Sunday, September 23, 2007

Simple But Effective Home Remedies For Diabetes

Diabetes is a disease that varies the way your body utilize sugar. The food you eat develops to sugar and this sugar travels through the blood to all parts of the body. Generally, insulin assists get sugar from the blood to the body's cells, where it is used for energy or power in the body. When you have diabetes, your body has trouble making and/or reacts to insulin. So your body does not get the fuel it desires. And your blood sugar goes too high.

Types of Diabetes:

Type 1 or insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) occurs when the pancreas becomes unsuccessful to make sufficient insulin. It usually occurs in childhood or adolescence but can expand at any age. These patients need insulin each day.

Type 2 or non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus occurs when body cells develop into resistant to insulin. This is more general among adults, particularly those who are overweight and over age 40. These people are able to manage their blood sugar levels through weight control, regular exercise and a well-balanced diet. Some people need oral medications or insulin injection to lower blood sugar.

Symptoms of Diabetes

Early Symptoms

Increased thirst, increased urination, increased appetite are the initial signs.

In type I weight loss is seen and in type II obesity is seen.

Additional Symptoms

Other possible symptoms are blurred vision, skin irritation or infection, weakness or loss of strength, and decreased healing capability.

Clinical lab test information reveal glycosuria (sugar in urine), hyperglycaemia, abnormal glucose tolerance tests.

If diabetes is not identified at the right time symptoms like fluid and electrolyte imbalance, acidosis, coma is seen.

Causes of Diabetes

Cause for IDDM

IDDM mostly outcome from a virally initiated autoimmune destruction of beta cells of the pancreas.

Cause for NIDDM

NIDDM is determined heritably and is expressed with age or other factors like obesity, diet and inactivity.

Home Remedies for Diabetes

1. Diabetes treatment with Bitter Gourd


2. Diabetes treatment with Indian Gooseberry

Indian gooseberry, with its high vitamin C content, is considered precious in diabetes. A tablespoon of its juice, mixed with a cup of bitter gourd juice, taken daily for two months, will arouses the islets of Langerhans, that is, the isolated group of cells that secrete the hormone insulin in the pancreas. This mixture decreases the blood sugar in diabetes.

3. Diabetes treatment with Jambul Fruit

Jambul fruit is another useful home remedy. It is regarded in customary medicine as a specific against diabetes because of its effect on the pancreas. The fruit as such, the seeds, and fruit juice are all helpful in the treatment of this disease. The seeds contain a glucoside 'jamboline' which is supposed to have the power to check the pathological conversion of starch into sugar in cases of increased production of glucose.

The seeds must be dried and powdered. One teaspoon of this powder should be mixed in one cup of milk or water or half a cup of curd, and taken two times daily. The internal bark of the jambul tree is also used in the treatment of diabetes. The bark is dried out and burnt. It will create an ash of white colour. This ash must be pestled in mortar, strained and bottled. The diabetic patient must be given ten grams of this ash on an empty stomach with water in the morning, and twenty grams in the afternoon, and in the evening an hour after taking meals. An equal amount of amla powder, jamun powder, and bitter gourd powder also makes a very useful remedy for diabetes. A teaspoon of this mixture once or twice a day would be efficient in checking the progress of the disease.

4. Diabetes treatment with Grapefruit

Grapefruit is a fine food in the diet of a diabetic patient. If grapefruits were eaten more generously, there would be much less diabetes. If you have sugar, use three grapefruits three times in a day. If you do not have sugar, but a propensity towards it and want to prevent it, use three a day.

5. Diabetes treatment with Fenugreek

The seeds of fenugreek have been found useful in the treatment of diabetes. Fenugreek seeds, when given in changeable doses of 25 gm to 100 gm daily, diminish reactive hyperglycaemia in diabetic patients. Levels of glucose, serum cholesterol, and triglycerides were also appreciably reduced in the diabetes patients when the seeds were consumed.

6. Diabetes treatment with Bengal Gram

Experiments have shown that the drinking of water extract of Bengal gram enhances the use of glucose in both diabetic and normal persons. When kept on a diet which incorporated liberal supplements of Bengal gram extract, the condition of tile patient improved considerably and his insulin requirement was decreased to about twenty units per day. Diabetes patients who are on a set diet which does not severely limit the intake of carbohydrates, but includes liberal amounts of Bengal gram extract, have shown significant improvement in their fasting blood sugar levels, glucose tolerance, urinary excretion of sugar, and general condition.

Saturday, September 22, 2007

Type 2 Diabetes - Cinnamon Helps Diabetes and Obesity

The red carpet is laid out. Guests are "invitation only". Bright flashes from thousands of admirers' cameras are directed on you. Fans scream to get your attention. Filmmakers woo you to sign with them. Interviewers clamor to ask you just one question. You have top billing. You're the star. "Star of what?," you ask. Your healthy life.

You're invited to live your life without being diabetic or obese! Live without type 2 diabetes. Now, I know you're quite anxious to find out how you can live without diabetes or obesity strangling the life out of you. I will answer the "who, what, when, where, why, and how" questions so you can start living as soon as possible!

Who is invited?

-Anyone who wants to live life without diabetes or obesity.

-Anyone who wants to live life on their terms and not on medications or injections.

-Anyone who wants to live life healthy.

What is the secret to prevent diabetes and obesity? What is the secret that can be found in your kitchen pantry? Do you want to know the secret ingredient? It is cinnamon! Yes, cinnamon, the tasty spice you mix in apple pies and sprinkle on certain foods, can help prevent diabetes, obesity, and many other life-threatening diseases!

When should I start using cinnamon to prevent diabetes and obesity from sneaking into my life? Right now! A healthier body can't wait until tomorrow! Cinnamon is scientifically proven to help you feel, look, and live better.

Where can I buy cinnamon and in what forms does cinnamon come in?

-You can find cinnamon at your favorite local grocery store or market.

-There are two forms of cinnamon that can help any person with their personal interests:

1. Cinnamon comes in a convenient powdered form that can be mixed in with milkshakes or natural fruit juice.

2. Cinnamon also comes in sticks that can be used for cooking or decoration in your favorite unsweetened iced teas.

Why should I use cinnamon and how does it help me? Cinnamon is a wonderful and rich source of magnesium, in which I will explain the benefits:

Magnesium is essential for maintaining:

- Bone density.

- Electrolyte balance.

- Certain enzyme functions.

Magnesium is essential for improving:

- Cholesterol metabolism.

- Removes artery-damaging menaces from the blood.

- Improves the function of tiny blood vessels.

- Lowers blood levels of bad cholesterol and fats.

This rich source of magnesium holds many advantages for your health.

How can just a half a teaspoon of cinnamon a day prevent me from getting other dreaded ailments?

Cinnamon:

1. Improves cholesterol and glucose levels in the blood.

2. Treats stomach disorders such as diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting.

3. Acts as a digestive aid to relieve gas and bloating.

4. Prevents diabetes.

You're invited to live a longer and healthier life. The red carpet is laid out. All attention is on you, the star. What are you waiting for?

Thursday, September 20, 2007

Is Diabetes Nutrition About Cutting Out Sugar ?

So as you can see, controlling the food we eat is an important part of the treatment for the disease. Diabetic diets have a few basic aims.

They aim to control the number of calories that are consumed per day. In many cases, especially with type 2 diabetes, excess weight is an issue that may have caused diabetes or exacerbates the condition. Restricting the number of calories can stabilize weight gain or help to lose weight if combined with an exercise program. This is better for the overall health of the body and in treating diabetes.

The second point of a diabetic diet plan is to provide a balanced approach to food. A typical diet will follow many of the principles set out in the diabetic food pyramid. Therefore a typical meal or daily plan should consist of carbohydrates, fresh fruit and vegetables, dairy products and protein.

Most of the sugar that the body uses to convert to energy will come from the carbohydrates that are consumed so this food group should be monitored. A plan will specify the portions of carbohydrates and the number of portions that can be eaten in one sitting.

It is suggested to avoid fatty foods and oils mainly because they serve no real benefits to the overall health of the body which can only make diabetes worse.

Eating sweet foods that contain lots of sugar as part of a diet plan is also advised against but can be taken from time to time as a treat. Sugar gets into the body regardless of how much sugary foods are eaten and is vital for providing the body with energy. The aim of a balanced diabetic diet is to keep this blood sugar reading at a steady and constant level as much as possible. Eating sugary foods will cause this level to spike up. Large variations in the blood sugar level is ultimately bad for the health of the person.

Another part of diabetic nutrition is to eat on a regular basis. This ensures that blood sugar reading will be constant at all times.

Diabetic nutrition is not so much about restricting the amount of sugar that the body gets but how and what type of foods provide the sugar that our bodies need to create energy.

Tuesday, September 18, 2007

Diabetic Foot Ulcers and Essential Oils

Often and unfortunately, ulcers on the feet become a common result of diabetes. Once an open wound is present on the foot, it also becomes prone to complications that may rise from infection.


Prevention of infection may be achieved through the use of anti-bacterial, anti-fungal and anti-viral essential oils like Tea Tree oil. Tea Tree oil is also a commonly recommended essential oil that has historically assisted with the recovery of foot ulcers for several reasons.


First, Tea Tree oil has an unusually high concentration of terpinen-4-ol, an alcohol, which constitutes up to 35% of the finest quality Tea Tree oils. Research indicates the Terpinen-4-ol, successfully helps the body achieve normal inflammation levels, as indicated in a November, 2003, Australian study. Inflammation naturally occurs any time the body responds to trauma within the body. Inflammation results in redness, swelling, increased body temperature and pain. Thus, reducing inflammation may result in a reduction of the discomforts associated with the ulcer. Additionally, Tea Tree oil is used on foot ulcers is, because Tea Tree oil contains a unique blend of constituents that cannot be found in this combination anywhere else in nature. In 1978, G. Swords and G. L. K. Hunter authored an article titled: 'Composition of Australian Tea-Tree Oil (Melaleuca alternifolia)' in the Journal of Agriculture and Food Chemistry (vol. 26, 1978, pp. 734-9). This article pointed out that Tea Tree contains viridiflorene, present at I %, B- terpineol (0.24%) 1-terpineol (trace amounts) and allyl hexanoate (trace amounts).

Second, Tea Tree oil has been reported to have strong antiseptic properties. An antiseptic is defined as an anti-microbial substance that is applied to living tissue or skin to reduce the possibility of infection, sepsis (defined below), or putrefaction (defined below).

A small list of additional essential oils has also been noted to assist with ulcers: Frankincense (Boswell carteri), Rose (Rosa dmascena), Clary Sage (Salvia Sclarea), Lemon (Citrus limonum) and Bergamot (Citrus bergamia).


Two processes are suggested for the application of essential oils to an open wound. First, you may choose to put one or two drops of the essential oil directly onto a cotton ball or a cotton swab. Then simply dab the ulcer with the cotton ball. Second, you may choose to make a compress. A compress can either be hot or cold. Typically, a cold compress is used in the presence of a fever, acute pain or swelling. You may choose to alternate between a hot and cold compress until you are able to determine which one produces the best results. You may even find that a combination of a hot and cold compress used at alternating times, is the best option.


To make a compress, place 6 drops of essential oil into a small bowl of water. Then soak a piece of absorbent material in the mixture. The material can literally be anything the holds the liquid, such as a towel or washcloth. Do not remove the piece of material until it cannot hold one more drop of the liquid mixture. Then remove the material and twist it until the excess liquid is drained out of the material. This is done simply to prevent excessive spillage. After draining the extra liquid, the cloth may be applied to the open wound. The compress should remain on the wound for at least 2 hours. However, leaving the compress on the wound overnight, may be even more beneficial.

Copyright © 2007 Tawne Bachus

Sunday, September 16, 2007

Children with Diabetes - A Fat Chance

Children with diabetes are becoming a major problem in this country and around the world. This childhood epidemic is growing.

What is the concern?

The trend is growing. In 1999 13% -14% of boys and girls aged six to 19 were overweight. Over the past two decades these numbers have gone up 300%. More children are getting diabetes. Which will probably mean, more adults will have diabetes into the future?

A great percentage (over 80 %) of kids and adolescents that have diabetes are overweight. And this trend is increasing.

We are becoming less and less physical. Many of our activities are either on the computer, watching television or playing video games. It is so cool to have the latest and greatest cell phone with all the gadgets, or the most up to date software package for ones computer. With less movement comes increased girth.

Our children are waiting for us to lead the way.

As an adult you can deliver the message to your children in a way that they can benefit from what you have learned. This disease is similar for adults as it is for children. If you eat healthy and exercise you can avoid the diabetes disease. If you have diabetes then eating smart an exercising is not an option. You must make the change and so do your children.


Support your children no matter what. Show them an abundance of love and caring. If you are living a healthy lifestyle they are more likely to do the same as you. This will be beneficial for both of you. Create time together where you and your child can exercise. If you like playing a sport or like a particular work out program see if you can get your child into the same program. This will create a partnership with your kid that can last a lifetime.

Helping your child at this critical point in their lives is one thing that can enhance your relationship forever.

Saturday, September 15, 2007

Your Diabetes Natural Solution - Green Tea

What's so good about green tea you ask?

What's all the fuss? Green tea is filling up the grocery store shelves. A few years ago I just about heard of green tea. Now when I go to the store I see a dozen (at least) variations of green tea. Could this tea color be catching on?

So many green teas. So many flavors.

While green tea has been around for thousands of years, it has become a remedy of choice for diabetics looking to free themselves of medications. It is also a very accessible product to obtain. Grocery stores from Maine to Florida and from North Carolina to California carry varieties of green tea.

Green tea is easy to find. And the results that have been studied with regard to diabetes research are very positive. Japan, The United Kingdom's Council on Tea, The U S Department of Agriculture and Maryland University have produced research and testing results of green tea usage that has been very favorable. .

How does green tea work in the body?

There seems to be so many benefits associated with this type of tea. Green tea might just be one great blessing for diabetes care.

The Japanese and Chinese cultures have been using green tea for thousands of years. Green tea has been the buzz word in western culture for a few years now. Maybe some of the positive results that are being attributed to green tea are what all the hoopla is about.

Green tea can help control blood sugar levels for diabetic making it very appealing as a natural solution. The catechin polyphenols found in green tea make it a great antioxidant that can lower cholesterol, help to increase your immune system and assist your cardiovascular as well. It can support in the battle against cancer, and can also help preventing heart disease and rheumatoid arthritis.

The UK Council on Tea claims that people drinking green tea reduce their likelihood of getting diabetes, than those individuals that do not consume the beverage.

Green tea has about one half the amounts of caffeine that black tea has and about one quarter the caffeine in coffee. So it can be drunk just about any time of the day.

Green tea is for me. What about you?

Finding natural solutions for diabetes is what I like doing. If you are interested in what The Diabetic Warrior has to say about natural methods to help diabetics then keep reading. He has conquered the disease with his way of eating. The MP3 I did with him provides some insights that will benefit you in controlling your diabetes. Grab your free interview.

Thursday, September 13, 2007

The Importance Of Exercise In Fighting Type 2 Diabetes

As more and more of us are leading less active lives and, for example, sitting all day long in our ergonomic chairs in front of a computer, health problems associated with this change in our lifestyle are rising.

I don't think that anybody would dispute the fact we need to take some regular exercise, but only about 30% of people in the United States are currently getting the recommended level of thirty minutes exercise a day and it is frightening to discover that 25% of Americans today take very little or no exercise at all.

So what does this have to do with type 2 diabetes?

In recent years, in large part as a result of lower levels of activity, we have seen a dramatic increase in the number of people who are overweight in the United States and indeed obesity in America has now reached epidemic proportions. One major side-effect of this is that, as weight rises, so does insulin resistance and the onset of type 2 diabetes.

If you are skeptical about the connection between weight and diabetes then you only need to look at the latest statistics from the US Department of Health and Human Services which show that a staggering 80% of people suffering from type 2 diabetes are also classed as being clinically overweight.

If we are to reverse the rising trend in the number of people being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes then we must attack one of its root causes which is increasing weight. In turn, this means looking carefully at our diet but, just as importantly, looking at the amount of exercise we take to burn off the calories we are eating.

Perhaps the biggest problem whenever anyone mentions exercise is that it conjures up a picture of having to put on a pair of sweat pants and a tee shirt and jog around the local park or join those fitness fanatics down at the local gym. Nothing could be farther from the truth. Of course you can go jogging if you want to, or join your local gym, but there are numerous other options open to you.

The secret is simply to add activity into your daily routine which stretches you physically. Not to the point at which you feel you are about to collapse, but simply to the point at which you are aware of making your body do a bit of extra work.

So what sort of things are we talking about?

Well, if you live in an apartment on the fifth floor, use the stairs instead of taking the lift. If you ride the bus to work, get off a couple of stops early and walk the last part of your journey. If your garden is in need of attention, get out once or twice a week and push the mower around, do some weeding or dig over the vegetable patch.

This list of exercise opportunities is virtually endless and it doesn't really matter how you get your exercise. What is important is that you look carefully at your lifestyle and, in particular, at your daily routine and try to work in at least 30 minutes of physical activity every day. Combine this with taking a close look at your eating habits and both your weight and the problems associated with type 2 diabetes will begin to fall.