Did you ever stop to think why you are not able to take complete control of your health? The answer to the question can be found in the fact that most of us are, so to say, “health illiterate”. In spite of the wealth of information available about the ways to improve our health by changing our present lifestyles, we do not know how to put them to our use. Plainly speaking, most of us do not even know that such information is available.

It has been established that approximately 70% of the deaths attributed to cancer could have been avoided by some simple changes in our life style and that the main cause of our illness or disease (dis-ease) is due to stress, junk food, the environment and our very attitudes. Even those of us who are aware of these facts choose to ignore them and continue to lead a lifestyle destined to send us to the vagaries and ravages of disease.

The situation is such that, in a world bursting at its seams with health related information, we are caught in a dilemma of not knowing how to use it for our personal health. But there seems to be a ray of hope. Whole Health Education is now providing us with a perspective on all aspects of our bodies from the physical to the mental and the spiritual to help us to stay healthy.

For instance, diabetes affects nearly 18 million Americans; there are 240 million people suffering from diabetes all over the world and one person is dying every ten seconds due to diabetes. This is a leading health concern. Health education can restore the health of people with such chronic diseases.

On the Physical and Structural aspects, Whole Health Education educates on what organs and what physical processes in our bodies fail that causes the onset of diabetes. It tells that it is the inability of the body to convert the sugar intake into energy required by the body and other related information.

Diabetes can cause Emotional and Social problems. This is what the Emotional and Social aspect of Whole Health Education teaches us. In what way does diabetes effect our emotion? Most often it results in a case of poor self esteem. The effects of the ups and downs of the sugar in the blood stream can destabilize our sense of security and make us anxiety prone and fearful.

Whole Health Education provides information on the nutritional side of the disease and tell us what foods we should take and what foods we should avoid when we are suffering from diabetes. It tells us to eat less and to eat right. That vegetables are the best bet in combination with lean meat and proteins from the likes of fish and chicken. In a situation where your blood sugar has fallen below the normal level it is not wise to eat grain or sugar but sprouted grain bread etc. which can be satisfying.

Whole Health Education transforms the way we look after ourselves providing you an understanding of our health concerns. And by giving us the information in a way that helps us to understand our disease helps us to not only resolve the problem but also understand the care we choose the have. We, then, become the core of our healing process.

Taking omega-3 fatty acid supplements may lead to an increased risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD) in patients with Type 2 diabetes, by decreasing levels of homocysteine, a study from Iran shows.

Consumption of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids may protect against metabolic diseases such as atherosclerosis, but may also increase lipid peroxidation leading to altered levels of homocysteine and malondialdehyde (MDA), both of which play an important role in the development of CVD.

To determine the effect of omega-3 fatty acids on the concentration of homocysteine and MDA in patients with diabetes, M Djalali Jalali and co-workers (Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Iran) randomly assigned 81 Iranian men with Type 2 diabetes to receive three capsules of omega-3 fatty acids or a placebo every day for 2 months.

Blood samples for analysis of homocysteine, MDA, glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), fasting blood glucose, C-reactive protein (CRP), and lipid fractions were collected before and at the end of the study.

The results, reported in the journal Nutrition, Metabolism & Cardiovascular Diseases, show that after 2 months of omega-3 supplementation, serum levels of homocysteine and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) decreased significantly in the treatment group.

In the omega-3 group, homocysteine decreased by 3.1 mmol/l and HbA1c decreased by 0.75%, whereas in the placebo group homocysteine increased by 0.1 mmol/l and HbA1c increased by 0.26%.

The authors observed no changes in the concentrations of MDA, CRP, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and fasting blood glucose due to omega-3 fatty acid supplementation.

Meanwhile they report a significant positive correlation between homocysteine and CRP levels, which they suggest may indicate the involvement of systemic inflammation on homocysteine levels.

“We found that consumption of omega-3 fatty acids (3 g/day) for 2 months decreases the production of homocysteine in diabetic patients, which can lead to an increased risk of cardiovascular disease,” the researchers conclude.

MedWire (www.medwire-news.md) is an independent clinical news service provided by Current Medicine Group, a part of Springer Science+Business Media. © Current Medicine Group Ltd; 2009

Free abstract

The best diets for diabetics include foods that are low in calories and fat. If you or someone that you know has been diagnosed with the disease of diabetes - whether Type I or Type II, chances are the doctor has recommended a diet that works to maintain normal blood glucose levels. Let’s explore exactly what foods are good for someone with diabetes and learn some tips for success.

The most important components to a diabetic diet is to eat foods that are low in carbohydrates and refined sugar. This eliminates (or at least greatly reduces depending on how serious your diabetes is) candy, soda (with sugar), cakes and cookies. Foods that are high in carbohydrates, such as breads should be consumed with moderation. If you must have bread, consider only eating whole grain varieties for the best benefit.

Before you embark on any change in your diet or food eating behavior, here are some tips:

1) Eat a moderate amount of food at smaller intervals. This means that rather than having 3 large meals a day, change your routine to eating times with smaller portions. For example, between each ‘mini-meal’, include a snack of some sort. The snack needs to be healthy, however. For example, for your morning snack, you could have an apple and a piece of cheese. and for your afternoon snack, you could have another piece of fruit and a couple of whole grain crackers. Most diets for diabetics indicate that this is probably the most important strategy.

2) Drink lots of water. Water is an integral part of the best diets for diabetics, it does give you a feeling of fullness. Many people eat food because they think that they are hungry. Having a glass of water can help to curb off those hunger pains.

3) Include a serving of protein at each meal. Your body needs protein. It takes longer for protein to digest in your body - also giving you that full feeling longer. In addition, protein does not interfere in maintaining normal glucose levels.