Preventing Diabetes

Glucosamine Arthritis

admin — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 05:43:09 +0000

Conventional medicine in the past has not worked for Arthritis pain. Then came the NSAIDS such as Aspirin and Ibuprofen and later, Naproxen Sodium were introduced. Although they covered up Arthritis pain, they had side effects if taken for long periods and with increased dosages which needed to cover up pain. The first generation of pre COX-2 drugs, the NSAIDS worked largely to inhibit an enzyme known as COX-1 which unfortunately is a non-specific molecule. It also affects several other important body systems, such as blood clotting and digestion.

The COX-2 Inhibitors, the supposedly more “selective” medications, ie. brands such as bioflex - Glucosamine liquid and which are generally available only with a prescription, ( costing far more than over the counter NSAIDS) were then introduced. COX-2 has its fatal side effects and with the high cost, is presently being changed.

Glucosamine and its effectiveness for Arthritis in humans and animals has been in progress for more than twenty years, both in America and in places such as Europe, Germany, Italy, Portugal, and Spain.

Glucosamine is different than NSAIDs or COX 2 drugs; this is also far cheaper and is derived from natural sources . It helps to build up and maintains cartilage, tendons and other connective tissues in the body by acting as a building block for these materials and inhibiting enzymes that destroy cartilage.

When the body does not have an adequate supply of glucosamine, Arthritis – most commonly Osteoarthritis – can develop. This debilitating condition that afflicts many people is characterized by a breakdown in the “shock absorbers” of the joints, particularly weight bearing ones such as the hip or knee. Glucosamine works by preventing the cartilage destruction, joint pain, swelling and loss of flexibility in a natural way and without the harmful side effects.

Glucosamine cannot cure your Arthritis, but it will relieve pain in the joints, results might take a little bit longer than NSAIDs or COX-2 drugs. Glucosamine can be taken with traditional NSAIDS (aspirin, ibuprofen, etc). Clinical trials tested, 1,500 mg of glucosamine per day.

Combat Type II Diabetes

admin — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 00:00:00 +0000

Can you imagine a life without a trace of sweetness in it? No we are not talking about the sweetness of love and care. It is all about the chocolates, pastries and creamy sugary coffees. Though it is pretty tough to limit your intake of all these mouth-watering foods and beverages, you cannot avoid it when you develop Type II diabetes. When it was first discovered, Type II diabetes was known as “noninsulin-dependent” diabetes – older people still refer to it as ‘sugar diabetes’. Type II diabetes is a chronic condition that hampers the sugar metabolism in your body. Among all the other risk factors causing Type II diabetes, obesity is but one. The other risk factors include age, family history, heart disease and high blood pressure.

Research and surveys have proven the fact that Type II diabetes can be delayed or prevented by loosing the extra kilos. The Diabetes Prevention Program or DPP proved clearly that increased physical activity and balanced diet could help in diabetes prevention effectively. In this program they defined two different ways to prevent Type II diabetes. One of them is healthy changes to your lifestyle, like regular exercising for at least 30 minutes, and limited diet. The other one was medication. People of all ages were benefited in a greater way with the first method when compared to the second.

Fight diabetes with yoga

admin — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 00:00:00 +0000

We all know that Type I diabetes is the result of genetic inheritance and yoga cannot do much to prevent it. But type II diabetes, which is the product of unhealthy food habits and imbalanced lifestyle (amongst other things), can be treated with simple yoga techniques. There are a few asanas and pranayamas, which can help with diabetes prevention.

The sun salutation is a yoga technique that can play an important role in diabetes prevention. It increases and improves blood circulation in various parts of the body and the insulin management system can be enhanced as a result. You need to practice this at the rate of 4 repetitions a minute to get the best results.

Asanas are other important section of yoga, which initiates the overall well being of the body as well as perhaps helping with a fast prevention and cure for diabetes. There are various postures performed through the yogasanas, which stretch, tone and exercise the body and increase oxygen and blood supply to the internal organs. A few of the asanas (like Dhanurasana, Vajrasana, Sarvangasana and Matsyasana) can be effective for diabetes.

There are quite a number of pranayamas and meditation techniques explained in yoga, which may reduce stress levels and improve the internal body functions to eradicate diabetes from the root.

Active Muscles Fight Diabetes

admin — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 00:00:00 +0000

If you are eating foods rich in sugar regularly, then you will get diabetes - this is the most common myth amongst people. But research and observations have made it clear that there are many other factors like genetic predisposition, decreased physical activity, an unhealthy diet, high blood pressure, family history, and age that can increase the probability of diabetes occurring. The best way to keep your weight under control is exercising regularly and shredding the extra pounds from your body. There are few exercises that build muscle mass in the body - and it is a proven fact that muscles are the most active tissues of human body.

Muscles burn more calories a day and dispel the blood sugar quickly. The more you tone up the muscles and give them a tough work out, the more they will contribute to effective diabetes prevention. Cardio exercises performed as a combination of lower and higher intensity levels burn fat faster, and strengthen the deep muscles inside the body. If you do not have a treadmill at home or cannot manage time to hit the gym several times a week then common cardio exercises like climbing staircase and jogging will help you put a stop to diabetes. For some, even a slight increase in physical activity can help ward off diabetes.

How Foods Affect Diabetes and the Risk of Developing It

admin — Sat, 23 Aug 2008 00:00:00 +0000

Diabetes does not mean a life of never again eating ‘bad’ foods – although some do choose to stick to a healthy diet and steer clear of foods that may have a negative impact on their sugar levels. But it is more limiting and controlling the intake of foods you know that will increase your sugar levels rapidly, leading to what is known as a ‘diabetic stroke’. Even if it does not get this serious, over indulging too often can lead to serious complications such as kidney disease, blindness, and the need for amputation. But before it gets that bad, you can head off Type II diabetes by controlling what you eat now, especially if you have been given a diagnosis of ‘pre-diabetes’ or ‘insulin resistance’.

Foods containing saturated fat (that easily gets deposited in your body) should be avoided strictly. The extra calories that you consume everyday get stored in fat cells, and show up around your tummy. Fast foods and crispy fried snacks are another enemy of a diabetes-free life. Replace white breads with cereals at breakfast, and switch over to fruit juices – or better still, water – instead of sugary aerated drinks. Eat small meals several times a day, instead of an elaborate filling lunch. Dinner should be light and balanced with all the nutrients and food groups. Whole grain foods, fruits like apple and leafy green vegetables will help you prevent diabetes.

Prevent diabetes with low Glycemic index food

admin — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 00:00:00 +0000

All carbohydrate rich food that you consume does not have the same effect on the level of blood sugar. The glycemic index helps you understand the difference by listing the carbohydrates according to their ranks. Not only people who are obese or genetically prone to diabetes can make good use of the Glycemic index – it can help even healthy people eat better and be more aware of the impact on their bodies when they consume carbohydrates. It is equally important for all of us to keep a check on blood sugar levels, and find out which food causes fewer fluctuations in insulin and blood sugar levels. Foods can be segregated into three categories - high GI foods, medium and low GI foods.

If the foods you are consuming are all high GI foods, then it is going to have a detrimental effect on your health over time. The low GI foods have a number of positive effects, especially in diabetes prevention. They aid in weight loss and also increase the insulin sensitivity of your body. You feel less hungry after consuming low glycemic index foods (and you stay fuller for longer) and the stamina of the body is enhanced greatly. Bran, barley, oats and whole grains are few low glycemic index foods.