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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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5 Ways to Lower Your A1C

The A1C is a blood test that shows how well your blood sugar management plan is working. Here’s how to reach a healthy A1C number and avoid blood sugar complications.

Taking the A1C Test

A1C-Infographic-640x240

If your blood sugar is well controlled and your blood sugar levels have remained stable, the American Diabetes Association recommends that you have the A1C test two times each year. A1C test results provide insight into how your treatment plan is working or might be modified to better control the condition. Your doctor may want to run the test as often as every three months if your A1C is not within your target range.

What the A1C Results Mean

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The A1C test measures the glucose (blood sugar) in your blood by assessing the amount of what’s called glycated hemoglobin. “Hemoglobin is a protein within red blood cells. As glucose enters the bloodstream, it binds to hemoglobin, or glycates. The more glucose that enters the bloodstream, the higher the amount of glycated hemoglobin,” .

An A1C level below 6 percent is considered normal. An A1C between 6 and 6.5 percent signals pre-diabetes. Type 2 diabetes is diagnosed when the A1C is over 6.5 percent. For many people with type 2 diabetes, the goal is to lower A1C levels to a healthier percentage.

Your A1C goal is specific to you. Several factors come into play such as your age, how advanced your blood glucose is, and any other heath conditions you have. A common A1C goal for people with blood sugar is less than 7 percent. If you can keep your A1C number below your goal, you help to reduce the risk of blood sugar complications, such as nerve damage,eye problems etc.

Making these healthy changes can help you improve your day-to-day blood sugar management and lower your A1C:

•  Move more. Try to get at least 30 minutes of exercise five days a week. This doesn’t have to be formal exercise. Find something you enjoy doing that gets your body moving — take your dog for a walk, play a sport with a friend, or ride a stationary bike indoors or a regular bike outdoors.

•  Eat a balanced diet with proper portion sizes. You can load up on non-starchy vegetables, but be mindful of serving sizes when eating fruits, lean proteins, fats, and complex carbohydrates like bread, potatoes, and other starches. Using a salad plate instead of a full-size dinner plate can help prevent overeating. Avoid processed foods as much as possible and say no to sugary sodas and fruit juice. A blood glucose educator or dietician may be able to help if you’re unsure about a good blood sugar diet.

•  Stick to a schedule. Skipping meals, letting too much time pass between meals, or eating too much or too often can cause your blood sugar levels to fall and rise too much. Your doctor can help you determine the best meal schedule for your lifestyle.

•  Follow your treatment plan. Blood sugar treatment is very individualized. Your doctor will help you determine the steps you need to take to successfully manage your blood sugar. Always talk to your doctor before making any changes.

•  Check your blood sugar as directed. Checking blood sugar on your own is still necessary, even if your doctor is monitoring your A1C levels. Keeping a journal of your blood sugar levels can tell you and your doctor how certain activities affect your blood sugar. It can also help determine an ideal eating schedule and alert you to foods that cause blood sugar spikes.

Understanding your A1C levels is an important part of your overall blood sugar management. If you have any questions about your A1C levels or what they mean, don’t hesitate to ask your doctor.

The A1C is a blood test that shows how well your blood sugar management plan is working. Here’s how to reach a healthy A1C number and avoid blood sugar complications.

Tips for a Lower A1C

 

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Your A1C score is a valuable part of the blood sugar control picture, but it is not the only indicator of your health. Someone who has wide fluctuations in blood sugar levels may have an A1C at goal because the average is good. However, these day-to-day fluctuations can lower your quality of life and increase your risk of complications.Blood sugar can be a tough condition to manage. It takes work, but the time and effort you put into it can result in good control and an improved quality of life.

Use Supplement for Lower A1C: 

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.

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

 

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Acupressure points for diabetes

Acupressure is an alternative treatment to cure various diseases. There are hundreds of acupressure points in our body. By Putting physical pressure on the right acupressure points, one can not only relieve the stress and tension but can also get rid of various diseases including the rampant blood sugar. Acupressure is helpful for both the pre-diabetics and the diabetics. Acupressure along with healthy diet and herbal blood sugar management medicines can help.

Following acupressure points can not only help relieve the pain for the diabetics but can also help prevent blood sugar.

Intestine Point or Thumb and Index Finger joint

This acupressure point is important to relieve any kind of pain. Hold the joint between the thumb and index finger. Press and massage it for 5 minutes. You will experience relief in the large intestine. It also helps to reduce excess heat in the body. You will feel energetic and stress – free.

Stress Point or Hand Pressure Point:

Hand-Points-for-Headache-and-Migraine

The area near your wrist below the little finger is the pressure point that is good for the heart. Massaging it regularly helps reduce the stress and drain the negative emotions.

Urinary point or Back of Knee Point:

Diabetics also suffer from excess urination. By pressing this point in the center of back of knee cap for five minutes, one can be relieved of the urinary problems.

Arthritis point or knee point:

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Arthritis Point is situated below the Knee. Place your fingers 2 centimeters below the knee, as shown in the picture. Massage this area with a little pressure for 5 minutes every day. It balances the digestive system. Blood sugar is said to begin with stomach fire and proper digestion can reduce this problem. You will immediately see the result. This method is also used to prevent aging, arthritis and other forms of weaknesses.

Liver Point Feet Pressure Points:

acupressure-points-for-diabetes-7-638

Liver Point is located on the foot between the Big Toe and Second Toe. You can find the Acupressure Liver Point exact between the Big Toe and Second Toe. Apply mild pressure on Liver Point as adverse round with clock (i.e. reverse circle). Massage the area for 3 minutes daily between Big Toe and Second Toe to get relief in depression, stress, emotional condition etc.

Please do not apply pressure or massage Liver Point if the patient is drained. Because Acupressure Liver Point for Blood sugar can make the situation worse with a tired person.

Big Toe Point:

Bigger-Rushing-reflex-point

Apply pressure under the big toe with the help of your fingers. Since it is hard for you to do this alone, ask a friend to help. The pressure points under the big toe will help in giving a long term relief from blood sugar. Pressing this point for 2-3 minutes every day will help relieve symptoms of Blood sugar.

Herbal diabetes manager

Acupressure does help but it also needs proper exercising and right treatment. Herbal products to manage blood sugar are proved to be highly effective and are strongly recommended. FENFUROTM is a first of its kind herbal product derived from single herb with proven results for maintaining blood sugar levels. FENFUROTM 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 promotion and glucose regulation. 

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 safety and efficacy.The patients showed a significant decrease in HbA1C levels as compared to respective baseline value. 83% of the patients reported decrease in fasting sugar levels  and 89% in PP sugar levels. 48.8% of the patients reported reduced 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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What You Need to Know About Type 2 Diabetes

The Facts 

Type 2 Diabetes, the most common form and also referred to as adult onset diabetes, is a problem in which blood glucose levels rise above normal. The pancreas produces more insulin in response however, over time, the pancreas cannot keep up and make enough insulin to keep blood glucose at a normal level otherwise known as insulin resistance. When there is not enough insulin to move sugar into your cells, the body will rely on alternative sources of energy like from your tissues, muscles, and organs.

At first, the symptoms may be mild and easy to dismiss, however type 2 diabetes develops slowly and worsens over time. 

The Symptoms

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Frequent Urination:

Elevated glucose levels force fluids from cells, increasing the amount of fluid delivered to your kidneys. This increases urination and may cause dehydration.

Constant thirst :

As water is leached from your body, your tissues become dehydrated leading to constant thirst, a common symptom of diabetes. 

Fatigue :

Glucose is the human body’s primary source of energy. When cells cannot absorb sugar due to insulin resistance, you may become fatigued or feel exhausted.

Blurred vision :

In the short term, high glucose levels can cause swelling in the lens of the eye leading to blurry vision. This is a temporary problem that can be corrected by getting blood sugar under control. However, if glucose levels remain high over a long period of time, other eye problems can occur.

Recurring Infections and Sores :

Elevated glucose levels slow down the healing process therefore, injuries like cuts and sores stay open longer making you more susceptible to infection.

If you experience any of these symptoms on a regular basis, consult your doctor who may recommend a simple blood draw to test for diabetes. Routine diabetes screening typically begins at age 45 however you may begin earlier if you are overweight, sedentary, have a family history of type 2 diabetes, and are at a higher risk due to high blood pressure, high cholesterol and high triglycerides.

As the disease progresses unchecked, the symptoms will become more severe and potentially life threatening.

High blood sugar levels over a long period of time can produce symptoms including:

    • Yeast infections
    • Slow-healing cuts or sores
    • Dark skin patches 
    • Foot pain
    • Numbness in extremities or neuropathy 

If you’re experiencing two or more of these symptoms, consult your doctor immediately. Without treatment, diabetes can become fatal.

The causes of type 2 diabetes are still under research however, a number of doctors believe the disease is a result of a combination of factors.

The Causes

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Specifically, insulin is a naturally occurring hormone produced by the pancreas and released when you eat. Insulin helps transport sugar from your bloodstream to cells throughout your body where it’s used for energy. When a person is diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, it means that the pancreas can no longer produce insulin efficiently forcing the pancreas to work harder. Over time, this damages cells in the pancreas eventually rendering the pancreas unable to produce insulin at all.

This causes a build-up of glucose in the blood stream leaving the body starved of energy. Though, doctors are unsure of what triggers this series of events.

Cell dysfunction in the pancreas or with cell signaling and regulation may be part of the problem. A genetic predisposition may further be a factor in addition to obesity, which increases the risk of insulin resistance and diabetes.

While more research is needed fully understand the exact causes of type 2 diabetes, we are aware of certain factors that put people at a greater risk of developing the disease.

Risk Factors

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  • Certain factors are out of your control:
  • A family member who has type 2 diabetes puts you at a greater risk.
  • While you can develop the disease at any age, your risk increase as you age, particularly after age 45.
  • African-Americans, Latinos, Asian-Americans, and American Indians are at a higher risk than Caucasians.
  • A condition known as polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) increases the risk in women.

However, you may be able to reduce or even eliminate your chance of developing diabetes by assessing risk factors related to lifestyle:

  • Being overweight means you have higher amounts of fatty tissue which can make your cells more resistant to insulin. In particular, extra fat in the abdomen increases you risk more than extra fat in the hips and thighs. 
  • Your risk increases further if you live a sedentary lifestyle. Regular exercise causes the body to use more glucose for energy and helps your cells respond better to insulin. 
  • Eating high amounts processed food, and foods high in fat, saturated fat, and cholesterol such as meat, dairy and eggs can increase your risk of type 2 diabetes

If you have pre-diabetes or have had gestational diabetes, your risk is also greater.

Figuring how to control blood sugar is paramount especially since a number of serious complications can result from type 2 diabetes.    

 Complications

Diabetes affects virtually every organ in the human body and is life-threatening if left untreated. A number of serious complications include:

  • Bacterial infections, fungal infections and other skin problems.
  • Nerve damage or neuropathy which can cause a loss of sensation or numbness and tingling in your extremities as well as digestive issues such as vomiting, diarrhea, and constipation. 
  • Poor circulation to the feet which slows down the healing process if you have a cut or sore and can lead to infection, gangrene and amputation. 
  • Hearing impairment.
  • Retinal damage or retinopathy and eye damage which can cause deteriorating vision, glaucoma, and cataracts. 
  • Cardiovascular diseases such as high blood pressure, narrowing of the arteries, angina, heart attack or stroke. In particular, women are twice as likely to experience another heart attack after the first one. Additionally, the risk of heart failure quadruples when compared to women without diabetes. 
  • Kidney damage and/or kidney failure. 

Hyperglycemia vs. Hypoglycemia

Hypoglycemia can occur when your blood sugar is low and is often followed by symptoms of shakiness, dizziness, and difficulty speaking. This can usually be remedied with a high sugar “quick-fix” food or drink, such as fruit juice, a soft drink, or a hard candy.

On the other hand, hyperglycemia can occur when blood sugar is high Characterized by frequent urination and increased thirst, exercising and proper nutrition can help regulate your blood sugar level.

How to Treat It

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Type 2 diabetes is a treatable and even preventable disease that affects millions of Americans in the US alone. Only a doctor can test you for diabetes and determine how often you have check your blood glucose levels however, by making some lifestyle changes, you can drastically improve your quality of life.

Nutrition

Include foods rich in fiber and healthy carbohydrates in your diet. Fruits, vegetables, beans, lentils and whole grains help keep your blood sugar levels within a normal range. Medical professionals like Dr. Neal Barnard are using high fiber, low fat plant-based diets as a natural cure for type 2 diabetes. Additionally, eat at regular intervals and until you are satisfied. 

Weight Management

Weight loss and management can significantly improve and even prevent the onset type 2 diabetes therefore, processed food, and foods high in fat, saturated fat and cholesterol such as meat, dairy and eggs are important to keep out of your diet. Reducing your consumption of pure, liquefied fat or refined oils—vegetable oil in particular—will further promote weight loss.

Exercise

Exercise for 30 minutes daily to promote heart health and to help control blood glucose. This is also an effective tool for weight loss and weight management.

Supplements

Add natural supplements to your diet. Fenugreek seed extract is growing in popularity as both a super food and an effective home remedy for diabetes. Studies suggest that fenugreek seed extract contains properties that can lower cholesterol and blood sugar. FENFURO, a group of furostanolic saponins derived from fenugreek seeds, contains a rich variety of saponins and flavonoids, all substances known to lower blood lipid levels and a play valuable role in glucose regulation. For more information, visit www.fenfuro.com.

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Not everyone with type 2 diabetes needs to use insulin. If you do, your pancreas isn’t making enough insulin on its own therefore, it’s crucial that you take insulin as directed. While type 2 diabetes medication is an option, the disease can often be treated and even prevented with a low fat, high fiber plant based diet and regular exercise. 

How to Prevent It

While there is nothing you can do about your genetics, ethnicity or age, the life style changes mentioned in this article can drastically improve your quality of life after being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and even prevent the disease’s onset. The first step is to consult your doctor who can assess your risk, test your blood for diabetes, and prescribe medications if necessary.

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

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At Risk for Type 2 Diabetes? Here’s How to Change That

What is Diabetes?

Diabetes is a medical condition that affects the body’s ability to use or produce insulin thereby affecting blood sugar levels. There are 3 types of diabetes including type 1, type 2 and gestational diabetes. Type 1 diabetes affects the body’s ability to produce insulin while type 2 diabetes affects the body’s ability to use insulin efficiently. Gestational diabetes affects the body’s ability to useinsulin during pregnancy. 

Image 1

What is Diabetes?

Diabetes is a medical condition that affects the body’s ability to use or produce insulin thereby affecting blood sugar levels. There are 3 types of diabetes including type 1, type 2 and gestational diabetes. Type 1 diabetes affects the body’s ability to produce insulin while type 2 diabetes affects the body’s ability to use insulin efficiently. Gestational diabetes affects the body’s ability to use insulin during pregnancy. 

The cause of type 1 diabetes is not understood and is not preventable or curable at this time. However, people diagnosed with or at risk of type 2 diabetes can engage in lifestyle changes that will improve their overall quality of life and even prevent the onset of diabetes entirely. 

The Original Super Food No One Talks About:

“Let thy food be thy medicine, and thy medicine be thy food.” –Hippocrates

 Everyone knows that the human body needs fiber. However, did you know that fiber is the original super food? Hippocrates, the father of medicine, first recommended eating whole wheat as a way of keeping the bowels healthy nearly 2,500 years ago. Though, fiber can do so much more than simply keep you regular.

There are actually two main kinds of fiber including soluble and insoluble fiber. Insoluble fiber or roughage is found in bran, cereals, and whole grains like wheat, oats, rice and barley. Insoluble fibre absorbs up to fifteen times its own weight in water which helps prevent constipation. By allowing you to feel fuller longer, fiber is also a weight loss promoter.Soluble fiber is mainly found in oats, rye, lentils, beans and vegetables. This also helps you feel fuller longer and can lower high blood sugar and cholesterol.

Our daily intake of fiber should be at 25g. You can achieve this easily by starting your day with a high fiber breakfast like oats or bran with bananas. Fruits and vegetables are also rich in fiber like broccoli, cabbage, oranges, dates and berries. These foods when eaten in abundance will keep you full and focused and prevent cravings for high fat, oil rich snacks and foods throughout the day. 

Though, increasing your intake of fiber suddenly can increase gas and bloating, especially if you’re eating a high amount of pulses and beans. If you eat fiber regularly over a long period of time however, the side-effects can be kept to a minimum while still reaping the benefits.

Image 2

Here are more fascinating facts about fiber!

  • Eating a high-fiber diet could cut your risk of developing diabetes by up to a third.
  • People who started eating a high-fiber diet reported a 10% increase in energy levels within just two weeks.
  • For every 10g of fiber you eat every day, your risk of heart disease drops by 14%.
  • Doubling your fiber intake from 13g a day (the average in the UK) to 25g a day could cut your risk of bowel cancer by 40%.

The Bottom Line

A plant-based diet rich in whole grains, fruits and vegetables will also be incredibly high in fiber and include nutrient rich foods that can be eaten abundantly, promote weight loss, and treat type 2 diabetes or prevent its onset entirely.

 A Few Words about Animal Protein and Fat:

We often hear from mainstream media that carbohydrates are the bane of every dieter’s existence and can spike blood sugar levels increasing your risk of diabetes. However when compared to a cup of oats, a cup and a half of white flour pasta and a large apple, a single beef burger patty without a bun caused more than double the insulin spike of each plant food. The same result was found when salmon was compared to these foods. In fact, meat increases insulin just as much as pure sugar.

Image 3

What is Diabetes?

Diabetes is a medical condition that affects the body’s ability to use or produce insulin thereby affecting blood sugar levels. There are 3 types of diabetes including type 1, type 2 and gestational diabetes. Type 1 diabetes affects the body’s ability to produce insulin while type 2 diabetes affects the body’s ability to use insulin efficiently. Gestational diabetes affects the body’s ability to use insulin during pregnancy. 

The cause of type 1 diabetes is not understood and is not preventable or curable at this time. However, people diagnosed with or at risk of type 2 diabetes can engage in lifestyle changes that will improve their overall quality of life and even prevent the onset of diabetes entirely. 

The Original Super Food No One Talks About:

“Let thy food be thy medicine, and thy medicine be thy food.” –Hippocrates

 Everyone knows that the human body needs fiber. However, did you know that fiber is the original super food? Hippocrates, the father of medicine, first recommended eating whole wheat as a way of keeping the bowels healthy nearly 2,500 years ago. Though, fiber can do so much more than simply keep you regular.

There are actually two main kinds of fiber including soluble and insoluble fiber. Insoluble fiber or roughage is found in bran, cereals, and whole grains like wheat, oats, rice and barley. Insoluble fibre absorbs up to fifteen times its own weight in water which helps prevent constipation. By allowing you to feel fuller longer, fiber is also a weight loss promoter.Soluble fiber is mainly found in oats, rye, lentils, beans and vegetables. This also helps you feel fuller longer and can lower high blood sugar and cholesterol.

Our daily intake of fiber should be at 25g. You can achieve this easily by starting your day with a high fiber breakfast like oats or bran with bananas. Fruits and vegetables are also rich in fiber like broccoli, cabbage, oranges, dates and berries. These foods when eaten in abundance will keep you full and focused and prevent cravings for high fat, oil rich snacks and foods throughout the day. 

Though, increasing your intake of fiber suddenly can increase gas and bloating, especially if you’re eating a high amount of pulses and beans. If you eat fiber regularly over a long period of time however, the side-effects can be kept to a minimum while still reaping the benefits.

Here are more fascinating facts about fiber!

  • Eating a high-fiber diet could cut your risk of developing diabetes by up to a third.
  • People who started eating a high-fiber diet reported a 10% increase in energy levels within just two weeks.
  • For every 10g of fiber you eat every day, your risk of heart disease drops by 14%.
  • Doubling your fiber intake from 13g a day (the average in the UK) to 25g a day could cut your risk of bowel cancer by 40%.

The Bottom Line

A plant-based diet rich in whole grains, fruits and vegetables will also be incredibly high in fiber and include nutrient rich foods that can be eaten abundantly, promote weight loss, and treat type 2 diabetes or prevent its onset entirely. 

 A Few Words about Animal Protein and Fat:

We often hear from mainstream media that carbohydrates are the bane of every dieter’s existence and can spike blood sugar levels increasing your risk of diabetes. However when compared to a cup of oats, a cup and a half of white flour pasta and a large apple, a single beef burger patty without a bun caused more than double the insulin spike of each plant food. The same result was found when salmon was compared to these foods. In fact, meat increases insulin just as much as pure sugar.

 

Monique van Nielen, PhD, from the division of nutrition, Wageningen University, the Netherlands, and colleagues conducted a prospective analysis as part of the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition-InterAct case-control study (EPIC-InterAct). The goal of InterAct is to investigate how both genetic and lifestyle factors cause diabetes in European countries.

The current analysis included 10,901 incidents of type 2 diabetes cases and a sub cohort of 15,352 participants, including 736 diabetes cases, with a mean follow-up of 12 years. The study covers cases occurring in EPIC cohorts between 1991 and 2007 in 8 countries.

The researchers found that, overall, high total protein intake was associated with a 13% higher incidence of diabetes for every 10g increment after adjusting for energy intake, center, sex, diabetes risk factors, and dietary factors. Overall, the researchers concluded that “a greater intake of total protein is associated with a higher type 2 diabetes risk in European countries…”

A number of doctors in the U.S. including clinical researcher and author Dr. Neal Barnard are 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.

 

The studies further show that by adopting a low-fat vegetarian diet—free of all animal products and added vegetable oils—individuals can lower their cholesterol, reduce their blood pressure, and lose weight. Best of all, the diet doesn’t demand calorie counting, cutting portion sizes, or giving up all carbohydrates. On the contrary, you can eat as much as you want—hallelujah, sign me up! 

 You Have to Exercise:

That’s right. HAVE TO.

Image 4

While diet is first and foremost vital to a healthy lifestyle and diabetes management and prevention, exercise is also highly effective at maintaining blood sugar levels, a healthy weight and a healthy heart.

Engaging in 30 minutes of physical activity daily can make a huge difference however, feel free start small with 3 to 5 days a week and slowly increase your level of activity. Even better, exercise does not have to be strenuous to be effective. Moderate, low-impact physical activity can help achieve weight loss including: 

  • Dancing
  • Cycling
  • Swimming
  • Aerobics
  • Elliptical machines
  • Walking 

If the activity you perform raises and keeps your heart rate up, it will be effective at weight loss and diabetes prevention when also coupled with a plant-based diet.

Quit Smoking, Seriously:

Smokers are significantly more likely to have diabetes and according to the Harvard School of Public Health, smokers are 50 percent more likely to develop type 2 diabetes than are people who don’t smoke.

 

Though, quitting smoking is no easy task. People who have developed the habit over time must work hard to break it. However, many helpful resources exist. Support groups exist to help people successfully quit and nicotine patches and gums can also help to ease cravings. While quitting may take some time, it can reduce your diabetes risk and drastically improve overall health.

Stop Drinking Excessive Amounts of Alcohol:

According to the Harvard School of Public Health, consuming excess alcohol increases diabetes risk.

However, moderate alcohol consumption in people who want to continue drinking alcohol may have protective effects against diabetes. Drinking a moderate amount of alcohol helps the body use blood glucose more effectively. For men, this is no more than two drinks per day. For women, moderate consumption is no more than one drink per day.

 

If you do not currently drink alcohol, there is no need to start. An alcohol-free lifestyle is also an effective way of reducing diabetes risk. At Home Remedies :

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When it comes to the supplement industry, there is a plethora of deceptive marketing that preys on ignorance making it difficult to know what works and what doesn’t. So, I have provided a breakdown of my favorite dietary supplement known as FENFURO, a group of furostanolic saponins, derived from fenugreek seeds (Trigonellafoenumgraecum).

Fenugreek 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 diosgenin 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 contains a rich variety of saponins and flavonoids, all substances known to lower blood lipid levels and a play valuable role in glucose regulation.It is patented and clinically evaluated with proven safety and efficacy. For more information visit www.fenfuro.com

Conclusion 

If you’re worried about developing type 2 diabetes, you’re not alone. There are a number of risk factors to consider including family history, ethnicity and other environmental factors. However, making a few lifestyle changes is often the solution for many people worldwide. The key is to act now before this disease spins out of control putting you at risk for complications like heart problems, nerve damage, blindness, stroke or kidney failure. Wondering where to begin? You can start small by adding a supplement, swapping bacon and eggs for oats, berries and coconut milk and walking for 15 minutes. Diabetes is a serious illness but with help from your doctor, it can be treated and even prevented.

 

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

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The Cholesterol-Heart Disease Connection

Having high cholesterol puts you at increased risk of developing coronary heart disease. Combine high cholesterol with other risk factors, such as diabetes and high blood pressure, and your risk of heart disease increases even more. Many factors can cause high cholesterol, some of which you can do something about and others you cannot.

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Cholesterol is a fatty substance that can harden and stick to your artery walls, causing them to narrow and result in a condition known as atherosclerosis. Clots can then form, further blocking the narrowed arteries, and causing a heart attack when blood can no longer pass through the narrowed arteries to supply oxygen to the heart muscle.

The National Institutes of Health reports that more than 34 million American adults have high cholesterol (higher than 240 mg/dL), about 8 percent of the population.

Who gets high cholesterol? According to the American Heart Association, both white and African American women over age 20 actually have higher rates of total cholesterol levels above 240 mg/dL than men. And it’s not just in adults. High cholesterol may also be a problem in children. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends cholesterol management for some children as young as 8 years of age and low-fat dairy products starting at age 2. Most children with high cholesterol have a parent with high cholesterol.

High Cholesterol Risk Factors

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Heredity, having a family history of high cholesterol and heart disease, your age, and gender are all things that may put you at risk for developing high cholesterol. But a number of lifestyle choices that are within your control can increase your risk:

  • The food you eat. Many foods can drive up your low-density lipoprotein or LDL cholesterol (the “bad” cholesterol). Eating too much saturated fat, trans fatty acids (trans fats), and animal-based cholesterol found in meats, cheeses, and egg yolks contribute to high cholesterol and heart disease.
  • Being overweight or obese. Having an unhealthy weight can increase LDL levels, reduce high-density lipoprotein or HDL cholesterol (the “good” cholesterol), and increase your total cholesterol level.
  • Not exercising. A lack of exercise also contributes to your risk for high cholesterol and cardiovascular disease.

Types of Cholesterol: Assessing Your Levels

When you have a blood test to check your cholesterol level, doctors look at four scores:

  • Total blood cholesterol
  • LDL cholesterol
  • HDL cholesterol
  • Triglycerides

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If your total cholesterol score is less than 200 mg/dL and you have none of the above-mentioned risk factors, you are at low risk for heart disease. A total cholesterol score of 200-239 mg/dL is considered borderline high and anything above that is considered high. But you can also look at the LDL and HDL cholesterol level counts individually for more specific information about your risk for heart disease.

For example, higher HDL or good cholesterol levels are better. A low good cholesterol score (less than 40 mg/dL for men and less than 50 mg/dL for women) puts you at an increased risk for heart disease.

When you look at LDL or bad cholesterol, lower scores are better. The American Heart Association reports that LDL cholesterol is a better gauge of your risk for heart disease than the total cholesterol number. An LDL of less than 100 mg/dL is considered optimal.

Another part of the blood cholesterol test takes a look at triglycerides, which is another type of fat. If you have a high triglyceride level, you’re also likely to have a high total cholesterol level. A normal triglyceride level is less than 150 mg/dL.

Some health care providers use a ratio of total cholesterol to HDL cholesterol instead of the total blood cholesterol. That cholesterol ratio is found by dividing the HDL cholesterol level by the total cholesterol. But the American Heart Association recommends using the absolute numbers for total blood cholesterol and HDL cholesterol levels instead because they are a better tool to help guide your doctor in developing an appropriate treatment plan, if needed.

Lowering Your High Cholesterol: Ideas to Treat Naturally

Now that you know how to assess your cholesterol-heart disease risk, you can start thinking about how to reduce your risk and lower your cholesterol level. For most people, the best plan for reducing cholesterol involves lifestyle remedies that include a diet with the right foods, weight loss, and exercise. These changes are known as therapeutic lifestyle changes (TLC).

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What to eat? Foods for reducing high cholesterol are low in saturated fat and cholesterol. Recipes should include 0 or 1 percent dairy products, lean meats, whole grains, and plenty of fruits and vegetables. Use soft margarine in place of butter in your diet menu. Limit foods high in cholesterol such as organ meats, shrimp, and egg yolks.

For people who cannot lower their cholesterol enough with a TLC diet, medication may be needed as well. Statin drugs are the most commonly used cholesterol lowering drugs. These drugs are safe for most people and are very good at lowering LDL cholesterol.

Natural remedies for high cholesterol that show some promise include diet supplements like flaxseed, garlic, and soy. Flaxseed and flaxseed oil contain a substance that may benefit heart disease. Some studies have shown that flaxseed may lower cholesterol in post menopausal women. Garlic can be used as a food or a diet supplement and studies suggest it may slow the development of coronary heart disease. Soy foods and soy supplements have been shown to lower LDL cholesterol.

Natural remedies are not a cure for high cholesterol or heart disease and should never take the place of TLC or prescribed medications. People using any diet supplements or other natural remedies should always consult with their doctors first.

Important Related Conditions

Some medical conditions increase your risk for heart disease, especially when combined with high cholesterol, another reason to keep cholesterol in check. These include:

  • Blood sugar. People who have diabetes have high blood sugar, also called “high glucose.” You can be born with blood sugar or develop it later in life. Blood sugar is caused by a shortage of, or a poor response to, insulin, the hormone that moves blood glucose out of the blood and into the muscles, fat, and liver cells where it is needed for fuel. Untreated high blood sugar is a major cause of heart disease.
  • Hypertension. High blood pressure often goes along with high cholesterol and heart disease. High blood pressure means that there is too much pressure pushing on the inside of the blood vessels of the body. This can lead to many problems, including increasing the work load of the heart. Too much salt or high sodium in the diet is one of the important risk factors for high blood pressure.
  • Familial combined hyperlipidemia. High blood cholesterol (hypercholesterolemia) and high blood triglycerides can be an inherited genetic disease. People who have this condition have a high rate of heart disease at an early age and begin to develop high levels of blood fats (hyperlipidemia) in their teenage years.

While the American Heart Association reports that from 1995 to 2005 death rates from cardiovascular disease actually declined 26.4 percent and that total cholesterol levels in men over age 40 and women over age 60 declined between 1999 – 2000 and 2005 – 2006, other age groups shown no improvement. African American men and women have a greater risk of death as a result of heart disease than Caucasian men and women, probably as a result of genetics and lifestyle factors.

It’s important that you understand the basics about cholesterol and its implications for heart disease. Know your own cholesterol levels, and if you do have high cholesterol, talk to your doctor about ways you can lower your cholesterol and reduce your risk of heart disease.

Use Supplement for blood sugar

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.

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

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How the Blood Sugar of Diabetes Affects the Body

Diabetes mellitus leads to persistently elevated blood sugar levels. Over time, high sugar levels damage the body and can lead to the multiple health problems associated with diabetes.

But why are high blood sugars so bad for you? How much sugar in the blood is too much? And what are good sugar levels, anyway? Web MD takes a look at how your sugar level affects diabetes and your health.

Diabetes and Normal Blood Sugar Levels

At present, the diagnosis of diabetes or pre-diabetes is based in an arbitrary cut-off point for a normal blood sugar level. A normal sugar level is currently considered to be less than 100 mg/dL when fasting and less than 140 mg/dL two hours after eating. But in most healthy people, sugar levels are even lower.

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During the day, blood glucose levels tend to be at their lowest just before meals. For most people without diabetes, blood sugar levels before meals hover around 70 to 80 mg/dL. In some, 60 is normal; in others, 90. Again, anything less than 100 mg/dL while fasting is considered normal by today’s standards.

What’s a low sugar level? It varies widely, too. Many people’s sugar levels won’t ever fall below 60 mg/dL, even with prolonged fasting. When you diet or fast, the liver keeps sugar levels normal by turning fat and muscle into sugar. A few people’s sugar levels may fall somewhat lower. Without taking diabetes medicine, though, or having uncommon medical problems, it’s difficult to drop sugar levels to an unsafe point.

Sugar Levels, Diabetes, and Pre-diabetes

Sugar levels higher than normal mean either diabetes or pre-diabetes is present.

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There are several ways diabetes is diagnosed:

  • The first is known as a fasting plasma glucose test. A person is said to have diabetes if his or her fasting blood sugar level is higher than 126 mg/dL after not eating — fasting — for eight hours.
  • The second method is with an oral glucose tolerance test. After fasting for eight hours, a person is given a special sugary drink. That person is said to have diabetes if two hours after the drink he or she has a sugar level higher than 200.
  • The third way is with a randomly checked blood sugar level. If it is greater than 200, with symptoms of increased urination, thirst, and/or weight loss, that person is said to have diabetes. A fasting sugar level or oral glucose tolerance test will be needed to confirm the diagnosis.

But diabetes is not like a switch that gets turned on and off — healthy one day, diabetic the next. Any sugar levels higher than normal are unhealthy. A blood sugar higher than normal, but not meeting the above criteria for full-blown diabetes, is called prediabetes.

According to the American Diabetes Association, 79 million people in the U.S. have pre-diabetes. People with pre-diabetes are five to six times more likely to develop diabetes over time. Pre-diabetes also increases the risk for cardiovascular disease, although not as much as diabetes does. It’s possible to prevent the progression of pre-diabetes to diabetes, with diet and exercise

Sugar and Your Body

Why are high blood sugar levels bad for you? Glucose is precious fuel for all the cells in your body — when it’s present at normal levels. But persistently high sugar levels behave like a slow-acting poison.

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High sugar levels slowly erode the ability of cells in the pancreas to make insulin. The pancreas overcompensates, though, and insulin levels remain overly high. Gradually, the pancreas is permanently damaged.

  1. All the excess sugar is modified in the blood. The elevated sugar in the blood causes changes that lead to atherosclerosis, a hardening of the blood vessels.

Because high sugar levels are everywhere, the body can be damaged anywhere. Damage to blood vessels, in particular, means no area is safe from too much sugar.

High sugar levels and damaged blood vessels cause the multitude of complications that can come with diabetes:

Kidney disease or kidney failure, requiring dialysis

Strokes

Heart attacks

Visual loss or blindness

Immune system suppression, with increased risk for infections

Erectile dysfunction

Nerve damage, called neuropathy, causing tingling, pain or decreased sensation in the feet, legs, and hands

Poor circulation to the legs and feet, with poor wound healing

In extreme cases, because of the poor wound healing, amputation is required.

Keeping sugar levels closer to normal can prevent many of the complications of diabetes. The American Diabetes Association’s goals for glucose control in people with diabetes are sugar levels of 70 to 130 mg/dL before meals, and less than 180 mg/dL after meals.

Use Supplement for blood sugar

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.

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

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Type 2 Diabetes and Sleep Troubles

Sleep is important for everyone, but it’s especially important when your body experiences changing blood sugar levels and other symptoms of type 2 diabetes. “Sleep deprivation causes changes in the effectiveness of the body’s control of appetite, which can lead to weight gain, higher blood sugar, and increased resistance to insulin,” says Richard Castriotta, MD, director of the division of pulmonary, critical care, and sleep medicine at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston. 

Although sleep is very important when you have type 2 diabetes, you may find you can’t sleep when you need it most. One explanation for the problem seems to be the connection between diabetes and sleep apnea. Sleep apnea is a condition that’s characterized by periods of halted breathing while you’re asleep, which wakes you up repeatedly throughout the night, leaving you fatigued and not well rested in the morning.

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Both type 2 diabetes and sleep apnea are health concerns that are linked to obesity, so experts have long recognized a connection between the two. However, only recently has it been realized how closely these conditions are tied to one another. “There’s much more interrelation between the two conditions than we thought,” says Betul Hatipoglu, MD, a physician in the Cleveland Clinic’s department of endocrinology, diabetes, and metabolism. “In fact, one may actually contribute to causing the other, and vice versa. Recent studies have shown that sleep apnea actually increases insulin resistance, hunger, and other type 2 diabetes symptoms,” Dr. Hatipoglu says. “Other studies have shown that treating sleep apnea also improves the symptoms of type 2 diabetes.”

Other Sleep Issues You Might Face 

Another problem that disrupts sleep is frequent urination, a common symptom of type 2 diabetes. You can’t sleep if you have to keep getting up to go to the bathroom. Hatipoglu says this problem is usually tied to high blood pressure, which is also common with type 2 diabetes. As your blood pressure goes up throughout the night, the need to urinate increases. “If this occurs more than once a night, we view it as an issue that needs to be treated,” Hatipoglu says.

Having type 2 diabetes may also lead to other disorders that make it harder to sleep. “In addition to sleep apnea, people with type 2 diabetes are at increased risk for restless leg syndrome (RLS) and periodic limb movements in sleep (PLMS), as well as neuropathy and pain-associated sleep disruption,” Dr. Castriotta says. “RLS causes difficulty falling asleep because of strange feelings in the legs beginning in the evening before sleep. PLMS may cause either sleep-maintenance insomnia (difficulty staying asleep) or a feeling of non-refreshing sleep and daytime sleepiness due to slow, rhythmic limb movements during sleep.”

Tips to Get a Good Night’s Sleep

The first step in managing your sleep problems with type 2 diabetes is to see a doctor or a sleep specialist. Sleep apnea is a serious, potentially life-threatening problem that needs medical attention to remedy. Frequent urination and other sleep-depriving issues should also be treated by a medical professional.

In addition to talking to your doctor and seeing a sleep specialist, here are some additional strategies that may help you sleep:

Reduce your caffeine intake: Caffeinated beverages can keep you up at night and increase the urge to urinate throughout the night. If you can’t cut caffeine out entirely, Hatipoglu recommends to at least eliminate your intake in the afternoon and evening.

Curb the use of electronics in the bedroom: Television is a no-no in the bedroom, as it will keep you up when you need to be focusing on resting. Watch TV in another room, and turn it off at least an hour before you want to nod off. Try reading a book or listening to relaxing music instead.

Keep your bedroom cool, dark, and calm: Removing all light from the room, using light-blocking curtains, and outfitting your bed with appropriate bedding helps to create an atmosphere that is conducive to sleep.

Create a regular bedtime schedule: Hatipoglu says you need to train your body to get a good night’s sleep. One of the most important ways you can do this is to create a scheduled bedtime and stick to it as closely as possible each night. You can incorporate things into this routine that get your body ready for bed, such as having a few sips of relaxing chamomile tea, meditating, or doing deep breathing exercises before you close your eyes.

Sleep issues are a troubling side effect of type 2 diabetes that can leave you feeling tired all the time. By taking these steps and working with your medical team, you should be able to have sweet dreams every night.

Use Supplement for Blood sugar

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.

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

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Top Diets for Diabetes

According to government figures, more than 85 percent of people with type 2 diabetes are overweight or obese (although excess weight isn’t the only risk factor for this type of diabetes). But for people with type 2 diabetes who fall into that 85 percent, dropping the pounds can help stabilize blood sugar levels and even eliminate the need for blood sugar medication. 
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So which diet can help you achieve your weight-loss goals? There’s no one right answer. But, says Nora Saul, RD, CDE, a certified diabetes educator and manager of nutritional education at the Joslin Diabetes Center in Boston, “people who have blood sugar can, with a little forethought, use many of the healthy popular diets.” 

Weight-Loss Plans for Type 2 Diabetes 

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 If you have type 2 diabetes and want to lose weight, here are some sensible diet options to try. 
 
DASH Diet: “Although originally designed to lower blood pressure, DASH — or Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension — is an all-around good eating plan,” says Saul. In fact, U.S. News and World Report rated the DASH diet as tops for treating diabetes in a May 2011 article. That’s because the diet is high in fruits and vegetables, which means it’s high in fiber, antioxidants, and potassium. It’s also high in low-fat dairy, calcium, lean protein, and whole grains. “It has meal plans for different calorie levels,” says Saul, which allows flexibility according to your weight. 
 
South Beach Diet: The South Beach Diet is a modified low-carb diet that emphasizes healthy fats. If you want to try it, Saul advises sticking to the maintenance phase of the diet. “The initial phases are too low in carbohydrates,” Saul points out. Yes, people with diabetes have to watch how many carbs and the type of carbs they eat, but you don’t want to cut them out entirely. “I encourage whole grains,” says Saul, who warns against eliminating any specific food group, even for weight loss. (Note: Everyday Health is the publisher of SouthBeachDiet.com.) 
 
Weight Watchers: Weight Watchers is a popular commercial weight-loss plan. It’s also a good choice if you have type 2 diabetes, in part because the system provides group support and accountability in addition to a structured eating plan. People with diabetes might need to make some modifications to the diet plan, however. For example, explains Saul, in the latest version of Weight Watchers counting system or “points,” fruit has zero points. But for people with blood sugar, a serving size of fruit does count toward total carb intake for the day. 
 
Mediterranean Diet: Though not a specific eating plan, a Mediterranean diet mimics the way that people who live in countries around the Mediterranean Sea, such as Greece and Italy, tend to eat. Rich in beans, nuts, fruits, vegetables, grains, and seafood, it isn’t so much a weight-loss diet as a different way of eating. “People lose weight because they are full and are not eating a lot of the empty calories they consumed before,” says Saul, who says this concept works well for people with blood sugar, too. 
 
Atkins Diet: The Atkins Diet gained fame as the diet that led the low-carb diet revolution twice. This diet may be a good option for some people and can help manage blood sugar levels, but it can be too restrictive and may not be a long-term lifestyle choice for everyone with blood sugar. However, reading about and trying out this diet could be a learning experience in terms of understanding how carbs function in your diet. 
 
Jenny Craig: Jenny Craig (now rebranded as Jenny) is a personalized eating and diet program that includes a lot of support as well as prepackaged meals. The catch is that it can be costly and, although the diet plan is intended to ultimately help you make your own meals and food choices, some people might find it difficult to get out of the habit of relying on a stocked freezer. Finally, people with blood sugar that is not adequately controlled may be discouraged from enrolling. 
 
GI Diet: A low glycemic index (GI) diet is an excellent choice for people with type 2 diabetes, Saul says. This one might require some research and study until you understand exactly where foods fit in the glycemic index and how you can include the right ones in your diet. The glycemic index lets you know how fast a 50-gram portion of a carbohydrate food raises blood sugar in comparison with white bread. The lower the number, the better the food is for controlling blood sugar
 
Whatever diet you decide on, there are a few overarching principles that should guide your choice. Among them, look for diets that include food you like (or will come to like) and that don’t rely on expensive supplements or tools. And be sure to check with your doctor before beginning any weight-loss regimen.
Use Supplement for Blood sugarFENFURO 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.
The statement and product have not been evaluated by the FDA to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
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The Pre-Diabetes Diet Everyone Needs

Expect to see the number of people with blood sugar rise dramatically over the next 40 years. If nothing changes, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, as many as one in three adults could have the disease by 2050.

Prediabetes-Diet-Plan

Currently 26 million American adults are living with blood sugar. Another 79 million are estimated to have Pre-diabetes, a condition marked by above-normal blood sugar levels that aren’t high enough to be diagnosed as type 2 diabetes. If there’s a silver lining to these alarming statistics, it’s that there’s plenty you can do to prevent the disease or slow the progression, including eating a balanced diet.

Everyone can benefit from a healthy eating plan aimed at containing Pre-diabetes, regardless of whether you’re at high risk for developing type 2 diabetes.

7 Golden Rules of Healthy Eating

Here are seven sound diet principles that can keep your blood sugars from creeping upward, among other health benefits.
1. Skip the sugary drinks. No sweet tea. No juice. No soda. No sweetened lemonade. No mocha latte coffee creations.Sugary drinks provide nothing more than empty calories, and they won’t help you feel full. “All the sugary drinks out there are a real risk factor for obesity,” she stresses.
2. Pull back on portions. You still can eat many of the foods you like, just have smaller amounts of them, Borcik says, adding that this is especially true for starchy foods like white rice, white potatoes, and pasta. Cut out high-calorie, junky snacks, and save your decadent desserts for special occasions. Remember that even healthy foods can lead to weight gain if you eat too much of them, and being overweight is a primary risk factor for type 2 diabetes.
3. Fill up on fiber. Eat plenty of high-fiber foods, including fresh vegetables and fruits, beans, and whole grains. Fiber helps you feel fuller longer and can help you eat less to avoid weight gain. At least half your plate should be fruits and vegetables that have been steamed or sauteed in healthy fats. Those veggies can be fresh, frozen, or canned. Just skip the canned vegetables with added salt.
4. Be choosy about fats. Your diet should have some fat, but opt for the healthiest sources: olive and vegetable oils, nuts, seeds, and avocado. Buy low-fat or fat-free dairy products such as reduced-fat cheeses, non-fat or low-fat yogurt, and skim milk.
5. Drink alcohol only in moderation. Men should have no more than two drinks a day, women no more than one. A drink is 12 ounces of beer, 5 ounces of wine, or 1.5 ounces of distilled spirits of 80-proof.
6. Choose lean meats. To easily identify lean red meats, look for cuts that have the word “round” or “loin” in their name, such as top round or pork loin. Even with these better-for-you picks, trim all visible fat. Opt for white-meat chicken or turkey without the skin. Adding fish to your diet two to three times a week is part of a diet that can help diabetes prevention. Bake, broil, roast, grill, or sauté rather than fry to keep it lean, Borcik says.
7. Stay hydrated. Drink plenty of water. People often mistake thirst for hunger, which can lead to overeating and weight gain. “Staying hydrated helps to lower your blood sugar, which you should do anyway.”

Diet and Exercise Go Hand-in-Hand

A Pre-diabetes regimen also includes regular exercise, both aerobics and strength training, to help you get to a healthy weight and maintain it once you’re there, says Borcik. Plan for at least 30 minutes a day. She suggests also sneaking exercise into your daily activities by parking farther from the entrance at the mall or your office building, using the stairs instead of elevators, and taking a walk around your workplace at lunchtime.

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The best way to prevent type 2 diabetes is to follow a healthy lifestyle, which includes making smart food choices. If your diet could use a makeover, don’t wait until your doctor sounds the Pre-diabetes alarm to make changes. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

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.

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.