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DIABETES MANAGEMENT WITH DIETARY FIBER

DIABETES MELLITUS

  • Diabetes mellitus or diabetes is a condition when there is rise in blood sugar levels in the body. The body becomes unable to use blood sugar (via insulin) for energy. During type 1 diabetes mellitus, pancreas becomes unable to produce insulin due to which glucose remains in the blood instead of transferring to the cells of the body. During type 2 diabetes mellitus, either the pancreas does not produce sufficient amount of insulin or the cells become unresponsive to insulin. In both of the conditions, sugar is not transferred from blood to the cells of the body. Thus, blood sugar levels raise causing diabetes.

(http://www.diabetes.org/diabetes-basics/common-terms/)

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DIABETES MANAGEMENT

  • Epidemiology: India has the largest number of diabetic people. According to WHO, there were 32 million people diagnosed with diabetes in year 2000. It is now estimated that they will rise to 80 million by the year 2030. Thus, there is a critical need for the strategies to prevent the epidemic of diabetes.capture-3
  • Goals for management of diabetes: The goals for managing diabetes in people are to provide:
    • Relief from diabetic symptoms
    • Prevention of complications such as retinopathy, neuropathy, cardiovascular disease, cerebro-vascular disease, etc
    • Prevention of infections
  • The primary prevention criteria for diabetes by any healthcare provider include healthy life style focusing on proper balanced diet, increased physical activity and weight control. Lifestyle modification is the cornerstone for the management of diabetes.
  • For management of diabetes, dietary modifications are required. They aim to achieve and maintain ideal body weight, euglycaemia and desirable lipid profile.

(http://icmr.nic.in/guidelines_diabetes/guide_diabetes.htm)

(http://icmr.nic.in/guidelines_diabetes/section6.pdf)

ROLE OF DIETARY FIBER

  • Dietary fiber: Dietary fiber is the part of plant food, which cannot be digested by human body. Other food components such as fats, proteins & carbohydrates are broken down and absorbed by the human body. But dietary fiber passes intact through the stomach, small intestine, and colon and out of the body.
    • Availability: Dietary fiber is mainly found in the fruits, vegetables, whole grains and legumes. It provides health benefits such as maintaining blood sugar levels, healthy weight and preventing heart disease.
    • Benefits: The high-fiber diet has many benefits such as,
      • Controlling blood sugar levels by slowing the absorption of sugar
      • Achieving healthy weight by lowering blood cholesterol levels
      • Helps to maintain bowel health
      • Decreases chances of constipation

(http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/in-depth/fiber/art-20043983)

  • Diabetes & dietary fiber
    • Dietary fiber is reported to lower blood glucose levels. The daily intake of soluble fiber results in the prevention of diabetes.
    • Mechanism: Soluble fiber help to control blood sugar levels by delaying gastric emptying, holding back the entry of glucose into the bloodstream and lessening the postprandial (post-meal) rise in blood sugar. Because fiber slows the digestion of foods, it helps to inhibit the sudden spike in blood glucose that may occur after a low-fiber meal. Such blood sugar peaks stimulate the pancreas to pump out more insulin. The cholesterol-lowering effect of soluble fiber may also help people with diabetes by reducing heart disease risks.capture-4

(http://www.diabetes.ca/diabetes-and-you/healthy-living-resources/diet-nutrition/fibre#sthash.dXX6pgRZ.dpuf)

  • It has also been proved by the clinical studies that high fiber diet is beneficial to improve glycaemic control, glycosylated hemoglobin and hyperinsulinemia. It has been shown in the study that increases in bile-acid excretion due to dietary fiber intake is responsible for lowering blood glucose levels. The high fiber diet also helped to lower plasma lipid concentrations.

(http://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJM200005113421903#t=articleTop)

  • Epidemiological studies suggested 29% reduction in the development of diabetes due to the protective effect of high dietary fiber intake. Increase in dietary fiber intake resulted in subsequent improvements in glycaemic control, reduction in the use of oral medication and insulin doses. Thus, dietary fiber consumption without altering the energy intake from carbohydrates, proteins and fats reduces the need for medication in type 1 and type 2 diabetic patients.

(https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Stefanie_Ferreri/publication/24247618_Health_benefits_of_dietary_fiber._Nutr_Rev/links/00b495391040b77454000000.pdf)

  • Fiber-rich diet for diabetics: It is recommended that an adult male need 38g per day of fiber and female need 25g per day of fiber intake to prevent diseased state. Diabetic individuals should follow following high fiber diet to lower blood glucose levels:
    • Skins and seeds of vegetables and fruit
    • Whole grain bread, pasta, cereal, crackers and rice
    • Barley, beans and lentils
    • Canned beans, chickpeas in salads
    • Ground flax seeds to yogurt, cereal
    • Almonds
    • Fenugreek seeds

(http://www.diabetes.ca/diabetes-and-you/healthy-living-resources/diet-nutrition/fibre)

(http://www.webmd.com/diet/guide/fiber-how-much-do-you-need#1)

  • Fenugreek as dietary fiber: Fenugreek seeds are reported to be a rich source of dietary fiber. Gel fiber present in fenugreek seeds contribute towards anti-diabetic property. The fiber content of fenugreek helps to lower blood glucose levels and delay gastric emptying, thereby preventing the rise in blood sugar levels. Fenugreek seeds contain 50.2% fiber which have hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic effect in diabetic patients.
    • In an animal study, fenugreek seeds extract was administered to diabetic rats. Fenugreek seeds significantly reduced serum cholesterol levels in rats. It was very effective to reduce blood sugar levels also.
    • It is reported that consumption of 25g of fenugreek seeds per day exhibit hypoglycemic effect in diabetic patients.
    • Thus, dietary modification with fiber will be helpful to reduce blood sugar levels in diabetic patients.

(http://diabeticbar.com/fenufibers.htm)

(http://fenufibre.com/whatIsFenufibre.html)

 

FenfuroTM is a patented and clinically evaluated product for safe and effective management of blood sugar levels. Fenfuro is a first of its kind, safenutraceutical derived from fenugreek seeds through a patented process. Through its unique scientific process, FENFURO concentrates the bioactive part of plants into a manageable dose, while removing the inert parts such as cellulose. Also, since a lot of healthy botanicals are not palatable, consuming their concentrate in capsule form in small dosage is a lot easier. FENFURO contains a rich variety of saponins and flavonoids. These substances are known to lower blood lipid level and help in insulin sensitization and glucose regulation. FENFURO is the first dual action insulin sensitizer.

A clinical evaluation of FENFURO was carried out on a total of 154 Type 2 diabetics for a period of 3 months, to determine its efficacy and safety. At the end of three months 83% of the patients reported decrease in fasting sugar levels and 89% patients reported decrease in PP sugar levels. The patients also showed significant decrease in HbA1C levels as compared to respective baseline value. 48.8% of patients reported reduction in dosage of anti-diabetic therapy after regularly taking FENFURO.

The statement and product have not been evaluated by the FDA to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

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MANAGING TYPE 2 DIABETES & ITS NEUROPATHIC COMPLICATIONS, NATURALLY

TYPE II DIABETES

  • Diabetes is a problem with your body that causes blood glucose levels to rise higher than normal. This is also called hyperglycemia. Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes.
  • Cause of Diabetes: If you have type 2 diabetes your body does not use insulin properly. This is called insulin resistance. At first, your pancreas makes extra insulin to make up for it. But, over time it isn’t able to keep up and can’t make enough insulin to keep your blood glucose at normal levels.

(http://www.diabetes.org/diabetes-basics/type-2/?referrer=https://www.google.co.in/)2

  • Complications associated with diabetes: Diabetes increases your risk for many serious health problems e. complications such as eye complications (eye damage, vision loss, etc), skin complications (bacterial & fungal infection), kidney failure, cardiovascular diseases (heart problems) and neuropathy (nerve damage from diabetes is called diabetic neuropathy). But, with the correct treatment and recommended lifestyle changes, many people with diabetes are able to prevent or delay the onset of complications.

(http://www.diabetes.org/living-with-diabetes/complications/?loc=lwd-slabnav#sthash.VbOb80Xs.dpuf)

 

DIABETIC NEUROPATHY (NERVE DAMAGE)

  • Diabetic neuropathy is a serious complication, where in long term diabetes causes nerve damage. About half of all people with diabetes have some form of diabetic neuropathy. Most common nerve damage with the loss of feeling and pain occurs in the legs, feet, toes, arms and hands. This damage is painful and can cause peripheral neuropathy (can cause tingling, pain, numbness, or weakness in your feet and hands), autonomic neuropathy (affects those nerves in the body that control body pain).

(http://www.diabetes.org/living-with-diabetes/complications/neuropathy/?referrer=http://www.diabetes.org/living-with-diabetes/complications/?loc=lwd-slabnav#sthash.DnMRcyVr.dpuf)

  • Cause of diabetic neuropathy: Diabetes induced oxidative stress is the major cause of nerve cell damage leading to diabetic neuropathy. This can be handled if food or diet rich in the components which can fight against the oxidative stress e. antioxidants is consumed.
  • Diagnosis with common tests: Diabetic neuropathy can be detected by regular foot exams which are to be done each year in patients with diabetes to test pressure sensation, temperature perception, and vibration perception. Nerve conduction velocity tests are also done which record the speed with which the nerves send messages and Electromyogram which checks how nerves & muscles work together.

Fenugreek effectiveness in diabetic neuropathy

It is established that fenugreek seed extract has anti-diabetic effects through several pathways, such as restoring pancreatic β cell function and inhibiting sucrase and alpha-amylase activities. Beside these properties, Fenugreek is reported to have very strong anti oxidant activity as well as neuro protective activity.

It is reported that constituents of fenugreek  may elevate expression of Nerve growth factors (NGF) and brain derived neurotropic factors (BDNF) resulting is protection of nerves cells from oxidative damage and repair of damaged nerves.

FenfuroTM  is a patented and clinically evaluated product for safe and effective management of blood sugar levels. Fenfuro is a first of its kind, safenutraceutical derived from fenugreek seeds through a patented process. Through its unique scientific process, FENFURO concentrates the bioactive part of plants into a manageable dose, while removing the inert parts such as cellulose. Also, since a lot of healthy botanicals are not palatable, consuming their concentrate in capsule form in small dosage is a lot easier. FENFURO contains a rich variety of saponins and flavonoids. These substances are known to lower blood lipid level and help in insulin sensitization and glucose regulation. FENFURO is the first dual action insulin sensitizer.

A clinical evaluation of FENFURO was carried out on a total of 154 Type 2 diabetics for a period of 3 months, to determine its efficacy and safety. At the end of three months 83% of the patients reported decrease in fasting sugar levels and89% patients reported decrease in PP sugar levels. The patients also showed significant decrease in HbA1C levels as compared to respective baseline value. 48.8% of patients reported reduction in dosage of anti-diabetic therapy after regularly taking FENFURO

 

ARE YOU A DIABETIC?

DO YOU HAVE FOLLOWING SYMPTOMS?

YOU MAY BE SUFFERING FROM DIABETIC NEUROPATHY.

  1. Are your legs and/or feet numb?

3

  1. Do you ever have any burning pain in your legs and/or feet?4
  2. Are your feet too sensitive to touch?

5

  1. Do you get muscle cramps in your legs and/or feet? 6
  2. Do you ever have any prickling feelings in your legs or feet?

           7

  1. Does it hurt when the bed covers touch your skin?  8
  2. When you get into the tub or shower, are you able to tell the hot water from the cold water?

          9

CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR

References

  • Kumar P, Kale RK, McLean P, Baquer NZ. Antidiabetic and neuroprotective effects of Trigonella foenum-graecum seed powder in diabetic rat brain. Prague Med Rep. 2012;113(1):33-43. PubMed PMID: 22373803 
  • Gaur V, Bodhankar SL, Mohan V, Thakurdesai PA. Neurobehavioral assessment of hydroalcoholic extract of Trigonella foenum-graecum seeds in rodent models of Parkinson’s disease. Pharm Biol. 2013 May;51(5):550-7. doi:10.3109/13880209.2012.747547. Epub 2013 Feb 1. PubMed PMID: 23368940. 
  • Kumar P, Kale RK, Baquer NZ. Antihyperglycemic and protective effects of Trigonella foenum graecum seed powder on biochemical alterations in alloxan diabetic rats. Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci. 2012 Jul;16 Suppl 3:18-27. PubMed PMID:22957414. 
  • Jin Y, Shi Y, Zou Y, Miao C, Sun B, Li C. Fenugreek Prevents the Development of STZ-Induced Diabetic Nephropathy in a Rat Model of Diabetes. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2014;2014:259368. doi: 10.1155/2014/259368. Epub 2014 May 8. PubMed PMID: 25057273; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC4099218.

 

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Pre Diabetes: Everything You need to Know

Pre Diabetes: Everything You need to Know

Simply put, if you have pre diabetes (impaired glucose tolerance), your blood sugar (glucose) is raised beyond a healthy level but is not so high that you have blood sugar. While pre diabetes does not mean you have blood sugar, you are at a far greater risk of developing Type 2 diabetes than someone who does not have pre diabetes. You are additionally at a greater risk of developing cardiovascular diseases like heart disease and peripheral arterial disease.

This article will cover the basics of pre diabetes and the most effective course of treatment if you are diagnosed. Ultimately, lifestyle changes focused on diet and exercise are the most effective preventive measures you can take against the onset of type 2 diabetes.

The Relationship between Blood Glucose and Insulin

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As your food is being digested, various foods are broken down into sugars or glucose, which pass through your stomach and into the bloodstream. Though, to remain healthy, a person should not have blood glucose levels that are too high or too low.

So what does the body do when blood glucose levels begin to rise after you eat? The body releases a hormone called insulin which transports glucose from your blood to your cells which use some glucose for energy while the rest is converted into stores of energy otherwise known as glycogen or fat.

When you are not eating, blood glucose levels will begin to fall as do insulin levels. Some glycogen or fat is then converted back into glucose and released from the cells back into the bloodstream.

A Normal Blood Glucose Level

Your blood glucose level literally refers to the amount of glucose in your blood. A normal blood glucose level should hover between 4 and 8 millimoles per litre (mmol/L). Usually, blood glucose levels are lowest in the morning and highest after eating.

Understanding Diabetes

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Type 1 and type 2 are the two main forms of blood sugar. At this time, type 1 diabetes is not preventable and cannot be cured. Type 2 diabetes is the most common form.

Type 1 Diabetes

In this form of diabetes, beta cells in the pancreas stop producing insulin and so, the level of insulin in the bloodstream drops quickly. Formerly known as juvenile, early-onset or insulin dependent, this disease can develop rapidly and is treated with insulin injections and diet.

Type 2 Diabetes

On the other hand, the symptoms of type 2 diabetes develop over a longer period of time because the body is still producing insulin. Unlike type 1 diabetes where the body stops producing insulin, a person with type 2 diabetes does not make enough insulin or cannot use insulin properly otherwise known as insulin resistance. This means that you need more insulin than normal to keep blood glucose levels down.

What is Pre Diabetes?

The most common form of blood sugar, it is estimated that between 1 and 3 out of every 4 people with pre-diabetes will develop type 2 diabetes within 10 years.

The World Health Organization (WHO) defines a pre diabetic as someone who has:

  • A fasting blood glucose of less than 7 mmol/L; AND
  • An HbA1c blood test level of 42-47 mmol/mol (6.0-6.5%).

Pre diabetes develops for the same reasons as type 2 diabetes i.e. your body is not producing enough insulin or it is not using insulin properly.

Some risk factors include:

  • Being overweight or obese
  • Having a family history of diabetes i.e. a close relative
  • A sedentary lifestyle
  • High blood pressure and high cholesterol
  • PCOS, a hormonal disorder in women
  • A history of gestational diabetes

Symptoms Check

Pre-diabetics typically have no symptoms however a blood test can reveal that you have a raised blood sugar level. If you have high blood pressure, high cholesterol and/or a history of heart attack or stroke, your doctor will also likely recommend a blood test to check your glucose levels.

Can it be treated?

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Knowing whether or not you have pre diabetes is valuable information because the progression to Type 2 diabetes can be treated and prevented. Regular blood tests occurring at least once a year are necessary to monitor blood glucose levels in addition to lifestyle changes.

A healthy diet consisting of whole plant foods is absolutely necessary. Staples including brown rice, lentils, beans, legumes, green vegetables like spinach, broccoli and peas, root vegetables like potatoes and yams and fruits like apples, mangos, pears, apricots, blueberries, bananas and melon are incredibly beneficial foods that should be consumed daily and abundantly.  

Clinical researcher and author Dr. Neal Barnard is treating and even reversing type 2 diabetes with a high fiber, low fat plant-based diet. In fact, a study published in the August 2006 issue of Diabetes Care found Dr. Barnard’s treatment to be 3 times more effective than the American Diabetes Association’s guidelines on how to control blood sugar.

In addition to a diet rich in whole plant foods, natural supplements are worth considering.

Image 2

Fenugreek, for example, is an herb derived from Ukraine, India, China and the Mediterranean region. The ripe, dry seeds found in fenugreek contain protein, vitamins, niacin, potassium, and disogenin as well as alkaloids, lysine, L-tryptophan and steroidal saponins. Studies suggest that fenugreek seed extract contains properties that can lower cholesterol and blood sugar. FENFURO is a group of furostanolic saponins derived from fenugreek seeds by innovative and patented process. It contains a rich variety of saponins and flavonoids, all substances known to lower blood lipid levels and a play valuable role in glucose regulation. Fenfuro has been clinically evaluated for safety and efficacy.  For more information visit www.fenfuro.com.

With regular exercise, healthy diet and natural supplements, the onset of type 2 diabetes can be prevented.

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DIABETES DIET FOR INDIANS

Diabetes control is governed by following the right diabetic diet. What to eat and what not to eat is important for diabetes control and diabetes cure or diabetes reversal.

These are the top 15 diabetes diet tips from diabetologists and nutritionists. Even if you are pre-diabetic or borderline diabetic, or diabetes is part of your family, it is important to follow a diabetic diet to prevent diabetes.

IMage 13

Diabetologist, Dr. Sanjiv Bhambani with Moolchand Medcity suggests, “A diabetes diet should be high on fibre, must contain milk without cream, buttermilk, fresh seasonal fruits, green vegetables, etc.” But remember to consume these components in moderation.

DIABETES DIET FOR INDIANS should have the ratio of 60:20:20 for carbs, fats and proteins. The doctor explains, “Per day calorie intake should be between 1,500-1,800 calories with a proportion of 60:20:20 between carbohydrates, fats and proteins, respectively.” He adds that a diabetes diet should “have at least two seasonal fruits and three vegetables in a diet plan.”

Though dry fruits may seem like a healthy snack, it is not a good option for diabetics, as the fructose can spike your sugar level. Go for fresh fruits rather than dry fruits for diabetes control (but there are some restrictions… we’ll come to it). But you can still opt for nuts as a healthy snack.

THE DOCTOR SHARES HIS RECIPE FOR DIABETES DIET FOR INDIANS:

 – Drink tomato juice with salt and pepper every morning on an empty stomach.

– Intake of 6 almonds (soaked overnight) is also helpful in keeping a check on diabetes.

 Rekha Sharma, President and Director of Indian Dietetic Association, shares some major diabetes diet pointers that one should follow at home or at a restaurant.

 WHOLE GRAINS, OATS, CHANNA ATTA, MILLETS AND OTHER HIGH FIBRE FOODS should be included in the meals. If one feels like consuming pasta or noodles, it should  always be accompanied with vegetable/sprouts.

 MILK is the right combination of carbohydrates and proteins and helps control blood sugar levels. Two servings of milk in a daily diet is a good option.

Diabetes Control: Diabetic Diet Tips

 – HIGH FIBRE VEGETABLES such as peas, beans, broccoli and spinach /leafy vegetables should be included in one’s diet. Also, pulses with husk and sprouts are a                healthy option and should be part of the diet.
– PULSES are important in the diet as their effect on blood glucose is less than that of most other carbohydrate containing foods. Vegetables rich in fibre help lowering down the blood sugar levels and thus are healthy.
– GOOD FATS SUCH AS OMEGA-3 and monounsaturated fats (MUFA) should be consumed as they are good for the body. Natural sources for these are canola oil, flax seed oil,   fatty fish and nuts. These are also low in cholesterol and are trans fat free.
– FRUITS high in fibre such as papaya, apple, orange, pear and guava should be consumed. Mangoes, bananas, and grapes contain high sugar; therefore these fruits should be   consumed lesser than the others.

– Use FENFURO Regular intake of FENFURO can control the blood sugar level effectively. FENFURO is a first of its kind, safe nutraceutical derived from fenugreek seeds through a patented process.  Through its unique scientific process, FENFURO concentrates the bioactive part of plants into a manageable dose, while removing the inert parts such as cellulose. Also, since a lot of healthy botanicals are not palatable, consuming their concentrate in capsule form in small dosage is a lot easier. FENFURO contains a rich variety of saponins and flavonoids. These substances are known to lower blood lipid level and help in insulin sensitization and glucose regulation. FENFURO is the first dual action insulin sensitizer.

SMALL FREQUENT MEALS:

A large meal gives rise to higher blood sugar in one’s body, therefore it is essential to take small frequent meals to prevent both higher and very low blood sugar values and keep them constant. Small in between snacks can be dhokla, fruit, high fibre cookies, butter milk, yogurt, upma/poha with vegetables etc.

A person with diabetes should follow a diet which is low in carbohydrates, high in fibre and contains adequate amounts of proteins, vitamins and minerals; and avoid fatty foods and sweets. He/she should also take frequent small meals (5 meals pattern).

WHAT NOT TO DO:

-Artificial sweeteners can be used in cakes and sweets for diabetic people (in moderation).
-Have lots of fluid.
-Limit intake of alcohol.

SHOULD YOU HAVE NON-VEG?

In non-vegetarian diet, seafood and chicken can be taken rather than red meat as red meat contains higher amount of saturated fats. Also, patients with high cholesterol should avoid egg yolk and red meat.

The diabetes diet for Indians includes carbohydrates, proteins and fats. As always, a balanced and planned diet can build and improve personal health. A controlled diabetes diet may seem like a drag and bore, but a good cook can add life to a diet. Time to call up mom and experiment with diabetes diets!

The statement and product have not been evaluated by the FDA to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

 

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Best and Worst Foods for Diabetes

 

When you’ve got diabetes, your food choices matter a lot. Some are better than others. To help you choose the best and worst foods from major food groups, use this guide.

Foods that are in the “worst” group can be occasional treats. In general, however, it will be easier to manage your diabetes if you choose most of your foods from the “best” lists.

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Diabetes and Breads, Grains, and Other Starches

Your body needs carbs but you want to choose wisely. Use this list as a guide.

Best Choices

•         Whole-grain flours, such as whole wheat flour

•         Whole grains, such as brown rice

•         Cereals containing whole-grain ingredients and little added sugar

•         Whole-grain bread

•         Baked sweet or white potato or baked steak fries

•         Whole-grain flour or corn tortillas

•         Corn, popcorn or products made from corn

Worst Choices

•         White flour

•         Processed grains, such as white rice

•         Cereals with little whole grain and lots of sugar

•         White bread

•         French fries

•         Fried white-flour tortillas

Vegetables and Diabetes

Most vegetables contain fiber and are naturally low in fat and sodium (unless they are canned or frozen in sauces). Starchy vegetables, such as potatoes and corn, aren’t included in this category. They are considered part of the breads, grains, and other starches group.

Best Choices: 

•         Fresh vegetables, eaten raw or lightly steamed, roasted, or grilled

•         Plain frozen vegetables, lightly steamed

•         Low sodium or unsalted canned vegetables

•         Lettuces, greens, kale, spinach, arugula 

Worst Choices:

•         Canned vegetables with lots of added sodium

•         Vegetables cooked with lots of added butter, cheese, or sauce

•         Pickles (if you need to limit sodium; otherwise, pickles are okay)

•         Sauerkraut, (same as pickles; limit only if you have high blood pressure)

 Fruits and Diabetes

Fruits have carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals, and fiber. They are naturally low in fat (except for avocados) and sodium. Most fruits have more carbs than do vegetables.

Best Choices:

•         Plain frozen fruit or fruit canned in fruit juice

•         Fresh fruit

•         Sugar-free or low-sugar jam or preserves

•         No-sugar-added apple sauce

•         100% fruit juice                                               

Worst Choices:

•         Canned fruit with heavy sugar syrup

•         Chewy fruit rolls

•         Regular jam, jelly, and preserves (unless portion is kept small)

•         Sweetened apple sauce

•         Fruit punch, fruit drinks, fruit juice drinks

 Diabetes and Meat and Other Protein

This category includes beef, chicken, fish, pork, turkey, seafood, beans, cheese, eggs, nuts, and tofu.

Best Choices:

•         Baked, broiled, grilled, or stewed meats

•         Lower-fat cuts of meat, such as top sirloin

•         Turkey bacon

•         Low-fat cheeses

•         Skinless breast of chicken or turkey

•         Baked, broiled, steamed, or grilled fish

•         Tofu lightly sautéed, steamed, or cooked in soup

•         Beans

•         Eggs

•         Nuts

Worst Choices:

•         Fried meats

•         Higher-fat cuts of meat, such as ribs

•         Pork bacon

•         Regular cheeses

•         Poultry with skin

•         Fried fish

•         Fried tofu

•         Beans prepared with lard

Dairy and Diabetes

This group includes milk and foods made from milk, such as yogurt and sour cream. Milk has a lot of protein and minerals, including calcium.

Best Choices:

•         1% or skim milk

•         Low-fat yogurt

•         Low-fat cottage cheese

•         Low-fat or nonfat sour cream

•         Frozen low-fat, low-carb yogurt

•         Nonfat half-and-half

Worst Choices:

•         Whole milk

•         Regular yogurt

•         Regular cottage cheese

•         Regular sour cream

•         Regular ice cream

•         Regular half-and-half

Diabetes and Fats, Oils, and Sweets

Eating too much of these kinds of foods can lead to weight gain, making it harder to keep diabetes under control.

Best Choices:

•         Baked snacks, such as baked potato chips, baked corn chips, puffed rice, or corn snacks, in small portions

•         Vegetable oils, non-hydrogenated butter spreads, margarine

•         Reduced-fat mayonnaise

•         Light salad dressings

•         Air-popped or calorie-controlled popcorn

Worst Choices:

•         Snacks fried in fat, such as potato chips, corn chips, pork rinds

•         Lard, hydrogenated vegetable shortening, butter

•         Regular mayonnaise

•         Regular salad dressings

•         Butter-flavored stove-top popcorn

Beverages and Diabetes

Some drinks have lots of carbs but very little nutrition. Others may be a better choice most of the time.

Best Choices:

•         Water, unflavored or flavored sparkling water

•         Light beer, small amounts of wine or non-fruity mixed drinks

•         Unsweetened tea (add a slice of lemon)

•         Coffee, black or with added low-fat milk and sugar substitute

•         Plain coffee and hot chocolate

•         Sport drinks, in limited quantities

Worst Choices:

•         Regular sodas

•         Regular beer, fruity mixed drinks, dessert wines

•         Sweetened tea

•         Coffee with sugar and cream

•         Flavored coffees and chocolate drinks

•         Energy drinks

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Fight Diabetes Naturally

 

Diabetes in India has reached an endemic stage with about 62 million people suffering with this debilitating disease. This often chronic and deadly disease is fast spreading its tentacles and is expected to affect over 100 million people in India by 2030. 

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Types of Diabetes

There are three types of diabetes: Type1, Type 2 and Gestational diabetes. Type 1 diabetes is prevalent in children and happens when the body does not produce required quantity insulin. Type 2 diabetes largely stems from unhealthy and sedentary lifestyle. In Type 2 diabetes, the body is not able to utilize the produced insulin effectively. During pregnancy, some women without a previous history of diabetes develop a high blood glucose level. It is called gestational diabetes.

A large section of diabetics is suffering from Type 2 diabetes that can be prevented or delayed with a healthy way of life.

Symptoms

The common symptoms of diabetes are increased urination, weight loss, increased thirst, increased hunger, fatigue, headache, itchy skin, nausea and delayed healing of wounds. These symptoms may develop rapidly within weeks or months in type 1 diabetes while they usually develop much more slowly and may be subtle or absent in type 2 diabetes.

Indians are at a high risk

Genetic coding, cultural and social setup and changing lifestyle are the major contributors to the widespread of diabetes in India. Indian genes make them 4 times more susceptible to diabetes as compared to Europeans. Moreover, 

A number of factors in combination make Indians highly susceptible to Diabetes.

Indian diet is rich in carbohydrates and saturated fats, which leads to obesity and thus diabetes. The changing lifestyle of youngsters and increase in consumption of fast food is adding to the already grave problem. 

Low awareness amongst Indians

Though there is presence of good screening centers in the urban and suburban India, rural India, neither has the awareness nor screening facilities to detect diabetes early on. According to an estimate about 50 percent diabetics in India, mostly in rural areas, are not aware of their condition and about one million people die annually due to diabetes. 

Treatment of Diabetes 

Treatment for diabetes mellitus is chosen on the basis of its type and complications. The treatments are individualized by the duration of diabetes, age/life expectancy, comorbidity, known cardiovascular diseases or advanced micro vascular diseases and hypoglycemia awareness. Anti-diabetic drugs treat diabetes mellitus by lowering glucose levels in the blood. With the exception of insulin, all the drugs are administered orally. Many patients with diabetes having two or more comorbidities often require multiple medications. Some people who have type 2 diabetes need insulin therapy as well. In the past, insulin therapy was used as last resort, but today it’s often prescribed sooner. About 40% of the Type 2 diabetics use insulin injections. But most of these treatments have associated problems like weight gain, hypoglycemia and gastro intestinal problems.

Manage Diabetes naturally

India has over 5000 years of history of effective herbal treatments. People still prefer to use herbal products due to higher safety, efficacy and lower side effects.  People these days are moving towards nutraceuticals to combat diseases because of their increased efficacy and safety as opposed to Fight Diabetes naturally medicines. FENFURO is one such nutraceutical which acts as your glucose manager. It is a first of its kind product derived from single herb with proven results for maintaining blood sugar levels. FENFURO contains a rich variety of saponins and flavonoids. All of these substances are known to lower blood lipid level and play valuable role in insulin sensitization and glucose regulation. FENFURO is a first dual action insulin sensitizer.

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A clinical evaluation of FENFURO was carried out on a total of 154 Type 2 diabetics for a period of 3 months, to determine it’s efficacy and safety. At the end of three months 83% of the patients reported decrease in fasting sugar levels and 89% patients reported decrease in PP sugar levels. The highlighting point of the study was patients showed significant decrease in HbA1C levels as compared to respective baseline value,  even after 48.8% of patients reported reduction in dosage of anti-diabetic therapy after regularly taking FENFURO.

Lets not give it the power to ruin our lives. Lets fight it with exercise, healthy diet and FENFURO. 

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Managing Diabetes From Morning to Night

 

Keeping your blood sugar stable means taking certain steps throughout the day. Use this around-the-clock advice to help manage blood sugar.

Good blood sugar management depends on following a routine that runs throughout your day from the time you get up until your head hits the pillow again at night. That’s because blood sugar levels are in constant flux during the day. They rise after meals and taper off during physical activity. The key to successfully managing type 2 diabetes and its symptoms is to keep your blood sugar levels as stable as possible. That’s where a routine comes into play. Here are blood sugar management tips to help cover every part of your day:

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In the Morning

Check your blood sugar. If you have type 2 diabetes, you should check your blood sugar level every morning before you eat anything. This gives you a good baseline idea where you stand and allows you to make adjustments throughout the day.

Eat breakfast. If you skip breakfast, you’re already starting your day on the wrong foot. “Many people tend to skip breakfast, and it’s one of the most important meals of the day”. “You skip breakfast and you get hungrier and hungrier, and that’s one of the reasons people tend to overeat later in the day.” Eating regular meals will help keep your blood sugar levels steady, but skipping meals and then binging will cause spikes.

Give your feet a once-over. Diabetes can cause your feet to lose feeling because of nerve damage. In extreme cases, a person with diabetes can end up having to have a foot amputated if an unnoticed cut becomes severely infected. Check your feet for any sores or cuts each morning. Also check your shoes before putting them on to make sure there’s nothing in your shoe that could cause a sore. You might want to check your feet at bedtime, too.

 In the Afternoon

Take a lunch break. Don’t eat lunch at your desk — that’s a sure way to rush and feel stressed. Instead, sit down somewhere else and eat, then take a short walk afterward. Plan a healthy lunch ahead of time or you might resort to unhealthy fast food. You get a triple-win against diabetes with a lunch break: The regular meal and the exercise help keep your blood sugar level stable, and you can release some pressure from work.

Have healthy snacks on hand. Afternoon snacking is a good way to set yourself up for healthy eating once you’re home. “Most people like to snack in the afternoon, and I think that’s important because you don’t want to get home and start grabbing anything because you’re so hungry”. By having a sensible snack, you can help keep your blood sugar steady by avoiding a binge later on.

Get a little extra activity. Physical activity is crucial to blood sugar control. When you’re active, your cells burn blood sugar through a process that doesn’t rely on insulin. Activity also lets your body use insulin more efficiently. Take the stairs instead of an elevator. Get up from your desk and go talk to co-workers instead of emailing them. Experts recommend getting 30 minutes of physical activity each day, but it doesn’t have to be all at once. Every time you get up and move around, you’re adding to your 30-minute total. If you’re worn out from work, try to fit in a short walk in the late afternoon.

In the Evening

Eat a sensible dinner. Don’t overeat at dinner time. Eat a meal that’s about the same size as what you ate for breakfast and lunch. The actual amounts of protein, carbohydrates, fruits, and vegetables you should eat will depend on the meal plan that’s best for you. As with earlier in the day, maintaining a steady intake of food will make you less vulnerable to blood sugar spikes, especially if you’re eating healthy foods.

Work out while you watch TV. Keep moving even as you veg out in front of the tube. Do sit-ups or push-ups during commercials, or march in place. Lift light weights during the show. Even physical activity that’s not aerobic can still aid in your body’s ability to use insulin efficiently and maintain stable blood sugar. “Contracting your muscles can help regulate your blood sugar.” 

At Bedtime

Check your blood sugar again. Here’s where you see how your blood sugar management routine pays off. “Checking your blood sugar at bedtime gives you a good idea what happened during the day” 

Brush and floss your teeth. Brush in the morning and at night, and floss every night. “People with blood sugar are at increased risk for periodontal disease and general dental problems.”

Apply some lotion. Keep your skin moisturized to prevent peeling, cracking, and developing sores that can be symptoms of blood sugar. Apply lotion every night before bed.

 

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Beat Type-2 Diabetes with These 5 Tips

Type 2 diabetes is on the rise around the world however, there is much you can do to improve your life if you are diagnosed. Fortunately, the solution to type-2 diabetes doesn’t have to be found in insulin injections. A number of people are finding long term solutions through lifestyle changes.

“Basic principles of good health like eating right, exercising regularly, and maintaining a healthy weight can be as effective as medicine in the management of type 2 diabetes for most people,” says dietitian Sue McLaughlin, RD, diabetes educator and president of healthcare and education for the American Diabetes Association. That’s backed up by the Look AHEAD study, a large clinical trial funded by the National Institutes of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The researchers found that over a four-year period, changes like eating a healthier diet and exercising more led to weight loss and improved diabetes control in 5000 overweight or obese participants with type 2 diabetes.

If you feel ready to make some positive lifestyle changes, below are 5 tips to help get you started.

You Are What You Eat

Keeping a watchful eye on your diet is the first step to managing type 2 diabetes. The healthiest diet for people diagnosed with type 2 diabetes is a low fat, high fiber diet consisting of fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Be especially mindful of foods that are high on the glycemic index (GI), a system that ranks foods according to how they affect glucose levels. High-GI foods include white breads, white rice, and soda.

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Avoid fast food at all costs as well. In a 15-year study of 3,000 young adults, those who ate fast food more than twice a week developed insulin resistance (a diabetes risk factor) at twice the rate of people who weren’t fast food junkies. Plus, fast food is loaded with saturated fats, trans fats, and sodium, which can be especially unhealthy for people with type 2 diabetes.

Lose Weight

Studies find that losing just 10 to 15 pounds can lower glucose levels in people with type 2 diabetes. Managing your weight is critical to managing type 2 diabetes and where your fat is distributed can also affect your diabetes risk and management.

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People who carry most of their fat in their belly (apple shape) are more prone to type 2 diabetes than those with fat mostly in the thighs, hips, and buttocks (pear shape). A woman whose waist measures more than 35 inches and a man with a 40-inch waist need to lose weight for good diabetes management, according to experts who further note that adding a healthy diet and regular aerobic exercise will help shed weight in the stomach area.

Exercise Regularly

Even if losing weight is a hard fought and lost battle for you, maintaining a healthy level of exercise can make a big difference.

“When you do physical activity, such as walking, your muscle contractions push glucose out of your blood into your cells,” explains McLaughlin, resulting in better blood sugar levels.

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More intense exercise is even better. In one study of vigorous exercise and type 2 diabetes, women who walked quickly gained more protection from type 2 diabetes than those who walked at a more leisurely pace. Regular weight-lifting sessions can also help regulate blood sugar levels.

Manage Sleep Apnea

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A number of overweight people with type 2 diabetes also have sleep apnea, a condition in which a person stops breathing temporarily while sleeping.

People with type 2 diabetes and sleep apnea are at higher risk of death from heart attack and stroke. According to one study, their blood sugar levels can fluctuate more dramatically while sleeping than in those who have type 2 diabetes, but not sleep apnea, according to one study. These fluctuations have been linked to a higher risk of diabetic complications.

Severe cases of sleep apnea may need to be treated with surgery or by wearing a special device while sleeping, but less severe cases can be managed by losing weight. Talk to your doctor if you suspect you may have sleep apnea — loud snoring is one sign. A special sleep test can diagnose sleep apnea.

Supplements

FENFUROTM is a group of furostanolic saponins, derived from fenugreek seeds (Trigonellafoenumgraecum) by innovative process. One of the most important properties of fenugreek seed extract is blood sugar level (BSL) lowering property. Various studies have investigated blood cholesterol-lowering and blood glucose lowering properties of fenugreek seed extract. FENFURO contains a rich variety of saponins and flavonoids. All of these substances are known to lower blood lipid levels and play valuable role in glucose regulation.

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Fenfuro is protected by six international patents and is clinically evaluated with proven efficacy and safety.

The statement and product have not been evaluated by the FDA to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

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Manage Your Diabetes

 

Image 5Many people avoid the long-term problems of diabetes by taking good care of themselves. Work with your health care team to reach your ABC goals (A1C, Blood Pressure, Cholesterol): Use this self-care plan.

  • Use your diabetes meal plan. If you do not have one, ask your health care team about one.
  • Make healthy food choices such as fruits and vegetables, fish, lean meats, chicken or turkey without the skin, dry peas or beans, whole grains, and low-fat or skim milk and cheese.
  • Keep fish and lean meat and poultry portion to about 3 ounces(or the size of a deck of cards). Bake, broil, or grill it.
  • Eat foods that have less fat and salt.
  • Eat foods with more fiber such as whole grains cereals, breads, crackers, rice, or pasta.
  • Get 30 to 60 minutes of physical activity on most days of the week. Brisk walking is a great way to move more.
  • Stay at a healthy weight by using your meal plan and moving more.
  • Ask for help if you feel down. A mental health counselor, support group, member of the clergy, friend, or family member who will listen to your concerns may help you feel better.
  • Learn to cope with stress. Stress can raise your blood glucose (blood sugar). While it is hard to remove stress from your life, you can learn to handle it.
  • Stop smoking. Ask for help to quit.
  • Take medicines even when you feel good. Tell your doctor if you cannot afford your medicines or if you have any side effects.
  • Check your feet every day for cuts, blisters, red spots, and swelling. Call your health care team right away about any sores that do not go away.
  • Brush your teeth and floss every day to avoid problems with your mouth, teeth, or gums
  • Check your blood glucose (blood sugar).You may want to test it one or more times a day. Be sure to take the record to your doctor visits.
  • Check your blood pressure if your doctor advises.
  • Report any changes in your eye sight to your doctor.
  • Use FENFURO Regular intake of Fenfuro can control the blood sugar level effectively.

fenfuro@

Fenfuro is a first of its kind, safe nutraceutical derived from fenugreek seeds through a patented process.  Through its unique scientific process, FENFURO concentrates the bioactive part of plants into a manageable dose, while removing the inert parts such as cellulose. Also, since a lot of healthy botanicals are not palatable, consuming their concentrate in capsule form in small dosage is a lot easier. FENFURO contains a rich variety of saponins and flavonoids. These substances are known to lower blood lipid level and help in insulin sensitization and glucose regulation. FENFURO is the first dual action insulin sensitizer.

The statement and product have not been evaluated by the FDA to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

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Natural treatment of Diabetes

 

Our grandmas have been telling us about the usefulness of certain herbs and spices but it took researches from renowned institutions to establish them as the alternative treatments for Diabetes. We have compiled here a list of natural remedies to control the silent killer- diabetes:

Fenugreek- Fenugreek seeds (Methi Dana) are known for their sugar lowering properties. FENFUROTM is a first of its kind, safe nutraceutical derived from fenugreek seeds through a patented process.  Through its unique scientific process, FENFUROTM concentrates the bioactive part of plants into a manageable dose, while removing the inert parts such as cellulose. Also, since a lot of healthy botanicals are not palatable, consuming their concentrate in capsule form in small dosage is a lot easier. FENFUROTM contains a rich variety of saponins and flavonoids. These substances are known to lower blood lipid level and help in insulin sensitization and glucose regulation. FENFUROTM is the first dual action insulin sensitizer.

A clinical evaluation of FENFUROTM was carried out on a total of 154 Type 2 diabetics for a period of 3 months, to determine it’s efficacy and safety. At the end of three months 83% of the patients reported decrease in fasting sugar levels and 89% patients reported decrease in PP sugar levels. The patients also showed significant decrease in HbA1C levels as compared to respective baseline value. 48.8% of patients reported reduction in dosage of anti-diabetic therapy after regularly taking FENFUROTM.

Mango leaves- The mango leaves can help reduce the intestinal glucose absorption and proves to be beneficial in diabetes management. 

Fig Leaves- Chewing a few fig leaves on empty stomach is said to bring down the sugar level.

Cinnamon- Who can resist the aroma of this rich spice? But apart from a taste and aroma enhancer, it reduces blood sugar level too.

Bitter Gourd- As the name suggests it is bitter but it proves to be the sweetest as it really helps control the diabetes. 

Neem- Neem, a tree that is believed to have anti-bacterial and anti-fungal property, has anti-diabetic properties as well. 

Holy Basil- No wonder our grandma always told us to eat tulsi leaves or have tulsi leaves tea. This is truly a miracle plant with many health benefits. 

Jamun- Jamun helps control the blood sugar. But be careful, too much of it can cause sore throat too.

Caution: Please make sure you consume organic products as the increased use of pesticides has made it unsafe to consume these natural products.

 The statement and product have not been evaluated by the FDA to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.