What Is Diabetes And How Can You Control It?

After eating, the food we eat is broken down into sugar
(glucose) through the process of digestion. This sugar then enters the
bloodstream so that it can be delivered throughout the body, where it is
called blood sugar. Insulin, which helps metabolize blood sugar and is made
in the pancreas, takes blood sugar from the bloodstream and delivers it into
the body's cells. This sugar provides energy to the cells in organs such as
our heart, lungs, and kidneys, which help function properly.

Type 1 diabetes, also called insulin-dependant or juvenile diabetes, occurs
when the pancreas no longer makes insulin.
This is because the immune system becomes confused and begins attacking and
destroying the cells in the pancreas that produce the insulin. Instead of
going into the cells where it is needed, the sugar stays in the blood. Often
beginning in childhood, people with Type 1 diabetes have to take a least one
shot of insulin each day in order to stay alive.

The most common kind of diabetes, which often starts in overweight adults
with high blood pressure and high cholesterol levels, is Type 2 diabetes.
Although the pancreas is usually producing enough insulin in Type 2
diabetes, the body does not use the insulin effectively. In this type of
diabetes, the cells do not respond to the insulin's attempt to enter with
glucose, so in turn, the pancreas produces more and more insulin. Because
the cells do not respond, high levels of glucose build up in the blood,
causing Type 2 diabetes. Once the pancreas senses that the insulin isn't
needed, it eventually stops making it. People with Type 2 diabetes often
need to take prescription drugs to lower there blood sugar levels.

In both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes, the sugar stays in the bloodstream
rather than going into the cells where it is needed. After it builds up in
the blood, it causes the cells to be starved for energy and, after a long
time, damage to the blood vessels, nerves, eyes, and kidneys. Type 1
diabetes, which develops very quickly, can be recognized by symptoms
including: frequent urination, intense thirst, increased hunger, and weight
loss. Type 2 diabetes, on the other hand, develops very gradually without
any symptoms at all.
Unfortunately, Type 2 diabetes is usually only diagnosed after the
occurrence of a complication, such as circulation problems, nerve damage,
eye problems, or kidney damage.

All of these complications are caused by high blood sugar levels; however,
most of them can be prevented. The longer these blood sugar levels are
elevated, the greater the risk for having complications is. Because high
blood sugar levels damage blood vessels, they eventually become thicker and
less flexible. This causes poor circulation which can complicate healing.
These high blood sugar levels also cause higher levels of fat in the
bloodstream, which clogs and narrows blood vessels. This partial blockage
will deprive the heart of necessary nutrients, resulting in a heart attack,
heart pain, or a stroke. Because high blood sugars can cause nerve damage, a
person with Type 2 diabetes may lose feeling in parts of their body or have
a painful pins-and-needles-like feeling.
Diabetes can also damage and weaken blood vessels in the retina, which
causes them to leak fluid, resulting in a swelling in the eye, which will
blur vision. Since the blood vessels are so fragile, they can break open and
bleed into the eye, which will cause scar tissue to form, along with the
possibility of the retina to break away from the back of the eye, resulting
in visual impairment, or even blindness. The blood vessels in the kidneys
can also be damaged, preventing it from filtering out the body's waste. The
longer the blood sugar levels are left uncontrolled, the greater the amount
of kidney damage that can occur. If the kidney damage isn't stopped, a
kidney transplant or dialysis machine may eventually be needed.

All of these complications can be prevented through vitamins, minerals, and
herbal supplements, which keep people with diabetes healthy and provide
powerful tools that prevent the serious complications from occurring. The
most helpful nutritional supplement should contain powerful vitamins,
minerals, and herbs in a synergistic formula that can lower blood sugars
effectively and provide nutrients which people with diabetes need. The
supplement should be taken twice a day in addition to a high quality
multivitamin. Because a diabetic formula is complementary, it means it
should be taken in addition to your multivitamin, not as a replacement.

Since diabetes is a disease that requires active participation, you must be
aware of your problem and be in control of it as much as possible. If you
use a home glucose monitor to check your blood sugars, you may feel more
comfortable checking your glucose levels more often when you first begin the
diabetic formula supplement. However, you should always follow your doctor's
recommendation as to how often you should check your blood sugar levels.
According to most licensed health care practitioners, a good blood sugar
range for most people with diabetes before a meal is from about 70-150,
ideally between 70 and 120. By taking a supplement formulated especially for
diabetics, your blood sugars should be right where they are recommended.
Successful diabetes management means doing lost of positive things, among
these include visiting your licensed health care practitioner often,
choosing foods wisely and staying active, and taking a diabetic formula
supplement, but remember, this diabetic formula supplement is meant to be an
addition to a healthy diet, not a substitute.

About The Author: Visit VitaNet Health Foods at http://vitanetonline.com/,
VitaNet sells high quality vitamins and herbs at discount prices and name
brands like Source Naturals and Enzymatic Therapy. Please link to this site
when using this article.

Can Tea Help With Diabetes?

Type II diabetes is one of today's most common health
conditions. As the rate of obesity has increased in this country,
so has the incidence of diabetes. It's becoming more and more
important to understand how to prevent diabetes, as well as the
best ways to treat it if we discover that we're already
affected.

Diabetes is a disease in which the body does not produce or
properly use insulin, the hormone that converts sugar and other
food into energy. The most common type of diabetes seen today is
Type II, where insulin is produced (though sometimes not in a
high enough quantity), but is not used properly. This results in
a higher than normal level of blood glucose in the body. Type I
diabetes is diagnosed in childhood, and results from an inability
to produce insulin.

Doctors are not entirely sure what causes diabetes, but we do
know that family history plays a part. In addition, we know that
people who are obese and who do not get regular exercise are at a
much greater risk of developing Type II diabetes than those who
exercise and maintain a healthy weight.

Today, there are about 20.8 million people in the US with
diabetes. Nearly one third of these people don't realize they
have the disease. In addition, about 54 million people in the US
are pre-diabetic, meaning their blood glucose levels are higher
than normal, but not high enough to be diagnosed with diabetes.
Complications from diabetes include blindness, kidney problems,
heart disease, stroke, nerve damage and foot and skin problems.

Prevention is critical when it comes to diabetes, and even many
people who are already pre-diabetic can reduce their blood
glucose levels naturally to prevent their pre-diabetic state from
turning into diabetes. In addition, some patients who already
have Type II diabetes are able to control their condition with
lifestyle changes.

To protect yourself from diabetes, it's critical to maintain a
healthy weight. Eat natural unprocessed foods that are rich in
fiber and nutrients. Avoid sugar and white flour, because both of
these foods tend to leave us with an excess of insulin.

Exercise every day. Not only can exercise help you keep your
weight in check, but it can help your body more effectively use
the food you consume, helping to prevent your blood sugar levels
constant.

Exercising and maintaining a healthy weight are the two most
important ways to prevent diabetes, and to help control your
insulin even if you've already been diagnosed. But, scientists
are also discovering that there might be a secret weapon in the
fight against diabetes, and it's safe and simple.

Drink tea. Both green and black teas have been shown to help
control blood sugar levels. One study, in particular, performed
by the Indian Institute of Chemical Biology in Calcutta, India,
showed that tea had a significant effect on the blood glucose
levels of diabetic mice. When the mice were given tea, their
blood sugar levels stayed consistent and did not rise above
normal levels.

Tea, particularly green tea, has been shown to be effective in
preventing, and even treating, many forms of disease. It has been
shown to reduce the risk of heart disease, stroke, Alzheimer's
disease, and even cancer. And, some studies have shown green tea
to even be an effective adjunct to traditional cancer therapies.
Some researchers have found that traditional cancer treatments,
like chemotherapy, are more effective when green tea is used in
conjunction with the treatment.

Tea helps keep insulin levels constant in the blood, helping to
regulate it naturally. Though most studies showing tea as an
effective health protector have recommended green tea over black,
this study on diabetes found no difference between the two. So,
whether your preference is green tea or black, it may be helpful
in the fight against diabetes.

For some pre-diabetics who are trying to ensure that their
problems don't progress, adding tea to your diet may be an easy
way to help get your blood sugar levels back to normal. Of
course, you will need to continue with your healthy diet and
exercise routine, as well.

And, even for those who already have Type II diabetes, a regular
regimen of tea may help you keep your blood sugar regulated with
less medication, when used along with proper diet and exercise.

Of course, as with any other alternative therapy, talk with your
doctor. Tea is not designed to replace any medications you're
already taking, and should not be used as a substitute for diet
and exercise. And, beware of drinking highly sweetened tea.
Adding sugar to the tea may negate any benefits the tea offers.
Use a doctor approved artificial sweetener if you like your tea
sweetened.

So, add some tea to your diet. Whether hot or cold, black or
green, tea is good for you. And, particularly if one of your
health goals is to prevent or treat Type II diabetes, tea may be
a simple and effective way to help meet those goals.

---------------------------------------------------------------------
Marcus Stout is the President of the Golden Moon Tea
Company. Golden Moon Tea carefully selects the finest
rare and orthodox teas, which are processed slowly
and handcrafted with extreme care. At their website,
you can learn more about their current tea offerings,
including their exceptional green tea
(http://www.goldenmoontea.com/greentea), white tea,
black tea (http://www.goldenmoontea.com/blacktea),
oolong tea (also known as wu-long and wu long tea)
and chai. Visit http://www.goldenmoontea.com for
all details concerning the Golden Moon Tea Company's
fine line of teas.

Tips For Choosing A Blood Glucose Meter

If you have been diagnosed with diabetes then you know that you are going to
be in for some changes in your life. Most of the time your diet and exercise
routine will have to change to help keep your blood glucose levels under
control. Diabetes is not something that can be taken lightly, because it can
cause quite a few medical problems and in the worst case even death. The
best way to keep your blood glucose levels under control is using a blood
glucose meter. If your blood glucose levels get out of whack, then you might
have to take extra insulin to get your level within the normal range. Your
blood glucose meter will become one of the most important things that you
have to try to combat diabetes. There are many different kinds of blood
glucose meters available on the market today, so here is some of the things
that you will need to consider when picking the meter that is right for you.

Most insurance companies will usually cover most of the cost of a blood
glucose meter, so the differences between the meters should be the only
things you need to know about to make your selection. All blood glucose
meters need 1 micro liter or less of blood to perform a blood glucose test,
but some meters use less than others. Also most meters can perform the test
within ten seconds, but some can do it as fast as three seconds, so this can
also be a factor in your decision. Also some meters come with more options
than others. You can get information about how certain food has affected you
between readings, you can connect some meters to your computer, and some
meters just give you a simple score. You need to decide what you want from
your meter and pick the one that is right for you. All of these options can
help you choose the meter that will help you manage your blood glucose
levels effectively, because that is the only reason to buy a blood glucose
meter in the first place.

About The Author: Learn more about choosing a Blood Sugar Meter at
http://www.diabeticseniors.com/a/Blood+Sugar+Meter

Are You Pregnant? How The First Stage Of Pregnancy Can Give You Warning Signs

Each year, a large number of women realize that they are pregnant. While a
large number of these pregnancies are planned, not all are. For that reason,
there may come a time where you may end up wondering whether or not you are
pregnant.

When it comes to determining whether or not you are with child, you may wish
to take a home pregnancy test or schedule an appointment with your primary
care physician. While these are the best ways to determine whether or not
you are pregnant, did you know that you have other alternatives? In the
early stages of pregnancy, which is often referred to as the first
trimester, pregnant women tend to show a number of symptoms; symptoms which
may help to alert you to the impending addition to your family.

As previously mentioned, the early stages of pregnancy are often referred to
as the first trimester. The first trimester is from conception until the
fetus is around twelve weeks of age. One of the most common signs of
pregnancy is a missed menstrual period. Although a missed period is a sign
of pregnancy, it may not be the reason for the missed menstrual period. A
large number of women experience irregular periods normally and other times
they are attributed to stress. Fatigue and nausea are also symptoms of
pregnancy; however, as with your menstrual period, it is not uncommon for
fatigue or nausea to be the result of another medical issue.

In addition to fatigue, nausea, and a missed menstrual period, women who are
pregnant tend to notice other changes with their body. These changes tend to
include changes to skin color, a swollen abdomen, as well as enlarged
breasts. If you feel that you may be pregnant, you are advised to examine
each of the above mentioned body parts. Whether your breasts appear to be
larger than normal, you notice your stomach has increased in size, or that
your skin color appears to darken, it may be time for you to schedule an
appointment with your primary care physician or, at least, take a home
pregnancy test.

If and when you decide to take a home pregnancy test, the results will help
to determine your next course of action.
Perhaps, the first thing that you should do, if you haven't already done so,
is schedule an appointment with a healthcare professional. If you are
experiencing pregnancy for the first time, you may feel more comfortable
visiting your primary care physician. Regardless of who you visit, it is
important that you seek professional assistance, to give you confirmation on
your pregnancy. The confirmation will likely be made with an ultrasound or a
urine test.

Although you may have chosen to visit your primary care physician, you may
have also made the decision to visit an OBGYN. An OBGYN is a professional
who specializes in obstetrics and gynecology. No matter where you live in
the United States, you should have access to a number of qualified OBGYNs.
As you are likely already aware, if your pregnancy is confirmed, you and
your baby will need continuous care throughout your entire pregnancy. That
care can come from a number of different sources.

When pregnant, many women make the decision to seek treatment from an OBGYN,
while others turn to a certified nurse midwife or their primary care
physician. In the event that you originally visited your primary care
physician and they are unable to provide you with pregnancy care, they
should provide you with a number of referrals; referrals to other
professionals who should be able to offer you the care that you and your
baby need.

Throughout your first trimester, as well as your whole pregnancy, you will
likely be required to attend numerous checkup appointments. While testing
may be performed at these appointments, such as testing for sexually
transmitted diseases, diabetes, or genetic disorders, your appointments will
mostly be used to monitor your overall health, as well as well as the health
of your baby. Whether you choose to seek pregnancy care from your primary
care physician, a certified nurse midwife, or an OBYN, you will likely have
these appointments, as well as the importance of them, explained to you in
advance. As you will likely hear from your pregnancy care provider, it is
extremely important that you attend each and every one of your prenatal
visits.

Although there is a good chance that you will pleased with the fact that you
are pregnant, for some, unexpected pregnancies couldn't come at a worse
time. However, it is important to note that you have a number of different
options. In addition to delivering and raising your baby, you could also
make the decision to terminate your pregnancy or give your child up for
adoption. No matter which route you decide to choose, it is important that
you first seek care and advice from a professional healthcare provider.

About The Author: Tamra Rockwell is a pregnancy counselor, and is also a
contributor to http://www.Healthline.com.

Do You Have Diabetes? The Importance Of Being Diagnosed

Diabetes is a disease that millions of Americans suffer from.
Unfortunately, it isn't just any disease, it is a long-term disease. This
means almost all of the individuals who are diagnosed with diabetes will
have it for the remainder of their life. The good thing about diabetes is
that it can easily be managed. However, to be managed, you must first be
diagnosed with the disease.

When it comes to being diagnosed with diabetes, you need to speak to a
healthcare professional, such as your primary care physician. Diabetes can
only officially be diagnosed by a healthcare professional. Despite needing a
healthcare professional to diagnose you, there are a number of signs and
symptoms that you should be on the lookout for. These symptoms may help to
inform you, as well as your healthcare provider, if you may have diabetes or
if you may be at risk for developing it.

Before you can begin to understand the most common signs and symptoms of
diabetes, you need to take the time to familiarize yourself with the
disease. Although diabetes is a disease that results from too little insulin
in the body, there are three different types of diabetes. These three
different diabetes types not only have some different signs and symptoms,
they also have different treatment options. The three main types of diabetes
are type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes, and gestational diabetes.

Type 1 diabetes is most common in children; however, the disease will
carryon into adulthood. Common symptoms of type 1 diabetes include increased
thirst, increased urination, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, and unexplained
weight loss. Type 2 diabetes is most commonly found with adults; however,
some children have been known to develop it. The most common symptoms of
type 2 diabetes includes increased urination, increased thirst, fatigue, as
well as, impotence, blurred vision, and increased appetite. Gestational
diabetes is found and diagnosed during pregnancy; many times the only
symptom associated with this type of diabetes is a high blood glucose
reading.

In addition to the above mentioned diabetes signs and symptoms, it may also
be a good idea to examine the risk factors associated with diabetes. This is
importance because, although a large number of individuals experience some
of the above mentioned symptoms, not everyone sees or notices even the most
common symptoms of diabetes. If you have a close family member with
diabetes, are overweight, have high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or if
you are over the age of forty-five, you are at an increased risk for
developing diabetes. Should a number of the previously mentioned risk
factors describe you, it may be a good idea to speak to your primary care
physician or another healthcare provider.

As previously mentioned, there is currently no cure for diabetes; however,
the disease is treatable and manageable. If you are diagnosed with having
diabetes, whether it be type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes, or gestational
diabetes, your healthcare provider will likely discuss the appropriate
treatment options. These treatment options will all likely depend on which
type of diabetes you are diagnosed with.
Regardless of which type of diabetes you have, you may be required to take
insulin shots. If so, your physician will provide you will all of the
necessary information, including what type of insulin needs to be used, as
well as how often.

In addition to taking insulin shots, if your physician recommends it, you
may also be required to begin an exercise program or watch what you eat. As
with the insulin, your physician should also help you to develop an
effective eating plan, as well as an exercise program. These programs are
important; therefore, you need to follow them. In fact, if you have type 2
diabetes, you may also find that eating right and exercising may eliminate
many of the signs of diabetes. In fact, it has been said that with the
proper diet and exercise, it is possible for a type 2 diabetes patient to be
taken off of their insulin.

Perhaps, the best way to learn more about diabetes, particularly the type
that you are diagnosed with, is to speak with your healthcare provider. In
addition to giving you information on how to manage your diabetes, they may
also give you valuable tips on how to move on with your life. This is often
done with counseling or with diabetes support groups.
Unfortunately, diabetes is becoming such as problem, in America, that there
is a good chance that you may have access to a number of local diabetes
support groups.

About The Author: Ted Cornwall is a dietitian and expert on diabetes, as
well as a contributor to http://www.Healthline.com.

Glutamine And It's Side Effects

Glutamine, one of the twenty special amino acids that have been encoded by
the standard genetic code, is also one of the most common amino acids that
occur naturally in the human body. It makes up more than sixty percent of
the skeletal muscle tissue, and is fuel for both the digestive tract and the
immune system, while also playing a pivotal role in responsibly conducting
nitrogen to muscles around the body. High concentrations of Glutamine are
especially available in the brain, the gut lining, the lungs, the heart, the
kidney, the liver, and the muscles. In short, no human body can survive
without this vital amino acid; in fact most bodybuilders and athletes use it
as a supplement to enhance their performance or to strengthen themselves
physically. Glutamine can be found in protein powders (mostly favored by the
likes of athletes, weightlifters, and bodybuilders); and is also rich in
other high-protein foods including fish, red meat, beans, poultry and dairy
products.

While the human body does not take well to anything taken in excess, however
useful it might be, studies regarding the side effects of excess Glutamine
use have even churned out inconclusive results. Still, it's safe to say that
it's never a good idea to take high doses, and it has been proved that
excess use might lead to an an upset stomach, if nothing else.

It is now widely believed that since Glutamine occurs naturally in the human
body, supplementing a diet with the amino acid comes free of any major
health risks or adverse side effects, as long as it's done in low doses. In
fact, it is mostly encouraged; Glutamine deficiency is so common in our day,
that medical practitioners check for Glutamine deficiency as one of the
primary tests when searching for clues in patients with symptoms of chronic
illnesses or dysfunction in cognitive functioning and mood swings.

Nevertheless, it's important to understand that anybody thinking of starting
a regimen including Glutamine supplements should consult a physician or
nutritionist first; especially those suffering from either Type I or Type II
diabetes since they are usually advised to exercise extreme caution with
respect to Glutamine powders or supplements. This is mainly because surplus
amounts of Glutamine in the human body are broken down by the liver and the
kidneys for the production of glucose.

Aside from being used as a diet supplement by bodybuilders and athletes,
Glutamine has been deemed effective in treating muscle cramps or pain in the
elderly. It can also speed up the Krebs Cycle and aid in weight loss while
retaining muscle mass.
However, the principle use of Glutamine is still the replenishment of the
body's stores of amino acids; which is why supplementation is considered
particularly healthy after strenuous exercise or long workouts. Furthermore,
people suffering from any kind of physical trauma, immune deficiencies, or
cancer also tend to find Glutamine very helpful.

Thus, as the article suggests, Glumatine use (in a controlled
manner) has many favorable effects, yet most often comes free of any adverse
side effects; which is why it's become such a popular fixture on the market
for health supplements.

About The Author: http://www.creatinejournal.com, free information on
creatine and other popular sports supplements.

Childhood Obesity - What Are The Risks?

Let's look at these risks in detail:

Type II Diabetes - Diabetes is a serious condition that requires dietary
restrictions, and oral or injectible insulin.

Even with appropriate treatment, diabetes has long-term health risks that
include circulatory disease, an inability to heal from wounds and injuries,
stress on the heart and pulmonary system, and even blindness, stroke and
coma.

Diabetes in children is nearly always due to obesity and lack of proper diet
and exercise.

Heart Disease - If your child is not getting enough of the right nutrients
and enough exercise, they are at risk for early heart disease.

These conditions can require medication and careful monitoring and may lead
to long-term heart disease.

Joint and Weight Bearing - Short term growth issues, leg bowing, hip
displacement and long term deterioration and disfigurement of the lower
joints and bones.

Self Esteem and Confidence Issues - Children who are overweight or obese are
self-conscious and typically have low self-esteem and confidence as compared
to other children.

They are less likely to TRY to meet challenges and therefore are often
unaware of their own competence and skill in most areas of life.

Children will often tease or bully overweight friends and classmates. If you
think this is happening to your child, involve the school administration and
be sure that your child gets the support they need.

High Blood Pressure - Hypertension is a serious issue, especially in
children. High blood pressure puts a significant strain on your child's
growing body. It can cause headaches, dizziness, and in some cases can cause
stroke and other serious health risks.

High Cholesterol - Can be difficult to control with diet alone, and may
require medication. Among the risks of elevated 'bad'
cholesterol: Heart attack and stroke.

Depression - Obese children often suffer from depression because of their
feelings of self-loathing and/or because of the way they are treated by
others.

Depression can also result from lack of exercise and inappropriate
stimulation of brain chemicals that balance mood.

If your child is isolated by his obesity and has low self-esteem he may
experience feelings of hopelessness and begin to lose interest in normal
activities. He may sleep more or less than he used to and he may be more
emotional than normal.

Some children go in the opposite direction and demonstrate an emotionally
'flat' demeanor instead of being extremely emotional.

If you believe your child is depressed, you should talk with him and with
your child's teacher and doctor to agree on a team approach to the problem.

In severe cases, doctors may prescribe medication to get your child through
these temporarily trying times until you can get their physical and
emotional health back on track.

Sleep Disruption - Lack of exercise can impede production and stimulation of
the brain chemicals that control sleep and appetite patterns.

If it is difficult for your child to breathe in certain positions, your
child may also suffer from sleep disruption due to conditions like apnea.

If your child is not getting enough sleep to help them grow and to give them
mental clarity during the day, you will find that these abnormal sleep
patterns will disrupt healthy growth and mental clarity.

Pulmonary Problems - Asthma, wheezing, and shortness of breath are just some
of the complications seen in obese children.

Skin Disorders - Overweight and obese children have a tendency toward skin
conditions and inflammation, especially if the child has deep skin folds on
their body on the abdomen, legs or arms.

Disorders include heat rash, dermatitis and acanthosis nigricans, which may
indicate the onset of Type II Diabetes.

Increased Chance of Adult Obesity - An obese child is much more likely to
become an obese adult, with lifelong health and emotional problems to match!

There is certainly more to the story but if what we have told you already
doesn't frighten you into action, you are probably not paying attention!

Numbers don't lie:

25% of obese children have high blood pressure.

85% of children diagnosed with Type II diabetes are obese

Among grade 9-12 students surveyed in 1999

16% were in the 85th percentile (17% male, 14% female)

10% were in the 95th percentile (12% male, 8% female, )

30% thought of themselves as overweight (36% female, 25% male)

37% of Hispanic students considered themselves overweight

29% of White students considered themselves overweight

25% of Black students considered themselves overweight

43% said they were trying to lose weight (59% female, 26% male)

51% of Hispanic students were trying to lose weight

43% of White students were trying to lose weight

36% of Black students were trying to lose weight

58% used exercise within the past 30 days to lose weight or control weight

67% of girls reported using exercise to lose weight or control weight

49% of boys reported using exercise to lose weight or control weight

40% said they ate less food, consumed fewer calories, or ate foods low in
fat to lose weight or control weigh

56% of girls reported eating less food, consuming fewer calories, or eating
foods low in fat to lose weight or control weight

25% of boys reporting eating less food, consuming fewer calories, or eating
foods low in fat to lose weight or control weight

13% reported fasting (going without eating for 24 hrs or more) to lose
weight or control weight

19% of girls reported fasting

6% of boys reported fasting

o8% reporting taking diet pills, liquids or powders WITHOUT consulting a
doctor to lose or control weight

11% of girls reported taking diet pills, liquids or powders

4% of boys reported taking diet pills, liquids or powders

5% reported vomiting or taking laxatives to lose or control weight

7% of girls reported using these techniques

2% of boys reported using these techniques

We hope you now understand the risks of your child being overweight or
obese.

And you can see from the results of the high-school student survey that
adolescents employ many ways (both healthy and
unhealthy) to try to cope with their weight.

If your child is younger, you can't wait that long to get them back on
track.

If your child is already an adolescent, give them the tools, information and
support to get healthy and to lose weight the RIGHT WAY!

About The Author: Janet Hart is the owner of http://www.freefamilyhelp.com A
free family resource site offering free tips, books, and more. Sign up today
for a free newsletter to receive even more parenting tips!
http://www.freefamilyhelp.com

Is It Possible To Control Your Diabetes With Nutritional Supplements?

Improper nutrition does contribute to the development of diabetes, but
proper nutrition can be a powerful treatment for this disease. (1) This
disease is so closely related to diet and nutrition; scientists have studied
how nutritional supplements can effectively treat diabetes. In researching
vitamin supplements, researchers have found that many vitamins and herbs can
effectively help lower blood sugar. Some of these supplements are vitamin C,
B vitamins, minerals like chromium and vanadyl sulfate, and herbs like
Gymnema Sylvestre can all help lower blood sugar. If one combines these
supplements together, they can synergistically work together to lower blood
sugar. First let's look at what diabetes is and then we can discuss how
these supplements work.

The foods we eat are digested and broken down into simpler forms; most
carbohydrates are broken down into sugar also known as glucose. These sugars
are absorbed through the intestinal tract into the bloodstream where it is
circulated through out the body to feed cells.

Insulin is a hormone released by the pancreas. The pancreas is a long skinny
organ that sits behind the stomach adding enzymes into the digested food.
Insulin helps deliver nutrients and sugar from the bloodstream into cells
where it is needed. The sugar supplies energy to various organs such as the
heart and lungs; for example the heart beats and lungs breathe which keep us
alive as a result of sugar's energy supply. (2,3)

There are two classes of diabetes type I and type II. Type I diabetes is
sometimes called insulin dependent, juvenile or child onset diabetes. This
type usually starts at a very early age and the pancreas stops producing
insulin. When the body does not make insulin, the sugar stays in the
bloodstream instead of going into the cells where it's needed. This can be
fatal, so a person with type I diabetes needs a shot of insulin every day
for his/her body to function properly (to stay alive).

Type II diabetes usually starts in adults and is the most common kind of
diabetes in America. Most people who have diabetes have type II, that's
about 90% -95% of all diabetics in America. In this type of diabetes, the
pancreas is producing enough insulin but the body doesn't use the insulin
effectively.
This is called insulin resistance, cells in the body do not respond to the
insulin and so the pancreas produces more and more insulin to over
compensate this resistance. When blood sugar starts to raise in the
bloodstream in this manner, the medical doctor (MD) will diagnose type II
diabetes. Most type II diabetics need a prescription drug to lower the blood
sugar because a diet change isn't enough to control their blood sugar
problem. (4)

In both cases, the blood sugar is too high in the bloodstream and will cause
several problems. The first problem is cells cannot absorb sugar for energy;
they starve and start to die.
Secondly an excess amount of sugar in the blood leads to cardiovascular
disease, hardening of the arteries, nerve and eye damage, and kidney damage.

Scientists are not exactly sure what causes type I diabetes, but they do
know it has something to do with the immune system.
A healthy immune system protects us from the common cold and cancer cells
(cells in the body that go bad). The immune system can becomes confused and
starts attacking good cells, in some cases, the healthy cells in the
pancreas that produce insulin, which causes diabetes. (4)

Type II diabetes has been linked to individuals who are overweight. These
overweight individuals have high blood pressure and high cholesterol as well
which may also lead to this form of diabetes. Being overweight causes the
body to become insulin resistant and by dropping some excess weight one
could possibly reverse type II diabetes (rare).

If you think you have diabetes, you should look for the following symptoms.
Type I diabetics usually have frequent urination because of the high blood
sugar; the kidneys are trying to balance the body's bloodstream. The kidneys
are forced to eliminate all the unused nutrients and sugar in the blood over
working the kidneys and if left unchecked can lead to kidney damage. If you
experience intense thirst, your body is trying to replace the liquids lost
from frequent urination.
You may experience increased hunger but you will not gain weight when you do
eat more. This is because your body's cells need more nutrients, but since
these cells can not absorb the insulin and nutrients the body starves.

With type II diabetes you might not notice any symptoms. Type II diabetes
usually happens very gradually and the person doesn't know about it till
diabetic complications occur, then it's too late. (3,4)

All diabetic complications are caused from high blood sugar.
The longer the blood sugar goes unchecked the greater your chances of having
complications. High blood sugar causes cardiovascular disease. The blood
vessels begin to thicken from excess fat in the bloodstream because high
blood sugar elevates the fat circulating in the blood. When the vessels
thicken circulation becomes poor and with poor circulation your ability to
heal is impaired. Heart attack, heart pain, and stroke are common in
diabetics because of poor circulation and blocked arteries form all the fat
buildup in the blood vessels.

Nerve damage is another complication of diabetes. Diabetics may notice
numbness in their arms and legs because of nerve damage caused from high
blood sugar. These nerves can not send signals to the brain relaying pain
and touching sensations. Most diabetics will notice numbness in the feet and
lower legs before other parts of the body are effected. (3,4)

The next complication is eye damage. A more sever complication because going
blind is not pleasant for anyone. The eye has very small delicate vessels in
the retina, these vessels help you see when light shines upon them in the
eye. When blood vessels are weakened, they can hemorrhage and leak fluid
into the eye. This causes swelling and blurs the vision. There is a clear
gel in the eye keeping it solid and round, if blood leaks into this gel,
your vision can become blurred or completely impaired. As the eye continues
to get damaged, the eye will attempt to repair itself by growing new
vessels. These new vessels are fragile and can burst. Scar tissue can form
and cause the retina to pull away from the eye, worst case causing
blindness. (3,4)

Blood vessels network throughout the entire body. Your kidneys are made up
of vessels and can become damaged as well. If the vessels in the kidneys
become impaired, waste cannot be eliminated from the body and a form of
treatment called dialysis might be required. If blood sugar is not kept
under control, damage to the kidneys will continue to the point where a
transplant might be needed or daily dialysis is required to remove waste
from the bloodstream. The good news is practically all of the complications
that occur with diabetes can be prevented when the right care is taken.

With proper diet and nutrition one can successfully prevent diabetic
complications. Along with diet and nutrition, vitamins, minerals and herbs
can also help lower blood sugar and reduce the complications that may occur.
The best kind of supplement is one that combines vitamins and herbs together
so that they work together synergistically to effectively lower blood sugar.
You might be wondering what vitamins, minerals and herbs are good for blood
sugar, your in luck here is a list:

Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Vitamin B-6, Folic Acid, Vitamin B-12, Biotin,
Magnesium, Zinc, Selenium, Copper, Manganese, Chromium, Gymnema Sylvestre,
Bitter melon, Fenugreek seed extract, Bilberry berry extract, Bioflavonoids,
and Vanadyl Sulfate.
Make sure most of these ingredients are in the formula you buy.
The frequency at which you take these supplements should be listed on the
bottle you buy as well. As a rule of thumb they should be taken at least
twice a day. Do not stop taking your normal multiple vitamin supplement;
diabetic formulas are a complement to what you currently take not a
replacement.

Vitamin C (ascorbic Acid) - keeps diabetics blood vessels and kidneys
healthy. Vitamin C works with vitamin E to get sugar out of the blood stream
and into the cells.

Vitamin E (Natural Tocopherols) - helps prevent nerve damage, helps prevent
kidney damage, blindness, and heart attack.
Vitamin E works with the B vitamins to help keep the pancreas healthy.

Vitamin B-6 (pyridoxine HCL) - works with folic acid to help prevent nerve
damage and heart attack.

Folic Acid - works with B-12 to help prevent stroke and the loss of limbs
due to diabetic complications.

Vitamin B-12 (cyanocobalamin) - works with B-6 and folic acid to help
relieve neuropathic pain.

Biotin - helps insulin work better and helps keep the pancreas working well
to lower blood sugar.

Magnesium (Krebs Cycle Chelate) - helps insulin work more effectively and
relieves neuropathic pain.

Zinc (picolinate, chelate) - helps insulin work better and helps shuttle
blood sugar into cells.

Selenium (aspartate) - helps prevent nerve damage and protects blood vessels
against elevated blood sugar. Selenium mimics insulin helping blood sugar
into the cells.

Copper (picolinate) - helps protect the cells that produce insulin in the
pancreas. Also, copper helps prevent diabetes-related damage to blood
vessels and nerves, and lowers blood sugar levels.

Manganese - helps prevent damage to nerves and blood vessels.

Chromium (picolinate) - works with biotin to help bring down blood sugar and
keeps the pancreas working well.

Gymnema Sylvestre leaf extract - helps balance blood sugar and may protect
us from gaining weight.

Bitter melon whole fruit extract - helps pathways in the liver work more
efficiently; lowers blood sugar levels.

Fenugreek seed extract - helps our kidneys and liver metabolize blood sugar
more efficiently.

Bilberry berry extract - helps reduce the severity of diabetic cataracts.

Mixed bioflavonoids - helps protect vitamin C and E from becoming damaged.
Helps clear and sharpen vision in diabetics.

Vanadyl sulfate - helps muscle and liver cells use insulin more effectively.

These supplements will not lower your blood sugar too much, but help bring
them down to a more normal level. Diabetes is a disease that needs to be
monitored daily several times throughout the day. When you start taking a
diabetic supplement to help equalize your blood sugar, monitor your sugar
levels more often at first so you can get a feel for where you sugar levels
come down to before taking more insulin. A normal range of blood sugar for
diabetics before a meal is 70 - 150 (1,2,5) and ideally 70 - 120.

The diabetic formula you may take for lowering blood sugar is by no means a
license to eat any way you want. You still need to eat healthy and see your
health practitioner on a regular basis. Diabetes might make you feel
overwhelmed, especially if you have recently been diagnosed with it. With
proper exercise, diet, and vitamin supplements you can be well on your way
to a lower more manageable blood sugar level, and live a longer healthier
life.

References:
1. American Diabetes Association. In the news. Available at:
www.ada.yellowbrix.com/pages/ada. Accessed on December 10, 2001.
2. Guven S, Kuenzi J. Diabetes mellitus. In: Porth CM.
Pathophysiology: Concepts of Altered Health States. 5th ed.
Philadelphia, Pa: Lippincott; 1998: 810-830.
3. Guyton AC, Hall JE. Diabetes mellitus. In: Textbook of Medical
Physiology. 10th Ed. Philadelphia, Pa: W.B. Saunders
Company;2000: .
4. Grodner M, Anderson SL, DeYoung S. Diabetes mellitus. In:
Foundations and Clinical Applications of Nutrition: A Nursing Approach. St.
Louis, Mo: Mosby; 2000:540-548.
5. The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Do
your level best. Available at:
www.niddk.nih.gov/health/diabetes/dylb/chap1.htm#e. Accessed December 31,
2001.

About The Author: Visit VitaNet Health Foods at http://vitanetonline.com/.
VitaNet sells high quality vitamins and herbs at discount prices and name
brands like Source Naturals and Nature's Plus. Please link to this site when
using this article.

Exercise For Women

Unlike men, women have unique life reasons that can interfere with exercise.
These include the birth of a child, marriage, single parenthood, a new job,
divorce, overworking, job stress and returning to school. Time is a big
consideration. After a day of work and childcare, most women prefer to spend
their leisure time in socializing with family and friends, reading and
watching television, rather than rushing to the treadmill. Although some of
the above-mentioned factors are applicable to men, my experience has shown
that women tend to have a harder time to manage exercise on a regular basis.

The benefits of exercise are significant, especially for women. Regular
exercise lowers estrogen levels, reduces body fat, and produces a healthier
body mass index (BMI).
All these factors significantly reduce the risk of breast cancer. Also,
women who perceive themselves as having more energy, fewer emotional
problems, less pain, fewer social problems and lesser feelings of
nervousness and depression are more likely to start exercising. There is a
unique exercise and diet method for women that I have developed on my own,
and it has helped thousands of clients get results.

When starting an exercise program, it is important to remember a few basic
principles -

Get descriptions of exercises, with pictures. Ideally, you want a routine
you can print out, take to the gym or use at home. It should include a start
and end picture of exercises, with a description of technique. Such exercise
charts are available in health clubs and can be found on various websites.
Always obtain a routine from a reliable source and ask questions if you
don't understand anything.
Perform all exercises in a controlled manner. Never sacrifice control for
speed. Breathing is also important.
Never hold your breath while exercising. Remember to inhale as you lower a
weight or relax and exhale as you raise a weight or exert. In an abdominal
crunch, for example, you inhale when coming down and exhale while raising
the head and shoulders off the mat.

Don't do too much too soon. Don't do too much, and don't do too little
either. Every individual is different. This means that walking up the stairs
may be easy for one individual, but strenuous for someone else. The best way
to recognize how hard you're working is to be aware of your breathing
pattern, heart rate and exertion levels.
Moderate-intensity activity is going to make you breathe harder than light
activity, make your heart beat faster and likely make you sweat a little.

Understand the meaning of moderate. There is a simple way to understand
what's moderate for you. Light exercise does not result in any noticeable
effort. Reading the newspaper is a good example. Light exercise results in
noticeable exertion and normal to slightly increased breathing.
Walking a dog can be considered light exercise for many individuals.
Moderate exercise is slightly vigorous.
Gardening, for example, may be associated with deeper breathing to panting
and sweating. Finally, hard exercise involves vigorous exertion, gasping and
heavy sweating.
Think of that aerobics class that's hard to get through!

Frequency is important! 3-4 days a week of moderate exercise for 30-45
minutes each time. Researchers have found that 30 minutes of
moderate-intensity physical activity on most days of the week can reduce the
risk of developing heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, stroke, and
colon cancer. It lessens feelings of depression and anxiety, helps build
bones and muscles, keeps joints functioning well, and in older women
minimizes the risk of falling.

Making the time if it isn't there. You don't have to fit your exercise all
into one session or limit yourself to only one exercise. For example, take a
brisk 15-minute walk during your coffee break and another post-dinner. Use a
bicycle for 15 to 20 minutes. It all adds up. You may find that you can
reach an hour a day of moderate-intensity activity more easily than you
thought.

If you have not done much exercise lately, start adding physical activity to
your life with some simple tips. Park your car further from your destination
and walk. Find a group of friends to walk with on weekend mornings. Garden
or help in home repairs. Take the stairs instead of the elevator or
escalator. Use hand weights while walking.
Vacuum while watching television. Every little bit helps!

----------------------------------------------------
For more information about exercise for women and to register for free,
full-color exercise routines, diet plans and grocery lists, visit
http://www.best-weight-loss-programs.net/ . For free bonuses and exercise
for women, visit http://www.toningforwomen.com/ . To train with Nitin, visit
http://www.phonefitnesstrainer.com/

Strength Training Benefits Women

If you're a woman considering the possibility of exercising regularly, you
may be wondering which type of fitness program is the most effective. I
highly suggest that you give some serious thought to weight training. There
are so many benefits to strength training regularly, particularly as you
grow older.
By training with weights or weight resistance, you will reduce signs and
symptoms of numerous diseases and chronic conditions, such as arthritis,
diabetes, osteoporosis, obesity, back pain and depression.

Many women shy away from weight training because they fear that they'll end
up looking like a muscular bodybuilder. This is physiologically impossible,
since women lack the high levels of testosterone needed to "bulk up." Rather
than looking too muscular, you will become lean and toned. The muscle that
you'll build will burn far more calories than the fat you're currently
carrying around, which will result in your body becoming a calorie burning
machine - even at rest.

As mentioned earlier, the benefits of weight training go beyond physical
beauty. Studies have shown that strength training can decrease pain
associated with moderate to severe knee osteoarthritis by up to 43%, and
will most definitely increase your muscle strength and physical performance.
The effectiveness of weight training in reducing the pain of osteoarthritis
is just as significant (if not more so) as some medications used to treat
this condition.

Additionally, post-menopausal women can lose bone mass at a rate of 1%-2%
annually. Not to worry; strength training actually increases bone density
and reduces the risk of fractures in women.

If you're concerned with your weight, strength training plays a significant
role in managing women's weight. As stated earlier, the muscle you build
will burn more of the calories you consume. This is due to the fact that
muscle is actually an active tissue, which consumes calories; stored fat,
however, uses very little energy and doesn't help to burn your caloric
consumption. If you commit to a regular exercise routine, incorporating
strength training, your metabolic rate can be increased by up to 15%, which
will be tremendously helpful for weight loss, as well as long-term weight
control. Yes, the reduction in weight is fantastic when it comes time to try
on a dress for that special occasion, but with a leaner body, you're also
reducing your risk of heart disease, which is the number one killer of
middle aged women.

While the benefits of strength training are quite obvious with regard to
your overall health, physical appearance and weight control, did you know
that weight training can actually help your state of mind, as well?
Researchers believe this is because in general, women feel better when
they're stronger, and weight training also may produce a biochemical change
in the brain. By regularly training with weights, your self confidence and
self-esteem will be greatly improved, which will likely lead to a tremendous
improvement in your overall quality of life.
Perhaps you're asking yourself, "Whatever happened to the importance of
aerobic exercise?" Well, aerobic and cardio exercises most definitely have a
positive impact on your overall health; after all, these types of exercises
help to maintain your heart and lungs and increase your cardiovascular
fitness and endurance - but, walking, running and swimming simply do not
strengthen your muscles; only strength training will do this. If you want a
lean, toned body with excellent bone density and muscle mass, it's highly
recommended that you strength train at least two to three times per week.

Go ahead and get started; a lean, toned and beautiful body can be yours if
you're willing to invest even a small amount of time and effort.

About The Author: Susan Megge is the founder of
http://www.40isbeautiful.com, a website designed to assist women as they
approach and experience menopause. Susan, a health and fitness expert
started experiencing symptoms of menopause several years ago and researched
various avenues to deal with these symptoms naturally. This led to her
discovery that exercise and fitness play a crucial role in making menopause
a very manageable, and even wonderful time in a woman's life. Susan Megge is
the author of "Being Beautiful Beyond 40," a book dedicated to helping women
to be inspired, confident and beautiful as they approach menopause.

Identify The Roots Of Type 1 Or Juvenile Diabetes Early

Juvenile diabetes or Type 1 diabetes is common among children.
Every year, around 13,000 new cases of Juvenile diabetes are reported in
America. True to its name, it mostly attacks the children but adults as well
come into its hold.

In juvenile diabetes, shortage of supply of insulin and glucose builds up in
the bloodstream as cells are unable to use it. The body is unable to use the
entire glucose because it is available in the bloodstream only.

This increases hunger. You consume more food, but suffer from fatigue.
Frequent urination is another symptom of this type of diabetes. What happens
later is insulin producing beta cells of the pancreas are totally destroyed
by body's own immune system.
Hence the necessity arises to get the supply of insulin from the outside
sources.

Some other specific symptoms of Type I diabetes are:

In women, absence of menstruation, blurred vision, nausea and vomiting mark
the arrival of this disease. Unbearable abdominal pain, abrupt weight loss
despite normal or increased appetite, exhaustion when you walk short
distances, more exhaustion if you climb are the other common symptoms.

You can not arrive at the final conclusion with regard to the diabetes
condition with the presence of the above conditions alone. For further
confirmation, diagnostic approach is also necessary. The most desirable test
is insulin test. This test gives the firm indications/results, whether you
have the diabetes or not.

As soon as the symptoms re-confirmed, hospitalization is the initial step to
regulate the insulin level. But diabetes is not a disease that has the
guaranteed cure. Though, it can be controlled with apt care. There is also
the fear of Type I diabetes turning to Type II diabetes. You need to
understand your diabetes in proper perspective by knowing about the diabetic
related problems. Call it diabetic education. Dietary changes are inevitable
as diet is the important factor for curbing as well as increasing the
diabetes condition.

Take control of the disease; never allow it to take control of you. If you
ignore the disease at the initial stages, it may lead to several other types
of serious diseases such as high blood pressure, heart related diseases and
paralysis.

About The Author: To get more information on diabetes, type 1 diabetes and
juvenile diabetes visit http://www.diabitieslife.com/diabetes/

Diabetes: A Far Reaching Condition

Diabetes is a disease that affects a lot of people. It is where your body
has imbalanced blood sugar levels. This disease can lead to pain, injury,
and in some cases death. However, you shouldn't be alarmed as there are
cures for diabetes.

As you eat food your body must break it down so that it can be absorbed and
stored for daily activity. With diabetes the insulin that helps break down
the food and turn it into glucose isn't being produced or used correctly. In
some cases the cells that produce insulin are damaged or dead.

In order to help heal diabetes it is necessary to find a way to get insulin
to the body. This can be done with insulin shots which help regulate your
insulin so you can absorb the glucose correctly. However, there is no direct
cure for diabetes. Once you come down with it there are good chances you
will always suffer with the effects of diabetes.

While there may not be a cure there are ways to prevent diabetes. The best
way is to stay in shape and eat healthy. A lot of overweight people get
diabetes because of their bad eating and exercising habits. If you stay at a
good average weight and keep active with exercise plus eat healthy you
greatly reduce your risk of getting diabetes. Diet and exercise can also
help keep diabetes at bay if it is caught in the early stages.

Even by taking these basic steps there is still a chance of getting
diabetes. If you believe you have come down with this disease you should
contact your doctor immediately and see if there is something you can do to
help treat it. Remember, catching it early is very helpful to treating any
disease and will give you time to learn more and be prepared for it.

About The Author: Visit the The Diebetes Voice for more
information: http://thediebetesvoice.typepad.com/

Every Person Before Developing Type 2 Diabetes Almost Always Has Pre-diabetes

What is Pre-diabetes? This is a fact that before developing diabetes
mellitus type 2, almost always that patient develops Pre-diabetes condition.
Though we will not diagnose that person as diabetic, but if he or she will
not control his or her blood suger level, he will probably have diabetes
mellitus in future.
In pre-diabetes, blood sugar levels are in higher limits, but not yet high
enough to be diagnosed as diabetes mellitus. In USA only, more than 54
million people have pre-diabetes condition.During pre-diabetes damage to
heart and circulatory system may already be occuring.

Various studies have shown that if you control your pre-diabetes condition
earlier, then there are very less chances to develop type 2 diabetes
mellitus, or you can delay it to develop. So always try to manage your blood
glucose under control limits when you are in pre-diabetic stage to prevent
yourself from developing type 2 diabetes.

Do you have Pre-diabetes Condition, How to Tell? There are two important
tests that can tell you that you are having pre-diabetes condition. 1-The
fasting plasma glucose test (FPG)
2: Oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). Your doctor can do any of these two
tests. Fasting Plasma Glucose Test values for pre-diabetes are between
100mg/dl to 125mg/dl. If your glucose level is below 100mg/dl, then you have
normal metabolism, if above 125mg/dl then you have Diabetes. It means if
your level is between 100-125mg/dl, then you will have pre-diabetes. In case
of OGTT, if less than 140mg/dl, then normal, between 140-200mg/dl is
pre-diabetic condition and above 200mg/dl is diabetic condition.

How you can prevent pre-diabetes? Pre-diabetes can be very lethal to your
health if you will not manage it seriously.
Sooner or later you will probably have type 2 diabetes. There are two simple
things that you can do to get rid of this pre-diabetes situation. You can
also even get your glucose level within normal limits if you follow these 3
steps. A:
Change in your diet habit. Try to avoid sweets in your diet. B:
Half hour moderate exercise C: Weight reduction. Just 30 minutes daily
moderate physical activity or exercise, along with a 5-10% reduction in body
weight, can produce a 58% reduction in diabetes

Who should get tested for pre-diabetes? If you are overweight and above 45
years of age, then you should have your FPG and OGTT. If you are not
overweight and above 45, should consult your doctor. If you are below 45 and
overweight, you should also check your fasting plasma glucose level.

How often should I be tested? If you are having normal blood glucose levels
you should have FPG test every 3 years. If you have pre-diabetes, you should
be checked for type 2 diabetes every year after your diagnosis of
pre-diabetes.

Children pre-diabetes Children have much less chances of developing
pre-diabetes condition, however if they are very obese then one must think
of pre-diabetes condition and get yourself be checked for pre-diabetes

About The Author: Dr. Armughan Riaz (Consultant Cardiologist) maintaining
following sites http://www.diabetessymptomscure.com
http://www.highbloodpressuremed.com

What Is Zone Diet?

The Zone Diet is among one of the five popular diets of today.
It was created by a researcher from MIT called Barry Sears. The diet is
concerned with maintaining a balance of proteins and carbohydrates thereby
keeping insulin levels steady.

Barry Sears theorized that obesity is caused mainly through insulin
imbalance and he found that most diets recommended a program which was low
in fats and high in carbohydrates. This leads the body to produce an excess
of insulin and the result is obesity.

The goal of the Zone diet is to reach a level where the two hormones of
eicosanoids and insulin are kept in careful balance. If you control these
two in certain zones, your decrease the amount of fat in your body, increase
blood flow, decrease inflammation, improve your mental and physical stamina
and reduce your chances of having diabetes and heart disease.

Under the Zone diet, you try to keep your portion of carbohydrate and
protein to a ratio of four parts carbohydrate to one part protein. The
protein should be about three to four ounces at one meal which is what the
FDA and USDA recommend amount. For the carbohydrates, most your intake
should be restricted to fruits and vegetables with a minimum amount of rice,
potatoes, bread and other grains. Under this diet you should use
monounsaturated fats such as safflower oil and olive oil and other oils that
are considered healthy for your heart.

According to Sears, the high carbohydrate diets encourage their followers to
eat more car hydrates which increases insulin and in turn causes weight
gain. Unlike the Atkins diet which requires its followers to maintain a diet
high in protein without a thought to the fat content (which causes ketosis
which can be unhealthy), the Zone diet strikes as optimal balance between
carbohydrate, protein and fat intake.

The Zone diet considers fish oil an important supplement to the diet.
Pharmaceutical grade fish oil contains omega 3 fatty acids that are
important to the cells. In the past five years numerous studies have proved
that Omega 3 fatty acids and fish are an important nutrient for a healthy
diet.

An example of a Zone Diet meal would be:

Spinach salad with walnuts and apples and a walnut oil with lemon

3oz of broiled salmon
I glass of juice-fruit or vegetable
½ cup of brown rice

Who is the Zone Diet for?

Check with your doctor for any serious conditions before you start changing
your diet. People who have heart disease may have a different plan under the
Zone diet than those who have diabetes. The amount of food and the balance
is important for a healthy diet and can be maintained throughout a person’s
life.

About The Author: Rachel Gillespe is a staff writer at
http://www.diet-gazette.com and is an occasional contributor to several
other websites, including http://www.womens-digest.com.

Do You Have High Blood Pressure?

One of the riskiest medical conditions that often goes unnecessarily
undiagnosed is high blood pressure. Testing for high blood pressure and
treating it if this disease is diagnosed is relatively simple, but many
people just do not regularly schedule check-ups or otherwise test their
blood pressure. Unfortunately, high blood pressure is the precursor to many
serious diseases and medical conditions, such as heart disease and diabetes.
It can also lead to heart failure, heart attack, and stroke if not treated.
By being sure to regulate your blood pressure closely, you can prevent
something more serious from happening to your body.

High blood pressure causes an excess amount of stress on the artery walls.
This causes the heart to have to pump harder, which promotes unhealthy
tissue growth and a weakening of the heart muscle. When the heart muscle is
weak, you can inadvertently cause it to stop if you overexert yourself. High
blood pressure is also a symptom that points to over potential problems for
your heart. For example, when high blood pressure is caused by plaque
build-up in the artery walls, you should understand that the most major risk
of this is heart attack. If too much plaque builds up at a specific section
of the blood vessel, it could close off completely, causing heart attack.
Similarly, even if it does not close completely, a piece of the plaque could
break off from the wall, travel down the blood vessel, and get lodges in a
smaller vessel or in the heart itself, also causing a heart attack.

Beyond the heart, a similar thing can happen to the brain. If a piece of
plaque cuts off a blood vessel in the brain, you suffer from a stroke. While
you can eventually regain heart-health again after a mild heart attack, the
effects of a stroke can be long lasting or permanent, depending on where in
your brain the effected blood vessel is located. Because blood is cut off
from your brain, oxygen cannot travel to this area, and so pieces of the
brain die. Some cannot be rebuilt, and some, if they die, result in death.

If that's not scary enough, high blood pressure can cause or be an indicator
of many other small health problems that can add up to a very sickly body.
For example, high blood pressure is often an indicator of too much glucose
in the blood stream, causing or caused by diabetes. Even if you do not have
diabetes, you are still at risk for chronic renal (kidney) failure if you
have high blood pressure.

It is unfortunate that so many people needlessly suffer from these diseases.
High blood pressure is easy to diagnose at your doctor's office, but even if
you do not wish to make an appointment to have your blood pressure checked,
you can still regulate yourself. Many home testing kits are available on the
market to do just this, and if you follow the directions carefully, they can
be quite accurate. There is really no excuse for going undiagnosed, so take
care of your body by checking your blood pressure today.

About The Author: Paul Johnson has an interest in High Blood Pressure. For
further information on High Blood Pressure please visit
http://www.natural-blood-pressure-reduction.com/bloodpressure.html
or
http://natural-blood-pressure-reduction.com/blog/2006/10/10/do-you-have-high
-blood-pressure/

5 Major Things You Need To Know About Cholesterol

All this time, people or professionals only talk about ways to lower your
cholesterol. But, have they really explained to you the significant details
about cholesterol that you need to know before trying to lower the level?

If they haven't, these 5 basic facts about cholesterol are important for
you:

1. Cholesterol Levels

There are actually five different ways that you can use in order to get a
complete reading on your own cholesterol levels and they are: total
cholesterol levels, HDL, LDL, total/HDL ratio, LDL/HDL ratio.
Measurement units for checking your cholesterol are conducted as milligrams
per deciliter.

Your overall desired level should be below 200 mg/dL, 200 to 240 for a
borderline level and total risk above level 240.

2. HDL Level

HDL stands for High Density Lipoproteins. It is actually just a section of
your overall cholesterol.
The normal range of HDL level for men about 40 to 50 mg/dL, and for women 50
to 60 mg/dL.
The higher it is the better. Their role in our body is to carry cholesterol
away from the body as soon as LDL has brought it.
They're the ones that help you reduce the risk of heart disease and cardiac
problems.

3. LDL Level

LDL stands for Low Density Lipoproteins. When it comes to LDL, you prefer
the level to be low. Why? Because they can clog arteries and kill us. That's
why they are called bad cholesterol.

Yet, the balance between HDL and LDL is what gives us general health.

4. How to Lower Your Cholesterol

The alternatives to using drugs are natural cholesterol reducers which could
also be found in many whole foods.

One of them is garlic. Garlic is considered a natural reducer because it
acts as an inhibitor. The other one is omega 3. Fish oils with their
omega-3-fatty acids are also known to reduce heart disease by at least 40%.

5. Risk Factors for High Cholesterol

There are some risk factors that might cause high cholesterol that you'd
better avoid.

Fast foods, chips, soft drinks, candy bars, refined sugars, butter cream,
fried cheese, fried dough, and cotton candy are foods that we've been
enjoying since we were kids. But, they are the foods that can contribute to
your high cholesterol.

They taste delicious in our mouth but they are harmful for our health. Don't
let a little joy hurt you. Diabetes, kidney disease, liver disease,
hyperthyroidism are just some of the dangers that these foods can cause;
high cholesterol is just another side effect.

However, this above basic knowledge will be easier to apply if you have
decided to lead a healthy lifestyle. Make sure that you won't suffer from
any disease only because of your ignorance of health.

About The Author: Riana Lance has a deep concern on health. Get her
inspirational e-mail guides on How to Make Your Cholesteol Lower at
http://www.healthifica.com/reports/lower-cholesterol.php Also, grasp her
other motivational health tips at http://www.healthifica.com, a
worth-to-visit daily updated blog.

Does Birth Control Pills And Patches Risk Heart Patients?

How does the consumption of the birth control pills affect the risks of the
heart diseases?

It is always not a risk for the healthy and young women to consume the pills
leading to the birth control. Whereas in cases of women in the age group of
say around thirty five years or more consumption of such pills increases the
heart disease risks. Even in the case when the women posses either high
cholesterol levels, high blood pressure or diabetes the heart disease risk
is increased. Not to forget even the women who smoke have high heart disease
risks. It is always advisable to consult the doctor before the consumption
of such birth control pills.

How does the birth control patch affect the risks for the heart disease
victims?

Similar to the birth control pills, the birth control patch is found to be
safe for the healthy and the young women. Whereas women in the age group of
thirty five or even more the risks are much higher for such birth control
patches.

The latest study made shows that women making the birth control patch are
much more exposed to the estrogen hormone. The estrogen hormone helps in
favoring the likelihood of a women from becoming pregnant. Research is also
in progress to find out whether the birth control patch causes blood clots.
These blood clots can easily lead to an heart stroke or an attack.

Below is a list of symptoms which must be observed for those consuming the
birth control pills

a)Problems in the eyes such as the double or the no vision.
b)Ache in the arm or that of the upper body.
c)Severe headaches.
d)Breathing trouble.
e)Vomiting of the blood.
f)Ache or even swelling in the regions of leg.
g)Change of the color of the skin to yellow h)Lumps in the breast i)Abnormal
bleeding from the vagina, usually heavy bleeding.

If any of the symptoms listed so far is observed. It is always recommended
to take the physician's advice and prescription.
The prescription could be to either take medication or even getting admitted
to the hospital.

About The Author: Justin foss is the proud owner of the site
http://www.mymedicenter.com where he spends most of his time to make it
better.

Does Heart Diseases Concern Women?

Should there be any importance given to heart disease by women?

The answer to this question is a simple yes. In America alone, one among
three those who die of an heart disease is a woman.
When compared to the death due to the cancers in the year 2003, two times as
much as this the women died of either stroke and the heart diseases also
known as the cardiovascular disease together. This does not mean that the
heart disease is a concern only to the certain age group of women. Heart
disease is a concern to all the age groups of women.

Humans of both the sexes are prone to heart diseases. The deaths are much
high in the case of the women. This does not mean that the heart diseases
cannot be cured at all. There exists certain treatments which could actually
limit the trouble caused by the heart disease. Such treatments are given in
less than an hour from the occurrence of an heart attack.

It is recommended for a patient to consult the doctor if there exits any
symptoms of heart diseases. On such occasions the doctor provides the
appropriate prescription of the medicines or even ask to get admitted in the
hospital.

Is complexion a matter of worry to the women?

Experience has proved that either the hispanic, latina or the african women
are more prone to acquire heart disease. This is due to the fact that these
women have high risk factors like the diabetes, obesity and high blood
pressure when compared with the white women population. These factors
increases the risk of heart diseases among the non white women.

It is a high risk of life for those possessing heart disease as well as
having either the diabetes, the obesity or the high blood pressure. A
careful cure and medication towards such additional sickness is there by a
must.

>From the discussion made so far it is very clear that women and
especially the hispanic, latina or the african have risks of the heart
diseases. Besides this, those suffering from the high blood pressure,
obesity and diabetes are clear supplements to the high risks of the heart
diseases.

About The Author: Justin foss is the proud owner of the site
http://www.mymedicenter.com where he spends most of his time to make it
better.

Ultrasound And Other Mid-pregnancy Tests

With advances in technology, even if there was a problem with the prenatal
development of your baby, doctors are able to respond sooner. This is all
made possible due to technologies such as ultrasound. It is a common
misconception that pregnancy testing takes place only once, at the beginning
of your pregnancy. Nothing could be further from the truth - from
ultrasounds to blood tests, you will be bombarded with test after test up
until even the very morning of your delivery date.

1. Primary Testing

Quite a lot of blood work is performed initially for various reasons
including whether you are Rh negative or positive, your immunity to viruses
such as rubella, and whether you have a more serious condition such as
hepatitis B, or HIV. At this initial visit you will also receive a physical
and internal examination to check your capability for giving birth, and if
necessary, a smear test.

2. High Risk Testing

Ultrasound, unfortunately, is not merely a tool that allows the mother to
see her child before it is born, or to determine the sex of the child prior
to childbirth. The real purpose of an ultrasound is very much the same
reason that you might need to get an x- ray - there is something potentially
quite wrong with you beneath your skin where a simple visual analysis is
insufficient. Don't worry, however, this is actually a routine procedure
carried out at 18 weeks for all pregnant women.

3. Ultrasounds Can -

- Determine early the gender of the baby
- Measure the placenta
- Check embryonic fluid composition
- Ensure the umbilical cord is not causing any complications
- Ensure there is no internal bleeding

4. Gestational Diabetes

Pregnancy testing against gestational diabetes is carried out on all
pregnant women during their second trimester. This primarily involves
fasting until the test, then drinking a special glucose drink, waiting a
specified period of time and then checking the blood sugar level with a
simple finger prick blood test. If the blood sugar levels are off the charts
then you will have to go for additional blood testing at a later date.

5. Amniocentesis

You are only elidgeable for this level of testing if you are over 35 years
of age or if you have a medical history in your family such as Down's
syndrome. Usually carried out between 14 and 20 weeks of pregnancy, there is
a slight risk of miscarriage as a result of this test so it is not
compulsory.

6. Chorionic Villus Sampling

The most feared and invasive of all pregnancy tests, this is an exhausting
test for a woman to endure. Carried out between weeks 10 and 13 of
pregnancy. This test is only carried out when there is an absolutely urgent
need to determine the health status of the baby.

About The Author: For more great pregnancy related articles and resources
check out http://great-pregnancy.info

Heart Disease First Aids

The three main initiatives to be taken by the heart disease victims

1.The weight must be normal

Compared to an average person, the risks of the heart disease is much more
in the overweight person. The victim needs to regularly check the BMI or the
Body Mass Index itself to check the abnormalities in the weight. An exercise
of about half an hour on a regular basis throughout the week is recommended.
The patient should be on a healthy diet throughout their life. Some of the
main ingredients of the diet should include the entire type of grains,
fruits and vegetables. A very fast walk in the lunch break is good.
Replacing the stairs instead of the elevator is suggested.

2.The triglyceride and the cholesterol levels need to be tested

Increase in the cholesterol levels in the blood can lead to the block of the
flow of blood in the arteries. This could make the heart not to receive any
more blood. Eventually this leads to a heart attack. A type of the fats in
the blood flow is referred to as the triglyceride. Even an increase in the
levels of triglyceride in the blood leads to a heart disease in some cases.
Till now there does not exist any symptoms to check the abnormalities in the
level of either the triglyceride or the cholesterol. Therefore it is
strictly advised to have a regular check on their levels. Consult a doctor
if there is an increase in either of their levels. The doctor can provide a
valuable prescription to decrease the level of the cholesterol or the
triglyceride.

3.Check if the patient is suffering from diabetes.

People suffering from the diabetes have a higher chance of having a heart
disease. There is high level of blood sugar or the blood glucose itself in
the diabetes patients. The high blood sugar level does not show any symptoms
in the patient.
Therefore it is wise always to regularly have a check on the blood sugar
level. On the consultation of a physician, the physician decides whether the
insulin or the pills need to be taken. The physician could also provide a
timetable for the food and the exercises.

A brief light is thrown on the three main essential steps that need to be
taken to avoid the risks of the heart diseases.

About The Author: Justin foss is the proud owner of the site
http://www.mymedicenter.com where he spends most of his time to make it
better.

How To Prevent Stretch Marks During Pregnancy

For many women-especially those who favor bikinis-stretch marks are more to
be dreaded than flabby thighs. Nevertheless, 90% of all women will develop
pink or reddish, slightly indented, sometimes itchy streaks on their
abdomen, hips and/or breasts, sometime during pregnancy. Stretch marks, also
called striae distensae, occur most frequently on the abdomen, but some
women also get them on the breasts, buttocks or thighs.

Stretch marks usually occur in the dermis, or elastic mid-layer of the skin.
Repeated or sudden stretching of this layer causes a breakdown of the
tissue, leaving behind scar tissue. Stretch marks usually occur during mid-
to late pregnancy. As their name implies, Scar tissue that forms when the
normal elasticity of the skin can't keep up with the stretching required
during pregnancy is called stretch marks. Stretch marks are generally due to
a large and/or rapid increase in weight.

Mothers-to-be whose skin tone is good and elastic either because of heredity
or because they have maintained years of healthy nutrition and positive
exercise habits may go through one or more pregnancies without any
striations. Others, by keeping weight gain gradual, moderate and steady may
be able to minimize and possibly prevent stretch marks.

Other things to try

Be sure that your diet contains adequate sources of the nutrients needed for
healthy skin. Remember, stretch marks can result from nutritional
deficiency. Be sure to consume foods that promote skin health. Eat plenty of
zinc-rich foods such as fish and nuts. Foods like carrots, milk and citrus
fruits are high in vitamins C, D, and A. Choose 2-3 servings daily of
protein-rich foods such as eggs. Sufficient protein is essential.

Promoting the elasticity of your skin by nourishing it with good diet and
nutritional choices may help. Do you remember mother telling you to drink
lots of water? It's important for the health of your baby and can help keep
your skin supple and more unlikely to develop stretch marks. Caffeine will
increase your risk of developing stretch marks. If you must drink caffeine
drinks, tea or coffee, make sure your water intake matches or exceed your
caffeinated drink intake.

Understand that stretch marks are caused from within, and external
treatments can't remove or prevent them. Money spent on expensive or exotic
skin creams may make you feel like you're doing something, but it won't make
the stretch marks disappear.

No cream, lotion, or oil, no matter how expensive, will prevent or alleviate
stretch marks-although they may be fun for your partner to rub on the
affected areas and will prevent your skin from drying out.

Even though keeping your skin soft and supple won't prevent stretch marks,
it might help minimize them and it may help you feel better about yourself.
Some women find that cocoa butter helps keep the skin soft. A gentle massage
with oil or cream-on your own or with the help of your mate-may be
pleasurable and relaxing as well as an aid to soft, smooth skin.

If you do develop stretch marks during pregnancy, you can console yourself
with the knowledge that they will gradually fade to a silvery sheen some
months after delivery. Just look upon this marks not as a disfigurement but
the badge of honor for mothers..

After the pregnancy, when the stretch marks have faded, some women choose to
visit a cosmetic or laser surgeon who may select dermabrasion or chemical
peels to reduce the unsightly scars. Recent developments in laser techniques
have offered hope for those who choose to have the scars permanently
removed.

About The Author: Gen Mason is a loving mother of 2 beautiful children. To
learn about losing weight during and after pregnancy go to
http://www.pregnancy-without-pounds.com

Prenatal Massage

Pains and aches are part and parcel of every pregnancy.
Physical discomfort, muscular tensions, headaches, backaches, pains occur
due to increase in weight, shifting posture and hormone levels. Pre natal
massages aim to improve circulation, alleviate aches and pains, eases
muscular tensions and other pregnancy related symptoms, perking up expectant
mother's mood and mental attitude.

Stress related areas which demand attention are back, neck and shoulder.
Massaging the legs reduces blood pooling and full body massage to the
head/scalp, feet, hands and face area provides relief from tensions and
aches. All the areas should be massaged gently and pressure should be
applied when needed.

Experienced masseurs pick ways that are safe and effective and provide
special pampering and comfort. Prenatal massage offers encompasses a broad
range of benefits such as:

- Increases circulation
- Improves digestion
- Reduces fatigue
- Reduces swelling in hands and lower legs, fewer calf cramps
- Eases backaches, headaches, shoulder and neck aches caused due to muscular
tension and postures to accommodate the increasing weight.
- Lessens pain in the pelvic/hip area
- Alleviates stress on weight bearing joints such as knees, ankle and lower
back
- Promotes relaxation and deep breathing
- Reduces stress hormones
- Decreased insomnia
- Helps in maintaining proper posture

Prenatal massage during pregnancy is beneficial emotionally as it allows
soon to be moms to unwind, feel calm, healthy and comforted during the
period of physical and emotional stress.

Prenatal massage can be done in different ways. Expectant moms mostly lie on
their sides. A newly designed pillow especially for expecting mothers is
available. This pillow has deep center cutout enabling the moms to lie flat
on their bellies making them relaxed and comfortable. Lying flat on back
reduces circulation of blood to the mother and child; pillows are used to
keep the mother's body in elevated position. Body pillows are used for side
lying positions too.

After delivery, new moms are under all kind of emotional and physical
stress, especially sleep deprivation. Post partum massage is therapeutic,
helping the body to return to its normal state by adjusting to the physical
and emotional demands of their little one.

Massage is usually safe for most mothers, though it is advisable to check
with your doctor prior to getting one. If you have high BP or diabetes,
prenatal massage is not recommended. It is ideal that you tell your
therapist if you any problems or complications with your pregnancy. Duration
of the massage can be anywhere from 10 minutes to one hour. It depends on
how much discomfort you are experiencing and how much time you have on hand.
Massage once a week during 2nd trimester and twice a week or more during 3rd
trimester are ideal.

About The Author: Sharon Hopkins manages
http://www.masssagehealththerapy.com. Massage is a therapeutic treatment to
treat fatigue, stress, illness and injury for physical and emotional well
being. Pre natal massages for expectant moms rejuvenate the mind and body
and eliminate stress and other pregnancy related symptoms.

Determining Your Baby Shower Guest List

Pregnancy is always an exciting time. You are busy thinking about a thousand
things - what sex the baby will be, what name to choose, how to decorate the
nursery, etc. But, many of your friends probably have one thing at the top
of their priority list - your baby shower. Baby showers are a great time to
get together with friends and celebrate the upcoming birth and all the
excitement that goes with that.

When the appropriate time comes, you will probably be approached by at least
one friend about a baby shower. This may be your best friend from high
school or the girlfriend you ran around with while still single. You may
even be approached by relatives who want to throw a shower for you. Some
people have multiple baby showers - one thrown by family members, one thrown
by friends and one thrown by coworkers. No matter who throws the shower for
you, you will need to think about whom to put on the guest list. Chances
are, your aunt, best friend or coworker are not going to know everyone you
would like to invite, so she is going to need a little help from you.

First, you will need to decide if you think you are going to have more than
one shower. If you hear rumors of a family shower, you probably do not want
to invite family members to your "friends" shower. If you have coworkers
that are also close friends, you do not want to invite them to your
"friends"
shower only to find out you are having a work related shower as well. So
keep your ears open to try to find out as much as possible to avoid
duplicate invitations. You can even ask people you are close to if you feel
comfortable enough and explain to them why you are asking. It will not be
the worst thing if Aunt Silvia has to tell you to hold off on inviting your
best friend to the family shower "just because."

Be sure to ask the shower host how many people can attend the shower. It may
depend on where the shower is being held. Some people have their showers at
their church so there is plenty of room and seating, but many people have
them in their homes, so there may be a limited amount of space. You also do
not want to overload your shower host's budget. She may be thinking you will
invite fifteen people and you do not want to show up with a list of a
hundred people. Remember that the shower invitations, decorations, and
refreshments are going to cost your host money and you want to be respectful
of her generosity in offering to throw you a shower.

Once you have an idea of what type of baby showers you are going to have,
then you need to sit down and write out a list.
You may want to jot down names on a sheet of paper before you start looking
up addresses. You may even want to ask some other people whom you should
invite. With all you have going on, chances are you may forget someone, so
it will be useful to have another person helping you. You do not want to
hurt anyone's feelings by unintentionally leaving them off the guest list.

After you get your list set, you will need to start gathering addresses.
Actually giving your names and addresses to the host may best be done on the
computer if you are comfortable using it. Many people already keep names and
addresses in online address books, so giving your host your shower list may
be as simple as printing the address list and checking the names of those
you want to invite. If you do not have your addresses online, you can type
them into a spreadsheet to give to your shower host. An online copy of
addresses may come in handy depending on whether she is going to have
addresses printed on envelopes, print address labels for the envelopes, or
hand write the addresses on each envelope. No matter how she is going to do
it, having a nice, clear copy of all names and addresses will be beneficial.

Finally, if you forget someone important on your list and feel badly about
it, invite them out to a special one-on-one lunch with you. It will not be
the same as being at the shower, but can help mend hurt feelings from being
left out.

Have fun determining your baby shower list. Call a few of your closest
friends, grab your old address books and have a good time reminiscing as you
jot down names.

About The Author: Jennifer Barnett is a successful party planner providing
valuable tips and advice on planning a baby shower that is inexpensive, fun
for the guests with baby shower games, and choosing the perfect baby shower
gift.
http://www.about-baby-showers.com