Categories
blog Diabetes Fenfuro Blogs

Hypertension & Diabetes

Blood pressure is the force of blood against your blood vessels as it circulates. This force is necessary to make the blood flow, delivering nutrients and oxygen throughout your body. High blood pressure, also called hypertension, means there is too much pressure in your blood vessels. It may precede the onset of diabetes mellitus (DM). In many of the cases, both hypertension and diabetes mellitus may be diagnosed together. Diabetic population has almost doubled occurrence of hypertension as compared to non-diabetic general population.

Diabetes and high blood pressure are considered as major cardiovascular risk factors, which mean these can lead to coronary artery disease, stroke, left ventricular hypertrophy, and nephropathy. Patients suffering from both diabetes and high blood pressure have greater risk of atherosclerosis.

What are causes of high blood pressure?2

Are you diagnosed with blood pressure & diabetes?

If yes, then monitor yourself regularly

Learn how to measure blood pressure & blood sugar at home, keep record of these.

What are the recommendations for starting anti-hypertensives?

British Hypertension Society, British Hyperlipidaemia Association and British Cardiac Society have jointly suggested the initiations of treatment of hypertension in diabetics when BP is equal to or more than 140/90 mm Hg. According to the WHO Expert Committee Recommendation in Hypertension Control treatment may be instituted at BP 130/85 mm Hg in a patient with diabetic nephropathy

Are lifestyle modifications recommended for Diabetic hypertensives?

Lifestyle modifications are must for diabetic hypertensive patients. These modifications also correct obesity, hyperglycaemia, hyperinsulinaemia, and act as primary prevention against cardiovascular risks. These will reduce blood pressure and control blood glucose levels.

Regular physical activity

It has been observed that regular physical activity has an independent cardioprotective effect.  Regular aerobic exercise can reduce systolic BP by an average of 4 mmHg and diastolic BP by an average of 2.5 mmHg. It is advised to all patients to become physically active, as part of a comprehensive plan to control hypertension and diabetes, regardless of drug treatment. Aim for 30 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity on most, if not all, days of the week.

3

Quitting smoking

Quitting smoking may not directly reduce BP, but markedly reduces overall cardiovascular risk. The risk of myocardial infarction is 2–6 times higher and the risk of stroke is 3 times higher in people who smoke than in non-smokers.

Quitting smoking also helps in better management of blood glucose and HbA1c levels.4

Dietary Modification

Adequate intake of dietary-fibre, and K+, Ca++, Mg++ from fresh fruit, green vegetables, and dairy products should be ensured. Mg++ is provided by chlorophyll of green leafy vegetables. Anti-obesity diet should not contain more than 1/3rd of total calories from fat. Of the fat calories, 1/3rd should be derived from saturated fat and 2/3 from poly- or monounsaturated fat.

5

Weight reduction

Every 1% reduction in body weight lowers systolic BP by an average of 1 mmHg. Weight reduction by as little as 4.5 kg reduces BP and/or prevents hypertension in a large proportion of overweight people. Weight loss of 10 kg can reduce systolic BP by 6–10 mmHg.

 6 

 

Reducing Alcohol Intake

Reducing alcohol intake may reduce BP in many patients and also contributes in better management of blood sugar levels.

Co-existence of diabetes mellitus and hypertension increases the risk of macro – and micro-vascular complications. Blood pressure should be measured in supine, sitting, and standing postures in a diabetic patient to detect existence of autonomic neuropathy and drug induced postural hypotension. A good BP control (130/80 or below) prevents or retards the progress of both micro and macro-vascular complications. Tight control of blood glucose levels prevents or delays the progress of micro-vascular complications.

It is very important and must of diabetic hypertensive patients to modify their lifestyle to lead a healthy and happy life.

FenfuroTM is a clinically evaluated dietary supplement for effective management of blood glucose levels. It is supported by 6 international patents.

fenfuro@

References

 

Categories
blog

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 :

Image 5

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.

Categories
blog

Signs of High and Low Blood Sugar

 

One of the challenges of managing diabetes is maintaining consistent blood sugar (glucose) levels. Even with diligence, some situations can cause high blood sugar, or hyperglycemia, while others can bring on low blood sugar, or hypoglycemia.

There’s a lot you can do to minimize blood sugar ups and downs andavoid complications by monitoring your blood sugar levels with a glucose meter. How often to test depends on many factors, including the type of diabetes you have, any complications you’re facing, and the therapies you’re on, says Amber Taylor, MD, director of diabetes at the Center for Endocrinology at Mercy Hospital in Baltimore, Md.

It’s also important to know the signs of both high blood sugar and low blood sugar, and what actions to take to bring blood sugar levels back to a desired range.

Image 17

About High Blood Sugar (Hyperglycemia)

Common signs of high blood sugar include frequent urination, feeling thirsty, eating more food but not gaining as much weight as usual, fatigue, dry or itchy skin, and more frequent infections, says Athena Philis-Tsimikas, MD of the Scripps Whittier Diabetes Institute in La Jolla, Calif.

A blood sugar reading above 180 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL) is considered above normal and can bring on these symptoms, although it’s possible to have high blood sugar without any symptoms, Dr. Philis-Tsimikas says. A reading above 300 mg/dL is considered severe. If your blood sugar is above 250 mg/dL for two days, Philis-Tsimikas advises informing your doctor and asking for specific recommendations for treatment. Having blood sugar levels above 300 mg/dL for more than a week can lead to more severe symptoms such as nausea, drowsiness, blurred vision, confusion, and dizziness, especially when standing up from a sitting or lying position.

Ways to treat high blood sugar include:

  • Taking your prescribed medications as directed
  • Eating fewer carbohydrates with your meals
  • Exercising regularly with your doctor’s guidance

About Low Blood Sugar (Hypoglycemia)

When your blood sugar drops rapidly or when the reading falls between 50 to 70 mg/dL if you take medications for diabetes, Philis-Tsimikas says you may experience early symptoms of low blood sugar such as shaking, sweating, rapid heartbeat, headache, hunger, weakness, fatigue, impaired vision, anxiety, irritability, and dizziness.

Blood sugar values that drop below 50 mg/dL are considered severe and can lead to more significant and dangerous symptoms such as difficulty concentrating, confusion, loss of consciousness, and seizures. If you experience more than two blood sugar readings below 50 mg/dL in a week, notify your doctor and go over your treatment plan.

To treat blood sugar below 70 mg/dL, Philis-Tsimikas recommends ONE of these options:

  • Drink one-half to one cup of juice, skim milk, or regular soda OR
  • Chew five to six hard candies OR
  • Take four glucose tablets OR
  • Swallow one tube of glucose gel

Then, check your blood sugar in 15 minutes. If it’s still below 70 mg/dL, eat more sugar. If your symptoms don’t stop, call your doctor or seek medical attention. If your blood sugar returns to normal, be sure to eat at your next scheduled meal or snack.

Use Supplement for Diabetes: 

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.

Categories
blog

EARLY SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF DIABETES

In India more than 62 million individuals are currently diagnosed with diabetes, which is fast gaining the status of a potential epidemic. Most likely it is the combination of our food, lifestyle and genetics, which make Indians more prone to this medical condition. Physical inactivity and the consumption of fatty, high-caloric and sugary foods vastly increase the risk of becoming a diabetic. There are many early warning signs or symptoms of diabetes. Early detection and proper management of diabetes can reduce one’s risk of developing further complications associated with Diabetes

 Following are the symptoms of diabetes:

Image 1

POLYDIPSIA (excessive thirst) and POLYURIA (excessive urination):

These are the classic symptoms of diabetes.  During diabetes excess glucose (sugar) builds up in the blood. The kidneys work overtime to filter and absorb the excess sugar. When the kidneys can’t keep up with the pace the excess sugar is excreted into urine along with fluids drawn from the tissues. This triggers frequent urination which can lead to dehydration. As a result more fluid intake is required to quench the thirst resulting into more urination. It’s a vicious cycle with one symptom resulting into other. 

 SUDDEN WEIGHT LOSS and POLYPHAGIA (excessive hunger)

Weight fluctuation is one of the most common diabetes sign and symptom.  Losing sugar through urination also results in calorie loss which leads to weight loss. This also triggers excessive and constant hunger or POLYPHAGIA.

 FATIGUE

Fatigue can be attributed to dehydration from increased urination and body’s inability to function properly and to use sugar for energy needs.

 SLOW HEALING OF SORES AND INFECTION 

The possible reason for the slow healing can be that high sugar impairs body’s natural healing process and ability to fight infections. For women, bladder and vaginal infections are very common.

 TINGLING SENSATION

Excessive sugar can lead to nerve damage (NEUROPATHY), which may result in the tingling and loss of sensation in hands and feet as well as burning pain at times.

 RED, SWOLLEN AND TENDER GUMS

Diabetes weakens the ability to fight germs, which leads to the risk of infection in gums. The gums may pull away from the teeth leaving it loose and may lead to developing sores.

 BLURRED VISION 

Diabetes symptoms many times involve vision. High levels of blood sugar pull fluid from tissues, including the lenses of eyes. This affects the ability to focus. Diabetes can cause blockages or abnormal growth of blood vessels in the retina; the part of the eye that reads images. Blood vessel changes in the retina can lead to vision problems and even blindness. People with diabetes are also more likely to develop cataracts or glaucoma, two other serious eye conditions. 

Above symptoms can help in early detection of diabetes. Proper management and regular intake of supplements like FENFUROTM can help in combating the diabetes. Regular intake of FENFURO can maintain the blood sugar level effectively.  FENFURO is a first of its kind, safe dietary supplement derived from fenugreek seeds through a patented process.  Through its unique and patented 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 the 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