Does green tea lower blood sugar? This is a question asked quite frequently by sufferers of diabetes. About 60 years ago a university doctor discovered something very interesting in hospitalised patients during the traditional tea ceremony. He noticed that the blood sugar of patients went down during this time and returned to normal shortly after the ceremony.

He wrote a report on this but due to the outbreak of World War II it was ignored and wasn’t picked up afterward because of the post war food shortages; however, in recent years it has been found that diabetes in Japan is growing and as a result an interest in the effects green tea has on lowering the blood sugar is increasing.

Why should diabetes concern you? Well, sugars are digested mainly by the duodenum where they are converted to glucose and absorbed into the blood, insulin regulates the intake of blood sugar into the tissue. Diabetes is the name given to the improper function or lack of insulin in the body which hinders the absorption of glucose into the system and leads to high concentrations of blood sugar which must be eliminated from the body.

If the blood sugars aren’t eliminated then eventually the vascular system will be affected leading to other more serious diseases such as atherosclerosis and retinal hemorrhages.

Recent animal studies suggest that green tea may help to prevent the onset of type 1 diabetes and slow it down if it ever takes a hold. But what makes it work? The studies found that it contains high levels of catechins and polysaccharides, it’s these two constituents that help to naturally lower blood sugar.

The Japanese drink about four to six cups a day to help prevent diabetes, this is about the recommended dosage to help reap the benefits of this natural dietary supplement. Over here in the west the most common form is green tea extract found in supplements.

In order to reap even greater benefits it should be taken along with other complimentary natural nutrients. When combined properly for the greatest reward you have what is called a synergy.

Having done lots of research on this matter in my opinion the answer to the original question, does green tea lower blood sugar? I’d have to say a resounding yes. If you’d like to find out more about the benefits of synergies, the best way to take green tea, visit my website.

Diabetes is diagnosed when body is not able to produce insulin or properly use it. Insulin is the essential hormone much needed to convert sugar, starch and and food that contain these into energy that is required for normal body function. There are many types of diabetes. . .

Type 1 diabetes

This type of diabetes results in body’s inability to produce insulin the much needed hormone that breaks down glucose to assimilate into the cells and provide the body with the energy or fuel necessary normal body function mechanism. About 5-10 % of population are believed to have this kind of diabetes.

Type 2 diabetes

In this type of diabetes the body fails to properly use insulin. Most of the people who are diagnosed with diabetes have this type of diabetes.

Gestational diabetes

5-10% of women are diagnosed with type 2 diabetes immediately after pregnancy. This type of diabetes is called gestational diabetes.

Pr-diabetes

In this condition the blood sugar level is higher than the normal level but yet not sufficiently high to be declared as type 2 diabetes.

But type 1 and type 2 are the most common kind of diabetes. The contributing factor for both types of diabetes is different but both result in too much glucose (sugar) in the blood. Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes and found in around 90% of all diabetes.

Diabetes is also known as the silent killer as can increase the risk of developing other conditions, such as heart disease. In fact it suppresses the symptoms of heart condition until it is too late. Detecting type 2 diabetes is very difficult. The symptoms are barely noticeable. By the time you consult a doctor you have it for a quite a few years. This is the reason there are believed to be millions of people with diabetes yet to be diagnosed. Every body is aware of the usual classic symptoms like fatigue, recurrent infections and frequent urination. But here are four very simple yet distinct sign of type 2 diabetes.

Bad Breath

If you have bad breath like the smell of nail polish remover take care.

Excess sugar in saliva causes bacterial growth which in turn creates foul smelling breath.

Swollen Gums

Increased bacteria can result in inflammation and bleeding of the gum.

Blurred Vision

Sugar accumulating in the lens of the eye makes it swell and this result in blurred vision.

Frequent Thirst

The body tries to excrete sugar and hence it needs plenty of fluid. This results in frequent thirst.

Type 1 diabetes is a lifelong condition that needs optimum medical care. Let me tell you more about other alternative treatments for type 1 diabetes that can be used to help you out with your condition.

Before anything else, let us find out some more about the nitty-gritty of this disease. This is formerly known as juvenile diabetes because it is commonly found in children and adolescents.

This happens when the body has trouble producing insulin. This is a type of hormone that is needed in order to process sugar into energy. For normal people, insulin is generated by the pancreas and this will then synthesize glucose and convert it into energy.

Without this hormone, glucose just remains in the blood stream and accumulates there. A high sugar level can lead to many complications such as heart stroke and other organ failure. A person affected with this condition is also at a risk of having retinopathy (blindness), neuropathy (nerve damage) and nephropathy (kidney damage).

Being diagnosed with this condition is scary. And since there is no immediate cure for this disease, you will forever carry the symptoms with you. However, living a long, good and happy life can still be achieved.

The blood sugar level can be regulated and treatments are given to help produce insulin-mimetic properties. People with this disease should also put their health at the top of their priority. Living a healthy and active lifestyle is highly advised.

It is important to always regulate the level of sugar in the blood stream. Blood sugar monitoring gadgets are present to help you out with that. In this way, you will know when you are in jeopardy of having complications.

There are many delicious foods nowadays specifically cooked for diabetics. These are organic dishes that are delicious and at the same time very healthy.

Many medical authorities have seen the potential of some herbal remedies in treating this disease. Here are some of those proven to be effective:

1. Bitter gourd-if you notice many naturally manufactured tablets nowadays, they incorporate more bitter gourd content. This is because it can specifically treat this disease effectively.

2. The mixture of the juices of parijataka and bilva leaves can also be taken daily.

3. Indian gooseberry is a good source of vitamin C. This vitamin is vital to the treatment of this disease. This can improve the functions of the islets of langerhans which is located in our pancreas.

4. Mix pulverized fenugreek seeds with a glass of milk. Drink this daily.

5. The leaves of mango tree can also be used. You can try soaking the leaves in water to infuse the natural contents in it. Drink the concoction first thing in the morning.

Type 1 Diabetes is an auto immune disease that destroys the insulin producing cells of the pancreas. Type 1 Diabetes used to be called juvenile diabetes because it usually struck people under 20. In type 1 diabetes, the beta cells of the pancreas produce little or no insulin, the hormone that allows glucose to enter body cells. Once glucose enters a cell, it is used as fuel.

Type 1 Diabetes is largely inherited.

Without adequate insulin, glucose builds up in the bloodstream instead of going into the cells. The body is unable to use this glucose for energy despite high levels in the bloodstream, leading to increased hunger.

In addition, the high levels of glucose in the blood causes the patient to urinate more, which in turn causes excessive thirst. Within 5 to 10 years after diagnosis, the insulin-producing beta cells of the pancreas are completely destroyed, and no more insulin is produced making people with type 1 insulin dependent.

Type 1 diabetes can occur at any age, but it usually starts in people younger than 30. Symptoms are usually severe and occur rapidly.

The exact cause of type 1 diabetes is not known. Type 1 diabetes accounts for 3% of all new cases of diabetes each year. There is 1 new case per every 7,000 children per year. New cases are less common among adults older than 20.

The result is Type 1 Diabetics are hungry all the time trying to make up for the shortfall of insulin. Amazingly though since the body cannot process the nutrients weight loss is symptomatic along with extreme thirst and excessive urination. The kidneys try to process the excess glucose to balance things out. Weakness is another symptom.

Type 2 diabetes is one of the most common potentially life threatening diseases of our time affecting close to 20 million people in the United States alone. Type 2 diabetes is an inability of the body to utilize blood sugar and is caused by environmental issues and more commonly by genetic disposition.

Under normal circumstances our bodies react to blood sugar by producing insulin which acts as a trigger to cause our cells to absorb the sugar. It is an amazingly effective system when it is working properly, sensing what the bodys energy requirements are and releasing insulin accordingly. There are only two parts of the body that absorb sugar from the blood spontaneously without an insulin trigger, the heart and the brain. The rest of your body, however, needs the insulin the kick start the process or it wont absorb the sugar it needs. In type 2 diabetes, the body develops a resistance to the insulin trigger and the blood sugar absorption process is impaired. This results in the body being starved of energy causing lack of concentration, fatigue and eventual damage to the body, in particular the kidneys, eyes and nervous system as a result of the constantly elevated glucose levels.

The body as natural reaction to the lack of sugar uptake is to flood itself with more insulin. This not only taxes the pancreas but exacerbates the problem of fatigue as insulin tends to make you lethargic. You feel constantly tired and tend to exercise less as a result causing you to burn less energy and a deadly cycle is set in motion. The excess, un-utilized sugar is converted to fat, obesity usually results and the cycle just gains momentum with time. Resultant secondary conditions of type 2 diabetes are elevated cholesterol levels, heart disease, retinopathy, circulatory problems, kidney failure, hypertension, susceptibility to infections and depression.

All of these factors make type 2 diabetes a particularly insidious disease that requires constant monitoring and control. In addition to many prescription medications to control type 2 diabetes, there are natural supplements that are also effective in aiding in the control of the disease. From a general health, drug free perspective these are particularly attractive options. A couple of these natural supplements are listed below.

Cinnamon:

Cinnamon lowers blood sugar and cholesterol levels.

Apple Cider Vinegar:

ACV is believed to be highly effective in combating insulin resistance.

Chromium:

Chromium improves insulin efficacy and reduces sugar craving. Chromium polynicotinate is a particularly powerful type of chromium.

Magnesium and Potassium:

These elements are usually lacking in diabetics and so should be supplemented.

Vanadium:

Vanadium imitates the effects of insulin and reduces the amount of insulin you body has to produce.

Garcinia cambogia:

Hydroxycitrate contained in garcinia cambogia signals the body to store excess glucose in your liver as opposed to packing it into your fat stores. There it can be utilized as an energy source far better if your blood glucose levels become depleted.

Ginseng:

North American Ginseng has been shown to help control blood sugar levels.

Zinc:

Zinc plays an essential role in the production and stockpiling of insulin and is often lacking in those suffering from type 2 diabetes. Common zinc rich foods are fresh oysters, ginger root, lamb, pecan nuts, egg yolk, almonds and chicken.

Aloe Vera Gel:

Although not conclusive, tests indicate that Aloe Vera gel may reduce glucose and glycosylated haemoglobin levels.

These natural remedies should not be considered as a sole treatment regimen for type 2 diabetes, but rather as a supplement to existing medication. Type 2 diabetes is an extremely serious disease and any deviation from or supplementation of existing treatment should be discussed with your doctor.

Diabetes can be a life threatening situation and needs to be managed on a daily basis to ensure your overall health and well-being. Whether you are insulin or medication controlled, there are ways to get your critical diabetic supplies, often at no charge to you.

The American Diabetes Association (ABA) defines diabetes as a condition in which your body doesn’t make enough insulin or has a reduced response to insulin. They estimate that over 23 million people in the United States alone suffer from this disease. When the pancreas has lost the ability to manufacture insulin, it becomes necessary to treat it with medication.

Medications to manage your insulin can take a bite out of your wallet, and in today’s economy, there are people who just aren’t able to afford their medications and supplies. According to the ADA, some people will actually skip testing to conserve their lancets and strips. This is a very dangerous practice, as blood glucose levels need to be carefully monitored to avoid serious complications like heart attack and stroke.

Some of the major pharmaceutical companies offer free supplies to people who are on low or fixed incomes, and there are also several advocacy programs which can provide your medication. Often, if you have a doctor’s prescription, these programs will deliver the insulin right to your door, which saves you on gas. They will even waive shipping charges in certain instances.

A lot of times, companies that offer free supplies will also honor supplemental insurance along with Medicare. Call a hospital near you and ask what programs they sponsor, and get ideas from them about who to contact to get assistance. When searching for companies that can help you, don’t forget charities and state run funding. Ask your doctor as well. Check with a free clinic in your area, and also talk to your pharmacist; he may have some good recommendations for you.

Tests for diabetic patients are done both when fasting and after food. The blood and urine of both these are studied clearly to get a confirmed stature of a diabetic patient. If the symptoms are alarming, the same is done repeatedly after a systematic gap.

These patients are monitored closely by keeping a check on their glucose and blood pressure level. They are not allowed to undergo any surgery unless and until their sugar level is brought under check.

The diet of a diabetic patient plays a very important role and it has to be carefully followed. The eating habits and diet is well planned to recover fast. A dietitian would be the right person to advice on these issues. A record maintained would help to plan further and make amendments accordingly. It is not just the diet and tests when it comes to nursing a diabetic patient. When it comes to drugs, nurses should be given the responsibility to check the right medicine before administering. If the patient is acute diabetic, a dosage of insulin is recommended by the doctor. This insulin is refrigerated until twenty minutes before the administration.

It is also a part of nursing care plan that a nurse takes care that insulin is not injected in the same area repeatedly. The site of injection needs to have the ability to absorb the medicine. A record in this regards also needs to be maintained.

A diabetic patient at times could feel dizzy or highly fatigue, which a nurse should be able to handle with care and expertise as a part of nursing care.

You’re wondering if you may have diabetes.

That can be pretty scary.

Diabetes is on the rise in the US and elsewhere. Some statistics say that 50% of people over 45 may have to deal with diabetes. And it remains the leading cause of kidney failure and loss of sight in America.

The good news I can share is that there are very effective treatments to help you prevent or even turn around diabetes.

But first you have to know if you have diabetes.

Here’s the quick run down of symptoms.

You’ll start to notice the symptoms when your insulin isn’t effective enough at helping your glucose (blood sugar) get into your cells, and it’s left floating around in your blood stream.

Once the concentration gets above 180 mg/dl, the sugar will spill into your urine and here’s what starts to happen:

1. You’ll feel thirsty all the time and you’ll need to urinate often. That’s because there’s so much glucose in your blood that you kidney can’t handle it. The glucose spills into your urine  and draws water out of your blood. More urine in your bladder makes you pee. Less water in your water in your blood makes you thirsty.

2. Your vision will start to blur. The lens of your eye is swelling because it’s taking in more water so your eye can’t quite focus correctly.

3. You’re really hungry. Your cells aren’t taking in the glucose efficiently. So your cells can’t get enough energy and you feel starved all the time, even if you’re eating a lot.

4. You’re over tired. Again, your cells aren’t getting glucose (energy) so you’re tired.

5. You may be losing weight. Your body lacks insulin or it’s response to insulin. Your body is breaking down your muscle and fat trying to get more glucose. And as you know, you’re just peeing the glucose away.

6. You may be getting vaginal infections (only in women). Bugs that cause vaginal infections love sugar. When your blood sugar rises, so do they.

Warning: You may have diabetes and not be showing it. That’s right. The worse part is that all this could be going on in your body and you don’t know it.

In a 2007 study in Diabetes Care, 6600 subjects (out of a total of 15,000) had diabetes but didn’t show a symptom.

Does someone you know or love have diabetes?

If you want to know the diabetes signs and symptoms, that may mean you or someone you know may have diabetes.

The diagnosis can be pretty shocking. For years, we’ve associated diabetes with blindness, kidney failure, and early death.

There’s good news and bad news.

The good news is that if you get on top of it, you can prevent or actually reverse diabetes. The bad news is that you don’t always know that you have it.

So, you’re smart to get the rundown on symptoms and start taking care of the problems.

Here are the signs and symptoms of diabetes (and I’ll give you a little know but very imprtant secret after):

1. You’re drinking and peeing alot, you’ll feel like it’s all the time. That’s because your blood has so much glucose (sugar) your kidneys can’t pull it out. And when sugar spills into your urine it draws in water with it. So you can’t get enough to drink and you’re filling up your bladder constantly.

2. You can’t see as well. The lens of your eye is absorbing water, getting just slightly misshapen. And you can’t quite focus as well as you could. it will get worse if you don’t treat it.

3. You’re hungry all the time. The root of diabetes is your cells inability to absorb the sugar they need for energy. So even though you’re eating more, your getting less energy and you’re starving at a cellular level.

4. You’re fatigued. Glucose is energy. Your cells aren’t absorbing it. You’re losing the energy you need to function.

5. You may have weight loss. If you have type 1 diabetes, you’re missing insulin a basic building hormone.

So, your body is breaking down your muscles and fat to try to get more glucose. But it’s just going into your blood stream and your getting up at night and peeing it away.

6. You’re getting yeast infections (only in women). You’ve got a lot of sugar floating around your system. Bugs love it. They’re thriving even though you aren’t.

Warning: Here’s the secret I told you about. Your doctor will get concerned when there’s 180ml/dl of glucose in your blood. And damage starts before you hit that level. So your body may be suffering, may be getting damaged,?before you get the signs.

And here’s the tough part: 1/3 of the people walking around who have diabetes right now, don’t know it. And their glucose just works away at them.

Without getting in the details of what diabetes it and what are its types. I will take you directly to the 10 healthiest foods for diabetics.

Bitter Gourd: Bitter gourd is a vegetable that naturally contains plant insulin. It is good to have the juice of bitter gourd twice a day on an empty stomach. It can be cooked like other vegetables. The easiest way is to have the powder of bitter gourd which can be obtained after grinding the dried bitter gourd.

Cinnamon: Consuming around 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon daily helps to prevent the onset of diabetes. Soaking a piece of cinnamon stick in the tea helps the diabetics to control the level of blood sugar.

Fenugreek: Soak 30 gm fenugreek in the glass of water. Then grind it to make paste. Have this paste on an empty stomach. Diabetics can take 3 teaspoon of powdered fenugreek with milk or water. One can add few seeds of fenugreek into his daily cooking.

Grapefruit: Taking 3 grapefruits in one day is beneficial for diabetics

Amla: Remove seeds of amla and then extract the juice. Mix this juice with an equal amount of juice of bitter gourd and take this daily for two months

Gymnema Sylvester: Gymnema Sylvestre is an ayurvedic herb that is recommended to be taken 4 gm in one day.

Jamun Seed: Jamun Seed Or Indian Blackberry seed are good for diabetics. One must take ? teaspoon of powdered jamun seed with 1 teaspoon of honey.

Raw Garlic: Consuming 3 to 4 gm of raw garlic helps to lower down blood sugar level.

Neem Seeds: Take a pinch of seeds of neem daily twice a day. Leaves of neem are also helpful for diabetics.

Bael: Chewing the leaves of bael tree is good for diabetics. The pulp of bael fruit can be dried and take in the form of daily dose of 5 gm.