Health Information

The Advantages of Taking BSN Syntha 6

2012-07-20T04:47:00.000-07:00

If you want to improve your physique, you should not only carry out physical exercises and lower your body weight, but also take necessary bodybuilding supplements that help you carry out your bodybuilding routines effectively and conveniently. If you have just started your bodybuilding routines, fatigue will be the biggest problem that you have to face. In order to overcome it, you need to take a certain supplement that gives your body additional energy in order to overcome tiredness, increases your muscle mass, and helps you burn your fat. There is a huge assortment of bodybuilding supplements that you can buy from any bodybuilding stores near your home. Among those supplements, bsn syntha 6 can be considered one of the most popular bodybuilding supplements nowadays.

Syntha 6 is a powdered bodybuilding supplement that is distributed by BSN. This supplement consists mostly of protein and its ingredients are mostly the sources of protein. Syntha 6 contains such protein-rich components as whey, egg albumen, casein, calcium caseinate, and milk protein. Protein derived from those ingredients is digested over a long period of time. Therefore, you can expect optimal protein synthesis and uptake if you take this supplement. Because protein plays an important role in nourishing your muscle, you can get your physique improved quickly if you take this protein-rich supplement regularly. Because this supplement is available in powder form, you should prepare it in the form of a shake. Use a shaker cup to prepare this supplement and drink it in the morning and after your workout.

One thing that you must be aware of when you take this supplement is that this supplement does cause side effects. Among those unwanted effects are dehydration, stomach pain, muscle cramps, and problems in your kidney. In order to prevent those effects from getting severe, make sure that the supplement that you buy is made by its genuine manufacturer and make sure that you don’t abuse it just because you want to improve your physique quickly.

Athlete’s Special Preparation for Winning the Game

2012-07-17T05:22:00.000-07:00

Getting the wellness programs can be the great idea for the athletes as they are going to meet some important matches. The special preparation for the physical condition should be found and it is strongly recommended that the athletes should find the relaxation at first. Without getting relaxed, it can be really hard for the athletes to win the competition and they cannot realize their goal for winning the game. Right before the athletes take part in the game, their mind should be treated really well therefore they can be relaxed in facing the game. Later, they have to overcome the stiffness on their body. Those things of preparation for the game will be the important point that should be handled and the athletes may have such great choice in relaxing their body and mind.

It can be exemplified by the special relaxation that the athletes can get as they try to get the massage service. It is the right way of making the body to be relaxed for a while. Once the therapist for this service gives the great thing in making your body to be relaxed, you will not get panic facing the game in the next period of time. This is the basic concept that should be done by the athletes. They will not gain the winning as they are having some complexities in their anxiety and their body cannot get the endurance for the long duration of the game.

It is the thing that may happen as the athletes are not feeling relaxed facing the game. If you want to get the great preparation, make sure that your mind and body can be free of the burden. You can try to find some other supporting sport activities that may support your mental well. It can be the sport of badminton that will show you how to manage the endurance in a game with the great mental for winning the game.

Double Life Protection with Life Insurance

2012-06-12T06:05:00.000-07:00

No one knows the exact thing that will happen in the future. Unless you are a great fortune teller, I believe that you do not know what will occur on your life in the future. Well, then you are the same as me. Since we do not know what will happen in the future, we have to always ready to face the worst condition.

That is the reason why we need the insurance service to double the protection of our life. Well, the life insurance quotes is definitely an important service that we need if you love your life and you love people around you. The question is where to find the right service? Well, there are various types of the insurance service. That is why we have to make a priority about the important things in our life to determine what kind of insurance service that we need. The rate of the insurance service is an important thing that you have to consider before you drop your selection.

If you need the insurance service, then you can try to go to Lifeinsurancerates.com. On the site you can learn about various types of insurance service. Plus you can also compare the rates to find the best rates for you. Just check it now!

Find Fast Cash Advance

2012-06-12T05:55:00.000-07:00

Do you need cash money as soon as possible to pay your important bills immediately? Well, if you ask me, then I will never recommend you to go to the bank in this tight money era. The bank usually requires you to provide various documents to complete the process to get the money.

If you need cash immediately then you can go to the online sources. There are a lot of online sources that you can contact if you need the loans. There various types of loans those are available there. But of course you must choose the one that meets your need. You can get the cash service to help you. There are a lot of providers of the service that offer you various benefits. But since there are a lot of options to go, then you must be wise in choosing the one that can give you the service.

You should make sure that you go in the right hand. Why don’t you check Urgentcashloan.com? it is the right place to go if you need the urgent cash. Just like their name, they will process your application without any delay. So, what are you waiting for? Check the site if you want to get the money now!

Quantum Glycomics Theory of Relativity on Diabetes

2012-04-25T12:09:00.000-07:00

Quantum Glycobiology aka Quantum Glycomics or QG works "out of the blue" without our knowing why or how. Einstein called quantum physics "Spooky action at a distance". This lesson connects some of the dots of QG for diabetes. After I studied Einstein's Theory of Relativity years ago, I had the audacity to write a response, The Theory of Irrelativity. Professional reviews of my QG Theory of Relativity are welcome.

In Quantum Glycobiology, we will use influences that traditional science discard as irrelevant. The tapestry of quantum fabric folded into the targeted sugar particles dramatically alters function and efficacy. Optimal efficacy manifests when all relative factors are in sync.

A Houston MD relayed to me an experience with a patient following a physical exam. Soon after, he conducted a second exam and said, "You responded quickly. How long have you been taking those?"

"I haven't started yet. They are in my pocket." He then pulled the pill bottle out of his pocket and placed it on the table. A subsequent test indicated that he again needed the pills. Now, that appears as spooky action up close unless you understand what just happened.

The complexities of Quantum Glycobiology are hopelessly entangled. But, QG can be understood. To understand the whole, we need to better understand each factor of the entanglement. When we put the entanglement back together, we can better evaluate their combined effects. How can this benefit diabetes?

To keep this lesson more simple but with dramatic results, let's use a single sugar molecule. The trehalose molecule will be more fun than just glucose and you will soon see why. We will analyze unseen factors already present. We will add nothing to the molecule except more blue light. The more influencing factors we accurately evaluate, the better we can predict the possibilities. Concerning diabetes, we are only going to evaluate a couple of pivotal factors. Consider that either one of these factors can be a tipping point but together the possibilities multiply.

There are thousands of unseen variable influences, far and near, playing unseen roles. The eigenvectors and eigenvalues take into consideration combined functions, stability analysis, rotation, and oscillations of vibrating systems. Let us glance at a few possible influences. Improved function will be determined by the quality, strengths, and precise characteristics of the immediate and distant environments of magnetics, radiations, spin, gravity of near by and distant particles and their atomic makeup including atomic number, atomic weight, molar volume, valence electrons, electron affinity, isotopes stability, ionization energies, electron configuration, electronegativity, vapor pressure, density, specific heat, heat of fusion, covalent radius, angstroms or atomic radius, ionic radius, electron capture, isomeric transition, alpha decay, beta-minus decay, temperature, microwave, energy absorption, energy reflection, light absorption, and light reflection to mention a few.

Now, let us look at only two of these influence factors and shine a light on how they may help diabetics.

First: Studies show that trehalose has helped decrease triglyceride levels and altered gene expression of the insulin-like receptor gene daf-2. The glucose uptake is slowed because of the bond holding the two glucose molecules together and the angle of that bond is significant in altering gene expression to influence certain neuro-degenerative challenges.

Second: For this experiment we will fold into the sugar molecule a blue light. Sounds totally ridiculous, but wait. Blue light is already present but not bright nor blue enough. Let us narrow the band spectrum and concentrate on a specific band of blue. Researchers at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH) Zurich have manipulated genes in diabetic mice with bursts of blue light. The blue light turns on the GLP-1 gene, which tells the pancreas to make more insulin. When the protein melanopsin (a light sensitive pigment in ganglion cells) is exposed to blue light, it triggers the production of calcium which activates the NFAT gene, which can turn on other genes.

Quantum Glycobiology has endless possibilities because each influencing factor may have an optimal frequency or energy or unknown force that just may be the tipping point to bring in the cure for diabetes or whatever ails the human body. Combine the tipping points and we may have a quantum leap in healthcare.

Article Source: JC Spencer

Blood Pressure, Diabetes and the Metabolic Syndrome

2012-04-24T12:07:00.000-07:00

This week I am again writing about blood pressure, diabetes and the metabolic syndrome. Each week I see patients who have recently been examined by their primary doctors and are told that have findings of high blood pressure, elevated blood sugar or both. They are ill advised to return for followup in 8 weeks for a second test.

I am not suggesting that it is wrong to followup when you have such findings. It is however foolish to make no management recommendations and expect a different outcome on a subsequent visit. Often on the next visit medication will be prescribed as now there is a trend and not just a single visit finding which may have been just coincidence. It is necessary to show a trend vs. a single visit reading to prescribe drug therapies unless hypertension is severe.

It is reasonable that if someone is found to have high blood pressure, or, blood work reflects elevation in blood glucose, that rather than simply recording such data for record keeping that lifestyle modifications would be immediately discussed and proposed as being not only appropriate but necessary.

Again, it could be argued that simply having an elevation in blood glucose does not mean that you are diabetic. Currently the diagnosis of diabetes is based on a blood test called the Hemoglobin A1c. However, if your blood test is demonstrating elevation in glucose, you are currently in a prediabetic state that needs to be addressed, not just monitored until such point that you definitely have diabetes, as is the case with an enormous number of Americans.

If you have either elevated blood glucose or high blood pressure there are definitive lifestyle changes that you need to be making, now, not later. These changes do not merely mean kicking back and awaiting a drug therapy.

It is this combination of blood glucose elevation and hypertension that constitutes the metabolic syndrome, a leading cause of disabilities, stroke, heart disease and death in this country, and it is getting worse each year despite drug therapies.

When I meet with my patients I routinely discuss all aspects of their health. Most patients come to see me for dizziness and balance problems as well as other brain based disorders, but this doesn't mean that I can't help them get their life back if they are dangerously hypertense or prediabetic. In fact, I believe it is my job.

Article Source: Dr. A. R. Scopelliti

Blood and Sugar - Your Circulatory System, the Highway of LIFE

2012-04-23T12:04:00.000-07:00

The glucose spike is just the tip of the iceberg of the sugar problem. When your sugar is off, your health is off. Sugars determine everything about your body including your blood type. Your LIFE is literally held in the four parts of your blood: red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets, and the plasma in which your life is suspended. Your circulatory system is controlled by sugars. Your OS is glycoproteins on the surface of your cells.

The highway of LIFE is literally your circulatory system made up of a vast network of pipe extending 50,000 to 70,000 miles. Your veins and arteries are the super highways and your capillaries are the back road vessels that take your blood and nutrients to the most remote regions of your body. Some lanes are so narrow that the blood cells must pass single file. The blood passes through your heart twice per cycle which takes about one minute to make the journey through your body.

Healthy bones are vitally important because it is there in the marrow where you manufacture approximately two million (2,000,000) new blood cells EVERY SECOND. That is 120 million per minute, 7.2 billion per hour, nearly 173 billion new blood cells per day The correct ratio of healthy red blood cells and healthy white blood cells is communicated through the OS (operating system) via the glycoproteins. When communication is faulty, too many or not enough red or white blood cells are produced and maintained. Communication is PARAMOUNT.

LIFE is in the blood. The job of your blood is to supply everything your body needs and to carry out everything your body does not need. Your blood performs according to its health, the quality of your heart, and how clear is your circulatory system. The health of the blood determines how well you receive oxygen, water, and nutrition throughout your body which in turn determines the health of all your organs. Clean air, clean water, and adequate wholesome nutrition maintains good health. The quality of LIFE is reduced and LIFE shortened when pollutants are put into your body if they are not carried out.

In addition to everything else, your circulatory system regulates the temperature of your body. Should you overheat, an air conditioning system is turned on; you perspire and the evaporation cools. Exercise and deep breathing brings more oxygen into the system and to your brain.

Your blood sugar load spikes when high glycemic sugars or foods are consumed. The sugar industry has declared that sugar does not cause diabetes but may cause obesity which causes diabetes. And, high fructose corn syrup (HFCS) compounds the problem while the marketers simple reply, SUGAR IS SUGAR. Bad sugars cause or contribute to many diseases.

Different blood types are determined by the arrangement of specific sugars. One sugar makes a life changing difference. The cutting edge science of GLYCOMICS is here to stay and impact the medical field, all of healthcare, and change the way we live.

Article Source: JC Spencer

Quantum Glycobiology Presents New Possibilities For Sugars And Diabetes

2012-04-22T12:01:00.000-07:00

Quantum science deals with unseen factors that can generate tipping points, producing what we call, "anomalies". An anomaly is what people name something when they don't know what just happened. Something caused the tipping point which was not calculated into the equation and yet remains unexplained.

In the title of this lesson, "new possibilities for sugars" may be a misnomer in that the possibilities are not really new but our understanding what is happening and how to help make certain things happen ARE indeed new. Traditional physics deal with how things normally function. Quantum physics take into consideration those many unseen factors.

In biology, we witness life, the natural science of all living organisms. We study structure, function, and growth and all that make plants, animals and humans what they are. Living organisms consume and transform energy from various sources. Light influence on sugars is one factor we will discuss in just a moment.

In glycobiology (glycomics), we study various sugar structures (design) and witness the function of these sugars and the effects they have on living organisms.

Initially science taught us that sugars were only for energy. In recent years, we have learned that energy is but one of the many benefits or harmful functions of various sugars. Some sugars are the building blocks of the Operating System (OS) of the body and the backbone structure of the DNA double helix.

What the body does with glucose alone becomes the tipping point for diabetes and general health. What an infant child does with Royal Sugars (what I call Smart Sugars) in its body determines the quality of mental health and motor skills for that human life for the rest of its life.

For us, quantum glycobiology IS made up of the multitude of unseen factors that influence or dictate commands for what the human cell can do with the sugars. The sooner we understand these forces, the sooner we can explain the health anomalies we have witnessed over the past two decades. Any one of the multitude of influences may develop a tipping point.

There are many more hidden influences than just radiation, pressure, density, heat, microwave, and light. Each of these could serve as a tipping point. We learned that scientists have manipulated genes in diabetic mice with bursts of blue light. The blue light turns on the GLP-1 gene, which tells the pancreas to make more insulin. When the protein melanopsin (a light sensitive pigment in ganglion cells) is exposed to blue light, it triggers the production of calcium which activates the NFAT gene, which can turn on other genes.

There are an incalculable number of particles and waves within incalculable dimensions and frequencies. Quantum glycomics will provide explanations and open wide a new frontier of learning about sugars that will change the way we live.

Scientists question yesterday's discoveries. And, rightfully so because often they misunderstood what they thought they observed. Now, the very foundation of modern physics is questioned with the recent discovery that neutrino particles have been clocked going faster than the speed of light. It now appears that Einstein was wrong.

With quantum glycomics, we can discover that a ridiculed sugar pill may, over time, be enormously more beneficial to human health than today's antiquated toxic drugs.

Article Source: JC Spencer

Type 2 Diabetes - Is Your Waist Measurement The Reason You Have High Blood Sugar?

2012-04-21T11:59:00.000-07:00

It is a well-documented fact most people diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes are either overweight or obese.

in children, 95 percent are overweight or obese,
in adults over 85 percent.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately one-third of adults in the United States, and 17.1 percent of children and adolescents in the United States, are obese.

What is the clinical version of what it means to be obese? As stated by the CDC, overweight and obesity are labels given when the range of weight for a given height is over and above what has been determined to be healthy.

But the problem isn't just having excess weight on your body, but where the excess weight is located. Even though two different people can each carry thirty extra pounds of weight on their body, one of them can have more medical complications due to the fact their excess fat is in a location more detrimental to their health than the other person.

The location offering the worst scenario is having fat around the waistline and is often referred to as abdominal or belly fat. You can lose a lot of this fat by dieting and losing 5 to 10 percent of your body weight.

The size of a person's waist is a much better indicator of whether or not a person will develop Type 2 diabetes than either their:

    body mass index (BMI), or
    their actual weight.

In other words, the larger your waist the larger the threat. It is now thought keeping your weight measurement to lower than half your height might be the best indicator of obesity.

How much is too much when referring to a person's waist? When a woman's waist is more than 35 inches, or a man's exceeds 40 inches, they are more likely to develop Type 2 diabetes.

But there's a problem: measuring your waist circumference is not an ideal indicator of how much visceral fat you are carrying. Why not? Because there is as much fat inside the abdominal wall, surrounding your organs, as there is on the outside. The fat causing so many problems is not only the fat you can feel... the belly fat you can grab in your hands is not the fat helping to stop the insulin and glucose from entering your cells. Isn't that frightening?

Armed with this information, some people who sport a spare tire will immediately add crunches and sit-ups to their daily activities. Unfortunately, while this certainly can't hurt your overall health, this isn't the answer. Only a regimen of cardio and low-impact workouts, and weight loss, is going to reduce the belly bulge.

What does this belly or visceral fat do to your body? It affects everything... your heart, liver and kidneys all have to work harder:

    some of their functions are almost completely interrupted, causing them unnecessary stress and fatigue.
    in your brain, various hormones levels vital to your body's continued health, are thrown out-of-sync.
    sleep is interrupted and normal brain function in everyday life is impacted.

Next, take a close look at the circulatory system and it's components. LDL or "bad" cholesterol levels skyrocket, while HDL or "good" cholesterol, drops too low. Triglyceride levels shoot through the roof and blood pressure increases, not to mention the inflammation taking place throughout your body.

All of these negative aspects can take place even if you only have abdominal fat and virtually no excess fat elsewhere in your body. Unfortunately, the formation of abdominal fat is a side effect of a few medications... it does include some diabetes medications.

How do you start to create a healthy lifestyle today so you can get rid of your damaging belly fat?

Article Source: Beverleigh H Piepers

Type 2 Diabetes - Does Weight Loss Affect Your Bones?

2012-04-20T11:56:00.000-07:00

Being overweight or obese are often problems for most people who are diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes. These diabetics are usually told weight loss intervention can help to control the disease as well as prevent damage to their heart and blood vessel disease.

Unfortunately, heart attacks are a prime cause of death in middle-aged people with Type 2 diabetes. Fatality rates are two to four times higher than those of middle-aged people without diabetes. Recent studies reveal between 35 and 50 percent of heart attack victims had abnormal blood sugar at the time of the attack. People with high blood pressure are also at a higher risk.

Researchers at the University of California in San Francisco, United States, however, who are concerned weight loss programs could have complications, undertook a study to ascertain what effects, if any, weight loss interventions could have on the bones of people with Type 2 diabetes.

Their study, published in the Journal of Bone Mineral Research in December 2011, included 1274 obese or overweight people diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes.

One group was given:

    an intensive lifestyle weight loss intervention, while
    the other group was given basic diabetes support and education over a period of one year.

At the end of the study weight loss, basic fitness, and blood sugar levels showed improvement in the weight loss intervention group. The bad news is the weight loss intervention group also demonstrated loss of bone mineral density in their hip and thigh bones.

People with diabetes can be susceptible to falls due to diabetic neuropathy and poor vision. Hip fractures can have serious consequences, sometimes requiring surgery, frequently limiting mobility, and sometimes even leading to death.

Fortunately, there are ways of fighting the loss of bone density. Bones need calcium, so getting enough calcium is one way of keeping your bones healthy.

    a cup of unfortified oatmeal has 4 percent of the recommended daily allowance (RDA) of calcium for an adult, and a cup of fortified oatmeal has 10 per cent.
    broccoli, spinach, kale, and turnip greens are good sources of calcium. One cup of spinach contains 20 per cent of the RDA of calcium for an adult. A cup of broccoli has 4 per cent and a cup of turnip greens provides 10 per cent. A cup of kale has 9 per cent, so have a big green salad for lunch.
    calcium supplements are also available.

It's not enough though to just take calcium supplements or eat high-calcium foods; you need to cut down on foods that are diuretics: caffeine and alcohol.

To be used for bone growth and repair, calcium needs some help from vitamin D, which is often lacking in people with Type 2 diabetes:

    getting a fdw minutes of sunlight every day without a sunscreen is helpful for making vitamin D,
    foods such as soy milk can be fortified with vitamin D.
    supplements of vitamin D are recommended for those who live in latitudes with little sunlight or cold climates or those who are unable to have much sun exposure due to lifestyle or dress.

Weight-bearing exercises are also important for growth and repair of bones, so take a walk every day in addition to taking in calcium and vitamin D.

If your bone density is lowered to the point of being dangerous, it is termed osteoporosis, and medications are available to treat it. Your bone mineral density can be measured and your doctor can prescribe much needed drugs if necessary.

How do you start to create a healthy lifestyle today so you can avoid oseoporosis?

Article Source: Beverleigh H Piepers

Type 2 Diabetes - The Importance Of Being Prepared With a Diabetic ID

2012-04-19T11:53:00.000-07:00

Not everyone who has diabetes, especially Type 2 diabetes, is aware of it. Even though a diabetic who has been diagnosed has been informed, not everyone has. If you are diabetic, your friends and family might know, but what about the rest of society? How will they know you need assistance to re-establish ideal blood sugars? A form of medical identification would do the trick.

Make sure you have regular identification, medical cards, and medical ID before leaving home. This will do the talking for you if you are in an unplanned emergency and cannot speak for yourself.

Some people with Type 2 diabetes especially, refuse to carry a form of medical ID. It could be because they do not want to draw attention to the fact they have the disease. Some people are embarrassed by it, although they should not be.

Others believe by not carrying proof of their disease, it is in some way denying the existence of Type 2 diabetes in their body. On the other hand some diabetics don't want the sympathy or special treatment many people sometimes offer diabetics. They would just like to know there isn't a possible way the subject could come up.

Whatever the reasoning, the bottom line is this: if you have diabetes, carrying a form of medical ID around is not going to make the disease any better or any worse. But it could save your life.

There is such a stigma attached to diabetic ID pieces. In the past, diabetics were limited to the gaudy, bland silver bracelets or necklaces that might as well have screamed "look at me, I'm a diabetic". But in today's fashion-driven society, there are many tasteful options available. It is possible to be casual and discreet while still conveying an all-important message.

Everyone knows wearing diabetic ID is very important. No one will argue how effective they are when they are needed. The problem comes from the fact no one can really appreciate just how important they are until they are needed. If you need emergency care, having others know you have Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes can affect treatment decisions and could contribute to the success of the interventions.

When choosing a form of diabetic ID, you need to consider one that is most likely going to be worn. It needs to contain just the right amount of camouflage so that it blends into your outfit, but can still be spotted. The more comfortable you are with the piece, the more likely you are to wear it.

The most important thing with these pieces is once you have found just the right one for your taste, buy extra ones. You always want to have a backup on hand in case you lose the first one.

Once you get into the habit of using them, diabetic ID is just as easy to put on as a watch or ring. If the instance ever occurs where you need assistance, they are worth more than their weight in gold.

Many retailers offer medical ID:

    cards,
    bracelets,
    necklaces, and
    watch charms.

Check in the back of any health-related magazines to find advertisements, or ask at your local pharmacy. If you would really prefer an identification piece in the designer range, some jewelry stores can order upscale models for you.

How do you start to create a healthy lifestyle today so you can live a long and healthy life with stable blood sugar so you don't need unexpected medical intervention?

Article Source: Beverleigh H Piepers

Type 2 Diabetes - Does Lack of Exercise Affect Your Body?

2012-04-18T11:50:00.000-07:00

A sedentary lifestyle has long been linked with an increased risk of developing Type 2 diabetes. Genetic inheritance causes Type 2 diabetes. However, factors such as obesity, lack of exercise, and sometimes the stress of surgery, interacts with your genetic risk to trigger this disease.

Not taking part in exercise or physical activity contributes to a lower quality of life and makes it more difficult for you to control both your weight and blood sugar. It is one factor that you can change immediately.

Researchers at the Centre for Exercise at the University of Bristol in the UK looked at sedentary time and periods of physical activity in relation to health factors in people diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes.

Now this study was published in the journal Diabetologia in January 2012 and included:

    528 adults with Type 2 diabetes who were enrolled in a dietary and exercise program.

Look at these results! Each hour of time without physical activity was associated with:

    a larger waist size,
    higher levels of blood insulin,
    high LDL cholesterol levels, and
    higher blood sugar.

A larger waist size is an indicator of more abdominal or belly fat, which does more than spoil your figure...

    the fat you can grab with your hands is subcutaneous fat.
    visceral fat, the fat you cannot feel with your hands, provides necessary cushioning around your abdominal organs. Excess visceral fat secretes inflammatory compounds that leads to insulin resistance and various cancers.

Unfortunately, belly fat is important in regulating blood sugar levels, and can be a real detriment in preventing and controlling Type 2 diabetes.

Higher levels of blood insulin indicates your body is producing more insulin to try to overcome insulin resistance, which is the cause of Type 2 diabetes.

LDL cholesterol is the kind associated with heart and blood vessel disease, heart attacks, and strokes, and should be kept as low as possible.

From the above results and information it was concluded sedentary time was associated with poorer measures of health.

In the computer age sedentary lifestyle is a fact of life, but so is leisure time in most cases...

    a brisk walk during lunchtime or before or after work is a good way to get some physical activity as well as clearing away the mental cobwebs.
    on weekends and holidays make it a point to keep up the daily walk.
    while waiting for a plane make it a point to take a stroll around the airport instead of getting bored sitting at the gate for hours.
    plan a trip which involves hiking in some interesting places.
    cycling is a good way to get to the daily grind. It provides exercise while keeping down your carbon footprint. It's also great for your heart and legs. See where you can find along a bike trail. Bicycles make good gifts for the whole family, and exploring the trails makes for good companionship.
    a few hours each week at a gym, with or without a trainer, can help you feel better and help keep your weight and blood sugar levels under control. Some gyms include pools, and swimming is an excellent cardiovascular exercise, as well as being fun.

Excessive weight around the abdominal area can almost always be controlled by a regular program of exercise and a healthy eating plan. And guess what, due to increased insulin sensitivity, your blood sugar will be lower!

How do you start to create a healthy lifestyle today so you can avoid problems arising from high blood sugar?

Article Source: Beverleigh H Piepers

Control Inflammation To Reduce The Risk of Type 2 Diabetes and Diabetic Complications

2012-04-17T11:47:00.000-07:00

Inflammation And Type 2 Diabetes Epidemic

The latest diabetes statistics from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention are alarming, disclosing that close to 26 million people in the U.S. have diabetes, of which about 7 million do not know they are diabetic. In addition, at least 79 million Americans have prediabetes, a state with an increased risk of developing Type 2 diabetes.

Diabetes, the silent killer, is not a standalone disorder. It has far-reaching effects causing cardiovascular disease, the leading cause of death in industrialized countries.

Inflammation Plays A Key Role In Type 2 Diabetes

Type 2 diabetes is a chronic condition that affects the way your body processes sugar (glucose), your body's main source of fuel. It sets off insulin resistance, i.e., failure of the body to respond to its own insulin - a hormone that regulates the movement of sugar into cells and keeps a normal glucose level in the body.

More and more research shows that chronic inflammation (also known as systemic low-grade inflammation) can turn your body resistant to insulin. The elevated inflammatory cytokines can also cause pancreatic cell death or turn pancreas into fibrosis. When this occurs, your body will not make enough insulin to maintain the normal level of glucose. Insulin resistance or insufficient insulin secretion leads to Type 2 diabetes. Untreated, the consequence of Type 2 diabetes can be life-threatening.

Inflammation Is The Key To Obesity-Diabetes Link

While obesity is one of the biggest risk factors for Type 2 diabetes, inflammation is the deciding factor. New studies suggest that without inflammation, obesity does not trigger insulin resistance or Type 2 diabetes.

When a person becomes obese, they develop fatty liver, which leads to infiltration of inflammatory cells into the liver. Obesity also leads to gathering of inflammatory cells in fat tissue. These inflammatory cells are crucial players in the immune and inflammatory responses.

When inflammatory cells move into fat or liver tissue, they release cytokines, which are chemical messenger molecules used by immune and nerve cells to communicate. These cytokines cause the neighboring liver, muscle or fat cells to become insulin resistant, which in turn leads to Type 2 diabetes.

Inflammation Is Also The Key To Diabetic Complications

Diabetic complications are accountable for the vast majority of diabetes-related deaths and inflammation plays essential role in all diabetic complications.

Cardiovascular Disease (CVD): Inflammation results in vascular injury and plaque buildup in coronary arteries. Inflammation also increases risk for heart attack (myocardial infarction) and stroke by causing the plaque to rupture and clot. CVD accounts for 65 percent of all diabetes-related deaths. People with Type 2 diabetes are 2-4 times more likely to have a heart attack. Moreover, these heart attacks are more serious and more likely to cause death in people with diabetes than in those without diabetes.

Nephropathy: Accumulating evidence suggests that infiltration of inflammatory cells into the kidney micro vessels causes the occurrence of diabetic nephropathy, the common reason of kidney failure and end-stage renal disease.

Retinopathy: Inflammation causes retinal vasculature damage and leads to blood vessel breakdown and macular edema, the main reason of vision loss in diabetes. Clinical studies also indicate that elevated inflammation is associated with the more severe forms of diabetic retinopathy.

Neuropathy: Diabetic patients suffer substantial wound-healing deficit and foot ulcer (diabetic foot). These wounds are featured by exaggerated and prolonged inflammatory responses. Experimental and clinical evidence indicates that hyper-inflammation causes wound matrix degradation, impaired cell growth, and excessive cell death.

Control Inflammation To Reduce The Risk of Type 2 Diabetes

Current advices to prevent type 2 diabetes centers on lifestyle modifications, such as diet and exercise. Clinical trials have proven the effectiveness of lifestyle intervention, as well as pharmacologic interventions that target glycemic control and treatment of other cardiovascular risk factors, such as hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and obesity. In spite of this, diabetes still developed in a substantial percentage of individuals who received intensive intervention in these trials.

Because inflammation plays a key role in type 2 diabetes and diabetic complications, control of inflammation has been recommended as a novel approach to lowering the risk of type 2 diabetes.

There is a large selection of anti-inflammatory drugs including popular non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Yet, long-term use of anti-inflammatory drugs has been linked with serious side effects and safer anti-inflammatory drugs are unquestionably needed.

Anti-inflammatory Herbs For Control Of Inflammation And Diabetic Complications

There are alternative solutions to relieve chronic inflammation. A large number of medicinal herbs have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Many of them have been carefully studied and a large pool of valuable information is readily available.

Based on scientific evidence, anti-inflammatory remedies may offer several advantages:

--Target a broad panel of inflammatory mediators without suppressing body's natural (innate) immune responses.

--Promote a balanced immune response, the critical defense system against stress, infection, disease, or other unwanted biological invasion.

--Help restore body's ability to make natural antioxidants, the most effective disease-fighting and anti-aging molecules in the body.

Anti-inflammatory herbs such as scute (Scutellaria baicalensis), coptis (Coptis chinensis), astragalus (Astragalus membranaceus), and turmeric (Curcuma longa) are widely used to treat and prevent diabetes and diabetic complications such as diabetic wounds and diabetic nephropathy.

Article Source: Yi Shi

Type 1 Diabetes - Understand the Basics

2012-04-16T11:45:00.000-07:00

This type of Diabetes was most widely known as juvenile diabetes as is usually diagnosed in children and young adults. Unlike other forms of diabetes, such as Type 2 diabetes where the body does not produce enough insulin, Type 1 diabetes is a result of the body producing no insulin. As a result the daily impacts and potential complications from this type of diabetes are much more serious and those diagnosed with this form of diabetes need to be vigilant in their monitoring and management.

First Some Type 1 Diabetes Statics....

Before we get into the weeds on the specifics regarding this type of diabetes let's revel some statics on the frequency of Type 1 versus other forms of diabetes. If you are concerned that your child is a candidate for this form of diabetes then these stats will help you rationalize the basis for your determination.

One word of caution, it is always best to seek the advice of your physician as only they can confirm Type 1 diabetes. In addition, your physician can guide you through management of the diabetes if necessary.

Data compiled from the National Diabetes Fact Sheet, 2011 (Dated 1/26/11)

Total Population Impacted: 25.8 million children and adults in the United States. That is 8.3% of the population that is considered to have some form of diabetes. Although it is estimated that only 5% of the people have Type 1 Diabetes. Some more alarming facts are:

    8 million people of the total number affected are diagnosed
    0 million people go undiagnosed
    As many as 79 million people are prediabetic (we spoke about this topic in Installment No. 1)

Broken down by age group:

    age 65 - 10.9 million, or 26.9% of all people in this age group have diabetes
    Between ages 20 and 65 - 25.6 million, or 11.3% of all people in this age group have diabetes
    Under 20 - 215,000, or 0.26% of all people in this age group have diabetes. However about 1 in 400 children develop Type 1 diabetes.

Broken down by gender:

    0 million, or 11.8% of all men aged 20 years or older have diabetes
    6 million, or 10.8% of all women aged 20 years or older have diabetes

Type 1 Health Concerns

As with any type of diabetes we need to know the potential health issues. It is important to remember that if you have or are concerned of developing Type 1 diabetes, it does not necessarily mean that you will have the complications that are mentioned here. Proper management is the key here. Only through guidance from your medical professional can you properly manage any diabetes condition.

Complications from Type 1 diabetes can include heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, blindness, kidney disease, nervous system disease (neuropathy) and in some cases amputation. In fact diabetes in general was considered an underlying cause or contributing factor in more than 231,000 deaths in 2007. Here are some specifics of the health concerns noted"

Heart disease and stroke

    The risk of death for adults from heart disease is about 2 to 4 times higher than adults without diabetes.
    The risk for stroke is 2 to 4 times higher among people with diabetes.

Blindness

    Diabetes is the leading cause of new cases of blindness among adults aged 20-74 years.

Kidney disease

    Diabetes is the leading cause of kidney failure, accounting for 44% of new cases in 2008.
    In 2008, 48,374 people with diabetes began treatment for end-stage kidney disease in the United States.
    In 2008, a total of 202,290 people with end-stage kidney disease due to diabetes were living on chronic dialysis or with a kidney transplant in the United States.

Nervous system disease (Neuropathy)

    About 60% to 70% of people with diabetes have mild to severe forms of nervous system damage.
    Amputation
    More than 60% of nontraumatic lower-limb amputations occur in people with diabetes.

Now while this may cause you to pause, remember these are typical health issues with diabetes in general. So you may be asking what to do if your child has Type 1 diabetes? What can I do in raising my child to limit their potential for these health impacts. Well there are many resources on the Internet that deal specifically with this topic. One such reference is noted at the end of this article for your consideration.

Living with Type 1 Diabetes

You are told you have Type 1 diabetes. You feel it is the worst day of your life. I will be honest...it is not. Will it mean that you can go on with your life as you did before the diagnoses? No. But it does not mean your life as you know it has to stop either. It just means that you have to modify what and how you manage your daily life. If you can get into that mindset then there will be very little that you can't do. In fact here are some examples of people who did not let their Type 1 diabetes hold them back.

    Nat Strand, diagnosed at age 12,competed in the Amazing Race on CBS and won.
    Crystal Bowersox competed on American Idol
    Charlie Kimball became a NASCAR driver and competes in the Indy 500
    Nick Joans became a well known pop star

Go for the brass ring!!!

Glucose Monitoring & Insulin

Sorry, forgot to mention how best to manage Type 1 diabetes. It is basically involves a few elements: blood glucose control, insulin management, exercise, nutrition and support.

First is glucose control. Since your body is no longer producing insulin you will need to learn both how much daily insulin is required and how it should be administered. The monitoring is pretty straight forward. You will need to take blood samples and do a blood glucose level test several times a day. Once you have determined your glucose level you can administer the necessary insulin by either injection pens, syringes or an insulin pump. As we have stated previously it is important to work with your health professional to determine which insulin regimen is best for you. There are many suppliers out there that can provide supplies right to your door so utilize these services to help take that activity off your plate.

Exercise

Exercise provides some of the best benefits as it is one of the key components of proper diabetes care. Beside all of the benefits we normally associate with exercise, your blood will maintain more stable glucose levels. Now this does not mean that you have to run a marathon. Let's face it, most of us could not run a marathon if we wanted...I know I can't. All you need to do is stay active doing the things you may already be doing. However if you need some ideas try some of these suggestions:

    Go for a walk with your wife or husband, discuss how your day went. Not only will you both get exercise, you can de-stress by getting work issues off your chest.
    How about going to the gym? If you already do this as part of your health routine then great, you are ahead of the game. Strength is not only great for diabetes but can counteract many issues we face as we get older.
    Here is one for the parents/grandparents.... play with the kids. See, who says this can't be fun. Those with kids/grandchildren know how tiring playing with the kids can be. Now if that is not exercise I do not know what is.
    Take the stairs instead of the elevator
    Go dancing. Make a night out.
    Walk around the house while on the phone. I know I catch myself doing this sometimes.
    Walk every aisle when you go to the store.

There are endless possibilities.

Nutrition

As nutrition relates directly to your glucose level, it is a very important part of managing your diabetes. It is important to develop a meal plan that properly deals with managing blood glucose levels. We have mentioned in the past several resources for both managing weight and glucose levels.

Support

One aspect often forgotten is support. Support plays an important role in diabetes care. Being able to connect with other people who understand the daily issues that must be faced, both emotional and physical can make all the difference. There are many organization available in every community that can provide the support you need. If you can 't find any support groups nearby than try the internet. In fact the internet can provide support on a 24/7 basis that a live group can not.

All the Best.....

Article Source: Michael Larocque

Type 2 Diabetes - Protecting Your Skin Is Vital

2012-03-20T11:41:00.000-07:00

People diagnosed with either Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes often see an assortment of skin problems associated with their disease. But just because skin issues are prevalent with diabetes, it does not necessarily mean you will definitely acquire them. In fact, there is much a diabetic can do to lessen the possibility of developing even one of these skin conditions.

But please be aware... healthy skin patches itself up rather quickly. If you notice a cut, sore, wound or blister that does not begin to heal after a couple of days treatment, please consult your pharmacist or doctor.

By far, the easiest and best advice that can be given for overall skin care is to keep your blood sugar levels within normal levels or the levels agreed to with your doctor. Yes, elevated blood sugar can negatively impact your skin!

High blood sugar levels can cause dry skin. Why? Too much sugar in the blood for long periods of time causes the body to try to get rid of the sugar by excreting it via extra urine production. Loss of fluid can cause dry skin, which can lead to:

    irritations,
    cracking, and even
    possible infections.

This leads to the feet of diabetics, an area prone to skin ailments. Keeping an eye on this area is vitally important. The skin of the feet should remain properly moisturized. Do not apply creams or any lotions in-between your toes as extra moisture in this area can create an environment for foot problems to develop.

Where bathing is concerned:

    draw a warm bath, not a hot bath. Many resources recommend a temperature no higher than 105 degrees which is just a few degrees higher than body temperature.
    hot water can help make dry skin more dry, and could also cause a burn.
    it's not a good idea to dip your foot into the bathtub to check the water temperature. A burn to your foot could take a long time to heal. Use the back of your hand to test the water.
    use a mild moisturizing soap and a soft wash-cloth to provide light friction. Don't forget to wash between your toes, armpits, etc.
    staying in the water too long can further dry your skin.
    patting your skin dry is more helpful to protecting your skin than rubbing it. Pay particular attention to the body folds where you are more likely to develop fungal infections.
    applying a moisturizing lotion just after bathing will help lock in some of the moisture from the bath. Use a good quality lotion, often the lesser quality ones contain drying agents such as alcohol. A lotion containing vitamin E could be helpful. Take care to not apply lotion where there are folds.

Further skin care tips include:

    do not smoke,
    stay hydrated daily by drinking plenty of water,
    use a sunscreen when outside,
    use a humidifier in your home during dry weather, and
    don't hesitate to see your doctor when you discover any skin issues.

How do you start to create a healthy lifestyle today so you can protect your skin 24 hours a day?

Article Source: Beverleigh H Piepers

Glucose Metabolism, Leukemia and Diabetes

2012-03-19T11:37:00.000-07:00

Let us examine the relationship between the sugar load in the human body and Leukemia and Diabetes. Different sugars, both the good sugars and harmful sugars affect blood chemistry that can mobilize a cascade of problems or benefits in human health.

The sugars we eat and the nutrients we get help determine our health. Why are the highest incidences of cancer in western nations? The lowest recorded incidences of cancer according to WHO appears to be in the developing countries of Northern Africa, Southern and Eastern Asia.

Some people eat very poorly and then consume what may in reality be a type of antidote that keeps the bad stuff from doing as much harm. Studies provide data supporting the French Paradox which indicates that proanthocyanidins and other flavonoids in red wines prevents cardiovascular diseases and diabetes although they have high-fat diets.

How the glucose metabolism is effected is the key to serious health challenges. If we can correct sugar spikes and move toward an optimum glucose metabolism, it seems obvious that we could improve human health in a major way. When we started getting reports of diabetics having a lower sugar load in their blood while eating Trehalose than when they stopped, we knew we were onto something significant.

An Australian paper about leukemia children entitled, Altered glucose metabolism in childhood pre-B acute lymphoblastic leukaemia reported that "the cells of solid tumours are known to have an altered metabolism, with high rates of glucose uptake and glycolysis, which results in the excessive production of lactate."

Connecting the dots of research, we learned that the phytochemicals in cinnamon are similar to those found in red wine. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) identified these phytochemicals as chalcone polymers, which increase glucose metabolism in the cells by 20 times or more. Cinnamon also contains flavonoids called anthocyanins which improve capillary function and also serve as powerful antioxidants.

Research suggests that cinnamon helps glucose metabolism and blood pressure regulation, actually lowering high blood pressure. Other studies published in Diabetic Care show cinnamon not only helps control blood sugar levels but also triglycerides, total cholesterol and the 'bad' LDL cholesterol in those with type II diabetes.

We have documented other university studies that indicate the same flavonoids found in cinnamon effects leukemia and lymphoma cells. According to some studies, these phytochemicals have the potential to be used in leukemia therapy with the advantages of being widely available and selective against tumors.

All cinnamon is not the same. European health agencies have warned against consuming high amounts of cassia bark, one of the four species of cinnamon, because of its coumarin content. Recent European studies have shown that cinnamon derived from the cassia plant contains this toxic compound, which in large concentrations, is known to cause liver and kidney damage. The powdered cinnamon found on most supermarket shelves is generally derived from the Cassia plant so it is wise to avoid using it in large amounts.

In our T/C+ Leukemia and Diabetic Pilot Survey we use a formulation of the sugar Trehalose, Ceylon cinnamon, and bio-available ionic multi-trace minerals. This Pilot Survey should help us determine if there are any synergetic benefits that may include lowering blood sugar levels, helping arthritis sufferers and lowering the risk or even reversing diabetes.

Your assistance is encouraged on the Leukemia and Diabetic Pilot Survey. The same protocol will be used for both. We are not claiming any improvement in either Leukemia or Diabetes. We do not know if the combination of the three nutrients involved will or will not benefit the health condition of participants in the six month Pilot Survey. We are highly encouraged with the positive response to date but more research is needed and welcome participation.

Article Source: JC Spencer

Type 2 Diabetes - A Few Tips for Managing Blood Sugar Levels

2012-03-18T11:34:00.000-07:00

Anyone who receives a diagnosis of Type 2 diabetes very quickly learns how difficult it can be to live in today's modern world and also control their blood sugar. Aside from difficulties in choosing suitable foods when eating out, diabetics have problems managing their blood sugar levels in a number of different ways including when they exercise.

Here are a few quick tips to help you keep your blood sugar balanced and your insulin spikes reduced so you can enjoy a healthy, long life without any of those health complications you are told accompanies Type 2 diabetes.

Some people may tell you the first thing to do is to buy a blood sugar meter. You already know your blood sugar is high, so let's look at the food you should eat.

Lets look at good nutrition to start with...

    avoid sugar of any kind including maple syrup, stevia and any artificial sweetener.
    eliminate any foods containing flour. This includes bread, rolls, pasta, bagels and similar. These products cause your insulin to rise as they are absorbed really fast.
    skip all processed foods.
    dairy and gluten are inflammatory foods and best to be avoided.

Leave these foods out of your eating plan for 6 or so weeks and watch your weight and blood sugar fall. Check it out with your doctor first. Eat only quality food... you need to combine

    protein,
    fats,
    whole fiber rich food,
    low starch vegetables,
    nuts and seeds,
    some whole grains, and
    low-GI fruit.

Always combine protein with carbohydrates and fat at every meal and snack you take in. Perhaps you doctor has suggested you consult with a nutritionist to help you with the best foods to eat and avoid long-term.

Now here comes the blood sugar monitor. Check your reading two hours after commencing your meal. Depending on several factors, you can expect about a 40 to 60 mg/dL (2.2 to 3.3 mmol/L) difference from a pre-meal blood sugar reading.

Now you need to find the best blood sugar meter for you to use. The blood sugar meter is a simple, compact device you use at home or in your workplace where you prick your finger or forearm to get a sample of blood to test. Your doctor will have told you how many times to check your blood sugar each day, but you still need to make sure you have the right kind of monitor to fit your needs. For instance, if you have problems with your vision then you may want to find one with a larger display and buttons.

Another thought is to have monitors in different locations so you don't have to carry one with you all the time. These monitors are pretty inexpensive generally speaking, so you should be able to have one at work and one at home.

Whenever you have a disease like Type 2 diabetes, it makes sense to keep informed about the latest medications and treatments. Why not join a diabetes group or forum?

Above all, you need to make lifestyle modifications in order to have the best possibility of reversing the disease. No medication alone is known to reverse Type 2 diabetes, but lifestyle modifications have done so for many people.

Finally, it's important you look at ways to reduce as much stress in your life as possible. You can do this by including:

    smart exercise,
    good eating habits,
    meditation,
    counseling, or
    joining a support group.

Avoiding the following negative coping methods will also help reduce your stress:

    drinking,
    smoking,
    overeating,
    skipping meals,
    the abuse of family or friends, and
    skipping doctors' appointments.

They will deplete you mentally and physically. Reducing stress will help you to lower your high blood sugar levels.

How do you start to create a healthy lifestyle today so you can avoid high blood sugar readings?

Article Source: Beverleigh H Piepers

Know Your Diabetes Risk or Be One of the Six Million Who Don't

2012-03-17T11:32:00.000-07:00

The American Diabetes Association says 6 million adults have type 2 diabetes and don't know it.

In the simplest terms, type 2 diabetes is a disease caused by too much sugar in your blood. The main cause is resistance of your muscle, liver and fat cells to the hormone insulin.

If your blood is tested for glucose and insulin levels and they are higher than normal, you are prediabetic. If the levels are a lot higher, you are a type 2 diabetic.

Type 1 diabetes comes from your own immune system attacking the beta cells in your pancreas. In infants and small children this happens quickly. But in a teenager or adult it can take years to lose all of your insulin-making beta cells.

When your blood is tested for glucose and insulin, glucose will be high but insulin will probably be lower. That is one way to tell adult onset type 1 from type 2 diabetes.

Since a blood test is the only way to be sure diabetes is present, it makes both type 1 and type 2 diabetes able to sneak up on you. This is why knowing your diabetes risk is so important.

More Reasons to Know Your Diabetes Risk

Almost 10% of people in the U.S. have diabetes, and another 7 million are probably unaware they have it. There are 79 million prediabetics here.

One in 400 of people under 20 have diabetes. Over 20 years old the number becomes one in ten. Over 65 that number jumps to one in four.

More than half of diabetic death certificates list heart disease as the first cause. Diabetes is the leading cause of new blindness and kidney disease. Three out of four diabetics have nervous system disorders, also called neuropathy.

Over half of amputations not caused by trauma are done on diabetics. These are the things we diabetics who are getting older have to face as possibilities.

It has been proven over and over that early and sustained blood sugar control lowers the risk of complications. But if you are one of the 79 million who are blissfully unaware of your high blood sugar, the statistics are going to catch up with you.

Know Your Risk

The number one risk factor is your family history. Twins are used to assess this risk for both type 1 and type 2 diabetes. If one twin has type 1 diabetes the second has a 50% chance of having it also. If one twin develops type 2, the other has a 75% chance of becoming type 2 diabetic.

Genetics also plays a role in diabetes. For type 2 the risk increases if your family tree includes any of these genes: African American, Alaskan native, Native American, Asian American, Pacific Islander, or Hispanic/Latino.

The white European races have a higher risk of type 1 diabetes. And people who live in colder climates are more at risk for getting type 1. Finlanders have four times as many type 1 diabetics as we do in the U.S. and 400 times more than Venezuela.

Some viruses can trigger the autoimmune response that leads to type 1 diabetes. Some of these viruses can directly destroy pancreatic beta cells. The known viruses include Epstein-Barre, mumps and cytomegalovirus, and there are probably more.

Other possible risk factors haven't been proven conclusively but here are a few. Low vitamin D, not enough omega-3 fatty acids, nitrates in drinking water, and newborn jaundice seem to increase the risks for type 1.

The sooner you get on insulin and regulate your blood sugar levels, the fewer complications you will suffer in your eyes, heart, kidneys and neurological system. Right now there is no other treatment for type 1 diabetes.

A Type 2 Diabetic Risk Test

Since 90% of diabetics have type 2, here's a good risk test to take. If you fit any of these statements you should get your blood sugar tested, and not just once but every year or so. That way type 2 diabetes won't sneak up on you.

    I have a parent, brother or sister with type 2 diabetes.
    My family background includes one of the ethnic groups mentioned above for type 2.
    I am a woman who tested positive for diabetes when I was pregnant (gestational diabetes).
    I am a woman with PCOS (polycystic ovarian syndrome).
    My doctor says I have high blood pressure. It can be 140/90 or above.
    My doctors say my cholesterol is too high and my triglycerides are above 250 mg/dL.
    I exercise less than three times a week for less than 30 minutes at a time. I'm pretty inactive.
    I have a history of heart problems or artery disease.
    I've had an abnormally high blood sugar test in the past.
    I have a dark velvety rash around my neck or in my armpits.
    I'm overweight and my BMI is higher than it should be.

If Your Blood Sugar Test Says You're Prediabetic

Finding yourself with a fasting blood sugar over 80 on a glucose test does not make you a type 2 diabetic. It does mean you need to do things to lower your diabetes risk.

If you lower your weight by changing some of the things you eat, that will lower your risk immediately. And if you exercise more than 30 minutes a day several times a week, you will drastically change your diabetes risk.

Prediabetics over 60 who changed their lifestyle in these two ways reduced their risk by 71%. Under 60 prediabetics lowered their risk by 58%. Those are just averages. You might do much better.

It all depends on whether you will change. Becoming physically active every day is guaranteed to transform your life. But it is important to make reasonable goals for yourself.

Losing as little as 5-7% of body weight has been shown to reverse prediabetes. The changes you make to your diet can be small but they have to be sustained.

Remember three things and you'll succeed in beating prediabetes.

    Drastic changes usually don't last.
    Fad diets are hard to stick with.
    It's better to do things you like for exercise.

If You Are a Type 2 Diabetic

The advice given for lowering your diabetes risk will work double for you now. Lowering your weight, getting in shape, changing what you eat and being more active - those things have been known to reverse type 2 diabetes.

Be faithful in taking the medications you've been given, and don't skip or quit. Avoiding complications is a top priority for you now, so keep all of your doctor's appointments and get the tests they ask for.

You might try joining a clinical trial or two. They are a great way to monitor and improve your diabetic condition. All of the medications and exams will be free, and you'll get topnotch care. You'll learn a lot too.

If you are interested in clinical trials for diabetes, here's the official website to visit: http://www.ClinicalTrials.gov.

You Can Lower Your Risk for Diabetes

No matter what genetics and family history you were given, you can lower the risks and avoid the terrible complications of diabetes. Advice on a healthy diet and ways to make exercise a habit will help you in the beginning.

Once you've decided to change, you might find that fighting diabetes has put you onto a new and unexpected path. That's not always a bad thing. I hope this helps you, and I wish you well.

Martha Zimmer invites you to visit her website and learn more about type 2 diabetes, its complications and how you can deal with them, as well as great tips for eating healthy that will make living with diabetes less painful.

Article Source: Martha J Zimmer

Living With Diabetes - Great Foods to Eat

2012-03-16T11:27:00.000-07:00

The belief that people with Diabetes are advised to have a restricted diet especially in terms of carbohydrates is a thing of the past. Today people with Diabetes live full and varied life, enjoy their food, and manage to control their blood glucose effectively.

"What can I eat? What should I avoid? "These are a few questions that always haunt a diabetic person. The answer lies in the fact that he can eat most of the foods that he used to eat, before getting Diabetes. Dietician Sherry Waldron says "you should never eat what you don't like."

The food that is eaten is mostly made up of;

· Carbohydrates: Sugar, bread/flour, biscuits, potatoes, pasta, rice, fruit, cereal, sweet corn, milk, and yoghurt.

· Fats: Butter, margarine, oil, cream, milk, yoghurt, and cheese.

· Proteins: Meat, fish, cheese, egg, milk, yoghurt.

Glycaemic index of food

Any diabetic before planning a healthy, balanced and interesting diet should keep in mind the glycaemic index of the food. Glycaemic index is the index that describes the blood glucose raising effects of different foods.

Factors that increase the level of glucose in blood i.e. increased glycaemic index are;

· Cooking, as it breaks down the starch in the food

· Prepared food, e.g. mashed potatoes, polished rice, and grated carrots have an increased glycaemic index when compared with whole potatoes, unpolished rice, and sliced carrots.

· Fluids with meals, causes the stomach to empty more quickly and raise the level of glucose in the blood.

· Glucose content doesn't affect the glycaemic index, but the particle size and cell structure in different compounds gives different food responses.

· Salt in the food increases the absorption of glucose in the bloodstream.

Similarly, factors that decrease the level of glucose in blood i.e. decreased glycaemic index are;

· Starch structure, boiled and mashed potatoes give a quicker blood response than rice and pasta give a slower blood glucose response.

· A high fiber diet slows down the emptying rate of the stomach and binds the glucose in the intestine.

· Fat content will delay the emptying of the stomach.

· Cell structure, of certain foods such as beans, peas and lentils remain unchanged and decreases the glucose level of blood. Whole fruits affect the blood glucose level more slowly than the peeled fruits and juice.

· Large pieces of food take longer to digest and also in the stomach emptying.

Dietary fats

People with Diabetes should decrease the intake of total fat and cholesterol. Foods with saturated fats and Trans fats such as dairy products and red meats should be particularly avoided. Many snacks such as chocolates, cakes, pastries and crisps also contain trans-fat.

Monounsaturated and polyunsaturated foods should be used wherever possible. Softer fats are preferred. Liquid margarine and oil are preferred. Sunflower oil and olive oil should be used for frying. A meal with a high fat content will cause the blood glucose level to rise more slowly.

Improvise your fat intake by cutting down on the fat during week and have a celebratory weekend meal even with takeaway meals!

Dietary fibers

Soluble fibers found in vegetables, fruits, legumes and oats are helpful in maintain blood glucose levels. Adding fibers such as oats and barley affect the glucose control in the body. The fiber forms a thin film on the intestinal wall and causes the glucose to be absorbed more slowly.

Some important foods

Milk: All forms of milk have milk sugar, lactose (5 gm. /100ml) and same amounts of vitamins, minerals and calcium. Semi skimmed or skimmed milk is preferable to take

Vegetables: A diabetic can eat freely from this group as it has very low carbohydrate content. Sweet corn is the only member which should be avoided.

Potatoes: Potatoes, sweet potatoes, yam if boiled, then their cell wall bursts and glucose becomes quickly available to the body. Fried, deep fried or refrigerated potatoes will be absorbed more slowly.

Breads: Breads taken with margarine or cheese will delay the gastric emptying and decrease the raise in glucose in blood. A sandwich or a roll with tuna, egg, lean meat, chicken, or cheese and salad along with yoghurt or fruits can be a very enjoyable meal. Sugar frosted corn cereal is preferred over corn flakes.

Pasta: Pasta is prepared from crushed or cracked wheat and hence causes a very low rise in blood sugar. It is a very good food for diabetics. Spaghetti is preferred over macaroni.

Meat and fish: Meat and fish have a high protein and fat content and no carbohydrates. It should be avoided in case of diabetic kidney disease.

Pizza: It is a balanced meal as it contains bread, meat or fish, cheese and vegetables. The hard baked bread causes carbohydrates to be absorbed more slowly.

Herbs and spices: Herbs do not affect the blood glucose at all. Care should be taken that herbal seasonings contain a lot of salt and may increase the absorption of sugar.

Fruits and berries: The higher fiber content of fruits and berries causes a slower uptake of glucose. Fruits with low glycaemic index are apple, orange, and banana.

Article Source: Pooja S Banerjee

Reasons Why Your Hands and Feet Tingle When You Have Diabetes

2012-03-15T11:20:00.000-07:00

Diabetes mellitus is a disease that is associated with metabolic disorders in the body, causing an increased level of blood glucose in the body. Diabetes is identified as a lack of insulin in the body, or as a resistance of body cells towards insulin. There are some parts of the body which do not require insulin for the transportation of glucose in the body. These are brain, nerve fibers, kidney, and retina. As the levels of glucose in the blood reaches alarming levels, these cells can function normally for some time as glucose still reaches them. With prolonged high blood glucose level, a toxic amount of glucose starts accumulating in these cells and gives rise to various long term diabetic complications. These complications are broadly classified as;

· Diabetic nephropathy

· Diabetic neuropathy

· Diabetic retinopathy

· Diabetic cardiovascular complications

Why do your hand and feet tingle?

Tingling sensation in hands and feet in diabetes is a symptom of Diabetic peripheral neuropathy. Diabetic peripheral neuropathy is damage to the peripheral nerves, as a result of high blood sugar for prolonged period of time. It damages the nerves that cause the sensation of pain. Toes, feet, lower, upper legs and hands and the arms are most commonly affected.

Peripheral nerves function as the transmitter of sensory information between the brain and spinal cord and the peripheral parts of the body, such as hands and feet. Any damage to them interferes this vital connection and hence distorts and interrupts the messages between the brain and the parts of the body.

How does high glucose affect the nerves?

Even though exact mechanism is not known, but it is proven that high glucose for a long time definitely damages the nerves. A number of factors are at work here;

· Lifestyle (diet, exercise, smoking, alcohol) which determines the amount of blood glucose in the body.

· Damage of the blood vessels that carry blood and nutrients to the nerves i.e. neurovascular damage.

· Inflammation of the nerves.

What else happens in Diabetic Neuropathy?

Every peripheral nerve has a highly specialized function in the body, and damage to them will bring about a plethora of symptoms. A few of these symptoms associated with Diabetes are;

· Tingling in feet and hands

· Numbness which can become permanent if severe and prolonged in nature

· Burning sensation in hands and legs especially during night

· Pain

How can this be corrected?

The first and foremost measure to avoid tingling or any other sensation is to keep your blood glucose under strict control. Work in tandem with your doctor and follow all the diet, exercise and medicine regimens prescribed to you. Most of the symptoms will go away if the blood glucose is brought down to a low level.

If any of these symptoms persist, and cause discomfort, then medication can be taken. Medications such as tricyclic antidepressants (amitriptyline, nortryptyline) and anticonvulsants (pregabalin) are given.

FDA has approved only two medications for the treatment of Peripheral diabetic neuropathy, duloxetine (Cymbalta) and pregabalin (Lyrica).

Other medications that have also been useful are capsaicin cream, levodopa, tramadol, and opioids etc.

Article Source: Pooja S Banerjee

Living With Diabetes - How to Know If You Have Diabetes

2012-03-14T11:16:00.000-07:00

If you have diabetes, then you need a thorough understanding of the disease to be able to live with it. For most of the people, Diabetes goes unrecognized as its early symptoms seem harmless. By the time your Type I Diabetes is diagnosed, you may have been living with insulin deficiency for some time and it may have already done a certain level of harm to you. People diagnosed with Type II Diabetes may not observe any symptoms at all!

If your Diabetes can be diagnosed in time, then there is no reason why (even the research asserts that) why the risks of developing diabetic complications cannot be minimized.

Basically, Type I Diabetes is an insulin deficiency which gives rise to high blood glucose levels in the body. Similarly, Type II Diabetes is due to low levels of insulin or a resistance of body cells to insulin which causes an increase in blood sugar.

This increased level of blood sugar gives rise to various signs and symptoms of Diabetes. The symptoms of Type I Diabetes and Type II Diabetes are more or less similar in nature.

How to identify Type I Diabetes?

1. Polyuria (Frequent urination): You will notice an increased frequency in your trips to the bathroom and even the volume of urination increases.

When there is an increased level of blood glucose, and absence or ineffectiveness of insulin, then the kidneys are unable to filter the glucose back to the blood. The kidneys then in order to dilute the glucose, reabsorb more water from the blood and hence a full bladder results. This keeps you running to the bathroom.

2. Polydipsia (Unusual thirst): Since the kidneys are reabsorbing a greater amount of water from the blood, your body seems to lose more water than usual. This makes the body dehydrated. In order to compensate for this loss, you seem to drink more water than normal.

3. Polyphagia (Extreme hunger): As a symptom of diabetes you experience extreme hunger. In absence of insulin, or resistance of cells to insulin, glucose cannot enter the cells. The cells cannot manufacture energy and this sends a signal to the brain. The brain perceives it as starvation and an urge to eat results.

4. Unusual weight loss: When glucose cannot enter the cells, in absence of insulin or ineffective insulin, the cells cannot make energy. In response to this other hormones like glucagon, adrenaline, cortisol and growth hormones are released which sends a signal to fat cells and muscles to form glucose from other cells. The breakdown of fats and proteins causes an unusual weight loss.

5. Extreme fatigue and irritability: Since the glucose does not enter the cells, the cells are starved from energy, and fatigue and weakness results.

6. Fruity odor in breath: The breath of a diabetic smells of acetone or a fruity odor. The absence of glucose in the cells causes the conversion of fat cells to fatty acids and glycerol which are further broken down to ketones and glucose respectively. This ketone is eliminated from the body via urine and by conversion into acetone which is eliminated through breath.

How to identify Type II Diabetes?

1. Any of the Type I symptoms of Polyuria, Polydipsia, Polyphagia, tiredness, or weight loss

2. Frequent infections: Frequent infections are a result of

3. Blurred vision: Retina can take up glucose without the intervention of insulin cells. When the quantity of glucose increases in the retina, than the surrounding cells, retina cells take up more water. This results in blurred vision.

4. Cuts or bruises that are slow to heal: Due to increased dehydration, the lesions and cuts do not heal easily.

5. Tingling sensation or numbness in hands and feet: Since Type II diabetes is not recognized for long time; prolonged exposure to high glucose has already caused damage to the peripheral sensory nerves of toes, feet, legs, hands and arms. This neuropathy causes tingling sensation or numbness in the hands and feet.

6. Recurring skin, gum, bladder infections: White blood cells that are the body's defense mechanism against infections work less effectively at a high glucose concentration increases the likelihood of infections. Skin and urinary tract infections are most common.

Sometimes Type II Diabetics do not notice any of these symptoms. As a result of prolonged high blood glucose, diabetes has already given way to other complications associated with Diabetes Mellitus.

Article Source: Pooja S Banerjee

What To Do When Your Blood Sugar Is Too Low

2012-03-13T11:12:00.000-07:00

Hypoglycemia or more commonly known as low blood sugar, is a common and dangerous problems faced by diabetics. The good news is that the symptoms revert back to normal once the blood sugar level is normalized.

A few facts

· A blood glucose level which falls below 65-70 mg/dl is considered as low blood sugar or hypoglycemia.

· 10 gm of glucose will raise the blood glucose level of an adult by 35 mg/dl and in children 1.5 gm glucose/10Kg body weight will approximately raise the blood glucose level by 35mg /dl.

· Glucose raises the blood glucose level within 15 minutes and the sugar level continues to rise for another 45-60 minutes.

· A tablet of glucose is generally of 3 gm glucose and far more effective than any other form of sugar or carbohydrate taken to raise the level of glucose in blood.

· Glucose cannot be absorbed from mouth or stomach, and glucose given rectally as suppository will not raise the blood sugar level of either an adult or a child.

Steps to cope with hypoglycemia

· If you feel sensations that you may have a low blood glucose level, test your blood sugar. If your condition is not such that you can measure blood sugar, then try eating some carbohydrate or glucose so that initial hypoglycemia may not worsen.

· If your blood glucose level is below 65-70mg /dl, eat something sweet, preferably glucose tablets. Take a low dose of glucose and wait for 15-20 minutes, if you don't feel better after the lapse of this time, and then take a repeat dose. Do not take any fluids or food containing fats such as chocolates, biscuits, milk or chocolates as it will decrease the absorption of glucose and hence a slower rise in blood glucose will take place.

· If the level of sugar is below 65-80mg/dl, then a glass of juice or a piece of fruit will be helpful. Postpone exercise, eat carbohydrate and change your insulin dose after consultation with the diabetician.

· If the person is conscious, but cannot swallow, then give him glucose gel or honey. They are also helpful in toddlers and infants.

· A person, who is unconscious or is experiencing convulsions, should be given glucagon injection. Do not give him anything to eat or drink.

· Do not involve yourself in exercise until the symptoms of hypoglycemia have subsided. Do not do anything else that requires your full attention such as driving, handling heavy machinery or appear for an exam till at least 15 minutes of taking glucose and subsiding of symptoms.

· If there is no improvement even after 30 minutes, then it could be due to gastric delaying of glucose into the intestine. In these cases try drinking a carbonated beverage such as lemonade.

· Underlying conditions such as gastroenteritis may also delay the improvement in blood sugar level. In this case a glucagon injection is very important.

· Consult your doctor, and get the insulin dose lowered the very next day.

Management of hypoglycemia in relation to meals

It is very important to focus on the time interval between the meal and the hypoglycemic episode, for a better management of hypoglycemia.

· If hypoglycemia occurs just before meals, take glucose; wait for 15-20 minutes before eating meals. Food will delay the absorption of glucose.

· If low blood sugar appears 45-90 minutes before your meals, then again take glucose and eat your regular meals. You may be required to eat a fruit or something light to avoid reversal of hypoglycemia.

· If hypoglycemia occurs 1-2 hours before meal, take glucose and wait for 15-20 minutes before eating anything else. Try taking something with longer acting carbohydrates this tie since there is time before your next meal. A glass of milk or a sandwich is helpful in this case.

Sweets and hypoglycemia

Sweets containing pure sugar such as pure caramel or boiled sweets can raise the blood sugar more quickly. Sweets containing chocolate and chocolate bars raise the blood sugar very slowly and are not effective in the immediate treatment of hypoglycemia.

Glucose tablets are better than any other form of sweet as they give a measured dose of glucose.

Article Source: Pooja S Banerjee

Type 2 Diabetes - Using An Eye Exam To Diagnose Diabetes and Diabetic Complications

2012-03-12T11:09:00.000-07:00

We all know the importance of keeping our eyes healthy. But what many people don't realize is not only can the health of your eyes tell you a great deal about what is going on inside your body, but they also have the ability to spot the development of certain conditions... like Type 2 diabetes.

How can the eyes determine the likelihood of someone developing Type 2 diabetes? Because so much of a diabetic's health can be linked to their eyes. When blood sugar levels are allowed to run out of control, the eyes are one of the first places that experience complications.

Diabetes can cause damage to these parts of your eye:

1. Retina: The tissue in the back of the eye that transmits visual images to the brain via the optic nerve.

2. Vitreous: The clear matter within your eyes between the lens and retina.

3. Lens: The front of the eye that brings in light and images.

4. Optic Nerve: This is the largest nerve of the eye; it carries images by way of electric impulses from the retina to the brain.

5. Blood vessels: These vessels carry blood to your eye and can become clogged just like other blood vessels.

How can your eyes be affected? High blood sugar and high blood pressure are factors contributing to the risk of eye disease and complications.

Over time, it is quite common for our eyes to lose some of their ability. Eventually for many, we lose clarity, the ability to read up close, far off vision becomes cloudy, etc. But how do you know how much of this is normal and how much is being facilitated by Type 2 diabetes? Without the help of a doctor, you won't.

Every diabetic should be diligently seeing an ophthalmologist annually, just like they do their regular doctor. In fact, the ophthalmologist might pick up on key issues your regular doctor might miss simply because you are not aware they are actual issues that need to be addressed.

Since high blood pressure and high blood sugar have the ability to affect many different aspect of your vision, an ophthalmologist is the right person to check all of these possible trouble spots.

Symptoms showing there could be problems include:

    blurred vision,
    seeing dark spots,
    loss of peripheral vision,
    cloudy vision,
    night vision problems,
    sensitivity to light, and more.

Some of these issues are treatable, but unfortunately, some aren't. Once the more serious conditions appear, it might be too late to take action and the damage is often irreversible.

When an ophthalmologist checks your eyes, they are not only looking for clear vision, but other problems, too. One of the main areas they are checking is the pressure within your eyes. This tells them if there is too much pressure for the tiny blood vessels of the eyes to endure. It doesn't take much in elevated pressure for these blood vessels to rupture and begin leaking blood into your eye.

Ophthalmologists also check for cataracts, both those that have developed on their own or as a result of other conditions. Although some eye conditions do not cause severe disruption in your vision in their early stages, it is still far better to remain vigilant of your eyes so anx problems can be corrected before they turn into major issues.

How do you start to create a healthy lifestyle today so you can avoid damage occurring to your eyes?

Article Source: Beverleigh H Piepers

Type 2 Diabetes - Does High HDL Cholesterol Help In Lowering Blood Sugar?

2012-03-11T11:06:00.000-07:00

High density lipoprotein, or HDL, the "good" kind of cholesterol, is thought to promote blood sugar control. Researchers at the University Medical Center and University of Groningen in the Netherlands studied pancreatic beta cells, the cells responsible for making and releasing insulin, along with high density lipoprotein (HDL) function.

HDL functions in transporting cholesterol out of your body so it will not clog your blood vessels. This helps to prevent heart attacks and strokes. It also serves as an antioxidant, preventing damage to cells by not allowing oxidation reactions to take place.

This particular study, published in May 2012 in the journal Atherosclerosis, included:

37 volunteers with normal blood sugar levels,

    36 with slightly elevated blood sugar, and
    22 diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes.

In the people diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes, beta cells were found to function best when HDL was doing its job as an antioxidant and causing cholesterol to leave the body. The HbA1c percentage was lowest in those whose HDL was working best.

From the above information it was concluded the healthy function of HDL could actually contribute to good beta cell function.

HDL is the so-called "good cholesterol". For good health, aim for an HDL cholesterol of:

    60 mg/dL or greater.
    levels of 40 mg/dL or lower put people at risk for disease, even when total cholesterol levels are normal.

To keep up a high HDL level, perform aerobic exercise for 30 to 60 minutes per day. Aerobic exercise is any physical activity that increases your heart and breathing rates. A simple walk or jog for a half hour every day can provide aerobic exercise if it increases your breathing and pulse rate, making your body take in more oxygen...

1. Spring time has arrived in the northern hemisphere, so it's a great time to get out and enjoy the warm weather and blooming flowers. In the southern hemisphere, put on a sweater, get out and enjoy the brisk fall weather.

2. If you are overweight or obese, normalizing your weight can also contribute to raising your HDL level. For every 6 pounds lost, your HDL can increase by as much as 1 mg/dL.

3. Avoiding saturated and trans fats also helps to raise HDL levels, so avoid animal fats and palm oils. Instead choose nuts, olive oil, and liquid vegetable oils.

4. Tobacco smoke lowers HDL levels, so quitting or not starting is another good way of helping to maintain healthy HDL levels.

5. Drinking in moderation, one drink per day for women and two for men, tends to raise HDL levels, so if you drink, limit it to only one or two drinks a day. If you do not drink, do not start, because alcohol can have other unhealthy effects.

How do you start to create a healthy lifestyle today so you can have healthy HDL cholesterol levels and good blood sugar control?

Article Source: Beverleigh H Piepers

Eating White Rice Ups Your Chance Of Diabetes

2012-02-15T10:52:00.000-08:00

For those who enjoy white rice as a regular part of your diet... take note. A recent international analysis finds those who consume white rice regularly have a much higher chance of diabetes.

Researchers examined the results of four earlier studies carried out in the U.S., Australia, Japan and China. None of the 350,000 subjects participating in these projects were diagnosed with diabetes at the beginning of studies that lasted from between 4 to 22 years.

The team saw a strong link between regularly consuming white rice and the onset of type 2 diabetes, the link being greater in women compared to men.

The larger volume of white rice a subject consumed, the greater the risk for diabetes. Each serving (6 ounce/158 grams) of this rice brought a 10% increased chance of diabetes according to the estimates of the team.

When you compare white to brown rice, white might be more popular, but it is also one of the least nutritious varieties - with lower amounts of fiber as well as magnesium and vitamins being stripped away during the refining process. Getting these valuable nutrients has been linked to a lower risk of type 2 diabetes the researchers point out.

White rice also has a high GI score. The (GI) glycemic index is an indication of how a food effects blood sugar. Diets with lots of high GI foods are also linked to more type 2 diabetes. Even so white rice is eaten most often worldwide.

Bear in mind that this research does not prove that white rice causes type 2 diabetes.

However, experts consider these findings important. Even though white rice is a simple carb, it's also a high GI food and can be the cause of increased levels in blood sugar even if you don't have diabetes. Low glycemic food choices are always going to be a better option in terms of reducing your risk of diabetes.

There are better alternatives to the white rice we eat so much of; you might try brown rice, barley or quinoa, buckwheat or any number of whole grains. An overall low fat, reduced calorie eating plan is what most experts will recommend when it comes to giving your body enough of what it needs, without too many calories that add pounds.

If you're seriously trying to ward off type 2 diabetes, you want to do more than make some changes in your diet. You also need to be more active - 30 minutes of moderately intense activity at least 5 days a week.

If you haven't been active for a while talk to your doctor first and be sure to start slow and build your workout length and intensity over time. And remember, you don't have to get all that activity in one shot - you can break it down into 10-minute increments all through the day and get the same benefits. Keeping your weight under control should help you lower your chance of diabetes.

Article Source: Kirsten Whittaker