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.

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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.

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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.