Complex carbohydrates are touted to protect one from a number of diseases and conditions including cancer, cardiovascular diseases and type 2 diabetes. So knowing that we have these weapons to protect ourselves, why do some people not still see the light?

North Americans’ intake of refined sugar is estimated at 33 kg plus 20 kg more of syrup high in fructose per person each year. Fructose is used to sweeten syrups, low-fat food and beverages. The trouble with taking too much of this is that the liver changes too much sugar in the diet into lipid. The increased lipid closes down a gene namely, sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG).

This shutting down of the SHBG reduces the quantity of SHBG protein in the blood. This is not good as this protein plays an important part in regulating the quantity of estrogen and testosterone. With the less amount of SHBG comes higher risk for a number of conditions like uterine cancer.

The reduced SHBG amount also affects the metabolic state of the liver. Thus SHBG levels are employed to show a person’s risk of developing cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. It is therefore good to follow the advice to avoid eating sugar and to eat complex carbohydrates.

This leads us to the question as to what complex carbohydrates we can eat. Basically, these are foods in the form of whole grain like brown rice, muesli, oats and wholegrain breads. These complex carbohydrates are broken down more gradually than those of their cousins, the simple carbohydrates. That is why they are able to provide a slow but steady source of energy during the day.

Some more examples of complex carbohydrates are bran, maize, peas, pasta, macaroni and spaghetti. These are really starch or sugar that are bonded together forming a chain so the digestive enzymes have a harder job of breaking them down making them longer to digest. This has also an added bonus in the sense that it restricts the quantity of sugar that is converted into fat.

Complex carbohydrates should be a main part of the diet. In fact it should form half of the calories each day like the aforementioned foods plus cereals, fruits and vegetables. Simple sugar should only form a few of the calories allotted each day.

Dr. Hammond who is scientific director of Vancouver, Canada’s Child and Family Research Institute said that SHBG can be used to monitor the functioning of the liver way before the symptoms appear. This is good news because quite a number of people who have diabetes do not even know they have it. This puts them at a disadvantage because they cannot work on strategies to beat diabetes and stop the complications.

The new findings can also be used to find out whether the drugs and dietary strategies are effective in treating the conditions. This also dismisses the assumption that SHBG is reduced by too much insulin. Insulin therefore is not to blame for the low SHBG levels but rather the sugar metabolism in the liver is what counts. So what is the moral of the story? Eat complex carbohydrates.

Do you know a healthy low-GI diet plus physical activity is the most powerful way for a person with type 2 diabetes to optimize their insulin sensitivity and maintain stable blood glucose levels over the whole day?  And when you read this you will see how this type of diet increases the rate of weight loss compared to a conventional low-fat diet.

What is it?   

The Glycemic Index is a measure of how fast carbohydrates hit the bloodstream.  Carbohydrates are compared weight for weight.

It is important to understand not all carbohydrates have the same fuel efficiency.  Many refined or simple carbohydrates, or high-GI, cause blood sugar level highs and lows.  In other words they hit the bloodstream quickly, there is a period of high energy followed by a period of extremely low energy.  The diabetic is then left craving more of the simple quick release carbohydrates.  So I call these the fast carbohydrates.

Evaluation of the diet of people who develop diabetes compared to those who don’t, show the ones with the fast carbohydrate diet most often developed type 2 diabetes.  Once this condition is present, those who then eat the slow carbohydrate diet have the lowest blood glucose levels, and their triglycerides and LDL (bad cholesterol) levels fall.

Choosing slow carbohydrate food over fast carbohydrates, helps keep your blood sugars balanced and they contain the fiber and minerals usually removed in making their counterpart.  An example is whole wheat bread (slow) and white bread (fast).  

Foods containing slow carbohydrates are:

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• pasta

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• whole grains

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• legumes (beans)

They release glucose more gradually into the bloodstream and have a low-GI.  The slow and steady digestion of these produces a smoother blood sugar curve, giving a feeling of fullness and reduced disturbance to insulin and blood sugars.

You don’t have to just eat slow carbohydrates to get the health benefits, the two groups can be combined and the overall response is between the two.

It is known that a diet based on slow carbohydrate choices will:\r

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• reduce blood glucose spikes

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• improve insulin sensitivity

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• improve blood cholesterol levels

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• increase feelings of fullness after eating

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• reduce hunger between meals

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• increase the weight loss rate

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• help prevent weight gain over a longer period

Renovate your diet by:

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• substituting with slow carbohydrate food

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• being aware of the quantity of carbohydrates you eat

Low-GI foods will help you manage your Type 2 diabetes and your weight.

There is no doubt food is tied to feelings.    As children, our parents nurtured and rewarded us with food and treats.  As adults we equate food with socializing, celebrating, relaxing and having fun.  As a result, food can be comforting when we feel low or stressed and something to do when we we feel bored.  Everyone experiences stress in their lives.  When a person with diabetes becomes stressed, it makes it hard for them to keep their blood glucose levels on track. When you are stressed do you reach out for food? 

1. Make sure you are really hungry.  If you feel like eating anything, if any food would satisfy you, you are probably really hungry.  If you crave a certain food, your hunger is probably driven by your emotions.

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2. Cravings often disappear as fast as they appear.  Instead of eating, talk to a friend.  Talking to another can be a valuable way to deal with your problem and reduce the stress associated with it. 

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3. Remove yourself away from temptation.  Leave the kitchen or the house. 

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4. Food isn’t the only way to treat yourself.  You may find you can raise your spirits by shopping. Why not explore new things, new activities such as a massage, listening to music, or yoga, these could help reduce your stress.  Or take up a hobby, something you enjoy.

Emotional eating, isn’t wrong but it certainly contributes to overeating and unstable blood glucose levels.  Try to identify what triggers you to eat when you are not really hungry. 

Work out the emotion instead of suppressing it with food:

• get to know your body’s normal reactions so you can recognize when you are tense.  A fast pulse and shallow breathing are usually signs of stress

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• make lists and sort out your priorities.  This will give you a feeling of control over what you want to do and what you enjoy

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• be aware of your needs and give priority to them when you can

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• look at all the causes of your stress and find one you want to do something about.  List all the options and solutions you can,  select one option and give it a try

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• sit back and evaluate what happened

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• be kind to yourself

If you have type 1 or type 2 diabetes, you need to find ways to manage your stress without  finding comfort with food. 

And don’t  forget to have some fun!

If you have diabetes, then you have probably experienced numbness in the hands or feet due to poor circulation. There are some simple ways to combat this numbness - known as diabetic neuropathy - and increase the circulation to your hands and feet.

I have had type 1 diabetes for nearly forty years. In my struggle with this disease, circulation has certainly been a factor. Quite a few years ago, there were many nights when I would wake up with a painful tingling in my hands that would quickly turn to a numb feeling and and inability to even use my hands. I have discovered some very simple ways to prevent this from ever happening again.

One way to combat diabetic neuropathy is to take the vitamin B-6. I would suggest at least 200mg daily. My doctor turned me on to my daily dose of B-6, and I am forever thankful for it.

Another way is to take l-argenine. L-argenine is an amino acid that is a vasodilator. A vasodilator increases blood flow and circulation throughout the body. The hands and the feet get a very marked increase in the amount of blood that circulates to them after just one dose. L-argenine is available at vitamin stores and many supermarkets.

It is also very important to try and eat foods that will allow you to lower the amount of insulin that is required to sustain a normal blood glucose level. Try and stay away from high-sugar foods that will require large bolus amounts. Even though the body needs it, extra large amounts of insulin can slow down circulation.

Try standing up! Maybe you have just been sitting too long, or have put your feet in a precarious position. If you stand up and move around, the circulation increases throughout your entire body.

Take your daily dose of vitamins.

A WORD OF WARNING: Diabetic neuropathy can also be a symptom of low blood sugar. If you suddenly feel tingling and numbness in your hands or feet, be sure and test your blood glucose level before doing anything else. I would suggest that you test your blood glucose at least eight times a day - but especially if you are experiencing diabetic neuropathy.

Try these simple treatments on a regular basis and hopefully your diabetic neuropathy will decrease just as mine has. Not only will increased circulation be helpful for your diabetes, your heart will thank you as well.

Studies in Australia and overseas are showing that many people with type 2 diabetes, undergoing weight-loss surgical procedures are finding their diabetes either disappears completely or is drastically improved.

Weight-loss surgery changes the anatomy of your digestive system.  The surgery helps in weight loss and lowers the risk of medical problems associated with obesity by limiting the amount of food you can eat and digest.   You will feel full much more quickly than when your stomach was it’s original size.

Surgery may seem like a quick fix for people battling with their weight but surgeons and experts point out it is not a magic cure.

1.  Gastric Banding:\r

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• this procedure is performed using keyhole surgery

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• an inflatable band is placed around the upper section of the stomach making the stomach into a smaller pouch

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• the band keeps the opening from expanding and is designed to stay in place indefinitely

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• it can be adjusted to increase or decrease the size of the pouch or can be surgically removed if necessary

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• the mortality rate is reported to be 1 in 1000

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• less weight loss and slower weight loss occurs with this procedure than with gastric bypass

2.  Gastric Bypass Surgery:\r

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• is a major procedure

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• some surgeons perform this procedure by inserting a laparoscope through small incisions in the abdomen.  A tiny camera at the end of the laparoscope allows the surgeon to see inside your body

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• the laparoscopic procedure usually shortens the hospital stay and gives a faster recovery than open gastric bypass

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• the surgeon creates a small pouch at the top of your stomach, adding a bypass around a section of your stomach and small intestine

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• the pouch created is then able to hold very small amounts of food

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• food is then redirected, bypassing most of your stomach and the duodenum (the first section of your small intestine), into the jejunum (the second section of your intestine)

The sealed stomach section remains healthy and continues to secrete digestive juices.  This  weight-loss surgery limits absorption of nutrients and reduces calorie intake.  

Research shows there are greater risks with a bypass but the benefits still make it a viable option.  The risk of staying overweight far outweighs the risk of surgery.

How these surgeries work:

Although not always, often type 2 diabetes results from a person being overweight.  This then puts the beta (insulin producing) cells of the pancreas under great stress.  The pancreas has to work harder to produce more and more insulin and eventually becomes exhausted. By reducing the amount of fat in the body and reducing insulin resistance, the pancreas recovers.  

The most effective way to reduce the incidence of type 2 diabetes is directly associated with lifestyle changes.

Surgery or not, without lifestyle changes diabetes will remain. 

Type 2 diabetes is often associated with obesity and the insulin concern is either the insufficiency of its production or the lack of response by the body cells to insulin functions.

Hence, treatments involve the implementation of a proper diet, enough exercise, and drug medication. However, this type of diabetes is known to be progressive or can get worse and may reach a point where symptoms will have to be addressed by insulin injections.

Based on statistics, 95% of people with known medical records of diabetes are affected by the type 2. Nonetheless, both types 1 and 2 diabetes are considered as incurable and the treatment for both is aimed at controlling the blood glucose at a normal level.

Type 2 diabetes treatment however, is different from type 1 since exercise, proper diet and drug medications will suffice to control the symptoms.

Herewith are the generic names of the medications used as additional treatment for the type 2 diabetes; the list below can provide you with the possible side effects you may encounter as a diabetic patient:

1. Sitagliptin phosphate - This is an oral medication that may not affect your weight but has known indications to have caused sore throat, diarrhea or upper respiratory tract infection.

2. Exenatide - This medication is taken as an injection and may help as a weight loss medium. Its possible side effects are nausea or inflammation of the pancreas.

3. Pramlintide - Also received by the body through injection and can also help in weight loss. Possible side effect is nausea and the patient is cautioned not to take this simultaneously with other oral medications for diabetes. Avoid using the same syringe previously used for injecting insulin.

4. Pioglitazone - An oral medication known to cause decrease in triglycerides. Weight can be gained and there are indications that it can cause swelling, increase bad cholesterol (LDL). In some rare cases this medication has caused liver problems. It is important not to use this in type 1 diabetes if under diabetic ketoacidosis.

5. Rosiglitazone - This medication is taken orally and is known to increase good cholesterol (HDL). However, its use presents the possible risks of heart attack, swelling, weight gain, liver problems, increase in bad cholesterol (LDL) and triglycerides.

6. Glimepiride - An oral medication that blends well with other diabetes medicines. Its other effects can cause lower blood sugar and weight gain.

7. Metformin - Taken orally and will not cause weight gain but can lead to a decrease in bad cholesterol (LDL) and triglycerides. However, some side effect are nausea, diarrhea and the build up of harmful lactic acid.

8. Glipizide - One of the oldest known oral medication which unifies with other diabetes medications. Nevertheless, weight gain and low blood sugar can be experienced.

There maybe an abundance of medications available for type 2 diabetes, but still there is the possibility to develop hypoglycaemia or low blood glucose. In view of this, it is recommended to have a sugary drink or glucose tablets with you in case the need arises. Other remedial treatment includes an injection of glucagon, a hormone that immediately increases the level of blood glucose.

Trained educators who understand diabetes sufferers and well versed in education programs flexible in content and adaptable to the clinical and psychological needs of the patient can also contribute to the effective implementation of type 2 diabetes treatment.

There is no current cure for diabetes although several treatments are available. Treatments include, diet plans, insulin injection, oral medication or surgery depending upon the type of diabetes. The proper management of treatments for diabetes helps diabetics maintain a normal way of life.

Diabetes has three specific types: type 1, type 2 and gestational diabetes.

Is there a possible cure for diabetes type 1?

In type 1 diabetes, the islet cells of the pancreas in charge of producing insulin is being destroyed by the immune system of the body. Hence, the production of insulin by the pancreas is affected or the pancreas no longer produces insulin. The cause is still unidentified but this is often attributed to viral infections or disorder in the genes.

This is treated by a daily dose of insulin injection, an insulin pump or the insulin jet system. Oral medication as a treatment for type 1 diabetes is not applicable since it still has to pass the digestive system before it can take effect in the blood.

The currently suggested cure for type 1 diabetes are pancreas transplant, islet cell transplantation or stem cell transplant. Individuals who have undergone these surgical treatments as part of clinical tests, are still under evaluation for possible re-development of immunity rejection and its ability to maintain adequate number of insulin cells that can meet insulin requirements as well as keep new cells alive.

Other new treatments like synthetic human insulin, insulin analogs, genetic manipulation, BCG (Bacillus Calmette-Guérin) vaccine, gastric bypass surgery and computerized artificial pancreas are still undergoing human clinical trials and study, in the hopes of finally determining if there is a cure for diabetes.

The drug BCG is said to have been tried and tested for 80 years now. Hence, if human clinical tests can prove this drug to be successful, the availability of a cheap generic drug to administer is possible.

Is there a possible cure for diabetes type 2?

Majority of diabetics are suffering from type 2 diabetes. This is due to insulin resistance of the body brought about by the inability of the cells to react to insulin or the production of insulin is not sufficient to control the blood glucose.

This is familiar among older people, obese individuals or persons with weight problems, due to their physical inactivity. Treatment initially requires diet control, exercise and oral medication to avoid progression into becoming type 1 diabetes. In the event that it does progress, treatment will then require insulin injection.

Similarly, there is also no cure for type 2 diabetes, hence, proper management of its treatments is necessary to avoid the progression of the disease.

This type of diabetes may also crop up in pregnant women known as gestational diabetes and may take place in the last months of pregnancy. Although considered as not life-threatening and may disappear after giving birth, the mother is already deemed prone to type 2 diabetes.

Once an individual becomes afflicted with diabetes mellitus, it will become a part of his or her life and can even be a cause of death. Adequate knowledge in managing this disease can help the patient live longer.

Management includes lifestyle change, nutrition plan, physical activity and having a diabetes team to supervise the daily medications and monitoring. Other than the doctor, nurse, dietitian and healthcare professional, one should include a diabetes educator as part of the diabetes team. The diabetes educator will be responsible for the psychological needs of the patient and in providing assistance for some of the clinical requirements.

In as much as the elusive cure for diabetes is still undergoing further researches and clinical tests, management of the diseases is still the best way for the diabetic sufferers.

Those who are not yet afflicted with diabetes but are engaged in a lifestyle that may develop their body system into becoming one, it is best for them to consider the necessary changes in their way of eating and living to prevent diabetes from having control over their lives.