Diabetes for Dummies

Zaharah
Assalimu Alaikum Forum and All who visit us. Glad you are here.

I wanted to start a Thread on Diabetes. We have had several requests for this Subject. I somewhat struggled with this subject cause it is so close to my heart. My mother suffered with this illness that was linked to many episodes of sickness that lead to vision changes, poor leg circulation that caused 2 heart attacks which escalated to "BKA" below the knee amputations, dialysis and high blood pressure.
So bear with me on this matter but it need to be addressed.

Type 2 Diabetes - Symptoms

If you do have symptoms of type 2 diabetes, they may include:

*Feeling thirsty.
*Having to urinate more than usual.
*Feeling more hungry than usual.
*Losing weight without trying to.
*Feeling very tired.
*Feeling cranky.
Other signs of type 2 diabetes may include:

*Infections and cuts and bruises that heal slowly.
*Blurred vision.
*Tingling or numbness in your hands or feet.
*Trouble with skin, gum, or bladder infections.
*Vaginal yeast infections.

Link:
http://diabetes.webmd.com/tc/type-2-diabetes-symptoms

It is very important to eat right and excercise.




_________________
We will begin a journey together to fight this disease. With a change in diet and excercise. I struggle with the excercise part cause my excuse is i work alot. May Allah help me this is still no excuse

Low Vitamin D Linked to Poor Diabetes Control

Study Finds Vitamin D Deficiency Common in People With Diabetes
By Kathleen Doheny
WebMD Health NewsReviewed by Laura J. Martin, MDJune 21, 2010 -- Vitamin D deficiency, long suspected to be a risk factor for glucose intolerance, is commonly found in people with poor diabetes control, according to a new study.

''Our study could not show cause and effect," says Esther Krug, MD, an endocrinologist at Sinai Hospital of Baltimore and assistant professor of medicine at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, who presented the findings at ENDO 2010, the annual meeting of The Endocrine Society, in San Diego.

But she did find that vitamin D deficiency was common in her study, with more than 91% of participants deficient. As the deficiency worsened, so did diabetes control. Only eight of the 124 participants took vitamin D supplements, she found.

About 18 million people in the U.S. have been diagnosed with diabetes, according to the American Diabetes Association, and about 6 million more are believed to have the condition but are undiagnosed.

Low Vitamin D, Poor Diabetes Control: The Study
Krug and her colleagues decided to look at vitamin D deficiency in the wake of reports suggesting that vitamin D has an active role in regulating pancreatic beta cells, which make insulin.

So they evaluated the medical charts of 124 people with type 2 diabetes (in which the body doesn't make enough insulin or the cells ignore the insulin) seen at an outpatient clinic from 2003 to 2008. The charts contained information on the patients' age, race, vitamin D levels, calcium intake, family history of diabetes, and results of their hemoglobin A1c blood test. The A1c provides an average measurement of blood sugar control over about a 12-week span. (For people with diabetes, the goal is 7%; for people without, the normal range is 4%-6%.)

Krug's team divided the vitamin D levels they found into four groups: normal (defined in the study as above 32 nanograms per deciliter), mild deficiency, moderate deficiency, or severe.

In all, 113 of the 124 patients (91.1%) were vitamin D deficient -- 35.5% severely, 38.7% moderately, and 16.9% mildly.

The average A1c was higher in patients with severe vitamin D deficiency compared to those with normal levels of vitamin D. Those with severe deficiency had an average of 8.1%; those with normal vitamin D levels averaged 7.1%.

Krug found racial differences. ''In people of color, vitamin D levels were even lower than in Caucasians and they were associated with even poorer diabetes control," she tells WebMD.

Only 6.4% were on vitamin D supplementation. This was true, Krug says, even though they had medical coverage and saw their doctors. She suspects a lack of awareness on the part of the physicians partly explains the frequent deficiencies she found.

Aggressive screening of vitamin D levels is crucial for people with diabetes, Krug says. Once a supplement is recommended, she says, the blood levels should be rechecked to see if the supplement sufficiently increases vitamin D levels.

Top PicksThe Diabetes Diet Myth Diabetes Symptoms You Shouldn't Ignore Health Check: Have a Real Talk With Your Doc Join the Disucssion in the Diabetes Community


Vitamin D Facts
Vitamin D is crucial not only to maintain bone strength, but research also suggests it plays a role in immune system functioning, cancer prevention, and cardiovascular health. It is produced when ultraviolet rays from the sun strike the skin and is also found in fish, eggs, fortified milk, cod liver oil, and supplements.

Adequate intakes, set by the Institute of Medicine of The National Academies, are 200 international units (IU) a day for adults up to age 50, 400 IU for people aged 51-70, and 600 IU for people 71 and older. But some experts say much more is needed; the recommendations are under review, with an update expected in 2010.

Second Opinion
The new study lends support to a growing body of scientific and clinical data linking vitamin D with insulin and glucose, says Ruchi Mathur, MD, an endocrinologist and assistant professor of medicine at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, who reviewed the study for WebMD.

Other research has shown that supplementing with vitamin D and calcium slows the progression to type 2 diabetes, Mathur says. Even so, she tells WebMD, ''At present, a direct link between vitamin D and type 2 diabetes is not conclusively established."

She has another caveat. ''One important point that is missing ... is the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in the general population" compared to those in the study. As vitamin D deficiency is being noted with ''an alarming increase in frequency'' overall, she says, ''it may shed doubts on the authors' conclusions."

It's also possible, she says, that people with poor glycemic control have it because of a general unhealthy lifestyle, not just their low vitamin D status. They may engage in less outdoor exercise, for instance, or have unhealthy eating habits.

Because of the possible link, however, she agrees that screening for vitamin D deficiency in people with type 2 diabetes may be warranted.

This study was presented at a medical conference. The findings should be considered preliminary as they have not yet undergone the "peer review" process, in which outside experts scrutinize the data prior to publication in a medical journal.

www.webMD.com
_________________
ChangeIsGood....Zaharah

Bitter Melon



An international dietary study reports that a rare tropical fruit may provide an all-natural answer to helping maintain blood sugar levels and promote insulin production.

According to researchers at the Institute of Plant Breeding at the University of the Philippines, a fruit known as ampalaya – or bitter melon, to Americans – has been shown to help significantly lower blood sugar levels when combined with healthy diet.

Though rare, bitter melon can be found in some health-food stores nationwide and is also sold in supplement form as an extract. Researchers pointed to the fact that bitter melon contains nearly twice the potassium found in bananas as a possible source of its blood sugar-balancing benefits.


At least 32 active chemicals have been identified in Bitter Melon so far, beta-sitosterol-d-glucoside, citrulline, GABA, lutein, lycopene and zeaxanthin. As for vitamins, Bitter Melon is chock full of them! Bitter Melons are rich in iron. They have twice the beta carotene of broccoli, twice the calcium of spinach, twice the potassium of bananas, and contain Vitamins A, C, B1 to B3, Phosphorus and good dietary fiber


Excessively high doses of bitter melon juice can cause abdominal pain and diarrhea. Small children or anyone with hypoglycemia should not take bitter melon because this herb could theoretically trigger or worsen low blood sugar (hypoglycemia). Furthermore, diabetics taking hypoglycemic drugs (such as chlorpropamide, glyburide, or phenformin) or insulin should use bitter melon only under medical supervision, as it may potentiate the effectiveness of the drugs and lead to severe hypoglycemia. Bitter Melon has also been found to have abortative properties; pregnant women should use consult a doctor before consuming it in excessive amounts.




http://www.lifescript.com/Health/Conditions/Diabetes/Tips/Bitter_Melon_Sweet_Relief_for_Diabetics.aspx?utm_campaign=2010-09-07-59048&utm_source=living-with-diabetes&utm_medium=email&utm_content=tip-of-day_Bitter%20Melon%20Sweet%20Relief%20for&VID=59048&FromNL=1&sc_date=20100907T000000

It has numerous vital vitamins and minerals including vitamin A, Vitamin B1, Vitamin B2, Vitamin C, Iron, Calcium, Phosphorous, Copper and Potassium. There are many health reasons why you should take this bitter vegetable seriously. Here are a few:

•Diabetes:
The bitter gourd is particularly used as a remedy for diabetes because of its hypoglycemic action. It contains insulin-like peptides, alkaloids and charantin, all of which act together to lower blood and urine sugar levels without increasing blood insulin levels. These compounds activate a protein called AMPK, which is well known for regulating fuel metabolism and enabling glucose uptake, processes which are impaired in diabetics. You can take the juice of 4-5 bitter gourds every morning on an empty stomach, add seeds in powdered form to food or prepare a decoction by boiling the pieces of this fruit in water. If you are taking medications to lower your blood sugar, adding bitter gourd might make your blood sugar drop too low. Monitor your blood sugar carefully.


Blood Purification:
It has blood-purifying properties. As a result, the juice is used in the treatment of blood disorders like blood boils and itching due to blood poisoning. Have it little by little on an empty stomach daily, in 4-6 months you will see enhancement in your state.
Piles: Fresh juice of bitter gourd is good for patients suffering from piles. Take a mixture of bitter melon juice and buttermilk every morning for about a month and you will see an improvement. A paste of the roots of bitter gourd plant can also be applied over piles to get a favorable result.

Good for stomach:
It contains cellulose which is a very good source of fiber thus preventing constipation. It also good digestive agent and helps in stimulating the secretion of gastric juices. This can be very helpful for people with dyspepsia. However, sometimes it may worsen heartburn and ulcers.

Aids weight loss:
It stimulates liver for secretion of bile juices that are very essential for metabolism of fats. Thus, if you want to have a perfect, slim figure, then bitter gourd can help you.

Eye care:
It has high amount of beta-carotene that helps alleviate eye problems and improving eyesight.

Cholera:
Fresh juice of leaves of bitter gourd is also a useful medication in early stages of cholera.

Immune booster:
A glass of bitter gourd juice in the morning can help to strengthen your immune system and increase your body's fighting power against infection. Researchers hypothesize that bitter melon is as an immunomodulator. One clinical trial found limited evidence that bitter melon might improve immune cell function in people with cancer.

Skin care:
Bitter gourd is also effective in treating skin diseases or skin infections, eczema and psoriasis. It also helps in keeping the skin free from blemishes and keeps the skin glowing. The blood purifying properties make sure that you don't get acne.

HIV:
Laboratory tests suggest that compounds in bitter melon might be effective for treating HIV infection. In one preliminary clinical trial, an enema form of a bitter melon extract showed some benefits in people infected with HIV. However, more research is necessary before this could be recommended.

Read more: http://www.lifemojo.com/lifestyle/health-benefits-of-bitter-gourd-karela-28906909#ixzz0zkHDcZk4

Diabetes - Staying safely hydrated


Make a conscious effort to keep yourself hydrated and make water your beverage of choice. Nearly every healthy adult can consider the following:

Drink a glass of water with each meal and between each meal.

Take water breaks instead of coffee or tea breaks.


If you drink water from a bottle, thoroughly clean or replace the bottle often. Every time you drink, bacteria from your mouth contaminate water in the bottle. If you use a bottle repeatedly, make sure that the bottle is designed for reuse. To keep it clean, wash your container in hot, soapy water or run it through a dishwasher before refilling it.

Though uncommon, it's possible to drink too much water. Drinking excessive amounts can overwhelm your kidneys' ability to get rid of the water. This can lead to hyponatremia, a condition in which excess water intake dilutes the normal amount of sodium in the blood. People who are older, who have certain medical conditions such as congestive heart failure and cirrhosis, or who are taking certain diuretics are at higher risk of hyponatremia.

Cinnamon and Diabetes
For years, people have touted cinnamon for its potential diabetes benefits. Does the aromatic cooking spice actually help people with diabetes?

It may not be time to toss your diabetes medicines just yet. Studies on the use of cinnamon for diabetes have been mixed. But most research does not support cinnamon for treating diabetes. The American Diabetes Association says cinnamon has no place in the treatment of diabetes.

Does Cinnamon Help Diabetes?
Cinnamon comes in two varieties -- Ceylon cinnamon and cassia cinnamon. Cassia cinnamon is the kind most Americans use for baking and cooking. It's also the variety most researchers have used when they've studied cinnamon and diabetes.

Some of this research has shown that cinnamon may lower blood sugar by decreasing insulin resistance. In people with type 2 diabetes, the sugar-lowering hormone insulin does not work as well. This leads to higher blood sugar levels.

In one study, volunteers ate from 1 to 6 grams of cinnamon for 40 days. One gram of ground cinnamon is about half a teaspoon. Researchers found that cinnamon reduced cholesterol by about 18% and blood sugar levels by 24%.

In another study, volunteers ate cinnamon and rice pudding after a meal. These volunteers had reduced blood sugar levels.

In other studies cinnamon did not decrease blood sugar or cholesterol levels.

Is Cinnamon Safe for People With Diabetes?
Cinnamon appears to be safe in those with diabetes. People with liver damage should be careful because large amounts of cinnamon may increase liver problems in these people.

Cinnamon supplements are classified as a food, not a drug. Unlike medications, supplement makers don't have to prove their products are safe or effective. The FDA, however, can force a supplement from the market if it proves it's unsafe.

If you do plan on buying a cinnamon supplement, choose brands labeled with a quality seal. These include the NSF International, US Pharmacopeia, or Consumerlab seal. This helps assure that the supplement actually contains the ingredients stated on the label. It also helps guarantee that the product doesn't contain any contaminants or potentially harmful ingredients.

Does Cinnamon Interact With Other Herbs or Drugs?
Because cinnamon may lower blood sugar levels, exercise caution when combining it with other supplements that lower sugar levels, including:

alpha lipoic acid
bitter melon
chromium
devil's claw
fenugreek
garlic
horse chestnut
Panax
Siberian ginseng
psyllium
The same holds true with diabetes medications. If you and your doctor decide cinnamon is right for you, pay close attention to your blood sugar levels. Let your doctor know if your blood sugar levels fall too low.

Taking cinnamon with drugs that affect the liver may increase the risk of liver problems. If you take any medication, talk to your doctor before taking cinnamon.

www.webmd.com

Sister Thanks for all your hard work. May this help others and May Allah be Pleased.

May Allah Be Pleased. We welcome all the info we can use as it may be a Great help to someone