Making Family Understand Your Diabtic Life is Sometimes Worse Than Testing Yourself Daily

Well as you know by now I am a full fledged Diabetic with Complications.  I am sure it is no surprise that daily I am fighting with issues to keep them in check.

I wanted to write about this subject because I know that many families and friends and co-workers, bosses etc., don't understand the whole package of living with this lovely Disease, Diabetes.  I want to share with you how I feel, and what I think needs to happen for the PEOPLE in our lives to really get it.

I love my husband, I love my children, and my friends, but sometimes when things are going crazy for me they do not really get it.  I feel that I have to repeat things to them frequently for them to hear what I am going through, even then it seems like it doesn't sink in. 

My average day is filled with trying to keep my blood sugar down and I have a problem that I am constantly trying to make sure it doesn't drop to low, or it doesn't climb to high.  Either of these two problems can land me into either a diabetic coma, or diabetic shock.  To understand these things let me give you the medical definitions so you can understand better and share them with your loved ones.

Diabetic Coma: 
A diabetic coma is a life-threatening diabetes complication that causes unconsciousness.
If you have diabetes, dangerously high blood sugar (hyperglycemia) or dangerously low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) can lead to a diabetic coma.
If you lapse into a diabetic coma, you're alive — but you can't awaken or respond purposefully to sights, sounds or other types of stimulation. Left untreated, a diabetic coma can be fatal.
The prospect of a diabetic coma is scary, but fortunately you can take steps to help prevent a diabetic coma. Start by following your diabetes treatment plan.
Source:http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/diabetic-coma/basics/definition/con-20025691

Diabetic Shock:  severe hypoglycemia that is associated with the presence of excessive insulin in the system and that if left untreated may result in convulsions and progressive development of coma.
Source:  http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/insulin%20shock

Signs and Symptoms: 
Diabetic ketoacidosis signs and symptoms often develop quickly, sometimes within 24 hours. For some, these signs and symptoms may be the first indication of having diabetes. You may notice:

• Excessive thirst
• Frequent urination
• Nausea and vomiting
• Abdominal pain
• Weakness or fatigue
• Shortness of breath
• Fruity-scented breath
• Confusion

More-specific signs of diabetic ketoacidosis — which can be detected through home blood and urine testing kits — include:

• High blood sugar level (hyperglycemia)
• High ketone levels in your urine

Source:
http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/diabetic-ketoacidosis/basics/symptoms/CON-20026470

As I struggle constantly to explain just the regular things we have to watch I am constantly trying to explain the complications part of the disease...why?  I have them that is why.  So as everyone else goes about their daily business I live with the prospect of a serious disease that could take my life in a heart beat.

I don't really think about that aspect of the disease though, because I am trying to deal with things like diabetic neuropathy, if I get cuts or scrapes, injuries to my feet or legs, cracking dry skin, dental issues, eye sight issues, kidney issues, liver and heart issues.  These are just my regular everyday things I have to live with and deal with.  Making your family and friends understand is hard.  Especially since they don't have to deal with it in their personal physical life.

Things like stress, illness (cold, flu, viruses, infections etc..) these all affect your blood sugar, even just having a little hangnail or dry skin on hands and feet.  Pressure on your feet from shoes, and socks.  I have to check myself daily for nicks, cuts, scrapes, hangnails, burns, cracks in my skin on my feet, etc. 

I don't really feel pain in the tips of my fingers so when I am cooking if I burn myself I really never feel it.  My feet feel like I am walking on a bed of nails and there is a crazy amount of shooting pain in my toes. 

You have to watch your diet daily not to much salt, protein, fats, because all of these things can damage your heart, kidneys and liver.  Because your pancreas isn't working correctly and your liver isn't either because it is what breaks down your sugars, then your kidneys, filter out the things that make your body toxic, it also plays a part in your hormones, you must be careful of everything that goes into your body.

As a diabetic if you do not get proper sleep as well it can raise those sugar levels in your body making it hard to heal and also making it hard to balance your diabetic life. 

Scheduling a routine of good eating habits, good medicine habits, exercise habits, and sleep habits are all helpful along with good hygiene and proper shoes and socks, wearing things that will not cause pressure sores and making sure you have no wrinkles or folds in your clothing are all really important daily practices. 

So my diabetic life as many of yours is very busy and requires a lot of self care.  It is important for our families and those who are a part of our daily lives to understand what we go through and what to help us watch for.  If we act a little unusual or if we are confused, it is important to understand what could potentially lead to hospitalization and coma or even that D word, Death.

I am adding this article to this blog post so that you can share it and do some reading and remember there are support groups on line and in communities to help you stay on track and to help families to understand better about the disease.  I encourage you to all share information because this is what helps us stay healthy and informed. 

Article:  List of Complications of Diabetes.
Source:  http://www.livestrong.com/article/74433-list-complications-diabetes/

If any of you are interested in being a guest blogger on this blog or if you have any questions or comments regarding this blog please contact me Gwen Johnson at: diabetic.day2013@gmail.com or find me on twitter @DiabeticDay, or Facebook at  https://www.facebook.com/gwen.diabeticday

Unconventional Ideas that possibley help Diabetes

Studies in Denmark have shown that in Diabetics that the Probiotic's and Prebiotic's are imbalanced and different in those without Diabetes.  Also common is that the Micro flora is imbalanced in people who are obese as apposed to those that are thin. 

One of the things is that when you are having a more balanced and proper diet your balances in your intestinal tract will actually be much better therefore creating a more balanced blood glucose level.

As I was reading I understood that the over prescribing of antibiotics will kill off both good bacteria and bad bacteria that is inside of the Gastro Intestinal Tract.  This is also causing it harder for those with Diabetes and other Diseases to maintain health inside of their Intestines.  

In one of the articles I was reading they said,

Consider the fact that if you're eating conventionally-farmed meats, you're ingesting antibiotics with every bite, whether you know it, and approve of it, or not.

Source:
http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2010/03/02/diabetes-alert-your-gut-microflora-may-be-out-of-balance.aspx

After all, inside your gut is a living ecosystem, full of both good bacteria (probiotics) and bad bacteria that play a major role in your physical and mental health. So it's quite conceivable that a fundamental shift in your gut flora might make it easier to gain weight, and/or affect the delicate balance of leptin and insulin in your body.

Source:
http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2010/03/02/diabetes-alert-your-gut-microflora-may-be-out-of-balance.aspx


Knowing that we could make a difference if we understood the proper balance and ratio of the probiotics and prebiotics needed to assist in our insulin absorption then we ourselves would be able to help our own bodies to adjust the proper insulin proportions.

The results showed significant differences in intestinal populations of various bacterial groups between diabetics and non-diabetics. In particular, diabetics had fewer Firmicutes and more plentiful amounts of Bacteroidetes and Proteobacteria, compared to non-diabetics.  

The problem with this is that most doctors do not prescribe this for their Diabetic Patients instead this has to be done by you or possibly your Naturopathic Doctor.  You might be scared to do this because you don't know exactly how much of what to take so you can balance that but there are solutions for that.  One way the article said was to stop consuming sugary foods.  Lower your grain intake and processed foods they said should help to build up the good bacteria to fight the bad bacteria and create a healthier gut

The article even goes further to say we should be eating foods within our nutritional type.  Wow, very interesting as I didn't even know I had a nutritional type except I was Diabetic and I needed to stay away from sugars and sugar products.

Here is a video Link that will help you to understand more about your nutritional type Watch it and be your own judge.  I am not promoting anything just bringing information to your attention.

This is only one of many ways that are unconventional in ways of treating Diabetes but if you are a person who tends to want to deal with your health on a more natural basis you may want to check out the information that Dr. Mercola has put out there on the Internet.  This is just one more piece of information that we can share and learn more about.  Anything we can do to make our Diabetes better then I say it is worth reading about. 

Don't stop taking your medicine make sure to discuss options with your doctor or health care professionals. 

Again if you are interested in being a guest blogger or would like to share something with us or have something you would like to ask about you can contact me at:  diabetic.day2013@Gmail.com or #DiabeticDay on twitter.

Diabetic and sleep I am affected how about you.

Every night I get tired around 10:00pm and am in bed sleeping by about that time, but I don't stay asleep.  It doesn't seem to matter if I have had a snack before bed or if I have not.  The same thing occurs nightly.  I wake up and can not get to sleep.  It probably happens at least 4 or 5 times throughout the night.

I have been talking to my doctor about the problem of sleeplessness, and I have really been in what you might call a quandary of sorts.  I have been told that not sleeping well can be affecting my blood sugar and at the same time having high blood sugar could be causing my sleeping problems.  Hmm, what do I do?

So after thinking about it for a few days I decided the best thing to do was research it myself and find out why I am going through this and what is really happening to my body.  Here is the information I found and I hope it helps others to understand what is happening to them.

According to Mahowald, the body's reaction to sleep loss can resemble insulin resistance, a precursor to diabetes. Insulin’s job is to help the body use glucose for energy. In insulin resistance, cells fail to use the hormone efficiently, resulting in high blood sugar. At night when we are supposed to be sleeping if our sugar is high most likely our kidneys are active and trying to get rid of the excess that is in our bodies making us urinate frequently.  This is one source of our sleeping issues.  On the other hand sleeping issues raise our blood sugars so what can we do about these things.
Source:  http://www.webmd.com/sleep-disorders/excessive-sleepiness-10/diabetes-lack-of-sleep

“In general, people with diabetes have to be very careful about sleep because anything that throws off their routine can make them feel a lack of energy and fatigue,” says Zafarlotfi. “The more fatigued they feel, the more their motor is running, and the more likely they are to develop insulin deficiencies.
“Proper sleep is as important as diet for people with diabetes,” she says.
Source:  http://www.webmd.com/sleep-disorders/excessive-sleepiness-10/diabetes-lack-of-sleep?page=2

In some of our cases we may even obtain a problem called sleep Apnea.  If you are Diabetic and overweight this is something that can cause some other severe issues besides just our Diabetes risks increase.  Those problems can be hand in hand with both our sleep Disorder (Apnea), and our Diabetes.

Sleep apnea can prevent a person from getting a good night sleep, which can worsen diabetes or perhaps increase the risk of developing diabetes. In sleep studies, you are monitored while you sleep for sleep disorders such sleep apnea.
Source:  http://www.webmd.com/sleep-disorders/excessive-sleepiness-10/diabetes-lack-of-sleep?page=2

Sleep woes -- not getting enough sleep or poor quality of sleep -- can have serious consequences. "Not having enough good sleep is linked to the major health problems of our time: hypertension, heart disease, stroke, diabetes, weight gain, and dementia," Shives says.
Source:  http://www.webmd.com/sleep-disorders/excessive-sleepiness-10/sleepy-all-the-time

There are a many good sources out there that have information on sleep issues and Diabetes.  There are also many articles out there on how you can get better sleep and ways you can manage the stresses that may cause sleep issues.  For us as Diabetics we must learn better ways of keeping our sugar under control.  We need to eat as good as we can and sleep as good as we can so we can stay as healthy as we can.

Its up to each one of us to get informed and share what we know with others who are Diabetic or caretakers of Diabetics.  If you have an idea for a blog or information to share or would like to be a guest blogger, contact me at diabetic.day2013@gmail.com. 

Diabetes how does it play a role in my Dental Health

Let me just begin by saying I have always had my share of dental issues since childhood and I really don't look forward to the dental visits, however I know way more about why it's important to go to the dentist frequently or on a regular scheduled basis.

I have learned that Diabetes can affect any part of your bodies that includes the mouth, gums, teeth, tongue and tissue lining the mouth right down to the saliva glands.  In the content of this blog you will understand more about what happens to us as Diabetics and why it is so important for us to maintain good Dental Care, both self care and professional care.

To begin with let me say that our mouth as a whole already carries a significant amount of bacteria, now couple that with sugar and starches that interact with bacteria then you have yourself a monster.  It turns into a type of acid called plaque that builds up on the surface of your teeth and eats away at your exterior tooth known as the enamel.  It keeps doing this until the enamel becomes thin and a cavity is born.  The reason it is so important to keep your blood sugar under control is to limit the amount of starches and sugars in your mouth and on your teeth although we should always do our best to do that anyway for our health.

The next problem that comes along with Diabetes and your dental health is Gingivitis.  It is a small red area just under your gums that become irritated the longer you can not fight the bacteria which turns into plaque and then into tartar the more irritated and inflamed the Gingiva become they become sore and bleed easily.  The birth of Gingivitis has now occured.

There is one more serious problem that can happen if your Gingivitis becomes something that is hard to deal with or you are unable to get it under control.  The disease is called Periodontitis.  This is such a serious thing that if left untreated can cause damage to the soft tissue and bone that holds your teeth in place and there will be no supportive structure to hold your teeth in place. Eventually your teeth will become lose and can even fall out. This is because your gums have shrank and pulled away from your tooth structure.

Periodontitis tends to be more severe among people who have diabetes because diabetes lowers the ability to resist infection and slows healing. An infection such as Periodontitis may also cause your blood sugar level to rise, which makes your diabetes more difficult to control. Preventing and treating Periodontitis can help improve blood sugar control.
Source:  http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/diabetes/DA00013

There are ways to help prevent these things from occuring.

1. Manage your blood sugar
2. Brush your teeth at least 2 times a day
3. floss on a regular basis
4. visit your dentist on a regular basis ( there are low income clinics if needed in your communities)
5. Don't Smoke
6. Exercise and keep yourself  heart healthy.

Other notable readings:
How can Diabetes affect your dental health

Diabetes and Oral Heath Fact Sheet

Diabetes and oral health by the American Dental Association

I hope this has helped you understand the affects that Diabetes has on our Dental Health.  Also remember that having poor Dental Health can have an affect on your Diabetes as well, our bodies become under stress  if we have any type of infection or health issues.

Remember to always take good care of yourself and help others by sharing the information you have learned.  We are a large community and we owe it to ourselves and each other to share information and keep that conversation going.  Together we can support each other to live a healthier life style and live longer.
If you are interested in writing a blog as a guest or if you have an idea on what we should blog about please connect with me on Titter at Gwen Johnson @DiabeticDay or at diabetic.day2013@gmail.com. I look forward to hearing from you and google+ me.  Join the conversation. 

Nasty little words or what did you say is in this product!

Oh my goodness if it wasn't hard enough trying to eat right as a Diabetic now we have to really read food labels and know what they mean.  How many times have you been to the grocery store and tried to figure out if something is sugar free, and just because it says its sugar free is it???

How many times have you tried to stay away from full of sugar full of gluten products.  Do you even know what words scream out sugar or gluten?  If not you are like most of us who are trying to get by off of the knowledge we were given in home economics in school or from shopping with our mom back in the 70's and 80's as children....even so we do have the bests tools to us and that is a mouth for questions and eyes for reading. 

So as I do all of the time I am reading on the internet and I decide to find out what those illusive words are that mean Sugar to us and Gluten to us Diabetics.  

The first thing I looked up is how to figure out if something had gluten's in it.  I came across an article by a woman who was a nutritional expert.   She began by saying that there are 6 key words we should look for when searching to see if a product that doesn't say its gluten free has in it.  Those 6 words are below.

• Wheat

• Rye

• Barley

• Oats

• Malt & Brewers Yeast

If any of the contents of a package or you find any of these words within a label then you will know they are not gluten free products.

Oats however are not gluten products unless they have been contaminated by wheat, barley, or rye products. If a product does contain wheat but only 20 parts per million it may be labeled gluten free.  Even with food products regulated by the USDA, there are very few ingredients that should cause you any concern. Modified food starch, dextrin, and starch (in USDA-regulated foods “starch” may mean corn starch or wheat starch) may give you pause if their source is not named. You may want to find another product that does not contain these ingredients or contact the manufacturer to verify gluten-free status.
Source:  http://www.glutenfreedietitian.com/newsletter/dietcom-blog-how-to-tell-if-a-food-is-gluten-free/

So here is a list of the added sugars you may find on a package label.  Remember that this does not tell you how much of these have been added and the only way to figure that out is by scanning the label to read the amounts.

• Agave nectar
• Brown sugar
• Cane crystals
• Cane sugar
• Corn sweetener
• Corn syrup
• Crystalline fructose
• Dextrose
• Evaporated cane juice
• Fructose
• Fruit juice concentrates
• Glucose
• High-fructose corn syrup
• Honey
• Invert sugar
• Lactose
• Maltose
• Malt syrup
• Molasses
• Raw sugar
• Sucrose
• Sugar
• Syrup

Source:  http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/added-sugar-on-food-labels/
As you begin to understand labels better shopping for Sugar free and Gluten Free products will become easier.

Going even further there are websites that help us understand what we are reading on the labels of our food and food products.  If you have a bit of difficulty I hope this article will be of some assistance.  Consumers need to understand the labels and what they are eating.  The more information the better off you are but only if you understand the labels. 

Consumers using Nurtrition Facts when making food choices a healthier option. 
Source:  http://www.fda.gov/Food/ResourcesForYou/Consumers/ucm267499.htm

My blog today isn't tremendously long, but one thing that we gain from this one is how easy it is for us to learn for ourselves what is healthier for us to put into our bodies.  If you cant remember all of the names of things then take time make a list that you can carry with you at all times with a list to remind you what you can and cannot have on your diet.  Living healthier comes from knowledge and in most cases knowledge is free.  Take time to stay informed and information is key so share it. 

If you wish to contact me for any reason regarding a blog or question or just a chat then connect with me here at diabetic.day2013@gmail.com  We are a community so lets create our health together.

Sex and the Diabetic, No it's not a Movie it's Real Talk

Lets face it having Diabetes takes away the hey babe ya wanna excitement.  It isn't that you don't want to, more like your urges might not be there as they were before.  Sometimes you just become depressed and other times your medication or complications can play a part in why you don't want some. 

Each of these factors can play a part in what is physiologically happening inside of your body and to your emotions and mental state.  Take for instance Depression.  Often in Depression you feel as though your tired and sad and things just are not worth the effort if you can even find enough energy to make an effort.  You may be sleepy and want to sleep much of the time and things that used to be fun and exciting may no longer make you feel the same way. 

If you are taking medications for your Diabetes and it's complications often the medications have side affects so make sure to read them or ask your Pharmacist about the side affects.  Talk to your doctor and let him or her know what is going on with you.  Heart medications can interrupt things in the body, and Diabetic Neuropathy affects many part of your body including female and male parts.  Sensation that would create feelings to help are often just nil or non existant.  Blood flow is often slowed down because of damage done to the cardiovascular issues that Diabetics often deal with from complications of the disease making it harder to obtain erections for men and stimulation to the clitoral area for women.

It isn't something you really want to talk about very often as a Diabetic, but it is a very real thing that happens to many of us.  It is a sensitive subject but one you need to speak about to your spouse and to your health care professionals.  There are numerous things that you can do for yourself and things that you can do for each other.  Doctors also have some things they can discuss with you.  Don't be afraid to discuss your Sex Life with your spouse and your healthcare professional, great things can be accomplished to help the situation.

I am going to post some really good information regarding this and remember it isn't just because someone has no need for it or want but that there can be many things affecting the why's of  Diabetes interrupting yours or a spouses sex life.

Evidence of Neuropathy in your feet may mean that nerves in other parts of your body are affected as well, possibly affecting your sexual functioning.
Source:  http://www.diabetesselfmanagement.com/articles/sexual-health/when-diabetes-affects-your-sex-life/all/

There’s a lot you can do on your own, too, to improve your sex life, whether you are able to actually change your physical functioning or simply learn new ways to enjoy what you have. 
Source:  http://www.diabetesselfmanagement.com/articles/sexual-health/when-diabetes-affects-your-sex-life/all/

10 sex tips for Diabetics
http://healthyliving.msn.com/diseases/diabetes/10-sex-tips-for-diabetics

Sexual problems in women are also common although not always reported. It is estimated that one third of women may have problems with sexual desire, vaginal dryness, and the ability to reach orgasm.

 Sexual problems in men with diabetes are common with over half of men being impacted. Age and the progression of the disease both increase the risk of erectile dysfunction and low testosterone, the two most common sexual health issues.

Source:  http://healthpages.org/self-care/sex-diabetes/

There are things we as Diabetics can do to help ourselves get through a difficult period in our Disease, but remember the Disease doesn't just affect us it affects our mates as well.  Talking a direct communication with your mate will make it easier to find solutions and answers to these all to often common issues Diabetics have with Sex.  Keep open communication flowing it will help resolve any issues you may be having in your relationship.

There are so many great articles out there.  Just open up your web browser and ask the questions.  It will have several answers for you but most of them are very common facts and will answer your questions quite well.  Don't forget to speak to your healthcare professional, ask if they are comfortable in discussing the physical aspects of what your Disease may be creating for you, if not ask them if they have suggestions on who to speak to about it.  The only questions that are not good questions are those that don't get asked.

If you have comments or a blog Idea, if you have a subject you want to discuss or just a question please feel free to connect with me at diabetic.day2013@gmail.com.  Together we can make us knowledgeable about our Diabetes and we can share and help each other in our journey. 

Difficult Diabetic Days.

So many times I have had bad days.  I have woke up and felt very bad, in the middle of the day or playing with the grandson the bottom drops out on me and I end up with low blood sugars.  I can't think right, making choices or decisions at that point it's probably the hardest thing in the world because I can't get my brain to work.What the worst is, when it happens in the middle of the night and no one but me is awake.

I hate it when I run into walls, or am dizzy and it feels like I have been on a two day drunk. What happens if you think you have eaten enough carbs for lunch and realize that the exercise of cleaning house has used up the carbs and the proteins are fast to break down, then you get close enough for Diabetic Shock.

I had a mild heart attack in 2010 and didn't even know I was having one.  I went to the doctors and of course I was placed on high blood pressure medication and a cholesterol pill.  It was mild I only had to take the bare amounts of each.  That was 3 years ago and now I am being upped because I am having a difficult time keeping them in check or maintained.  So I am working on a higher dose of each, added a cardiologist to my doctors plans and a neurologist now as well.

I guess you never really can understand what others go thru until you experience it yourself.  I know it may sound like complaining but really its not.  I do have to make others realize what it feels like to the best of my ability, and that would be through my personal experiences.

Everyday and Night something is happening to me as a Diabetic.  In the morning I am usually so dizzy it is difficult to walk because I stumble into walls.  My sugar is usually at about 174- 202 waking no matter what I chose to do before bed.  In the middle of the night my sugar wakes me either with the shakes and the excessive pounding of a rapid heart rate or having to get up in the middle of the night from either urinating or leg and feet cramps nightly.  In the day my blurred vision is making it difficult to see things, and if I want to spend time doing things I have to always remember I can make my sugar drop by over doing it.  If I don't do it then it raises high.  I have medication all throughout the day, and I have to remember to eat on time, snack on time, and wear shoes all the time.  I have burned myself on the stove many times and I do not feel a thing, yet sometimes I end up with peeling skin from the burns.

 http://howmed.net/pathology/diagnostic-criteria-and-complications-of-diabetes-mellitus/

Can you believe that those things are only a drop in the bucket when it comes to Diabetic Difficulties or Medical Issues that I have living with Diabetes and so do so many others.  The thing I hate the most though is when I cant remember things and they could be small, or large.  I have learned to make notes for myself and do things right then and there.  I hate it when people say to me, "Oh that's okay don't worry about it, you will remember later then you can tell me."  Not true!  If I do it is days or weeks or Months.    I'm tired because it is always so up and down with me even though I do whatever I can to keep it regular, my Diabetes hates me.

Each Day is a challenge a struggle, but I am alive and willing to learn and review and share so others can know what we go through so we can come together as a community.  Remember if you are not Diabetic that it is a very difficult Disease and it is not always curable by losing weight sometimes its in the genes.  It affects your Brain, your Heart, your Eyes, your Kidneys, your Liver, your Pancreas, your Gallbladder, your Skin, your Thyroid and so much more.

I would love to know your stories.  I would love to share your living and your work with your disease or that of those you take care of.  If you would like to share or have something to offer, please connect with me @diabetic.day2013@gmail.com.  Together we can help make things better through communication and information. 

Diabetic Shopping Lists

Here on planet Earth, the confusion is great over just what to buy when you go to the grocery store, farmers market or international markets as a Diabetic.  It feels like you are a alien from outer space and there just is no food sources here on this planet to feed that hunger inside you.   Lucky for you we have what is called the internet, and lucky for you I don't mind learning as I go along myself seeking answers to mind boggling questions.

This question for me today is WHAT DO I EAT? Sorry, I didn't mean to shout so loud, but I get so very confused about this when I go shopping with my husband.

While I was looking around the internet at different types of answers for this question I thought to plug in Diabetic Grocery Lists.  I came up with some information on what to eat and a few really good lists to print and take with me to the Grocery store while I was looking.  I will list some of these and maybe you won't be so confused what to buy just maybe how to make out a menu and the recipes to make some great food.  Don't worry though we will answer those questions too.   Now lets get busy!

The First Shopping List was from sharecare.com here is the
Link http://www.sharecare.com/health/type-2-diabetes/article/diabetic-food
This is the link to the printable Diabetes Friendly Shopping List from sharecare.com http://s.origin.sharecare.com.s3.amazonaws.com/newsletter/OHG/Diabetes_Friendly_Shopping_List-v05.pdf

Second:  Right at Home Diabetic Shopping list
Link:  http://www.rightathome.net/assets/franchises/nova/Diabetic%20Grocery%20List.pdf

Third:  Your Diabetes Diet:  Exchange Lists (Mayo Clinic) Very Helpful Information
Source:  http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/diabetes-diet/DA00077

• Diabetes meal plan recipes
• Diabetes diet: Create your healthy-eating plan
• Exchange list: Starches
• Exchange list: Fruits
• Exchange list: Milk and yogurt
• Exchange list: Sweets, desserts and other carbohydrates
• Exchange list: Nonstarchy vegetables
• Exchange list: Meat and meat substitutes
• Exchange list: Fats
• Exchange list: Free foods

Printable Diabetic Grocery List you will need to download the PDF or DOC.
Link:  http://www.freeprintablegrocerylist.com/preview/Diabetic_Food_Grocery_List

Don't forget to check your App Stores for great Diabetic Help Apps.  You can Find them on Google Play Store, Itunes, and numerous others.  There are great Diabetic Recipe Apps and as I said before also great food and menu planning Apps.  Great Resources for a Diabetic on the Go. Don't forget to set alarms on your phone to help you remember when you need to eat your snacks and prepare your meals.  I do this on a regular basis.  It has been a great help to have this on my Android Phone.  

There are also some great Meal Planners out there for Diabetics and Recipes too.  I will try my best to keep fresh and new places, information and Idea's coming out there for you to help you as I am helping myself with the complexities of Diabetes.  It really isn't fun to try to do this alone.  As a community of Diabetics and Caregivers we can do this together.  We can be great support for each other on this journey that is Diabetes.

If you have questions or would like to share information or ideas or even write a blog for Diabetes Day then feel free to connect with me @ diabetic.day2013@gmail.com

New Discovery Insulin May be A Thing of the Past

The Harvard School of Public Health has discovered a new Protein (Hormone) that have been found in fat cells.  This Protein (Hormone) helps regulate how glucose is controlled and metabolized in the Liver.  The Scientists have discovered that by switching off the Protein, leads to a better control of  production of glucose from the Liver. 
Source:  http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/05/130507134555.htm

Scientist and Physicians alike have been puzzled over the fact that not all obese people obtain type 2 Diabetes.  They have decided that there must be a missing factor or component that they had not found that aided in the production of glucose by the Liver up until the discovery of aP2 which has been considered a protein that resides within our fat cells.

The study was done on mice they increased the amount of aP2 in healthy mice which was the same in obese mice and humans, this caused the mice to have an increased amount of glucose which impaired glucose metabolism.  Next they reduced the amount of aP2 in obese and Diabetic mice. This caused the blood glucose metabolism to be that of blood glucose seen in lean healthy mice.  This restored blood glucose metabolism to normal ranges again. 

Conclusion: The amount and action of aP2 in blood was critical for diabetes, opening up new avenues for potentially being able control or prevent type 2 diabetes. The researchers also identified a potential therapeutic role for a novel aP2 antibody that neutralizes aP2 activity and corrects type 2 diabetes in mice.
Source:  http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/05/130507134555.htm

Journal Reference:

1. Haiming Cao, Motohiro Sekiya, Meric Erikci Ertunc, M. Furkan Burak, Jared R. Mayers, Ariel White, Karen Inouye, Lisa M. Rickey, Baris C. Ercal, Masato Furuhashi, Gürol Tuncman, Gökhan S. Hotamisligil. Adipocyte Lipid Chaperone aP2 Is a Secreted Adipokine Regulating Hepatic Glucose Production. Cell Metabolism, 2013 DOI: 10.1016/j.cmet.2013.04.012

Every day they are discovering new ideas and finding new sources to help in aiding in the fight against Diabetes.  It is really important to keep up on reading in regards to what potentially could be a cure for the disease and make it treatable to all those who have it.  I encourage reading and keeping informed.

As a Woman with Diabetes I need to be responsible for my own well being, no one can take care of me except me.  I have to be in control over what my body is going through with the outer influences or environment that surrounds me as a Diabetic.  I encourage you also to take control and learn all you can, share with other Diabetics and keep the conversation open and flowing.  Together we can make a difference in each others lives.

If you have a story or a comment, if you wish to write a blog page for here and be a contributor please contact me at:  diabetic.day2013@gmail.com and I will be more than happy to answer any mail that is sent to me.  We can do this together as a community.  

How our Weight is affected by Diabetes

I was diagnosed at the age of 11 years with being borderline Diabetic.  I was always a chubby kid when I was growing up.  A little over weight for me at 5ft 5in.  I was told then I had to control my weight and my foods or I would become Diabetic in the future.  Unfortunate for me I had a mom who cooked very country foods and I guess because I was the last child at home she wanted me to feel not alone so much so she let me eat sweets much to often.  I don't think she realized the seriousness of what my pediatrician had told us. 
It was in the 70's.

As an adult living with Diabetes I now know that what I had done up to the time of being told I was diabetic was really only harming me.  I didn't listen to what doctors said to me either about losing weight, or I had been told that I had Celiac Disease, which causes a problem from any type of products with gluten in it. 
That was a key fact I should have listened to, but didn't.  I never really understood why I was always craving noodles, starchy foods.

The fact is many things can play a part on why a Diabetic is having weight Issues.  To understand
more about this I did some reading and researched the why's of Diabetes and Weight.

1.  Our body converts digestible Carbohydrates into Blood Glucose (Sugar)
2.  Our Blood Glucose can affect how much energy we have and how hungry we get and how
      energetic we  feel.
3.  This determines if we will store fat or if we will burn the fat.

Our pancreas creates a hormone called insulin that transports blood sugar into our body's cells where it is used for energy. When we eat refined grains that have had most of their fiber stripped away, sugar, or other carbohydrate-rich foods that are quickly processed into blood sugar, the pancreas goes into overtime to produce the insulin necessary for all this blood sugar to be used for energy. This insulin surge tells our body that plenty of energy is readily available and that it should stop burning fat and start storing it.
  However, the greater concern with the insulin surge is not that it tells our body to start storing fat. Whatever we eat and don't burn up eventually gets turned into fat anyway.
 Source:  http://www.caloriesperhour.com/tutorial_sugar.php

 There are things to watch for regarding Carbohydrates.  Here is a list of things and a great source for information regarding Carbohydrates.  

1.  Simple Carbohydrates, such as sugar, sucrose, fructose, lactose, glucose any of the ones ending in "ose".
2.  Hidden Sugars in Processed Foods, Peanut butter, applesauce, jelly, canned fruits, ketchup, soups,
     salad dressing....etc.
3.  Beverages also hold large amounts of sugars, so be careful to watch how much they have. 
     Try to stay on  the low end of the sugar count. 
4.  Fat Free Products often replace the lack of taste of being fat free with sugar.  Be aware of this fact
     and check your labels on packages.
5.  Cereal is another one that uses deceptive ways to change sugar content but still remain high in sugars.
     They do this by calories, carbohydrates, fat, fiber and other nutrients that are almost identical to
     the full-sugar cereals. Always Check labels on products and try to stay to more Raw grain products.
6.  Things that say No Sugar Added does not mean they don't contain natural sugars.  Most of your fruit    
      items will contain Fructose a natural form of sugar,
Source:  http://www.caloriesperhour.com/tutorial_sugar.php

I hope this has helped in understanding the breakdown of what creates our weight and why we have so much of an issue with trying to take it off.  It seems that our body is quite confused when we have this Diabetic Disease.  It doesn't know when to store fat and when not to thus weight becomes an issue for us.  The best way to fix this is to maintain a good Diabetic Diet and exercise program.  There are many good sources out there on the internet and in our communities for Diabetics.  Use your resources and if there isn't anything then start one.  I bet your community would love to have a free Diabetic exercise program. 

We as a community will win the battle over this disease with continued support and dialog among us.  If you have a story or a blog idea, even if you just have a question or want to chat contact me at :  diabetic.day2013@gmail.com.

Fantastic Friday Diabetic Freebies

Like every Diabetic our supplies and the things we need to take care of ourselves can be quite expensive, but did you know there are several ways to get the things we may need for FREE?

I am posting resources that can help us find the free things we can get by doing very little. 

Mr. Free Stuff has a bunch of Diabetic Freebies on his site.  Click here to go to Mr. Free Stuff Web Site

He offers a list of things:
A Diabetic Meter from Alliance Health
Free Diabetic BBQ Recipes
Free Diabetic Awareness Wrist Band
Free Diabetix Trial (Supplement)
100 Free Diabetic Recipes

* His site offers so much more so be sure to check him out.

There is a site that offers a tremendous amount of links that offer different types of things for Diabetics for free or little cost.

 It is called Debby's Doodles Diabetic.
 Click this link to take you to Debby's Doodles Diabetic

She offers a list of things:

Free Diabetic I.D. Bracelet From the Diabetes Wellness Foundation
Free Diabetic Gourmet Magazine
Life Adventure Series Free CD Rom (Teaching Kids about their Diabetes and bodies)
Free Meal Planner
Joslins Diabetes Center (Diabetic Courses)

There are many sites out there like AARP, CVS Pharmacies, The American Diabetic Association and much much more that offer a good variety of free things for Diabetics.

Where to find news, information, free stuff for Diabetics 
Click here to go to Where to find, news, information, free stuff for Diabetics

Find Out if you qualify for free Diabetic Supplies. The American Diabetes Services offers you many benefits. Their diabetic company handles all the paperwork for you. Log on to this site and fill out the free questionnaire to see if you qualify. http://www.americandiabetes.com/
Source:  http://voices.yahoo.com/where-find-news-information-free-stuff-for-2865591.html

Today I have chosen Xubex Free Diabetic Kits and Supplies as my Number One pick of the Freebie Friday.

For More information on the kit go to
http://voices.yahoo.com/where-find-news-information-free-stuff-for-2865591.html

APPLY ONLINE:  http://www.xubex.com/Diabetes.aspx
PRINT APPLICATION FORM:  http://www.xubex.com/pdf/FreeDiabetesKitAppForm.pdf
 

Understanding Diabetes and How It Works in Our Bodies

There is just no way around it, Diabetes is a very serious and dangerous disease if left untreated and unmanaged.  In some cases it still may be very dangerous because of not being able to control it.  So what most of us who have it want to know is how it works on our bodies systems.  I have gotten some general answers to the question but I want to know exactly how it affects my body. 

Diabetes is being redefined as an Autoimmune Disease.  It is a Metabolic Disease at this time.  What does this mean? 

1.  Autioammune Disease:   An illness that occurs when the body tissues are attacked by its own immune system. The immune system is a complex organization within the body that is designed normally to "seek and destroy" invaders of the body, including infectious agents. Patients with autoimmune diseases frequently have unusual antibodies circulating in their blood that target their own body tissues.
Source:  http://www.medterms.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=2402

2.  Metabolic Disorder:  Metabolic disorders: Disorders that affect the metabolic system in human. Metabolic disorders: A congenital (due to inherited enzyme abnormality) or acquired (due to failure of a metabolic important organ) disorder resulting from an abnormal metabolic process. -- 2003
Source:  http://www.rightdiagnosis.com/m/metabolic_disorders/basics.htm

What happens to my Body During The Diabetic Disease Process?  Metabolic disorders develop when normal metabolic processes are disturbed. Normally, food is broken down by the body into simpler components (proteins, fats and sugars) in a highly regulated manner. Metabolic disorders are defined by a breakdown in any one of the steps of this complex process. Disorders in metabolism can be inherited, in which case they are known as inborn errors of metabolism, or they may be acquired.
Source:  http://www.localhealth.com/article/metabolic-disorders

Type 1 Diabetes:  Do not Produce Insuline
Type 2 Diabetes:  Are Insuline Resistant meaning they produce it but the cells are resistant to it. 

The body does not effectively produce insulin, and it is more difficult for the glucose to enter the cells. The pancreas may try to make more insulin, but the cells do not respond. High levels of glucose build up in the bloodstream. 
Source:  http://www.ehow.com/how-does_4567479_diabetes-affect-body.html

The added sugar or glucose in the blood vessels damages the walls, allowing cholesterol to build up and creating poor circulation.

What is Glucose: 
Glucose is a sugar serving as the fuel that provides energy for the body's cells. Your liver produces some glucose and your body gets the rest by digesting sugars, starches, and other foods you eat.
Source:  http://www.healthcommunities.com/understanding-diabetes/diabetes-mellitus-overview.shtml

Insulin is a hormone produced by beta cells in a part of the pancreas known as the islets of Langerhans. Insulin controls how much glucose the liver produces and also helps to move glucose from the bloodstream into your cells, where it is needed as a source of energy.
The uptake of glucose into your cells occurs through a complex series of events. It begins when insulin attaches ("binds") to receptor sites on the surface of cells in muscles and other tissues and causes carrier proteins (called glucose transporters) to move from inside the cell to the cell's surface. Like little dump trucks, these transport proteins deliver glucose from outside the cell to the inside. Without the initial binding of insulin to the receptor sites, glucose enters the cells too slowly.  Source:  http://www.healthcommunities.com/understanding-diabetes/diabetes-mellitus-overview.shtml

If you do nothing to treat this disease such as diet and excercise, then complications can occur in the form of Nerve damage, Heart problems, Liver problems, Kidney problems, Eye Problems, Dementia or Alzhiemers, and even Limb Amputations and Coma or Death.

If you have these syptoms consult your physician immediately to get a check up:  Excessive thirst, Frequent Urination, Blurry Vision, Dizzyness, Heart palpatations, High blood pressure, Numbness or Tinglinging in the Legs, Feet or Hands.  Diabetes is a very serious Condition and should not be taken lightly.

I hope this information has helped you to understand how it works within our body systems.  I know that as a team we can keep informed and share what knowledge we have with each other to become more aware and to be able to live healthier as a Diabetic community.

If you have information would like to write a segment for this blog or would like questions answered for you as a Diabetic or a caregiver of a Diabetic contact me at  diabetic.day2013@gmail.com together we can take care of each other and give each other support.

Feet, Feet Beautiful Painful Cracking Ulcered Feet. Ouch!

If you are like me I have always loved to be barefoot and enjoy feeling things under my feet.  Now that I am Diabetic I can no longer enjoy the thrill of being barefoot. 

Diabetes does some interesting things to the body, but one of the worst things it does is it messes with the brain and the nerves that care for our feet.  The brain needs to be able to send messages and receive messages to and from the feet. 

Chronic Glucose levels can damage the Nervous System.  The nerves are what sends and receives the messages from the brain about pain.  The Nervous System receives messages from our environment and how the body is affected by it through our five senses. Source:  http://health.howstuffworks.com/diseases-conditions/diabetes/how-diabetes-affects-the-feet.htm  The greatest problem then occurs when your feet as a Diabetic can not send the information about pain to your brain and the environmental information needed to detect problems with the feet, this is caused to over exposure of glucose to the Nervous System.

Things that may seem minor to most people such as scrapes, cuts, blisters, or cracking in the skin are not minor things to those of us with Diabetes.  A staggering 60% of all amuputations bellow the knee are from People with Diabetes. 

Along with Nervous System issues we also have Peripheral Vascular Disease for 1 out of 3 people with Diabetes over the age of 50.  This means narrowing and stiffeness of the arteries in the legs making a lack of oxygen and blood flow and nutrients to affected area's in the lower extremeties.  This makes it harder for a Diabetic person to be able to heal. This is also called Peripheral Artery Disease. 

This all leads to Diabetic Neuropathy or numbness in the feet and legs making it harder to tell if you have been injured or have any unusual cuts or skin problems in your feet and legs. 

How you should care for your feet being Diabetic:  Every day you should check your feet for any abnormalities, cracking between your toes and on your heel, bottom of your feet for cuts and blisters on your entire feet. 

Make sure your doctor checks your feet on a routine basis as well, if they dont then ask them to because it is part of your regular check up and the sooner you find an injury on your foot the faster you can have treatment for it.  Remember you run a risk of it becoming amputated if left untreated. 

1.  Take care of your Diabetes
2.  Check your feet Daily
3.  Make sure you get an annual foot examination by your physician
4.  Stay Active it gives a better chance for good circulation in your legs feet and for your heart.
5.  Trim your toe nails if you can or have a Foot Care Professional do it.
6.  Wear Shoes and Socks
7.  Protect your feet from Hot and Cold as they affect the blood vessels in your feet and your circulation.
8.  Keep blood flowing to your feet and legs by not crossing your legs, moving your feet and legs several
     times a day, and put your feet up if you can when sitting. 
9.  Make a routine to check your feet at the same time daily so you will get into a habbit of it.

After bathing or showering make sure your feet are dried off good especially in between the toes.  Make sure you moisturize them with skin care lotion to maintain a non dry skin to prevent cracking in the skin. 

Remembering it is up to each one of us to insure that we still are up and going, taking care of our feet is a priority for us as Diabetics.  Follow a daily routine of check our feet and staying active will help us to maintain better foot care.  There are shoes and socks for Diabetics that make foot care easier. 

We are together on this and as long as we stay in a community that supports each other and offers information for each other then we can stay healthier and improve our lives. 

If you have a story a comment or something you would like to share with me please contact me at diabetic.day2013@gmail.com.  I cant wait to hear from you.

Normal! "Huh, I'm Diabetic!"

If you are like me life as a Diabetic has been more than confusing at times.  I have had a very difficult time trying to get everything straight.  I sometimes wasnt sure if I was coming or going. 

Some things about being Diabetic was easy to get ahold of, but not all of it.  I have still been trying to figure out my eating and snacks and excersize and what affects my blood glucose. 

The things I have learned over the past almost 8 years living with Diabetes is that there is always new things to learn and things changing in our worlds, so yes it can be very confusing at times. 

Here are some of the things that I have learned. 

1.  Stress is one of the number one things that create fluctuations in your blood glucose levels.  It is important to figure out the stresses in your life and try to eliminate or just manage them better.

2.  Getting proper rest is so important.  If you do not get proper rest your body will be under stress and we know now that both Mental and Physical things can stress our body and cause our blood glucose to rise.

3.  Illness can create a higher gluclose level for us Diabetics because once again with illness our bodies are once again under stress.  The same goes for injuries to our bodies our blood glucose will be higher as our bodies try to heal.  Diabetes is an Autoamune Disease. 

4.  Eating is probably the most difficult to get right and it affects our bodies ability to maintain a fairly level glucose, however if we are not sure how to eat or we are not understanding how things affect our glucose levels then it will be difficult for us to change.  Reading I have found and experementing with foods is the best way to know what works best for your body.

5. Excersize will lower your glucose level but once again if you do not have the proper carbs in your body before excersize it can be dangerous when and if your glucose drops to low.  Make sure you know what you need to do as a diabetic to deal with this situation.  Always contact your Doctor to make sure you have an okay to proceed with the excersize program you choose.

6.  Medications will also affect your blood glucose.  It is important to keep up with your Doctor on any supplements or medications you may be taking.  Sometimes we have more than one doctor for many things and they can prescribe different medications, so make sure you always have an up to date list of all medications to take with you to your primary care Doctor.
Daily routine how it affects your Diabetes

One of the things I have struggled with the most is trying to figure out how to eat properly and exactly what I can eat.  If you have struggled with this also then we can figure this out together.

The American Diabetes Association has a really wide variety of articles on how to eat and what to eat.  They say that once you get used to eating right it is basically routine.  http://www.diabetes.org/food-and-fitness/food/what-can-i-eat/?loc=DropDownFF-whatcanieatWhat Can I Eat

Finding infromation on the internet is easy when it comes to Diabetes and eating such as great recipes and meal guides and plans.  Recipes for healthy living

I am really just beginning to understand the Importance of Skin Care, Dental Care and Foot Care as a Diabetic and there are some really interesting things to know.  The information is all out there on the internet or in your libraries.  If you are confused ask your doctor there are programs that are information packed that the doctor can refer you to.  Sometimes on the Diabetes Association Website you can also find events in your area and as always you can always donate time and effort in finding a cure for this disease.  In my Community Via ADA

I will be expanding on other topics of Diabetes as we continue on our journey together as Diabetics and Caretakers of Diabetics.  As a community I think we can support each other much better than standing alone.  There are over 26 Million people with this disease, that is a pretty large population.   We can become healthier by sharing and caring. 

If you have a story or a question you would like to give then get ahold of me at diabetic.day2013@gmail.com

Natural Helps and Diabetes

We all have heard of different types of things that are out there and supposed to help us with Diabetes instead of having to take our perscription meds.  Even though we have heard of things we dont really get the information we properly need to know if that is the direction we should go or try.

So let me start out by giving you some of the names of these Natural herbs and plants dealing with Diabetes.  North American Ginseng, Chromium, Magnesium, Cinnamon, Zinc, Aloe Vera Gel, Vanadium, Momordica Charantia, Nopal, Fenugreek, Gymnema.

1.  North American Ginseng:  Diabetes

Several human studies found that American ginseng lowered blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes. The effect was seen both on fasting blood sugar and on postprandial (after eating) glucose levels. One study found that people with type 2 diabetes who took American ginseng before or together with a high sugar drink experienced less of an increase in blood glucose levels. However, more research is needed.
One study using mice found that the American ginseng berry was more effective at lowering blood sugar levels than the root.  Source: American ginseng | University of Maryland Medical Center http://umm.edu/health/medical/altmed/herb/american-ginseng#ixzz2ZhP5Wojb 

2.  Chromium:   Diabetes

Researchers have studied the effects of chromium supplements for type 2 diabetes for many years. While some clinical studies have found no benefit, other clinical studies have reported that chromium supplements may reduce blood sugar levels as well as the amount of insulin people with diabetes need.
In one double-blind, placebo-controlled study, people with type 2 diabetes who took chromium picolinate had better HbA1c values -- used to measure long-term control of blood sugar levels -- than those who took placebo. The group taking chromium also had better fasting blood glucose levels, a measure of short-term control of blood sugar levels.
Another double-blind, placebo-controlled study looked at a combination of chromium and biotin. Half the people in the study took chromium picolinate and biotin, and the other half took placebo. Those who took chromium and biotin had better fasting glucose levels as well as HbA1c values.
One study found that women who have diabetes as a result of being pregnant improved their blood sugar control when they took chromium.
But not all studies agree, and if chromium does help reduce blood glucose, it’s not clear how big the benefit might be. More research is needed.  Source: Chromium | University of Maryland Medical Center http://umm.edu/health/medical/altmed/supplement/chromium#ixzz2ZhQHYmQ6

3.  Magnesium:  Magnesium and diabetesDiabetes is a disease resulting in insufficient production and/or inefficient use of insulin. Insulin is a hormone made by the pancreas. Insulin helps convert sugar and starches in food into energy to sustain life. There are two types of diabetes: type 1 and type 2. Type 1 diabetes is most often diagnosed in children and adolescents, and results from the body's inability to make insulin. Type 2 diabetes, which is sometimes referred to as adult-onset diabetes, is the most common form of diabetes. It is usually seen in adults and is most often associated with an inability to use the insulin made by the pancreas. Obesity is a risk factor for developing type 2 diabetes. In recent years, rates of type 2 diabetes have increased along with the rising rates of obesity.  Source: http://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Magnesium-HealthProfessional/

4.  Cinnemon:  Researchers have been investigating a number of powerful natural agents that can help you stabilize your blood sugar, and once again, cinnamon has proven itself as a viable contender in the fight against diabetes, as the study in Diabetic Medicine reveals.(1)  Source:  http://www.huffingtonpost.com/dr-mercola/cinnamon-diabetes-_b_839487.html

5.  Zinc:  According to Ayyalusamy Ramamoorthy, a professor of chemistry and of biophysics,  amylin,  a protein forms dense clumps that shut down insulin-producing cells in the pancreas, and disrupts the body’s ability to control  blood sugar levels. Zinc  may help prevent this disruption that amylin causes.  Source:  http://howtogetwellfaster.com/health-2/nutrition/does-zinc-help-type-2-diabetes

6.  Aloe Vera Gel: 
The first study was conducted by Mahidol University in Bangkok, Thailand. Thirty six human type 2 diabetics were treated with 2 tablespoons of 80% aloe vera juice. There was also a control group of 36 patients, who did not receive the trreatment. All 72 patients had similar blood glucose levels at the begininng of the study.
By the end of week two of the study, the aloe vera consuming group had lowered their fasting blood glucose by 17 percent. By the end of six weeks, this group had lowered their fasting blood glucose 57 percent (43 percent of the starting value).  Source:   http://www.diabeteswellbeing.com/aloe-vera-and-diabetes.html

7.  Vanadium: 
Vanadium is a mineral. It was named for the Norse goddess of beauty, Vanadis, because of its beautiful colors. Vanadium supplements are used as medicine.
Vanadium is used for treating diabetes, low blood sugar, high cholesterol, heart disease, tuberculosis, syphilis, a form of “tired blood” (anemia), and water retention (edema); for improving athletic performance in weight training; and for preventing cancer. 
Source:   http://www.webmd.com/vitamins-supplements/ingredientmono-749-VANADIUM.aspx?activeIngredientId=749&activeIngredientName=VANADIUM
How does it work? There is some evidence that vanadium might act like insulin, or help to increase the effects of insulin.

8.  Momordica Charantia:  Three randomised controlled trials with up to three months duration and investigating 350 participants met the inclusion criteria. Risk of bias of these trials (only one study was published as a full peer-reviewed publication) was generally high. Two RCTs compared the effect of preparations from different parts of the momordica charantia plants and placebo on the glycemic control in type 2 diabetes mellitus. There was no statistically significant difference compared to placebo. The effects of preparation from the leaves of the plant and glibenclamide were comparable in the third trial. No serious adverse effects were reported in all the trials. There were no documentations of death from any cause, morbidity, (health-related) quality of life and costs.  Source:  http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20166099

9.  Nopal:  Although research on nopal as a treatment for diabetes is somewhat contradictory, there is some evidence to suggest that the plant has a mild blood-sugar lowering effect. The raw plant contains complex carbohydrate and fiber, which may help to slow glucose digestion and absorption. Dried prickly pear capsules are popular both in Mexico and the United States, but while a study has shown that this supplement may help to lower cholesterol levels, there is not good evidence to support the use of nopal capsules for the treatment of diabetes Source:  http://diabetes.about.com/od/nutrition/a/Nopal.htm

10.  Fenugreek:  How does fenugreek work to help fight diabetes? One study reports that a substance called 4-hydroxyisoleucine, isolated from the seeds of the herb, has shown significant potential as an anti-diabetic agent because it suppressed progression of type 2 diabetes in mice by improving insulin sensitivity and uptake of glucose. Fenugreek contains fiber and pectin, which may help lower blood glucose.  Source:  http://www.emaxhealth.com/1275/fenugreek-type-2-diabetes

11.  Gymnema:  How does it work? Gymnema contains substances that decrease the absorption of sugar from the intestine. Gymnema may also increase the amount of insulin in the body and increase the growth of cells in the pancreas, which is the place in the body where insulin is made. 
Source:  http://www.webmd.com/vitamins-supplements/ingredientmono-841-GYMNEMA.aspx?activeIngredientId=841&activeIngredientName=GYMNEMA

Here we have some of the most affective natural substances Plants and Herbs that can help with Diabetes.  Make sure you read up on it and discuss it with your doctor and always follow the best form of control for your Diabetes.  Consult with your physician before going out on a limb and trying to cut yourself off from medications you may be taking and also there could be interactions between the medications you take currently. 

Together as a community we can learn.  We can help each other with information and support.  If you or anyone you know is Diabetic or is a caretaker of a Diabetic and have something to share or just have information to share contact me at diabetic.day2013@gmail.com . 

Stress me out...Ouch! How Stress Affects Diabetes

I have been told recently to stop stressing out so much, whew that is a hard one for me.  I am a natural born worrier.  I really dont mean to be, but my nature as a female, mother, caregiver tells me otherwise.  I also am busy working on things that concern the country like cold cases all over the united states.  So like most people time management is important and being a sort of perfectionist when it comes to things can cause the utmost stresses for me.  I have had to learn to let some of that go.

Diabetes doesnt pick and chose one race over another, one sex over another or even what social status over another.  It is an equal opportunity disease.  How we manage it though is up to us and even though it is easier to manage if you have the means it is not necessarily that hard if you dont have the means it just means you have to be creative and use alot of free resources to help you maintain it even the stress management part.

Stress is many things it can be Physical, Mental, Emotional and Environment can play a huge part in all of these.  We may have every day stresses like work, home, family, economics, or we could have physical stresses such as Illness (Diabetes), and injuries to our bodies that can be stresses. 

I know when I first talked to a my doctor and she found I had a Kidney infection she said this is why your blood sugar is high, infections raise it because it puts stress on your body.  I was unaware of that now 4 years into the disease.  But it is true it can really stress the body.

When stress occurs, the body prepares to take action. This preparation is called the fight-or-flight response. In the fight-or-flight response, levels of many hormones shoot up. Their net effect is to make a lot of stored energy — glucose and fat — available to cells. These cells are then primed to help the body get away from danger. In people who have diabetes, the fight-or-flight response does not work well. Insulin is not always able to let the extra energy into the cells, so glucose piles up in the blood.  Diabetes affected by stress explained

I have found a few ways to deal with my stress now that I know how it affects my Diabetes that are free and enjoyable.  I use the internet alot for this either on my cell phone or on the computer itself.  I have found that Youtube is a great source for free videos on relaxation, meditation and excersize such as Yoga.  If you have a cell phone there are alot of free Apps that help with this and will give you the opportunity to get free excersize, meditation and even sleep programs to use. 

Taking time out for your needs are very important when you are dealing with a disease like Diabetes.  If it affects your whole body then you must take time to help your body stay healed. 

Remember to try and lower your blood sugar and stay healthy with excersize, eating right and sleeping well.  Remember not to get to stressed out.

Together we can do this as a community.  If you have a story or want to ask questions or share something contact me at diabetic.day2013@gmail.com