A Growing Epidemic: Taking Aim at Managing Blood Sugar
The loss of insulin sensitivity can be decreased with the right nutrients. Numerous vitamins, minerals, herb and antioxidants have been studied for their efficacy at promoting healthy blood sugar and protecting cells from the damage of elevated blood sugars with favorable results. (Chromium, Fenugreek, Gymnema sylvestre, Vanadyl) (Complete Article)

Using Herbs to Manage High Blood Sugar
Sustainable blood sugar control is critical to a diabetic patient's health over time. Often, as a diabetic patient ages, insulin-reducing medications begin to lose their effectiveness. Treatment with herbs, along with carefully controlled nutrition and daily exercise, can help diabetic patients keep blood sugar levels under control over the long term. (Gymnema Sylvestre, Bitter Melon, Pterocarpus marsupium, High Blood Sugar) (Complete Article)

Diabetes May Solve Puzzles Of The Brain
Glucose and the glucose-regulating hormone insulin have long been studied by scientists looking for a cure for diabetes. Now the substances are increasingly coming under the study of brain scientists because it appears they might just be golden keys to brain health as we age. (Alzheimers, Insulin, Diabetic Complications) (Complete Article)

Diabetics Can Count On Chromium
Chromium, an essential dietary mineral, plays a central role in how the body uses insulin to burn sugars, carbs, fats, and proteins for energy. Because of this insulin-enhancing role, chromium can be especially helpful in controlling, and sometimes reversing, some of the symptoms of prediabetes and type 2 (adult-onset) diabetes. (Chromium, Type 2 Diabetes, Syndrome X) (Complete Article)

Red Wine Ingredient - Resveratrol - Fights Diabetes In Mice
Even relatively low doses of resveratrol--a chemical found in the skins of red grapes and in red wine--can improve the sensitivity of mice to the hormone insulin, according to a new report. As insulin resistance is often characterized as the most critical factor contributing to the development of type 2 diabetes, the findings "provide a potential new therapeutic approach for preventing or treating" both conditions, the researchers said. (Diabetes Research, Type 2 Diabetes, Insulin Resistance) (Complete Article)

Diabetes Health Tricks
No magic bullet can stop our epidemic of type 2 diabetes, but certain supplements may help cut risk and alleviate symptoms. (Alpha-lipoic Acid, Neuropathy, High Triglycerides, Insulin) (Complete Article)

Study Links High Blood Sugar And Cancer Risk
A large European study has found that people with high blood sugar levels are at an increased risk of developing cancer, even when they do not have overt signs of diabetes. This study adds to evidence that abnormal sugar metabolism (which usually includes insulin resistance, high sugar levels and high insulin levels) can be cancer-promoting. (Cancer, High Blood Sugar, Insulin Resistance, Diabetic Complications) (Complete Article)

Ten Dietary Principles To Live By
Reverse Metabolic Syndrome is a nutritional disease, the most straightforward way to prevent or reverse it is by improving your eating habits.  (Reverse Metabolic Syndrome, Syndrome X, Insulin Resistance) (Complete Article)

De-Stress To Decrease Risk Of Diabetes -
Researchers are slowly zeroing in on the long-suspected link between stress and type-2 diabetes, which accounts for 90 percent of all diabetes cases. Anxiety is now believed to exacerbate diabetes by raising levels of the stress hormone cortisol, which regulates insulin and blood-sugar levels. (Stress, Type 2 Diabetes) (Complete Article)

Cinnamon
Cinnamon appears to fight inflammation and help insulin, a hormone that controls blood sugar. (Type 2 Diabetes and Diabetes Research) (Complete Article)

Gymnema Sylvestre
Gymnema sylvestre, also known as gurmar is another herb from India's Ayurvedic medical traditions that has been used for centuries to neutralize excess sugar. As with many other Ayurvedic herbs, its properties have been confirmed by scientific studies. (Diabetes Nutrition, Insulin-Dependent Diabetes) (Complete Article)

Zinc
Zinc, the second most abundant trace mineral in the body, plays critical roles in glucose regulation, the proper function of insulin, and weight control. (Syndrome X, Insulin Resistance, Diabetes Nutrition) (Complete Article)

Alpha-Lipoic Acid Improves Neuropathy Symptoms
In people with diabetes, alpha-lipoic acid appears to enhance insulin action and blood vessel circulation, protect against diabetic neuropathy (nerve disease), and inhibit protein glycation (a reaction between excess glucose and protein that impairs the protein's function and forms harmful end products in the body). (Diabetic Neuropathy, Alpha-Lipoic Acid) (Complete Article)

Fatigue: Why Am I So Tired?
If you have diabetes, your pancreas either stops making insulin or doesn't use it efficiently. With insulin resistance, your body can't absorb glucose properly, which means you won't have any energy. In addition to feeling tired, signs of diabetes include being very thirsty and hungry, having to urinate frequently, and losing weight. How can you get your energy back? (Complete Article)

Stress
Stress results when something causes your body to behave as if it were under attack. When stress occurs, the body prepares to take action. This preparation is called the fight-or-flight response. In people who have diabetes, the fight-or-flight response does not work well. Insulin is not always able to let the extra energy into the cells, so glucose piles up in the blood. (Stress, Diabetic Complications, High Blood Sugar) (Complete Article)

Type 2 Diabetics' Acidity Heightens Risk For Kidney Stones
Individuals with type 2 diabetes (non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus) are at increased risk for developing kidney stones in general, and have a particular risk for uric-acid stones. (Diabetic Complications and Type 2 Diabetes) (Complete Article)

Plants As Means Of Blood Sugar Control
Before the advent of insulin, diabetes and hypoglycemia were treated with plant medicines. In the last 20 years scientific investigation has, in fact, confirmed the efficacy of many of these preparations, some of which are remarkably effective. (Diabetic Product, Herb for Diabetes, Gymnema Sylvestre, Bitter Melon, Fenugreek, Bilberry, Pterocarpus) (Complete Article)

Menopause and Blood Sugar Control
If you have finally figured out how to control your blood glucose levels through a combination of meal planning, exercise, and oral diabetes medications or insulin, you should realize that menopause can throw your diabetes management plan out of balance. (Women's Health, Diabetes Management) (Complete Article)

Alpha-Lipoic Acid: Extra Help Taming Diabetes
Researchers have discovered that the potent antioxidant, Alpha-Lipoic Acid, may be an effective treatment for a common complication of diabetes, known as diabetic neuropathy, which develops when high blood sugar levels damage delicate nerve endings. It may also help control blood sugar in diabetics, possibly by lowering insulin levels and increasing the transport of sugar into cells. (Diabetic Nutrition, Diabetic Product, Diabetic Neuropathy) (Complete Article)

Smoking May Increase Risk of Diabetes
Smoking may increase the risk of developing diabetes, according to new research by investigators at Wake Forest University School of Medicine and colleagues. The surprising finding emerged when researchers examined the relationship between smoking and diabetes among participants in a major national study. (diabetes research, insulin resistance, cause of diabetes) (Complete Article)

Understanding Insulin Resistance
In people with type 1 diabetes, the beta cells in the pancreas are destroyed by the body's own immune system and can no longer produce any insulin. In type 2 diabetes, the problem is somewhat more complex. The pancreas produces insulin-sometimes more than normal. But the insulin doesn't work properly. The result is the same: the sugar remains in the blood in high concentrations, setting you up for a number of health problems. ( Diabetic Symptoms, blood sugar levels, Syndrome X) (Complete Article)

Hypoglycemia In Youth With Diabetes
Hypoglycemia (also known as an "insulin reaction," or just "low blood sugar") occurs when blood glucose goes too low. Hypoglycemia can be caused by many things: too much insulin, not enough food, too much exercise, eating late, or eating too little carbohydrate. It's important to recognize the symptoms that are unique to you so that you can treat it before it becomes serious. (Symptom Juvenile Diabetes, Type 1 Diabetes) (Complete Article)

Diabetic Ketoacidosis
Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA) can occur when you don't have enough insulin to meet your body's needs. Normally your body uses carbohydrate (glucose) for maintenance, but when there isn't enough insulin in your body, your cells can't access the glucose in your blood. Your body then resorts to burning fat in an unhealthy way. Your liver becomes involved in fat-burning, and the by-product is ketones. (Diabetic complications, High blood sugar level) (Complete Article)

Sleep Apnea and Diabetes
Sleep apnea is a disorder in which the throat muscles relax during sleep, obstructing the airway a causing brief but frequent breathing interruptions. Obesity-a common problem for people with type 2-is a major risk factor for developing this sleep disorder. Also, previous research has shown that sleep apnea is independently linked to glucose intolerance and insulin resistance-the primary characteristics of type 2.  Find out more about this interesting research. (Diabetes Research and Sleep Apnea) (Complete Article)

Magnesium
One of the most versatile minerals, magnesium is involved in energy production, nerve function, muscle relaxation, and bone and tooth formation.  In conjunction with calcium and potassium, magnesium regulates heart rhythm and clots blood; it also aids in the production and use of insulin. (Complete Article)

Diabetes and Omega-3
The essential fatty acids also affect the ability of the body's cells to respond to insulin. In a 1993 study, Australian researchers learned that insulin resistance is related to what kinds of fatty acids make up the cell membranes. The more Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids there are in the cell membranes of adult diabetics, the more their tissues respond to insulin.  Learn more about how the essential fatty acids can help in managing diabetes. (Diabetes Nutrition and Diabetes Research) (Complete Article)

Diabetes - The Inflammation Syndrome Connection
Many nutritional supplements can lessen the inflammation in diabetes, but it is essential that the underlying diet be corrected. That said, a key objective of supplementation should be to lower glucose levels and improve insulin function, which should in turn reduce inflammation. Helpful supplements include chromium, Vitamin E, Vitamin C and the omega-3 fatty acids. (Diabetes Nutrition, Inflammation, Arthritis, Heart Disease) (Complete Article)

Managing Hypoglycemia - Basic Guidelines (Part I)
Hypoglycemia can be the precursor to Type II diabetes and other insulin resistance related ailments. The good news is that treatment is easy  to understand, and you can manage it yourself.  Best of all, the treatment is without risk, whether or not you actually have hypoglycemia because the treatment is simply a change in diet. (Low blood sugar) (Complete Article)

Sweet Sleep: It's Key To Your Quality Of Life
Research has shown that a lack of sleep causes a "sleep debt," which increases insulin resistance and causes more stress hormones to be released. The result: higher blood sugar levels. Sleep plays a critical role in your personal maintenance program. (Complete Article)

Gymnema Sylvestre, Bitter Melon, Cinnamon Extract, Vanadium & Chromium
If you are trying to get your carbohydrate-craving and weight-storing chemistry under control, gymnema may be of benefit. Bitter melon can help by improving blood sugar balance and reducing the amount of sugars in the blood. A compound in cinnamon bark has been shown to increase glucose metabolism. Research on vanadium indicates that it may produce insulin-like activities in the body, making it of potential value for those with diabetes, insulin resistance, and metabolic syndrome. Chromium is thought to stimulate fat metabolism and to have a lowering effect on cholesterol and triglyceride levels. (Diabetic Nutrition, Diabetic Product) (Complete Article)

Eating Healthy on $7 A Day or Less
NO DOUBT ABOUT IT. Diabetes is an expensive disease. When a family member has either type 1 or type 2 diabetes, the family's income has to cover medications or insulin and syringes, monitoring equipment and strips, medical visits, diabetes books and magazines, and, of course, healthful foods. No wonder it's tempting to shortchange the last item. But healthful foods are actually a blue chip investment. Good nutrition will help keep your blood glucose in balance now and will likely help prevent costly complications and expensive medical care later. (Diabetes Meal Planning and Diabetes Menu) (Complete Article)

Causes of Type II Diabetes
Unlike people with type I diabetes who become unable to produce insulin, people with type II diabetes produce insulin. But, either the body does not respond to insulin's action-it's resistant-or there is just not enough insulin to go around-there's too much body for the amount of insulin that's made. Either problem leads to the same outcome: high levels of glucose in the blood. (Type 2  Diabetes and Diabetes Education) (Complete Article)

Chromium
Excessive blood sugar promotes diabetes and all the destruction that goes with it. Studies show that if you have high blood sugar, chromium supplements will bring it down. Chromium increases the power of insulin to process sugar, so you need less insulin to do the job, and blood levels drop. (Chromium, High Blood Sugar, Diabetic Nutrition) (Complete Article)

Fenugreek - Enhances Carb Metabolism for Diabetics
An extract from Fenugreek enhances carb metabolism showing promise for dieters and those with diabetes and insulin resistance. (Diabetes Food and Fenugreek) (Complete Article)

Sugar Substitutes
Sugar substitutes may taste sweet and cut down on calories, but are they creating an excess release of insulin in your body. Learn what artificial sweeteners may be setting off your insulin trigger. (Diabetes Diet and Diabetes Management) (Complete Article)

Insulin and Obesity - Living the Low Carb Life
Insulin is the fat-storage hormone. It is also the hunger hormone.  When you eat a lower-carb diet, you stimulate less insulin but you also stimulate more glucagon, its sister hormone, which responds more to protein. (Diabetic diet and Diabetes management) (Complete Article)

The Benefits of Magnesium - The Diabetes Connection
An exciting body of research strongly suggests that supplementation with magnesium can almost certainly help prevent or maybe even treat insulin resistance and other cardiovascular problems in people with diabetes. (Complete Article)

Balancing Blood Sugar Metabolism
Scientific evidence continues to mount regarding the effectiveness of natural substances in normalizing blood sugar in diabetics. Gymnema Sylvestre, Bitter Melon and Cinnamon Extract show significant impact on normalizing blood glucose levels. (Insulin Resistance) (Complete Article)

Those With PCOS Can Benefit from Lo Carb Diet
Women with Polycystic ovary syndrome have an increased risk of developing insulin resistance, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, lipid abnormalities and endometrial carcinoma (cancer). Many non-medical approaches can relieve or reduce specific symptoms. Many women with PCOS follow a low-carbohydrate diet designed to lose or maintain their weight. (Complete Article)

Type I Diabetes And Insulin Resistance
Researchers have discovered  that people with type 1 diabetes often have insulin resistance-- a hallmark of type 2 diabetes and something that dramatically raises the odds for heart disease.  (Diabetes News- Hyperinsulinemia) (Complete Article)

Developing An Age Reduction Plan
Type I diabetics as well as Type II diabetics who take charge of their condition, vigilantly keeping their blood sugar levels within normal ranges, can significantly reduce the manifestations of premature aging. By managing diet, insulin, and exercise-- diabetics can avoid much of the aging that high blood sugar causes. No matter what ails you, the aging damage that a chronic condition causes is always improved by proper management. (Complete Article)

An Avoidable Aging Bombshell
It's impossible to hold on to your youth if excesses of insulin are raging through your bloodstream.  Insulin resistance doesn't happen just because you're aging and you don't have to get it.  Approximately 25 percent of all seemingly normal, healthy nondiabetic older Americans have so-called insulin resistance. If you do have it, you can correct it before it does irreversible damage. (Diabetes education-- hyperinsulinemia) (Complete Article)

Beat Diabetes!
Gymnema Sylvestre certainly could serve as the backbone of a natural diabetes program. In one recent study , Gymnema showed the potential for pancreas repair, raising output of insulin to normal levels.  This herb for diabetes is getting serious attention in an integrated approach to diabetes management. (Diabetic Product News) (Complete Article)

Vitamin C: Important for Diabetics
Vitamin C protects against Syndrome X, diabetes, and their accompanying disorders in many different ways. It works most directly by blocking many of the deleterious effects of elevated glucose and insulin. Important information for diabetes management and diabetes nutrition. (Diabetic Nutrition) (Complete Article)

Exercise and Diabetes
Exercise is very important in managing diabetes. Exercise improves your body's use of insulin. Blood glucose levels are affected by exercise, so be aware of general exercise guidelines and precautions for diabetics as you begin your fitness program. (Diabetes Information) (Complete Article)

Treating Diabetes With Insulin
A discussion of the different types of insulin, where it comes from, insulin pumps and jet spray injectors. Diabetes education on how to mange your prescription and where to store your insulin. (Diabetes information) (Complete Article)

Slight Weight Loss Reduces Diabetes Risk Dramatically
When a person is overweight, insulin cannot work as effectively to keep blood glucose levels normal because the body becomes resistant to the action of its own insulin. Lifestyle modification can reduce the incidence of type 2 diabetes by 58% in people at high risk for the disease. (Type 2 Diabetes Diet) (Complete Article)

1/3 of Americans Have Pre-Diabetes Syndrome
A condition called insulin resistance syndrome puts people at high risk of diabetes and heart disease. Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and acanthosis nigricans (a skin condition) are linked to insulin resistance syndrome. In insulin resistance syndrome, also known as metabolic syndrome or syndrome X, a person loses his or her ability to manage insulin effectively. Know the conditions that can be a sign of diabetes. (Complete Article)

Low Blood Sugar Symptoms
Low blood sugar occurs much more frequently in people with Type I diabetes, whose bodies don't produce any insulin, than in people with Type 2 Diabetes. Exceptions to this may include people with Type 2 diabetes who are taking hypoglycemic agents, and particularly those who are taking insulin. (Complete Article)

Insulin Pumps
If you use insulin frequently, you have probably thought about getting an insulin pump from time to time. But maybe it seemed too costly or inconvenient. Now is the time for a second look at this diabetic product that has changed with the times. (Complete Article)

Insulin Resistance: When Things Go Awry
An easy-to-understand discussion of the cause of diabetes. Lifestyle choices can be a virtual prescription for Syndrome X, diabetes, and heart disease. (Complete Article)

Type 1 Diabetes Management
Because your body no longer makes insulin, insulin injections play a big role in your diabetes care plan. News from the American Diabetes Association advises that your type of insulin therapy should relate directly to your health and your lifestyle choices. Diabetis care advice. (Complete Article)