There are millions of people being diagnosed with diabetes daily and the numbers are increasing. If you have been diagnosed with diabetes, it is in your best interest to avoid being the increasing statistic of death due to diabetes. You can prevent this by strictly following a diabetic diet to keep diabetes at bay or under control.

Read the labels when you are purchasing diabetic diets food. The thing to look for is the amount of calorie attributed with the food you want to buy. This calorie value is much too high for diabetic diet. You will need to recalculate the calorie values into grams and adjust that into your diet plan.

The timing of meals is also important on a diabetic diet. Do not be tempted to skip your meal as it can have adverse effect, especially to those that have insulin dependency. The stability of your insulin and food intake can severely be disrupted when you skip a meal. Diabetes patients often takes insulin injection as calculated with the timing of the meals taken.

These guidelines suggest limiting fat intake, limiting dietary cholesterol, a diet rich in fiber, eat fresh fruits in moderation, limit the amount of protein that is eaten and reduce your salt intake. What should be the goal for any diabetic sufferer is to have atleast five serving of fruits and vegetable, six serving of grains and two serving of fish per week.

For diabetic sufferers, never be tempted to eat in between meals. This is because if too much food is eaten at the wrong times, it can lead to weight gain. Other than that it will also disrupt the effectiveness of any insulin injection that you take to control the diabetic problem. Always remember to follow the diet plans as outlined by your doctor for you.

Having said that, nothing are set in stone for the control of diabetes in any person. A healthy lifestyles means that you are less prone to the disease and it is best to follow the recommendations given. The suggestion above is based on the US dietary guidelines.

When you have questions that need immediate answer, always seek the best answer from the most reliable source. Your doctor is more than willing to answer all of your questions and if he is not available, set up an appointment as soon as possible.

Looking for more information on diabetes and its related symptoms and illness, Get FREE info regarding Diabetes Diet Mellitus Diet Plan from this website Educate yourself and make informed decision.

"You might as well eat the box. IT has more nutrition than the cereal inside". These are the words of my mother every morning when I was a kid.

Of course, that was the 1960s which was the real beginning of the popularity of pre-prepared convenience foods. Nutrition science was more geared toward preventing beri beri than promoting health and longevity.

Nutrition science has come a long way since then and provides you new tools as the Glycemic Index (GI) and the Glycemic Load (GL)

What is the Glycemic Index (GI)? The Glycemic Index is a ranking of foods based on how they affect blood glucose (sugar) levels. Since protein and fat don't really impact blood glucose, it's really an index of the rate that carbohydrates are broken down in the gut and enter the bloodstream. The higher the GI number, the faster it goes into the blood.

Eating high GI foods triggers an insulin mechanism which causes the body to store fat. For most of us, eating a lot of high GI foods causes an increase in fat storage.

Most beans, whole grains and non-starchy vegetables have a low glycemic index; while sugars, foods made from refined flour (eg., white bread), most fruits and some root vegetables have a high GI.

The more processed, cooked or chewed a food is, the higher the GI because the gut doesn't have much to break down. Soluble fiber, like in beans slows down the release of carbohydrates in the blood. The degree of ripeness of a fruit: more ripe = higher GI. acidic foods, like lemon juice and vinegar slow release of sugar. Salty foods increase the rate of release. Protein in a meal will lower the overall GI of the whole meal.

What is the Glycemic Load (GL)? Now, if you take a look on the web at one of the many glycemic index listings available, you will notice that carrots have a very high GI almost as much as sugar! That does seem a bit odd. Enter the concept of glycemic load index (GL).

The GL takes into account not only the type of sugar (how quickly it spikes blood sugar) but also the amount of other stuff in the food that doesn't affect blood sugar - like water and fiber. There is a mathematical calculation which I won't bore you with.

For example, a half-cup serving of carrots has a GI of 131 (very high) but since it is mostly fiber and water has only 6.2 grams of carbs. The glycemic load of that portion size is 6 (low GL). By contrast, a plain five-ounce bagel has a GI of 72 (high) and has 65 grams of carbohydrate. Its glycemic load is very high at 47.

How Is This Useful? The GL index is a recent development and is still mostly used by diabetics to balance the blood sugar release of whole meals. The GI, which was developed in the early 1980s, helps diabetics manage nutrition, but endurance athletes also use it for "Carbo Loading". It is common for athletes to use low and medium GI foods before an event and high GI foods during and after the event to fuel the muscles quickly for recovery.

The Bottom Line? Eating low on the GI is an easy way for all of us who want to keep our body efficiently using fat rather than storing it and to keep our energy levels consistent throughout the day.

If you don't want to confuse yourself with GI and GL food tables, you can adopt "Anti-Aging Fitness" nutrition plan. The "white list" is low GL/GI. The "black list" is high GL/GI and the "grey list" is medium GL/GI. Easy to remember and follow.

Happy and healthy eating!

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Diabetes is an affection which occurs is the body has a problem in making or using the insulin. The role of the insulin is to take the glucose from the blood and move it to cells which use it for producing energy. If the insulin is not enough or it can not be used by the body then the glucose will remain in the blood and the symptoms of diabetes will appear.

In some cases the body produces enough insulin but this can not enter the cells and help the process of producing energy. This way the glucose will remain in the blood, causing hyperglycemia and the level of the insulin will be high too as it is not used by the cells. Most of these patients which are known to have insulin resistance are also obese. The fat cells stop the insulin from being used by the other cells and this also counts in the malfunctioning of the energy process. This kind of diabetes is known as diabetes type 2.

There are cases when diabetes type2 occurs in slim parsons and this mostly happens in elder people. Genetics and family history also have an important role in determining whether diabetes type 2 will install or not. Also, having a sedentary lifestyle, eating junk food will only increase the risk of developing this affection.

Some other risk factors are: the age over 45, high blood pressure, HDL less than 35 mg/dl, triglycerides more than 250 mg/dl and a previous history of personal impaired glucose tolerance.

Most of the diabetes type 2 cases do not present any symptoms at all. In some cases increased thirst, appetite and urination might occur along with blurred vision, fatigue, infections, and erectile dysfunctions.

In order to diagnose diabetes type 2 the doctor will perform some tests: the level of fasting glucose in blood will be measured and if it is higher than 126 mg/dl on 2 occasions than diabetes might have installed. The random glucose blood level will also be measured and it should be less than 200 mg/dl in order for the doctor to be sure diabetes in not present. Also, the symptoms of increased thirst, urination and fatigue should not be present in order for the patient not to be suspected of having diabetes. At last, the oral glucose tolerance test will be performed and if the level of glucose is higher than 200 mg/dl after 2 hours diabetes is diagnosed.

So, if you want to find out more about what causes diabetes or even about diabetes mellitus please follow this link

Gestational diabetes is a unique type of diabetes that occurs when a woman is pregnant. Approximately four percent of all pregnant women are affected by gestational diabetes. The disease is caused when the body is unable to properly process insulin, causing high levels of blood sugar, very similar to type 2 diabetes. It usually occurs during the second trimester, and often disappears after the child is born. Left untreated, gestational diabetes can cause harm to the fetus as well as to the mother.

What Triggers Gestational Diabetes?

Gestational diabetes starts when a woman's body is not able to make and use all the insulin it needs for pregnancy due to hormonal changes caused by pregnancy. During pregnancy, hormones from the placenta help the baby grow and develop. But these same hormones make it tougher for the woman's body to use insulin, creating insulin resistance. In most cases, this isn't a problem: as the need for insulin increases, the pancreas steps up its production. But when a pregnant woman's pancreas can't keep up with the insulin demand and blood glucose levels get too high, the result is gestational diabetes.

Who Is At Risk For Gestational Diabetes?

A woman may be at risk for gestational diabetes if she is:

*over 25 years of age,

*has a family history of type 2 diabetes,

*experienced gestational diabetes during a previous pregnancy,

*is overweight,

*had a previous pregnancy resulting in unexplained stillbirth or an infant with a birth weight over nine pounds; or

*is African-American, Hispanic, or Native American.

Expectant mothers who have gestational diabetes may experience increased thirst, tiredness, excessive urination and other symptoms similar to diabetes mellitus. Unfortunately, those same symptoms are normal for any pregnancy. As in prediabetes, gestational diabetes often has no symptoms at all. The woman's blood sugar should be tested regularly by the prenatal medical team and at home, especially if she is considered at risk.

Babies Are Affected by Gestational Diabetes

High levels of blood glucose circulating to the fetus can cause unusually large, fat babies. This is a condition known as macrosomia. Extra blood glucose goes through the placenta, giving the baby high blood sugar levels. The baby's pancreas in turn must make extra insulin to get rid of the blood glucose. Since the baby is getting more energy from the mother's high glucose level than it needs to grow and develop, this excess energy is stored as fat. Babies with macrosomia face health problems of their own, including shoulder damage at birth (shoulder dystocia) because they are too large to fit through the birth canal. Because of the extra insulin made by the baby's pancreas, newborns may develop very low blood glucose levels (hypoglycemia) at birth and are also at higher risk for breathing problems and jaundice. These babies also have an increased risk for obesity and type 2 diabetes as adults. Gestational diabetes has not generally been associated with birth defects.

How Does Gestational Diabetes Affect The Mother-To-Be?

Besides suffering symptoms of diabetes, women may need a cesarean section delivery if the baby is macrosomic. Expectant mothers are also at increased risk for preeclampsia, a serious condition characterized by significant increases in blood pressure. Women with gestational diabetes are at greater risk of developing Type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure later in life.

An Accurate Diagnosis Requires Testing

Pregnant women at risk for developing gestational diabetes should be tested between weeks 24 and 28; earlier if there are risk factors present, and especially if the condition was present during a previous pregnancy.

If you are diagnosed, treatment includes special meal plans and regularly scheduled physical activity, which helps lower blood sugars. It may also include daily blood glucose testing and, if necessary, insulin injections. Work with your doctor, nurse practitioner, and other members of your health care team so that your gestational diabetes treatment can be adjusted as needed. Following the prescribed treatment for gestational diabetes will help ensure a healthy pregnancy and birth, and a healthy baby.

While gestational diabetes usually goes away after several weeks, it is important to remember that you have a higher risk of gestational diabetes with your next pregnancy and a greater chance of becoming diabetic later in life. One or two months post-pregnancy, get a blood glucose test to ensure that your gestational diabetes is in fact gone. It is important to exercise, minimize weight gain, and maintain a healthy diet full of vegetables, fruits and minimal fats to ensure that you remain in good health.

Cydne Kaelin is a health writer living in Northern Georgia, USA. As a wife, niece and granddaughter of diabetics she has a keen personal interest in researching and writing about the disease. Visit Natural Diabetes Remedy, her diabetes blog at for more information, news and tips on diabetes.

Diabetes type 2 Mellitus, also know as non-insulin dependent diabetes is an affection which generally installs at maturity after the age of 45. Until a few years there were not so many cases of obese children but now, as the number of obese children is increasing it is possible for diabetes type 2 to install more precocious as this disease is also caused by obesity.

The pancreas cells are responsible for producing insulin. Insulin makes sure that the level of glucose in blood remains constant. When insulin is not enough or it is inefficient, diabetes type 2 installs. There are two possibilities: one, the pancreatic cells are not producing enough insulin and so the level of glucose in blood remains high and two, the body cells are resistant to insulin and so the pancreas will produce more and more insulin to correct the high level of glucose in blood but as this thing is not possible the level of insulin in blood will be high too.

Most of the diabetes type 2 cases do not present any symptoms at all. In some cases increased thirst, appetite and urination might occur along with blurred vision, fatigue, infections, and erectile dysfunctions.

Diagnosing diabetes is made after the doctor consults the results of the patient's blood test and after the presence of the symptoms. The doctor will be interested in finding out how high it is the level of glucose in blood and this is why he will ask for a blood test.

If the patient has a family history of diabetes type 2 then there is a possibility for him to develop this affection too. In order to prevent diabetes, the patient has to adopt and active lifestyle, to make exercises, to keep a healthy diet, and to monitor the body weight.

In case diabetes has already installed before taking medication the patient will be advised to talk to a nutritionist and to adopt a certain diet. If this diet fails to keep the glucose level in blood under control, then the patient will have to take medication (metformin or gliclazide tablets). These tablets might help the patient produce more insulin if he produces inefficient amounts; might help the cells be more receptive to insulin or might even reduce the glucose rate of absorption from food. In the worse case, if diet and tablets are not efficient, insulin will be administered by injections.

So, if you want to find out more about what causes diabetes or even about diabetes mellitus please follow this link

General Description

The bitter melon or bitter gourd is the bitterest of all vegetables known to humankind, but it is also the most medicinally effective. Though bitter, its fruit is eaten as a vegetable and is used to make several mouthwatering dishes especially in India. In India, the bitter gourd is known as the karela. Its biological name is Momordica charantia.

Morphologically, the bitter melon is an herbaceous vine which bears tendrils and it creeps along supports. Leaves are simple and alternate, and flowers are yellow. Male and female flowers grow on separate plants. The fruit of the plant, which is known as the bitter melon, has an oblong shape with a warty exterior and is dark green in color.

Bitter melon possesses various chemicals such as charantin, peptides resembling insulin and several alkaloids. Due to these constituents, bitter melon is quite widely used in the treatment of diabetes mellitus.

Properties

Bitter melon is a valuable vegetable. It is useful in most metabolic and physiological processes of the human body. It has the following properties:-

(i) Bitter melon is composed of various chemicals that have a hypoglycemic activity, i.e. they reduce the amount of sugar in the blood.

(ii) Bitter melon stimulates appetite.

(iii) Bitter melon helps in the entire digestion process. Hence it is used in treatment of digestive problems.

(iv) Bitter melon has emetic, purgative and anthelmentic properties. It is also anti-flatulent.

(v) Bitter melon is used in the dissolution of fats from the body. It is known to have anti-lipolytic properties.

(vi) Bitter melon possesses all the essential vitamins in good amounts, such as vitamin A, thiamine, riboflavin, vitamin C and also minerals like iron.

(vii) Bitter melon is anti-inflammatory and astringent. It has specific action on the movement of bowels.

Uses

(i) Anorexia

Bitter melon is an appetite stimulant. Hence it is used in the treatment of anorexia, a disorder in which a person is unable to eat the required amount of food.

(ii) Blood Impurities

Bitter gourd is used as a blood purifier due to its bitter tonic properties. It can heal boils and other blood related problems that show up on the skin. For treatment, a cupful of the juice of the bitter melon must be taken each day in the morning, with a teaspoon of the juice of the citrus lemon in it.

(iii) Diabetes Mellitus

A lot has been written lately about the very beneficial aspects of bitter melon in the treatment of diabetes. As already discussed above, bitter melon has a host of bitter chemicals in which, which are hypoglycemic in action. It also has at least one substance that is like the insulin secreted by the human pancreatic glands. Hence, bitter melon is extremely effective in the treatment of diabetes mellitus. Doctors all over the world prescribe having either bitter melon juice early in the morning or to include it in some other fashion in the daily diet. Regular use of bitter melon over a period of time helps to bring the blood sugar level down.

(iv) Diarrhea

For diarrhea, the juice of a bitter lemon is mixed with the juice of the spring onions, both two teaspoons in quantity. This is then added with the juice of a lemon. This juice is given to the patient twice a day. This remedy is also effective in curing the diarrhea that is caused due to cholera.

(v) Hangovers

The juice of the bitter melon is excellent remedy for hangovers. It is also very beneficial in preventing the liver damage that occurs due to excessive alcoholism.

(vi) Piles

In case of piles, the fresh juice of bitter melons is prescribed to the patient with positive results. Three teaspoons of juice of the bitter melon leaves is to be extracted each morning, added to a glassful of buttermilk and then consumed on an empty stomach. Carrying on this routine for thirty days will treat piles completely. Even externally, the paste of the leaves of the piles can be applied over the hemorrhoids.

(vii) Pyorrhea

Pyorrhea is bleeding from the gums. Including bitter melon in the daily diet or having some of its juice every morning on an empty stomach helps to reduce this problem.

(viii) Respiratory Problems

The paste of the leaves of the bitter melon is mixed with equal amounts of the paste of tulsi leaves. This is taken with honey each morning as a treatment and prevention for respiratory problems such as asthma, bronchitis, common colds and pharyngitis.

(ix) Skin Infections

In case of scabies, ringworm and psoriasis, etc. one cup of bitter melon juice must be had each morning on an empty stomach. This juice can be made more potent by adding a teaspoonful quantity of the juice of the lime in it. It is also used in prevention of leprosy in vulnerable regions of the world.

Special Ayurvedic Preparations

Bitter melon is used mostly as a vegetable. It is incorporated in the daily diet. Its juice is also prescribed, generally mixed with other citrus juices like those of the lemon. There are no special preparations made out of the karela, as it is generally consumed in its basic form.

Precautions

There has been some indication that the juice of the karela may induce abortion of fetuses in pregnant women. More research on this is going on. At the same time, attempts are being made to extract the essential components of the bitter melon in a more acceptable and safe form for human consumption.

Read more about the benefits of Bitter Melon and also find Home Remedies for Diabetes at - World's Finest Portal on Ayurveda and Herbal Remedies

Not only is being overweight a matter of social ridicule, but it is also a very dangerous proposition health-wise. Obesity is an open invitation for six of the most terrible diseases known to man – diabetes, atherosclerosis, cardiovascular problems, paralysis, gangrene and heart attacks. Hence obesity may not itself be a disease, but it could definitely be a life-threatening condition.

In Ayurveda, obesity is known as Medo Roga. It is simply defined as the condition in which excessive amount of fat is accumulated in the body. There are two main reasons for this abnormal deposition of fat – (i) excessive fat intake through the diet and (ii) some metabolic problem which does not allow the proper utilization of fat in the body. Ayurveda holds agni, or the digestive fire, responsible for obesity. When the agni is vitiated, then the ama (toxic substances) is built up in the body, leading to obesity.

The fat accumulated in the body could lead to a deposition of cholesterol in the arteries and the veins of the body. This is where most of the problems begin. The collection of the cholesterol can reduce the diameters of the blood vessels leading to a decreased blood flow into various important organs of the body, including the heart.

(1) Useful Herbs in the Treatment of Obesity

1. Guduchi (Tinospora cordifolia)

Guduchi is an indigenous Indian herb which is not very well-known out of India. It is a commonly prescribed herb in Ayurveda for the condition of obesity. It helps in the proper canalization of fats in the body and thus reduces obesity.

2. Guggulu (Commiphora wightii)

A great deal of research has been done on the guggulu plant in recent times. The guggulsterone present in it is an alkaloid that has been found to be especially effective in heart ailments. Among its myriad other benefits, one is the reduction of fat accumulation in the body, giving people a leaner physique. Guggulu is the Ayurvedic drug of choice for obesity.

3. Indian Gooseberry (Emblica officinalis)

Known as amalaki in Indian medicine, the Indian gooseberry is the richest source of vitamin C among all foodstuffs. Vitamin C can disintegrate fatty buildup in the body. Hence, it is a very effective herb for the treatment of obesity and related conditions. The amalaki is an integral component of Triphala, which is commonly prescribed in the treatment of obesity.

(2) Dietary Treatments for Obesity

There is a direct relation between the diet one eats and obesity. Controlling the diet is a sure method of controlling obesity. The following guidelines must be observed:-

1. Foods that are excessively rich in carbohydrates must be avoided. These include rice and potatoes. Wheat must be used instead of rice. Barley and maize can also be used effectively.

2. Fatty substances must be avoided. In obese people, the chances of cardiovascular problems such as atherosclerosis are high. Hence, people who consume lots of hydrogenated fats have greater risk of cholesterol buildup in their arteries.

3. Obesity increases the chances of diabetes mellitus. Hence, people who are overweight must reduce their intake of sugars and other sweet foods.

4. Bitter and pungent foods are found to be effective in the control of weight and also preventing the dangers of diabetes in obese people. The bitter gourd and the bitter variety of drumstick are beneficial in this aspect.

5. Obese people must avoid preserved foods. The same applies to refrigerated drinks and cold foods.

6. Among meats, avoid red meats as they have high fatty contents. While buying meats, ask for the lean cuts and get the fats trimmed from them before cooking.

(3) Ayurvedic Treatments for Obesity

Guggulu is prescribed by most Ayurvedic physicians as the drug of choice in the control of obesity. It may be prescribed in its pure form (in the dosage of one gram four times a day), or it can be given in a mixture form as Navaka Guggulu or Triphala Guggulu. These are given in tablet form, followed by some hot drink. Mineral supplements such as Tapyaadi Lauha and Shilajitawadi Lauha are given in conjunction with the Guggulu tablets.

(4) Home Remedies for Obesity

1. When you wake up in the morning, have a tablespoonful of honey mixed in an equal amount of water.

2. Drinking hot water continuously throughout the day also helps to dissolve the excess fat in the body.

3. Ginger is effective in dissolving fat. Have it twice or thrice a day in the form of tea.

4. Every one day a week, have a totally liquid diet. fasting entirely can also be done if it is physically tolerable. This helps to flush out the toxins and excess fats accumulated throughout the week.

5. Regular exercise is one of the most important things. It helps to reduce the excess fats in the body and also keep the person fresh and active throughout the day.

Read more on obesity treatment and obesity home remedies by ayurveda at

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