http://www.articletrader.com/ Articles at ArticleTrader en-us http://www.articletrader.com/health/diabetes/diabetes-glucose-monitoring-kit-a-purchase-guide.html http://www.articletrader.com/health/diabetes/diabetes-glucose-monitoring-kit-a-purchase-guide.html Wed, 16 Sep 2009 14:54:48 -0500
These days, many people don`t get enough time out of their busy schedules to visit their doctors for regular diabetes check up. But, thanks to the invention of diabetes glucose monitoring kit that has just simplified the routine diabetes check up for diabetics at the convenient of their home. These kits are available in the market along with complete instruction to use. However, while purchasing sometimes people just rush to their nearest chemist and pick a kit without considering its effectiveness for them. But the fact is it is vitally important that you select the right kind of diabetes monitor kit to check your health more efficiently.

Whether you purchase the glucose meter for the first time or you want to take a new kit for your diabetes testing session at home, you must consider certain aspects of the medical device to get better results.

Glucose testing strips - Select testing strips considering the kind of diabetes glucose monitor kit that you are using. You should know that the strips are unique for each kind of diabetes testing meter. Hence, if you don`t get the exact kind of strips for your device, you may not get a satisfactory result. The strips for some models are cheaper than others. But, more than the price it is important to find the strips that are compatible with the device. Taking a 30 day test supply of the strips is a good idea.

Lancets and a lancing device - They are the most essential parts of the diabetes testing meter. You need to use the lancets to poke the skin and take your blood for the test. According to a survey, many people use a lancet several times before changing it. But, it is recommended that you should use fresh lancets every time to maintain hygiene and get best results. Make sure that you store the used lancets in a disposal container and dispose the container at a safe place.

Result reading logbook - These days, the diabetes meters are available with mechanism to store few hundred readings of the diabetes testing results. But keeping a logbook avoids any kind of confusion regarding fluctuation in the reading of date and time in the meter. Besides, you can take the logbook with the reading to your doctor during your visits.

Effective glucose meter for your diabetes testing schedules - While purchasing your monitoring kit, it`s important that you select the device carefully. It is not necessary that the expensive ones are more useful or efficient. You should look for the features and functionality of the device while purchasing it. Make a trade off between the price and features to get a diabetes meter that can meet maximum of your requirements and also fits into your budget.

In case you are confused with the right kind of diabetes glucose monitoring kit, you can take help of your physician to get the best one for you.


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You can have access to articles about health in portuguese language from page Health

Roberto Sedycias works as IT consultant for Polomercantil


Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/health/diabetes/diabetes-what-you-should-know-will-save-you.html http://www.articletrader.com/health/diabetes/diabetes-what-you-should-know-will-save-you.html Tue, 21 Jul 2009 09:33:11 -0500
I know because my aunt was one such casualty of diabetes. You see, she was diabetic but did not know about it. Not realizing that she was diabetic, she continued eating whatever she liked. There was no diet because of her ignorance. When she developed a sore in her right leg, not knowing that a diabetic had to take additional care where wounds or injuries are concerned, she ignored it as she thought it would heal itself. After all it was just a small sore. It did not go away, and instead, the sore in her leg became a bigger wound. It was later that she decided to visit a doctor. However, it was too late as the wound developed into gangrene. She had to have her leg amputated. Though this happened in the late 1970's, today in the 21st century, people are still as ignorant of diabetes as in the 1970s.

In most developed countries as well as in the third world countries, access to medical doctors are easier than in the 1970s. So there is no excuse whatsoever to be ignorant about this life-threatening disease. Also, there is always the library that a person can turn to for information on diabetes. If you are still unable to obtain the correct information on diabetes, then turn to the Internet to seek for more information. There are a number of websites on diabetes, ranging from diet to controlling diabetes. There is absolutely no excuse not to be well informed about diabetes.

You may ask why am I so concerned about diabetes? Let's put it this way, ought not we be concerned about a silent killer? There has been a lot of publicity on other diseases such as cancer. But there is not much publicity on diabetes. Yes, I did say that there are a number of ways to obtain information on diabetes, but the publicity to make people more aware of diabetes is sadly insufficient. I believed that there should be more publicity to reach out to a larger crowd of people to educate them on the dangers of diabetes.

The problem with diabetes is that living in this modern world, we are bombarded with advertisement on the different types of food and beverages made available to us. As we consumed these processed food and beverages, guess what happened next? Our body system starts to react to the food and beverages. In processed food and beverages, manufacturers being concerned with the bottom line, will continue to add more refined sugar and salt to make the food and beverages tastier. Imagine, when someone kept on consuming all these stuff, especially if it is full of sugar! What will happen next? Our body will start to fail us. It would not be able to make use of the excess sugar and these will just be in our blood. I'm not talking only about the refined sugar. Almost at fault are food items such as refined rice and potatoes that will make our blood sugar rise faster and if not taken care of, will possibly result in diabetes.

The previous paragraph talks about food and beverage laden with sugar and refined carbohydrates. But there is another aspect to this. As we progressed as a modern society, we have lesser time for exercise. Of course, there will be some amongst us who are disciplined to continue with their exercise routine. This is not so for the majority of us. What will happen? Simply this, with the consumption of all those refined food and beverages, coupled with a lack of exercise, we will see more and more people suffering from diabetes. What makes it scary is that most will not be aware that diabetes is within striking distance of them.

So what is it that we, as individuals can do about it? I will list out a couple of steps here. In future, more will be outlined. Firstly, we need to find out our own genetic history. Trace back to your parents and grandparents. Check whether any of them had histories of diabetes. If no, then the chance of getting diabetes is reduced. I say only reduced because there is no guarantee that diabetes will not strike at a later stage. For those of you who are able to trace back your family history and discover that one of your parents or grandparents had diabetes, your chance of getting diabetes is increased. However, this is not the end of the world. There are many ways and means to avoid or delay the onset of diabetes. For more information on diabetes, you may wish to visit my website at http://www.inforichweb.com.


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Tom YC, a trainer by profession, advocates life-long learning and that age is no barrier. His motto is Gain new information to scale new heights. He was recently diagnosed with diabetes and other ailments. This resulted in him looking for more information on the diseases but such information is not easily available. He hopes to provide a one-stop website for such information for the layman.

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/health/diabetes/must-diabetic-diets-be-super-exclusive.html http://www.articletrader.com/health/diabetes/must-diabetic-diets-be-super-exclusive.html Sun, 19 Jul 2009 08:01:28 -0500
Use of artificial sweeteners and sugar.
In many recipes, sugar can be cut by 1/4 to 1/3. I said many, not all the recipes. Let's face it: cakes and cookies may not turn out as well when the sugar is reduced. In foods that do not need sugar for texture, moistness or color, artificial sweeteners can work best.

Use a good diabetic cookbook or recipes from companies that make artificial sweeteners for the best foods made with low sugar or an artificial sweetener.

Eat sweet foods with prudence. They only have empty calories. But when you really want to indulge yourself a little, you can substitute small amounts of sugar for other carbohydrates in the diet.

To cut the fat and sodium:
+ Bake, grill, broil, boil, roast and poach.
+ Trim meat well, and remove skin and fat from poultry.
+ Eat fried food seldom.

Instead of using fatback, margarine, butter or oil to season vegetables, prefer fat-free and low-sodium broth.
Cook in a nonstick pan or frypan. On pots and pans, use a nonstick vegetable spray.

Instead of salt or fat, for flavor, sprinkle on lemon juice, spices or herbs.

Beware of some fat-free and reduced-fat foods. Some of them are high in calories from sugar or other carbohydrates. Some of them are also high in sodium.

Instead of large portions of meat, fish and poultry, eat more low-calorie vegetables. Choose fruit for dessert.
Use fat-free or skim milk, sour cream and cheese. For salads, cut regular dressing in half with plain nonfat yogurt, or use reduced-fat salad dressing and mayonnaise. In recipes, cut the fat or oil by 1/4 to 1/2.

Portion control
To get the best portion control, use measuring spoons and cups and a small scale for weighing food. After practicing a few weeks, you may need to measure portions only when your blood sugar or weight go out of control, or when you try a new food. To make it easier to eyeball portion sizes, always use the same size plate, bowl, glass and cup. A woman's fist is about the size a piece of fresh fruit or a potato should be. The palm of an average woman's hand equals approximately 1/2 cup or 4 ounces.

Important note: Cut down on second helpings by serving portions on the plate in the kitchen.

Good diabetic cookbooks are easily available on line from many sources, including the American Diabetes Association.

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Health advisor. Diabetes expert. Experienced author.
Please visit my web site below for more expert advice and resources
CONQUER DIABETES

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/health/diabetes/diabetics-and-diet.html http://www.articletrader.com/health/diabetes/diabetics-and-diet.html Thu, 16 Jul 2009 03:36:58 -0500
Bad Diet:

What is really bad for the diabetic to eat? This is what would be a bad diet for everyone else. The answer is a bad diet that is high in fat, salt, sugar and the over processed foods that you can find. This sort of foods is often filled with poly saturated fats or trans fat, which cannot be burned off through exercise. They are going to stay in the body and clog up the arteries. If you have diabetes it can be the worst thing for your diet and this will increase your chances of getting heart disease, stroke, and other heart problems that can lead to complications.

Fats:

This will not mean that you have to cut out the fat forever, however some fats are healthy and necessary. It is very important if you have diabetes to know which fats and foods are good for you and which fats are harmful for you too. Fats are found mostly in processed foods and found in most of the fast food restaurants and are not healthy.

Omega-3 fatty acids:

Omega-3 fatty acids are found more in fish and are very good for diabetics due to the fact that they can help decrease the risk of sudden heart attack. When you are working on your diet, you need to remember that you can still have some sugars and fats but in lower amounts. The way that these foods act with your body will increase the chances of health problems happening in your body. You need to eliminate them from your diet so that you can have the good effects for your health that your body needs for a certain amount of fat to be healthier.

Carbohydrates:

You need to control your intake of carbohydrates because it is important for diabetics. This is because of the excess carbohydrates will turn into sugars in the body and diabetics should be careful about the amount of getting too many carbohydrates in their diet. This will affect their blood sugar levels.

Diabetics can learn about how to count their carbs from nutritionists or a book that is good on the subject. This can help them in deciding how much to eat and with what type of meal.

Note:

When you are a diabetic it does not mean that you have to limit your diet to foods that have no taste. You can still have the foods that you want as long as you keep the portions under control. It is about taking control so that you are not eating more than what your body can process and that is the diet that everyone should have in their life to be healthy and happy too.


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To find more about diabetics and diet, visit http://healthoutfit.com all about diabetics and diet for a healthy long life.

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/health/diabetes/the-effect-of-diet-and-exercise-on-diabetes-a-simple-guide-that-could-save-your-life.html http://www.articletrader.com/health/diabetes/the-effect-of-diet-and-exercise-on-diabetes-a-simple-guide-that-could-save-your-life.html Wed, 15 Jul 2009 14:20:44 -0500
First of all, let's look at the food you are eating. Your body needs nutrient rich foods in order to maintain healthy weight and function. If you are eating empty calories, i.e. cakes, cookies, pies, etc. then your body is probably getting to much sugar and it will have a problem processing it. This excess sugar will often be stored as fat and will lead to excess blood sugar as well. Both of these scenarios can lead to your body developing diabetes. You have to severely limit the amount of these foods in your diet immediately. Instead, focus on eating healthy grains, fruits, and vegetables which will provide your body with slow burning carbohydrates which will in turn help to regulate your body's blood glucose levels and help to stave off diabetes. Now, let's look at adding exercise to help further reduce your risk of diabetes.

Intense exercise can help you lose weight. That is number one of course. As we mentioned, maintaining a healthy weight can reduce the stress on your endoplasmic reticulum and will prevent insulin receptors from becoming insulin resistant. In addition, because your body uses glucose as the main fuel source for your muscles energy, exercise will help to use any excess glucose that your body does take in so that abnormally high levels do not occur. In fact, this glucose uptake by the muscles can have such a dramatic and profound positive effect that some people's diabetes can be completely controlled by exercise alone.

Two things that can help your journey to preventing or controlling your diabetes is a nutrition coach and hiring a fitness trainer. Starting on a new path in life can be difficult especially when you are dealing with subjects as diverse as nutrition and exercise. By adhering to the admonitions of professionals, you can make sure that your plan is both effective and safe as well. A nutrition coach can help you plan meals and make proper food decisions while a fitness trainer can design an easy to understand exercise program that will help to speed up fat loss and use up excess glucose; both can help reduce your risks of getting diabetes.

Exercise and a healthy diet…your keys to staying healthy and avoiding and/or treating diabetes.


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Emile Jarreau, aka, Mr. Fat Loss is fascinated by health, nutrition and weight loss. For more great info about diabetes for losing weight and keeping it off visit http://www.MrFatLoss.com

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/health/diabetes/type-2-diabetes-curable-by-bariatric-surgery.html http://www.articletrader.com/health/diabetes/type-2-diabetes-curable-by-bariatric-surgery.html Wed, 08 Jul 2009 03:50:14 -0500 Studies have found that more than 75% of type 2 diabetes patients who undergo bariatric surgery no longer experience symptoms and no longer require insulin or other medications.
Obesity and type 2 diabetes are interrelated. Nearly 24 million Americans are affected by diabetes. About 50 percent of men and 70 percent of women who have the disease are obese; therefore bariatric surgery can have a sustained and meaningful effect on fighting both diseases.
In a study published by The American Journal of Medicine, 621 patients were studied from 1990 to April 2006. The results are as follows:
Study Results
Complete resolution of diabetes - 78.10%
Improved conditions - 8.50%
No changes - 13.40%

For years, researchers had assumed that weight loss alone was responsible for this benefit. However, new findings are demonstrating that hormonal and metabolic changes caused by the surgery, were responsible. The surgery helped patients lower fasting glucose, fasting insulin, and hemoglobin level.

According to the Wall Street Journal, diabetes can "quickly recede" when bariatric surgery "alters the intestinal tract and diverts food away from hormones in the small intestine that help regulate blood sugar levels".
Lowering hemoglobin (A1C) to below or around 7% has been shown to reduce microvascular and neuropathic complications of type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Therefore, for microvascular disease prevention, the A1C goal for nonpregnant adults in general is 7%.
On the other hand, researchers observed a progressive relationship between diabetes resolution and the weight loss operation performed:

Surgery Type
Laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding - 56.70% Resolution results - 46.20 Weight Loss
Gastroplasty - 79.90% Resolution results - 55.50% Weight Loss
Gastric bypass - 80.30% Resolution results - 59.70% Weight Loss
Biliopancreatic diversion/duodenal switch - 95.10% Resolution results - 63.60% Weight Loss

This study suggests that people with Type 2 diabetes and morbid obesity who get surgery before becoming insulin-dependent have the greatest chance for complete resolution and avoiding the progression of diabetes. However, physical activity and behavior modification are important for maintaining weight loss and for completely resolving diabetes.
On the other hand, the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) recently reported bariatric surgery is safer than ever. The risk of death from bariatric surgery has declined from 0.89 percent in 1998, to 0.19 percent in 2004.6.
"The severity of the diabetes at the time of surgery and the regain of excess weight loss long-term seem to be the primary determinants of long-term diabetes resolution after gastric bypass surgery," said James W. Maher, MD, professor of Surgery at Virginia Commonwealth University.

Although there are a number of effective, noninvasive treatments for diabetes, the American Society for Metabolic & Bariatric surgery (ASMBS) support the idea that Bariatric surgery should be considered for treating type 2 diabetes in morbidly obese adults, specially if the diabetes is difficult to control with lifestyle and pharmacologic therapy.
Finally, there is still insufficient evidence regarding the benefits of weight loss surgery in patients with BMI <35 kg/m2 as a way of treating diabetes. Therefore, it is advised that patients talk to a specialist about their particular situation.


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For more information about Obesity and Diabetes or to get in touch with a Bariatric Surgeon Obesity and overweight issues affect over 100 million Americans.


Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/health/diabetes/type-1-diabetes-a%80-how-to-cope-with-it.html http://www.articletrader.com/health/diabetes/type-1-diabetes-a%80-how-to-cope-with-it.html Sat, 04 Jul 2009 18:46:20 -0500
Type 1 diabetes happens because the pancreas is unable to produce insulin, or even if it is able to do that at all, the amount of insulin is not enough. Insulin, as you must know is a hormone that is responsible in converting glucose into energy.
Normally, the insulin breaks down glucose in the blood and the essential nutrients are then distributed in the blood stream. Unfortunately, what happens with diabetes is that instead of getting the essential nutrients, the cells become starved because excess glucose is excreted out of the body through the urinary system.

Such being the case, people with type 1 diabetes may present the following signs and symptoms:

Excessive urination
Excessive thirst
Dehydration
Dry mouth
Weight loss
Fatigue

There may also be:

nausea and vomiting
abdominal pain
blurred vision
breathing problems
frequent skin infections, UTI, vaginal infections

It is not really clear what causes type 1 diabetes, but genetics and environmental factors seem to be linked to this diabetes type. According to some studies, there is a virus that seem to attack the pancreas, rendering it unable to produce insulin.

It is also said that type 1 diabetes occurs usually before the age of 20, the reason why it is called juvenile diabetes.

People with type 1 diabetes often need insulin injections to control the problem. The type of insulin you need depends on your body's response to insulin, your lifestyle, your willingness to do the injections and monitor your blood sugar level,
and your age. Insulin may be fast acting, intermediate acting, short acting or long acting.

Close monitoring is very important if you are taking insulin injections for type 1 diabetes; that is why it is often recommended of diabetics to use a blood sugar monitoring device. This way they get to check their blood sugar levels
at random times.

Controlling Diabetes

Controlling type 1 diabetes is very important because uncontrolled diabetes can lead to more serious diseases, such as retinopathy, kidney damage, and diabetic ketoacidosis which can be fatal. Controlling diabetes can be achieved through insulin injections, but diabetics are nonetheless advised to embark on a healthy lifestyle, that means eating the right foods and engaging in regular exercises.

Life with Diabetes

People who are recently diagnosed with type 1 diabetes are concerned about the kind of life they will have to live now that they are confirmed diabetics. One major issue is the need for insulin injections for life. Then there's also the matter of avoiding sweets. For chocoholics and sweet lovers, having diabetes is tantamount to the end of the world, but of course, that should not be the case at all.

Yes, you may need some changes in your food choices, but keep in mind that fresh
fruits, vegetables, and whole grains are not only healthy - they are truly delicious, too!

The fact that you have diabetes should not dampen your mood at all. Strong family support is very important, and thankfully there are now many diabetes support groups that you can join to help you cope with diabetes better.

Diabetics can still live a long, normal and healthy life, even in the midst of type 1 diabetes.





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Diabetes treatment is an absolute must for diabetes patients. Learn more what is needed for
diabetes care.
Common question that people ask is there are cure for diabetes . Find out by visiting our site.

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/health/diabetes/symptoms-of-diabetes-a%80-understanding-the-early-signs-of-diabetes.html http://www.articletrader.com/health/diabetes/symptoms-of-diabetes-a%80-understanding-the-early-signs-of-diabetes.html Wed, 01 Jul 2009 11:57:10 -0500
Unfortunately, many people don't know they have diabetes until the disease has already progressed. This is because the symptoms of diabetes can easily be mistaken for something else, or they may appear as harmless you wouldn't really suspect they already indicate something serious.

It therefore always helps to understand the symptoms of diabetes so you can consult a diabetologist or an endocrinologist to assess your case and recommend the essential diabetes treatment. The sooner you do this, the sooner you will get treatment, the lesser the chance of having diabetic complications.

So what exactly are these symptoms of diabetes that you have to watch out for?

Frequency of urination - this is actually one of the classic symptoms of diabetes. It happens because with diabetes, there is an inability to break down glucose in the blood, thus there is no other way for the excess glucose to go to but out of the body through urination.

Excessive thirst and dehydration - because of the frequency of urination, excessive thirst and sometimes even dehydration normally follow.


Over-fatigue - this usually occurs because the glucose that is supposed to provide nutrition to the cells does not go to the cells but pools in blood and eventually out of the body, thereby starving the cells, the reason why diabetics often experience over-fatigue.

Weight loss - this is expected since glucose is not able to provide the cells with the essential nutrients, but is excreted out of the body.

Other signs and symptoms of diabetes include:

Blurred vision
Dry mouth
Dry or itchy skin

The moment you experience these symptoms of diabetes, do not waste time but see your doctor at once. He may recommend that you undergo certain laboratory tests to establish the presence of diabetes.

The Diabetes Treatment

As of now, diabetes has no cure. Considered a chronic disease, it can only be controlled so as to prevent the likelihood of complications such as blindness, kidney failure, heart disease, and so on. In certain cases where leg wounds do not heal at all, amputation of the affected leg may be done. Because of the seriousness of such complications, it is important to take the necessary measures to regulate blood sugar levels, and this can be done through:

diet
exercise
medications

Diabetics are advised to strictly adhere to this diabetic treatment regimen to effectively control diabetes. They are further encouraged to constantly monitor their blood sugar levels. Sometimes it can be a good thing to invest in a gadget that measures blood sugar levels so you don't have to go to the lab anymore.

Make regular trips to your diabetologist so he can see how well you are coping with the treatment plan. Depending on your response to the treatment, he may change, reduce, or add your medications.

Certain herbs and spices are said to regulate blood sugar levels. Nonetheless it is always wise to consult with your doctor first before trying any alternative therapy.

Even if you do not have diabetes now, just have routine checkups with your doctor, and observe yourself closely for the presence of some symptoms of diabetes.



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Diabetes treatment is an absolute must for diabetes patients. Learn more what is needed for
diabetes care.
Common question that people ask is there are cure for diabetes . Find out by visiting our site.

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/health/diabetes/juvenile-diabetes-and-vitamin-d.html http://www.articletrader.com/health/diabetes/juvenile-diabetes-and-vitamin-d.html Tue, 30 Jun 2009 16:55:05 -0500
The current FDA recommended daily allowance of vitamin D is 400 units of vitamin D per day for adults, 200 units per day for adolescents. For a healthy adult to get a minimum daily recommended amount, they would need to drink four 8-ounce glasses of milk every day. You can also get vitamin D from the sun. For 400 units, that would be about thirty minutes of peak hour sun, four days per week. But there are many factors that can affect how much vitamin D you actually get and use from these sources.

Relying on the sun or milk for vitamin D may not be feasible. Taking vitamins and supplements is usually necessary. People with hyperparathyroidism, kidney disease or liver disease should not necessarily take vitamin D supplements because of their inability to convert it to an active hormone form, so speak with your endocrinologist if your child has any of these conditions. Furthermore, you should be aware that the darker your skin is and the higher body fat percentage you have, the less vitamin D you will absorb from the sun. Also, if your child eats a diet low in monounsaturated fats or if they have a condition that causes a reduction in fat absorption, they will also have a hindered ability to absorb vitamin D and may need to supplement.

Complications with diabetes are often brought on by stress. Stress levels in general are kept in check by vitamin D. Additionally, blood sugar levels affect mood and cognition. Mood swings and lack of cognition brought on by blood sugar fluctuations can be lessened and even eliminated by maintaining adequate levels of vitamin D in the body in some cases. This is because vitamin D increases the serotonin levels in the brain. Serotonin is the neurotransmitter that controls moods in the brain.

Adequate vitamin D translates into adequate serotonin. Serotonin regulates stress, anger, depression, aggression, appetite, behavior and more. Since stress aggravates and worsens diabetes symptoms and risks, controlling the serotonin levels in a juvenile diabetic, type 1 or type 2, may help reduce health risks. These risks include psychosis as a result of sleep deprivation, depression, long-term high or low blood glucose levels, high blood pressure, heart disease and stroke.

Have your child's vitamin D levels checked by their doctor. If levels are low or deficient, try to work in food sources of vitamin D, such as shrimp, salmon, cod liver oil and vitamin D fortified milk. You may want to ask your doctor about the use of vitamins and supplements to increase vitamin D levels. Have levels regularly checked to monitor absorption and proper dosage for your child.


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About the Author: Phil Le Breton is owner at Wholesale Nutrition. He has a strong interest in helping people achieve greater brain and body health. For more information about C-Salts, otherwise known as the best Vitamin C, or about other Vitamin C powder products, visit http://www.nutri.com where you can buy Vitamins and Supplements of the highest quality.


Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/health/diabetes/can-type-ii-diabetes-be-controlled-by-lifestyle-changes-alone.html http://www.articletrader.com/health/diabetes/can-type-ii-diabetes-be-controlled-by-lifestyle-changes-alone.html Tue, 30 Jun 2009 08:40:04 -0500
Traditionally Type II Diabetes was an illness that affected the older generation but more and more young people are discovering they have the disease. Experts believe this is due to higher obesity levels and lower activity levels throughout the UK.

So can lifestyle make a difference?

A healthier lifestyle can definitely deter the onset of Type II Diabetes in the first place. The risk factors are age, ethnicity (those of an Asian or Afro-Caribbean origin are more likely to contract Type II Diabetes), inactivity and obesity or being overweight. While you can't do anything about the first two risk factors, you can make a massive difference by watching your weight, particularly excess fat around your middle, and taking regular exercise.

But what if you have already been diagnosed with Type II Diabetes?

Many nutritional therapists believe that Type II Diabetes can be reversed by following a healthy low-GL (Glycaemic Load) diet, ensuring your weight is within the normal range, and taking regular exercise. By only eating meals that release sugar into your blood stream slowly and gradually, you put less pressure on the pancreas to produce insulin. In the short term, your body can cope with less efficient insulin because there is also a lesser need. And over time, this allows the body's production of insulin to improve.

The key to a low-GL lifestyle is always eating protein (which has no immediate effect on blood sugar) with carbohydrate and for all your starchy foods sticking to wholegrains - bread, pasta, rice etc. Eat as many vegetables as you like but stick to raw or steamed. Fruit is also good, but be careful - choose apples, pears and berries over banana's or grapes. And dried fruit might be rich in certain vitamins and antioxidants, but it is also very high in sugar. And don't think

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Sam worked in the health and fitness industry for over 15 years and became more interested in the role diet and nutrition plays in people

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]>