Different Types of Diabetes: What is Diabetes 2?

The American Diabetes Association defines diabetes as a group of diseases characterized by high blood glucose levels that result from defects in the body's ability to produce and/or use insulin.

There are different types of diabetes; the main ones being type 1 or formerly known as juvenile diabetes, type 2 diabetes, and gestational diabetes.  Our focus will be type 2 diabetes and getting back to the basics of what is diabetes 2?

 The American Diabetes Association states that "Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes. Millions of Americans have been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, and many more are unaware they are at high risk."

Diabetes 2 has become so common that it has been referred to as an epidemic. It therefore makes sense to know exactly what it is so it can be clearly identified and the necessary precautions taken to avoid becoming a victim of diabetes 2.

Diabetes is basically the body's inability to process sugars properly. When we eat or drink, our “pancreas” produces a hormone called “insulin”. Insulin is released into the blood and helps to regulate the amount of glucose (sugar) in the bloodstream. In persons with diabetes this process does not function correctly.  Two situations may arise:

a) Insufficient insulin may be produced by the pancreas, or
b) The body has developed resistance to the insulin even though it's been produced causing the insulin to be ineffective. This is normally referred to as "insulin resistance."

This is where the problem grows because insulin is necessary for the body to be able to use glucose for energy. When you eat food, the body breaks down all of the sugars and starches into glucose, which is the basic fuel for the cells in the body. Insulin takes the sugar from the blood into the cells.
When glucose builds up in the blood instead of going into cells, it can lead to diabetes complications.

What are the symptoms of diabetes?  Are there particular groups that are at higher risk than others?  We'll consider those in my next post.

3 Healthy Guilt-Free Food Recipes for Diabetics to Enjoy

Persons who have been diagnosed with diabetes or pre-diabetes get tired of hearing what they cannot have .  Today I decided to share a couple of recipes of favorites for many people, with minor changes to accommodate the need for reduction in sugar content:

DIABETIC  COOKIES

1 1/2 c. unsweetened applesauce

3/4 c. margarine

2 eggs

1 tbsp. vanilla

1/3 c. brown sugar substitute, suitable for baking

2 c. oatmeal

1 tbsp. cinnamon

1/2 tsp. allspice

1 1/2 c. flour

1 1/2 tsp. soda

1/2 tsp. salt

1 c. raisins

1/4 c. nuts

Mix applesauce, margarine, eggs, vanilla and brown sugar substitute well; add the remaining ingredients.  Drop by teaspoonfuls onto a cookie sheet and bake at 375 degrees for 15 minutes.

APPLE  PIE  (NO  SUGAR)

4 c. apple

1/2 c. frozen apple juice concentrate, undiluted

2 tsp. tapioca or cornstarch

1/2 to 1 tsp. cinnamon

Mix apples and all ingredients until well coated; pour into pastry shell and top with pastry.  Bake at 425 degrees for 40 to 45 minutes.

SPICED  POT  ROAST

2 lb. boneless chuck beef

1 bay leaf

Salt, pepper, vinegar, water

1 med. onion, sliced

1 tsp. whole pepper berries

Rub meat with salt and pepper and place in glass bowl.  Add onion, bay leaf, and whole pepper berries, marinate meat in equal parts vinegar and water for 24 hours.  Drain and reserve liquid.  Place meat in roasting pan, sear well. Add 3 tablespoons spiced vinegar mixture.  Cover and cook in slow oven for 1 1/2 hours.  8 servings.  Exchange one 3-ounce serving or 3 slices each measuring 4 x 2 x 1/4 inches for 3 meat exchanges.

I hope you will enjoy making these and eating them! Do you have a favorite recipe you'd like to share? Please do so in the "Comments."

Low Glycemic Index Foods Help Control Sugar Cravings

Recently I read some statistics that I found extremely alarming.  Prevention magazine noted that "the average American consumes more than a pound of refined sugar in a week."  My immediate thoughts were that 'we're sugaring ourselves to death.'  It became clearer as I read more into the article that the reason for this high figure is that sugar is disguised by many different names, and appears in almost all processed foods, like doughnuts and pastries to ketchup and baked beans.

Glucose or blood sugar plays a vital role in your well-being both physically and mentally, but it is essential for it to remain at what is considered normal level range - between 70 and 99 mg after fasting.  Factors that can  affect the results are: excess body fat, sedentary lifestyle, and lack of exercise.  These negative factors, in turn, affect your health and your energy levels.

Impact of the Glycemic Index

Foods with less than 55 GI are considered the best as they have only a minor effect on blood sugar, whereas foods with a GI index of 55 to 70 should be eaten sparingly.  Carbohydrates with GI of more than 70 should be avoided as these cause high spikes in blood sugar and cause cravings.

In addition to keeping blood sugar levels under control, foods with low Glycemic Index break down at a slower rate and reduce hunger pangs.  The result is that while you consume less foods with high sugar content, you lessen your cravings and this may also lead to weight loss.

If you are a diabetic or pre-diabetic, you've probably found that it's challenging to come up with interesting ways to eat and being able to create recipes with foods that have a low glycemic index.  Click here to learn more of the benefits of "The Diabetic Cooking Guide."

Get to Know the Risk Factors of Type 2 Diabetes so You Can Take Early Preventive Action

You've  probably never given much thought to the topic of diabetes.  After all you're in your mid-40's, enjoy relatively good health, try to eat right, and you walk every day.  But then you went to a Family Reunion and heard that Aunt Mary has diabetes, and Uncle John battled with diabetes up to his death at 72 years of age. You suddenly start thinking that perhaps it's time to get yourself tested!

So far it seems that you've been doing everything right by your lifestyle.  However, you have good reason for concern because experts recommend that adults with even one of the following risk factors should get tested:

• Family history of type 2 diabetes
• Being overweight
• Gestational diabetes, or having a baby that weighed 9 pounds or more at birth
• Low HDL (good cholesterol: under 50 for women, below 40 for men); high total cholesterol (above 200), or triglycerides above 150
• High blood pressure (over 130/85)
• Over 45 years old
• Inactive lifestyle
• African-American, Latino, Asian, Native American, or Pacific Island ethnicity.

Prevention Magazine recommends that all adults, plus overwieght children, should have blood sugar tests if they have even one of these risks.

Type 2 diabetes can be prevented, but if there is any indication of pre-diabetes, the diagnosis must be arrived at in time so that you can implement preventive measures immediately.

3 Simple Steps to Prevent the Onset of Type 2 Diabetes

More than 16 million people living in the Unites States have diabetes, a chronic illness marked by high levels of blood sugar.  In addition, large numbers of Americans are diagnosed with pre-diabetes each year, but a significant number of these persons are able to stave-off the onset of diabetes 2 by implementing three simple strategies.

They are described as simple, not because they are unimportant. To the contrary, they are simple because these steps can be executed by everyone with adjustments in their lifestyle, diet and willingness to monitor their glucose levels on a regular basis.

1.  Monitor blood glucose:  This should be done regularly, three or four times per day.  At the minimum you should check your glucose once per day and three or four times per day at least two days per week.

2.  Eat a high-fiber diet:  A study conducted by the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center found that persons who consumed about 50 grams of fiber daily reduced their blood glucose level by 10 percent.

3.  A healthy lifestyle:  This involves modifying your diet to avoid certain foods include certain foods as well as introducing regular exercise.  One study revealed that 58 percent of persons who made these changes in their lifestyle were less likely to develop diabetes 2.


I was diagnosed with pre-diabetes 5 years ago and so far have controlled it by diet and exercise.

What changes can you make to make sure that you are implementing these three simple strategies in your pre-diabetes management?

Glossary of Diabetes Terms You Need to Know

If you have been diagnosed with diabetes or pre-diabetes, you will find that you will be introduced to a new set of words.  Understanding their meaning with allow you to have meaningful discussions with your health card provider.  You will find that rather than being told you have a disease you can become more effective in implementing strategies to take control of your medical condition.  Diabetes can be reversed in many cases, but you have to understand what is required, what the terms mean and how this knowledge can be used to your benefit.

Following are some  terms that will be used frequently by your medical team and their meanings:

Type 2 Diabetes - This is the most common form of diabetes and is caused by two basic factors: 1) the body's cells are unable to absorb glucose causing the glucose to stay in the blood. 2) The pancreas, the organ responsible for producing insulin, may not be producing an adequate amount, and the insulin it produces may not work properly.  The result is diabetes 2 or onset adult diabetes.  Diabetes in turn can cause serious complications throughout the body, such as, heart disease, high blood pressure, kidney and eye disease as well as nerve damage.

Glucose - Also known as blood sugar, is the body's main source of energy. This simple sugar is designed to circulate through the blood stream; however, when it accumulates in the blood, the blood becomes thicker and thus harder to flow.  This deprives the body of nutrients and oxygen, prevents while blood cells from being able to fight infections, and makes it possible for the blood to clot more easily.  Glucose attaches to proteins throughout the body and affects their function. Excess glucose is also converted to triglycerides.

Fasting blood glucose: The glucose or blood sugar reading after a fasting period of 10 to 12 hours. What is considered normal may vary by health care provider.  Some sectors consider a normal reading to be 110 or lower.  My doctor considers 100 or lower to be normal.  Diabetes is diagnosed at 126 or higher. Others say 125 or higher.

Hemoglobin A1C: This test is usually evaluated by a laboratory and indicates what the average blood sugar levels have been over a period of 3 or more months.  This test also measures how much glucose has become attached to the protein hemoglobin containing the red blood cells which carry oxygen through the blood stream. The results are given as a percentage from 4 to 13.  Again standards differ as The American Diabetes Association recommends that A1C levels should be kept below 7, while the American Association of  Clinical Endocrinologists recommends keeping it under 6.5.  My doctor recommends 6 or under.

Insulin:  This is a hormone produced by the pancreas and acts to unlock the body's cells so that glucose can enter.  It also regulates the production of glucose by the liver.  In type 2 diabetes the body demands more insulin than the pancreas can produce.

Resistance to Insulin (or Insulin Resistance): This is when the cells and thus muscles become less responsive to insulin.  The hormone, insulin, is usually administered by injection to boost the cells' sensitivity to insulin so that it has a greater effect.

Pancreas:  The pancreas is an organ located behind the lower part of the stomach that produces enzymes and digestive juices.  It also produces and secretes insulin and glucagon.

I was diagnosed with pre-diabetes five years ago and have worked on controlling it with diet and exercise. Unfortunately I was not consistent until I discovered the Diabetes Reversal Report. This report explains in great detail not only what diabetes is but discusses factors that we may have not considered that can negatively impact our blood sugar levels and our bodies' ability to absorb insulin. I particularly like that the Report introduces different phases so that changes can be made gradually and effectively. I now have a blueprint on how to control my diabetes effectively and I invite you to experience the benefits yourself at http://www.saygoodbyetodiabetes.com.

If you are a home-based or small business owner, I also invite you to visit my website at http://www.mysuccesscircleonline.com for valuable articles and tips.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Yvonne_A_Jones

How Susceptible Are You to Pre-diabetes? What You Need to Know and How to Reverse the Trend

What is pre-diabetes?  Pre-diabetes means you likely have higher than normal blood-sugar levels but not high enough to be classed as a diabetic. It does mean, however, that you are susceptible to developing type 2 diabetes and heart disease if you do nothing to reverse the trend.

There are usually no physical symptoms to alert you if you are in a pre-diabetes stage because by the time the symptoms become apparent, it's usually too late - you've already crossed the line between pre-diabetes and Diabetes 2.  If you fall into any of the following categories, it is important to speak with a healthcare provider and have your blood sugar levels checked. 

* You are overweight and are 45 years old or older

* Your weight is ok and you're over 45 years of age. Do ask your doctor during a routine check-up if testing is appropriate for you

* You are an adult under age 45 and you are overweight

* You have high blood pressure; low HDL cholesterol and high triglycerides

* Your family has a history of diabetes

* There's a history of gestational diabetes in your family

* You have given birth to a baby weighing more than 9 pounds

* You belong to an ethnic or minority group that has a high risk for diabetes, such as, African American, American Indian, Asian American, Pacific Islander, or Hispanic American/Latino.

At the point even if your blood sugar levels were elevated, but not to the point of being diagnosed with diabetes, you can take positive action to reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes and heart disease and actually reverse the trend.  Some positive actions are:

* Reduce the amount on your plate - eating just a little less helps reduce your risk factor.

* Avoid snacks; if you must snack go for a healthy one rather than a sugar-laden option.

* Drink a glass of water 10 minutes before eating to take the edge of your appetite so you don't overindulge in food.

* Choose whole-grain foods or sugar-free foods.

* Start an exercise program or just increase your physical activity.  It could be as simple as walking up the stairs instead of taking the lift or an escalator.

* Don't shop for food when you are feeling hungry.  You'll be more tempted to buy the foods that increase your blood sugars; add on weight and generally create a higer risk of moving from your pre-diabetes state into being a fully diagnosed type 2 diabetic.

* Add more natural and organic products to your diet and eliminate processed foods to the extent possible.

Taking these and other simple actions can reduce your risk of turning pre-diabetes into type 2 diabetes.