The quest for an effective and lifelong cure for diabetes is still ongoing. Although there has been significant advancement and improvement in providing a medicinal solution for the disease, such treatments are still unable to stop diabetes from taking one life after the other every year.
At the present, the best hope people has is the detection of signs and symptoms of the disease as early as possible in order to thoroughly manage diabetes while it still hasn't affected much of an individual's health. One such way is by using berberine.
What is Berberine
With a bright yellow color, berberine can be easily found unlike other herbs. Mostly, it can be obtained through Chinese herbs such as phellodendron and coptis. Originally used as a dye, berberine has been discovered to have certain ingredients that may be effective in treating diabetes. Berberine can be also found in the Japanese plant barberry. Nowadays, berberine is a common ingredient in herbal medicine used for treating intestinal disorders.
In 1995, a study in China was conducted in order to discover if berberine had curative benefits for diabetes. It was only by fortuitous circumstances that the researchers have found out that berberine can also cause blood glucose levels to decrease when used to treat diabetic individuals with diarrhea.
Berberine has also been found by other studies able to help individuals lose weight. Another possible benefit of berberine is the lack of side effects, although this claim requires further proof. Individuals with Type II Diabetes should be glad to hear this as many of them are unable to tolerate present treatments for their condition.
One particular kind of berberine, or alkaloid berberine to be specific, is being presently investigated regarding its therapeutic components. Recent studies have found proof of alkaloid berberine being able to successfully treat hypoglycemia. An abnormally low level of blood sugar or hypoglycemia is a somewhat common side-effect of several diabetic medications.
What You Should Know about Diabetes
If you already know you've diabetes, the news about berberine has surely made your day. On the other hand, if you aren't sure if you have diabetes or not, you should schedule an appointment as soon as possible with your physician. Diabetes is the type of disease that grows uglier the longer it's ignored.
The first thing you should be aware about is its symptoms:
Liquid In, Liquid Out ñ Do you notice that you're urinating more often than usual? Are you feeling more thirty than usual? If so, you should know that such feelings are considered indications of diabetes.
Weight - Do you feel hungry all the time? Do you seem to be losing weight for no reason at all? Such occurrences are also considered as warning signs of diabetes.
Bad Mood - Do you feel easily tired? Were you once good-natured but became easily irritated all of the sudden? If you're not suffering from PMS or heartbreak, it's possible that you already have diabetes.
Causes of Diabetes
Lots of people believe that eating too much sweets or sugary foods is the main cause of diabetes. This claim however has been proven false. Sweets can lead to obesity, however, and obesity can lead to Type II diabetes.
No one really knows for sure why some people become diabetic while some do not. That's why all of us are at risk and it's in our interests to have a general check-up regularly. Forearmed, after all, is forewarned.
Use Berberine And Get Rid Of Diabetes
Saturday, November 7, 2009
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Diabetes Nutrition
The crucial components of diabetes management is diet. There is a great deal of opinions as to the best approach when it comes to diabetes nutrition and diets in general. Diets are rarely a one-size-fits-all program so it's a good idea to find one that works for you.
The important thing is to follow a meal plan that suits your personal preferences and lifestyle and at the same time helps you achieve goals for blood glucose, blood pressure, and weight control.
Good Carbs vs. Bad Carbs
It's also a good idea to stay away from or seriously limit the "bad" carbs such as white bread, white rice, and processed foods such as cakes, cookies, potato chips, crackers, candy, and sugary soft drinks.
The G.I. Index
Because "bad" carbs are processed and refined they are assimilated by the digestive system at a much faster pace than "good" carbs. This causes your blood sugar to spike. The faster this action occurs the higher the glycemic index or G.I. value for that food. The slower this action occurs, the lower the G.I. value.
If you were to eat an apple it would take your body a while to convert those carbs into fuel as there are vitamins and fiber the body has to process as well. This is the type of food your body was designed to eat and it is a lower G.I. value food. If you were to eat straight table sugar or "bad" carbs this process would happen at an accelerated pace because the sugar converts immediately. These higher G.I. value foods are simply not the kind of foods our bodies are designed to eat.
How Overeating "Bad" Carbs Can Make Us Fat
When glucose isn't needed right away it is stored in the liver and muscle cells as glycogen.
If the body has too much glucose and all its glycogen storage sites are full, it will convert thisglucose to fat. This explains why it's necessary to watch your consumption of high glycemic foods.
When you consume "bad" carbs you simply aren't giving your body the proper fuel. You wouldn't use the wrong fuel in your car so why put it in your body?
"Good" Fats vs. "Bad" Fats
Another thing that most nutrition experts agree on is watching the "bad" fats in your diet. The "bad" fats are the saturated and trans fats which may increase your risk for developing certain diseases. The saturated fats are fats that are usually solid at room temperature.
The trans fats are the hydrogenated and partially hydrogenated oils found in many processed foods such as crackers, cookies, potato chips, and other processed snack foods.
The "good" fats are the monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats which help lower disease risk. These are often a good source of omega-3 fatty acids, found mostly in cold-water fish, nuts, seeds, and also in dark leafy greens, flax seed oils and olive oil.
What To Eat
While there is some disagreement regarding the best diabetes nutrition, most experts recommend the following foods:
· Foods with a glycemic index or G.I. rating of 55 or less
· "Good" carbs such as whole grains, steel-cut or rolled oats, sweet potatoes, beans, and legumes
· Fresh fruit that has a lower G.I. rating
· Fresh vegetables
· Fish and seafood
· Low fat chicken, turkey, and pork
· Tofu and egg whites
· Low fat or non-fat milk
The Plate Trick
These foods can be the framework of a diabetic diet for excellent diabetes nutrition. The important thing is to make sure that your meals are balanced. An easy way to do this is to mentally picture an imaginary line down the center of your plate. One half of your plate should contain non-starchy vegetables such as spinach, zucchini, peppers, green beans, etc. Now place another imaginary line through the center of the remaining half of the plate. This leaves you with two equal sections. In one section place your "good" carbs such as whole grain breads, potatoes, rice, and pasta. In the remaining section place your protein such as fish, chicken, or turkey. Add some non-fat milk and a small piece of fruit if you so desire.
There you have it; an easy way to keep your diet on target and keep yourself healthy. Use food as your friend to achieve greater health.
Diabetes Nutrition
The important thing is to follow a meal plan that suits your personal preferences and lifestyle and at the same time helps you achieve goals for blood glucose, blood pressure, and weight control.
Good Carbs vs. Bad Carbs
It's also a good idea to stay away from or seriously limit the "bad" carbs such as white bread, white rice, and processed foods such as cakes, cookies, potato chips, crackers, candy, and sugary soft drinks.
The G.I. Index
Because "bad" carbs are processed and refined they are assimilated by the digestive system at a much faster pace than "good" carbs. This causes your blood sugar to spike. The faster this action occurs the higher the glycemic index or G.I. value for that food. The slower this action occurs, the lower the G.I. value.
If you were to eat an apple it would take your body a while to convert those carbs into fuel as there are vitamins and fiber the body has to process as well. This is the type of food your body was designed to eat and it is a lower G.I. value food. If you were to eat straight table sugar or "bad" carbs this process would happen at an accelerated pace because the sugar converts immediately. These higher G.I. value foods are simply not the kind of foods our bodies are designed to eat.
How Overeating "Bad" Carbs Can Make Us Fat
When glucose isn't needed right away it is stored in the liver and muscle cells as glycogen.
If the body has too much glucose and all its glycogen storage sites are full, it will convert thisglucose to fat. This explains why it's necessary to watch your consumption of high glycemic foods.
When you consume "bad" carbs you simply aren't giving your body the proper fuel. You wouldn't use the wrong fuel in your car so why put it in your body?
"Good" Fats vs. "Bad" Fats
Another thing that most nutrition experts agree on is watching the "bad" fats in your diet. The "bad" fats are the saturated and trans fats which may increase your risk for developing certain diseases. The saturated fats are fats that are usually solid at room temperature.
The trans fats are the hydrogenated and partially hydrogenated oils found in many processed foods such as crackers, cookies, potato chips, and other processed snack foods.
The "good" fats are the monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats which help lower disease risk. These are often a good source of omega-3 fatty acids, found mostly in cold-water fish, nuts, seeds, and also in dark leafy greens, flax seed oils and olive oil.
What To Eat
While there is some disagreement regarding the best diabetes nutrition, most experts recommend the following foods:
· Foods with a glycemic index or G.I. rating of 55 or less
· "Good" carbs such as whole grains, steel-cut or rolled oats, sweet potatoes, beans, and legumes
· Fresh fruit that has a lower G.I. rating
· Fresh vegetables
· Fish and seafood
· Low fat chicken, turkey, and pork
· Tofu and egg whites
· Low fat or non-fat milk
The Plate Trick
These foods can be the framework of a diabetic diet for excellent diabetes nutrition. The important thing is to make sure that your meals are balanced. An easy way to do this is to mentally picture an imaginary line down the center of your plate. One half of your plate should contain non-starchy vegetables such as spinach, zucchini, peppers, green beans, etc. Now place another imaginary line through the center of the remaining half of the plate. This leaves you with two equal sections. In one section place your "good" carbs such as whole grain breads, potatoes, rice, and pasta. In the remaining section place your protein such as fish, chicken, or turkey. Add some non-fat milk and a small piece of fruit if you so desire.
There you have it; an easy way to keep your diet on target and keep yourself healthy. Use food as your friend to achieve greater health.
Diabetes Nutrition
Saturday, May 16, 2009
Manage Diabetes The Natural Way
currently, about 20.8 million Americans suffer from some form of diabetes. That's a whopping 7% of the population. Of those 20.8 million people, it's estimated that nearly one-third of them (or 6.2 million) don't even know they have it.
There are two main types of diabetes that most of us should be concerned about: type 1 and type 2. Type one diabetes is generally diagnosed in childhood, and may also be referred to as juvenile diabetes. This form of the disease is due to the body's failure to produce adequate insulin, the hormone that allows glucose to enter our cells and fuel them. About 5 to 10% of Americans who are diagnosed with diabetes have this form of the disease.
Type 2 is much more common. Type 2 diabetes generally results from insulin resistance (where the body fails to utilize insulin properly), combined with relative insulin deficiency. 90 to 95% of Americans who are diagnosed with diabetes have type 2.
Since type 2 diabetes is usually brought about by diet and lifestyle, this is the form of the disease we'll talk most about. Our bodies need insulin to be able to use sugar. Sugar (or glucose) is the basic fuel for our cells, and is carried throughout the body by insulin. In people with diabetes, insulin levels are insufficient, causing glucose to build up in the blood instead of going into cells. This can cause two problems: one, your cells may be starved for energy, and two, over time high blood glucose levels may damage your eyes, kidneys, nerves, or heart.
Now, don't get me wrong: finding out you have type 2 diabetes can be scary and is no laughing matter. However, there is no need to panic. Diabetes is serious, but victims of the disease can live long, healthy, happy lives.
There is new research every day that helps shed some light on how to live with and control diabetes. Especially with type 2, there is a lot you can do to help keep the disease in check. Oral medications can be extremely helpful and offer a good level of convenience. But probably the most important things you can do to keep your diabetes from taking over your life is to watch your diet very carefully, and exercise.
It's a known scientific fact that physical activity can help lower blood sugar, reducing the body's need for insulin. The more exercise you get, the less medication you're likely to need. And the more you can control your diabetes without taking extra medication, the better. If you have diabetes (or even if you don't!), make sure you're exercising regularly. It doesn't have to be ultra-strenuous--a walk will do--but it does have to be consistent.
The other vital factor in controlling your diabetes naturally is with your diet. Diabetics need to keep a close eye on their carbohydrates, sugars, fats, and proteins. If you can maintain a proper balance and keep your blood sugar from spiking, you'll have a much easier time keeping your diabetes in check. Pay close attention to food labels. The meal planning exchange lists available from the American Diabetes Association could prove to be your best friend and will help simplify the whole process.
And of course, getting regular exercise and watching your diet could have a fantastic side effect, and it's something else that will help you control your diabetes: weight loss. Losing just 10% of your body weight could have a major positive impact on your health, so if you have some weight to lose, shoot for 10% for starters.
If you don't have type 2 diabetes, you can do much to prevent it. Try to maintain a healthy weight with proper diet, exercise, and plenty of vegetables, fruits, and whole grains. And above all, see your doctor if you have any concerns.
There are two main types of diabetes that most of us should be concerned about: type 1 and type 2. Type one diabetes is generally diagnosed in childhood, and may also be referred to as juvenile diabetes. This form of the disease is due to the body's failure to produce adequate insulin, the hormone that allows glucose to enter our cells and fuel them. About 5 to 10% of Americans who are diagnosed with diabetes have this form of the disease.
Type 2 is much more common. Type 2 diabetes generally results from insulin resistance (where the body fails to utilize insulin properly), combined with relative insulin deficiency. 90 to 95% of Americans who are diagnosed with diabetes have type 2.
Since type 2 diabetes is usually brought about by diet and lifestyle, this is the form of the disease we'll talk most about. Our bodies need insulin to be able to use sugar. Sugar (or glucose) is the basic fuel for our cells, and is carried throughout the body by insulin. In people with diabetes, insulin levels are insufficient, causing glucose to build up in the blood instead of going into cells. This can cause two problems: one, your cells may be starved for energy, and two, over time high blood glucose levels may damage your eyes, kidneys, nerves, or heart.
Now, don't get me wrong: finding out you have type 2 diabetes can be scary and is no laughing matter. However, there is no need to panic. Diabetes is serious, but victims of the disease can live long, healthy, happy lives.
There is new research every day that helps shed some light on how to live with and control diabetes. Especially with type 2, there is a lot you can do to help keep the disease in check. Oral medications can be extremely helpful and offer a good level of convenience. But probably the most important things you can do to keep your diabetes from taking over your life is to watch your diet very carefully, and exercise.
It's a known scientific fact that physical activity can help lower blood sugar, reducing the body's need for insulin. The more exercise you get, the less medication you're likely to need. And the more you can control your diabetes without taking extra medication, the better. If you have diabetes (or even if you don't!), make sure you're exercising regularly. It doesn't have to be ultra-strenuous--a walk will do--but it does have to be consistent.
The other vital factor in controlling your diabetes naturally is with your diet. Diabetics need to keep a close eye on their carbohydrates, sugars, fats, and proteins. If you can maintain a proper balance and keep your blood sugar from spiking, you'll have a much easier time keeping your diabetes in check. Pay close attention to food labels. The meal planning exchange lists available from the American Diabetes Association could prove to be your best friend and will help simplify the whole process.
And of course, getting regular exercise and watching your diet could have a fantastic side effect, and it's something else that will help you control your diabetes: weight loss. Losing just 10% of your body weight could have a major positive impact on your health, so if you have some weight to lose, shoot for 10% for starters.
If you don't have type 2 diabetes, you can do much to prevent it. Try to maintain a healthy weight with proper diet, exercise, and plenty of vegetables, fruits, and whole grains. And above all, see your doctor if you have any concerns.
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