Diabetes Guidelines

There are 8,956 different ways to die. But, most people “choose” the same 4. Why do I say “choose”? Because the majority of our population are choosing a suicidal lifestyle that leads to early death.

As Dr. Augustus Grant, president of the American Heart Association, puts it, “Poor diet, excess body weight, physical inactivity and smoking, are modifiable risk factors that contribute to the premature death of close to 1.5 million Americans each year.”

“Last year,” according to John Seffrin, head of the American Cancer Society, “over 80 percent of all deaths in America were from 4 things – heart disease, cancer, stroke and diabetes.” And all of these 4 diseases are dramatically affected by a lifestyle of “poor diet, excess body weight, physical inactivity and smoking.”

And Americans aren’t the only ones. Now days, the rest of the world’s population are joining us in a lifestyle that leads to early death. Even though most people are born healthy, with the potential to live a long healthy life, they’re refusing to follow the guidelines from health experts and scientists all around the world.

Yet the evidence is undeniable and the message is being drummed out loud and clear on a daily basis. “You can do something about your health. You can protect yourself from chronic disease.” But, what do we do instead? The majority of the population continues a couch-potato lifestyle, eating junk food, gaining weight and smoking cigarettes.

This health crisis is so severe that the American Diabetes Association, the American Heart Association and the American Cancer Society have joined forces to get the word out by delivering a unified, clear, straightforward message.

Here’s what the scientists and experts are saying. Most deaths are not caused by unlucky genes or even environmental toxins. People, all around the world, are dying prematurely because of the unhealthy lifestyle choices they’re making every day – day, after day, after day.

Most Americans, for example, are way overfed and way undernourished. More than 60% are either overweight or obese. Yet very few are eating the recommended 5 to 9 servings of fruits and vegetables a day. Most don’t even get a pittance of that. And, when they do eat fruits and vegetables, it’s usually in the form of unhealthy banana splits or French fried potatoes.

What’s more, the majority of Americans still don’t exercise for the recommended 30 minutes a day. Nearly 1 out of every 4 still smoke after over thirty years of health warnings. And these negative statistics are growing throughout the world.

But you don’t have to be one of these statistics. If you want to avoid the fatal four – heart disease, diabetes, stroke and cancer – just follow the guidelines for optimum health. Eat a healthy diet, including fruits, vegetables and natural whole food supplements. Manage your weight. Exercise regularly. And don’t smoke.

After all, wouldn’t it be nice to live to be a happy, healthy, fit centurion and then die peacefully in your sleep with a big smile on your face, surrounded by loving family and friends?

Michael Byrd
http://www.articlesbase.com/non-fiction-articles/do-you-want-to-be-healthy-92343.html

Are you drinking too much coffee? We seem to need it to wake up in the morning, to stay alert when we drive, and even our work breaks are now referred to as “coffee breaks.” A sign that may indicate that we’re getting a little too carried away is when we have a mug, with a picture of our favorite mug on it. But don’t put your favorite cup away just yet. There’s new evidence suggesting that coffee in moderation can actually be good for you!

New evidence shows that antioxidants are not only in green tea, but are also in coffee. Surprisingly, there’s four times the amount of antioxidants in coffee as what there is in green tea. Of course this doesn’t substitute for the amount of antioxidants that you find in fruits and vegetables. But one to two cups of coffee per day lowers your chances of having cancer and chronic diseases.

Harvard University School of Public Health shows that the risk of Type II diabetes is lower among regular coffee drinkers. Why? It boosts the liver’s ability to break down sugar. Too much sugar that stays in our bodies not only causes us to gain weight, but also weakens muscle strength. And who wants saggy muscles?

Did you know that almonds lower your cholesterol and help to increase your memory? That’s right, a few of those delicious nuts with coffee, and it’s even more of a super memory booster! You actually have an 80% less chance of getting Parkinson’s disease. Parkinson’s drugs are now being developed with caffeine derivatives for this very reason.

In medicine, caffeine is used as a diuretic (to increase urine) and as a cardiac stimulant. It boosts energy and triggers alertness.

After a large cup of coffee, our muscles tighten up, our heart beats fast and our hands get cold. Coffee stimulates the brain like cocaine and heroin. That’s why it’s so addictive and for the same reason why most of us need it first thing in the morning, to start our day. Once you get into the coffee cycle, you can’t stop. If you try, you get a wicked headache and you start squirming like a snake.

But recent studies reveal that regular coffee drinkers are less likely to contract heart disease. “Until now, we have attributed the cardiovascular effects of coffee to caffeine, but we found non-coffee drinkers given decaffeinated coffee also display these effects,” says Roberto Corti, M.D., a cardiologist at University Hospital in Zurich. Then could there be other ingredients in coffee that are causing the “jitters”? If there is less elevation in blood pressure, could this mean that we are increasing our tolerance to caffeine? Should hypertensive people still drink coffee?

The American Heart Association agrees that there’s a lot of contradiction about caffeine and regular coffee drinkers and the link with cardiovascular disease. If you sit down and calculate how much caffeine you consume in one day, you might be surprised. But could only one or two cups of coffee be harmful for you?

According to the Journal of the American Medical Association, there is more risk for a heart attack if a regular coffee drinker carries a gene called cytochrome P450 1A2*1F. This gene metabolizes caffeine slowly. They have decided however, that more research still needs to be done before they can make this conclusion.

Dr. Florian Koppelstatter of the Medical University Innsbruck, in Austria, claims that caffeine boosts brain activity. Vanderbilt University also found coffee to increase blood flow to the brain thereby, preventing degenerative brain diseases like Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease.

Again, maybe there are some good benefits as long as we consume this beverage in moderation. Apparently, adding an extra paper filter in your coffee machine when brewing your coffee, even if you have a plastic filter, helps to lower cholesterol and your blood pressure.

We all know that coffee sometimes prevents constipation. Nothing like that morning brew to get things moving! Some practitioners in alternative health medicine actually suggest doing coffee enemas for bowel cleansing. Myself, I prefer bottoms up to be my cup!

Are we addicted to the coffee or to the lifestyle and habit that we’ve grown into over time? Well at least now we know that there are some healthy benefits.

But can having too much coffee and drinking the brew too late in the day cause insomnia? Without a good night’s sleep, our body can’t replenish itself. Let’s not forget the increased risk of osteoporosis for menopausal women. I think I’ll stick to my martinis and use the coffee grounds for something else.

I heard coffee grounds make good fertilizer in the gardens because they’re high in nitrogen. Use them to fertilize your evergreens, azaleas and rosebushes. Also coffee grounds mixed with orange peels placed around your plants in the garden will keep the cats away. You can even mix some carrot seeds with ground coffee when you sow and pests will stay away. Placing a small container or dish of coffee grounds in the freezer, rids your freezer of spoiled food smells. For you fishermen, coffee grounds mixed with earth will keep your worms wiggly.

Meeting new people and socializing with coffee is one of America’s favorite pastimes. From espressos to café lattes or ice cappuccinos, we keep thinking of new delightful ways to enjoy our quick fix. And now with convenient drive-thru coffee shops, it’s even easier to grab a mug on the go. The coffee places make fabulous meeting places for a quick chat, to play games, or to read the newspaper. Some go alone and others gather in groups. Ironically, we all go out of our way to have something that we can make fast and effortlessly at home.

A man and woman were in the kitchen having a discussion on who should brew the coffee in the morning. She suggested that he do it because he was the first to get up in the morning. “This way you won’t have to wait,” she said. He quickly replied, “You should do it. You usually do the cooking around here.” The wife walked out of the room for a moment and reached for the Bible and opened the New Testament. She pointed to the top of the pages and showed him that indeed it said, “Hebrews. “

So coffee lovers, as long as you drink your coffee in moderation, it doesn’t seem like it will hurt you. It’s apparent that it could benefit you. Studies have shown that coffee has amazing antioxidants, helps persons with bronchial asthma, increases the speed of rapid information, counteracts driver sleepiness, reduces the risk of stone formation and colon cancer, and is even a great source of potassium. Again the key word is moderation, like with everything. Too much of anything is not good.

So java junkies go ahead and drink up! Your coffee fits right in with its cousins tea and cocoa.

Louanne Baelde
http://www.articlesbase.com/wellness-articles/good-news-for-coffee-lovers-onecup-drinkers-less-likely-to-get-heart-disease-135590.html

In this article you will learn some simple nutrition facts about alcohol, antioxidants, caffeine and calcium.

Too much alcohol can raise the levels of fats in the blood, lead to high blood pressure, heart failure and increased calories. Too many calories lead to obesity and a higher risk of developing diabetes. Excessive and binge drinking can lead to stroke.

The American Heart Association recommends if you drink alcohol, do so in moderation. Moderation means an average of one to two drinks per day for men and one drink per day for women. A drink is equivalent to 12 oz. of beer, 4 oz. of wine, 1.5 oz. of 80-proof spirits, or 1 oz. of 100-proof spirits. Drinking more than this increases all the health risks as noted above. In addition, it is not possible to predict in which people alcoholism will become a problem. The American Heart Association cautions people not to start drinking if they do not already drink alcohol.

Pregnant women should not drink alcohol in any form; it can harm the baby seriously.

Antioxidant vitamins

There has been a lot of research recently focused on how antioxidant vitamins may reduce cardiovascular disease risk. The data is incomplete; however, up to 30 percent of Americans are taking some form of antioxidant supplement.

The American Heart Association does not recommend people using antioxidant vitamin supplements until more complete data is available. They recommend people eat a variety of nutrient-rich foods daily from all the basic food groups. Eat a variety of foods low in saturated fat, trans fat and cholesterol to provide a natural source of these vitamins, minerals and fiber.

Caffeine

The metabolic effects of caffeine include:

? Stimulates the central nervous system
? Releases free fatty acids from adipose (fatty) tissue
? Affects the kidneys by increasing urination, which can lead to dehydration

Caffeine is found in coffee, tea, soft drinks, chocolate and some nuts.

The American Heart Association says moderate coffee drinking (1-2 cups per day does not seem to be harmful.

Caffeine withdrawal symptoms may occur 12 to 24 hours after the last dose of caffeine in individuals who are habitual caffeine drinkers. The most prominent symptom is headache. Other withdrawal symptoms may include:

? Anxiety
? Fatigue
? Drowsiness
? Depression

Although many studies show there is a direct link between caffeine, coffee drinking and coronary heart disease, the results are conflicting.

Calcium

To help reduce the risk of developing the bone disease osteoporosis most physicians encourage women to eat fat-free and low-fat dairy products to get calcium.

The American Heart Association recommends women should aim to consume between 1,000 and 1,200 milligrams of calcium each day. Excellent sources of calcium include:

? Fat-free milk
? Low-fat dairy products

Other sources of calcium include:

? Eating vegetable greens like spinach, kale and broccoli
? Some legumes and soybean products

To date, scientists do not have enough information to know if calcium intake affects the risk of developing cardiovascular disease.

Adequate daily intake according to data from the National Academy of Sciences, Institute of Medicine includes:

? 210 mg for infants from birth to 6 months, 270 mg for age 6 months to 1 year
? 500 mg for children age 1-3; 800 mg for ages 4-8
? 1,300 mg for children and adolescents age 9-18
? 1,000 mg for adults ages 19-50 (for maximal calcium retention)
? 1,200 mg for adults ages 51 and older
? 1300 mg for women who are pregnant and under age 19; 1000 mg for pregnant women ages 19-50

Source: American Heart Association

Disclaimer: *This article is not meant to diagnose, treat or cure any kind of a health problem. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Always consult with your health care provider about any kind of a health problem and especially before beginning any kind of an exercise routine.

This article is FREE to publish with the resource box. Article written 4-2007.

Connie Limon
http://www.articlesbase.com/nutrition-articles/nutrition-facts-alcohol-antioxidants-caffeine-and-calcium-139450.html

The nutritional recommendations for juveniles with diabetes are much the same as the general population in this country. Children with diabetes need to eat a well balanced and healthy diet in order to keep their blood sugar levels in the normal range. Because of this need to control blood sugar they must eat foods in specified amounts depending on how they affect blood sugar levels.

Finding out that their child has diabetes can be quite shocking for many parents. One of the most challenging parts of any diabetics lifestyle change is learning how to prepare meals and snacks. This can be doubly hard for the parents of a diabetic child because following the dietary advice of the doctor and dietician can affect the entire household.

Attempting to learn what foods to feed a juvenile with diabetes can be confusing at first. There is a wealth of information in books and on websites but for most parents in can be overwhelming trying to figure it all out. The important thing for parents with newly diagnosed diabetic children to do is learn to spot the good information from the bad.

The best place to start is the American Diabetes Association where they will find the Diabetes Food Pyramid. This pyramid is much like the USDA food pyramid that everyone is familiar with with one difference. The USDA pyramid classifies food by the group they are in whereas the diabetic food pyramid groups foods based on their carbohydrate, protein, and fat content and breaks them down into the amount of servings for each. There are six groups that make up the diabetic pyramid and they include starches, proteins, fats, meats, fruits and vegetables.

If we take a look at each category we can get a better understanding of each and how they fit into a well balanced diabetic diet plan.

Starches and Grains: These are the primary sources of carbohydrates for everyone. These include foods like whole grains, rye, oats and the starchy vegetables such as potatoes and corn. This group also includes the dry beans such as pinto beans and black eyed peas. The suggested number of serving per day is between six to eleven. This is a range and must be personalized to the individual’s needs and goals with the help of a registered dietician.

Vegetables: Vegetables should always be a part of every dietary plan. They are full of many vital nutrients, are low in fat, and high in fiber all of which contribute to good health. Diabetics should have three to five servings per day. It is important to note that the starchy vegetables are not included in this category and should not be substituted into this group of the pyramid.

Fruits: Fruits are loaded with vitamins, minerals and fiber as well as carbohydrates. Serving sizes are determined by the individual fruit and suggested serving are two to four per day.

Milk: Milk and dairy products are essential in that they contain protein, calcium and many of the vitamins we need each day. Because they can contain a substantial amount of fat it is best to choose low fat or non fat versions of these products. The pyramid recommends two to three servings per day.

Meat and Meat Products: Meat and meat products are a primary supply of protein for all people. They also provide essential vitamins, minerals and amino acids the body needs to function in a healthy fashion. Choose only lean cuts and trim any visible fat to help keep the amount of saturated fat ingested to a minimum.

Fats, Sweets and Alcohol: While diabetics can partake of these it is recommended to keep their use in meal preparation and snack to a minimum. For the juvenile with diabetes this is important in that it teaches them food habits that will stay with them for the rest of their life.

The American Diabetes Association is a good place to start when it comes to learning about feeding a juvenile with diabetes. They have everything needed for healthy meal planning, exchange lists, weight control and recommended exercise programs.

Andrew Bicknell
http://www.articlesbase.com/nutrition-articles/nutrition-standards-for-juvenile-diabetics-140631.html

Hi, anyone out there with experience of diagnosing diabetes help with this please.

I was showing usual signs of type 2 so had blood tests done which showed a result of 22. I was prescribed 1000mg of metformin a day 3 days ago which I was told would take up to 6 weeks to show results. However both yesterday and today when I tested my blood at different times of the day my levels have been averaging out at around 9.

With the levels dropping so quickly I was wondering,
1. Can the metformin work so quickly?
2. If not then have I possibly been misdiagnosed?

Thanks for any advice.

Your bm’s can change substantially during the day anyway, depending on when you eat and what you eat, especially if you’ve taken advice to heart and completely cut out sugars etc. That’s why they usually don’t recommend self-testing your blood frequently, or for that matter at all, with Type 2. It’s unnecessary and often leads to confusion and alarm over the results. Instead you’ll be tested on maybe a 6 monthly basis to see what the average has been over several months.

Don’t fret over it too much, let your professionals tell you what you need to do.

This is so confusing. I need to know if this is alright. I just started my gestational diabetes low-carb diet. My three meals a day range from 30-45g of carbs while my three snacks range from 15-30g of carbs. I don’t want to keep eating just turkey sandwiches and fruits and vegetables. Would it be ok if I ate the following, as long as it is within carbohydrate guidelines?

For example ..
(3) chicken strips from Sheetz w/ nacho cheese – 26g carbs, no sugar
Grilled chicken wrap from Sheetz w/ cheddar cheese, cooked peppers & onions, bacon, & tomatoes – 31g carbs, 3g sugars
McChicken from McDonald’s w/o the bun, mayo, & lettuce (just the plain chicken patty) – 10g carbs

Can I eat this stuff (obviously not at the same meal or anything) since it’s within the carb guidelines I am supposed to follow?

Also .. some more examples .. not that I want to eat this stuff daily or anything, just using these as examples ..
Low Carb Options (each under 10g* of carbs):
• Low Carb WHOPPER® Sandwich* • (3g)
• Low Carb WHOPPER® Sandwich w/ cheese* • (5g)
• Low Carb DOUBLE WHOPPER® Sandwich* • (3g)
• Low Carb DOUBLE WHOPPER® Sandwich w/ cheese* • (5g)
• Low Carb WHOPPER JR.® Sandwich* • (1g)
• Low Carb WHOPPER JR.® Sandwich w/ cheese* • (2g)
• Low Carb BK™ Double Stacker Sandwich* (5g)
• Low Carb BK™ Triple Stacker Sandwich* (6g)
• Low Carb BK™ Quad Stacker Sandwich* (6g)
** ALL WITHOUT THE BUN **

My numbers weren’t that bad they said, they didn’t give me exacts though, I’m going to ask them next time I go in. I’m not asking you to verify if my diet is good — I just want to know if I am counting carbs for a diabetic diet could I eat this stuff since the carbs are within guidelines? Obviously not for every meal every day, but maybe one meal a week or something like that.

Just to add — my levels today were -
Fasting – 81
1 hour after breakfast – 103
1 hour after lunch – 105
(didn’t have dinner yet .. and YES my doctor has me monitor ONE hour after a meal, not two!)
ok no need to lecture me on fast food alright i believe i clearly stated above that i do not eat this every day nor do i have any intentions on it i was just asking a simple question

I had gestational 3 years ago…
my numbers werent that bad either…..I only had to do diet as do u.
I would eat from Wendy’s a child’s meal and a side salad almost daily for lunch and I was fine…..
Actually the nutritionist had me try this and it worked fine….and sometimes I would sneak in a half of a choc chip muffin and it was still fine.
Take Care and good luck.
Sounds like ur doing great.
Machelle

Okay, here I go:

I have a high BMI, so it’s not a "thinking" I’m fat, it’s "Knowing" I’m fat. I know diet and excercise are the key components of losing weight, but I need a plan that fits with my schooling, work, and band. I’m just tired of being fat. Could someone give me some general guidelines or suggestions as to what I should do, please? I’ve already cut out drinking pop, and I’m hoping it helps.

I don’t care about fitting in a size 2 (which I know will never realistically happen, because I’m genetically big boned), I just want to be healthy. I want to die of suffocation from laughing, exhaustion from exploring the world, anything, anything but diabetes, heart disease, or, to stop myself before I get there, OBESITY. And I want my kids to have a healthy living style so they don’t have to worry about this when they’re 15.

Thank you all for your help.

<33 Rachel

Start small and start slow. If you try to do it all you will get discouraged! Yes, cutting out pop will help! When that becomes easy for you and your not tempted by it anymore, cut out sugar or cut out fast food, then stop eating after 7 p.m. Drink lots of water! Cut up a sandwich size bag of veggies (pepper, celery, carrots, cucumbers), take them with you throughout your day. You can easily get in your veggies each day by doing that. Carry apples or oranges or some fruit for when you have a sweet tooth. The cravings do go away, it just takes time and patience.

Exercise! If all you have time for is a 15 minute walk, then take it. If it’s in the morning or middle of the day or evening, just go out and walk as fast as you can handle and don’t back down unless your dying, then slow down until you get your breath, then speed up again.

Exercise and eating well are the best ways to lose weight and to do it the healthy way. The other thing to remember is that it takes your body time. It needs to know your serious! If you are not doing these things consistently, then your body will not lose weight. Give yourself 1 day a month to indulge in one thing sweet or one treat you’ve been holding out on.

Think of it as a new way of life…this is how your going to live, no going back:) Good Luck!

Okay, here I go:

I have a high BMI, so it’s not a "thinking" I’m fat, it’s "Knowing" I’m fat. I know diet and excercise are the key components of losing weight, but I need a plan that fits with my schooling, work, and band. I’m just tired of being fat. Could someone give me some general guidelines or suggestions as to what I should do, please? I’ve already cut out drinking pop, and I’m hoping it helps.

I don’t care about fitting in a size 2 (which I know will never realistically happen, because I’m genetically big boned), I just want to be healthy. I want to die of suffocation from laughing, exhaustion from exploring the world, anything, anything but diabetes, heart disease, or, to stop myself before I get there, OBESITY. And I want my kids to have a healthy living style so they don’t have to worry about this when they’re 15.

Thank you all for your help.

<33 Rachel

Start small and start slow. If you try to do it all you will get discouraged! Yes, cutting out pop will help! When that becomes easy for you and your not tempted by it anymore, cut out sugar or cut out fast food, then stop eating after 7 p.m. Drink lots of water! Cut up a sandwich size bag of veggies (pepper, celery, carrots, cucumbers), take them with you throughout your day. You can easily get in your veggies each day by doing that. Carry apples or oranges or some fruit for when you have a sweet tooth. The cravings do go away, it just takes time and patience.

Exercise! If all you have time for is a 15 minute walk, then take it. If it’s in the morning or middle of the day or evening, just go out and walk as fast as you can handle and don’t back down unless your dying, then slow down until you get your breath, then speed up again.

Exercise and eating well are the best ways to lose weight and to do it the healthy way. The other thing to remember is that it takes your body time. It needs to know your serious! If you are not doing these things consistently, then your body will not lose weight. Give yourself 1 day a month to indulge in one thing sweet or one treat you’ve been holding out on.

Think of it as a new way of life…this is how your going to live, no going back:) Good Luck!

Numbers of diabetics is increasing day by day. Food habits, stress and modern activities may be responsible for it. Not to eat sugar is a common version.

The best cure naturally for diabetes are the intake of K SALTS from homeopathy, may heal a diabetic totally in the long run.

I am 7months pregnant and have gestational diabetes. I have to check my blood sugar 4 times a day. Sometimes my numbers are lower than the guidelines. Is this bad or ok because it is lower than being too high?

You really need to seek professional help on this. You have a baby to consider. Unless someone answers you as a doctor or other health professional…..even then that doesn’t sound good. They do not have your complete medical record to know the whole picture. Make an appointment!