Diabetic Live

Keeping Healthy With Type 1 Diabetes: Staying healthy is essential for everyone but if you suffer from type I diabetes it can be the difference between life and death. There are a number of factors that have to be monitored and in some cases strictly controlled if you are going to remain active and able to enjoy life to the full. These include:

Blood Glucose Level
This is possibly the most important factor that needs to be monitored because you know that the level of glucose within your blood can change dramatically in a very short period of time. Many diabetics can feel to some extent when their blood glucose levels aren’t normal however if you are newly diagnosed you may not be akin to these feeling yet and so strict monitoring is essential.

Diet
Your diabetic diet is not a special diet as many people think; it is simply a healthy, well-balanced diet that is low in fat, high in fibre and contains an abundance of starchy foods, vegetables and fruits. You will be, more often than not, referred to a dietician shortly after you are diagnosed so that you can learn what to eat and what not to eat and how to balance your food intake with your daily insulin injections.

Insulin
Daily insulin injections are absolutely crucial to your well being and so they must be strictly controlled with regards to amounts and times. Getting it wrong or forgetting a shot could have dire effects on your health and it could even result in diabetic coma. You should try to stick to your schedule as closely as you can, even if that means popping to the toilet while out shopping to give yourself a quick boost.

Blood Pressure
If, as a type I diabetic, you find yourself with high blood pressure you could be at an increased risk of developing secondary complications, such as cardiovascular disease. For this reason you should have your blood pressure checked regularly and if you are prescribed medication to lower your blood pressure, then you must take it religiously. After all you can still lead a full life with diabetes but heart disease may limit your options slightly!

Exercise
Regular exercise will help to decrease the chances of you developing complications such as heart disease and blood vessel disease but it may also affect your blood glucose levels if you exercise to the extreme. A 20-30 minute walk around 5 times a week is sufficient and it will not leave you too exhausted to do anything else.

Weight
Excess weight is another factor that can contribute to serious complications such as heart disease, decreased kidney function and stroke when combined with type I diabetes. If you are overweight or obese then you should definitely try to loose some weight as not only will it help with your diabetes but you will feel a whole lot better within yourself as well.

If you are careful what you do and you monitor your blood glucose levels regularly then diabetes is not a hard illness to control and there is no reason why you can’t enjoy all the things you used to enjoy before being diagnosed.

Controlling Diabetes With Diet And Exercise: Everybody should aim to eat healthily but for people who have been diagnosed with type II diabetes a sensible healthy diet could be the difference between life as it is and life with the rigmarole of daily medication.

However because everybody’s diabetes is different there is no single diet that will suit all diabetics. All diabetic diets will have some things in common though, and because around 80% of type II diabetes is associated with being overweight or obese, these diets will all be low in fat and low in calories so that the maximum amount of weight is lost.

Weight loss reduces the degree of insulin resistance in the body tissues of a diabetic meaning that the insulin produced by the pancreas can work more effectively. Weight loss also reduces blood pressure and cholesterol levels so that the risk of cardiovascular disease is also reduced.

Many, if not all, people diagnosed with early type II diabetes will be made to see a dietician so that a meal plan can be discussed and agreed upon however research has shown that around 60% of diabetics find it hard to stick to the agreed plan.

The underlying reason for controlling the diet is so that the blood glucose levels can be kept constantly within the ‘normal’ range. For example, eating large amounts of sweets and drinking fizzy pop will cause the blood glucose levels to raise above normal and in a type II diabetic this will add to their weight problem, not reduce it.

In order to maintain a constant blood sugar level, diabetics should ideally eat approximately the same amount of food per day, with a set number of calories at around the same time of day so that blood sugar levels don’t fluctuate too much. In addition, healthy snacks should be enjoyed to stop the blood glucose levels from dropping too much in between meals. Meals should never be skipped and the day’s food should contain a mixture of whole grains, fruits, lean meat or meat substitutes i.e. Quorn, vegetables and low fat dairy products.

In conjunction with a healthy low fat diet, moderate exercise should be taken at least five times a week for around 30 minutes each session. How a diabetic person chooses to exercise will depend to some extent on their initial level of fitness i.e. obese people will not go jogging or cycling for miles at a time, and any exercise routine should only be performed after consulting a doctor. As an individual starts to lose weight then the level of physical activity can be increased accordingly but overdoing it to begin will undoubtedly lead to even bigger problems.

Millions of type II diabetes sufferers around the world successfully control there illness using a combination of healthy eating and exercise and in some cases people who have lost weight, have also lost their diabetes…for good.

Biochemistry Of Energy Production: Any diabetic who has incorporated regular exercise into his or her diabetes management plan knows how exercise can help to work-up a sweat. As the body muscles move more and more, the body makes an ever larger amount of heat. Both heat and movement are forms of energy, energy produced by cells in the body.

The production of energy demands the presence of a fuel. Food gives the body the fuel that it needs to make energy. Carbohydrates are a prime source of energy. Fats and proteins can also be broken-down, stored and used by the body to obtain energy. The biochemistry of the body even directs the manner by which the body will make at least some of its energy. That direction opens and closes certain biochemical pathways.

The movement of voluntary muscles calls-for the availability of a ready-to-go source of energy. The body stores energy for the purpose of supplying it to muscles that are getting signals from the brain. That stored energy, potential energy, is found in a naturally-produced phosphorous compound called ADP.

When a muscle receives a signal from the brain, then muscle cells start to change molecules of ADP into ATP. The body can obtain the energy that it needs from the ATP. At the same time, the body anticipates the creation of added amounts of heat. The body appreciates the need to limit the amount of its natural energy production.

The body produces catechinpolyphenols, chemicals that can block the biochemical pathway that is used for heat production in the non-active individual. The production of heat in a non-active individual is called thermogenesis. The sort of polyphenols produced during times of muscle activity limit the ability of the body to carry-out thermogenesis.

How do the polyphenols limit the rate of thermogenesis? The polyphenols act on the fatty acids inside of the body’s fat storage cells. The cells then make the chemicals that are necessary for the production of heat.. The cells thus facilitate the movement of hydrogen ions (H*) into the cell’s mitochondria. The mitochondria help the cell to make energy.

The mitochondria do not make energy for muscle movement; they the energy that the cell uses to produce heat. The movement of H+ into the mitochondria allows the cell to bypass the biochemical pathway that is used to make ATP. Still, because it is a fat-burning process, thermogenesis requires a source of fuel (calories).

Some health professionals have sought-out foods that have high polyphenol content. According to the above information, such foods should help the body to burn fat. Recent reports indicate that green tea contains such chemicals. That is why green tea has been tooted as a way to loose weight.

Now a diabetic, more than most people, must pay attention to a second aspect of energy production. That is due to the fact that the diabetic with a well-managed diabetes control plan eats a diet with few carbohydrates. The diabetic who wants to control his or her diabetes eats lots of dairy products, and lots fruits and vegetables. The cells of the diabetic must thus obtain energy from the proteins found in those foods.

When cells use protein as an energy source, then the cells (in the course of making energy) make certain unneeded chemicals. Those unneeded chemicals can build-up in the muscles. The body must find a way to get rid of those unneeded chemicals.

The body needs to wash those chemicals out of the muscle cells. The performance of exercise initiates a rise in the movement of blood in the circulatory system. As more blood flows into the muscles, that blood then carries-away the unneeded chemicals in those muscles. An extended period of exercise washes out a larger number of chemicals.

The above fact underlines that reason why exercise should be included in a diabetes management plan. Exercise does help the body to burn energy, but exercise does even more. Exercise helps the body to deal with the biochemistry of energy production whenever the fuel for that energy comes from proteins instead of carbohydrates.

When a diabetic engages in some form of exercise, then he or she encourages the formation of more capillaries in the muscles of the body. Sometimes, the body can make up to 50% more capillaries. At the same time, the diameter of the existing capillaries increases. Blood begins to flow more quickly in those capillaries.

As the blood rushes past the muscle cells, it takes-away the unneeded chemicals in those cells. When the blood flow increase, those chemicals disappear at an ever faster rate. The blood helps to clean the muscles. Exercise enhances the rate of the blood flow. That is why diabetics need to include regular exercise in a diabetes management plan.

Exercise can also help to control hunger pangs. Diabetics understand the discomfort of hunger. Diabetics want to control their hunger, so that they are not tempted to eat foods with high carbohydrate content. Exercise can help a diabetic to reduce the number of temptations that arise from the presence of strong hunger pangs.

In that way, a diabetic can avoid the temptation to “wolf-down” his or her food. The slow digestion of food insures the slow absorption of food. The slow absorption of carbohydrates should be one goal of a diabetes management plan. That is why such a plan normally includes complex carbohydrates, as opposed to simple carbohydrates.

Bearing that fact in mind, one can better appreciate the danger of frequent visits to a fast-food restaurant. Such frequent visits should not be part of a diabetes management plan. At the same time, a diabetes management plan should provide for times spent outside of the home. A diabetic should not remain at home all day long. In that way the diabetic normally fails to obtain an adequate amount of exercise.

By understanding the biochemistry of energy production, a patent with diabetes can better fashion the sort of diabetes management plan that helps with weight control and also insures removal of any unwanted by-products from that energy production.

A Diabetic Diet To Keep The Body Healthy: A major part of properly managing diabetes involves participation in a healthy diet and lifestyle. A strict meal plan and suitable food choices are crucial in the everyday routine of a diabetes patient. It is commonly believed that to maintain blood sugar levels, diabetics do not have a wide variety of alternatives concerning food and nutrition. However, a healthy diabetes meal plan can contain an assortment of nutritional options, to satisfy the cravings and physical needs of the diabetic.

Devising a Healthy Diabetic Diet
Building a suitable diabetic diet plan can seem overwhelming at first, but is actually a very simple process. There are essentially two different goals in relation to nutrition for Type I and II diabetes. In Type I diabetes, the total amount of daily carbohydrates has the most significant effect on blood sugar maintenance, and how much insulin is needed. With diabetics who use a fixed dose of insulin to maintain their disease, the daily carbohydrate amount in snacks and meals should remain consistent. To produce ideal levels of glucose, diabetics must incorporate a suitable balance of carbohydrate consumption, insulin, in addition to physical activity. If these elements do not equate, there will most likely be a varied fluctuation in the levels of blood glucose.

The management of Type II diabetes focuses primarily on weight control. An estimated 90 percent of Type II diabetics are overweight. For these individuals, a diet consisting of an equal disbursement of carbohydrates and reduced calorie foods is recommended to assist in the improvement of blood glucose tolerance. In several cases, reasonable weight loss and an increase in physical activity can greatly improve the lives of Type II diabetics. However, in children and adolescents with Type II, certain measures must be taken. Dietary plans for these age groups should be formulated to account for the change in caloric requirements as the child grows. To meet the needs of a growing diabetic child, physicians often recommend consumption of three snacks and three small meals daily.

For both forms of diabetes, there are certain, similar guidelines that should be followed for a nutritional eating plan. All aspects of food and eating can affect your blood glucose levels. When you eat, how you eat, and most importantly, what you eat are a crucial part of diabetes management. To keep your levels within a healthy range, there are a few points that must be taken into consideration. Diabetics should have a routine when it comes to both medication and diet. Meals should be eaten at the same times daily, with medication taken at a set time, as well. Equal amounts of food should also be eaten every day, and should incorporate foods from each of the food groups. This includes, milk and yogurt, vegetables, fruits, starches, in addition, to meat and meat alternatives. The ideal protein consumption should be in the range of 15 to 20 percent of total daily calories. About six ounces of protein, which is equal to the size of two card decks, is recommended daily. Diets should contain foods reduced in saturated fat, with no more than 10 percent consumed each day. Low fat choices are lean meats, legumes, and skinless poultry. Carbohydrates should also be taken into careful consideration when devising a meal plan. Suitable carbohydrate choices include pasta, brown rice, beans, and whole grain breads. Look to food labels for information about serving size and the type of carbohydrate, as certain types can affect overall blood glucose control. For those still unsure of how to properly balance food choices, a physician or registered dietician can be of assistance.

Controlling Diabetes the Yoga Way: The ancient practice of yoga is now being used to combat the complications of diabetes. Suited for both types of the disease, a high energy yoga workout has been proven to normalize blood sugar levels. Regular practice of this age- old activity can also stimulate the pancreas, and reduce both blood pressure and weight, as well as, alleviate physical complications and emotional stress often associated with chronic illness.

Simple Yoga Poses to Combat Diabetes
Before beginning a yoga workout, you must take a few crucial points into consideration. Each and every yoga pose is essentially composed of three phases: coming into the pose, holding the pose, and finally releasing the pose. Proper posture and breathing technique is critical, and it is very important to inhale and exhale with the flow of the yoga movement until the last stage of the exercise is completed.

There are a few easy yoga poses that can be performed to lessen the risks associated with diabetes, in addition to, alleviate stress. Consistent practice of these exercises is believed to improve both the physical and mental well-being of the diabetic patient.

Sun Salutation: An ideal exercise for diabetics, sun salutation is one to the core poses of the yoga philosophy. This pose can increase blood supply to the body, which in turn improves insulin administration. To begin this exercise, stand up straight, with your palms together in a prayer position. Slowly exhale. Raise your arms over your head, keeping your palms together. Slowly bend forward until your hands have reached your feet. While arching your back and lifting your chin, bring the right leg backwards. Next, bring the left leg back, keeping your spine in a straight line. Your weight should be supported by the hands and feet. Lower your body one section at a time. First the knees, then the chest, and finally the head.

Yoga Mudrasana, “The Symbol of Yoga”: This yoga posture is great for the nervous system, and prevention of various other diabetic complications. To start this pose, sit up with your back straight and your legs crossed. Clench your fists into a ball, and center them on each side of the stomach, directly below the naval. As you exhale, bend forward, forcing your fists against your stomach. For beginners, holding this pose for ten seconds is sufficient. As you become more advanced, this yoga posture can be held for up to three minutes.

Posterior Stretching Pose: This stretching exercise is believed to calm the brain and alleviate stress, as well as, improve digestion, reduce fatigue, and reduce obesity. To come into this pose, sit on the floor with your legs stretched out in front of you. Without bending your knees, lean forward from the waist and grasp your big toes. Keeping your legs straight, rest your forehead on your knees, holding the pose for five seconds. Release the posture by slowly returning to your original position.

Corpse Pose: If executed correctly, this yoga pose can stimulate circulation, improve concentration, improve fatigue, and help with digestion. This yoga exercise requires much concentration, and can be done in between each posture, and at the end of a yoga workout. To begin, move your legs inwards, and then outwards, gradually letting them fall to the sides. Your arms should be slightly apart from the body, palms up. To center and rotate your spine, move your head from side to side. In this portion of the pose, you should begin stretching your body out. Breathing deeply from your stomach, imagine as if someone is gently pulling you from head to toe. This yoga posture should be held for several minutes. To come out of the posture, slowly bend your knees. Propel yourself onto one side using your leg muscles. Finally, return to a sitting position.

Practice of these various yoga exercises, combined with a healthy diet and lifestyle, can assist in controlling the physical and emotional stressors of diabetes. In time, these postures can not only strengthen your body, but your mind as well.

Making The Right Decisions: When you have been diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes you’ll probably start to wonder what you can do to help your condition. When you have been diagnosed, the first thing you can do to help yourself, is to start exercising and start dieting.

This is key to making sure your glucose levels stay in normal range rather than at a harmful state. It is as simple as that. If you exercise daily and watch what you eat you could be your old self within no time. Granted you will still very much be a type 2 diabetic but you will be taking care of yourself and your health which means that you can live a normal life.

Just remember to eat lots of fruits and vegetables and stay away from sweets and candies. That is of course, just step one. Try yoga or Tai Chi, both will help to boost your health and lower you glucose levels. If you are looking for something that gives you more of a workout then you might want to try aerobics or hitting the gym 3 times a week.

When you choose to go out to eat make sure you choose the best food for both you and your diabetes. It’s like you are eating for two. Think about having a little baby inside of you. What would be best for your baby? Well then at this point that is best for you. Try apples, oranges, bananas and grapes or even kiwi if you like. Make sure to drink plenty of water and some sugar free juices. I like the Sunrise drink by Crystal Lite. It has a lot of vitamin C and doesn’t increase my blood sugar.

Just because you are diabetic doesn’t mean you can’t have sugar, it simply means you must cut down on your sugar which granted on its own can be a hard thing. However, your health needs it and your body must have it.

Sometimes meditation can be another way to help lower glucose levels you would honestly be surprised at how much meditating could mean to your life. It could mean a huge amount of things for your health and even your family’s health if they wish to meditate also. It is also a form of exercise so you could totally get away with mediating daily while reducing your blood sugar level.

This all sounds like a good plan. However, many people have a hard time sticking to it. Of course there are those of us who are complete health nuts of would have this new diet and exercise plan already on speed dial if this is you then that’s wonderful you have already won have the battle.

It is important however to exercise for various reasons not just for lowering your glucose level. You will also want to exercise because of the many problems that come with being a diabetic. Some circulatory problems come from being a diabetic, therefore getting your blood up and moving around is most important. You could even walk for 30 minutes a day and that would provide you with enough exercise to get your blood moving and get everything else to start moving also. Exercising also helps to reduce high blood pressure and cholesterol, the more exercise you do the better off you can be and feel. It’s pretty much all up to you!