Understanding Glucose, Fructose and Sucrose

The importance of understanding all about sugar is key to surviving diabetes.

Introduction

For much too long, experts said eating much sugar does not exactly cause diabetes but now research has shown that increased sugar consumption is linked to diabetes. That is why it is important for us to understand this all important link to diabetes rates.

What You’ll Learn:

1. How Do We Differentiate the Main Sugars?
2. Beware of Natural Beet Sugar
3. Be Careful With the Sugar Content in Foods. Why?
4. Too much Fructose Sweetener and Heart Risk Linked in Teenagers
5. Can You Live a Year Without Sugar?
6. Breaking News That Matter to Diabetics

How Do We Differentiate the Main Sugars?

What's the difference between the main sugars? Why try to understand them at all? Well, they are considered to be the enemies of the diabetics and so it is important that we understand them especially we cannot taste the difference at all. And they play different roles in the body.

Glucose affects the blood sugar level so the diabetics have to pay close attention to it. Glucose is the most important simple sugar and it is the choice source of energy. Most carbohydrates we consume are processed into glucose that can either be used right away for energy or stored in the muscle cells or as glycogen in the liver to be used later.

The blood sugar rises and falls during the day and usually becomes low during exercise and between meals. Insulin has the duty to keep it at a healthy level converting starches, sugars and other foods into energy to maintain life. For some people, the body does not produce enough insulin to do the job so the glucose is not maintained at a healthy level.

When the blood sugar drops too low (below 70 mg/dL), it results in serious health risk like hypoglycemia. The opposite of this is when the sugar level becomes too high (anything above 200 mg/dL). This causes hyperglycemia which is also a health risk.

Another form of carbohydrate is fructose but this does not lead to such peaks in the blood sugar level. This is the natural sugar found in honey, fruits and vegetables. Some make the mistake of thinking that fructose is high fructose corn syrup when actually this is more like sucrose than fructose.

The main difference between fructose and glucose is that the former does not lead to the release of insulin. Nor does it trigger the production of leptin, a hormone that helps balance the energy levels.

Sucrose on the other hand is usually called table sugar. It comes from sugar beets or sugar cane. Sucrose is found in fruits and vegetables. Actually, the chemical composition of sucrose shows it is made from both units of glucose and fructose which an enzyme divides into individual units of glucose and fructose when sugar is consumed.

To better understand the three main sugars, here’s a video on the Sucrose, fructose and glucose: Part 1

Beware of Natural Beet Sugar

It is not really as healthy as we think it is despite the USDA having deregulated it. The trouble is that it is genetically engineered and then sold in grocery stores as real sugar. The diabetics might think it natural but the truth is that it has the same glycemic index as cane sugar.

Be Careful With the Sugar Content in Foods. Why?

It can affect our health for one thing. If it is labeled as real sugar, more than likely it contains beet sugar which is taken from beet roots that contain pesticide. This hinders the valuable gut bacteria in people. Around 95% of sugar beets in the US are genetically modified. So unless it is certified organic it is more than likely at least partially if not totally genetically engineered.

Trying to avoid products that list high fructose corn syrup as an ingredient? Well my advice is to take care. Be very careful because you may just be replacing that ingredient with another product in beet sugar. And therein lies the problem. Most people believe there’s nothing natural in it.

A Tale of Two Odd Couple: Too much Fructose Sweetener and Heart Risk Among Teenagers

A new study has found that too much consumption of fructose sweetener in food and beverage is tied to heart risk among the teens. The research is done among 559 teenagers who are 14 to 18 years old. They were found to have diets that are high in fructose which shows proof there is cardiovascular and diabetes risk in their blood.

There is fructose in fruits and a form of fructose called high fructose corn syrup which is used in processed beverages and food. It is believed that the growing bodies of these teenagers hunger after sweets. And the researchers from the Medical College of Georgia say the advertisements target these young people.

What did the researchers find? They found that these diets high in fructose are linked to higher blood pressure, higher insulin resistance and fasting glucose and inflammatory conditions that are factors in the development of vascular and heart disease. They are also found to have lower levels of the good cholesterol or HDL.

The link between high fructose consumption and cardiovascular risk is even higher among the teenagers who have excess belly fat. This study was published in the Journal of Nutrition. It is therefore crucial to make sure there is a high quality of foods in our children. The way to do this is to be good role models.

Can You Live a Year Without Sugar?

This is a difficult question to answer unless we try it ourselves. Well, a family tried it and lived to tell the tale of their grand adventure. The mother started thinking of why she lacked energy and gathered information as to the cause and found the culprit to be sugar.

So she thought of how her family will survive a year without sugar. She put together all the information she gathered and made a plan to spend a whole year avoiding sugar. They cut out all items with added sweetener like honey, molasses, table sugar, maple syrup or even fruit juice. The only one they kept was if the sweetness was from the original source as in fruit.

They were surprised to find there was sugar in chicken soup, tortillas, sausages, salad dressings, crackers, cold cuts, mayonnaise bread and bacon and even baby food. So despite the curiosity on what would happen without sugar for a year, they were finding it not easy to do it because of all the foods they found that contained sugar.

But they continued on with this adventure with the grocery shopping changed along with the cooking. As the days passed, they were convinced that removing sugar in their diet will make them all healthier. But there was more! What they didn’t expect was that they will feel better in the real sense of the word.

So What Happened a Year Later?

They felt more energetic and enjoyed less the once a month treat of a dessert with sugar in it. This was the rule they decided to follow when they embarked on this no-sugar adventure. The thing was, as the months went by, they enjoyed the treat less and less until they gave up the monthly treat altogether.

They counted the number of days the kids were absent from school due to sickness during the year the family went without sugar and the previous year. One daughter just missed two days of school compared to the previous year of missing 15 days of school.

Breaking News That Matter to Diabetics

1. Inhaled insulin Is now available in US pharmacies.

This is such an important news for diabetics. Now they can have insulin without shots. How will this happen? Well, that’s because inhalable insulin is now available. And it is called Afrezza! Needless to say, this has taken the diabetics by storm!

2. Do you suffer from diabetes burnout? Here’s how to fix it.

Dealing with diabetes is stressful and this feeling could build up over time. There’s help from the experts: Prevention is key to avoiding burnout. Think positively. Be patient for this will lessen the stress. Be flexible and accept you can’t move forward. Talking to friends and family will help and so will getting help from mental health professionals.

3. Reaching Out to the Traveling Diabetics Among You

We have extra preparations to do before embarking on a trip. It’s fine; we understand that. What we have to do is for our safety. Not only will it keep us safe but also it will keep us enjoying the life we deserve despite diabetes. So if you need the traveler’s checklist that I was fortunate to come across, just say so in the comment box below and I will gladly send it to you.

Conclusion

There you have more information on the sugars and why we have to be careful with them as content in our food. Understanding all these will put us in the right direction. We know what we have to beware of , what beet sugar is like and the link between fructose sweetener and heart risk for teenagers.

Your Turn

What do you think of all of these? Did you learn something new? Do you have any information on this issue to contribute? What strategies do you use to avoid diabetes burnout? What’s your view on this? Love to hear your thoughts. Leave me a comment below and I’ll know.

By Roger Guzman, M.D. and Evelyn Guzman

Discover The Amazing Power of coconut oil Finally, the secret of coconut oil is exposed!

Refresh Understanding Glucose, Fructose and Sucrose

Blood Sugar Control All About It - Part Two

Disclaimer: This is not a medical advice column. We are PWDs or long time interested on learning as much as we can on this issue and freely and openly sharing the wisdom of our collected experiences — our been-there-done-that knowledge from the trenches. But we are not MDs, RNs, NPs, PAs, CDEs. Bottom line: we are only a small part of your total prescription. You still need the professional advice, treatment, and care of a licensed medical professional.

References
http://www.diabeticconnect.com/diabetes-slideshows/360-understanding-glucose-fructose-and-sucrose?utm_source=Newsletter&utm_medium=Email&utm_campaign=DCN_20150214&utm_term=1head#0
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K3f8a6bBbG4 share http://youtu.be/K3f8a6bBbG4
Beware "Natural" Beet Sug hatar: Not as Healthy as It Sounds http://www.diabeticconnect.com/diabetes-information-articles/general/632-beware-natural-beet-sugar-not-as-healthy-as-it- sounds?ugc=true#comments&utm_source=Newsletter&utm_medium=Email&utm_campaign=DCN_20150214
Discussion: Could You Last a Year without Sugar? http://www.diabeticconnect.com/diabetes-discussions/general/23484-could-you-last-a-year-without-sugar?discussion_message=318612&utm_source=Newsletter&utm_medium=Email&utm_campaign=DCN_20150214
Afrezza Inhaled Insulin Now Available http://www.diabetesdaily.com/blog/2015/02/inhaled-insulin-sanofi-mannkind-announce-afrezza/?utm_source=Diabetes+Daily&utm_campaign=48dd2f90c4-2015_02_18&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_168fcb2a95-48dd2f90c4-87244369
Diabetes Burnout: How to Find It and Fix It http://www.diabeticconnect.com/diabetes-information-articles/general/1642-how-to-understand-identify-and-resolve-diabetes-burnout?utm_source=Newsletter&utm_medium=Email&utm_campaign=DCE_20150223&utm_term=3head
Traveling Checklistfor Diabetes http://www.diabetesdaily.com/blog/2015/02/traveling-tips-for-diabetes/?utm_source=Diabetes+Daily&utm_campaign=2f1d14aa14-2015_02_25&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_168fcb2a95-2f1d14aa14-87025817

Blood Sugar Control All About It - Part Two

Introduction

In Part one, we covered the following 'Bionic Pancreas' Lowers Blood Sugar for Type 1 Diabetics, TOP 10 Foods that do NOT affect the blood sugar, Best Foods To Control Blood Sugar, Does Protein Affect Blood Sugar? Are There Guidelines, and Chocolate and Blood Sugars, Don’t Let This Happen To You!
For this Part Two, we will be covering the following topics that will help us have better sugar control:
1. How To Wake Up With Better Blood Sugars To Achieve the A1C Goals
2. New Drug to Lower Blood Sugar Approved By FDA
3. Dexcom G4 Platinum Continuous Monitoring System Approved for Children
4. Top 5 Tips to Keep Your Blood Sugar Levels Away from Complication Territory
5. Diabetes in Children – Blood Sugar Monitoring

How To Wake Up With Better Blood Sugars To Achieve the A1C Goals

What’s wrong with this blood sugar level? Here I am, working hard traveling through this straight and narrow road. Yet my blood sugar level goes up and down on a roller coaster ride. What else do I have to do? Well, let’s address this issue once and for all. Let’s delve into the three reasons why this is happening and learn what to do to achieve that A1C goal.

Welcome to the Get Blood Sugar Control YouTube Channel

1. What did you eat before going to bed?

Make sure you’re eating the right food that will help you know exactly how much insulin you need for it. If you’re not on insulin, eat foods that are lower in carbohydrates. Avoid strange foods and those with high fat and carbs because they affect the blood sugars for hours. Examples of these foods to avoid are fast food, pizza and Chinese food. So you will not get hungry late at night, eat more during the early part of the day like at breakfast or lunch. Over-eating at night could be due to not having eaten enough during the early part of the day. So make sure you eat enough food for breakfast and lunch.

2. When did you last check how much insulin and/or oral medications you need?

The insulin or medication may have worked before but they may not be working now. They should be fine-tuned every so often. They do not stay the same all our life. So if you’re on insulin, talk to your doctor about adjusting your basal rates, your meal bolus insulin-to-carb ratio Jennifer Smith CDE at http://integrateddiabetes.com/ IntegratedDiabetes.com!

Those on oral medication have two choices. They either have to decrease their carb consumption or to increase their medication. And if they are not on any oral medication yet, it will be wise to talk to your doctor about whether you have to start a diabetes oral medication.

3. Time to check your exercise habits.

Are you neglecting exercise as part of your treatment plan? Or have you even started yet? This is a very important weapon you have to keep in your arsenal to lower the blood sugar level and to increase the sensitivity to insulin. Walk 30 minutes after dinner and you will see the impact on your blood sugar.

If you exercise regularly, your body will burn more glucose even in the middle of the night while you sleep. How cool is that? So toss away all those excuses and make it a habit to exercise consistently. Find an exercise that you enjoy. Try swimming, playing golf, or even dancing. Your blood sugar will love it and you will wake up with better blood sugar level.

New Drug to Lower Blood Sugar Approved By FDA

There’s a new drug in town. FDA (short for Food and Drug Administration) has approved a drug that is supposed to lower the blood sugar level for those who have type 2 diabetes. It helps lower the blood sugar level by increasing the amount of glucose excreted in the urine. What is that drug you asked?

Know All About This Drug First

It is called Empagliflozin. I know you’re excited about this and who can blame you? Any news that helps lower the blood sugar level is welcome. But hold your horses. First off the bat, you have to learn as much as you can about this drug. Speaking of this, did you know Empagliflozin is classified as part of a group of drugs referred to as sodium glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors?

After you have learned about this drug, talk to your doctor to see if it is right for you to try this. And it does not end here. Once you begin taking it, keep a record of the start date and monitor how your body reacts to this new drug. See if you experience side effects. If the side effects are worse than what it is trying to treat, go tell your doctor you’re quitting it.

He won’t like it; I know because my doctor hates it when I tell her I am quitting a drug. But hey, it’s my body and no one can tell me what to do with it. She tells me I am the most non-compliant patient she has. Who cares? That reminds me of something I was told to take so I won’t sweat but its side effect is the risk for cancer. Duh!

How Does Empagliflozin Work?

Blood sugar comes from all the carbohydrates we eat. Normally, this is not a problem because the insulin makes us use that sugar for energy but the cells of the diabetics are not able to make enough insulin to do this job, making the blood sugar go to the bloodstream which is dangerous. Enter Empagliflozin that increases the amount of sugar excreted in urine.

Who Will Benefit From This?

It is for treating Diabetics with type 2 who can be helped while following the two main treatment options which are eating right and moving more. It will not help type 1 diabetics and those who have certain disorders in the kidney. Neither will it help those who suffer from diabetic ketoacidosis.

Dexcom G4 Platinum Continuous Monitoring System Approved for Children

What Is It?

Dexcom G4 Platinum Continuous Monitoring System was approved sometime ago by the US Food and Drug Administration also known as FDA. The agency said it is approved for use by those who are 2 years old up to seventeen years old where before its use is only approved for grown- ups.

What Does the Dexcom G4 Platinum Continuous Monitoring System Do?

It monitors the blood sugar of the user constantly. It checks when the blood sugar goes dangerously high and precariously low. It has a narrow sensor inserted under the skin. When it works together with a blood glucose meter, it helps doctors decide the proper treatment option.

What Is Its Performance Rating?

To evaluate its performance, a clinical study was conducted with 176 subjects ranging from 2 to 17 years of age. The Food and Drug Administration issued a warning that the device will not perform as accurately as in adults but it is till useful in alerting the users from very high or to very low readings.

Top 5 Tips to Keep Your Blood Sugar Levels Away from Complication Territory

Don’t lose heart when someone starts talking about complications. On the contrary, it should empower you to work at avoiding those complications. Keeping those blood sugar levels within target range should do it. If you already have nerve damage which is the most common complication, then stand up and start fighting again. That is what good soldiers do and by golly, we are going to do the same. To help with this, here are the 5 top tips.

Eat Healthy

This is the first weapon in your arsenal. A healthy diet with plenty of colorful fruits and vegetables, dairy, lean meats, whole grains and nuts will do it. Eat more often and in small portions like three meals a day with healthy snacks in between. Monitor the carb consumption as carbohydrates can make the blood sugar go on a roller coaster ride. Here are meal ideas that can help you!

Move More

Regular exercise with the healthy diet and medicine when it is prescribed can do wonders like keeping healthy weight and maintaining the right blood sugar level. This comes with some precaution though for sometimes exercise can make the blood sugar go dangerously low so talk to your doctor first. Be prepared with a healthy snack when you exercise.

Track The Blood Sugar Level

This can help you determine what to eat and how much to exercise. The recommendation is for the blood sugar level between 70 to 130 mg/dL before meals. Your doctor will let you know what is your own target level and keep within that range to keep the complications at bay.

Take Medications as Prescribed

Whatever form is the prescribed medication, whether it is in the form of pills or insulin, take them as prescribed. If it is insulin in your treatment plan, take care that you schedule it around your meals. Ask your doctor how often you should have it and when do you take it.

Have an A1C Test Two Times a Year

Having the A1C done will give a precise picture of the blood sugar control over time. Two times a year is enough if your blood sugar is within the healthy range but you may need more tests if you are experiencing trouble controlling your blood sugar level or you are changing your medication.

Diabetes in Children – Blood Sugar Monitoring

Diabetes in children makes it imperative to do blood sugar monitoring as part of the management. Both parents and children should know when the blood sugar is not within target range. This helps know how physical activities and food affect the blood sugar so if the child is taking insulin, it will be a guide to know how much short-acting insulin is needed. It is a good thing the blood sugar can be checked anytime anywhere with a glucose meter.

Why Do We Have to Monitor the Blood Sugar?

Blood sugar monitoring or testing will help warn of the low blood sugar which could become an emergency. Eating something with sugar can prevent an emergency situation from happening. On the other hand, blood sugar that is consistently high could lead to permanent damage to the heart, eyes, blood vessels, kidneys and nerves.

If the child is prescribed to take short-acting insulin, knowing the blood sugar level before a meal will help determine how much insulin is needed. Monitoring the blood sugar level will also help understand how exercise affects the blood sugar. Usually exercise lowers it while sickness and stress can lead to higher levels. This will help determine the need for adjustment to the treatment plan so tell the doctor the results of your monitoring at home.

How To Monitor the Blood Sugar

Step 1: Get organized.
Find out from the doctor how often to monitor and record the results. Make it into a habit like testing the blood sugar level before breakfast. Have all the supplies ready so each test can be done quickly. Check whether the strips have expired as this will give inaccurate results. Check also if the code numbers on the meter match those on the bottle for the testing strips. If they don't match, you can change the code numbers by following the directions that are in the meter.

Check the accuracy of the results of the meter by using the sugar control solution made by the manufacturer of the meter and follow the directions that came with it the first time you use a meter. Check it regularly and put the reminder in the child's bag so you will remember to do this.

Step 2: Do the actual test.

Children with type 2 may need only to check the blood sugar only once or two times a day but children who have type 1 diabetes need to test their blood sugar several times a day. Frequent testing will let one know how well the treatment plan is working. Here are the steps to take in monitoring the blood sugar level.

1. Wash both the tester and child hands with soap and water and use a clean towel to dry them well.
2. Place a clean lancet in the lancet device which holds and controls how deeply it goes down the skin.
3. Get a test strip from the bottle making sure to put the lid back on so the moisture will not affect the rest of the strips.
4. Get the blood sugar meter ready by following the instructions that came with the meter.
5. Stick the side of the finger tip of the child with the lancet.
6. Put the drop of blood on the strip making sure to cover the test part well.
7. Put pressure on the area where the needle was stuck with a clean cotton ball to stop the bleeding.
8. Read the results which the meter will show in a few seconds.

Step 3: Record the Result of the Test.
This is very important as the result will show what foods, exercise and other factors are keeping the blood sugar on the healthy range. Take all the results to the doctor so he will know what steps to take regarding the treatment plan. Manufacturers of diabetic supplies can provide you logs where you can write down the results of the test or you can use a plain notebook. Some meters can keep as many as 100 test results.

Here are some guidelines to succeed at monitoring the child's blood sugar level:

Keep the supplies and meter with the child the whole time.
Schedule the checking of the blood sugar in with the child’s routine so it becomes a habit.
Check if the meter is accurate during every visit to the doctor by comparing the results.
Prick the side of the child’s fingers as the finger tips are more sensitive.
Maintain and calibrate the meter with the test strips properly.

The aforementioned guidelines summary will help remind those who help take care of the children who have diabetes. As long as they are followed there should be no reason for anyone not to succeed at monitoring the child’s blood sugar thus making it easier to help look after the diabetes in children.

Alert Re: Blood Sugar Monitor

Resting the blood sugar should be done religiously. That is good, but remember, before exercise, it is crucial that this is done and get this, also every 30 minutes during exercise and about 15 minutes after. In addition, check your urine for ketones as their presence will mean an inadequate effect of insulin.

After blood sugar monitor you will know not to start exercising with the following conditions:
1. If your blood sugar level is over 250 mg/dL
2. If your blood sugar level is below 100 mg/dL
3. If ketones are present in your urine.

When your blood sugar monitor reveals that the reading is too high, your muscles may be opposed to using the present glycogen. In this case the liver will keep on breaking glycogen thinking you need this fuel, not knowing you’re resistant to glucose at this point. So your blood sugar just rises to the stratosphere.

Now when your blood sugar monitor shows the level is too low, the insulin effect may be too much so there will not be enough sugar available for exercise. You may be showing insulin resistance and therefore an insulin resistance test is needed. Very low blood sugar could lead to problems from a mild case of hypoglycemia to strictly lowered blood sugar level to the point of possible fainting, coma, convulsions and brain damage.

This does not need to happen because once your blood sugar monitor shows a low level, all you have to do is eat or drink a simple carbohydrate first like table sugar, sport drinks, milk, and soda pop. These can increase blood sugar level almost right away.

Conclusion

There you have it; everything you need to know about blood sugar. This you can add to your arsenal to better control the blood sugar level. Hopefully this knowledge will help prevent the wide swings the blood sugar level goes through despite our best effort. This additional weapon may just prevent the erratic movement we experience.

Your Turn

Now that you have more information on how to keep the blood sugar be on a more even keel, you may have more questions. Please write them in the comment box down below. And if you have more information on things on this two-part series, please let us know them as well so we can spread the word and add more knowledge on this very important issue of blood sugar control.

Roger Guzman, M.D. and Evelyn Guzman

Weird 30-Second Trick Cures Diabetes (You don’t Want to Miss This!) I’m talking about an all-natural, safe and permanent, yes that’s right permanent CURE for diabetes. I’m talking about not just covering up your diabetes symptoms through so called diabetes ‘management’ medications or treatments but tackling the root cause of your diabetes head on. All naturally, all safely, all by following this one of a kind method backed up by solid science.

This exact same secret has even led to the discovery of a simple, seemingly bizarre but highly effective 30 second trick...

To instantly increase your insulin sensitivity and energy expenditure, resulting in an immediate drop in blood sugar and rapid weight loss.

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References
1. Can Cinnamon Regulate Blood Sugar?
http://www.diabeticconnect.com/diabetes-information-articles/general/346-can-cinnamon-regulate-blood-sugar?utm_source=Newsletter&utm_medium=Email&utm_campaign=DCE_20141208
2. Expert Advice — Blood Sugar Lowering Effects of Eating Celery? http://www.dlife.com/diabetes/ask-an-expert?questionId=27537905&utm_source=Foodstuff-20141209&utm_medium=eNewsletter&utm_content=Foodstuff-newsletter&utm_term=Focused&utm_campaign=dLife-eNewsletter&
3. Best Foods for Blood Sugar Control http://www.diabeticconnect.com/diabetes-slideshows/213-best-foods-for-blood-sugar-control?utm_source=Newsletter&utm_medium=Email&utm_campaign=DCN_20141115
4. http://www.dlife.com/e/pdfs/4_Surprising_Foods_that_Fight_Fat.pdf 4 Foods That Fight Fat & Lower Blood Sugar
5. How Does Protein Affect Blood Sugar? http://www.diabetesdaily.com/voices/2014/10/how-does-protein-affect-blood-sugar/?utm_source=Diabetes+Daily&utm_campaign=c2e21b79ca-2014_01_14_Needle_Reuse1_14_2014&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_168fcb2a95-c2e21b79ca-87025817
6. Chocolate & Low Blood Sugars http://www.diabetesdaily.com/voices/2014/09/too-sweet-chocolate-low-blood-sugars/?utm_source=Diabetes+Daily&utm_campaign=ce16aae562-2014_01_14_Needle_Reuse1_14_2014&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_168fcb2a95-ce16aae562-87025817
7. http://www.dlife.com/diabetes/information/slide_show_pdf_files/new_pdfs/6_Bad_Breakfasts.pdf Bad Breakfasts
8. A1C Goals: How to Wake Up with Better Blood Sugars http://www.diabetesdaily.com/voices/2014/10/a1c-goals-how-to-wake-up-with-better-blood-sugars/?utm_source=Diabetes+Daily&utm_campaign=70f51f36b2-2014_01_14_Needle_Reuse1_14_2014&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_168fcb2a95-70f51f36b2-87025817
Disclaimer: This is not a medical advice column. We are PWDs freely and openly sharing the wisdom of our collected experiences — our been-there-done-that knowledge from the trenches. But we are not MDs, RNs, NPs, PAs, CDEs, or partridges in pear trees. Bottom line: we are only a small part of your total prescription. You still need the professional advice, treatment, and care of a licensed medical professional.

Copyright 2015 Roger Guzman, M.D. and Evelyn Guzman All rights reserved.

Blood Sugar Control All About It - Part One

Introduction

Consistently high blood sugar can spell trouble by increasing the risk of developing serious complications. Among these is nerve damage but don’t fret because our body is a scientific marvel that works well, regularly as clockwork at least until some unwelcome guest comes for a visit and decides to stay permanently. That is why we chose this topic for it is imperative that we control the blood sugar level. So this is what you will get from this presentation: 1. 'Bionic Pancreas' Lowers Blood Sugar for Type 1 Diabetics
2. TOP 10 Foods that do NOT affect the blood sugar
3. Best Foods To Control Blood Sugar
4. Does Protein Affect Blood Sugar? Are There Guidelines?
5. Chocolate and Blood Sugars, Don’t Let This Happen To You!

'Bionic Pancreas' Lowers Blood Sugar for Type 1 Diabetics.

"Bionic pancreas", What Are They?

They’re a device that employs a computer program in conjunction with some other devices used to manage diabetes. The trials have shown that they successfully managed the blood sugar level of both type 1 diabetic adults and children. What is important with this is that one may not have to do constant monitoring of the blood sugar anymore.
This lifted the burdens off the shoulders of type 1 diabetics since this device is essentially automated. That is why Edward Damiano who is the senior author and associate professor of the biomedical engineering department at Boston University said, “It’s diabetes without the numbers.”

How Can the Bionic Pancreas Help?

They contain both insulin and glucagon. We know that insulin lowers blood sugar while the glucagon raises it quickly. The bionic pancreas can deal with both for it has two insulin pumps, one each for glucagon and insulin. It also has a smartphone with the application of the computer program that controls the pumps which reports the blood sugar levels to the continuous glucose monitor.

What Now?

You can’t blame us to be skeptical because there have been lots of news that promise us relief only for them to fall down on the wayside. They say this is different for it is hoped that in 18 months, they will have an integrated machine that includes a reservoir each for the glucagon and insulin, the computer program and a continuous glucose monitor sensor. The device would also have two tiny tubes inserted under the skin every three days for the two hormones.

To start off our Food Section Relating to Blood Sugar, here’s a video on the TOP 10 Foods that do NOT affect the blood sugar

Best Foods To Control Blood Sugar

There are tricks and dietary tips we can use to lower the numbers in the blood glucose meters. One such tip is to eat foods that are blood sugar-friendly and this is what we aim to inform you so you can make the right choices. The good thing is that in addition to the improvement in the blood glucose reading, you could also trim down the waistline.

What To Eat for Optimal Blood Sugar Control

A healthy diet is the cornerstone for optimal blood sugar control. However, there are foods that do better at controlling the blood sugar. Here they are:
1. Non-starchy vegetables should occupy half your plate like broccoli, spinach, green beans, kale. They have high fiber and low carbs.
2. Nuts like walnuts, almonds and pecans are full of protein, healthy fat and fiber. Research has shown that eating 2.5 oz of nuts every day can lower the A1C levels for as much as 8% but eat just enough as they are high in calories.
3. Cinnamon, they say, may decrease the fasting sugar levels for as much as 10%. We sprinkle it in our oatmeal but you can do the same to sweet potatoes and coffee.
4. Quinoa makes it to many lists of super foods. Why? Because it is considered a complete protein. Half a cup of cooked quinoa has 20 grams of carbs and 6 g protein.
5. Chia seeds are not only good for sprouting green hair on figurines but they are also high in omega-3 fatty acids, one oz of which has 5g of protein and 11g of fiber, some say 10g per ounce or 2 tablespoons. The fiber it contains is of the soluble type which slows down the rise of blood sugar.
6. Strawberries are high in fiber so snack on them. Just watch the portions because of the sugar content.
7. Vinegar may help lower the blood sugar with just a spoon of vinegar. Studies have shown that apple cider vinegar slows down the rise of the blood sugar after a meal. A study at the University of Sydney showed that even one tablespoon of lemon juice or vinegar lowered the blood sugar level by as much as 25 to 30%. No wonder before the advent of drugs, the diabetics drank vinegar tea to help with blood sugar control.
8. Steel cut oats that is unsweetened is one of the best carbs for diabetics because its soluble fiber content is high so it will take longer to digest, thus will not make the blood sugar rise fast. Try it first with small portion because it affects people in different ways. Some get their blood sugar rise up.
9. Sourdough helps lower the blood sugar. That’s a surprise, isn’t it? We know that both white bread and whole wheat make the blood sugar go up but sourdough causes change in the composition of the bread that makes it lower the blood sugar. But keep the portions small, do you hear?
10. Green bananas or unripe ones you won’t like but there is a way to get around this. Substitute green banana flour in recipes so you will get the benefit of resistant starch. This is the kind of starch that resists the body’s digestive enzymes. They do not break down into sugar molecules and not absorbed in the blood stream. Instead they go all the way to the large intestine undigested.

Can Cinnamon Lower the Blood Sugar Level?

The contention is that cinnamon does more than give flavor to our food. For hundreds of years, the Chinese have employed cinnamon to ease arthritis pain, lower cholesterol and now many think that it lowers the blood sugar level. They say it can help reduce the resistance to insulin among type 2 diabetics.
So what does the research say? Research conducted at the Jiangsu University’s Clinical Medical College as well as at the University of California found similar results – that cinnamon helps blood sugar control for both type 2 diabetics and those diagnosed with pre-diabetes. However, if you combine this herbal remedy with medications that also lower the blood sugar, take precaution by talking to your doctor about this.

Can Eating Celery Lower the Blood Sugar Level?

Celery is a super food and you can consume it between meals without affecting the blood sugar but there is no evidence that it lowers it. It is not the celery that reduces the blood glucose, rather it is how long you have eaten foods rich in carbohydrates and the amount of activity you have done. You can try eating the same and eat the celery one day and skip it the next.
Chances are you will not see any difference or just a little bit in the blood sugar readings. The trouble with this little experiment is that it is not easy to replicate exactly what one eats and the activities one takes part in. So the jury is out; just enjoy this super food but don’t count on it to solve the blood glucose dilemma.

What Breakfasts Are Bad for Blood Sugar?

Some people know the good breakfast to eat for blood sugar control. For Danish and croissants, we know the verdict, that is, they are not good for blood sugar control. But there are things out there that could misinform you, foods that masquerade as healthy but they are not. Ready to bust them? Here we go.
1. English Muffin and Nonfat Yogurt – English muffins are high in carbs even the whole grain ones and yogurt is healthy but only if you choose those that are of full-fat type and unsweetened.
2. Granola – Nuts and whole grains are good but not when loaded with dried fruit and sugar.
3. SMOOTHIE – These are supposed to be good what with yogurt and fruit mixed together but there are lots of sugars in sweetened fruit juice, banana and fruit juice.
4. Low-fat Bran Muffin – This is supposed to be part of a healthy breakfast but when eaten with 1 cup of non-fat red grapes and skim latte, it has a total of 108 carbs.
5. Instant Oatmeal – This is supposed to be a good breakfast but you have to get the right kind like steel cut oats, old fashioned rolled oats and Irish oats.
6. Banana and Bagel – Don’t delude yourself to think that this combo is healthy by opting for a nonfat cream because even the mixed grain or multigrain variety, bagels have full of carbs and lacking in nutrition.
In other words, some foods are not blood sugar friendly yet they look deceptive. For English muffin, choose only the whole grains and just eat half. With yogurt, choose the unsweetened one. Nuts and grains are good in small portions but avoid those with added sugar and dried fruits. Bran muffins are okay if you avoid the super sized ones.
Bagels are deceptive because even if labeled as multi-grain or whole wheat, many have refined flour. Smoothies are okay without the added sugar from bananas and sweetened yogurt. Oatmeal is still fine but opt in for the right kind like the old-fashioned rolled oats.

Does Protein Affect Blood Sugar? Are There Guidelines?

Dr. Richard Bernstein says it is wise for diabetics to pay careful attention to protein consumption especially the complete animal protein. Here are some guidelines:
1. The liver and the kidneys can convert protein to glucose in a long-drawn-out and ineffective manner.
2. Because the conversion is slow, the diabetics may fail to see the elevated blood sugar spikes.
3. The example is that 3 ounces of hamburger patty could be converted into 6.5 g of glucose.
4. Animal proteins like fish, meat, eggs and chicken are around 20% protein by weight.
5. Dr. Bernstein recommends that we be consistent with protein consumption of about 6 ounces for each lunch.
6. His recommendation for non-athletic adults is to consume only 1 – 1.2 g of proteins per kilogram of ideal body weight.
7. The minimum protein intake he therefore recommends for a non-athletic adult who weighs 155 pounds is 11.7 – 14 ounces each day.
8. Of course, it goes without saying that athletes and growing children need more protein.
9. Just remember that each raw ounce of protein foods supplies around 6 g of protein.
10. So on Dr. Bernstein’s eating plan, just choose the amount of protein that will gratify you which is 3 ounces or between 6 and 9 ounces.
11. However, if you have gastroparesis, limit your protein intake in the evening to 2 ounces of cheese, eggs, ground meat or fish and have a larger protein portion at the two earlier meals.

Chocolate and Blood Sugars, Don’t Let This Happen To You!

What? Chocolate and blood sugars? What is it that I don’t want to happen? Well, there was once a lady shopping on Madison Avenue in New York City, when her blood sugar plummeted to the teens. She was desperate and didn’t bring anything to make her blood sugar behave. There were no restaurants around where she could have picked up a soda.
She was desperate as she entered a chocolate store and begged the person at the counter to give her anything and thankfully, the person complied despite her irrational behavior. She was lucky and explained after her blood glucose started to rise. So here is the take away lesson. Always have something in your pocket: a life saver or something.
Here's what you could try: Ultimate Juicing & Smoothie Recipes & Tips - 6th Edition!

Conclusion

There you have it; everything you need to know about blood sugar, at least for now. This is getting too long though so we have to divide this into two parts. But either Part 1 or Part 2, take care of the blood sugar and the diabetes will take care of you as it has done for countless others.
In Part Two we will cover the following topics on blood sugar. How To Wake Up With Better Blood Sugars To Achieve the A1C Goals, New Drug to Lower Blood Sugar Approved By FDA, Dexcom G4 Platinum Continuous Monitoring System Approved for Children, Top 5 Tips to Keep Your Blood Sugar Levels Away from Complication Territory and Diabetes in Children – Blood Sugar Monitoring.

Your Turn

The blood sugar level is so important in keeping complications away so I know you are taking good care at controlling it. Oh sure, we can make mistakes every now and then. We are allowed to make mistakes for we are humans after all. It is not a disgrace to make mistakes but it is a dishonor not to get up and start over.
Roger Guzman, M.D. and Evelyn Guzman
Weird 30-Second Trick Cures Diabetes (You don’t Want to Miss This!) I’m talking about an all-natural, safe and permanent, yes that’s right permanent CURE for diabetes. I’m talking about not just covering up your diabetes symptoms through so called diabetes ‘management’ medications or treatments but tackling the root cause of your diabetes head on. All naturally, all safely, all by following this one of a kind method backed up by solid science.
This exact same secret has even led to the discovery of a simple, seemingly bizarre but highly effective 30 second trick... To instantly increase your insulin sensitivity and energy expenditure, resulting in an immediate drop in blood sugar and rapid weight loss.
Don't Miss Reading These Related Posts.
http://freediabetesalert.blogspot.ca/2014/10/the-diabetic-foot.html http://freediabetesalert.blogspot.ca/2014/11/what-diabetics-want-you-to-know.html Tweet




References
1. http://www.diabeticconnect.com/diabetes-information-articles/general/1111-fda-approves-new-drug-to-lower-blood-sugar?utm_source=Newsletter&utm_medium=Email&utm_campaign=DCE_20141208&utm_term=1head#0
2. Article 132 Diabetes in Children - Part 7 Blood Sugar Monitoring We wrote this article sometime ago for Free Symptoms Diabetes Alert but are publishing this again for http://freediabetesalert.blogspot.com as part of the Blood Sugar web page.
3. Article 29 Blood Sugar Monitor We wrote this article sometime ago for Free Symptoms Diabetes Alert but are publishing this again for http://freediabetesalert.blogspot.com as part of the Blood Sugar web page.
4. http://www.diabeticconnect.com/diabetes-news/general/10517-bionic-pancreas-improves-blood-sugar-control-for-people-with-type-1-diabetes?utm_source=Newsletter&utm_medium=Email&utm_campaign=DCE_20141208
5. Blood Sugar Monitoring System Approved for Children http://www.diabeticconnect.com/diabetes-news/general/10190-blood-sugar-monitoring-system-approved-for-children?utm_source=Newsletter&utm_medium=Email&utm_campaign=DCE_20141208
6. How to Get Your Blood Sugar Under Control http://www.diabeticconnect.com/diabetes-information-articles/general/173-how-to-get-your-blood-sugar-under-control?utm_source=Newsletter&utm_medium=Email&utm_campaign=DCE_20141103
7. Blood Sugar TOP 10 Foods that do NOT affect the blood sugar 721435 share http://youtu.be/0xgeG2gtI0A

Copyright 2014 Roger Guzman, M.D. and Evelyn Guzman All rights reserved.

What Diabetics Want You to Know

Introduction

Diabetics find it frustrating to hear things from others who are thoughtless and bothersome when they say things they know nothing about. Many diabetics have felt this way about how ignorant some people are. Some people are just darn rude in making comments without knowing what the diabetics are really going through.

Thank goodness, some diabetics are not concerned too much about this anymore but others still do, so I hope writing this will make others more understanding and compassionate about making comments. It is easy to do so. All you have to do is put yourself in the shoes of the diabetics and you will be more careful what you say. Here are other things the diabetics want you to know.

1. We Feel Bad and We Can’t Tell You Why Because We Don’t Know the Answer.

When you ask me what’s wrong and I say I don’t know, just accept that. Just know that we are not pretending or making it up just to get sympathy. All we know is that we felt it as soon as we woke up and knew we had to take it easy that day. It could mean cancelling plans or staying in bed.

So, please we need you to believe in us. Do not ever think we are exaggerating the pain we feel. Even you saying that we look well is hurtful because that is a veiled denial of how we are actually feeling. Please don’t think we are being very sensitive when we react strongly to criticisms.

We get lonely and scared as to what will happen to us in the future but we know we have to stop thinking this way so we can cope. So instead we ask ourselves what’s bothering us and thought of how we could cope with this. How did we overcome this last time it happened? Did we talk to a doctor or did we ask for any other support?

We thought of how we could go through this bad day. Sometimes we run out of ways to cope and so we just give in. But that’s okay knowing we can’t control everything and we can’t blame ourselves for that. Ah, we know another escape mechanism which would be to just do something we enjoy doing like reading or watching a movie just to take the mind off the bad day.

We think of the big picture which is our life full of fun on the beach. This bad day and even a succession of bad days are just a small part of our life. So instead we force ourselves to be grateful, thankful for all the good days we have. And then we listen to our body and what it needs. Are we working too hard, then we slow down and get rested. You see, if you give us time, we can make the bad day a positive one for we learn to take care of ourselves better.

2. We Don’t Need Criticisms

Please do not criticize our choice of foods unless we asked your help with our diet. Know that we are already trying to control our meals to stabilize our blood sugar but there are always variation and not only from the food. Our medicine cabinet is testament to all things we have to do to achieve that control.

Just understand that there’s more to blood sugar control than food alone. There are dozens of them, hundreds in fact that keep us occupied. And all these can change our blood sugar level, minute by minute, despite all we have to do. So just leave us alone when we want a taste of that piece, a tiny piece of the slice of chocolate cake.

Keep your suggestions on how to fix our illness to yourself. Believe us when we say we have read research after research and all the cures and remedies. If there is one that will solve the situation we would have tried it already or our doctor would have recommended it. So don’t even think it that we caused this illness ourselves.

Good Control - Taking Control of Your Diabetes

3. Sometimes Our Emotions Get To Us

Our blood sugar is not the only thing that goes on a roller coaster ride, our emotions do too. If we get mad at you, it is not us that is doing the talking; it’s the diabetes and the emotional burden it brought to our lives. So please don’t judge us if we are being unreasonable sometimes for our words are not interpreted the right way. Why?

Understand that our moods change. We could be loving and kind one minute and all of a sudden become cold. That is because the illness is taking a toll on the body mind and spirit. Our emotions can go from sadness and anger, feeling let down and depressed. You see, the illness also affects our ability to maintain equilibrium.

It is because we have a chronic illness and we do not feel the same way like everyone else. Sometimes we feel we are not being supported so we feel misunderstood many a time. You say we look fine. This we hope will not lead to a communication breakdown that could affect the relationship. We are stressed enough without having to deal with more problems.

It is not easy for us to communicate our feelings. Sometimes we can’t find the words to describe how we feel about things we can no longer do. It is not comfortable to talk about them anyway so often times we just want to be left alone. We know this is also hard on our loved ones but it is what it is.

4. We Love Getting Your Support

Living with diabetes is not easy. It is a constant struggle every day and you won’t know it when you look at us. Why? Because we force ourselves to smile through the tears to mask the struggle we are going through. The struggle is real for it takes work and time to control the diabetes so support us for we do not want to become the statistics that too many diabetics fall into. So you know how much we need your love and support and we thank you from the bottom of our heart.

Just because you say we look fine, don’t assume we do not have a disability. Not seeing someone in a wheel chair does not mean there is no disability. Disability is sometimes invisible. Though we cannot see it does not mean the unbearable pain, tiredness and weakness do affect our daily life.

Besides, unless you’re living with this illness, you won’t really know what we are going through. We know you try to be understanding but when you say you’re tired too and wake up in pain, then you diminish our suffering. Say it differently like “Poor you, I can’t imagine how you feel.” Statements like that can make us feel better.

Then there is the worry about our loved ones because we need them so. When they are a little bit late coming home from work, we worry so, that is how dependent we are on them. Can you imagine how much harder our life would be without them? We are grateful for them for trying to help and understand us.

5. We Try Hard But Accept That We Can’t Control Everything

We work hard at controlling our blood sugar so please do not lecture us that if only we could control our blood sugar level we would be feeling better. Just know that we prick our fingers every day, sometimes several times a day and we visit our doctor often. Despite this the blood sugar still goes up and down no matter how hard we try.

And you know why? Stress can affect the blood sugar. So do pain and sleep patterns. And even any change in the barometric pressure can cause variations in the blood sugar. So that darn thing could keep wandering around. Even most doctors don’t agree on blood glucose targets and with diabetes treatment for that matter. How can we therefore control everything? How can anyone lecture us on what to do when even our doctors don’t agree on this?

And that machine we use to monitor our blood sugar? Well they are not accurate; they generate either minus or plus 15% of the reading. Why do we put up with this equipment? Actually the diabetes community is working hard to make it better. Meantime we put up with it because it is better than urinating on a strip and tasting it to see if it is sweet. So we accept the fluctuation because it is probably due to the fact fluctuations in blood sugar is normal blood sugar.

6. We Are Afraid What The Future Holds For Us.

We are afraid of getting worse. What will happen to our legs and feet when they hurt so much now? Our eyes are getting dim now too. What will happen if we can no longer see? What kind of future will we have? We don’t want our loved ones to suffer so from our disability. We will hate it so much to be a burden to them.

7. Despite The Pain and the Fear, We Remain Hopeful

We are glad to be hopeful because it helps make the situation better. How much more devastating this illness could be without hope. For one thing, we can deal with the challenges and accept them for what they are. We are also able to deal with our fears by maintaining a positive attitude.

Just like identical twins, no two diabetics are alike. They are not the same from day to day. Even for the same person no two days are alike. It is confusing I know but let us just accept that confusion and keep moving forward.

Just like no two people with diabetes (or pre-diabetes) are alike, neither are any two days for the same person alike. Anyway, we don’t want to accept and known as a sick because we are just as lovable and talented as the next guy. We just have to embrace that chaos and move forward!

Our loved ones give us hope for they are willing to get to know more about this illness. We find comfort in this. Someday we hope the researchers will find a cure for this so no one has to suffer from this. You see, being hopeful makes us feel better already. Being hopeful is empowering. Let us all join hands and hope and pray, a cure will soon be found!

Conclusion

There you are. We have expressed our feelings and feeling better for it. Please just ask me about my diabetes and how I feel. The more we share, the more confident we can become in controlling this disease.

Your Turn

How about you? Have you tried to express your feelings. How did you do it? What did you say? Which ones work well with you? Please, share them with us in the comment box below so we can help all our friends who are suffering from the same situation.

By Roger Guzman, M.D. and Evelyn Guzman

Weird 30-Second Trick Cures Diabetes (You don’t Want to Miss This!)

I’m talking about an all-natural, safe and permanent, yes that’s right permanent CURE for diabetes. I’m talking about not just covering up your diabetes symptoms through so called diabetes ‘management’ medications or treatments but tackling the root cause of your diabetes head on. All naturally, all safely, all by following this one of a kind method backed up by solid science.

This exact same secret has even led to my discovery of a simple, seemingly bizarre but highly effective 30 second trick...

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Copyright 2014 Roger Guzman, M.D. and Evelyn Guzman All rights reserved. Feel free to copy and distribute this provided the names of the authors and links remain the same.

Disclaimer: This is not a medical advice. We are just freely and openly sharing the wisdom of our collected experiences. Bottom line: You still need the professional advice and treatment of a licensed medical professional.

The Diabetic Foot

Introduction

The diabetic foot is a form of peripheral neuropathy which is most common type of nerve damage among the diabetes. It comes with so much pain and numbness and sometimes burning feeling to the feet and hands. Peripheral nerves are long that extend from the brain to the legs.

The culprit points to the high blood sugar level that brings damage to these nerves. The symptoms could be severe and usually with tingling in the feet and some burning sensation. There is loss of sensation that eventually put one at risk for foot problems like foot ulcers and infections. About half of the diabetics suffer from diabetic neuropathy.

Here’s a video on Diabetic Foot Examination - OSCE Guide
There can be an improvement as time goes by especially if the cause is treatable. There are medications and tools to use to reduce the pain caused by the diabetic foot like the Rebuilder 300 - Neuropathy Treatment . But make sure to get as much information first.

There will be a lot of issues to cover on this topic. We’ve only just begun with the definition. There are others we have to be concerned about like the symptoms, types, causes, the members of the health care team, the risks, prevention, complications, management and treatment.

We will also cover such things as where to get help or advice, diagnosis and tests, alternative treatment, home remedies and natural cures and of course that good old lifestyle changes. That is where treatment should start: eating healthy foods and moving more.

Damage to the nerves is the most common complication with the accompanying painful sensations. We know how this happens but mostly it is because of the high blood sugar level that is neglected more often than we want to admit.

There are four types of diabetic neuropathy of which we have already discussed the peripheral neuropathy. This is where we are getting a lot of questions on how to deal with this. The other three types are autonomic, focal and proximal.

Proximal neuropathy causes pains in the hips and buttocks which could make the legs weak while focal neuropathy causes weakness in any nerve. How about autonomic neuropathy, you asked? Well, this causes changes to digestion, bowel and bladder function, sexual reaction and to the nerves that affect the eyes, lungs, blood pressure and heart.

We will cover the aforementioned in details from one month to the next but for now let us deal with the diabetic foot. Management of this condition takes many forms. There’s eat healthy, exercise. Stop prolonged pressure and avoid things that cause damage to the nerves.

There is also the daily foot care we must undertake. We have to examine the feet for cuts, blisters, sores, redness and swelling. Call the doctor if some bruise does not heal after a day. Wash your feet with warm water every day but make sure you test the temperature of the water first.

Dry the feet well together with the area between the toes. Using the talcum powder can keep the skin dry. Put lotion or cream on top and the bottom of the feet but not between the toes. Socks and shoes should be worn at all times but not tight ones because these can make the pain worse.

Get some relief for diabetes leg pain. Doctors often give oral medications but there are other treatments. Talk to the members of your health care team for some options. Those who are suffering from severe pain may be get help from a combination of treatment.

Some medications include tricyclic antidepressants like duloxetine, anticonvulsants like pregabalin, and opoids and opoid-like drugs like oxycodone. Pregabalin and duloxetine are FDA approved for painful diabetic peripheral neuropathy.

The trouble with medications is that they have side effects. That is why some are not recommended for people with heart problems. Neither are some over the counter drugs like ibuprofen and acetaminophen recommended as they do not work well and have serious side effects.

Treatments can be applied to the skin like capsaicin cream and lidocaine patches. Researches have shown that nitrate patches for the feet and nitrate sprays may ease the pain. Also alpha-lipoic acid and evening primrose oil have relieved the symptoms.

A bed cradle can also keep the blankets and sheets from touching the sensitive feet and legs. Then there is biofeedback, acupuncture and physical therapy may ease the pain in some. Some forms of treatment involving laser or light therapy, magnetic therapy and electrical stimulation may help.

Conclusion

There you have it, the first lesson on the neuropathy on which the focus is on the diabetic foot. We have covered such areas as the symptoms and cause plus the management and treatment but most of all, we offered some suggestion on how to relieve the pain.

Your Turn

How about you? Have you tried some ways to relieve the pain> Which ones work well with you? Please, share them with us in the comment box below so we can help all our friends who are suffering from this needless pain alone.

By Roger Guzman, M.D. and Evelyn Guzman

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Refresh The Diabetic Foot

See the following for more information:

http://www.diabeticconnect.com/diabetes-information-articles/general/1103-could-this-neuropathy-diet-ease-your-pain?utm_source=Newsletter&utm_medium=Email&utm_campaign=DCE_20141006&utm_term=1head#0 Neuropathy-Diet-Ease-Your-Pain?

References:

Diabetic-Neuropathy-Symptoms

Relieving-Diabetic-Nerve-Pain

Copyright 2014 Roger Guzman, M.D. and Evelyn Guzman All rights reserved.

Fat Loss Secrets

Introduction

It is too bad we can’t continue on with the Diabetes Positive Approach Newsletter. There are just not enough people interested in it but I am just as committed to help you better your life with diabetes. So every once in a while, we will be sending you these alerts plus a special topic which in this case a lady doctor who is passionate with Fat Loss Secret. But first let’s get on with the alerts.

Must-Reads from Around the Web

'Bionic Pancreas' Lightens Concerns of Diabetes Patients

Secret Fat Burning Yoga Poses

Clever Ways to Get Diabetes Supplies & Devices to Those in Need

Blood Glucose Monitor Guide

Spend Next to Nothing on Your Diabetes Care

Here’s video on Top 10 Fat Loss Foods Why Are They Mad at This Lady Doctor? What Did She Do Wrong? It's unbelievable but true, quite a few people are mad at this lovely lady doctor. You will be surprised why. But this is the way some people are. When someone discovers something fantastic, then they start finding fault. They just don't want anybody to succeed like this lady doctor did.

I guess by now you are wondering what in heaven's name did this doctor do. You are itching to know why. I don't blame you but you know what? Some of you may even know her because that is how popular she is. In fact, I knew her for sometime now but I just didn't have time to write about her.

Well, I won't let you wait any longer. Her name is Dr Suzanne Gudakunst, and you will know more of her by the end of this page. What did she do, you asked? Well she is just someone who discovered something great, a cure for illness, disease or condition.

What is this cure? Well it is something everyone is looking for, something that will prevent them from getting sick. And that is not all. This discovery may also end obesity in people. Can you believe it? No wonder some are mad at her. They won't be able to sell all those diet things anymore.

Dr. Suzanne was able to zero in on what exactly makes people fat or obese. And not only that. She knows how to stop it on its track. And then she was able to link this to why people get sick making them suffer so and prematurely leave this earth.

You know what they are? They are parasites. Yikes! Apparently some species of these parasites and a goopy plaque that is left in the bowels makes one fat and develop an apple figure complete with a pouch or a beer belly. No wonder even if I don't eat anything after supper and decide to go to bed hungry just so I won't get fat, I still get that pouch!

I am not sick yet but I am not going to wait till that happens because sooner or later, as Dr. Suzanne found, those parasites and goopy plaque are directly linked to more than 99% of all diseases like cancers, arthritis, heart disease and you got it right. Diabetes as well!

Now enter our new best friend, Dr. Suzanne who found a natural remedy that will flush out all these parasites and plaques out to oblivion where they belong. People who use her formula have reported some weight loss of 100 lbs or more.

Those people who lost some weight did so without changing the way they eat. Mind you, please don't give up on eating healthy now! This weight loss is not the only good thing that happened to these people. Their heart disease, even cancer and yes, diabetes too, left without saying goodbye.

Now do you see why some people are mad at this doctor? The people who have stopped getting fat, stopped getting sick, have also stopped buying stuff that was supposed to make them feel better are now healthy and much happier, thank you very much.

So now you probably want to know what this Fat Loss Secret is all about. See it for yourself and you will get as excited as I am. Once you see what she has for you, you will be amazed too. But here’s another one better than that. Try this for a 60-day money-back guarantee to make your dream body a reality. Called THE VENUS FACTOR.

It is the first and only weight loss plan designed to dramatically increase female metabolism and bring out the sexy goddess in you by delivering fast, long term, enjoyable fat loss... ...without restricting the foods you crave most, without working yourself in some death trap contraption, and most certainly WITHOUT working against your body so your fat loss process becomes simple, and even ENJOYABLE.

Conclusion

There you have the fat loss secret everyone has been dreaming about. Thank goodness now it is no longer a secret. You can try all the different ways like eating the right kinds of food shown in the video or for women follow The Venus Factor to make your dream body a reality.

Your Turn

Which one works for you? Please share them with us in the comment box below.

By Roger Guzman, M.D. and Evelyn Guzman

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Copyright 2014 Roger Guzman, M.D. and Evelyn Guzman All rights reserved.

Diabetes Positive Approach Newsletter #1408 on Heart Healthy Lifestyle

Welcome to Diabetes Positive Approach Newsletter #1408 issue on Heart Healthy Lifestyle. Studies have shown that there is a correlation between diabetes, heart attack and stroke. There are quite a few statistics on the gloom and doom scenario regarding this connection, but we will not dwell on that. Why? Because we will cut them down to size. We will show them we can do it. How? Read on and find out.

By the way before we continue, without your feedback, I cannot go on with this newsletter. It takes hours of work which I don’t mind but without anyone benefiting from this, it will be an exercise of futility. So let me read ten comments from you in the contact form below and I will continue on with this. Otherwise, this will be the last issue. I will just send you alerts from time to time.

In This Issue:

• Must-Reads From Around the Web"
• Alerts I Can’t Resist To Send You"
• A Success Quotation of the Month"
• Dessert Recipe"
• Some Humour"
• Q&A: How is Stroke Treated?"

All About Heart Healthy Lifestyle”

A healthy lifestyle can help prevent heart disease. If heart disease runs in the family, you can't change that, but there are steps you can take to control the other risk factors like cholesterol, high blood pressure, smoking and central obesity. Despite the dismal statistics for diabetics when it comes to the heart, you can help keep your heart and blood vessels healthy. You can do so by taking the following steps.

1. Eat a heart healthy diet. Have at least 14 grams of fiber every day for every 1,000 calories you eat like oatmeal, oat bran, cereals and whole grain bread, dried beans and peas and fruits and vegetables. Make sure you increase the fiber intake gradually so you will avoid digestive problems.

Have no more than 300 milligrams a day of cholesterol in your diet. They are in meat, eggs and dairy products. Cut down on saturated fats as well, for they raise the blood cholesterol level. Saturated fat is found in poultry skin, dairy products with fat, meats, butter, shortening and lard like palm and coconut oil. Coconut oil has lately been found to be good for us though.

Cut down also on the amount of trans fat as they raise the cholesterol level. Lower your consumption of cookies, cakes, microwave popcorn, fried foods and salad dressings including other foods that are made with partially hydrogenated oil.

Choose healthful meal and snack options to avoid heart disease and its complications. And make sure to eat plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables.

Eating foods low in saturated fat and cholesterol and high in fiber can help prevent high blood cholesterol. Limiting salt or sodium in your diet can also lower your blood pressure.

2. Keep active by exercising regularly. Being active not only help in maintaining a healthy weight but also it lowers the blood pressure and the unhealthy cholesterol levels. Do you want to know how much exercise should you do to accomplish this? Well, the Surgeon General himself recommends 2 hours and 30 minutes each week of exercise that is of moderate intensity.

Physical activity that is done on a regular basis helps maintain healthy weight, makes bones, joints and muscles stronger and lowers the risk for many diseases. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention is putting into practice a policy with a plan to make eating healthy and being active, more reasonably priced and available for all.

What can you do for you and your family? More and more people walk to better health. Take action for your family. Get everyone to walk with you. More people walk for fun or for transportation, exercise or relaxation or for such activities as walking the dog. Brisk walking, swimming, bicycling and running are aerobic activities that make one breathe harder which in turn makes the heart healthier.

What can you do where you work? Healthy workers are productive workers. There is a guide to put into action in the Physical Activity Guidelines in the workplace. Bring this to the attention of the employer because there are steps to build and sustain physical activity and wellness programs.

What can you do for your community? Find out what the communities can do to make it easier for the residents to be physically active. There is a guide that will help the policy makers and program managers on how to select approaches so the residents in the community can keep physically active.

3. Keep a healthy weight. This is important because being obese and overweight can raise one’s risk for heart disease. Do you want to know if your weight is within the healthy range? Well doctors compute a number that is called BMI or Body Mass Index where you can calculate your BMI which is a dependable indicator of body fatness. I am going to put here a widget for you to use but I am not sure whether that will work so I am also offering you the above link.

Or you can determine your BMI by finding your height and weight in this BMI Index Chart. If your BMI is less than 18.5, you are "underweight" . If your BMI is 18.5 to 24.9, you lucky duck, for you have "normal" or Healthy Weight. If your BMI is 25.0 to 29.9, sorry for you are "overweight". If your BMI is 30.0 or higher, very sorry for you’re within the "obese" range.

Don’t worry though because eating healthy and exercising more will give us normal weight.

4. Quit smoking. Smoking seriously raises the risk for heart disease. The Surgeon General says, “evidence has linked smoking to diseases of nearly all organs of the body.” So don’t start if you don’t smoke, and quit if you’re smoking for this will reduce your risk for heart disease. Your doctor can help you stop smoking.

5. Limit alcohol consumption. Drinking alcohol excessively can lead to health problems like liver diseases, cancer, high blood pressure, violence and injuries. What is excessive alcohol use? It’s 4 or more drinks on an event for women and 5 or more for men. Thank goodness we can get help from CDC's Alcohol and Public Health Web site to overcome this.

Some people don’t know whether they have a drinking problem or not. How do you know if you are one of these people? It’s easy. If your drinking is making you have problem in your relationship, then you have a drinking problem. The same thing is true when you are having problem in schools, in how you feel and think and in social activities. Consult with your health care team if you or someone you know might have this problem.

6. Take low-dose aspirin. Taking this every day can decrease the risk for stroke and heart disease, but talk to your doctor first because this is not for everyone. In fact, the latest news on low-dose aspirin is that FDA Has Reversed Its Position on Daily Aspirin if you haven’t had a heart attack. You don’t believe me? Read this and be surprised!

Here are some important information from that report:

Aspirin May Cover up a Cardiac Event in Progress.

Studies Reveal Aspirin Miserably Failed at Preventing Heart Attacks

Aspirin Tears Down the Lining of Your Gastrointestinal Tract

Aspirin Raises the Risk of Bleeding

When I read that report and it’s from a very reliable source, I was floored. I have been taking the low-dose aspirin for a long time. I knew about the bleeding risk but I was prepared for that if it meant, I won’t suffer from a heart attack. But I suppose we learn as we grow from year to year. That is why it is important to keep track of developments.

But we know there is a better way to avoid heart attack. The key is to address chronic inflammation. And how do we do that? Just do the good old lifestyle changes like healthy diet, regular exercise, sunshine, and grounding. Grounding is basically contact with the earth with bare skin. Let’s go barefoot walking sometimes but take precaution with the diabetic feet.

7. Treat Transient Ischemic attacks (or TIAs) promptly. This is sometimes called mini-stroke and treating this early can prevent stroke in the future. Sudden weakness, blindness on one or both eyes, loss of balance, severe headache, double vision and difficulty speaking are some signs with most going away, likely with no permanent damage. But TIA could be a precursor for a future stroke.

Here’s a video on Diabetes and Heart Disease



2. Must-Reads from Around the Web

Diabetes and Heart Disease

Diet and Exercise Beat Drugs for Diabetes Heart Risks

Diabetes - Dr. Fuhrman

Diabetes care: 10 ways to avoid diabetes complications

Long-Term Complications of Diabetes - KidsHealth

3. “Alerts I Can’t Resist To Send You

If you took Actos You May Be Eligible for Financial Compensation

Report on increased rate of hospitalization for heart failure with use of saxagliptin (marketed as Onglyza and Kombiglyze XR) compared to an inactive treatment.

Despite rosiglitazone's effectiveness at decreasing blood sugar in type 2 diabetes mellitus, its use decreased as studies showed apparent associations with increased risks of heart attacks and death

FDA Warns Statin Users of Memory Loss and Diabetes Risks

Eating breakfast may reduce risk of obesity, diabetes, heart disease

4. A Success Quotation of the Month“

“Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.” Winston Churchill

5. Dessert Recipe”

Wacky chocolate cake

6. Some Humour - Let's laugh together at the joke below even if it's not funny. Bakerman said, “Hazardous to illness, humor leads to laughing, smiling, and good feelings” Isn’t that so true? It cannot be denied that laughter and humor can make one feel good. When you come to a difficult situation, laughter can take the edge off of it.

The only trouble is that my jokes are kind of lame so this may be the last issue unless I get ten names in the contact form below. There is no sense spending hours to write this newsletter if nobody is reading it. I will just send alerts or something important to share with you

I Think This is Funny.

Girl: If you’re my husband, I will put poison in your coffee.

Boy: You know what? If you‘re my wife, I will drink it.

7. Do you have a question or comment for the team?

Drop us a line at diabetes.alertatgmail.com. Put on the subject line “Diabetes Positive Approach” so no one can mistake it as spam. Write your questions or comment there.

You may see your question answered in an upcoming issue of Diabetes Positive Approach like the one below.

7. How Is Stroke Treated?"

Answer: As soon as you know you have stroke, call 911 and get medical help right away. How do you if you have stroke? If you’re suddenly feeling numbness or weakness one side of your body, feeling confused, dizzy, severe headache, being confused suddenly, having trouble walking and talking, having trouble in both eyes or just one but could be having double vision.

So call for help right away in order to prevent permanent damage if you do this within the hour of the occurrence. The doctor will give you tests like neurological examination to check your nervous system, blood tests, x rays, special scans and ultrasound exan. To dissolve the blood clots, the doctor may give you some clot-busting medicine.

Other treatments for stroke includes medications and physical therapy, as well as surgery to repair the damage. Meal planning and physical activity may be part of your ongoing care. In addition, you may need medications to lower your blood glucose, blood pressure, and cholesterol and to prevent blood clots. 8. Got something to say? Please write down your questions and comments in Facebook.

Just go to the https://www.facebook.com/pages/Free-Diabetes-Alert/22286671840 Just copy and paste that on your browser. Facebook will want you to join me first before you can send me a message.

Conclusion

Now that we know more about glycemic index, we feel good because the next step will be easier but not for the crowd we left behind for they do not belong to our exclusive group. No matter what happens now, know that you are not alone for many of us have gone through failures and frustrations. The only thing we ask of you is to set a good example for others. Then no one will have to set the rules for us.

Your Turn

How about you? Do you know more about glycemic index? Please share them with us in the comment box below or at the email address below the authors‘ names. If my host will agree, I will publish it here with your name as the contributor.

Warm Regards,

Roger and Evelyn Guzman diabetes.alertatgmail.com

Here’s a guy who does not believe in Glycemic Index. Instead, he believes in a solution called 4 Cycle Fat Loss Solution. He said Until You Discover Exactly HOW To Eat High Carb Foods The RIGHT Way, You’ll NEVER Burn Off “Stubborn” Belly Fat.

Today’s diet industry relentlessly markets dangerous low-carb plans that can cause chronic "Metabolic Damage" and SLOW DOWN Your Metabolism. The High Carb foods you THINK you need to avoid actually burn WAY MORE fat than all the low carb health foods you eat everyday.

But do you really think lean and healthy people, like the Japanese, obsess over choosing low glycemic foods, counting calories and carb grams? Absolutely not. Here is the link again. 4 Cycle Fat Loss Solutiona>.

Have More Fruits and Vegetables for a Healthy Lifestyle!

Did you like this newsletter? If so, please recommend it to your friends. If you have any questions or tips, please leave a comment at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Free-Diabetes-Alert/22286671840 Just copy and paste that on your browser. Facebook will want you to join me first before you can send me a message.

Remember that all these are for your information only. They do not take the place of the treatment and advice of health care professionals. You should continue to consult and work with them.

Please get permission if you want to publish this. Also, this newsletter disclaims all responsibility for any product mentioned. Please do not rely on the newsletter having examined or endorsed any product unless the author clearly said it. You are advised to exercise due diligence before buying.

Know somebody who'd like to read this? Please forward it to your family, friends, coworkers, and anyone else that you think might need or enjoy it. Thank you for your help and support.

References:

http://www.cdc.gov/nutrition/everyone/index.html

http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2014/08/04/daily-aspirin-side-effects.aspx?e_cid=20140804Z1_DNL_art_1&utm_source=dnl&utm_medium=email&utm_content=art1&utm_campaign=20140804Z1&et_cid=DM54467&et_rid=609697178

CDC's Alcohol and Public Health Web site

http://betobaccofree.hhs.gov/quit-now/index.html#how

http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/educational/lose_wt/BMI/bmi_tbl.htm

http://www.cdc.gov/healthyweight/assessing/bmi/

BMI Index Chart

http://www.cdc.gov/obesity/downloads/PA_2011_WEB.pdf

http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dnpao/hwi/toolkits/pa-toolkit.htm

This newsletter is copyright 2014 Roger Guzman, M.D.