Diabetes occurs either when the pancreas stops producing the hormone insulin or the body becomes unable to use the insulin produced. Glucose can not enter the body cells unless insulin is present and active. Without insulin, glucose accumulates in the bloodstream and eventually in the urine, causing the characteristic sweet taste. The imbalance in blood sugar levels also leads to increased urination and thirst.
Diabetes also causes a small blood vessels narrowing throughout the body. It seems that the higher the blood sugar level, the more narrow the small blood vessels become. When this occurs, blood vessels carry less blood, and circulation is affected. Poor circulation in turn leads to the complications of poorly controlled diabetes, kidney disease, poor wound healing problems and eye and feet disturbances.
Diabetes also alters fat metabolism, increasing the risk of cholesterol plaques that accumulate in the large blood vessels. This means that people with diabetes are at risk of heart disease.
There are actually two types of diabetes, Type I (insulin-dependent) and type II (non insulin-dependent). People who have Type I diabetes must get insulin injected daily to control their blood sugar. People with type II produce their own insulin but their cells do not respond to it correctly.
Type II diabetes is by far the most common form of diabetes, accounting for 85 to 90 percent of cases. Is typically associated with obesity. People with type II diabetes can usually control their blood sugar through weight loss and diet, in combination with oral medication that boosts the effect of its own insulin.
It is often possible for people with type II diabetes to prevent the consumption of drugs and controlling blood sugar levels with diet, a more effective and more enjoyable method than the majority of pharmaceutical alternatives.
Diabetes is a serious illness. People who has it, should be under doctor's care. But there is much that the patient can do to help manage the condition.
Given that obesity is so strongly associated with type II diabetes, weight control is an important element. A diet low in fat and moderate exercise is the way.
There are also many herbs that have demonstrated effectiveness in controlling blood sugar levels and they can be a means to help diabetics, under medical supervision.
Garlic (Allium sativum). Like onions, garlic has a significant ability to control blood sugar levels. Eat more raw garlic, if possible, or lightly cooked in foods.
Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum). About half of fenugreek seeds (by weight) is a soluble fiber called mucilage, and this herb contains other six compounds that help to regulate blood sugar.
Fenugreek also increases blood levels of HDL ( "good" cholesterol) while lowering total cholesterol, which may help prevent cardiovascular disease, a particular danger for people with diabetes.
Bitter gourd (Momordica charantia). This herb has attracted considerable interest because of its ability to regulate blood sugar. In one test, five grams (about two teaspoons) of powdered bitter gourd one day decreased blood sugar by 54 percent. Otherwise, 50 milliliters (about one quarter cup) of bitter gourd extract reduced high blood sugar by 20 percent.
Onion (Allium cepa). Onions have a long history of popular use as a dietary supplement to treat diabetes in Asia, Europe and the Middle East. Onions skins or rinds are one of the best sources of quercetin, which has proven to help with eye problems that are often associated with diabetes such as diabetic retinopathy.
Beans, beans (Phaseolus, various species). Many studies show that eating foods that are high in soluble fiber, especially beans, reduces the increase in blood sugar after meals and decreases the fall of blood sugar afterwards, thus helping to keep blood sugar close to desired levels.
Bay (Laurus nobilis) and other spices. It has been shown that bay leaves help the body use insulin very efficiently. The leaves have been shown to reduce levels of blood sugar in experimental animals. Also, the cinnamon, cloves and turmeric are good modulators of blood sugar levels.
Marshmallow (Althaea officinalis). Marshmallow has a high level of soluble fiber known as pectin (35 percent on a dry weight basis). The use of pectin is an effective way to maintain low levels of blood sugar.
Other good sources of pectin are mallow, wild carrots, dog rose, apples and figs.
Peanut (Arachis hypogaea). Like beans, peanuts have the ability to maintain low levels of blood sugar.
Macadamia Nut (Macadamia, various species). A diet with 15 to 20 percent of calories from protein, less than 35 percent fat and 55 to 60 per cent of carbohydrates is recommended. The substitution by certain healthy oils, like monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) of some of the carbohydrates can improve blood sugar control, while it does not increase cholesterol levels.
Olive oil is the main source of MUFA, it follows the macadamia. Other good sources of MUFAs are avocados, pistachios, cashews, peanuts and Brazil nuts.
Tea (Camellia sinensis). Several researchers have demonstrated the benefits of black tea in fighting diabetes. In studies, extracts of black tea significantly reduced the levels of sugar in the blood of laboratory animals.
Diabetes also causes a small blood vessels narrowing throughout the body. It seems that the higher the blood sugar level, the more narrow the small blood vessels become. When this occurs, blood vessels carry less blood, and circulation is affected. Poor circulation in turn leads to the complications of poorly controlled diabetes, kidney disease, poor wound healing problems and eye and feet disturbances.
Diabetes also alters fat metabolism, increasing the risk of cholesterol plaques that accumulate in the large blood vessels. This means that people with diabetes are at risk of heart disease.
There are actually two types of diabetes, Type I (insulin-dependent) and type II (non insulin-dependent). People who have Type I diabetes must get insulin injected daily to control their blood sugar. People with type II produce their own insulin but their cells do not respond to it correctly.
Type II diabetes is by far the most common form of diabetes, accounting for 85 to 90 percent of cases. Is typically associated with obesity. People with type II diabetes can usually control their blood sugar through weight loss and diet, in combination with oral medication that boosts the effect of its own insulin.
It is often possible for people with type II diabetes to prevent the consumption of drugs and controlling blood sugar levels with diet, a more effective and more enjoyable method than the majority of pharmaceutical alternatives.
Diabetes is a serious illness. People who has it, should be under doctor's care. But there is much that the patient can do to help manage the condition.
Given that obesity is so strongly associated with type II diabetes, weight control is an important element. A diet low in fat and moderate exercise is the way.
There are also many herbs that have demonstrated effectiveness in controlling blood sugar levels and they can be a means to help diabetics, under medical supervision.
Garlic (Allium sativum). Like onions, garlic has a significant ability to control blood sugar levels. Eat more raw garlic, if possible, or lightly cooked in foods.
Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum). About half of fenugreek seeds (by weight) is a soluble fiber called mucilage, and this herb contains other six compounds that help to regulate blood sugar.
Fenugreek also increases blood levels of HDL ( "good" cholesterol) while lowering total cholesterol, which may help prevent cardiovascular disease, a particular danger for people with diabetes.
Bitter gourd (Momordica charantia). This herb has attracted considerable interest because of its ability to regulate blood sugar. In one test, five grams (about two teaspoons) of powdered bitter gourd one day decreased blood sugar by 54 percent. Otherwise, 50 milliliters (about one quarter cup) of bitter gourd extract reduced high blood sugar by 20 percent.
Onion (Allium cepa). Onions have a long history of popular use as a dietary supplement to treat diabetes in Asia, Europe and the Middle East. Onions skins or rinds are one of the best sources of quercetin, which has proven to help with eye problems that are often associated with diabetes such as diabetic retinopathy.
Beans, beans (Phaseolus, various species). Many studies show that eating foods that are high in soluble fiber, especially beans, reduces the increase in blood sugar after meals and decreases the fall of blood sugar afterwards, thus helping to keep blood sugar close to desired levels.
Bay (Laurus nobilis) and other spices. It has been shown that bay leaves help the body use insulin very efficiently. The leaves have been shown to reduce levels of blood sugar in experimental animals. Also, the cinnamon, cloves and turmeric are good modulators of blood sugar levels.
Marshmallow (Althaea officinalis). Marshmallow has a high level of soluble fiber known as pectin (35 percent on a dry weight basis). The use of pectin is an effective way to maintain low levels of blood sugar.
Other good sources of pectin are mallow, wild carrots, dog rose, apples and figs.
Peanut (Arachis hypogaea). Like beans, peanuts have the ability to maintain low levels of blood sugar.
Macadamia Nut (Macadamia, various species). A diet with 15 to 20 percent of calories from protein, less than 35 percent fat and 55 to 60 per cent of carbohydrates is recommended. The substitution by certain healthy oils, like monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) of some of the carbohydrates can improve blood sugar control, while it does not increase cholesterol levels.
Olive oil is the main source of MUFA, it follows the macadamia. Other good sources of MUFAs are avocados, pistachios, cashews, peanuts and Brazil nuts.
Tea (Camellia sinensis). Several researchers have demonstrated the benefits of black tea in fighting diabetes. In studies, extracts of black tea significantly reduced the levels of sugar in the blood of laboratory animals.
2 comments:
"Given that obesity is so strongly associated with type II diabetes, weight control is an important element. A diet low in fat and moderate exercise is the way."
I guess I have to side with the low-carb, high-fat folks. I have been losing weight by eating a very high fat diet, based on monounsaturated fats from lots of avocados and guacamole.
I fully agree with you Jim. Many thanks for your contribution.
Post a Comment