diet

The Food We Eat Influences The Blood Glucose Level

People with diabetes need to control their blood glucose closer to normal level. Whether they are patients of type 1 or type 2 diabetes, they must know it everyday. Our blood glucose is normal if it is between 70 and 110 mg/dl measured at 8 hours fasting. But it is not easy for patients of diabetes to keep their blood glucose at these levels. It is realistic if we can control our fast blood glucose and 2 hours after meal to be under 200 mg/dl. If the level is too low (typically less than 70), patients will experience hypoglycemia. In this condition, patients will tremble, feel weak and very hungry. Sweet food or drinks such as sprite and fanta or coca cola coke soft-drinks, fruit juice, biscuits or glucose tablets will be needed to raise the blood sugar level. If the blood sugar level is too high, then insulin injection is needed to lower it. Fast-acting carbohydrate such as apple or orange juice, grapes and regular soda can raise our blood glucose back to normal.

            The levels of blood glucose are not always the same after meal. They depend on the kind of foods that we usually eat. If we measure them by ourselves, we will able to understand why our blood glucose is rising or falling. We can also know when the level is at its highest point or at its lowest point. Then, we will be able to take action to balance it.
            The food that we eat will certainly raise our blood glucose. One to two hours after meal, the blood glucose will rise to its highest level. So, we have to measure the amount of food that we eat. We need to control our daily meal, and our lunch, and dinner time so that we will be able to know when and how our blood glucose rises or falls. By doing that, we will be able to adjust the amount of insulin injection or medicine that we need to overcome hyperglycemia.

            Various kinds of food causes various blood sugar level glucose level. Our food contains carbohydrate, protein, and fat. These three components raise the But carbohydrate is the strongest component that raises the glucose level. by Charles Roring

Vitamins D and The Diet

Studies in recent years have found that vitamin D may do more to keep people healthy than just build strong bones. But how much is enough, and how much is too much?

Vitamin D helps bones and muscles grow strong and healthy. Low levels of vitamin D can lead to problems like rickets and osteoporosis. Rickets is a deformity mainly found in children. Osteoporosis is the thinning of bone, a common problem as people, especially women, get older.

Studies in recent years have suggested that vitamin D may also have other uses. Studies have shown that low levels of D may increase the risk of heart attacks in men and deaths from some cancers. Other studies have shown that people with rheumatic diseases often have low levels of D.

The easiest way to get vitamin D is from sunlight. The ultraviolet rays react with skin cells to produce the vitamin. But many people worry about skin cancer and skin damage from the sun.

Also, darker skinned people produce less vitamin D than lighter skinned people. Production also decreases in older people and those living in northern areas that get less sunlight.

Not many foods naturally contain vitamin D. Foods with high levels include oily fish such as salmon, tuna and mackerel, and fish liver oils. Boston University researchers reported in two thousand seven that farmed salmon had a lot less vitamin D than wild salmon.

Small amounts of D are found in beef liver, cheese and egg yolks. And some people take dietary supplements containing the vitamin. But most of the D in the American diet comes from foods like milk with the vitamin added.

These days, more doctors are testing for vitamin D levels in their patients. But as research continues, some experts worry that if people take too much D, it might act as a poison. Also, skin doctors warn people to be careful with sun exposure.

How much vitamin D does a healthy person need? Nutrition experts who advise the American government set the current recommendations in nineteen ninety-seven. The daily amount is two hundred international units from birth through age fifty. Then it rises to four hundred I.U.s through age seventy, and six hundred for those seventy-one and older. But some groups say these amounts are not high enough.

The Relation Between Diabetes and Blood Sugar

by Charles Roring

The most important thing which patients of diabetes must do is learning how to control their blood sugar. Food consists of protein, carbohydrates, fat, and also fiber. All of us have to combine these elements in ratio that is suitable for our bodies. Everybody has his or her own food ratio. Next time, if we want to eat something, we can start making changes in our food intake ratio. One or two hours after eating our foods, we can measure our blood glucose level. Make sure that it is within the allowable range. If it is always above 200 mg/dl, it means we have suffered from diabetes.

Glucose always exists in our blood. Our body needs it as fuel to function well. Glucose is a simple form of sugar. It is derived from the food which we consume everyday. When the food has reached the stomach, it will be digested and processed. Carbohydrates, protein, and fat from our food are processed by our digestive system to generate energy. Excessive energy is changed into fat. Glucose can easily be obtained from carbohydrates.

Foods that are categorized as the source of carbohydrates are bread, rice, grains, pasta and fruit. Some foods such as palm sugar and refined sugar are classed as simple carbohydrates whereas others such as grains and tubers are classed as complex carbohydrates. Foods such as honey, white rice, French bread release their energy quickly. They have high glycaemic value. If we plan to work hard during the day, we will need such foods to supply us with sufficient energy so that we will not become weak during and after work. However, if what we do are typing and filing, we should choose foods which contain low glycaemic value such as oats, basmati rice and raw carrots.

When we eat foods of high glycaemic value but we don't work hard, the excessive amount of sugars that are released will be stored in our body. To do this we need the insulin. This hormone is produced by pancreas. Insulin maintains our blood sugar to an acceptable level. If we always eat high glycaemic foods, we will need more insulin. More insulin is also needed if we frequently drink alcohol. Eating fast-releasing energy foods such as cereal, a cup of coffee or apple juice will cause our blood sugar rises rapidly. It will trigger the release of insulin.

Pancreas may become exhausted. Failure of insulin producing cells in the islets of Langerhans of pancreas leads to diabetes. To avoid this disease, we need to balance our foods so that they will not always bring pressures to pancreas. Our meal should be the combination of foods that contain complex carbohydrates, fiber and some protein.

Gestational Diabetes

If your blood sugar level first becomes too high when you are pregnant, you have gestational diabetes . It usually goes back to normal after the baby is born.

High blood sugar can cause problems for you and your baby. Your baby may grow too large, which can cause problems during delivery. Your baby may also be born with low blood sugar. But with treatment, most women who have gestational diabetes are able to control their blood sugar and give birth to healthy babies.

Women who have had gestational diabetes are more likely than other women to develop type 2 diabetes later on. You may be able to prevent or reduce the severity of type 2 diabetes by staying at a healthy weight, eating healthy foods, and increasing your physical activity.

What causes gestational diabetes?

The pancreas makes a hormone called insulin . Insulin helps your body properly use and store the sugar from the food you eat. This keeps your blood sugar level in a target range . When you are pregnant, the placenta makes hormones that can make it harder for insulin to work. This is called insulin resistance .

A pregnant woman can get diabetes when her pancreas cannot make enough insulin to keep her blood sugar levels within a target range.

How is gestational diabetes diagnosed?

Almost all women are tested for gestational diabetes between the 24th and 28th weeks of pregnancy. If your doctor thinks you are more likely to get gestational diabetes, you may be tested earlier.

Gestational diabetes is diagnosed with two blood tests. In the first test, your blood sugar level is tested 1 hour after you drink a small cup of a sweet liquid. If your blood sugar is too high, you will need to do a longer, 3-hour glucose test. If your blood sugar goes above a certain level, you have gestational diabetes.

How is it treated?

Some women with gestational diabetes can control their blood sugar level by changing the way they eat and by exercising regularly. These healthy choices can also help prevent gestational diabetes in future pregnancies and type 2 diabetes later in life.

Treatment for gestational diabetes also includes checking your blood sugar level at home and seeing your doctor regularly.

You may need to give yourself insulin shots to help control your blood sugar. This man-made insulin adds to the insulin that your body makes.

Cause

During pregnancy, an organ called the placenta develops in the uterus . The placenta connects the mother and baby and makes sure the baby has enough food and water. It also makes several hormones. Some of these hormones make it hard for insulin to do its job—controlling blood sugar—so the mother's body has to make more insulin to keep sugar levels in a safe range. Gestational diabetes develops when the organ that makes insulin, the pancreas , cannot make enough insulin to keep blood sugar levels within a target range.

Symptoms

Because gestational diabetes does not cause symptoms, you need to be tested for the condition. This is usually done between the 24th and 28th weeks of pregnancy. You may be surprised if your test shows a high blood sugar. It is important for you to be tested for gestational diabetes, because high blood sugar can cause problems for both you and your baby.

Sometimes, a pregnant woman has been living with diabetes without knowing it. If you have symptoms from diabetes, they may include:

• Increased thirst.
• Increased urination.
• Increased hunger.
• Blurred vision.

Pregnancy causes most women to urinate more often and to feel more hungry, so having these symptoms does not always mean that a woman has diabetes.  Talk with your doctor if you have these symptoms, so that you can be tested for diabetes.  

What Happens

Most women find out they have gestational diabetes after being tested between the 24th and 28th weeks of their pregnancy. After you know you have gestational diabetes, you will need to make certain changes in the way you eat and how often you exercise to help keep your blood sugar level within a target range . As you get farther along in your pregnancy, your body will continue to make more and more hormones. This can make it harder and harder to control your blood sugar. If it is not possible to control your blood sugar with food and exercise, you may also need to give yourself shots of insulin.

Just because you have diabetes does not mean that your baby will have diabetes. Most women with gestational diabetes give birth to healthy babies. If you are able to keep your blood sugar level within a target range, your chances of having problems during pregnancy or birth are the same as if you didn't have gestational diabetes.

In rare cases, a mother or her baby has problems because of high blood sugar. These problems include:

• High blood pressure in the mother caused by preeclampsia .
• A baby that grows too large. If an unborn baby receives too much sugar, the sugar can turn into fat, causing the baby to grow larger than normal. A large baby can be injured during vaginal birth and may need to be delivered surgically ( C-section ).
• After the baby is born, the extra insulin may cause the baby's blood sugar level to drop below the target range. If the baby's blood sugar level drops too low, he or she may need to be given extra sugar. Babies can also develop other treatable problems after birth, including low blood calcium levels, high bilirubin levels, and too many red blood cells.

Most of the time, gestational diabetes goes away after a baby is born. But if you have had gestational diabetes, you have a greater chance of having it in a future pregnancy and of developing type 2 diabetes . More than half of women who develop gestational diabetes will develop type 2 diabetes later in life.

What Increases Your Risk

You have an increased chance of developing gestational diabetes if:

• You are 25 or older when you become pregnant.
• You have had gestational diabetes before.
• You have given birth to a baby who weighed more than 9 lb (4 kg).
• You weighed more than 9 lb (4 kg) when you were born.
• You have a parent or sibling who has type 2 diabetes .
• You are not physically active before pregnancy.
• You are obese (your body mass index [BMI] is 30 or higher).
• You are a member of a racial group or ethnic group that has a high risk of diabetes.
• You have polycystic ovary syndrome .
• You have a dark skin rash called acanthosis nigricans on the back of your neck or in folds on your body.
• You take corticosteroid medicine.
• You have a history of prediabetes.
• You have a history of problems during pregnancy.

When to Call a Doctor

Call your doctor if you have gestational diabetes and:

• You notice a change in the pattern of fetal movements called kick counts , or you stop having them.
• You are taking insulin and you have not talked with your doctor about how to deal with low blood sugar levels.
• Your blood sugar level does not rise above 70 mg/dL after following the steps for dealing with low blood sugar.
• Your blood sugar level is above normal and you have not talked with your doctor about how to deal with high blood sugar.
• You are taking insulin and your blood sugar level stays high after taking a missed dose of insulin or taking an extra dose of insulin (if prescribed by your doctor).
• You have problems with high or low blood sugar levels. If you are taking insulin, you may need to change how much you are taking.
• You are sick for more than 2 days (unless it is a mild illness, such as a cold) and you:
• Have been throwing up or have had diarrhea for more than 6 hours.
• Think your symptoms, such as feeling very thirsty and weak, are being caused by high blood sugar.
• Have tried the home treatments suggested by your doctor, and they have not worked.
• Have blood sugar levels consistently above your target range.

You should also call your doctor if you think you have symptoms of high blood sugar, such as increased thirst, increased urination, increased hunger, and blurred vision.

Watchful Waiting

Watchful waiting is a wait-and-see approach. If you get better on your own, you won't need treatment. If you get worse, you and your doctor will decide what to do next. Watchful waiting is not appropriate if you are pregnant and have risk factors for or symptoms of gestational diabetes.

Watchful waiting also is not appropriate if you are taking insulin and have symptoms of low blood sugar that do not go away after following the steps for dealing with low blood sugar.

Who to See

Health professionals who can diagnose and treat gestational diabetes include:

• A specialist in the care of pregnant women ( obstetrician )..
• A family medicine doctor or general practitioner who has an interest or training in gestational diabetes.

If you need insulin shots, you may see a specialist called an endocrinologist or a doctor who specializes in high-risk pregnancies called a perinatologist . After a visit with a specialist, you can usually return to the care of your regular doctor.

After you are diagnosed with gestational diabetes, you may be referred to other health professionals who can help you understand what gestational diabetes means. These may include:

• A certified diabetes educator (CDE). A CDE is a registered nurse, dietitian, doctor, pharmacist, or other health professional who has training and experience in caring for people who have diabetes. A CDE can help you understand how to take care of yourself and help you adjust to living with gestational diabetes.
• A registered dietitian . All women who have gestational diabetes need to see a dietitian for help choosing the best foods. Follow-up visits with a dietitian are helpful if you need to change your eating habits.

Exams and Tests

Almost all women are tested for gestational diabetes between the 24th and 28th weeks of pregnancy. If your doctor thinks you are at increased risk for gestational diabetes, you may be tested earlier.

Gestational diabetes is diagnosed with an oral glucose tolerance test . Your blood sugar is tested 1 hour after you drink a small cup of a sweet liquid. If your results from this test come back high, you will need to do a second test—a longer, 3-hour glucose test. In this test, you cannot eat or drink anything except water for at least 8 hours. After fasting, your blood sugar level will be tested. Then you will drink a small cup of sweet liquid and have your blood sugar tested every hour for at least 3 hours. If your blood sugar levels come back high on two or more of these tests, you have gestational diabetes.

Early detection

The first time you see your doctor after you become pregnant, your doctor will determine your risk for gestational diabetes. If you are considered high-risk because you have had gestational diabetes before, are obese, have a strong family history of type 2 diabetes, or have sugar in your urine, you will be tested right away.

Most women are tested between the 24th and 28th weeks of pregnancy. Some pregnant women are at low risk for gestational diabetes and may not need to be tested.

• You are younger than 25 when you become pregnant.
• You have not had gestational diabetes before.
• You have no family history of type 2 diabetes .
• Your body mass index [BMI] is less than 25.
• You are not a member of a racial group or ethnic group that has a high risk of diabetes, such as Latin Americans, Native Americans, Asian Americans, African Americans, or Pacific Islanders
• You do not have polycystic ovary syndrome .

Experts debate whether all pregnant women need to be tested for gestational diabetes. The US Preventive Services Task Force has found insufficient evidence to recommend screening women who have no risk factors for gestational diabetes. ³ But most doctors routinely test all pregnant women who are in their care.

Tests during pregnancy

If you have gestational diabetes, your doctor will check your blood pressure at every visit. You will also have certain tests throughout your pregnancy to check your and your baby's health. These tests include:

• Home blood sugar monitoring . Testing your blood sugar at home every day helps you know if your blood sugar level is within a target range. You may need to give yourself insulin shots to help control your blood sugar.
• Fetal ultrasound . This test may be used to see if you need insulin or to estimate the age, weight, and health of your baby. The ultrasound test also can measure the size of your baby's head and abdomen. This measurement along with other information can be used to help your doctor decide on your care. If your doctor thinks your baby is bigger than normal for his or her gestational age, then your doctor may decide you need to start taking insulin. Taking insulin when you have gestational diabetes will stop your baby from growing too big. Keep in mind that ultrasounds cannot always accurately estimate how much your baby weighs or whether there are other problems.
• Nonstress test . A nonstress test can help you know how well your baby is doing by checking your baby's heartbeat in response to movement.  

Some doctors may recommend you have a hemoglobin A1c (glycosylated hemoglobin) or a similar test every month during your pregnancy. The A1c test estimates your average blood sugar level over the previous weeks to months.

Tests during labor and delivery

During labor and delivery, you and your baby will be monitored very closely.

• Fetal heart monitoring is used to see how well your baby is doing while you are in labor.
• Blood sugar tests are done regularly to make sure your blood sugar level is within a target range.

Tests after delivery

After your baby is born, your blood sugar level will be checked several times. Your baby's blood sugar level will also be checked several times within the first few hours after birth. One to 3 days after delivery, you will have a fasting or random OGTT .

Most likely, your gestational diabetes will go away after your baby is born. But because you are at risk for type 2 diabetes , you should have a glucose tolerance test about 6 weeks after delivery and a fasting blood sugar level at least once a year. Your doctor may recommend that you have additional glucose tolerance testing if your fasting blood glucose levels are normal or only slightly elevated.

Follow-up

Even though your gestational diabetes will probably go away after your baby is born, you are at risk for gestational diabetes again and for type 2 diabetes later in life. More than half of women who develop gestational diabetes will develop type 2 diabetes later in life.

To make sure your blood sugar level stays within a target range, your doctor may instruct you to continue checking your blood sugar levels at home for a while. You will also have a follow-up glucose tolerance test 6 to 12 weeks after your baby is born or after you stop breast-feeding your baby. If the results of this test are normal, you will still need to have a fasting blood sugar test at least every 3 years. Even if your sugar level is normal, you are at increased risk of developing diabetes in the future. Eating a healthy diet and getting regular exercise can help prevent type 2 diabetes.

If you want to get pregnant again, you should be tested for diabetes both before you become pregnant and early in your pregnancy.

Treatment Overview

Finding out that you have gestational diabetes can be scary. It can be reassuring to know that most women who have gestational diabetes give birth to healthy babies and that you are the most important person in promoting a healthy pregnancy.

Treatment for gestational diabetes involves making healthy choices. Most women who make changes in the way that they eat and how often they exercise are able to keep their blood sugar level within a target range . Controlling your blood sugar is the key to preventing problems during pregnancy or birth.

You, your doctor, and other health professionals will work together to develop an treatment plan just for you. You do not need to eat strange or special foods. But you may need to change what, when, and how much you eat. You also do not need to start a fancy exercise program or join an expensive gym. Walking several times a week can really help your blood sugar.

The lifestyle changes you make now will help you have a healthy pregnancy and prevent diabetes in the future. As you start making these changes, you will learn more about your body and how it reacts to food and exercise. You may also notice that you feel better and have more energy.

During pregnancy

Treatment for gestational diabetes during pregnancy includes:

• Eating a balanced diet . After you find out that you have gestational diabetes, you will meet with a registered dietitian to create a healthy eating plan . You will learn how to limit the amount of carbohydrate you eat as a way to control your blood sugar. You may also be asked to write down everything you eat and to keep track of your weight.
• Getting regular exercise . Try to do at least 2½ hours a week of moderate exercise. One way to do this is to be active 30 minutes a day, at least 5 days a week. It's fine to be active in blocks of 10 minutes or more throughout your day and week. Regular, moderate exercise during pregnancy helps your body use insulin better and helps control your blood sugar level. If you have never exercised regularly or were not exercising before you became pregnant, talk with your doctor before you start exercising. Low-impact activities, such as walking or swimming, are especially good for pregnant women. You may also want to try special exercise classes for pregnant women.
• Checking blood sugar levels . An important part of treating gestational diabetes is checking your blood sugar level at home. Every day, you will do a home blood sugar test one or more times. It may be overwhelming to test your blood sugar so often. But knowing that your level is within a target range can help put your mind at ease. Talk to your doctor about how often to test your blood sugar.
• Monitoring fetal growth and well-being . Your doctor may want you to monitor fetal movements called kick counts and let him or her know if you think your baby is moving less than usual. You may also have fetal ultrasounds to see how well your baby is growing. If your baby is growing larger than normal, you may need insulin shots to keep your blood sugar within a target range. If you take insulin, you may have a nonstress test to check how well your baby's heart responds to movement. Even if you do not take insulin, you may have a nonstress test and ultrasound as you get closer to your due date.
• Getting regular medical checkups  Having gestational diabetes means regular visits to your doctor. At these visits, your doctor will check your blood pressure and test a sample of your urine. You will also discuss your blood sugar levels, what you have been eating, how much you have been exercising, and how much weight you have gained.
• Taking insulin shots . The first way to treat gestational diabetes is by changing the way you eat and exercising regularly. If your blood sugar levels are still too high after changing the way you eat and exercising regularly, you may need insulin shots. Man-made insulin can help lower your blood sugar level without harming your baby.

In general, it is not a good idea to diet while you are pregnant. Most doctors recommend that women gain 25 lb (11.3 kg) to 35 lb (15.9 kg) during pregnancy. But if you are overweight or obese , your doctor may recommend that you eat less and gain less weight than other pregnant women. Overweight or obese women have a higher risk for developing high blood pressure and a blood circulation problem called preeclampsia .

Most doctors will recommend that you breast-feed your baby, if possible. Breast-feeding can help prevent your child from becoming overweight, which may reduce his or her chances of developing diabetes. If you are breast-feeding, be sure to continue checking your blood sugar levels.

During labor and delivery

During labor and delivery, you and your baby are monitored closely. This includes:

• Checking your blood sugar level regularly. If your level gets too high, you may be given small amounts of insulin through a vein (intravenously, or IV). If your level drops too low, you may be given IV fluid that contains glucose.
• Checking your baby's heart rate and how well your baby's heart responds to movement. Fetal heart monitoring helps your doctor know how your baby is doing during labor. If the baby is large or does not seem to be doing well, you may need to have a C-section to deliver your baby. But most women who have gestational diabetes deliver their babies naturally.

After delivery

After delivery, you and your baby still need to be monitored closely.

• For the first few hours, your blood sugar level may be tested every hour. Usually blood sugar levels quickly return to normal.
• Your baby's blood sugar level will also be monitored. If your blood sugar levels were high during pregnancy, your baby's body will make extra insulin for several hours after birth. This extra insulin may cause your baby's blood sugar to drop too low ( hypoglycemia ). If your baby's blood sugar level drops too low, he or she may need extra sugar, such as a sugar water drink or glucose given intravenously.
• Your baby's blood may also be checked for low calcium, high bilirubin , and extra red blood cells.

Prevention

In some women, gestational diabetes cannot be prevented. But you may be able to lower your chance of getting gestational diabetes by staying at a healthy weight and not gaining too much weight during pregnancyRegular exercise can also help keep your blood sugar level within a target range and prevent gestational diabetes. .

If you have had gestational diabetes, you are at risk of developing it again in a future pregnancy. You are also at risk for type 2 diabetes , a permanent type of diabetes. One of the best ways to prevent developing gestational diabetes again is to stay at a healthy weight.

 

Benefits of Olive Oil

Controls Diabetes Kontrol Diabetes

Diabetics or those at risk for diabetes are advised to combine a low-fat, high- carbohydrate diet with olive oil. Studies show this combination is superior at controlling blood sugar levels compared to a diet that consists entirely of low-fat meals. Adding olive oil is also linked to lower triglyceride levels. Many diabetics live with high triglyceride levels which put them at risk for heart disease.

Health Benefits of Bitter Gourd

 

Diabetes: The bitter gourd is particularly used as a remedy for diabetes because of its hypoglycemic action. It contains insulin -like peptides, alkaloids and charantin, all of which act together to lower blood and urine sugar levels without increasing blood insulin levels. These compounds activate a protein called AMPK, which is well known for regulating fuel metabolism and enabling glucose uptake, processes which are impaired in diabetics.

You can take the juice of 4-5 bitter gourds every morning on an empty stomach, add seeds in powdered form to food or prepare a decoction by boiling the pieces of this fruit in water. If you are taking  medications to lower your blood sugar, adding bitter gourd might make your blood sugar drop too low. Monitor your blood sugar carefully.                                                                

The Protein and Fiber In Soybeans

Stabilize Blood Sugar

Another condition for which soybeans can be very beneficial is diabetes, particularly type 2 diabetes. The protein in soybeans, and also in other legumes, is excellent for diabetic patients, who tend to have problems with animal sources of proteinThe protein and fiber in soybeans can also prevent high blood sugar levels and help in keeping blood sugar levels under control. Some diabetics even find that the effects of soybeans and other legumes on blood sugar are so profound that they need to monitor their new blood sugar levels and adjust their medications accordingly.