Protect Yourself from Diabetes

According to statistics generated by the American Diabetes Association, 23.9 million Americans have diabetes. This includes children and adults. However, only 17.9 million of these have been diagnosed and know they have it. Of the 23.9 million, 5.7 million do not realize they have this disease. In addition to these statistics, 57 million Americans have pre-diabetes. Pre-diabetes is the condition in which blood glucose levels are higher than normal but not yet high enough to warrant a diagnosis of diabetes.

Some population groups are more vulnerable to diabetes than others. It is more often found among African Americans, Latinos, Native Americans, Asian Americans, Pacific Islanders and the elderly. Diabetes and pre-diabetes are determined by two blood tests – the FPG or Fasting Plasma Glucose test and the OGTT or Oral Glucose Tolerance Test. It is important for at risk groups to be tested for pre-diabetes for two reasons. It is possible for damage to occur to the body in the pre-diabetes stage. And, at this time, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of diabetes. There are medications available that can do this but the most effective measures have been lifestyle changes.

One of the most important factors in preventing diabetes and pre-diabetes is maintaining a healthy diet. The foods you choose should be the ones that prevent insulin spikes and maintain a steady blood sugar level. It is important to eat a diet that is high in fiber, rich in fruits and vegetables, and low in certain fats. Starting with breakfast, select a cereal that has at least twelve grams of fiber per eight ounce serving. Then opt for whole grain breads instead of white bread. Aim for five servings of fruit each day and be sure to include an apple. The old adage, “An apple a day keeps the doctor away” may well have more wisdom than myth. Another food that helps steady blood sugar is beans so include them often in chili, salad, and soups.

Certain fats should be avoided. Saturated fats and trans fats make it difficult for your body to control blood sugar. Trans fats are also damaging to your circulatory system providing two reasons to eliminate them from your diet. Here, you need to be a food detective. Many labels will read zero trans fats. But read the list of ingredients. If the words ‘hydrogenated’ or ‘partially hydrogenated’ are mentioned, do not buy the item. While it is all right to include potatoes in your diet, avoid or strictly limit French fries as they are usually made with saturated and trans fats. Satisfy your fat requirements by choosing healthy fats such as olive oil or sesame oil for cooking. Eat peanut butter, soy butter, avocados and olives. Since it is important to have omega-3 fatty acids in your diet, either eat fish a couple of times a week or take a supplement.

Did you know you can save a lot of money by buying your diabetes medical supplies on the Internet? Are you also aware that many of these retailers are not based in the U.S. and therefore not subject to FDA laws or standards? If you’re considering the purchase of your diabetes supplies and equipment online, keep reading to find out what you can do to protect yourself.

Find an American Company

If you’re buying diabetes medical supplies off a web-based company, look for one that’s either based in the United States or your own country. Even if the prices are better, a supplier stationed in a foreign land isn’t held to the same quality standards as one here. Remember, this is your health.

On top of potentially being unsafe, importing foreign drugs or medical equipment may be against the law and could get you into serious trouble with U.S. customs. So, don’t risk your health or your record by buying medical supplies from outside the country.

Prescription Required When Needed

If your type of insulin requires a prescription, whether federally or in your state, then you should only buy from online suppliers that check prescriptions thoroughly. Do not do business with a retailer that doesn’t follow the rules.

Check the Shipping Policy

Before you buy from an online retailer, find out how the goods are shipped. Are they properly protected against breakage and possible contamination? How fast do they ship and by what methods? If they send your product by ground then how do they ensure the package won’t be pierced or possibly damaged? And don’t forget to include the shipping costs into your total costs calculation. If the shipping is outrageous, then your online deal may not be such a steal after all.

Scan Customer Reviews

Before you buy a product online, you should read the customer reviews of both the online retailer and the product itself. For example, if you’re in the market for a new test strip system, be sure to peruse the customer reviews of other users. They should be right on the retailer’s website.

You should also read retailer reviewers. It’s here that customers talk about a retailer’s customer service, their shipping fees, return policy and the overall buying experience. To find reviews for online retailers, try sites like Nextag or Froogle.

Shy Away from eBay

eBay may be great for buying video games or electronics, but it’s not an ideal place to purchase medical equipment. Is saving a few dollars’ worth receiving goods that are expired, discontinued or rejected for poor quality?

We’re all in this together. The cause that triggers the onset of diabetes symptoms is usually a mix of risk factors both genetic and modifiable in origin. The following are the major causes of diabetes mellitus:

1) Hereditary predisposition. In less than ten percent of the cases, the cause of diabetes mellitus may be associated with the trillions of A-T, C-G combination of pyrimidine and purine nitrogenous bases, which determine the genetic makeup of which humans are made of, thus, their genotype and phenotype. Even in the absence of identifiable modifiable risk factors such as viral or autoimmune insult, diabetes mellitus still ensues. This is more common to those with Type I DM.

2) Lifestyle factors. Unhealthy habits can compound genetic predisposition and lead to the development of diabetes mellitus. Improper dietary intake rich in sugar, lack of exercise, and stress can lead to development of insulin resistance of body cells.

3) Environmental factors. Diabetes symptoms are triggered by an autoimmune response, which causes auto destruction of the beta cells of the pancreas. This means that the T and B autoimmune cells fail to see the cells of the pancreas as part of oneself and institute an attack mechanism. The resulting cell destruction leads to decreased production of insulin, thus, the initiation of diabetes symptoms. Common causes include viral attacks as in the case of mumps, cytomegalovirus, and rubella toxins in the body. Another is taking of drugs, which severely destroy the cells of the pancreas. Certain lifestyle disease states such as pancreatitis may also be a cause.

4) Unknown causes. These are the so-called idiopathic diabetes mellitus wherein a single cause is not identifiable.

As a clincher – because of the presence of several and varied causes of diabetes symptoms, preventing the disease is a combination of health promotion and disease prevention strategies.

How to beat diabetes with four supplements. Dietary intervention targets the underlying causes and is a key step towards protecting yourself against the damaging effects caused by high blood sugar.

1. Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple cider vinegar prevents blood sugar spikes after meals. Minimizing sugar spikes helps to reverse insulin resistance…the hallmark of type 2 diabetes.

One study by Italian researchers showed that when healthy subjects consumed 4 teaspoons of apple cider vinegar with a meal, there was a 30 percent reduction in their glycemic response, or rise in blood sugar. Reducing your glycemic response is essential for beating diabetes.

2. Lipoic Acid

Glucose (blood sugar) destroys insulin receptors. Without the receptors, insulin can not work. Lipoic acid is a naturally occurring antioxidant that protects insulin receptors.

Recently, researchers revealed dramatic effects in improving insulin sensitivity in overweight adults suffering from type 2 diabetes. The antioxidant produced significant improvements in just four weeks.

Lipoic acid is also effective in treating diabetic neuropathy, which is characterized by numbness, tingling, and pain in the extremities. A large, randomized, placebo-controlled, multicenter, double-blind study involving 328 patients with type 2 diabetes revealed that it significantly improved symptoms.

I suggest taking 200 to 300 mg/day of R-lipoic acid (the “R” form is more potent).

3. Coenzyme Q10

Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is a potent antioxidant that reduces oxidative stress. Diabetics experience a high degree of oxidation that causes cellular damage.

CoQ10 is required to convert fats and sugars into cellular energy. Yet, the natural production of CoQ10 declines in diabetics. The best form of CoQ10 to supplement with is called ubiquinol. This form is easily absorbed and significantly increases blood levels.

I suggest taking 200 mg/day of ubiquinol CoQ10.

4. Pyridoxamine

The pyridoxamine form of vitamin B6 protects the body’s proteins from glycation. Sugar (glucose) in the blood can bind to proteins, particularly when blood levels are high. This binding causes the formation of dysfunctional proteins, which accumulate with time and contribute to some of the signs of aging.

Scientific research suggests that if you want to help protect your body against glycation, nutrients that help prevent the formation of AGEs may be beneficial. The latest information shows that pyridoxamine may also be of significant help in preventing the formation of these aging molecules.