of life that is much higher in terms of the pain and suffering that diabetic complications brings into the lives of diabetics who do nothing to change their lifestyle.

Diabetics are faced with the possibility of becoming an invalid, blind, an amputee and will be prone to suffer renal failure or a heart attack if they do not control their blood sugars and make the necessary lifestyle change.

While the consequences of not adapting a lifestyle change is scary, the advantages of making a lifestyle change certainly makes everything worthwhile.  In fact, research has shown that those who keep their blood sugar within acceptable limits and follow a healthy, diabetic lifestyle stands a much better chance of not developing many of the complications that their less dedicated counterparts do.

There is a new derivative of thiamine (Vitamin B1) available now that is showing great promise in greatly reducing the excess sugar in the cells of the diabetic, the process known as Advanced Glycation Endproducts (AGE).

Is Benfotiamine Effective Against Diabetic Complications?

Benfotiamine is a lipid soluble derivative of thiamine. Japanese researchers developed benfotiamine in the 1950s and later patented it in the United States in 1962. No one in the US medical community paid much attention to it at the time. For the past 12 years in Europe it has been used for neuropathy, retinopathy and other uses.

The chemical name and formula for benfotiamine is: S-benzoylthiamine-O-monophosphate (C19H23N4O6PS). It wasn’t until a group of researchers in New York at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University released the results of their research in 2003 in Nature Medicine Magazine did the rest of the world begin to take a look at this substance.

Benfotiamine is unique and was reported by Michael Brownlee, M.D., as showing much promise in preventing nerve and blood-vessel damage in diabetics. Every diagnosed diabetic has been told by his/her healthcare provider that diabetic complications are the true killers in terms of diabetes.