Have you recently been diagnosed with high blood sugar (blood glucose) or type 2 diabetes? You are certainly not alone as millions of Americans are afflicted with this disease every year. Knowing more about high blood sugar levels and what it all means is key in maintaining good health. Here are some of the questions to ask your doctor in order to improve your blood sugar levels.
-What is my hemoglobin level? This is a number given based on the results of a blood sugar level over a 3 month period.
-How often should I check my blood sugar? At what times of the day?
-How can I get my blood sugar levels back into a normal range?
-Do I need a dietician to help me improve my diet?
-Will exercise help improve diabetes and blood sugar? What types of exercise work best?
-Has this diagnosis had any effect on my eyesight or my kidneys?
-How are my feet? Do I need to be concerned?
-What happens if I start to bottom out with my blood sugar level?
These are some of the more important questions you will want to ask your doctor if you find out you have high blood sugar or are diabetic.
Not knowing enough about this health issue can be deadly. Don't sweep it under the rug and think it will go away. By educating yourself and taking the steps to get it under control you will be on your way to a long and healthier future.
Why do I need to monitor my blood sugar level?
Monitoring your blood sugar (also called glucose) level can help you take better care of your diabetes. Checking your blood sugar will help you learn how food, activity levels, stress, medicine and insulin change your blood sugar level. This information will help you stay healthy and prevent or delay diabetic complications such as blindness and kidney failure.
Is there another way to check my blood sugar at home?
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved meters that work without pricking your finger. But these meters cannot replace regular glucose meters. They are used to get additional readings between regular testing.
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6/23/2008
Diabetic Diet
The most important target of diabetic diet is to maintain ideal body weight, by providing sufficient nutrition along with normal blood sugar levels in blood.
Your diabetic diet maybe concentrates on vegetables, fruits, and whole grains. It's the same healthy eating plan that's most excellent for everybody, but it's not always simple to follow your diabetic diet.
A few things that you should do:
• Take cholesterol-lowering oatmeal for breakfast.
• Take fat free milk, cheese, and yogurt.
• Increase intake of dry beans and peas.
• Eat pasta, stews and leafy salads along with beans-- kidney beans, chick peas, and dry beans, navy beans and peas which can reduce LDL "bad"; cholesterol.
• White meat chicken, Fish, and shellfish (not battered) are good.
• Add wheat bran to your wheat flour (50% wheat flour + 50% wheat bran). This helps increase fiber in your diet.
• Increase fiber intake in the form of vegetables, raw fruits, whole cereals etc.
• Eat less high-fat red meat and more low-fat turkey and fish. Avoid organ meats.
• Intake of onion, cinnamon, garlic, bitter gourd, guar beans is known to greatly reduce blood glucose level.
• Limit your salt (sodium content).
• Rinse processed foods in water and, wherever possible, choose fresh foods over canned.
A few things that you should not to do:
• Don't fry foods instead bake, broil, poach or saute in nonstick pans. Buy tuna packed in water, not oil.
• Don't select junk foods and ready to eat items available to you.
• Don't consume alcohol and stop smoking.
• Don't skip meals and medicine times.
Your diabetic diet maybe concentrates on vegetables, fruits, and whole grains. It's the same healthy eating plan that's most excellent for everybody, but it's not always simple to follow your diabetic diet.
A few things that you should do:
• Take cholesterol-lowering oatmeal for breakfast.
• Take fat free milk, cheese, and yogurt.
• Increase intake of dry beans and peas.
• Eat pasta, stews and leafy salads along with beans-- kidney beans, chick peas, and dry beans, navy beans and peas which can reduce LDL "bad"; cholesterol.
• White meat chicken, Fish, and shellfish (not battered) are good.
• Add wheat bran to your wheat flour (50% wheat flour + 50% wheat bran). This helps increase fiber in your diet.
• Increase fiber intake in the form of vegetables, raw fruits, whole cereals etc.
• Eat less high-fat red meat and more low-fat turkey and fish. Avoid organ meats.
• Intake of onion, cinnamon, garlic, bitter gourd, guar beans is known to greatly reduce blood glucose level.
• Limit your salt (sodium content).
• Rinse processed foods in water and, wherever possible, choose fresh foods over canned.
A few things that you should not to do:
• Don't fry foods instead bake, broil, poach or saute in nonstick pans. Buy tuna packed in water, not oil.
• Don't select junk foods and ready to eat items available to you.
• Don't consume alcohol and stop smoking.
• Don't skip meals and medicine times.
Diabetes Signs
Diabetes is now becoming increasingly widespread across both adults and children. A lot of this is down to obesity and the vast amounts of sugar and refined white flour that is in our diet these days, but how do we know if we have diabetes and what are the signs of diabetes we need to look out for?
Well first of all lets get an understanding of what diabetes is. The first thing we need to understand is that there are two types of diabetes. Type 1 diabetes occurs when the pancreas doesn't produce enough insulin, and type 2 when the body's cells don't respond well to insulin. Both result in high blood sugar levels because the body is unable to process the available glucose. At one time type 1 was known as juvenile diabetes as it was mainly found in younger people, and type 2 was expected to be found in older people, but this is not necessarily the case now.
At present it is not really known what causes type 1, but it occurs when the immune system attacks the insulin-producing part of pancreas. With this form of diabetes, the beta cells of the pancreas no longer make insulin because the body’s immune system has attacked and destroyed them, this leads to this form of diabetes being controlled mainly by insulin injections.
Type 2, which is probably now the most common type, is often caused by poor diet and obesity. Quite often you can control this type of diabetes with a combination of dietary treatment , tablets and injections and, frequently, insulin supplementation.
So now we know what the diabetes type are what are the signs of diabetes to look out for?
The signs can be very similar in both type 1 & 2 due to the drop in blood sugar levels. This could be down to a lack of insulin production, no production at all or simply, insulin resistance. The symptoms to watch out for are as follows
Extreme thirst
Frequent urination especially at night
Tiredness
Unexplained weight loss
Blurred vision
If you spot these symptoms happening to you consistently, then you must see a doctor as soon as you can. Whilst diabetes is very treatable, it is also very severe if left untreated and can lead to blindness, amputation, heart disease, kidney failure, erectile dysfunction and other problems.
Well first of all lets get an understanding of what diabetes is. The first thing we need to understand is that there are two types of diabetes. Type 1 diabetes occurs when the pancreas doesn't produce enough insulin, and type 2 when the body's cells don't respond well to insulin. Both result in high blood sugar levels because the body is unable to process the available glucose. At one time type 1 was known as juvenile diabetes as it was mainly found in younger people, and type 2 was expected to be found in older people, but this is not necessarily the case now.
At present it is not really known what causes type 1, but it occurs when the immune system attacks the insulin-producing part of pancreas. With this form of diabetes, the beta cells of the pancreas no longer make insulin because the body’s immune system has attacked and destroyed them, this leads to this form of diabetes being controlled mainly by insulin injections.
Type 2, which is probably now the most common type, is often caused by poor diet and obesity. Quite often you can control this type of diabetes with a combination of dietary treatment , tablets and injections and, frequently, insulin supplementation.
So now we know what the diabetes type are what are the signs of diabetes to look out for?
The signs can be very similar in both type 1 & 2 due to the drop in blood sugar levels. This could be down to a lack of insulin production, no production at all or simply, insulin resistance. The symptoms to watch out for are as follows
Extreme thirst
Frequent urination especially at night
Tiredness
Unexplained weight loss
Blurred vision
If you spot these symptoms happening to you consistently, then you must see a doctor as soon as you can. Whilst diabetes is very treatable, it is also very severe if left untreated and can lead to blindness, amputation, heart disease, kidney failure, erectile dysfunction and other problems.
The Glycemic Index And Load
Maintaining health blood glucose levels are vital to fighting diabetes. Eating foods that cause smaller rises in blood glucose levels are important to incorporate into a healthy diabetic lifestyle. The Glycemic Index (GI) is the standard for ranking foods that cause spikes on the blood glucose levels.
The Glycemic Index ranks carbohydrate foods based on their effect on the blood glucose levels on the body. All foods on the index are ranked or compared against white bread or glucose and rated or ranked on 100-point scale. In other, words white bread is marked as the constant on GI scale. The GI scale is basically broken down into 3 major tranches. 70+, 56 to 69 and 55 or less.
A ranking of 70+ is considered high on the scale. If a food ranks 70 or higher, the blood sugar rises rapidly after consumption. Some of the foods in the high range of the GI include crackers, donut and corn flakes. A ranking of 56 - 69 is considered medium. A score of 56 - 69 is considered medium and a ranking of 55 or less is low. The foods on the low end of the scale cause the blood glucose to rise is a lower increment than the medium or high scoring foods. A few examples of low GI foods include beans, sugars, fruits and most dairy products. Diabetes should incorporate into their diet low to medium GI foods.
In addition the GI, the Glycemic Load (GL) is also an important marked for examining the effect of foods on the body's glucose levels. Many consider the GL to more useful than the GI. The GL is a measurement of the quantity and type of carbohydrates consumed. The GL is an indicator how rapidly a carbohydrate turns into sugar and how much of a particular carbohydrate the food actually contains. Just like the GI, the GL has a ranking scale, too. A GL of 20 or more is high; 11 to 19 is medium, and 10 or less is low. A low GL ranking food is preferred to a high GL ranking.
Having good understanding of GI and GL values and food types makes healthy meal planning for diabetics easier. A good source for a complete list of GL and GI foods is the diabetic section of the health website Pharmacy From Home.
Suggestions for Healthy and Tasty low GI and GL Foods
Two tasty foods that are not low on the GI and GL, but also provide scientifically proven health benefits include the wild blueberry and tart cherry. The wild blueberry ranks a low 53 on the GI scale and measures a mere 6.5 on the GL. The tart cherry, the fruit that provide natural relief for joint pain ranks low 55 on the GI scale.
Wild Blueberries are proven to help reverse age-related memory issues and problems. In Fact, research from the Peninsula Medical School and the University of Reading in England have found that a regular diet supplemented with blueberries enhanced both long-term and short-term memory at the molecular level. The antioxidants found in blueberries enhanced the existing neuronal connections in the brains cells, thus improving and stimulating communication and regeneration of neurons. A good source for wild blueberry products include Traverse Bay Farms
Tart cherries are proven to reduce inflammation in the body and fight joint pain caused by gout and arthritis. According to Michigan State University, the antioxidants in tart cherries are natural COX-1 and COX-2 inhibitors. Tart cherries help the body to produce similar types of chemical process as non-sterodial anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS). So many are looking to tart cherries for relief from arthritis and gout pain. A good source for tart cherry products include Fruit Advantage
By incorporating low GI and GL foods into a wise meal plan, diabetics can manage both blood glucose levels and get the naturally healing benefits of a number of different foods.
LCT Expands Diabetes Clinical Trial
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA and AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND--(Marketwire - June 5, 2008) - Living Cell Technologies Limited (ASX: LCT) (PINKSHEETS: LVCLY) today announced that the positive preliminary data from its first clinical trial of Diabecell® for insulin dependent type 1 diabetes has encouraged the Company to expand the trial and proceed with testing higher doses.
In LCT's first Phase I/IIa trial of DiabeCell®, its lead product of encapsulated porcine insulin producing cells, 5 patients have been implanted with the lowest dose. As reported in the Company's clinical update on 31 March 2008, there have been no significant adverse effects and a clinical effect was demonstrated with reduction in daily insulin requirement for up to six months follow up with satisfactory control of blood glucose.
Professor Bob Elliott, LCT Medical Director said, "The clinical effects observed with the lowest dose and the uncomplicated safety profile to date have encouraged our clinical experts in Moscow to implant higher doses with the expectation of greater clinical benefit."
LCT's Chief Executive Officer, Dr Paul Tan said, "The scientific and ethics approvals allowed the trial protocol to be revised and continued with the total number of patients increased from 6 to 10 at this stage. In subsequent implants, the dose of DiabeCell® will move up from 5,000 islet equivalents per kilogram body weight (IEQ/kg) to 10,000 IEQ/kg."
"This revision of the clinical protocol in Moscow in effect expedites our clinical program for DiabeCell®," said Dr Paul Tan.
About Living Cell Technologies Ltd
Living Cell Technologies is developing cell-based products to treat life threatening human diseases. The company owns a bio-certified pig herd that it uses as a source of cells for treating diabetes and potentially for treatment of neurological disorders. For patients having type 1 diabetes, the company implants microencapsulated islet cells so that near-normal blood glucose levels might be achieved without the need for administration of insulin or at significantly reduced insulin levels. The company entered clinical trials for its diabetes product in 2007. LCT also is developing treatments for Huntington's disease and other neurological disorders that will involve implantation of micro-encapsulated choroids plexus cells to deliver beneficial proteins and neurotrophic factors to the brain. The company's technology has the potential for allowing healthy living cells to be injected into patients to replace or repair damaged tissue without requiring the use of immunosuppressive drugs to prevent rejection.
In LCT's first Phase I/IIa trial of DiabeCell®, its lead product of encapsulated porcine insulin producing cells, 5 patients have been implanted with the lowest dose. As reported in the Company's clinical update on 31 March 2008, there have been no significant adverse effects and a clinical effect was demonstrated with reduction in daily insulin requirement for up to six months follow up with satisfactory control of blood glucose.
Professor Bob Elliott, LCT Medical Director said, "The clinical effects observed with the lowest dose and the uncomplicated safety profile to date have encouraged our clinical experts in Moscow to implant higher doses with the expectation of greater clinical benefit."
LCT's Chief Executive Officer, Dr Paul Tan said, "The scientific and ethics approvals allowed the trial protocol to be revised and continued with the total number of patients increased from 6 to 10 at this stage. In subsequent implants, the dose of DiabeCell® will move up from 5,000 islet equivalents per kilogram body weight (IEQ/kg) to 10,000 IEQ/kg."
"This revision of the clinical protocol in Moscow in effect expedites our clinical program for DiabeCell®," said Dr Paul Tan.
About Living Cell Technologies Ltd
Living Cell Technologies is developing cell-based products to treat life threatening human diseases. The company owns a bio-certified pig herd that it uses as a source of cells for treating diabetes and potentially for treatment of neurological disorders. For patients having type 1 diabetes, the company implants microencapsulated islet cells so that near-normal blood glucose levels might be achieved without the need for administration of insulin or at significantly reduced insulin levels. The company entered clinical trials for its diabetes product in 2007. LCT also is developing treatments for Huntington's disease and other neurological disorders that will involve implantation of micro-encapsulated choroids plexus cells to deliver beneficial proteins and neurotrophic factors to the brain. The company's technology has the potential for allowing healthy living cells to be injected into patients to replace or repair damaged tissue without requiring the use of immunosuppressive drugs to prevent rejection.
6/20/2008
Dr. Barry Sears, on CBS-TV's Better Connecticut, Says MedWell Foods for Weight Loss & Type 2 Diabetes
Dr. Barry Sears says his MedWell Foods meet
Rocky Hill, CT (PRWEB) June 2, 2008 -- Appearing on Connecticut's hit CBS-TV morning talk show, Better Connecticut, Dr. Barry Sears said MedWell 1-2-3™ healthy comfort foods of breads, pasta, bagels and cookies help fight obesity and better manage type 2 diabetes because they were developed to meet the newest recommendations of the Harvard Medical School's Joslin Diabetes Center.
Better Connecticut show hosts Kara Sundlun, a two-time Emmy Award winning journalist, said a MedWell bagel "tastes just like a bagel," and Scot Haney, The Hartford Advocate's eight-time winner as Best News Personality in Connecticut, called the MedWell cookies "delicious."
The #1 New York Times bestseller author of The Zone and other books, Dr. Sears told WFSB-TV CBS-affiliate show viewers that "MedWell foods are for people wanting to lose weight and better manage type 2 diabetes with the least amount of effort because they are eating the foods they like to eat."
Sundlun asked Dr. Sears why MedWell products are so healthy, and he explained that MedWell healthy comfort foods are made with one part fat for every two parts of protein and three parts of carbohydrates that alter the body's hormonal responses causing suppression of appetite for up to six hours. For that reason, he named the MedWell healthy comfort foods MedWell 1-2-3.
Dr. Sears said MedWell healthy comfort foods of pasta, bagels, rolls, bread, croutons, bagel chips, cookies and more "make the loss of excess body fat easy, inexpensive and delicious." MedWell delivers a week's supply of food by UPS to customers to enjoy three meals and snacks everyday at a cost of just $10 a day.
"MedWell 1-2-3 products make it easy for people to prepare simple breakfasts, lunches and dinners that control hunger for up to six hours between meals. If you aren't hungry, then cutting back on calories is easy, especially when eating foods you love to eat," he said. "If people can lose excess weight with the least change in their current eating habits, then that's the ideal foundation for long-term weight control."
On another recent TV show, Fox TV's Good Day New York, Dr. Sears discussed the epidemic rates of obesity and type 2 diabetes.
"The national problem prompted me to begin work three years ago to develop an affordable, easy-to-follow solution so that people can eat the foods they like to eat but also achieve the benefits of these new Harvard dietary recommendations with the least amount of effort. MedWell Foods is the result of that effort," he said.
"Although I have written for the past 13 years about the power of diet to change the expression of our genes, now with MedWell 1-2-3 food products my vision has become a reality. MedWell healthy comfort foods also come with a wide variety of recipes as a guide so people can prepare individual meals to their own tastes."
Available at www.medwell123.com or through the MedWell customer service center at 866-633-7898, MedWell Healthy Comfort Foods arrive fresh and make food shopping very convenient.
Dr. Sears is an international authority on the hormonal responses induced by our diet. His books have sold more than 5 million copies in the United States and have been translated into 22 languages, providing a global foundation for the distribution of MedWell 1-2-3™ food products to help people lose weight and fight type 2 diabetes.
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