Diabetic Socks - Foot Care For Diabetic Patient

It is of crucial importance for a diabetic to protect his feet from injury and infection. Loss of sensation, reduced circulation and delayed wound healing are potential complications that might result from diabetes. Investing in a sock specifically designed for a diabetic might be the first step for a diabetic towards protection from these complications. Such a sock has continuous direct contact with the skin of the foot throughout the day and thus, might help in preventing complications.

Elasticized form-fitted socks will not slide down the ankle or wrinkle inside the shoe. At the same time, a form-fitted sock with a mild amount of compression can promote circulation and reduce swelling. It is nearly unthinkable that a sock could restrict circulation in anyone's foot. However, this is possible if the sock is not properly designed and is too tight.

In order to ensure proper blood circulation in the foot, the sock should be tight fitting, but at the same time, it should not be excessively tight. Improperly designed socks that have an elasticized ridge at the top cause the "red line" commonly seen on the skin of the leg of a patient with edema. Properly made socks for a diabetic should have an upper with minimal elastic at the top to avoid such skin irritation.

The recommendation of cotton socks for diabetic patients is also mistaken. Compared to newer synthetic fibers such as Duraspun acrylic, cotton fibers lose shape and take a longer time to dry up inside the shoe. Cotton fiber socks are also rough and become abrasive with multiple wash-wear cycles.

Therefore, for a sock to be protective or therapeutic for the diabetic foot, it should:

1. Contain synthetic moisture-wicking fibers such as Duraspun acrylic or Coolmax polyester to remain soft and provide cushion. Pure cotton fiber socks should be avoided for patients with diabetes as far as possible.

2. Be form-fitted and snug (not tight), with sufficient elasticity to prevent the sock from slipping inside the shoe and stay up on the ankle.

3. Have no harmful dyes or additives, as they might cause skin irritation.

Wearing properly fitted shoes would go a long way in protecting a diabetic's foot.

For a diabetic, keeping the feet in shape in the long term takes knowledge and vigilance. For those who fail to protect their feet, the price is severe. Each year, thousands of people with diabetes have amputations. However, most of those amputations are the result of minor injuries that were left untreated and allowed to develop into ulcers. This means that most of those amputations could have been prevented.

Lower Blood Sugar Using the Glycemic Index

You may ask, what is the glycemic index? A couple of years ago, I asked the same question. The glycemic index is the meassue of how much food (in the form of carbohydrates ) will increase a person's blood sugar level. The higher the number measures, the worse the food is for you. A high glycemic index gives a quicker, higher rise in blood sugar. These items with the high index, break down very quickly in the digestive tract. The lower index products are broken down slower in the digestive tract. they give a slower more even rise in blood sugar.

Eating foods with a high glycemic index leads to obesity, high blood pressure, heart disease, strokes, cancer, and diabetes.

How does this apply to people with diabetes? Foods with a low glycemic index, will help your blood sugar lower and more even keel. The lower index foods will reduce the risk of diabetes, as well as the risk of heart attack, stroke, and cancer.

When a diabetic person eats a high glycemic index food, it triggers a rapid rise in blood sugar level. In a normal individual, the pancreas quickly releases a large amount of insulin to cover the rise in glucose. The insulin quickly cleans up the excess glucose, and the blood sugar level often drops lower than our normal level. Shortly thereafter, we feel hungry again, creating a cycle which can lead to obesity and diabetes. Lower glycemic index foods keep the stomach fuller, because they are broken down slower.

A lower glycemic index diet can help us lose weight, and improve on the body's sensitivity to insulin. An advantage of a high index intake, is it refuels carbohydrates after exercise. But, this is not true in diabetics, because the levels of blood glucose don't go down to start with.

So, low glycemic foods keep you fuller longer. They prolong physical endurance. they give a slower, more stable, rise in blood sugar after eating. They help people lose weight.

Low carbohydrate diets ( Metabolic Diet, Atkins Diet, and others ) are reflective of this lower glycemic index. There are other factors in a healthy diet. Fiber content, the total amount of carbohydrates, How much fat and what kind of fats, we are using, should be considered.

Carbohydrate are give a glycemic index to show the rate glucose is released into the blood. Lower is slower and better for your body. you should switch to a low glycemic index, specially if you have diabetes. You can get all the necessary information at your local bookstore or on the internet. I will leave you with a few examples to help you improve on your diet.

-Eat breakfast cereals with oats, barley or bran.

-Eat only, whole grain breads ( preferably with the seeds still in it ).

-Reduce the amount of white potatoes you eat, although the skins are good fore you.

-Eat plenty of fruit and vegetables, excluding potatoes.

-Eat salads, and use a vinaigrette dressing on them.

Happy eating and good health to you.

Blood Glucose Meters Defined

Whilst the function of a blood glucose meter will be much the same from machine to machine, there will be some differences in the models that you are offered.

On average, a blood glucose meter will fit on the palm of your hand, although there of course variations to this. They are usually battery powered and therefore portable, which is essential to the management of your blood sugar. You may well need to check the level of glucose in your blood after every meal, or perhaps if you suddenly start to feel unwell for no explicable reason.

The test strips themselves are disposable and can only be used once. You need to ensure that there is a regular supply of these strips available for your use. The blood glucose meter will be useless without them. The strips themselves are usually made of plastic and are embedded with chemicals that allow the blood glucose meter to check the level of sugar in the blood. Some machines do use discs rather than strips, which do allow multiple readings from a single disc, but either way, the over-riding concern is that you have access to a continued supply for your machine.

The amount of blood required to take a reading may vary between machines, so check with the supplier before you use the machine, to ensure that you get accurate results. If necessary, consult with your Doctor to make sure that the machine that you are using is being used correctly.

Whilst you will be advised how and where to obtain your blood from, some parts of the body reflect changes in glucose levels more quickly than others. This is usually why the finger is used. However, if for any reason you are going to obtain blood from another part of the body, make sure that you know how long it will take for that part of the body you are using to indicate fluctuating blood sugar levels. Again, a chat with your Doctor should ensure that you are fully informed before you start to use your meter.

The amount of time required to produce a result will vary from machine to machine, Please read the manufacturer's notes carefully to ensure that you are fully conversant with the operation of the meter. Some machines also require a code to be entered into the meter, which is obtained from the batch of test strips that you are using. This allows your meter to calibrate itself with the strips to ensure accurate results.

Ayurvedic Herbs for Diabetes - A Purely Natural Way to Control Sugar Levels

Diabetes has almost become an epidemic in today's world. Diabetes is a disorder that affects the way your body uses food for energy. Whatever sugar we take is generally broken down into simple sugar called 'glucose' in our body.

This glucose circulates within the blood and enter into the cells with the help of insulin. Insulin is a hormone, made within the Beta-cells of Pancreas. Due to sedentary life style and genetic predisposition, the beta cells are not able to make enough insulin, which is a key for glucose to enter into the cells. The key is not there and the glucose keeps on circulating within the blood.
This is called Diabetes.

There are two main types. Type I & Type II .
There is another condition known as Pre-Diabetes.

There are two main types of full-blown diabetes. People with Type 1 diabetes are completely unable to produce insulin.

People with Type 2 diabetes can produce insulin, but their cells have become resistant to it. In either case, the glucose can't move into the cells and blood glucose levels can become high. When these levels remain high for long time, they can cause serious complications.

Pre-Diabetes:

Pre-diabetes is a condition in which the cells in your body are becoming resistant to insulin or your pancreas is not producing as much insulin as required. Your blood glucose levels are higher than normal, but not high enough to be called diabetes. This is also known as "impaired fasting glucose" or "impaired glucose tolerance". Every individual who has a Diabetic father or mother must go for glucose tolerance test or GTT. This can help in diagnosing pre-diabetic condition. A diagnosis of pre-diabetes is a warning sign that diabetes will develop later.

Type 1 Diabetes

Type 2 Diabetes

So the only way to prevent diabetes is to change the life style, which is the basic theory of Ayurveda to fight any disease. According to Ayurveda, Stress and life style is the reason for most of the illnesses including Type II diabetes.

Factors for developing Type II diabetes and herbs for them

As we know that there is no problem with the insulin production. It is there in the body in enough quantity, but the only problem is that it is not able to open the cells to make the glucose enter into them. All the glucose keep circulating within the blood. The cells become resistant to insulin. The reasons for Insulin resistance are -

1. Obesity

The number one risk factor for Type 2 diabetes is obesity. Nearly 40 % of the patients suffering from Type II diabetes are obese.

Excessive fat interferes with body's ability to use insulin properly. According to Ayurveda this is called " Stroto-avarodh" i.e. blocked channels. This blockage in the channels of passage of Insulin is reason for greater insulin resistance.

Food and life style which cause blockage in the channels or " Stroto-avarodh " are curd, banana, heavy greasy diet, overeating, excess daytime sleep.

There are herbs which are useful in clearing the blockages and opening up the micro channels. These remove excessive fat from within the body. Herbs like Katuki (Picrorrhiza kurro), Vidang (Embelia ribes), Amalvetas (Garcinia cambogia), Triphala are useful in Type II diabetes because they open up the channels and helps in reducing the insulin resistance.

2. Sedentary Lifestyle

3. Unhealthy Eating Habits

90% of people who have been diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes are overweight. Unhealthy eating contributes largely to obesity. Too much fat, not enough fiber, and too many simple carbohydrates all contribute to a diagnosis of diabetes. Eating right is can turn the diagnosis around and reverse or prevent Type 2.

4. Family History and Genetics

It appears that people who have family members who have been diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes are at a greater risk for developing it themselves. Indians have a higher than normal rate of Type 2 diabetes. Having a genetic disposition towards Type 2 is not a guarantee of a diagnosis. Lifestyle plays an important part in determining who gets diabetes. So it can be prevented if we go for changed life style to avoid diabetes.

5. Increased Age

It's a very sad but true fact. The older we get, the risk of Type 2 diabetes is increased. Even if an elderly person is thin, he/she still may be predisposed to getting diabetes. As we age, the pancreas ages right along with us. It doesn't make enough insulin it did when we were younger. Also, as our cells age, they become more resistant to insulin as well.

6. Stress, High Blood Pressure and High Cholesterol

The hormones are under the control of our thought and our attitude towards events in life. The stress hormone immediately releases pool of glucose, corticosteroid hormones in our blood. There is immediate release of adrenal hormones, causing blood pressure and constriction of arteries.

Diabetes - The Silent Killer

To understand diabetes, we must first appreciate the role that insulin plays in our body. When we consume glucose, fructose or carbohydrates, our body converts them into glucose in the blood stream. For us to be able to use the glucose to produce energy, our pancreas produces insulin which 'unlocks' receptors in our cells and allows the glucose to enter the cells and be used for energy.

In Type 1 diabetes the body is incapable of producing enough insulin to regulate blood sugar adequately. It is frequently called juvenile diabetes or insulin dependent diabetes, and it usually occurs in people under 30 years of age.

A recent technological breakthrough has created a new treatment involving the transplantation of islet cells, and although the patient needs to take drugs to stop the body rejecting the cells, the new cells are capable of producing insulin and patients in the medical trial have reported significantly reduced need for insulin injection. The hope is that the injections may eventually be entirely eliminated through the use of transplants of islet cells.

Type 2 diabetes accounts for 90-95% of diabetes cases. Sufferers from type 2 diabetes are able to produce insulin, but their cell receptors have become resistant to insulin. Thus, their body has to produce greater amounts of insulin to be able to 'unlock' the cells so that they are able to extract the glucose from the blood stream. Eventually, these sufferers get to the point where they cannot create enough insulin to reduce the sugar levels in their body.

The disease affects 15-20% of people over the age of 60. A substantial number of adults remain undiagnosed as diabetes sufferers. It is usually discovered during a doctor's check-up following complaints of an infection such as a chest, skin or urinary problem.

More alarming is the recent trend of children being found suffering from Type 2 diabetes. This is thought to be due to the prevalence of childhood obesity, combined with the shortage of exercise that overweight children take and the diet they follow that is high in carbohydrates and sugar with a high glycaemic index.

The most recognisable sign of diabetes is constant thirst and subsequent regular urination. Other symptoms include dizziness, constant fatigue, unexplained weight loss, itching and leg pains walking.

If diabetes just involved taking insulin for the remainder of your life, it wouldn't be such a serious problem. Diabetics have a number of elevated risks including:

- twice the rate of heart disease compared to non-sufferers

- five times the risk of having a stroke

- the most frequent need for limb amputations discounting accidents

- diabetes is the most likely cause in all new cases of blindness in people aged 24 to 74

- the cause of over one third of new kidney diseases and the major cause of end-stage renal disease.

Accurate and consistent management of blood sugar levels reduces the odds of any of the above occurring.

Dialysis For Active People

Hearing the words "you need dialysis" can be terrifying. You may imagine a lifetime of being hooked to machines, unable to go on vacation or even keep your job. It might seem as though the active part of your life is over -- you couldn't be more wrong. In fact, there are many dialysis options that allow you to maintain control over your schedule and continue the active lifestyle that you currently enjoy.

Many people are familiar with dialysis centers -- medical facilities with machines capable of filtering bodily waste that failing kidneys cannot handle. Patients who receive their dialysis at such centers typically spend three to four hours in the center three times a week. Some centers offer early morning or evening appointments, which can be helpful for those who work regular hours. Patients with flexible work situations can schedule their work hours around their dialysis, and even bring a laptop, portable phone or notebook so that they can work while they dialyze. Others use that time to read, write letters, meditate, or even pay bills.

But not everyone's schedule can accommodate such a disruption; perhaps you have kids to pick up at school or a job with little flexibility. Do you have to redesign your life around your dialysis? Absolutely not.

Dialysis centers are not your only option. If you are willing to learn some new skills, you can dialyze in the comfort of your own home – privately, when and where you want to. There are two major types of home dialysis: home hemodialysis that filters the blood using a machine similar to what is found at dialysis centers, and home peritoneal dialysis which uses the lining of the abdomen to filter wastes and fluid out of the body.

The options for home dialysis are:

1. Conventional home hemodialysis: this method uses a needle in your arm to carry your blood to a dialyzing machine and another to return the filtered blood back to your arm. You, and your helper, will need to learn to use the machine, set up a treatment area in your house and store supplies. You will only need to visit your dialysis center once a month. Since the machine is in your home, you can dialyze early in the morning, late at night, or any other time that fits into your schedule. Some people choose to dialyze more often than three times a week, sometimes even daily, because they find that they feel better and have more energy.

2. Nocturnal home hemodialysis: this method uses the same kind of machine as conventional home hemodialysis, but you use it for 6-8 hours 3-7 nights a week. The more frequent, slower dialysis is easier on your heart and people often find that they feel better with this method than they do with conventional dialysis.

3. Continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis: this method uses your peritoneum, the lining of the abdomen, to filter wastes and fluid out of your blood through a catheter placed into your abdomen. Several times a day you will place two liters of fluid into your abdomen through the catheter, allow it to stay in place for a few hours, and then remove it. You can go about your regular activities while the fluid is in place. You can do the exchanges when it is most convenient for you, and can travel without difficulty. You can even have your supplies delivered to you on vacation. Since your exchanges are done through the catheter, there are no painful needle sticks.

4. Continuous cycling peritoneal dialysis: this method is similar to continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis, but it uses a machine to do the exchanges while you sleep.

While being on dialysis does require some lifestyle changes, they need not be as dramatic as some people think. There is no need to stop working or avoid vacations, and no need to see yourself as chronically sick. A critical evaluation of your lifestyle, along with guidance from your nephrologist, can help you choose the dialysis method that is best for you.

Delia Chiaramonte, M.D.

Insight Medical Consultants:

Caring Doctors Helping You Navigate The Medical Maze

The Benefits of a Vegetarian Diet to Diabetics

Diabetes affects people of all ages and both genders, from all walks of life and backgrounds. Though the disease usually does not show up until later in life it can affect children as well. If you are diabetic then you already know that you must choose every food you eat very carefully. On a meal-to-meal basis your choices can affect your overall health.

If your diabetes is left un-treated it can cause symptoms such as wounds taking longer to heal than they should. Longer implications are blindness and ultimately kidney failure.
Your diet is one of the most important ways that you can control your diabetes, and a vegetarian lifestyle, with an emphasis on a low fat, high fiber and nutrient rich menu can be very complementary to your continued good health.

The insulin needed for this conversion process is either insufficient, ineffective or absent entirely. The result of this are a glucose build up in the bloodstream or a higher level of blood-sugar. This can lead to weakness, a loss of coordination and blurry vision. An incorrect balance can also lead to low blood sugar levels, which can lead to coma and death if not taken care of.

Although diabetes is incurable it can be controlled successfully through diet and exercise, oral medications, insulin injections or a combination of the above. Diabetics can't just count calories. They must calculate their total intake of carbohydrates. No less than half of their food intake must be complex carbohydrates.

Many diabetic vegetarians have discovered that, as a result of their meatless diet, they've had to use insulin injections less, which gives them a feeling of power and control over their disease.

Diabetics that have turned to the vegetarian lifestyle have discovered that as a result of a meatless diet, that are able to reduce their insulin injections. This has given them a sense of control over this dreaded disease. So changing your diet to a meatless diet can help you with your diabetes as well as many other benefits of not eating meat.

ALWAYS consult your physician before making any drastic changes to your diet.

So Many Diabetes Treatments - How Do You Know Which One Is Right For You?

Do you take drugs? Are herbs for you? How much does diet play into the diabetes treatment? To each is own. Finding your remedy as a diabetes patient will relieve you of the agony of having a severe case of diabetes.

Initially when I was diagnosed with diabetes I thought that my condition would subside if I watched what I ate, exercised and found some good alternative to taking medications. Drugs were not in the game plan for me. Having spoken to some diabetics I finally got the message that it was crucial to not watch what I ate but to drastically change my eating regimen. From eating almost anything to being careful about what I put in my body. This was the biggest realization for me.

Why do you think I started to get better?

I started to eat just raw foods. An acupuncturist suggested that I do this diet of only raw fruits and vegetables. She said it was very difficult for people to stay on. But I gave it a try.

I listened with new ears and I have taken her advice. In only one week of eating raw fruits and raw vegetables the tingling feeling in my feet has subsided greatly. My blood sugar has hit a new low of 91.

Changing my diet has worked for me. Here is my list of beneficial things to do to help you with your diabetes disease. In my order of preference.

1 Start eating better - Watch your fat, carbohydrate and sugar intake.

2 Drink lots of green tea

3 Exercise on a regular basis

4 Take the stress out of your life as best you can

Blood Sugar - Glucose Meters

When you are diabetic, it is important for you to test your blood glucose levels regularly. Many diabetics, in particular ones with type 1 diabetes need a blood sugar meter to measure how much glucose is in their blood, this information helps them to know what is the correct amount of insulin they need.

Diabetic body does not produce insulin when you have type 1 diabetes, and if you have diabetes type 2 the body cannot process the insulin that it makes, this is mainly the difference between these two kinds of diabetes. Consequently, blood sugar levels vary much more in diabetic people than a person with a perfect health.

Patients having type 1 diabetes usually experience erratic fluctuations in their blood sugar. However, with the ability of glucose readings to warn and alarm diabetic patients of dangerously lethal low and high blood sugar levels, this can be controlled in advance.

Keeping track of the amount of glucose in your blood is very important. As we said above, it is crucial for every diabetic patient to self-monitor the glucose level in the blood. Modern glucose meters can record glucose concentration in the blood over a broad range, from as low as 0 mg /dl to 600 mg /dl. Once you get a glucose meter, remember that you should always wash and dry your hands thoroughly first and then use the lancet to prick a fingertip.

Do not forget that some companies give you a free glucose meter if you have Medicare and cannot afford to buy one. Research for these companies and try to get the best glucose monitor that you can for the most accurate readings. As usual, it is advisable to read the manual and instructions before you use it.

Finally yet importantly, try to read all the information you can about diabetes such as symptoms and treatments, There are thousands of websites about this disease on internet.

Diabetes Cure - Natural Remedies for Diabetes

This article is dedicated to the best Home Remedies for Diabetes. First of all let me tell you what is Diabetes?

Diabetes is a disorder of metabolism the way our bodies use digested food for development and energy. It is widely accepted as one of the leading causes of death and disability in the United States. It is connected with long-term complications that affect almost every part of the body. It is a chronic and progressive ailment that has an impact upon almost every part of life. Diabetes grows when the body can't use glucose properly

Insulin is a hormone that is essential to convert sugar, starches, and other food into energy. Insulin permits glucose to move from the blood into liver, muscle, and fat cells, where it is used for fuel. In diabetes, the immune system molests and destroys the insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas. When type 2 diabetes is diagnosed, the pancreas is frequently producing enough insulin, but for unidentified reasons the body cannot use the insulin effectively, a condition called insulin resistance.

Type of Diabetes

Type 1 Diabetes

The body stops producing insulin or produces too little insulin to regulate blood glucose level. Type 1 diabetes occurs when the body's own immune system destroys theinsulin-producing cells of the pancreas (called beta cells).

Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune illness. Type 1 diabetes grows most often in children but can occur at any age.

Type 2 diabetes

Type 2 diabetes is gradually more being diagnosed in children and adolescents. Type 2 diabetes is more ordinary in older people, particularly in people who are overweight, and happens more often in African Americans, American Indians, some Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians and other Pacific Islander Americans, and Hispanics/Latinos.
The pancreas secretes insulin, but the body is partially or completely not capable to use the insulin. Type 2 diabetes is classically recognized in adulthood, generally after age 45 years. Type 2 diabetes is usually controlled with diet, weight loss, exercise, and oral medications

Here is a list of some best Home Remedies for Diabetes:-

Home Remedies for Diabetes

1) Most effective Home Remedy for Diabetes is Bitter gourd and proved helpful in controlling diabetes. For better results, the diabetic should take the juice of about four or five Bitter gourds each morning on an empty stomach.

2) Take juice of bilva and parijataka leaves in identical parts for natural remedy of diabetes.

3) Indian gooseberry, with its high vitamin C content, is measured important in diabetes. A tablespoon of its juice, mixed with a cup of bitter gourd juice, taken daily for two months, will rouse the islets of Langerhans, that is, the remote group of cells that secrete the hormone insulin in the pancreas. This mixture diminishes the blood sugar in diabetes. This is another effective Home Remedy for Diabetes.

4) The seeds of parslane are helpful in diabetes. A teaspoon of the seeds should be taken each day with half a cup of water for four to five months. It will boost the body's own insulin and help in curing diabetes.

5) Including grapefruit in the diet is an outstanding natural home remedy for diabetes.

6) Take two teaspoons of powdered Fenugreek seeds with milk. Two teaspoons of the seeds can also be consumed whole, every day.

8) The juice of Margosa is a cooperative natural home remedy for diabetes.

9) String bean pod tea is a superb natural Home Remedy for Diabetes and can be substituted for insulin.

10) Eat 10 fresh fully full-fledged curry leaves each morning for three months. It avoids diabetes due to genetic or heredity factors.

Got Diabetes and Wondering How Your Blood Glucose Monitor Actually Works?

Are you one of the increasing number of people with diabetes who needs to monitor their blood sugar levels at home. If so, it is important to know how the tests work and what can effect the results giving inaccurate readings.

A blood glucose monitor or glucose meter is a small portable battery-powered electronic device that now comes in several models. The glucose meter is used to determine the deviations from the normal blood glucose level. The glucose test and the glucose reading are used to diagnose diabetes. These machines provide glucose readings from 0 to 600 mg/dl. Newer models now allow people to use blood from places other than the fingertip, which is the most common place from which it is extracted. Some models have large digital display and even spoken instructions for people with visual problems. Some models require smaller drops of blood than others. One must be careful while choosing a model, as it is an expenditure that has to be thought over. It is advisable to discuss with other users before buying one as all models have their pluses and minuses.

A blood glucose meter is an instrument that can be used even at home. This Blood glucose meter is used for taking a glucose test and it is a must have for those undergoing diabetes treatment. There is usually a special coated strip on which a drop of blood is placed. The blood is usually taken from the fingertip using a lancing device, which shoots a small, lancet into the skin. However, it is not necessary for it to be taken from the fingertip and sometimes blood is taken from other places like the forearm, thigh, calf or upper arm as the fingertip often gets calloused and sore. The blood is placed on the opposite side of the strip though this depends on the blood glucose meter. Then this strip is inserted into the blood glucose meter.

The blood reacts with chemicals on the strip and the blood glucose meter receives an electronic pulse. The machine then calculates the amount of glucose in the blood and displays glucose reading on the digital screen. A record of the readings will go a long way in helping the physician decide on the kind of diabetes treatment that needs to be given to the patient.

There is also another way of detecting the abnormal or normal blood glucose level in the body. Here, the drop of blood is placed on a special strip that changes color, depending on the amount of glucose. There is a color-coded index that comes along with it that will have listed the particular color the strip changes into when it reacts with the blood and judges the amount of glucose in it. There will be different colors for different amount of glucose. However glucose reading is not very accurate, as it does not give you the exact amount of glucose present.

A blood glucose monitor gives fairly accurate readings if used properly. The glucose meter has to be maintained. It may become old and dirty and if it is kept at high temperature or humidity, the machine's glucose reading may become inaccurate. It must be cleaned with a slightly damp cloth every now and then, to keep it dirt free. The hand from which the blood is taken must be clean and dry. Otherwise, the dirt may interfere with the glucose test results.

This glucose test will help people keep track of the glucose level in their blood and control their normal blood glucose levels and continue their diabetes treatment effectively. They will be help patients to make dietary changes and adjust their consumption of fat and carbohydrates. This will help them maintain normal blood glucose level and undertake any glucose treatment if necessary.

The Real Diabetic Diet

Now that I've found out I was at stage one of Type II Diabetes, I've been doing lots and lots of research on what to do to reverse this. "Reactive Hypoglycemia" or "insulin resistance" as it's usually called has been destroying me for 3-4 years now, without me actually realizing what it was.

2-3 hours after I'd eat, I'd feel seriously anxious and like I was going to pass out dead where I stood if I didn't eat something.

I've come to the conclusion, like the NY Times's article "What if it was all a big fat lie" that America has been misinformed and mislead for the last 30 years or so. Lots and lots of people are on "low-fat, low calorie" diets and yet obesity and type II diabetes are at record levels.

The ironic thing about the ADA, and all these "health" organizations is that they all have some form of vested interest in the drug companies. I'm not siding with Kevin Trudeau necessarily. Kevin Trudeau is a fraud and has been scamming people for years now. However he does make a couple of good points about the drug comapnies. Why should the drug companies want you to cure anything? If you take something and it cures whatever you have, the drug company isn't going to profit much. Drug companies, just like Fast Food chains, are worried about QUARTERLY PROFITS, NO MATTER WHAT ANYONE TELLS YOU.

I've experimented myself with "the other hypothesis", low-carb diets, and this is the only thing that has come along in the last 4 years that has even remotely addressed my blood sugar problem. However, there is a problem with this hypothesis. Think about it. If restricting carbohydrates causes our health to improve relative to the amount we ingest, would it not make sense (if we were able to survive without them) to completely cut them out? Would that not be optimal?

So, I am now cabohydrate free. I only eat meat. I do not eat vegetables, fruit, grains, sugar, bread, pasta, cereal, or anything related. The only thing I eat is meat. I do not eat organ meats for their high starch content either. All I eat is red meat, chicken or pork.

No matter what anyone tells you, fat is NOT the enemy. Insulin and carbohydrates ARE. I've tried that "low-fat" garbage twice in my life and replaced it with carbs. Both times my body became a fragile shell, and basically fell apart. I have pictures to prove it.

Once you cut the carbs to a certain level (5 grams or less per day) your body enters a state of ketosis. Ketosis is NOT dangerous if you go through it correctly. Ketosis is a normal healthy state of the human body. Ketoacidosis is the one that is dangerous. This happens in diabetic people where their body can no longer use its insulin at all, so even though you technically have a dangerously high blood sugar, your body can't use any of that glucose for fuel because the insulin has to work in order for the sugar to be driven into the cells for energy. This is when you have to either begin taking insulin shots, or die.

Contrary to popular belief this diet does NOT induce long term ketosis. Only the few of us who are strictly carnivore can testify to this, but the body adapts to the ketones anywhere from 2-3 weeks to a few months from the day you drop carbohydrates. Your body begins using the ketones for fuel instead of converting blood sugar to fatty acids. The few parts of the brain that require straight blood glucose get a steady, very controlled supply as the liver converts protein and fat into glucose through gluconeogenesis. This is always tightly controlled, as your blood sugar will never vary on this diet. Your body will only convert what it needs to survive which is about 5 grams of glucose per day.

I've been reading studies that show that your brain and heart actually run 25 percent more effecient off the body's own ketones, rather than blood sugar. The catch is, though, that you have to eat lots of fat and make sure you get some form of saturated fat. If not, you will become very ill because Fat is now the primary source of energy for the rest of your body. And lots of water. It's optimal to get about 150-250 grams of fat per day (65-70 percent being saturated, yes that's right SATURATED).

Saturated fat is not the devil America has made it out to be. It's eating saturated fat in conjunction with a high carb diet that is dangerous.

The need for "anti-oxidants" is reduced on this diet. Insulin damage and high blood sugar combined with eating all this vegetable oil and trans fat garbage is what creates alot of oxidative stress in our bodies. Of course there's also polution and just the mere fact that we exist and have to breathe oxygen.

Diabetes Testing - Simple and Fast But Oh So Important!

There are, however, a number of easy-to-use self-testing products in the market in which anyone with some guidance, can use to perform their own diabetes test. With such tools, anyone could administer their own blood glucose two to four times a day (which is recommended) at the comfort of their home. Infact, diabetes testing is such a quick, simple and relatively painless process that no one should be afraid of. With the availability of self-test tools, there is no excuse not to perform your blood glucose test regularly !

Most often, diabetes in the early stages can be treated with just oral medication or dietary measures. You can now see why it is so important to check your blood glucose level regularly. We can't stress the point enough ! — Early diagnosis is critical ! Its the key to controlling your blood glucose level before complication sets in !!

We suggest that anyone who has a family history of diabetes, over-weight or anyone who has already experience symtoms of diabetes to get themselves check early.

There are many home self-test kit that you can use to administer your own measurement of blood sugar leve. One of them that provides an all-in-one solution that eliminates the hassle to handle individual test strips, is the Accucheck Glucometer Such devices usually produces results very fast. In the Accuchek , 5 minutes is all it takes and is virtually painless.

Immediate results means immediate intervention.

This will allow you to take early actions resulting in greater diabetes control for both health-care providers and YOU.

Get Out Of That Chair to Lower Blood Sugar Levels

You had another hard day at work. You are excited about getting home. Now, you are home. There it is, your favorite chair. It looks so inviting, so comfortable. You have been best buddies for years. You sit down in your chair. Ah, it feels so good, so familiar. It is time to turn on the tube, watch your favorite sitcoms or catch up on the day's current events. It is time to waste the night away, with a snack and a beverage, watching what you please.

Well, do not get too comfortable! You may have diabetes or may be on your way to getting Type II diabetes. Your lack of exercise, puts on extra pounds, and does not do anything to help control your blood sugar. Get up and get moving. Get those lower limbs in motion. Not watching one of those television shows, could be beneficial to your health.

You think, running, " that must be the answer. " For a small percentage, it may be the answer. You certainly, burn more calories in a shorter amount of time. Most of us are not prepared to run, initially. Running the first day is a bad idea. While you are running , you may not feel it. But, the next day, you will be sore and aching. You will not get the full benefit of your program. You may decide that running is too hard on you. You probably thought you were going to run farther and longer. This could discourage further exercise endeavors.

Start smarter and slower. It will be good for you in a little time. Jogging, may be the answer for some. Sore knees, shinsplints, breathing difficulties are common when jogging. So, if this is all new for you, do not push yourself too hard. Too hard, could be discouraging for you. You want to be enthusiastic, not discouraged.

It is a good idea to start with walking. Start walking. Start at an above average pace, just a little faster than your normal walking speed. Walk with a goal in mind. Pick a place you want to walk to, or a certain number of laps around the track. Pick the amount of time in which you want to finish. Keep note of these, you will refer to them as you progress to new goals. Again, start slowly. Remember, when you walk to the spot you choose to walk to, you are only one-half done. You still have to walk back.

As you progress, this should become a daily exercise. You should walk for one-half hour. You will increase the distance you walk. You will increase your walking speed. As you increase these, You will lose weight, burn fat, and get lower, steadier blood sugar levels. Increasingly, lower levels will be the normal for you. This is exciting. This will inspire you to do more.

Comfort is important in any type of exercise. Wear shoes that are designed to take the impact of walking. There are many out there. Walking shoes, cross-training shoes, running shoes all work good. Loose, comfortable clothes, make the walks easier.

Wait to get in the evening chair, until after you walk. Get a program together for yourself. this is important, for yourself. You do not want to compare your progress to others. Everyone is different. All have different tolerances and recovery speeds. None of us are the same. Go at your own pace. But consistently, increase the distance or speed at which you walk. As always, check your blood sugar levels. These will be beneficial, in seeing results, positive results. You will enjoy seeing changes when you look into the mirror, also.

Diabetes Diets - Breaking Down Barriers And Focusing On Benefits

It is easy enough to follow any diet for a short time but when you are faced with following a life-long diabetes diet you will find that there are a number of barriers which will frustrate you in your efforts. The secret therefore to starting a diabetic diet is to understand just what those barriers are and to focus your attention on the benefits of your diabetes diet.

The sort of barriers that you are likely to encounter might include:

Cost. Buying fresh fruit and vegetables is not cheap, particularly when you are buying 'out of season' imported products. But don't forget that, as you increase your intake of fresh fruit and vegetables, you are also cutting back on expensive convenience foods and snack items like potato chips, so the two will tend to balance out.

Culture. Food is a lot more than just sustenance and for many of us it is also very much an expression of our culture. Fortunately, there are many different ways to prepare food and you will find many excellent diabetic cookbooks focusing of food from particular cultures.

Family, Family members might find it difficult to adjust to a different diet and they may be less than happy with your 'alternative' macaroni cheese. Here it is best to simply sit down with the family and talk about your diabetes and just what it means in terms of your diet. In the vast majority of cases your family will be more than supportive once they understand your position.

Social Pressure. Bringing your family on board should be quite easy but it may not be quite so easy, or practical, to bring others on board. Of course it should be simple enough to tell your wider family and close friends about your dietary needs and help to avoid embarrassment at dinner parties and other events where food is served, but there are always going to be times when you find yourself in a social situation and are tempted to try a slice of home-made gateaux.

Here it is a case of planning ahead and deciding what you are going to do before the event. For example, you could decide to have a small piece of gateaux and simply adjust your diet for the remainder of that day to compensate. Another option might be to decide that it is better to eat before you go out or to take along your own favorite snack, plus a little bit extra for others to try.

However you decide to tackle these barriers, they will need to be faced and overcome. This should not prove too difficult with a little bit of thought and effort, but it will also help if you focus your attention on some of the benefits of following your diabetes diet:

Feeling better. Without your diet there is a good chance that you will overeat, or eat the wrong foods, raising your blood sugar level and making you feel tired and generally unwell. With your diabetic diet however you will feel a whole lot better.

Better weight control. With your diabetic diet you will avoid overeating and eating foods which are likely to lead to weight gain, allowing you to keep your figure and also reducing the risk of other health problems like heart disease and stroke.

Reduce your risk from low blood sugar levels. We tend think of diabetes in terms of high blood sugar levels but many diabetics also experience the difficulties associated with low blood sugar levels, such as dizziness, weakness, sweating and irritability, and can even fall into a diabetic coma. You diabetic diet will keep you on a regular eating pattern which will reduce this risk dramatically.

With the right diabetic diet, as well as a little bit of exercise, you will find that you can keep your diabetes under control and live a full and normal life.

How is Inflammation Related to Insulin Resistance?

Chronic inflammation is on the forefront of medical investigation, with researchers trying to understand not only what causes the condition but also how it can be prevented.

Inflammation is the response of vascular tissues to harmful stimuli. In the case of Insulin Resistance, Metabolic Syndrome (Syndrome X) , Pre-Diabetes and PCOS (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome), this harmful stimuli is insulin.

CRP is a blood test that helps determine the level of inflammation in blood vessels. The higher the CRP reading, the higher the inflammation is and the greater risk for cardiovascular disease. Additionally, women with PCOS have higher levels of CRP than women without PCOS, whether they are lean or overweight.

Elevated levels of CRP are also linked strongly with Metabolic Syndrome, a cluster of increased risk factors for cardiovascular disease which can lead to a heart attack or stroke.

The way to reduce inflammation and lower the risk of cardiovascular disease is to restrict one's exposure to insulin through a diet high in lean proteins, good fats and good carbs from vegetables, plus some fruits. Additionally, there are numerous nutraceutical ingredients that moderate inflammation, such as omega 3 fatty acids, antioxidants and minerals. Don't forget that exercise produces a positive and long-lasting impact on the body's inflammatory processes.