The appropriate answer would vary depending on the condition of your body. In fact, it would be your doctor who would decide what your targetted sugar level must be.

However, there are standard measures which can be referred to as the ideal values:

* Before meals it should be 4-7mmol/l\r
* After 90 minutes of taking your meal it needs to be less than 10mmol/l\r
* Last but not the least at bedtime it needs to be 8mmol/l

The above details are appropriate for a normal person but in case of a diabetic patient the values change a bit like:

* If you are a diabetes patient you need to be aware of what your blood sugar level must be.

Check it out:

- During the fasting phase, your sugar must be up to 130 mg/dL\r
- Further the level must be less than 180 mg/dL after you take your meals

* Why is it necessary to check your blood sugar level?

It is very necessary to know your sugar point and maintain a healthy life. You can seek the support of a meter to monitor your level of blood sugar at regular intervals. Actually, it would even help you to get aware of the fact that physical activity, food and medicine can directly affect you body. You can further maintain the record of the test results so that your doctor can review and understand your body condition in a better manner.

*Can I test my own blood sugar level?*

The answer to this question is yes. You can easily test your own glucose with the help of a meter. You just have to put a drop of blood on the meter. But, you must actually know the process of how to take on the test.

*Is it necessary to check the level of blood sugar at regular intervals?*

The answer to this question can be appropriately answered by your doctor. Actually, self-tests are done before going to bed, before and after meals. The aforementioned points would help you to be aware of your blood pressure and what you should do to avoid complications in the long run. In fact, to maintain a healthy lifestyle you daily mantra should be eat well and be well.

Stem cells may have an impact on how Type 1 diabetes patients are able to live insulin free.

Dr. Michael Gonzalez-Campoy from Minnesota Center for Obesity, Metabolism and Endocrinology states that this stem cell treatment is only for the patients that have been newly diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, since the immune system hasn’t destroyed the insulin producing beta cells. He also stated that this study has shown it is like giving a diabetic patient a new immune system that won’t attach the beta cells in the pancreas, and taking the old one that destroys the beta cells. So then the beta cells that are left are protected and produce the body’s natural insulin.

The stem cells used come from the patient themselves. A small group of twenty-three people with newly diagnosed type 1 diabetes were selected to do a study to see if they can survive without insulin shot after having their stem cells from their blood removed and reinjected into them after being treated. The patient had chemotherapy to suppress the immune system before the stem cells were reinserted back into them. The stem cell transplants were done at a center in Brazil. Twelve out of twenty-three patients were insulin free for about thirty-one months. Eight of those patients lasted from six to forty-seven months, insulin free. According to a report, one patient even lasted for a little over four years before needing an insulin shot.

Type 1 diabetes destroys the insulin producing cells within the pancreas. The pancreas then lacks the ability to produce insulin. People with this autoimmune disease survive by insulin shots. Most patients with diabetes has the type 2. Type 2 diabetes is controlled with exercise, diet, insulin or oral drugs. The researchers don’t think this treatment will help this type of diabetic patients since their pancreas can still produce its natural insulin.

Insulin is a type of hormone that the body needs to regulate its blood sugar.

Richard K. Burt, MD; a Professor of Medicine at Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine stated that it is an encouraging finding, but more study is needed before it is known if the treatment will truly help the disease. We will just have to wait and see what lies ahead in the future.

The research team said that stem cell transplantation is the only type of treatment that has shown to reverse type 1 diabetes.

Diabetes Mellitus Explained

Posted by admin in Prescription Diabetes Drugs, Weight Loss on April 19th, 2009

Diabetes mellitus has a very serious effect on the lives of millions of Americans and people all over the world. It is far more common in Western countries and although there are several kinds of diabetes, they all effect the manner in which the body processes and uses sugar.

In the body, glucose, which is a type of sugar, is used as an energy source. It is broken down by insulin, which is a hormone produced by the pancreas. The pancreas, which is located in back of the stomach, produces several enzymes that are used by the body during the digestive process.

In diabetic individuals, the pancreas does not produce enough insulin or the body becomes immune to the effects of insulin. As a result, the glucose is not properly broken down, which results in an elevated blood sugar level. It also means that the body is not getting the energy it needs, to it must turn to other sources. If left untreated, the body will turn to fat to get its energy. This can be very dangerous and cause a dangerous level of toxins to build up in the bloodstream as the fat is broken down. It can also cause weight loss.

There are two basic types of diabetes. Type I diabetes is when the body does not produce enough insulin and sometimes stops producing insulin all together. It was previously known as juvenile diabetes, because it is much more common in children, although it can be found in people up until they are 30 years old. As a result, the use of the term juvenile diabetes has been largely discontinued by medical professionals.

Type II diabetes, which is the most common type of diabetes, is when the body develops an insulin resistance. Obesity is a leading factor in Type II diabetes, although age also plays a role, with most of those with Type II diabetes being over the age of 40.

The treatment used will depend on what type of diabetes the individual has. Since in Type I diabetes, the body is not producing a sufficient level of insulin, insulin shots will be required. These shots can be self administered by most people who are over the age of 10 years old.

Insulin shots are sometimes used for Type II diabetes, but often diet and exercise is the first type of treatment used. Since the body is resistant to insulin, it is important to limit sugar and fat intake and instead eat foods that are high in carbohydrates, which includes pastas and rice. This way, the body can use the carbohydrates as a source of energy, instead of attempting to use sugar. There are also a number of medicines available that can help reduce the bodies insulin resistance.

Regular exercise and diet is very important for both types of diabetes and with careful attention to ones blood sugar level, it is possible to lead a full and productive life for most people with diabetes.