Nutritional Supplementation for Diabetics

Supplements are part of my holistic strategies to manage diabetes.these may be taken separately or combined in specially formulated products :-

1-Alpha lipoic acid (150 to 300 mg daily )
-As a powerful antioxidant, lipoic acid positively affects important aspects of diabetes, including blood sugar control and the development of long-term complications such as disease of the heart, kidneys, and small blood vessels

2-Biotin (part of B complex vitamins)
-enhances insulin sensitivity and increases the activity of glucokinase, the enzyme responsible for the first step in the utilization of glucose by the liver

3-Carnitine (500 to 1000 mg twice daily)
- increases insulin sensitivity and glucose storage, and optimizes fat and carbohydrate metabolism

4-Chromium (500 to 1000 mcg daily)
-improves metabolism of carbohydrates, proteins, and lipids.

5-Coenzyme Q10(CoQ10) (100 to 300 mg daily)
-improves blood sugar control, lowers blood pressure, and prevents oxidative damage caused by disease

6-N-acetylcysteine (500 to 1000 mg daily)
-a powerful antioxidant to prevent diabetic complications

7-Magnesium ((preferably magnesium citrate)—160 mg up to three times daily)
-people with diabetes are often deficient in magnesium, which is depleted both by medications and by the disease process

8-Vitamin B3 (Niacin)
-required for the proper function of more than 50 enzymes. Without it, the body is not able to release energy or make fats from carbohydrates

9-Vitamin C (1000 mg daily)
-mainly as antioxidants to prevent diabetic complications

10-Vitamin E (400 IU daily
-enhances sensitivity to insulin in type 2 diabetics & also a good antioxidant

11-Omega 3 fatty acids (1400 mg EPA and 1000 mg DHA daily)
- lower blood triglyceride levels, contribute to “thinning” the blood, and also decrease inflammation

12-Fibre (30 gm daily)
-prevent rapid spikes of glucose and helps to reduce cholesterol

Reference:http://www.lef.org/protocols/metabolic_health/diabetes_01.htm

diabetes

Insulin Resistance and Pre-diabetes

Watch out!Before you get full blown diabetes, there is a 'transition phase', what we call as insulin resistance or metabolic syndrome.The good news is you can actually reverse or slowing this phase-to avoid being labelled as a diabetic!

Only that you have to have a strong desire, believe and expectation (mind!), together with simple dietary and exercise regime

Insulin resistance is a silent condition that increases the chances of developing diabetes and heart disease. Learning about insulin resistance is the first step you can take toward making lifestyle changes that will help you prevent diabetes and other health problems.

What does insulin do?

After you eat, the food is broken down into glucose, the simple sugar that is the main source of energy for the body's cells. But your cells cannot use glucose without insulin, a hormone produced by the pancreas. Insulin helps the cells take in glucose and convert it to energy. When the pancreas does not make enough insulin or the body is unable to use the insulin that is present, the cells cannot use glucose. Excess glucose builds up in the bloodstream, setting the stage for diabetes.

Being obese or overweight affects the way insulin works in your body. Extra fat tissue can make your body resistant to the action of insulin, but exercise helps insulin work well.

How are insulin resistance, pre-diabetes, and type 2 diabetes linked?

If you have insulin resistance, your muscle, fat, and liver cells do not use insulin properly. The pancreas tries to keep up with the demand for insulin by producing more. Eventually, the pancreas cannot keep up with the body's need for insulin, and excess glucose builds up in the bloodstream. Many people with insulin resistance have high levels of blood glucose and high levels of insulin circulating in their blood at the same time.

People with blood glucose levels that are higher than normal but not yet in the diabetic range have “pre-diabetes.” Doctors sometimes call this condition impaired fasting glucose (IFG) or impaired glucose tolerance (IGT), depending on the test used to diagnose it

If you have pre-diabetes, you have a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes, formerly called adult-onset diabetes or noninsulin-dependent diabetes. Studies have shown that most people with pre-diabetes go on to develop type 2 diabetes within 10 years, unless they lose 5 to 7 percent of their body weight—which is about 5-15 kg for someone who weighs 100 kg—by making modest changes in their diet and level of physical activity. People with pre-diabetes also have a higher risk of heart disease.

Type 2 diabetes is sometimes defined as the form of diabetes that develops when the body does not respond properly to insulin, as opposed to type 1 diabetes, in which the pancreas makes no insulin at all. At first, the pancreas keeps up with the added demand by producing more insulin. In time, however, it loses the ability to secrete enough insulin in response to meals.
Insulin resistance can also occur in people who have type 1 diabetes, especially if they are overweight.

What causes insulin resistance?

Because insulin resistance tends to run in families, we know that genes are partly responsible. Excess weight also contributes to insulin resistance because too much fat interferes with muscles' ability to use insulin. Lack of exercise further reduces muscles' ability to use insulin.
Many people with insulin resistance and high blood glucose have excess weight around the waist, high LDL (bad) blood cholesterol levels, low HDL (good) cholesterol levels, high levels of triglycerides (another fat in the blood), and high blood pressure, all conditions that also put the heart at risk. This combination of problems is referred to as the metabolic syndrome, or the insulin resistance syndrome (formerly called Syndrome X).

Metabolic Syndrome

Metabolic syndrome is defined by the National Cholesterol Education Program as the presence of any three of the following conditions:

1-excess weight around the waist (waist measurement of more than 40 inches for men and more than 35 inches for women)

2-high levels of triglycerides (1.6 mmol/l or higher)

3-low levels of HDL, or "good," cholesterol (below 1.0 mmol/l for men and below 1.28 mmol/l for women)

4-high blood pressure (130/85 mm Hg or higher)

5-high fasting blood glucose levels (6.0 mmol/l or higher)

What are the symptoms of insulin resistance and pre-diabetes?

Insulin resistance and pre-diabetes usually have no symptoms. You may have one or both conditions for several years without noticing anything. If you have a severe form of insulin resistance, you may get dark patches of skin, usually on the back of your neck. Sometimes people get a dark ring around their neck. Other possible sites for these dark patches include elbows, knees, knuckles, and armpits. This condition is called acanthosis nigricans.
If you have a mild or moderate form of insulin resistance, blood tests may show normal or high blood glucose and high levels of insulin at the same time.

Do you have insulin resistance or pre-diabetes?

Anyone 45 years or older should consider getting tested for diabetes. If you are overweight and aged 45 or older, it is strongly recommended that you get tested. You should consider getting tested if you are younger than 45, overweight, and have one or more of the following risk factors:
-family history of diabetes
-low HDL cholesterol and high triglycerides
-high blood pressure
-history of gestational diabetes (diabetes during pregnancy) or gave birth to a baby weighing more than 4 kg
-minority group background (African American, American Indian, Hispanic American/Latino, or Asian American/Pacific Islander)

Can you reverse insulin resistance?

Yes. Physical activity and weight loss make the body respond better to insulin. By losing weight and being more physically active, you may avoid developing type 2 diabetes

The main goal in treating insulin resistance and pre-diabetes is to help your body relearn to use insulin normally. You can do several things to help reach this goal.

Be Active and Eat Well

Physical activity helps your muscle cells use blood glucose because they need it for energy. Exercise makes those cells more sensitive to insulin.

Stop Smoking

In addition to increasing your risk of cancer and cardiovascular disease, smoking contributes to insulin resistance. Quitting smoking is not easy, but it could be the single smartest thing you can do to improve your health. You will reduce your risk for respiratory problems, lung cancer, and diabetes.

Can medicines/supplements help?

Yes and they will be discussed in next issue

What You Need to Know About Diabetes

While our understanding of diabetes has grown considerably, the condition remains a major health threat. Most cases can be prevented. Even when the disease can't be prevented, diabetes can be managed with diet, exercise and medications.

What is diabetes?

People with diabetes have problems making and/or using insulin, a hormone that helps the body process sugar from the food we eat. Sugar - or glucose - is used as fuel by the body's cells. Glucose builds up in diabetics.

How is it diagnosed?

By testing glucose levels in the blood. In a fasting blood test, a normal glucose level is below 5.5 mmol/L. People are considered "pre-diabetic" if they have a fasting glucose level between 5.5-6.9 mmol/L. People with diabetes score 7.0 mmol/L and higher. Other tests are available, too, such as one that measures how much insulin the pancreas is producing. There are two main forms of diabetes: Type 1 and Type 2.

What is Type 1?

It is an autoimmune disease, which means the body's immune system attacks its own tissue. In Type 1, insulin-making cells in the pancreas are destroyed.People can't make enough insulin. Why does this happen? No one knows for sure, but researchers says patients likely are born with genes that make them susceptible, then they are exposed to some unknown "trigger" that kick-starts the disease. The trigger might be a virus, for example. Type 1 diabetes used to be called Juvenile Diabetes because it usually starts in children. But anyone can develop the disease.

How is Type 1 treated?

People with Type 1 must carefully monitor their diets and take daily injections of insulin. Some inject themselves throughout the day as needed; others wear insulin pumps that provide a constant infusion of the hormone.

What is Type 2?

This is the most common form of diabetes. People with Type 2 make insulin, but their bodies don't respond to it as they should. Those who are overweight and physically inactive are most likely to develop Type 2 diabetes.

How is Type 2 treated?

Some control Type 2 diabetes by losing weight, exercising regularly and watching what they eat. Patients with "pre-diabetes" can delay or prevent their progression to Type 2 with "intense lifestyle modification." But many diabetics need medicine. Some drugs make the body more sensitive to insulin; others increase production of the hormone. Many people take a combination of drugs. Some also need to inject themselves with insulin.

How to prevent diabetes

1. Know your risk. Talk to your health-care provider about getting tested for diabetes.

2. Set realistic goals for diet and exercise. Start small, such as exercising for 15 minutes daily, then add five minutes until you reach 30 minutes of exercise on at least five days a week.

3. Make better food choices. Eat fruits, vegetables, beans and grains. Avoid fried and processed foods. Eat smaller portions.

4. Write it down. Keeping a food diary can help you lose weight. Show it to your health-care provider.

5. Stick with it. Don't give up if you fall off track. Keep trying; your health depends on it !

diabetes

Ancient Art of Tai Chi Provides Multiple Health Benefits

Tai chi ranks among the best forms of exercise for maintaining all-around health and wellness. The benefits that it offers go beyond physical fitness, also bringing mental and spiritual gains to those who practice this internal martial art.

Perhaps the best way to describe tai chi is to say that it involves flowing through a series of postures that are coordinated with deep breathing. While engaged in tai chi's graceful and sequenced movements, the focused attention that is required can effectively absorb an individual into a meditative state. In fact, tai chi is sometimes referred to as "meditation in motion."

There are well over 100 possible positions and movements within the tai chi skill set. All joints and major muscle groups are exercised continuously without the strain that can come from high-impact activities. That's why tai chi is suitable for people of virtually all ages and fitness levels.The numerous benefits of tai chi include:

* Decreased blood pressure

* Strengthens muscles while developing flexibility

* Improved posture, balance and coordination

* Increased range of motion

* Decreased occurrence of injurious falls in the elderly

* Prevents or slows bone loss, especially in postmenopausal women

* Heightened mood and increased feelings of well-being

* Reduced levels of stress hormones

* Improved immune function

* Enhanced quality and duration of sleep

Tai chi has existed for centuries, and its benefits have been understood to some degree for just as long. Yet, only recently has Western medicine began probing for details specific to disease states and cellular effects.

Improves Type 2 Diabetes Control

A study from the British Journal of Sports Medicine has shown that tai chi exercises can improve the condition of Type 2 diabetes.The study engaged individuals with Type 2 diabetes in a 12 week program of tai chi and qigong, which is another "soft" martial art. Participants exercised for up to 1.5 hours up to 3 times per week. This activity led to a significant fall in blood glucose levels, along with significant improvements in other markers of metabolic syndrome.At the conclusion of the 12 week period, blood pressure was significantly reduced and insulin resistance was substantially improved. The participants had lost an average of 3kg. They also reported having more energy, sleeping better, experiencing less pain, and having fewer food cravings during the study.

Tai Chi Boosts the Immune System

There is strong evidence for the positive effect of tai chi on immune function. Recent research measured both T-helper cell activity and interleukin levels in patients following 12 weeks of regular tai chi practice. Because T cells are a vital component of the body's immune system, they serve as an excellent indicator of immune status.The researchers found that T cell activity was significantly increased at the study's conclusion. Furthermore, levels of interleukin-12 (IL-12) had doubled. IL-12 plays a role in further development and stimulation of T cells.

Another amazing testament to the power of tai chi comes from a report in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society. A study involving 112 adults, aged 59 to 86, showed that practicing tai chi boosted immunity against the herpes zoster virus –- this is the virus that's responsible for causing shingles, which manifests as a painful, blistery rash. In fact, tai chi alone bolstered immunity against the virus to a degree comparable to that achieved by the standard vaccine. That's right, tai chi works as well as the actual vaccine against shingles. Of course, the vaccine doesn't grant its recipient the countless other health benefits that come from regular tai chi practice.

-from Natural News-http://www.naturalnews.com/

-Let's tai chi for 5 minutes!

Why You Need To Take Multivitamins & Minerals

Everyone needs a balanced diet! Everyone requires proteins, carbohydrates, fats, fibers, vitamins, minerals and amino acids every day. The right diet can strengthen the muscles and bones as well as improve overall health. Vitamins are vital substances that are required for normal growth and functioning of the body. They are equally essential for adults and children of all age groups. During childhood and pregnancy, the need for vitamins increases, thus it is essential to take multivitamin supplements, which can help restore the lost vitamins and minerals in your daily diet.

Why do we need multivitamins?

Let's face it, due to the nutritionally depleted foods available to us, the fatty foods that we eat "on the go", along with everyday stress, toxins in the environment, and foods offered at most grocery stores, our bodies lack the vitamins and minerals we require. Many people eat food that is "dead food", food that does not offer any nutritional value whatsoever. Our bodies are literally starved of proper nutrients. Even when we obtain our food from natural sources, depletion of nutrients in the soil has made it increasingly difficult to get enough amounts of nutrients from our food. Therefore, we all need to supplement in addition to our daily food intake.

Benefits of taking multivitamins

There are a total of 13 essential vitamins, including vitamin A, B-complex, C, D, E and K. Each vitamin plays a unique role in improving and maintaining your health. Multivitamin supplements play a crucial role in all metabolic process of the body, and they assist in energy generation, growth, reproduction and health of body cells. A good multivitamin is the foundation of health and nutrition.Multivitamin supplements are specially designed to provide a variety of essential nutrients to the body. Daily intake of multivitamin supplements is suggested to prevent vitamin deficiencies. Pregnant women are advised to start intake of prenatal multivitamins in their first trimester in order to receive proper nutrition and pass it on to the fetus. In addition to these benefits, multivitamins can reduce the risk of developing cardiovascular disease and cancer.

Now let us take a look at the benefits of each multivitamin supplement.

Vitamin A plays a significant role in normal cell production, improving the vision, healthy growth and development of embryo and fetus, proper development of bones and brain, blood cell formation, and proper functioning of immune system.

Vitamin B-complex includes vitamin B1 (Thiamine), vitamin B2 (Riboflavin), vitamin B3 (Niacin), vitamin B5 (Pantothenic Acid), vitamin B6 (Pyridoxin), Biotin, Folic Acid and Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin). Every vitamin B-complex vitamin with its unique chemical structure serves a unique function in our body. Vitamins B1, B2, B3 and biotin play a significant role in energy generation. Vitamin B6 is necessary for regulation of different metabolic processes.

Vitamin C includes both L-dehydroascorbic acid and L-ascorbic acid. Vitamin C plays a crucial role in the formation of connective tissues such as collagen, which strengthens many body parts including blood vessels, muscles and internal organs. Vitamin C is also necessary for the synthesis of important connective tissues such as elastin, bone, fibrillin and fibronectin. It can improve the ability of the body for absorption, transportation and storage of iron. Vitamin C is popular for its antioxidant properties that can prevent certain degenerative disorders.

Vitamin D is vital for bone mineralization and proper skeletal development. It contributes a lot in strengthening the immune system and assisting the formation of blood cells. Vitamin D can protect the body from numerous health conditions such as autoimmune diseases, arthritis, multiple sclerosis and juvenile diabetes.

Vitamin E or tocopherol is a potent antioxidant that can protect the cell membranes and other fat-soluble parts of the body. It can also enhance the functioning of immune system and help protect the body from cardiovascular disease and some forms of cancer.

Vitamin K is a group of vitamin K1, K2 and K3. It plays an important role in blood clotting and bone metabolism.

Calcium is one of the most essential minerals to maintain good health. It is essential for proper development of bones and for nerve function, blood coagulation, normal functioning of heart, energy generation, muscle contraction and proper immune function

What is Double X?

Double X is the combination of 12 vitamins, 9 minerals and 17 plants concentrate designed for your optimal health

Use directions

NUTRILITE Double X™ is a dietary supplement. Adults should consume twice daily with meals:

1 tablet of multivitamin (gold)
1 tablet of multimineral (silver) and
1 tablet of concentrate (bronze).

further info:

http://www.amway2u.com/miniweb/doublex/WhyTakeAMulti_en_US.jsp

Price: RM 138 (186 tablets)