Diabetes and Its Effects

Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disorder characterized by hyperglycemia (high blood sugar). Diabetes is a disease in which the body doesn’t produce or properly use insulin. Insulin is a hormone produced in the pancreas, an organ near the stomach. Insulin is needed to turn sugar and other food into energy. Three main forms of diabetes: type 1, type 2, and gestational diabetes (occurring during pregnancy),[1] which have similar signs, symptoms, and consequences, but different causes and population distributions. Ultimately, all forms are due to the beta cells of the pancreas being unable to produce sufficient insulin to prevent hyperglycemia.[2] Type 1 is usually due to autoimmune destruction of the pancreatic beta cells which produce insulin. Type 2 is characterized by tissue-wide insulin resistance and varies widely; it sometimes progresses to loss of beta cell function. Gestational diabetes is similar to type 2 diabetes, in that it involves insulin resistance; the hormones of pregnancy cause insulin resistance in those women genetically predisposed to developing this condition.

People with pre-diabetes are at increased risk for developing type 2 diabetes, heart disease and stroke. Gestational diabetes also involves a combination of inadequate insulin secretion and responsiveness, resembling type 2 diabetes in several respects. It develops during pregnancy and may improve or disappear after delivery. Insulin is called the “hunger hormone .

Causes of Diabetes Mellitus

Glucose into most cells from the blood (primarily muscle and fat cells, but not central nervous system cells), deficiency of insulin or the insensitivity of its receptors plays a central role in all forms of diabetes mellitus. Much of the carbohydrate in food is converted within a few hours to the monosaccharide glucose, the principal carbohydrate found in blood. Type 1 diabetes mellitus—formerly known as insulin-dependent diabetes (IDDM), childhood diabetes or also known as juvenile diabetes, is characterized by loss of the insulin-producing beta cells of the islets of Langerhans of the pancreas leading to a deficiency of insulin. The main cause of beta cell loss leading to type 1 diabetes is a T-cell mediated autoimmune attack. Type 2 diabetes mellitus—previously known as adult-onset diabetes, maturity-onset diabetes.

Symptoms of Diabetes Mellitus

1.Drowsiness.

2.Nausea.

3.Decreased endurance during exercise

Treatment of Diabetes Mellitus

Person with diabetes keeps blood sugar levels tightly controlled, complications are less likely to develop. People with diabetes should always carry or wear a medical identification bracelet or tag to alert health care professionals to the presence of diabetes. People with type 1 diabetes who are able to maintain a healthy weight may be able to avoid the need for large doses of insulin. People with diabetes also tend to have high levels of cholesterol in the blood, so limiting the amount of saturated fat in the diet is important. Drugs may also be needed to help control the level of cholesterol in the blood. Diet management is very important in people with both types of diabetes. Doctors recommend a healthy, balanced diet and efforts to maintain a healthy weight. Some people benefit from meeting with a dietitian to develop an optimal eating plan. Diabetic ketoacidosis is also a medical emergency, because it can cause coma and death. Oral medications are available to lower blood glucose in Type II diabetics include tolbutamide, tolazamide, acetohexamide, and chlorpropamide.



By: Juliet Cohen

About the Author:

What you believe about diabetes is probably wrong. As more is discovered about this debilitating disease, you need to know the truth, especially if you or someone you know has diabetes. Here are 9 myths that have no basis in fact.

1.Diabetes is inherited. While heredity plays a part in getting diabetes, the major reasons for getting diabetes is primarily due to a poor lifestyle. Typical diets today consist of highly processed foods which are easy to digest but cause major rises in blood sugar. This taxes the pancreas into over-producing the insulin needed to get glucose into the cells where it can be used for energy. In a similar vein, you cannot get diabetes from someone who has it. It is not viral, like the flu.

2.Sugar causes diabetes. Sugar does raise glucose somewhat but it is the simple carbohydrates in food that is quickly converted into glucose that leads to high sugar spikes, obesity and ultimately diabetes. High fiber food consists of complex carbo9hydrates which take more time to be converted into glucose. This leads to a gradual increase in blood sugar which the pancreas can handle. Diabetics can eat sugar, but sugar alone does not cause diabetes.

3.Insulin helps control blood sugar and cures diabetes. Generally type 1 diabetics need to be on insulin as their pancreas do not produce enough insulin to move glucose out of the bloodstream. Many type 2 diabetics are insulin resistant which simply means that their pancreas are producing enough insulin but the glucose is simply not getting into the cells of the body. Insulin injections help but ultimately the resistant cells require more and more insulin for glucose to enter. Both insulin and glucose build up in the bloodstream and can be fatal. What needs to be addressed is what causes the cells to become resistant in the first place and a lot is due to lifestyle factors. Insulin does not cure diabetes.

4.You can tell you have diabetes when the symptoms start to show. This is true in some cases. But the symptoms do not always show up. The pancreas of type 2 diabetics produce insulin and this can lead to mild symptoms that are easy to overlook. Many people are diabetic but don’t know it until the symptoms become evident.

5.Drinking water helps to flush out excess blood sugar. While we should drink at least 8 glasses of water every day and it does help to flush out many toxins in the body, drinking water alone is not a substitute for the lifestyle change that is needed to help control diabetes. Physical activity, a proper diet, your ingrained habits of smoking and drinking and high stress levels play a more important role as to how your body controls your glucose levels.

6.Oral medications are all you need to control diabetes. They help, but they do not address the causes of the disease, which as already explained is due to an unhealthy lifestyle. Medications are a stop gap measure. They tend to help the diabetic gain weight rather than lose it.

7.Eating carbohydrates should be reduced in the diet. You cannot avoid eating carbohydrates. Carbs are a necessary part of life. It’s the type of food you eat on a regular basis that ultimately leads to diabetes. Consuming too much junk food instead of high fiber food is what leads to problems. Fast food seems like a good way to get quick energy in the fast paced lifestyle we live in today, but it leads to problems if it is done too often.

8.Diabetes cannot be controlled. While there is no cure for the disease, you can live a healthy life by controlling your diet, exercise regularly and cut out the bad habits that lead to the disease. Diabetes is controllable.

9. Diabetics eventually go blind and will lose their feet. If diabetes is not addressed, the complications of blindness, and nerve damage to the feet result leading to amputations. While diabetes is generally believed to lead to the complications of blindness and kidney failure, much of this is due to a lack of essential vitamins and minerals. Diabetics are especially vulnerable to complications since their kidneys flush out essential nutrients as they try to rid the body of excess glucose. Replacing these vitamins and minerals are essential to keeping nerves healthy and functioning. You don’t have to be diabetic to experience the complications. Many people do not get enough essential nutrients from their diets. It’s the reason why disease is so rampant. The body simply has little defense against the pathogens, viruses and diseases that regularly invade the body. 10.There are no natural remedies for diabetes. While there is no cure, there are vitamins, minerals and herbs you can take that can help you control blood sugar. Diabetics should supplement with gymnema sylvestre, bitter melon, fenugreek, gingko biloba and alpha lipoic acid. Helpful minerals are: chromium, vanadium, zinc, magnesium and potassium. The diabetic should supplement with vitamins C and E and B vitamin complex. Besides taking supplements a healthy diet and exercise routine can go a long way to controlling blood sugar.

If you have diabetes or are at risk of getting it, the best thing you can do is make a complete change in your lifestyle and cut out the bad habits that you have formed that put you at risk of diabetes. Work with your doctor and dietitian to avoid the deterioration that narrows the quality of life and leads to early death. Whether you have the disease or not, chances are that any changes you make today will help avoid getting diabetes or control it better.



By: Mario Carini

About the Author:

A lot of people are suffering from either type 1 or type 2 diabetes and their number is constantly increasing. There is well-built need to know the function diet plays in the treatment of diabetes. If one correctly manages the diet he eats he can simply overcome the major diabetes complications.

 

Dietary treatment for Type 1 Diabetes

 

1. Integrate and synchronize meals (that is, the metabolic load) with the time(s) of action of the insulin treatment to minimize high peaks of blood glucose as well as episodes of hypoglycemia. It is recommended that the individual’s usual food intake is used as a basis for integrating insulin therapy into the eating and exercise patterns. Patients on insulin therapy should eat at consistent times synchronized with the time-action of the insulin preparation used.

 

2. Reduce saturated fat to 10% of total energy or less. People with diabetes have an increased risk of coronary heart disease and this dietary change may reduce it.

 

3. Keep salt intake low, because people with diabetes have an increased risk of hypertension.

 

4. Keep away from or take moderate quantity of alcohol. Large intakes carry the risk of hypoglycemia; irregular drinking can disturb glycemic control.

 

5. In children and adolescents should make sure intakes of essential nutrients are adequate.

 

Dietary treatment for Type 2 Diabetes

 

Dietary change has a greater potential to improve type 2 diabetes as most of them are obese diet plays a major role in controlling type 2 diabetes.

 

1. Decrease body weight by eating smaller amount calories and taking habitual exercise, and keep at it! Even modest weight loss improves metabolic control. About three-quarters of type 2 diabetics are overweight or obese, and weight decrease is the first line of dietary executive. To facilitate patients lose weight and stay it off is a challenge for the physician and dietitian. Diabetics have a stronger reason to lose weight because this improves their disease as well as their body, but sulphonylureas or insulin (not metformin) tends to encourage appetite. Some who succeed in losing weight may be able to go off medications or even go off insulin.

 

2. Reduce saturated fat. Increased LDL-cholesterol may be more pathogenic in type 2 diabetes than non-diabetic people.

 

3. Emphasize low glycemic index foods

 

4. Increase intake of vegetables, fruit, legumes, and whole grain cereals (which increase fiber intake and mostly have low glycemic indices).

 

5. Keep salt intake low and increase potassium intake.

 

6. Avoid excess alcohol but 1-2 drinks per day with meals are acceptable.

 

7. Forget carbohydrate exchanges

 

8. There is no need to be obsessed about reducing sucrose. The glycemic effect of sucrose is about the same as that of most starchy foods.

 

By just following dietary principles we diabetics can have better organize on the disease and live a cheerful and healthy life just like non diabetics. Diabetes is a quickly rising problem. The treatment of diabetes is being developed in different medical fields. Some of these treatments have been proven to show great potential. One out of those is the herbal treatment for the various aspects of diabetes.

 

Following are some of the herbal tips for diabetic patients.

 

Curry Leaves

 

Eat 8-10 fresh curry leaves daily in the morning for approximately three months

 

It delays even the diabetes which is carried in the genes. The leaves due to its weight reducing property also prevent the diabetes due to obesity. As the weight decreases a diabetic patient stop to pass glucose contents in the urine.

 

Fenugreek seeds

 

Take 2 teaspoons full of fenugreek seeds (in the powdered form) daily in the morning preferably with the milk. Another way of using this is to soak 10-12 seeds in water at night and drink that water in the morning.

 

It helps to control even very high blood glucose levels.

 

Amla

 

Mix equal quantity of powdered jumbal, amla and bitter gourd. Take one tablespoon of this mixture once or twice a day.

 

It hinders the progress of diabetes.

 

Madhuca

 

The decoctions of the bark of Madhuca tree cure the diabetes.

 

It helps by lowering down the blood sugar level.

 

Garlic

 

Swallow a clove of garlic daily in the morning.

 

The constituents of the garlic have been scientifically proved to lower down the blood sugar level.

 

Herbs play a very important role in the managing and even curing the diabetes. The above herbal tips if applied properly as per instruction will give guaranteed results.



By: jeniferhobson

About the Author:

s lifestyle makes many vulnerable to the scourge of diabetes. In healthy people, the rise of glucose is easily transferred to the cells of the body. The pancreas produces the insulin needed to move excess blood sugar out of the bloodstream.

Unfortunately, for the diabetic something goes wrong and the glucose remains in the bloodstream where it begins to do significant damage to many organs of the body including the heart and kidneys.

The reasons why glucose remains in the blood are due either to the lack of insulin production by the pancreas or the cells of the body have become resistant to accepting glucose even when enough insulin is available. Type one diabetics count for 10% of all diabetics. It strikes at a young age. Type two diabetes is more prevalent. It often affects during middle age and strikes many who are overweight and live a sedentary lifestyle.

Either type of diabetes will eventually lead to complications if it is not treated. The three most prevalent complications are:

Nephropathy: Excess glucose damages the functioning of the kidneys. 60% of all people on dialysis are diabetic. The kidneys attempt to flush out excess blood sugar, but in doing so it also flushes out many of the essential vitamins and minerals the body needs to function properly. If nutrients are not replaced, this leads to a downward spiral where death ultimately results. Diabetics need to take in more nutrients than the average non-diabetic. Unfortunately, the diets of the average person today lacks the minimum requirements of essential vitamins and minerals necessary for proper health. This insures that many diabetics are headed for dialysis as their kidneys fail.

Retinopathy: Many diabetics eventually go blind as glucose starts to damage the fine nerves in the eyes. Diabetics are at greater risk of developing glaucoma, cataracts and other problems associated with the eyes. Seeing an eye care specialist is a necessity. While drugs do help to reduce blood sugar to normal levels, they do nothing if nerves have been significantly damaged.

Neuropathy: Similarly, the delicate nerves in the feet are affected leading to loss of sensation. The diabetic does not feel pain when stepping on a sharp object. Infection can set in leading to gangrene and eventually amputation to save the person’s life. Tingling, pain, numbness are the first symptoms that the nerves are slowly dying. It is important for anyone with diabetes to have their feet checked for nerve damage.

Cardiovascular Disease: Fully 90% of type two diabetics are overweight and obese. Excess fat puts a strain on the heart. It has been shown that losing a few pounds can greatly reduce the chance of becoming diabetic or improve blood sugar control for those who have diabetes. Most diabetics also have high blood pressure, live a stressful life and have poor eating habits. Diabetics age faster, far beyond their years. Heart attack and stroke are common to diabetics. Evidence appears to point out another type of diabetes as excess blood sugar may be the direct cause of Alzheimer’s and Dementia.

Diabetes is a wasting disease. It is estimated that some 20 million Americans are diabetic while an additional 7 million don’t know they have it as symptoms don’t show up. While there is no cure for the diseases, diabetes can be prevented and even reversed with the right approach which must include a proper diet, exercise and cutting out the bad habits developed over the years that lead to the condition. While Type One diabetics must take insulin injections for the rest of their lives, Type Two diabetics can take an active approach to controlling their disease to insure that they extend life for themselves and remain a vital part for their families and friends.

By: Mario Carini

About the Author:

Diabetes is a disease caused by a failure of the biological mechanisms regulating blood sugar, because of inadequate production of insulin (hormone that is needed to convert sugar, starches and other food energy) by the pancreas. The disease is characterized by a significant increase in blood sugar. Three main types of diabetes are Type 1 diabetes, Type 2 diabetes and gestational diabetes

Type 1 diabetes is characterized by a loss of production of insulin by cells of the pancreas (beta cells or cells of Langerhans. The causes of this loss of insulin production are still unknown. Diabetes type 1 may have a impact on children or adults, but most times, it starts from a few months of life and about 35 years. The body of a diabetic patient rejects, the formation of antibodies, cells that are capable to produce insulin. The symptoms are discomfort and frequent urination, which can lead to dehydration and weight loss. Type 1 diabetes accounts for 10% of patients with diabetes.

Type 2 diabetes or diabetes mellitus type 2 is a form of diabetes characterized by high levels of sugar in the blood. This type of diabetes results from a lack of insulin secretion and its ineffectiveness in maintaining blood sugar within a normal level. In type 2 diabetes may be caused by genetic factors or unhealthy lifestyle, lack of exercise, obesity, alcohol abuse and high-fat. However, the causes of diabetes in the vast majority of cases have not yet logical explanation.

Gestational Diabetes is a type of diabetes that occurs in pregnant women. No cause has been identified, but it is thought that during pregnancy, the body of the mother produces hormones to support the fetus as it develops. In some women, these hormones directed against their bodies, making them less able to make insulin needed to get energy from body cells.

Without this insulin, the level of sugar in the mother’s blood starts to develop, which can harm the mother and fetus, if left untreated. Gestational diabetes occurs in about 7 percent of all pregnancies. Unlike type 1 and type 2 diabetes, gestational diabetes is often treated.

Some general signs of type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes and gestational diabetes

The symptoms of diabetes May occur in several ways: fatigue, difficulty concentrating, blurred vision, intense thirst, frequent urination, insatiable hunger, weight loss, muscle weakness. Some or all of these symptoms are present in patients with diabetes early in the disease. However, some diabetics have few symptoms. The disease is then detected in a sample of blood.

Diabetes natural remedies

Natural Remedies have been used in traditional medicine for thousands of years to support the health of the pancreas, the endocrine system and all its functions. In more recent times, research has confirmed the importance of natural medicines in the treatment of diabetes. There are now many published clinical studies demonstrating the ability of a range of herbs to support the endocrine system and pancreatic health and maintaining normal blood sugar.



By: Jack Stanley

About the Author:

As most people already know, diabetes is on an incredible increase in the United States. While most people have heard the term diabetes, few really understand what diabetes is, and more importantly, the symptoms to look out for. Over 25 million people have diabetes and 6 million more have it and don’t even know it. Diabetes has become a very serious health issue. There is no cure for Type 2 Diabetes at this time.

How does one get diabetes?

Whenever we eat our food, the body goes to work in its natural process of taking the food and changing it into energy. It does this by turning it into sugar, or glucose, while digesting it. This is what gives us energy. During this process, the pancreas releases insulin which controls the amount of sugar in our bloodstream. This is what keeps us healthy. Without this insulin, the sugar remains in our bloodstream, creating several health related problems. Among them are possibility of blindness, kidney failure, nerve damage, and other organ function problems. If diabetes is left untreated, it will cause death. That’s why it’s so important to be tested on a regular basis and know what your blood sugar levels are.

Discover how to fight Type 2 Diabetes and win! Managing Diabetes

What are the different types of diabetes?

Type 1 Diabetes - You may have heard of this form of diabetes as “juvenile” diabetes since it is usually found in young children. Type 1 Diabetes is found in only 5-10% of all diabetic cases. It is diagnosed when the pancreas fails to produce any insulin at all, or too little of an amount to do the body any good.

With Type 1 Diabetes, patients must have a daily injection of insulin medicine. Without these daily injections of medicine, they will not survive.

Type 2 Diabetes - This form of diabetes is the most common, with 90-95% of all forms of diabetes being Type 2.

With Type 2 Diabetes, the pancreas doesn’t continue to produce enough insulin in a natural way, or the cells no longer respond to the insulin any loner. In many cases, Type 2 Diabetes can be controlled through diet and exercise. If this fails to produce the necessary results, oral medication can be prescribed.

Gestational Diabetes - This form of diabetes is found only in women who are pregnant. Similar to Type 2, it usually strikes 2-7% of all pregnancies. It is caused by the pancreas not being able to keep up in delivering insulin to control the glucose level. This form of diabetes will most always go away after pregnancy, but there is an increased risk of both mother and baby becoming diabetic later on in life.

Doctors will generally test for Gestational Diabetes around the 26th week of pregnancy, which is when insulin resistance usually starts.

Pre-Diabetes - Also known as borderline diabetes, this is diagnosed when patients are showing signs of increased levels of blood sugar and are beginning to have difficulty in keeping them down. Pre-diabetes affects over 40 million people, which is incredible when you stop to think about it. If left untreated, pre-diabetes will turn into Type 2 Diabetes in most cases. Those with pre-diabetes are urged to alter their diets and begin to get on an exercise routine of some kind. In addition, they should have their blood sugar levels tested at least every 3 months.

As mentioned earlier, there is no known cure for Type 2 Diabetes. The only cure available for those patients with Type 1 Diabetes is to receive a pancreas transplant. Of course, this can lead to other problems such as rejection by the body, and the effects of the surgery itself. Science is continuing to work on other ways to treat and prevent diabetes including the transplanting of insulin producing cells within the pancreas, and even making an artificial pancreas.

Other medical programs going on to prevent and treat diabetes include producing an inhalation device that will put out insulin. This would take the place of daily insulin injections. These, and many more advancements are on the horizon for those who suffer from this awful disease. I would encourage you to monitor your blood sugar level at least once a year. By knowing what it is you can help prevent the onset of diabetes.



By: Alien

About the Author:

Pre-diabetes is a serious health condition that can be treated. The good news is that diabetes has recently completed Prevention Program study conclusively showed that people with pre-diabetes can prevent the development of type 2 diabetes by making changes to their diet and increase their level of ‘physical activity. May they be able to return their blood glucose levels to normal.

It is better to practice the prevention of diabetes. Here’s a start. There are two natural remedies that you can use to reduce your chances of becoming diabetic. One is a mineral and the other is a spice.

First make sure you always get magnesium in your food or as a supplement. In a study by Brigham, 11000 women were tested for risk factors discussed above has shown that women who had high levels of magnesium are less diabetic risk factors of 27%. Other long-term studies have also shown similar results.

Thus, you might ask why do magnesium lower diabetes risk factors? Researchers have suggested that magnesium reduces blood pressure, heart relaxes the muscles, homocysteine and control, which is associated with cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Since magnesium is a mineral It also helps to neutralize the toxic substances found in cells outside the lymph. This helps cells to function better.

For more magnesium in your diet to eat dark green leafy lettuce, avocados, nuts, grains and ensembles. In addition, the use of magnesium gluconate and magnesium chelated 500 mg per day. It is always better to take magnesium with calcium and vitamin D.

Secondly, it is the spice cinnamon. The cinnamon and diabetes has been discussed in many health bulletins. Here is the story about diabetes cinnamon. It is an extract of cinnamon called Cinnulin PF. This extract works on the cellular level by insulin receptors on cells more sensitive to insulin than 300%. So why is it important? Well, in diabetes, if the pancreas does not produce enough insulin but not enough insulin cell doors are open to ensure a good sugar can go into cells to lower blood sugar levels.

There are drugs that can be used to control diabetes, and many natural remedies. However, the most important aspect of a management plan is a diabetic diet and exercise. A healthy diet should consist of fresh fruit, vegetables, carbohydrates parties healthy, omega-3 fatty acids, proteins in healthy portions, and fibre. A healthy diet contributes not only to your overall health, but can also be an important factor to offset the symptoms of diabetes. The more you can prevent symptoms of diabetes, the more you can reduce the risk of more serious diseases associated with diabetes.

What can I do to prevent diabetes?

You can do many things to prevent diabetes problems. For example, to keep your feet healthy, check them each day. Ask your health care team if you take a low-dose aspirin daily to reduce your risk of heart disease. To keep your eyes healthy, visit a professional eye once a year for a complete eye exam that includes the use of drops in the eye to dilate the pupils.



By: Jack Stanley

About the Author:

Diabetes:

Diabetes is a chronic condition in which body does not produce or produce less insulin compared to healthy individual or body develops resistance to insulin (body does not respond to insulin).

Most foods that we consume finally enter into the blood in form of carbohydrate, fat & protein. From blood, these nutrients enter into cells. Insulin is required for this entry of glucose into cells. Body cells utilize carbohydrate & fat for energy & growth.

Because of less insulin or resistance to insulin in diabetes, blood sugar cannot enter into cells & remain in blood resulting in high blood sugar.

Studies have shown that supplements like chromium, alpha lipoic acid & vanadium plays an important role in the management of diabetes. You can get details on diabetes at http://www.truevalue4money.com/diabetes/diabetes.html

Chromium supplements in diabetes:

Diabetes is associated with low concentrations of chromium in blood, so, an early, long-term addition of chromium to the standard therapy has been recommended in several studies. Some latest clinical reports also support the safety and therapeutic value of chromium supplementation for the management of high cholesterol and sugar in subjects with diabetes.

Chromium increases insulin receptor numbers & insulin binding to cells. Since chromium acts by increasing insulin efficiency, so lower amount of insulin is required in presence of chromium.

A clinical study published in ‘Diabetes Care. (2006, August)’ has shown that chromium supplementation in subjects with type 2 diabetes significantly improves insulin sensitivity and glucose control. Chromium supplementation also reduced body weight gain and fat accumulation

A latest review article published in Diabetes Technol Ther. 2006 December has mentioned that 13 of 15 clinical studies involving a total of 1,690 subjects reported significant improvement in at least one outcome of glycemic control. (Glycemic control is a medical term used for blood sugar levels in a person with diabetes) Beneficial effects of chromium supplementation included reduced blood glucose, cholesterol, and triglyceride levels and reduced requirements for drugs for diabetes.

Reduction in blood sugar & improvement in insulin sensitivity with chromium results in decrease risk for diabetes complications.

Alpha lipoic acid in Diabetes:

Alpha lipoic acid is a powerful antioxidant, which is produced in the body & also present in food. High blood sugar in diabetes increases free radical formation in body, which leads to additional complications of diabetes like atherosclerosis, heart problems, nerve damage & cataract. Antioxidant decreases free radicals in body & decreases risk of complications.

There are number of publications confirming beneficial effect of lipoic acid in therapy of many diseases, including diabetes, atherosclerosis, degenerative processes in neurons, diseases of joints,

A recent clinical study on diabetic patients treated with alpha lipoic acid was published in ‘hormones (Athens). 2006 Oct-Dec 5(4)’. The result of the study has proved that short-term oral alpha-lipoic acid treatment increases peripheral insulin sensitivity in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Improvement in insulin sensitivity could improve both blood sugar control and cardiovascular risk factors in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Peripheral insulin sensitivity gives an idea about how body cells respond to insulin. In diabetes, because of decrease response to insulin by body cells, blood sugar cannot enter into cells causing high blood glucose. Alpha lipoic acid enhances glucose uptake by cells in type 2 diabetes.

Diabetic neuropathy or nerve damage is a complication of diabetes. It is a progressive disease, which can cause pain, loss of sensation and weakness, in the feet and sometimes in the hands. Studies have shown that alpha lipoic acid is effective in management of diabetic nerve damage called neuropathy and it reduces pain associated with neuropathy.

Vanadium supplement in diabetes:

Vanadium is a trace mineral required by the body in small quantities. Numerous studies have shown that vanadium has insulin-like effects in liver, skeletal muscle, and adipose tissue. It may improve glucose control in people with type 2 diabetes.

Along with chromium & alpha lipoic acid, some other supplement like evening primrose oil, fenugreek & some herbs also help in management of diabetes.



By: Stephen Thomson

About the Author:

The Layman’s Guide To Diabetes

Facts about diabetes that everybody should know

What is Diabetes

Diabetes is one of the commonest but very serious health disorders found all over the world. Approximately one in every 25 person suffers from it and a big population is predisposed to suffer from it. With all the advancements and developments in modern medicine, we have failed to find a cure for it. We do not even know the exact causes of Diabetes. Diabetes today has affected whole world irrespective of peoples’ life styles. Elder or younger, rich or poor, rural or urban; all have equally suffered.

Diabetes is a metabolic disorder. It is associated with a hormone called ‘insulin’ which is secreted by a gland known as ‘pancreas’ situated near the lower border of stomach. Diabetes arises either from ‘deficiency of insulin’ or from ‘inability of cells to utilize the available insulin’. It is basically the ‘lack of action’ of insulin that brings about Diabetes. This disorder affects the whole metabolism of the body. Modern sciences have failed to explain with certainty why pancreas stops the production of insulin or why body cells develop resistance to insulin.

The causes of diabetes are still not known but there are certain predisposing factors that considerably increase the chances of developing diabetes. Some predisposing factors are

Obesity

Sedentary life style with very less physical activity

Family history of diabetes

Old age

Eating habits especially when food contains excessive carbohydrates

What actually happens!

When we eat food, it is digested in digestive tract beginning from mouth. Complex food is broken down to simpler foods such as glucose, amino acids, fatty acids, vitamins etc. which can be absorbed in the blood. In a normal human being, the glucose produced in this way is acted upon by a hormone called insulin which helps in taking this glucose to all body cells for their energy needs and converts the ‘left over’ glucose into glycogen. Thus, the chief role of insulin is to regulate the glucose level in the blood. Sometimes, for unknown reasons, either the Pancreas gland stops producing insulin or the body cells develop inability to utilize the available insulin thereby causing glucose level in the blood to rise which eventually results in diabetes. More than 90% of all diabetics suffer from the diabetes that is caused by inability of body cells to utilize the available insulin to regulate the glucose level.

When body cells do not receive glucose for their energy needs, they begin to starve. To supplement the energy needs, body starts disintegrating the stored fats and proteins leading to loss of weight, fatigue, weakness and several other complications.

Symptoms and their reasons explained

Common symptoms of diabetes include

Frequent and excessive urination

As I explained earlier, glucose level in the blood is very high in diabetes. This glucose circulates in blood and reaches

kidneys which filter the blood to form urine. Kidneys ordinarily never let glucose pass into the urine but when glucose level is excessive, this glucose enters the urine and during this, kidneys filter a lot of water also which results in excessive and frequent ********* in diabetes.

Excessive thirst and dry mouth

Excessive ********* in diabetes leads to shortage of water in the body. This, in turn leads to thirst and dry mouth.

Hunger

Since, the body cells do not get glucose, they begin to starve. Although the glucose is all around yet cells cannot utilize it. This is a case of ‘scarcity amidst plenty’. This starvation of body cells leads to more and more hunger.

Weight loss

When body cells cannot utilize glucose, the stored fat in the body is slowly disintegrated to compensate it. This leads to loss of weight.

Fatigue

Along with stored fat, the protein in the muscles is also disintegrated to nourish the starving cells. This results in fatigue and weakness of the body.

Blurred vision

Our eyes have a fluid inside them that helps in focusing. Due to high concentration of glucose in blood, this fluid also changes its concentration thus leading to blurring of vision and frequent changes in power of eye lenses.

Slow healing of cuts and wounds

Since the blood contains abnormal amount of glucose, it provides an ideal medium for the growth of pus forming micro-organisms. This in turn affects the healing of even small cuts and abrasions and delays the recovery.

Itchy skin and fungal infection

The blood of a diabetic is quite rich in glucose which provides favorable conditions for faster growth of micro-organisms that cause diseases. This is more visible on skin which becomes vulnerable to infections. This excessive glucose also causes itching on the skin.

Complications

There are various complications that may take place due to prolonged presence of glucose in bloodstream.

Some commonly occurring complications include

A. Diabetic Coma

B. Coronary Heart Disease

C. Cerebral Hemorrhage

D. Gangrene

These complications are a result of very complex changes that take place in the body due to excess glucose. Almost all parts of the body are affected by Diabetes and in long run, it ruins all body parts.

Hyperglycemic Coma

This is a commonly occurring complication of diabetes. But how does it happen?

In diabetics, glucose does not nourish the body cells either due to deficiency of insulin or due to inability of body cells to utilize available insulin. As a result, stored fats in the body start disintegrating and chemical compounds called ‘ketones’ are formed which make the blood ‘acidic’. Now the body tries to reduce the acidity and forms more and more urine. But this in turn reduces the fluid content of the body and further increases the acidity of the blood which eventually affects the brain and Coma sets in.

What to do!

There are some predisposing factors that may cause diabetes as explained earlier. Sedentary life style invites the disease therefore one should cultivate a life style full of physical activities and exercises. People working in the offices usually do not get any opportunity to remain physically active. Such people should try to spend some time out of their chairs and do as much physical activity as possible at their work place. Today’s little workout can ward off tomorrow’s great suffering.

Obesity is another big predisposing condition. More than 70% elder people who develop diabetes are obese. Physical exercises and a check on food intake are best things one can do to avoid adding unwanted weight.

Family history plays a role in causing diabetes. When one is aware of occurrence of diabetes in the family, one should prepare against the disease by avoiding other predisposing factors like obesity, sedentary life style, faulty eating habits etc. Remember, a prepared man has half fought the battle!

Foods may also be related to diabetes but it is not known with certainty which foods may cause diabetes or may hamper the activity of pancreas. One should be careful in selecting food. The intake of fast foods and those foods that are quite rich in carbohydrates should be minimized.

Diabetes badly affects all physiological systems of the human body. Majority of the diabetics develops severe complications that shorten the lifespan. Whether there is any history of diabetes in one’s family or not, it is always advisable to take precautions and lead a physically active life. Remember, prevention is always better than cure!

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By: anil kapur

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Type 1 diabetes mellitus - diabetes, for short. This chemical disorder disrupts the body’s ability to utilize certain nutrients, primarily a blood sugar called glucose.

Treatment for diabetes is made more difficult because a person can have the disease a long time before it is diagnosed. “Because the early symptoms are relatively mild,” notes Asiaweek magazine, “diabetes often goes unrecognized.” Hence, diabetes has been dubbed the silent killer.

Why Serious

Diabetes has been called “a disorder of the very engine of life,” and for good reason. When the body cannot metabolize glucose, a number of vital mechanisms can break down, sometimes with life-threatening consequences. “People don’t die directly from diabetes,” says Dr. Harvey Katzeff, “they die from complications. We do a good job of preventing complications, but a poor job of treating [them] once they occur.”

Diet and Exercise

Although Type 1 diabetes cannot be prevented, scientists are studying the genetic risk factors and are trying to find ways to suppress an immune attack. “With type 2, the picture is much brighter,” says the book Diabetes - Caring for Your Emotions as Well as Your Health. “Many of those who might be genetically susceptible avoid showing any sign of this disease simply by eating a balanced diet and exercising regularly, thereby staying physically fit and keeping their weight within normal limits.”

Underscoring the value of exercise, the Journal of the American Medical Association reported on a large study involving women. The study found that “a single bout of physical activity increases insulin-mediated glucose uptake [by the body's cells] for more than 24 hours.” Hence, the report concludes that “both walking and vigorous activity are associated with substantial reductions in risk of type 2 diabetes in women.” The researchers recommend at least 30 minutes of moderate physical activity on most if not all days of the week. This can include something as simple as walking, which, says the American Diabetes Association Complete Guide to Diabetes, “is probably the best, safest, and least expensive form of exercise.”

However, exercise by people with diabetes should be professionally supervised. One reason is that diabetes can damage the vascular system and nerves, thus affecting blood circulation and feeling. Hence, a simple scratch on the foot may go unnoticed, get infected, and turn into an ulcer - a serious condition that may lead to amputation if not treated immediately.

Insulin Therapy

Many with diabetes must supplement their diet and exercise program with daily testing of glucose levels along with multiple insulin injections. As a result of improved health through diet and a good routine of exercise, some with Type 2 diabetes have been able, at least for a time, to discontinue insulin therapy. Karen, who has Type 1 diabetes, found that exercise increases the efficiency of the insulin she injects. As a result, she has been able to cut her daily insulin requirements by 20 percent.

If insulin is needed, however, there is no reason for the sufferer to feel discouraged. “Going on insulin does not imply failure on your part,” says Mary Ann, a registered nurse who cares for a number of diabetes patients. “Whatever form of diabetes you have, if you carefully control your blood sugar, you will minimize other health problems later.” In fact, a recent study revealed that people with Type 1 who kept strict control of their blood-sugar levels “had drastic reductions in the occurrence of diabetic eye, kidney, and nerve diseases.” The risk of eye disease (retinopathy), for instance, was cut by 76 percent! Those with Type 2 who keep tight control of their blood-sugar levels enjoy similar benefits.

To make insulin therapy easier and less traumatic, syringes and insulin pens - the most common tools used - have microfine needles that give minimal discomfort. “The first shot is usually the worst,” says Mary Ann. “After that, most patients say they hardly feel a thing.” Other methods of injection include automatic injectors that shoot a needle into the skin painlessly, jet injectors that literally fire insulin through the skin by means of a fine jet blast, and infusers that employ a catheter that stays in place for two or three days. About the size of a pocket pager, the insulin pump has gained popularity in recent years. This programmable device dispenses insulin through a catheter at a steady rate according to the body’s daily needs, making insulin administration more precise and convenient.

Keep Learning

All told, there is no blanket therapy for diabetes. When considering treatment, each individual must take into account a number of factors in order to make a personal decision. “Even though you may be under the care of a medical team,” says Mary Ann, “you are in the driver’s seat.” In fact, the journal Diabetes Care states: “Medical treatment of diabetes without systematic self-management education can be regarded as substandard and unethical care.”

The more those with diabetes learn about their disease, the better equipped they will be to manage their health and increase their prospects of living a longer, healthier life.

The Role of Glucose

Glucose fuels the body’s trillions of cells. To enter the cells, however, it needs a “key” - insulin, a chemical released by the pancreas. With Type 1 diabetes, insulin is simply not available. With Type 2, the body makes insulin but usually not enough. Moreover, the cells are reluctant to let insulin in - a condition called insulin resistance. With both forms of diabetes, the result is the same: hungry cells and dangerous levels of sugar in the blood.

In Type 1 diabetes, a person’s immune system attacks the insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas. Hence, Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease and is sometimes called immune-mediated diabetes. Factors that can trigger an immune reaction include viruses, toxic chemicals, and certain drugs. Genetic makeup may also be implicated, for Type 1 diabetes often runs in families, and it is most common among Caucasians.

With Type 2 diabetes, the genetic factor is even stronger but with a greater occurrence among non-Caucasians. Australian Aborigines and Native Americans are among the most affected, the latter having the highest rate of Type 2 diabetes in the world. Researchers are studying the relationship between genetics and obesity, as well as the way excess fat seems to promote insulin resistance in genetically susceptible people. Unlike Type 1, Type 2 diabetes occurs mainly in those who are over 40 years of age.

About 90 percent of those with diabetes have Type 2. Previously, this was referred to as “non-insulin dependent” or “adult onset” diabetes. However, these terms are imprecise, for up to 40 percent of those with Type 2 diabetes require insulin. Furthermore, an alarming number of young people - some not even in their teens - are being diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes.

The Role of the Pancreas

About the size of a banana, the pancreas lies just behind the stomach. According to the book The Unofficial Guide to Living With Diabetes, “the healthy pancreas performs a continuous and exquisite balancing act, managing to sustain smooth, stable blood-sugar levels by releasing just the right amount of insulin as glucose levels wax and wane throughout the day.” Beta cells within the pancreas are the source of the hormone insulin.

When beta cells fail to produce enough insulin, glucose builds up in the blood, causing hyperglycemia. The opposite - low blood sugar - is called hypoglycemia. In concert with the pancreas, the liver helps manage blood-sugar levels by storing excess glucose in a form called glycogen. When commanded by the pancreas, the liver converts glycogen back into glucose for use by the body

The Role of Sugar

It is a common misconception that eating a lot of sugar causes diabetes. Medical evidence shows that getting fat - regardless of sugar intake - increases the risk among genetically susceptible individuals. Still, eating too much sugar is unhealthy, since it provides poor nutrition and contributes to obesity.

Another misconception is that people with diabetes have an abnormal craving for sugar. In reality, though, they have the same desire for sweets as most others. When it is not controlled, diabetes can lead to hunger - but not necessarily for sugar. People with diabetes can eat sweets, but they must factor their sugar intake into their overall diet plan.



By: Ken McClendon

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