If one or both of your parents have diabetes, chances are you will not escape the genetic consequences. But here is what you can do. You can be proactive and never have to take an insulin medication or stick yourself up to 2 times a day just to maintain normal blood sugar.

Even if you argue that it has not been proven that there is such a thing as a genetic link, don’t throw caution to the wind.

If you have a family history though, you owe it to yourself to know the symptoms of pre-diabetes otherwise know as hypoglycemia. Unlike diabetes the symptoms of prediabetes or hypoglycemia is low blood sugar. This happens when there is an over secretion of insulin by your pancreas in an effort to get the sugar, glucose from your blood stream into your body cells. This causes you to have symptom that you might not associate with diabetes.

Some of the symptoms are fatigue, irritability, dizziness, depression, and anxiety, craving for sweets, night sweats, a feeling of tightness in the chest, constant need to nibble, insomnia, lightheadedness, swollen feet, and weakness in the legs. Some of these feelings occur in between meals that are high in sweets and fat or after drinking sweet alcoholic drinks. If these symptoms are over looked after a while you might be faced with a diagnosis of diabetes.

Genetic diabetic links are strongly influenced by lifestyle. If you have adjusted your palate to a modern way of eating with highly processed fatty foods, gigantic soft drinks, large serving sizes at meals and snacks, you might want to note these symptoms.

Being aware of lightheadedness and a feeling of tightness in my chest after eating a Greek salad and a Margarita helped me to nip diabetes in the bud. First I got the feeling of tightness in the chest. Then I got light headed. I got so light headed I passed out. I had stopped to fill my car up and fainted at the pump. The person behind me waiting to fill up got out of his car and helped me up. This was so very scary for me, because I thought what if I was driving? I remember the feelings I had just before I fainted, and I thought this is more than a drink. This is bigger; this must be my double genetic link to diabetes nudge. This must be the onset of hypoglycemia. If both my parent did not have diabetes, I probably would not have made this association.

I was determined not to succumb to diabetes so I decided to nip this in the bud. I decided to do a major overhaul of my diet. Knowing my history with one parent dying in a diabetic coma, I was totally motivated. No turning back and definitely no diagnosis of diabetes.

This first thing I resolved was to remove sweet alcoholic drinks from my diet. I removed all packaged food drinks from my diet in an effort to lower my consumption of sugar, artificial colors, preservatives and high fructose corn syrup. I mixed my juice with water or drink half the serving size on the label.

That was a great start. That was 15 years ago. During this time I have fine tuned my diet based on the glycemic index so that I never have any symptoms of hypoglycemia or diabetes. My diet has such a variety of foods; I do not get bored with it. Most of what I eat is found in my book Eat Yourself Younger Effortlessly. I hesitate to call it a diabetic book because it brings so much contentment, it is much more. I have my thyroid function checked since reduced thyroid function is associated with hypoglycemia.

I go to the gym 3 times per week and concentrate on preserving my muscle. I do yoga to increase my oxygen, retain muscle strength and balance and to quiet my mind.

This is a small price to pay for tip top health free of diabetic symptoms. So far my genetic link is inactive. Over the years my blood sugar remained normal and I have never been diagnosed as diabetic or taken any prescription drugs for hypoglycemia or diabetes.

Whenever I inform my patients that they may be suffering from juvenile diabetes, better known as Type 1, the reaction is often the same. “How can I have juvenile diabetes when I am not an adolescent?” This is a very good question and one worth explaining.

Although juvenile diabetes tends to occur in young, lean individuals, usually before the age of 30, older people may also show signs of this chronic condition. What’s worse is that approximately 12 million people in the United States have diabetes and don’t even know it! The reason for this astounding statistic is that the American Diabetes Association does not recommend screening for the general population at this time unless you have a parent or sibling with the disease.

With an estimated 17 million people (about 8 % of the population) in the United States affected with diabetes it is important for everyone to have a better understanding of this insidious disease.

There are many factors that play into the cause of type 1 diabetes including genetics and exposure to certain viruses. Diabetes is considered to be a chronic condition meaning that it lasts a lifetime. Despite ongoing research no known cure has been found to date, but type 1 diabetes is manageable and treatable. People suffering with diabetes are now living longer, healthier lives with the addition of herbs and nutritional supplements available to complement conventional medicine.

All About Blood Sugar

Glucose is a simple sugar found in food and is a necessary nutrient that provides energy for the cells to function properly. Glucose in digested food cannot enter the cells without the help of insulin to help it along. Without it, the cells become starved of glucose energy and the unused sugar is wasted in excreted urine. That’s why a urine test is sometimes used as a means to measure sugar levels in the body and to check for potential signs of diabetes.

A person with type 1 diabetes doesn’t produce enough of the hormone insulin or is unable to use it effectively, which causes high blood sugar (glucose) levels. Over time, this imbalance can lead to heart disease, nerve damage, kidney disease, vision loss, and other complications. The less controlled your blood sugar, the higher the risk of disabling complications over a long period of time.

As a type 1 diabetic, the goal is to keep your blood sugar level as close to normal as possible to delay or prevent complications. This is done by monitoring blood glucose levels and is the only way to make sure that your sugar level remains within the target range.

You should also include a healthy diet of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. These foods are high in nutrition and low in fat and calories. Fewer sweets and animal products provide more nutrients and less sugar.

Move to Keep Blood Sugars Low

If you are a type 1 diabetic, the secret to lowering blood sugar is more than just a healthy diet. Exercise is right up there with watching what you eat. The advantage of physical activity is that it moves sugar from your blood into your cells so the more you move the lower your blood sugar level.

Walking, biking, and swimming are examples of activities that you might enjoy and can easily be included in your daily schedule. Shoot for at least 30 minutes of aerobic exercise as many days of the week as possible. Add some weight bearing exercises along with stretching to round out your program. Remember not to do too much too soon especially if you have not exercised for awhile. Consult your doctor for advice on the level of physical activity that is best for you.

Type 1 diabetics must also be cautious of their blood sugar dropping too low especially when taking insulin. When blood sugar drops the condition is known as hypoglycemia and is common among diabetics as well as people who are not.

Nature Can Help You Live with Type 1 Diabetes

The majority of people with type 1 diabetes are insulin dependent. But did you know there are natural remedies that have been around for years proven to be effective in lowering blood glucose levels? Here are a few of nature’s miracle workers:

?Gymnema sylvestre - The name of this herb actually means “destroyer of sugar” and was used in ancient times as a treatment for diabetes. “A study published in Ethnopharmacology in 1990 showed a daily dose of 400 milligrams was effective in lowering blood glucose levels in diabetics over the long term.”

?Fenugreek - A popular herb used for high blood sugar and lowering cholesterol.

?Bitter Melon (Momordica charantia) - This plant has a long history of use as a hypoglycemic agent and has been referred to as vegetable insulin. At least three properties of Bitter Melon have been reported to have sugar-regulating properties.

Many famous athletes and professional people suffer with type 1 diabetes. It is possible to live a normal life as long as you follow your treatment plan, get daily exercise, eat a healthy diet, and monitor your blood sugar. Ask your doctor about natural remedies that will help you keep your glucose levels in check and aid you in your quest for good health.

As a middle age person, I make it a point to review my chart for blood sugar levels regularly with by my doctor. With the staggeringly high number of diabetes type 2 sufferers in the U.S. population it is definitely not something to take for granted.

Approximately one in four Americans have pre-diabetes. This is a condition that can develop into diabetes mellitus type 2 within 10 years if nothing is done about it.

Glucose monitoring is done daily by diabetics all over the world. By monitoring their blood glucose levels, a diabetic patient learns to control the level of glucose in their bloodstream. This simple action helps them avoid future illness and can even save their lives.

There are two tests used to determine if a person has diabetes. Each test measures the patient’s blood glucose levels after an 8 hour fast and determines if the person is in the pre-diabetic, diabetic or normal range.

If you are pre-diabetic or suffer from diabetes, make it a point to ask your doctor when to check your blood sugar using a blood glucose meter. It is very important that you learn how to properly test your blood glucose levels yourself. Your doctor can provide you with a chart for blood sugar levels; here is a sampling of standard measurements:

• On waking, levels should be between 80 and 120.
• Before meals levels should be between 80 and 120.
• Two hours after meals, levels should be 170 or less.
• Bedtime, it is ideal to be between 100 and 140.
• Fasting, it is ideal that you stay in the 70 to 100 range.

Following a chart for blood sugar levels helps to ensure that you stay within the correct margin for healthy blood sugar. Blood sugar (glucose) is the primary fuel that the body uses to produce energy.

Diabetes blocks your cells from accessing the right amount of glucose and so it pools into your bloodstream. This can lead to high blood glucose levels which can result in a number of debilitating diseases ranging from heart disease to blindness.

If you or someone in your family has been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes then you will need to know how to treat this disease. Diabetes diet meal plan will keep your blood sugar level normal, help eliminate your medications and even lose 30 to 40 pounds on this diet.

The American Diabetes Association has multiple recommendations in order reduce your cholesterol and keep your blood sugar within normal limits. Some of these recommendations are: eat less fat, choose lean meats, eat 5 servings of fruits and vegetables a day, eat fish two to three times a week, eat food high in fiber, and eat less salt and sodium.

The Diabetes Food Pyramid contains these recommendations: Eat 6 to 11 servings of grains and starches a day, 3 to 5 servings of vegetables, 2 to 4 servings of fruit, 4 to 6 ounces of meat, limited amounts of fats, sweets and alcohol.

Glycemic Index has charts of food that raise your blood sugar or lower your blood sugar and you try to consume the low glycemic index foods in your diet. You will need a chart or book to keep up with the index of certain foods.

There is a lot that you need to know to keep your blood sugar glucose down, but because obesity in American has increased to epidemic proportion there are corporations that have released diabetic meal plans to help you lose 30 to 40 pounds and bring your blood glucose down.

Take care of yourself and take advantage of this free online diet and lose 30 to 40 pounds. You can even stop taking those medications that the doctor gave you and reverse the type 2 diabetes.

Diabetes Can be Reversed

Diabetes is referred to by many as “The Silent Killer.” 5.7 million people in the U.S have one form of diabetes or another, but they are undiagnosed. This is frightening when you consider the consequences.

Diabetes has been with us for a very long time ago. Scientific research indicates that the problem began more than 100 years ago when people in the Western World began adding serious amounts of carbohydrates to their daily diets.

We Have Met The Enemy, and it is Sugar

The real culprit in this scenario is sugar! Today you will find it hard to find any “processed foods” that aren’t loaded with sugar and starches. As far as the body is concerned starches are just as bad since they are converted or “metabolized” into sugar by the insulin produced by the pancreas.

Is Your Pancreas Being Overworked?

Insulin converts sugar into glucose, and this substance is what the muscles and tissues need as a source of energy. The problem is that a good thing is being overdone. The pancreas can only produce so much insulin, and in the case of the diabetic, this sugar (glucose) overwhelms the ability of the pancreas to produce enough insulin to handle the load.

In some cases the pancreas just shuts down insulin production (Type 1 Diabetes). With others–it can’t produce enough insulin and it must be supplemented by injections (Type 2 Diabetes).

It has taken a very long time for medical science to realize that drugs and insulin shots are not treating the disease-they are merely treating the symptoms.

New discoveries, and thousands of diabetics reporting being free of the symptoms, has begun a new line of thought among the medical community. Here are four steps you can take to begin the process of reversing this dreaded disease:

Four Simple Steps Leading Back To a Normal Life

1. Reduce sugar intake. Avoid adding sugar to the foods you eat. Read the labels on the processed foods you buy. You will be amazed at the sugar content. Give your pancreas a break!

2. Reduce the amount of carbohydrates you eat every day. The things to avoid are the “white” foods like potatoes, white rice and any products manufactured from white flour like bread.

3. Add more fiber to your diet. Salads are a great source of fiber but check out the label on the salad dressing. Ideally, the safest and most beneficial dressing is made from balsamic vinegar and olive oil. Yes-olive oil is one of those “good” fats.

4. Exercise: If you can arrange it, and afford it, join a gym and work out at least three times a week. If this isn’t possible, walking briskly is a sensible substitute.

Honestly, is this really asking too much in order to return to a normal life?

Diabetes type 1, also known as juvenile diabetes or insulin-dependent diabetes, is a chronic disease. Generally, in this condition, the pancreas generates very little insulin. It some cases, it does not even produces insulin. Insulin is a hormone that permits sugar- glucose to enter the cells and generate energy. Diabetes type 2 is very much common compared to this. In the case of diabetes type 2, our body is unable to generate insulin utilize in proper ways.

Numerous factors such as genetic mutation and exposure to several infections cause diabetes type 1. Even though it is generally found in adults, diabetes type 1 can occur in any age. Even with extensive development in medical research, scientists have not still found any cure on diabetes. Diabetes is incurable and chronic, but it can be controlled and managed. Proper medical treatment with sensible acts will increase the life expectancy of diabetic individual. If implemented certain simple measures, you can live a happy and healthy life with diabetes.

Generally, the signs of diabetes show up very easily. Thus it is very much essential to understand the signs of diabetes type 1, so that you can start the treatment. The symptoms of type 1 diabetes are as follows:

Extreme hunger: As body is not able to generate insulin; sugar enters into cells without the help of insulin. Thus, our body moves sugar into cells without insulin, which weakens our muscles and organs. They loose lot of energy and hence our body demands food at small intervals.

Frequent urination and excessive thirst: Due to excess deposition of sugar in the bloodstream, lot of water is absorbed by tissues. Thus makes us drink ample of water. Hence, we frequently need to visit restroom.

Sudden loss of weight: Even though we eat more than our normal appetite- we may lose excessive amount of weight. As our body is unable to receive energy - the fats stored by your muscles and tissues gradually disappear.

Extreme weakness: Due to insufficient supply of sugar- cells become more weak and irritable

Blurred vision: As the level of sugar in bloodstream increases, it extracts out the fluid from our tissues. They also pull away fluid from eye lenses. This will impair our vision power.

Even though if our medical research is unaware of the reasons that contribute for diabetes type 1, scientists have found that people with diabetes type 1 experience malfunctioned immune system. In this case, the immune system mistakenly destroys the insulin generating cells. Not many risk factors of diabetes have come into limelight; scientists have mentioned few of them. Certain factors that increase the risk of diabetes are as follows:

Family history of diabetes

Genetic mutation

Environmental factor

Climatic condition

Excessive exposure to virus

Deficiency of vitamin D

Obesity

Low intake of omega-3 fatty acids

Water containing nitrate

All these are the possible factors that cause diabetes type 1. The signs of diabetes type 1 will definitely help in diagnosing the disease. This kind of diabetes can be managed with proper nutritional diet, adequate rest, regular exercise, and medicated drugs.

Many of us wonder that how athletes could go through strenuous exercising routine without getting weaker. Scientific explanation of this is that body has an energy source. This energy source is the main sugar glucose level. The body cells extract energy from the glucose present in blood. This glucose was derived from the food by the blood.

Whenever doctors suspect the onset of diabetes in a person the most important and common test on which they mainly depend are glucose level test. Though this is not the only test; as series of test is required for diagnosis of diabetes. However the most common are two glucose level tests. Without these tests a person can never be diagnosed as diabetics; as sign of diabetes can be misleading as well.

These two tests are

• Fasting Glucose Test
• Oral Glucose Tolerance Test

Fasting Glucose Test: Fasting blood test requires a complete fast for around 10 to 12 hours. If the results of the test after the required fasting are 110 to 126 mg/dl then the person is considered prediabetic. Any level above 126 mg/dl suggests that person is diabetic. No matter diabetic or prediabetic the person must take control of the blood sugar level in his own hands. The proper control is impossible with the help of lifestyle change that includes more physically active lifestyle and better food management.

Oral Glucose Tolerance Test: This test also requires an initial fast of 8 to 12 hours. Initially a blood sample is drawn to check the fasting level. Then the said person is given a sugar laden drink. Generally this drink contains 75 gm glucose in it. However for the diagnosis of gestational diabetes the 100 gm glucose drink is required. The blood sample is then drawn after every half hour for 3 hours. The results of the sugar level in different blood sample tells the doctor how well a person’s body can manage to handle the glucose or sugar.

These tests are not only required for the diagnosis of diabetes but also to ascertain how well the person is managing his diabetes.

Once a person is detected with diabetes the main goal of his diabetes management is to control the blood sugar level and prevent the formation of spikes. Better control on blood sugar level will prevent the risk of many diabetic related complications that may include damage to the nerves, cardiovascular issues and even amputation.

Diabetes and Exercise

Several years ago, Tommy Johnson, at age of 28, looked at his mirror image in his home in Phoenix and wondered what was happening to his body, as he watched.

Hospitalized in Phoenix for several days of testing, Johnson was found to have Type 1, or insulin-dependent diabetes. He didn’t even have the time to go through denial, depression or any of the other classic emotional symptoms, says Johnson.

He had training camp coming up, and like hundreds of professional football players, his job was on the line, linked exactly to his performance in training camp. Johnson relates that he just listened to what the doctor had to say about ways in which to keep his blood sugar levels, as close to normal as possible.

Taking Self-Responsibility

There are two major types of diabetes. Type II or non-insulin-dependent diabetes represents about 90% o f all cases of diabetes. However Type I diabetes is the more severe form of the disease. This is a genetically-based chronic endocrine disorder of unknown cause, that affects the body’s ability to manufacture and utilize insulin, the hormone needed to break down sugars and starches into blood sugar (glucose), the body’s major energy source.

As a result, sugar levels in the blood become too high. The cells of the pancreas (the small insulin-producing organ located behind the stomach) don’t function properly, making it difficult to metabolize food. Since the glucose can’t be utilized, the levels raise dangerously; daily insulin injections are needed in order to live. This differs from Type Ii diabetes, where insulin is produced but the amount is insufficient or else the cells can’t utilize it properly.

There are risks associated with exercise for the Type I, insulin-dependent diabetic - such as low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) - but if an athlete learns to control changing glucose levels by adjusting insulin levels and snacking on sugary, or slowly - absorbed carbohydrates when needed, and then it’s possible to exercise quite vigorously. Other than insulin or diet, exercise is the most important factor in helping diabetics maintains proper blood sugar levels.

Workout Tips

Athletes with Type I diabetes can compete in any sport - as long as they closely monitor their blood sugar levels.

1. Exercise regularly, preferably at the same time each day to help you determine and stabilize your insulin and food requirements.

2. Exercise with someone else. This person should know that you have diabetes, be aware of the signs of hypoglycemia (confusion, weakness, unconsciousness, convulsions), and know how to respond in an emergency.

3. Don’t inject insulin into the muscle you will be exercising, or the insulin will be mobilized faster, and you will become hypoglycemic.

4. Most often, sports-active diabetics should keep their insulin dosage the same, and eat more food. If you repeatedly become hypoglycemic during or after exercise (despite increased food intake) talk to your physician about reducing your insulin.

5. To best determine our food/ insulin needs, you should monitor your blood glucose during training (for example, between laps of swimming or running). Also, you may have to re-check these needs when the weather changes from hot to cold.

6. Always exercise after eating, when your blood sugar is on the rise. Don’t start to exercise with low blood sugar; eat a snack first.

7. Always carry sugar, in some form, with you. Always have coins with you for food from a vending machine or an emergency phone call.

8. During long-term exercise, plan to constantly replace glucose supplies, at regular intervals.

9. On an extra-long hike or bike ride, eat six small meals containing both carbohydrate and protein (the protein is for sustained energy). Be over-prepared with extra food in case you are unexpectedly delayed.

10. Since exercise has a lingering effect, you should eat more than usual after you finish exercising. Other wise, you may become hypoglycemic that night, or even the next day.