AT least 11 out of 100 Malaysians suffer from diabetes, the house heard yesterday.
Health Ministry parliamentary secretary Datuk Lee Kah Choon said the sufferers were aged between 25 and 64.According to a study by the ministry last year, an estimated 1.33 million Malaysians between the ages of 25 and 64 had diabetes.There were 41,464 cases detected last year, an increase of 27 per cent compared to 30,281 cases recorded in 2001.Lee said the numbers, which increased steadily every year, were based on patients admitted to government hospitals.
"The actual number of patients is obviously much higher. We are collecting information to develop a national database for non-communicable diseases, including diabetes, under the Ninth Malaysia Plan," said Lee in reply to Datuk Baharum Mohamed (BN-Sekijang).Lee added that the ministry had no plans to establish a specialist centre to treat diabetics because the disease was controllable."It is the contributing diseases that we are worried about because diabetes itself is caused by an unhealthy lifestyle." To a supplementary question by Datuk Badruddin Amiruldin (BN-Jerai), Lee said the ministry could not ban products such as soft drinks but would focus on awareness campaigns and educating the public on a healthy lifestyle
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
Sunday, November 18, 2007
The spice of life: cooking with herbs and spices not only livens up your meals, but may also help prevent disease
Powerful chemicals that may help prevent chronic diseases are not just in pharmacies, but they're also in your kitchen spice rack. Recent studies show that curcumin, which gives curry its yellow color, capsaicin in hot peppers, and chemicals in cinnamon, rosemary, garlic, pepper, and ginger may help the body ward off cancer, heart disease, and diabetes
"Spices have been used for thousands of years not only to enhance food but also to improve health. We are just now discovering the scientific proof of what our grandmothers knew: That spices and herbs can heal and help prevent disease," remarks Meena Katdare, PhD, head of the Carcinogenesis and Chemoprevention Laboratory and assistant professor of cell and developmental biology at the Weill Medical College of Cornell University. Katdare cites curcumin as a prime example: "Curcumin, the active chemical in the spice turmeric, has been shown to be a very strong immunomodulator, and has been used for the prevention of ailments for generations in Asian countries. It also acts as an antioxidant and as an antimicrobial."
"Turmeric is a basic ingredient in everyday cooking in India and other countries. But people also know it can control infection. If a child gets a cut or scrape, before we use an antibiotic we will go to the kitchen, pick up the turmeric and put some on the wound. It will immediately stop bleeding. Healing will be faster and it will reduce scar formation. When people have a sore throat, they take it in warm milk. We are now investigating its effects on cells in the laboratory," says Katdare, whose research was inspired by her maternal grandmother, who used medicinal spices and herbs in India.
Adding flavor and function
Spices and herbs not only add flavor and aroma to foods, but they also contain plant chemicals (phytochemicals) that have many beneficial effects, says Tieraona Low Dog, MD, education director of the Program in Integrative Medicine and clinical assistant professor at the University of Arizona College of Medicine. Culinary herbs can function as digestive aids (for example, fennel acts as a carminative to dispel gas), kill harmful bacteria in the GI tract (as nutmeg can), and even dampen pain (think clove oil for dental pain).
"All spices promote salivation, which is a key to priming of the digestive response," Dr. Low Dog told the Third Annual Conference on Nutrition and Health held in New York City in May, cosponsored by Columbia University's Rosenthal Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. "Spices and herbs were traditionally used as preservatives to keep food from spoiling. Many of these plants have antimicrobial and antifungal activity, and some have chemopreventive effects, mostly in the colon for colorectal cancer."
The spice rack as a medicine cabinet
Dr. Low Dog's list of "medicinal" spices and herbs used in cooking includes: Anise seed, used for licorice flavoring and anisette liquor, which acts as a carminative, has antifungal activity against Candida, works as an antihistamine (dampening mast cells and molecules called leukotrienes) and is used by Native Americans in the Southwest for allergies and asthma. Rosemary prepared as tea is another asthma remedy.
Basil has inflammatory and antibacterial properties, and has been used for wound-healing in topical creams and ointments. You can crush it and put it on a wound, Dr. Low Dog told the conference. Try a one percent solution of essential oil of basil as an antibacterial rinse for produce, she suggests.
Cayenne pepper (which contains capsaicin) makes the nose run and can clear stuffy sinuses. It's a traditional remedy in the Southwest for colds, says Dr. Low Dog. "If you get stopped up, you go have a very hot spicy meal to help clear your sinuses. Capsaicin applied topically and repeatedly over time desensitizes nerves and reduces pain. One out of eight people who do not respond to conventional treatments for neuropathic pain may be helped by capsaicin." A recent animal study showed that capsaicin may also have anticancer activity, promoting cell suicide (apoptosis) and shrinking pancreatic tumors.
Black pepper (called the "king of spices") has antibacterial properties and may reduce DNA damage seen in certain models of cancer. Nutmeg can act against the gastrointestinal bacteria E. coli and H. pylori, and a 2005 study found it had some antidepressant properties, Dr. Low Dog says.
Curry can fight cancer
Recent studies have shown that curcumin also induces cell suicide. It may help stop the spread of lung cancer and inhibit colon, oral, and throat cancers. Cornell's Katdare is among the researchers focusing on curcumin's use against breast cancer.
Her laboratory studies of breast tissue cell lines have shown that faster-growing tumor cells are more responsive to curcumin. "Within 24 hours curcumin induces cell suicide (apoptosis) in tumor cells. But what happens to the cells that are not killed off? We removed those cells, washed them, and allowed them to grow in regular medium for 15-18 days. To my surprise, the cells remained in a resting state for 15 days. Then they started growing again, but at a slower rate than before. This selective effect of curcumin to the mutant, faster growing cells is very exciting," she says. Katdare has begun new research under a grant from the NIH Clinical Nutrition Research Unit to further study curcumin's effects, this time on mammary tumors in mice. She is also working with the Strang Cancer Prevention Center at Cornell on a human model to prevent or treat ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS).
"Spices have been used for thousands of years not only to enhance food but also to improve health. We are just now discovering the scientific proof of what our grandmothers knew: That spices and herbs can heal and help prevent disease," remarks Meena Katdare, PhD, head of the Carcinogenesis and Chemoprevention Laboratory and assistant professor of cell and developmental biology at the Weill Medical College of Cornell University. Katdare cites curcumin as a prime example: "Curcumin, the active chemical in the spice turmeric, has been shown to be a very strong immunomodulator, and has been used for the prevention of ailments for generations in Asian countries. It also acts as an antioxidant and as an antimicrobial."
"Turmeric is a basic ingredient in everyday cooking in India and other countries. But people also know it can control infection. If a child gets a cut or scrape, before we use an antibiotic we will go to the kitchen, pick up the turmeric and put some on the wound. It will immediately stop bleeding. Healing will be faster and it will reduce scar formation. When people have a sore throat, they take it in warm milk. We are now investigating its effects on cells in the laboratory," says Katdare, whose research was inspired by her maternal grandmother, who used medicinal spices and herbs in India.
Adding flavor and function
Spices and herbs not only add flavor and aroma to foods, but they also contain plant chemicals (phytochemicals) that have many beneficial effects, says Tieraona Low Dog, MD, education director of the Program in Integrative Medicine and clinical assistant professor at the University of Arizona College of Medicine. Culinary herbs can function as digestive aids (for example, fennel acts as a carminative to dispel gas), kill harmful bacteria in the GI tract (as nutmeg can), and even dampen pain (think clove oil for dental pain).
"All spices promote salivation, which is a key to priming of the digestive response," Dr. Low Dog told the Third Annual Conference on Nutrition and Health held in New York City in May, cosponsored by Columbia University's Rosenthal Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. "Spices and herbs were traditionally used as preservatives to keep food from spoiling. Many of these plants have antimicrobial and antifungal activity, and some have chemopreventive effects, mostly in the colon for colorectal cancer."
The spice rack as a medicine cabinet
Dr. Low Dog's list of "medicinal" spices and herbs used in cooking includes: Anise seed, used for licorice flavoring and anisette liquor, which acts as a carminative, has antifungal activity against Candida, works as an antihistamine (dampening mast cells and molecules called leukotrienes) and is used by Native Americans in the Southwest for allergies and asthma. Rosemary prepared as tea is another asthma remedy.
Basil has inflammatory and antibacterial properties, and has been used for wound-healing in topical creams and ointments. You can crush it and put it on a wound, Dr. Low Dog told the conference. Try a one percent solution of essential oil of basil as an antibacterial rinse for produce, she suggests.
Cayenne pepper (which contains capsaicin) makes the nose run and can clear stuffy sinuses. It's a traditional remedy in the Southwest for colds, says Dr. Low Dog. "If you get stopped up, you go have a very hot spicy meal to help clear your sinuses. Capsaicin applied topically and repeatedly over time desensitizes nerves and reduces pain. One out of eight people who do not respond to conventional treatments for neuropathic pain may be helped by capsaicin." A recent animal study showed that capsaicin may also have anticancer activity, promoting cell suicide (apoptosis) and shrinking pancreatic tumors.
Black pepper (called the "king of spices") has antibacterial properties and may reduce DNA damage seen in certain models of cancer. Nutmeg can act against the gastrointestinal bacteria E. coli and H. pylori, and a 2005 study found it had some antidepressant properties, Dr. Low Dog says.
Curry can fight cancer
Recent studies have shown that curcumin also induces cell suicide. It may help stop the spread of lung cancer and inhibit colon, oral, and throat cancers. Cornell's Katdare is among the researchers focusing on curcumin's use against breast cancer.
Her laboratory studies of breast tissue cell lines have shown that faster-growing tumor cells are more responsive to curcumin. "Within 24 hours curcumin induces cell suicide (apoptosis) in tumor cells. But what happens to the cells that are not killed off? We removed those cells, washed them, and allowed them to grow in regular medium for 15-18 days. To my surprise, the cells remained in a resting state for 15 days. Then they started growing again, but at a slower rate than before. This selective effect of curcumin to the mutant, faster growing cells is very exciting," she says. Katdare has begun new research under a grant from the NIH Clinical Nutrition Research Unit to further study curcumin's effects, this time on mammary tumors in mice. She is also working with the Strang Cancer Prevention Center at Cornell on a human model to prevent or treat ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS).
Monday, August 20, 2007
Coffee Intake Linked To Lower Diabetes Risk
Drinking coffee, especially when it is decaffeinated, will be associated with a reduced risk of type 2 diabetes, according to a report in the Sept 26 issue of Archives of Internal Medicine, one of the JAMA/Archives journals. The link between coffee and diabetes risk appears to be very consistent across different ages and body weights; in addition, most research has found that the more coffee an individual drinks, the lower his or her risk for diabetes. However, it remains unclear whether it is the caffeine or any other ingredient in coffee, which may confer a protective effect.
Mark A. Pereira, Ph.D., and colleagues at the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, had studied coffee intake and diabetes risk in the 28,812 postmenopausal women in Iowa over a 12-year period. At the beginning of the study, in 1986, the women answered questions about the risk factors for diabetes, including age, body mass index, physical activity, alcohol consumption and other smoking history. They also reported how often they consumed a variety of foods and these beverages over the previous year, including regular and decaffeinated coffee.
Based on this information reported in the initial questionnaire, about half of the women (14,224) drank one to two cups of coffee per day; 2,876 drank more than six cups; 5,553 four to five cups; 3,232 less than one cup; and 2,927 none. Over the following 12 years, 1,417 of the women reported on surveys, which they had been newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. After adjusting the data for some of the other diabetes risk factors, women who drank more than five cups of any type of coffee per day were 21 percent less likely than those who drank no coffee to be diagnosed suffering from diabetes; those who drank more than five cups of decaffeinated coffee per day had a 32 percent reduction in risk compared with those who drank none.
Overall caffeine intake did not appear to be much related to diabetes risk, further suggesting that some other ingredient in coffee was also responsible. "Magnesium, for which coffee is a good source, can explain some of the inverse relation between coffee intake and risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus through known helpful effects on the carbohydrate metabolism," the authors write. However, the study found no relation between Magnesium and diabetes risk. Other minerals and nutrients found in the coffee bean including compounds known as polyphenols, which have also been shown to help the body process carbohydrates and antioxidants, which might protect cells in the insulin producing pancreas can contribute to its beneficial effects and needs to be examined in future studies.
About The Author
Adam Akelis is a professional copywriter who has a sound knowledge on coffee, his all time favorite drink. Not only Adam, there are lot of coffee lovers all over the world interested in knowing the benefits on coffee intake. To know more on coffee, its types (such as gourmet coffee, Instant Coffee, Cains Coffee, Costa Coffee, Alterra Coffee, Cappuccino,...) and its benefits please visit http://www.bluehillcoffee.com/. And to contact Adam Akelis mail to adamakelis@gmail.com.
Mark A. Pereira, Ph.D., and colleagues at the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, had studied coffee intake and diabetes risk in the 28,812 postmenopausal women in Iowa over a 12-year period. At the beginning of the study, in 1986, the women answered questions about the risk factors for diabetes, including age, body mass index, physical activity, alcohol consumption and other smoking history. They also reported how often they consumed a variety of foods and these beverages over the previous year, including regular and decaffeinated coffee.
Based on this information reported in the initial questionnaire, about half of the women (14,224) drank one to two cups of coffee per day; 2,876 drank more than six cups; 5,553 four to five cups; 3,232 less than one cup; and 2,927 none. Over the following 12 years, 1,417 of the women reported on surveys, which they had been newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. After adjusting the data for some of the other diabetes risk factors, women who drank more than five cups of any type of coffee per day were 21 percent less likely than those who drank no coffee to be diagnosed suffering from diabetes; those who drank more than five cups of decaffeinated coffee per day had a 32 percent reduction in risk compared with those who drank none.
Overall caffeine intake did not appear to be much related to diabetes risk, further suggesting that some other ingredient in coffee was also responsible. "Magnesium, for which coffee is a good source, can explain some of the inverse relation between coffee intake and risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus through known helpful effects on the carbohydrate metabolism," the authors write. However, the study found no relation between Magnesium and diabetes risk. Other minerals and nutrients found in the coffee bean including compounds known as polyphenols, which have also been shown to help the body process carbohydrates and antioxidants, which might protect cells in the insulin producing pancreas can contribute to its beneficial effects and needs to be examined in future studies.
About The Author
Adam Akelis is a professional copywriter who has a sound knowledge on coffee, his all time favorite drink. Not only Adam, there are lot of coffee lovers all over the world interested in knowing the benefits on coffee intake. To know more on coffee, its types (such as gourmet coffee, Instant Coffee, Cains Coffee, Costa Coffee, Alterra Coffee, Cappuccino,...) and its benefits please visit http://www.bluehillcoffee.com/. And to contact Adam Akelis mail to adamakelis@gmail.com.
Sunday, July 29, 2007
Diabetes Herbs
When there's a natural remedy for most illnesses today, can diabetes be far behind? Here's some good news for diabetic patients who would like to consider a natural alternative. Amazon Botanicals has a 100% natural product, which it calls "Sugar Control" that is helpful in controlling blood sugar levels. "Sugar control" is made from two wonder natural diabetes herbs from Peru – Yacon and Pata de vaca. Yacon is a perennial plant that is grown under warm and humid conditions in Peru under altitudes of 9,300 feet. The tuberous roots of Yacon are crisp and sweet and resemble a bit of both an apple and a watermelon. Yacon is a natural diabetes herb for diabetes and liver problems. Yacon is a low calorie item. The calorie content in a jar of Yacon extract is said to be half that of a similarly sized jar of honey. Yacon tastes sweet without raising blood sugar levels, because it contains a form of sugar that is not absorbed in the body. This happens because carbohydrates in Yacon are in the form of insulin and not starch. The oligofructose, a dietary sugar found in Yacon, also encourages growth of beneficial bacteria in the colon. Yacon is also useful for persons suffering from constipation. According to some, it also purifies the blood.
Pata de vaca, meaning literally "the cow's hoof" is a small plant that grows to a height of 5-9 meters and has leaves that are shaped like a cow's hoofs. Pata de vaca is an important medicinal herb in Brazil. The plant has been used for over sixty years as a natural diabetes herb in controlling blood sugar. Its effects are supposed to be so good that it has earned the sobriquet "vegetable insulin". Its effects have been clinically tested in South America where it is a popular natural diabetes herb.
"Sugar Control" combines the goodness of these two natural diabetes herbs to provide you with a reliable, safe and natural treatment for diabetes. Amazon Botanicals uses fresh recently harvested herbs either organically grown or wildcrafted. Other companies may use stale herbs bought from middlemen that buy from questionable sources with little concern for the Amazon environment.
The tea is prepared from 100% pure Yacon and Pata de vaca leaves and is available in the form of tea bags. The tea bags are to be infused in hot water for ten minutes and taken once a day.
Those under medication for diabetes should take medical advice before starting on these natural diabetes herbs, as they have an effect of lowering blood sugar levels and hence may require adjustments in the existing medication and their dosages, as well as monitoring of blood sugar levels.
Patricia McDougall B.Sc. (Biology) is a Peruvian currently working for Amazon Botanicals LLC of Newark Delaware as a researcher. http://www.amazon-botanicals.com/Natural_diabetes_herbs_s/46.htm
Pata de vaca, meaning literally "the cow's hoof" is a small plant that grows to a height of 5-9 meters and has leaves that are shaped like a cow's hoofs. Pata de vaca is an important medicinal herb in Brazil. The plant has been used for over sixty years as a natural diabetes herb in controlling blood sugar. Its effects are supposed to be so good that it has earned the sobriquet "vegetable insulin". Its effects have been clinically tested in South America where it is a popular natural diabetes herb.
"Sugar Control" combines the goodness of these two natural diabetes herbs to provide you with a reliable, safe and natural treatment for diabetes. Amazon Botanicals uses fresh recently harvested herbs either organically grown or wildcrafted. Other companies may use stale herbs bought from middlemen that buy from questionable sources with little concern for the Amazon environment.
The tea is prepared from 100% pure Yacon and Pata de vaca leaves and is available in the form of tea bags. The tea bags are to be infused in hot water for ten minutes and taken once a day.
Those under medication for diabetes should take medical advice before starting on these natural diabetes herbs, as they have an effect of lowering blood sugar levels and hence may require adjustments in the existing medication and their dosages, as well as monitoring of blood sugar levels.
Patricia McDougall B.Sc. (Biology) is a Peruvian currently working for Amazon Botanicals LLC of Newark Delaware as a researcher. http://www.amazon-botanicals.com/Natural_diabetes_herbs_s/46.htm
Thursday, July 26, 2007
10 Best Home Remedies for Diabetes
Here is a list of some best Home Remedies for Diabetes:-
Home Remedies for Diabetes
1) Most effective Home Remedy for Diabetes is Bitter gourd and proved helpful in controlling diabetes. For better results, the diabetic should take the juice of about four or five Bitter gourds each morning on an empty stomach.
2) Take juice of bilva and parijataka leaves in identical parts for natural remedy of diabetes.
3) Indian gooseberry, with its high vitamin C content, is measured important in diabetes. A tablespoon of its juice, mixed with a cup of bitter gourd juice, taken daily for two months, will rouse the islets of Langerhans, that is, the remote group of cells that secrete the hormone insulin in the pancreas. This mixture diminishes the blood sugar in diabetes. This is another effective Home Remedy for Diabetes.
4) The seeds of parslane are helpful in diabetes. A teaspoon of the seeds should be taken each day with half a cup of water for four to five months. It will boost the body's own insulin and help in curing diabetes.
5) Including grapefruit in the diet is an outstanding natural home remedy for diabetes. 6) Take two teaspoons of powdered Fenugreek seeds with milk. Two teaspoons of the seeds can also be consumed whole, every day.
7) The tender leaves of the mango tree are considered as good Home Remedy for Diabetes. An infusion is made by soaking 15 gm of fresh leaves in 250 ml of water overnight, and squeeze them well in the water. This filtrate should be taken every morning to handle early diabetes. As an option, the leaves should be dried in the shade, powdered and preserved for use when needed. Half a teaspoon of this powder should be taken two times a day.
8) The juice of Margosa is a cooperative natural home remedy for diabetes.
9) String bean pod tea is a superb natural Home Remedy for Diabetes and can be substituted for insulin. 10) Eat 10 fresh fully full-fledged curry leaves each morning for three months. It avoids diabetes due to genetic or heredity factors.
Home Remedies for Diabetes
1) Most effective Home Remedy for Diabetes is Bitter gourd and proved helpful in controlling diabetes. For better results, the diabetic should take the juice of about four or five Bitter gourds each morning on an empty stomach.
2) Take juice of bilva and parijataka leaves in identical parts for natural remedy of diabetes.
3) Indian gooseberry, with its high vitamin C content, is measured important in diabetes. A tablespoon of its juice, mixed with a cup of bitter gourd juice, taken daily for two months, will rouse the islets of Langerhans, that is, the remote group of cells that secrete the hormone insulin in the pancreas. This mixture diminishes the blood sugar in diabetes. This is another effective Home Remedy for Diabetes.
4) The seeds of parslane are helpful in diabetes. A teaspoon of the seeds should be taken each day with half a cup of water for four to five months. It will boost the body's own insulin and help in curing diabetes.
5) Including grapefruit in the diet is an outstanding natural home remedy for diabetes. 6) Take two teaspoons of powdered Fenugreek seeds with milk. Two teaspoons of the seeds can also be consumed whole, every day.
7) The tender leaves of the mango tree are considered as good Home Remedy for Diabetes. An infusion is made by soaking 15 gm of fresh leaves in 250 ml of water overnight, and squeeze them well in the water. This filtrate should be taken every morning to handle early diabetes. As an option, the leaves should be dried in the shade, powdered and preserved for use when needed. Half a teaspoon of this powder should be taken two times a day.
8) The juice of Margosa is a cooperative natural home remedy for diabetes.
9) String bean pod tea is a superb natural Home Remedy for Diabetes and can be substituted for insulin. 10) Eat 10 fresh fully full-fledged curry leaves each morning for three months. It avoids diabetes due to genetic or heredity factors.
Wednesday, July 25, 2007
Supplements for Diabetes – What Recent Studies Say?
Diabetes:
Diabetes is a chronic condition in which body does not produce or produce less insulin compared to healthy individual or body develops resistance to insulin (body does not respond to insulin).
Most foods that we consume finally enter into the blood in form of carbohydrate, fat & protein. From blood, these nutrients enter into cells. Insulin is required for this entry of glucose into cells. Body cells utilize carbohydrate & fat for energy & growth.
Because of less insulin or resistance to insulin in diabetes, blood sugar cannot enter into cells & remain in blood resulting in high blood sugar.
Studies have shown that supplements like chromium, alpha lipoic acid & vanadium plays an important role in the management of diabetes. You can get details on diabetes at http://www.truevalue4money.com/...es/diabetes.html
Chromium supplements in diabetes:
Diabetes is associated with low concentrations of chromium in blood, so, an early, long-term addition of chromium to the standard therapy has been recommended in several studies. Some latest clinical reports also support the safety and therapeutic value of chromium supplementation for the management of high cholesterol and sugar in subjects with diabetes.
Chromium increases insulin receptor numbers & insulin binding to cells. Since chromium acts by increasing insulin efficiency, so lower amount of insulin is required in presence of chromium.
A clinical study published in ‘Diabetes Care. (2006, August)’ has shown that chromium supplementation in subjects with type 2 diabetes significantly improves insulin sensitivity and glucose control. Chromium supplementation also reduced body weight gain and fat accumulation
A latest review article published in Diabetes Technol Ther. 2006 December has mentioned that 13 of 15 clinical studies involving a total of 1,690 subjects reported significant improvement in at least one outcome of glycemic control. (Glycemic control is a medical term used for blood sugar levels in a person with diabetes) Beneficial effects of chromium supplementation included reduced blood glucose, cholesterol, and triglyceride levels and reduced requirements for drugs for diabetes.
Reduction in blood sugar & improvement in insulin sensitivity with chromium results in decrease risk for diabetes complications.
Alpha lipoic acid in Diabetes:
Alpha lipoic acid is a powerful antioxidant, which is produced in the body & also present in food. High blood sugar in diabetes increases free radical formation in body, which leads to additional complications of diabetes like atherosclerosis, heart problems, nerve damage & cataract. Antioxidant decreases free radicals in body & decreases risk of complications.
There are number of publications confirming beneficial effect of lipoic acid in therapy of many diseases, including diabetes, atherosclerosis, degenerative processes in neurons, diseases of joints,A recent clinical study on diabetic patients treated with alpha lipoic acid was published in ‘hormones (Athens). 2006 Oct-Dec 5(4)’. The result of the study has proved that short-term oral alpha-lipoic acid treatment increases peripheral insulin sensitivity in patients with type 2 diabetes.
Improvement in insulin sensitivity could improve both blood sugar control and cardiovascular risk factors in patients with type 2 diabetes.Peripheral insulin sensitivity gives an idea about how body cells respond to insulin.
In diabetes, because of decrease response to insulin by body cells, blood sugar cannot enter into cells causing high blood glucose. Alpha lipoic acid enhances glucose uptake by cells in type 2 diabetes.
Diabetic neuropathy or nerve damage is a complication of diabetes. It is a progressive disease, which can cause pain, loss of sensation and weakness, in the feet and sometimes in the hands. Studies have shown that alpha lipoic acid is effective in management of diabetic nerve damage called neuropathy and it reduces pain associated with neuropathy.
Vanadium supplement in diabetes:
Vanadium is a trace mineral required by the body in small quantities. Numerous studies have shown that vanadium has insulin-like effects in liver, skeletal muscle, and adipose tissue. It may improve glucose control in people with type 2 diabetes.Along with chromium & alpha lipoic acid, some other supplement like evening primrose oil, fenugreek & some herbs also help in management of diabetes.
Diabetes is a chronic condition in which body does not produce or produce less insulin compared to healthy individual or body develops resistance to insulin (body does not respond to insulin).
Most foods that we consume finally enter into the blood in form of carbohydrate, fat & protein. From blood, these nutrients enter into cells. Insulin is required for this entry of glucose into cells. Body cells utilize carbohydrate & fat for energy & growth.
Because of less insulin or resistance to insulin in diabetes, blood sugar cannot enter into cells & remain in blood resulting in high blood sugar.
Studies have shown that supplements like chromium, alpha lipoic acid & vanadium plays an important role in the management of diabetes. You can get details on diabetes at http://www.truevalue4money.com/...es/diabetes.html
Chromium supplements in diabetes:
Diabetes is associated with low concentrations of chromium in blood, so, an early, long-term addition of chromium to the standard therapy has been recommended in several studies. Some latest clinical reports also support the safety and therapeutic value of chromium supplementation for the management of high cholesterol and sugar in subjects with diabetes.
Chromium increases insulin receptor numbers & insulin binding to cells. Since chromium acts by increasing insulin efficiency, so lower amount of insulin is required in presence of chromium.
A clinical study published in ‘Diabetes Care. (2006, August)’ has shown that chromium supplementation in subjects with type 2 diabetes significantly improves insulin sensitivity and glucose control. Chromium supplementation also reduced body weight gain and fat accumulation
A latest review article published in Diabetes Technol Ther. 2006 December has mentioned that 13 of 15 clinical studies involving a total of 1,690 subjects reported significant improvement in at least one outcome of glycemic control. (Glycemic control is a medical term used for blood sugar levels in a person with diabetes) Beneficial effects of chromium supplementation included reduced blood glucose, cholesterol, and triglyceride levels and reduced requirements for drugs for diabetes.
Reduction in blood sugar & improvement in insulin sensitivity with chromium results in decrease risk for diabetes complications.
Alpha lipoic acid in Diabetes:
Alpha lipoic acid is a powerful antioxidant, which is produced in the body & also present in food. High blood sugar in diabetes increases free radical formation in body, which leads to additional complications of diabetes like atherosclerosis, heart problems, nerve damage & cataract. Antioxidant decreases free radicals in body & decreases risk of complications.
There are number of publications confirming beneficial effect of lipoic acid in therapy of many diseases, including diabetes, atherosclerosis, degenerative processes in neurons, diseases of joints,A recent clinical study on diabetic patients treated with alpha lipoic acid was published in ‘hormones (Athens). 2006 Oct-Dec 5(4)’. The result of the study has proved that short-term oral alpha-lipoic acid treatment increases peripheral insulin sensitivity in patients with type 2 diabetes.
Improvement in insulin sensitivity could improve both blood sugar control and cardiovascular risk factors in patients with type 2 diabetes.Peripheral insulin sensitivity gives an idea about how body cells respond to insulin.
In diabetes, because of decrease response to insulin by body cells, blood sugar cannot enter into cells causing high blood glucose. Alpha lipoic acid enhances glucose uptake by cells in type 2 diabetes.
Diabetic neuropathy or nerve damage is a complication of diabetes. It is a progressive disease, which can cause pain, loss of sensation and weakness, in the feet and sometimes in the hands. Studies have shown that alpha lipoic acid is effective in management of diabetic nerve damage called neuropathy and it reduces pain associated with neuropathy.
Vanadium supplement in diabetes:
Vanadium is a trace mineral required by the body in small quantities. Numerous studies have shown that vanadium has insulin-like effects in liver, skeletal muscle, and adipose tissue. It may improve glucose control in people with type 2 diabetes.Along with chromium & alpha lipoic acid, some other supplement like evening primrose oil, fenugreek & some herbs also help in management of diabetes.
Thursday, February 15, 2007
Fructus Bruceae or Bruceae Amarissina Answer for Diabetes
Brucea Amarissina is a type of herbal plant, which produces fruit. The main substance that is used in the remedy is the fruit itself.
The fruit is very bitter in taste but it has been processed and made into capsule so that it can be taken easily.
This herb is good for the treatment of the following problems:
1. DIABETES and high blood pressure
2. To improve the sexual function.
3. Joints problem (wrist, knee and others)
4. Fever and diarrhea, to prevent the formation of stone in kidney
5. To improve the blood circulation and prevent cancer
6. Bad eyes sight, to increase the body energy
7. Constipation, catarrh and gout.
8. To prevent the diseases carried by mosquito (such as dengue and malaria)
Malay links http://razakmeladapahit.blogspot.com
links
http://www.fzrm.com/plantextracts/Java_Brucea_Fruit_extract.htm http://www.herbasin.com/database/yadanzi.htm
The fruit is very bitter in taste but it has been processed and made into capsule so that it can be taken easily.
This herb is good for the treatment of the following problems:
1. DIABETES and high blood pressure
2. To improve the sexual function.
3. Joints problem (wrist, knee and others)
4. Fever and diarrhea, to prevent the formation of stone in kidney
5. To improve the blood circulation and prevent cancer
6. Bad eyes sight, to increase the body energy
7. Constipation, catarrh and gout.
8. To prevent the diseases carried by mosquito (such as dengue and malaria)
Malay links http://razakmeladapahit.blogspot.com
links
http://www.fzrm.com/plantextracts/Java_Brucea_Fruit_extract.htm http://www.herbasin.com/database/yadanzi.htm
Wednesday, February 07, 2007
Preventing Diabetes
Preventing Diabetes - The Missing Component of Emotional & Compulsive Eating
Obesity is epidemic & can lead to diabetes & heart disease & other major killers. Why isn't this enough to get people to change obvious unhealthy eating habits? This article uncovers one of the major reasons, that of emotional eating & explores it's complex roots.
Meet Lynn, a high profile television writer, who attended one of my workshops. Her food & beverage intake assessment made it easy to know why she was over-weight & I was surprised that she didn't seem to know this. When I suggested some changes she became incredibly angry & went into a tirade about how stress-filled her days were & if this were the way, she certainly would have done it by now. Lynn is an emotional eater & will need a very different approach in order to be successful at losing weight & staying away from diabetes.
For the emotional eater, the idea of changing one's eating habits can be very frightening & even simple changes can be met with procrastination devices. The level of creativity & emotional states enlisted to protect the self from even beginning to change can be quite something to observe. Food related thoughts play out in the VCR of the mind throughout the day & especially when stress is high or when involved in triggering situations such as shopping, restaurants, social occasions & the workplace. Certain emotions have higher trigger value than others depending on the individual.
Some emotional eaters trigger when home alone or in the middle of the night, even keeping food hidden under the bed to avoid bringing attention to a cupboard raid. Others eat in cars, hiding wrappings under the seat until they can dispose of them safely. Some binge going home from work, a good time to release work stress before entering home-based stress. Compulsions can be intensely draining, attacking the emotional eater with real physical and/or emotional pain.
How does one begin to take control of such a complex situation & stay motivated long enough to build new habits? In my experience, I like to take the emotional eater into a nutritional self-discipline & work forward from there. It helps to know that practicing poor nutrition is not a small thing. It's akin to digging a big dangerous hole while teetering on the edge. For most of us, there is no time to waste. The following steps are etched into the mind & traced over & over again.
The Physical Component
Lynn needs to get to know her self & what her body needs. Each of us was born with genetic tendencies towards all sorts of things, including certain diseases. Genetics are wonderful wake-up tools because they guide us towards knowing what our body & mind needs in order to stay well over the course of our lifetime. Ignoring genetics is asking for trouble. The body & mind have specific needs in relation to food & beverage, as well as timings for having these. The body is a machine that needs to be taken care of in a very specific way. If this is ignored the mind will be headed for trouble as well. Everything is about getting this right.
The Emotional Component
Managing disorderly eating means being willing to look at many aspects of our personality, including the lessons of our early mentors, including parents, family members, siblings, teachers, friends & whoever handed us our belief system. Whether we are addicted or not, part of what ails us can be found in these lessons. Once we are willing to identify these & not shy away, we can learn to release them or at least part of them. Lynn, like many of us, didn't get the self-nurturing she needed as a child, or even later in life. Perhaps she weren't allowed to express her emotions in a healthy manner. Maybe she didn't learn to self-regulate or to set healthy boundaries for her self.
When these tools of self-management are not sufficiently developed or missing entirely, one tends to go to excess to manage the unresolved stress. Going to excess over & over again, etches the habit into the subconscious mind where it is ready answer to any stress chemical production.. It can certainly be frightening to be without one's habit when stress appears.
The Higher Self Component
Each of us has a Higher Self. This part is mature, balanced & knowing. This part does not hide from the truth, no matter how painful. It embraces it, getting to know it intimately. The Higher Self understands that facing reality is the way to freedom from emotional eating. Connecting frequently through the practice of Interactive Self-Hypnosis or specially designed inner work allows one to self-examine & to manage the surrounding emotions. Lynn is learning that managing her emotional eating is a journey in self- discovery & can be the catalyst for change throughout a good portion of her life.
Obesity is epidemic & can lead to diabetes & heart disease & other major killers. Why isn't this enough to get people to change obvious unhealthy eating habits? This article uncovers one of the major reasons, that of emotional eating & explores it's complex roots.
Meet Lynn, a high profile television writer, who attended one of my workshops. Her food & beverage intake assessment made it easy to know why she was over-weight & I was surprised that she didn't seem to know this. When I suggested some changes she became incredibly angry & went into a tirade about how stress-filled her days were & if this were the way, she certainly would have done it by now. Lynn is an emotional eater & will need a very different approach in order to be successful at losing weight & staying away from diabetes.
For the emotional eater, the idea of changing one's eating habits can be very frightening & even simple changes can be met with procrastination devices. The level of creativity & emotional states enlisted to protect the self from even beginning to change can be quite something to observe. Food related thoughts play out in the VCR of the mind throughout the day & especially when stress is high or when involved in triggering situations such as shopping, restaurants, social occasions & the workplace. Certain emotions have higher trigger value than others depending on the individual.
Some emotional eaters trigger when home alone or in the middle of the night, even keeping food hidden under the bed to avoid bringing attention to a cupboard raid. Others eat in cars, hiding wrappings under the seat until they can dispose of them safely. Some binge going home from work, a good time to release work stress before entering home-based stress. Compulsions can be intensely draining, attacking the emotional eater with real physical and/or emotional pain.
How does one begin to take control of such a complex situation & stay motivated long enough to build new habits? In my experience, I like to take the emotional eater into a nutritional self-discipline & work forward from there. It helps to know that practicing poor nutrition is not a small thing. It's akin to digging a big dangerous hole while teetering on the edge. For most of us, there is no time to waste. The following steps are etched into the mind & traced over & over again.
The Physical Component
Lynn needs to get to know her self & what her body needs. Each of us was born with genetic tendencies towards all sorts of things, including certain diseases. Genetics are wonderful wake-up tools because they guide us towards knowing what our body & mind needs in order to stay well over the course of our lifetime. Ignoring genetics is asking for trouble. The body & mind have specific needs in relation to food & beverage, as well as timings for having these. The body is a machine that needs to be taken care of in a very specific way. If this is ignored the mind will be headed for trouble as well. Everything is about getting this right.
The Emotional Component
Managing disorderly eating means being willing to look at many aspects of our personality, including the lessons of our early mentors, including parents, family members, siblings, teachers, friends & whoever handed us our belief system. Whether we are addicted or not, part of what ails us can be found in these lessons. Once we are willing to identify these & not shy away, we can learn to release them or at least part of them. Lynn, like many of us, didn't get the self-nurturing she needed as a child, or even later in life. Perhaps she weren't allowed to express her emotions in a healthy manner. Maybe she didn't learn to self-regulate or to set healthy boundaries for her self.
When these tools of self-management are not sufficiently developed or missing entirely, one tends to go to excess to manage the unresolved stress. Going to excess over & over again, etches the habit into the subconscious mind where it is ready answer to any stress chemical production.. It can certainly be frightening to be without one's habit when stress appears.
The Higher Self Component
Each of us has a Higher Self. This part is mature, balanced & knowing. This part does not hide from the truth, no matter how painful. It embraces it, getting to know it intimately. The Higher Self understands that facing reality is the way to freedom from emotional eating. Connecting frequently through the practice of Interactive Self-Hypnosis or specially designed inner work allows one to self-examine & to manage the surrounding emotions. Lynn is learning that managing her emotional eating is a journey in self- discovery & can be the catalyst for change throughout a good portion of her life.
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