The Effects Of Banana On Blood Sugar
Bananas are tropical fruits that are tasty and nutritious and contain medicinal properties. Bananas can help alleviate stress, pre-menstrual tension, high blood pressure and some even claim that banana skins can cure warts. The banana is a versatile fruit that is chock full of vitamins and makes for a delicious addition to your diet. This fruit also gives a quick boost when blood sugar levels are low. Glycemic Index The Glycemic Index, or GI, measures what happens to blood sugar after eating food. It was created to help people control their blood sugar levels, particularly people with diabetes. A low score on the Glycemic Index is anything under 55, a medium score is between 56 and 69 and a high score is anything over 70. Bananas have a low GI score of 51, therefore eating bananas should produce an immediate and sustained boost to energy levels. Bananas and Blood Sugar Bananas naturally raise and sustain blood sugar levels due to their high carbohydrate content, and they are beneficial for alleviating morning sickness. They are also useful as a hangover cure, mashed up with a bit of honey and made into a milkshake. Eating two bananas before a 90-minute workout will give you enough energy to sustain your body throughout. Bananas contain three natural sugars: sucrose, fructose and glucose. These natural sugars give the controlled boost to blood sugar levels that candy or chocolate do not. Snacking on bananas at work and if you are stressed can help because it regulates blood sugar, thus keeping you alert and regulating your mood. Vitamins in Bananas Bananas are particularly high in B vitamins and therefore have many benefits. Vitamin B6 will help PMS sufferers by regulating blood glucose levels, which can affect mood. If you are giving up smoking, bananas can help as they Continue reading >>
What Your Doctor Doesn't Know About Glucose Testing.
Blood sugar management is important for preventing everything from hypoglycemia to full blown diabetes. However, monitoring blood glucose is rarely as straightforward as it seems. In this article we’ll discuss the current gold standard for measuring a person’s blood sugar. We’ll share some problems with the most popular tests. And we’ll review the best ways to interpret your results. (Even if your doctor doesn’t know how). [Note: We’ve also prepared an audio recording of this article for you to listen to. So, if you’d rather listen to the piece, click here.] ++ Homeostasis is a fancy scientific word for “body balance”. Essentially, our bodies must keep internal levels of thousands of chemicals in check. Or else health can go awry. One of the most important homeostatic systems in our body is our blood sugar management system. When blood sugar is kept at a healthy range, we feel healthy, strong, energetic. On the other hand, unbalanced blood sugars put us at risk for problems ranging from reactive hypoglycemia to insulin resistance to full blown diabetes. But estimating blood sugar levels can be tricky. First, these levels change throughout the day, and with meals and exercise. So, unless you’re monitoring blood sugar levels continuously, every second of every day, it’s hard to get a complete picture of your glucose health. Second, the convenient glucose meters that many Type 1 diabetics use only give us a snapshot instead of a movie. They don’t show us how patients regulate blood sugars over time. And that may be the most important information of all when it comes to disease prevention. That’s why doctors and scientists have become obsessed with finding a test that measures blood glucose balance across days, weeks, or months. In other words, a t Continue reading >>
Best Electrolyte Drinks For Diabetes
If you have diabetes and you are looking to stay hydrated with an electrolyte drink, you know it can be difficult to find one that isn’t too high in sugar and carbohydrates. If you have started an exercise regime, it can also be challenging to keep your blood sugar from getting too low. Exercise removes glucose from the blood without using insulin, and is crucial in getting diabetes under control, but it is a delicate balance for your blood sugar being too high when you are inactive, and too low when you are active. It is important that the electrolyte drink matches your activity level, and you are not drinking an electrolyte drink with 25 carbohydrates while you are sitting inside, or one with zero carbohydrates while you are combining Zumba, Jazzercize and CrossFit. In regards to these parameters, perhaps you were advised to choose an electrolyte drink that uses artificial sweeteners. While writing The New Menu for Diabetes, I did some research on artificial sweeteners and was shocked that these were recommended for diabetics. The studies clearly showed that these in fact should be avoided, and I wanted to go more in depth in this article regarding why you should avoid Splenda and Acesulfame K. Why You Should Avoid the Following Electrolyte Drinks The following is based on my research and opinion. 1. Powerade Zero After doing some research, I noticed that Powerade Zero was the drink of choice for many diabetics due to it having zero calories. What’s in Powerade Zero? UK Label: Water, citric acid, mineral salts (sodium chloride, magnesium chloride, calcium chloride, potassium phosphate), natural berry flavouring with other natural flavourings, acidity regulator (E332), sweeteners (sucralose, acesulfame K), colour (E133). US Label: Water, Citric Acid, Natural Flavor Continue reading >>
How Does Kiwi Affect Glucose Readings?
/ How Does Kiwi Affect Glucose Readings? Due to the high blood sugar in the system, the pancreas doesnt create enough insulin necessary for the body. Thus, the cells become resistant to insulin. Diabetes is one of the most common diseases nowadays. Because of how dangerous it can be, nutritionists recommend and promote a regular and healthy diet along with a much-needed exercise. Besides, it is important to solve the most common problem, obesity and overweight. A healthy diet means fewer foods that contain lots of sugar, fats, cholesterol, and carbohydrates. Furthermore, people need to take precautions when taking medication. On top of that, they have to regulate their blood sugar and weight, which can prove quite problematic. A nutritionist called Mrs. Kamna Desai stated that people with poor blood glucose control could eat fruits if they limit how much they take. According to research, kiwi is one of those fruits. Kiwi boosts the sensitivity of insulin in the system and helps the absorption of glucose in the cells. Moreover, it helps control blood sugar. It can protect DNA from oxygen damage. It contains phytonutrients, and it provides protective antioxidants. The flavonoids and carotenoids help the kiwi act as an antioxidant. The glycemic index in the fruit is very low (53) because of the fructose and the fiber it contains. So, it can balance blood sugar levels. Kiwi can help protect the heart and blood vessels because it contains polyphenols and potassium. Kiwi helps reduce the fats, the risk of cardiovascular disease and the risk of a blood clot. It has a vitamin C and A; plus it is great for our vision. Continue reading >>
Flaws In Traditional Blood Glucose Testing You Need To Know About
While managing blood sugar levels is important for preventing serious health issues, including everything from hypoglycemia to diabetes, unfortunately there are some flaws in traditional blood glucose testing that may skew the results. A recent report by Precision Nutrition reveals that estimating blood sugar levels can be more challenging than you may have realized, partially due to frequently changing levels that come with eating and exercise. Additionally, the glucose meters that many type 1 diabetics use are only providing a glimpse at part of the picture rather than revealing how a patient regulates blood sugars over time, which is essential for disease prevention. Researchers have been trying to find a test that will provide information about mid-term and long-term glucose health, verses a snapshot of what’s happening right now, but no one has found the perfect test yet. The two top tests measure glycated hemoglobin or hemoglobin A1c and fructosamine, which can provide a better understanding of glucose levels over time, but both have drawbacks that can get in the way of accurate diagnosis, particular in those who are healthy. The glycated hemoglobin test The glycated hemoglobin, or hemoglobin A1c test, allows doctors to estimate a patient’s average blood sugar levels across a period of several months, which is why it’s often considered the gold standard for evaluating glucose levels. Hemoglobin is a protein found inside your red blood cells which carries oxygen from the lungs to all the cells of the body. As red blood cells are always forming and dying, their typical life span is about three months. This is said to be important because when you eat, glucose enters your red blood cells, linking with the molecules of hemoglobin found inside. Ultimately, the mo Continue reading >>
Ask Leyla: Can Vitamin C Raise Blood Sugar?
Q: I am a type 2 diabetic who takes 4,000 mg of vitamin C each day. I recently heard that “C” can raise your blood sugar. Is this true? A: Vitamin C is an important antioxidant for maintaining optimal health as well as managing infection and disease. It is hard to imagine such an important vitamin could cause adverse effects in anybody. I believe the conundrum of vitamin C raising blood sugar has several sources. A study in 2004 (Am J Clin Nutr 2004;80:1194-200) concluded a high vitamin C intake from supplements (just 300 mg or more) is associated with an increased risk of death from cardiovascular disease (CVD) in older women with diabetes. I have to take issue with this conclusion because it was extrapolated from the Iowa Women’s Health Study which was designed to examine diet and lifestyle factors and the incidence of cancer and mortality, not vitamin C and its relationship to blood sugar. Fortunately, the authors responsibly note that their study had several limitations, one being there was only one diet and health assessment at the beginning of the study and secondly, the subjects in the study were self-reported diabetics—researchers did not validate this important criteria. Fueling the conundrum are foods containing vitamin C, such as citrus fruit and juices. They can and will raise blood sugar—especially among diabetics. Fruit intake, let alone juice, has to be kept in check so as not to increase blood sugar. In this setting, high blood sugar is created by the fructose in fruit rather than any vitamin C contained in it. At the other end of the spectrum are reports that vitamin C in doses of 1,000 mg per day decrease blood sugar and improve Hemoglobin A1c in diabetes, while doses of only 500 mg did not significantly reduce blood sugar or HgbA1c (Indian J Continue reading >>
Vitamins And Minerals
Tweet Depending on the type of treatment regimen you use to control your diabetes, there are some vitamins and minerals that may be beneficial for your condition. Before adding any vitamins or adding dietary supplements to your daily diet, discuss these changes with your healthcare team and doctor to ensure they are safe alongside any prescribed medication you're on. ALA and GLA ALA (alpha-lipoic acid) is a versatile and potent antioxidant, and may function to help diabetic neuropathy and reduce pain from free-radical damage. Also, some studies link ALA to decreased insulin resistance and thus the control of blood sugar. GLA (gamma-lipoic acid) is another naturally occurring antioxidant that is present in evening primrose oil, borage oil and blackcurrant seed oil. GLA may improve the function of nerves damaged by diabetic neuropathy. Biotin Biotin works in synergy with insulin in the body, and independently increases the activity of the enzyme glucokinase. Glucokinase is responsible for the first step of glucose utilisation, and is therefore an essential component of normal bodily functioning. Glucokinase occurs only in the liver, and in sufferers from diabetes its concentration may be extremely low. Supplements of biotin may have a significant effect on glucose levels for both type 1 and type 2 diabetics. Carnitine (L-Carnitine, Acetyl L-Carnitine) Carnitine is required by the body in order to correctly use body fat in the production of energy. It is naturally occurring and derives from hydrophilic amino acids. Diabetics who try carnitine generally respond well, and high levels of fat in the bloodstream (cholesterol and triglycerides) may fall fast. Carnitine helps to break down fatty acids in the body and binds acyl residues. For these reasons, it may be useful to pre Continue reading >>
- Does Vitamins Help to Prevent Diabetes?
- Caffeinated and Decaffeinated Coffee Consumption and Risk of Type 2 Diabetes: A Systematic Review and a Dose-Response Meta-analysis
- Insulin, glucagon and somatostatin stores in the pancreas of subjects with type-2 diabetes and their lean and obese non-diabetic controls
Vitamins And Minerals
Tweet Depending on the type of treatment regimen you use to control your diabetes, there are some vitamins and minerals that may be beneficial for your condition. Before adding any vitamins or adding dietary supplements to your daily diet, discuss these changes with your healthcare team and doctor to ensure they are safe alongside any prescribed medication you're on. ALA and GLA ALA (alpha-lipoic acid) is a versatile and potent antioxidant, and may function to help diabetic neuropathy and reduce pain from free-radical damage. Also, some studies link ALA to decreased insulin resistance and thus the control of blood sugar. GLA (gamma-lipoic acid) is another naturally occurring antioxidant that is present in evening primrose oil, borage oil and blackcurrant seed oil. GLA may improve the function of nerves damaged by diabetic neuropathy. Biotin Biotin works in synergy with insulin in the body, and independently increases the activity of the enzyme glucokinase. Glucokinase is responsible for the first step of glucose utilisation, and is therefore an essential component of normal bodily functioning. Glucokinase occurs only in the liver, and in sufferers from diabetes its concentration may be extremely low. Supplements of biotin may have a significant effect on glucose levels for both type 1 and type 2 diabetics. Carnitine (L-Carnitine, Acetyl L-Carnitine) Carnitine is required by the body in order to correctly use body fat in the production of energy. It is naturally occurring and derives from hydrophilic amino acids. Diabetics who try carnitine generally respond well, and high levels of fat in the bloodstream (cholesterol and triglycerides) may fall fast. Carnitine helps to break down fatty acids in the body and binds acyl residues. For these reasons, it may be useful to pre Continue reading >>
- Does Vitamins Help to Prevent Diabetes?
- Caffeinated and Decaffeinated Coffee Consumption and Risk of Type 2 Diabetes: A Systematic Review and a Dose-Response Meta-analysis
- Insulin, glucagon and somatostatin stores in the pancreas of subjects with type-2 diabetes and their lean and obese non-diabetic controls
Vitamins For Diabetes And Blood Sugars, Part 1
In the medical world vitamins are not generally considered a typical part of the treatment or prevention of diabetes but it turns out there is some very compelling research to suggest vitamins can and should be part of the blood sugar conversation. We have found through research and clinical practice that there are vitamins for diabetes that can play a role in preventing and treating this condition as well as some of the many complications that can accompany high blood sugars. In fact, we have so much to say on the topic that we have made this a two part blog! In our discussion we will focus on type 2 Diabetes , also known as Adult Onset Diabetes (Type 1 is beyond the scope of this discussion and unfortunately is not typically a preventable condition). Type 2 Diabetes is characterized by the body’s inability to process circulating blood sugar. The pancreas normally secretes insulin, a hormone that then helps metabolize sugar. Insulin is used like a key to unlock cells and let sugar go inside. This is how your body produces energy. When you are not able to do this blood sugar levels run high in your blood stream and you may get symptoms of fatigue, and/or excessive thirst and urination. The good news is much of type 2 diabetes is sometimes preventable or at least controllable. There is a strong association between obesity and diabetes. Higher body weight seems to tax the pancreas and trigger the worsening of elevated sugars. This is in part due to insulin resistance. Fat cells do not allow insulin to work as well, essentially causing a rusty lock (to draw from the previous key analogy). For this reason maintaining a normal body weight or losing weight if above normal, is key to diabetes prevention. Exercise is essential to burn off the sugar. Even walking 15 minutes da Continue reading >>
Medication Warnings
Certain veterinary medications for other conditions may seriously affect diabetic patients. Always check with your nurse before taking. This list is provided because some of these medications don't mention their side effects on diabetics in their literature. Many drugs used in veterinary medicine are also used in human medicine under a differently-trademarked name. Learning the human pharma name (if applicable) or generic name of the drug (same in veterinary & human medicine) can often give you additional information regarding possible side effects and how the drug may affect patients with diabetes. Human pharma drugs provide this information--for some reason, veterinary drugs don't always. If you are considering alternative or herbal medicine for your diabetic pet, see also Alternative medication warnings. Xylitol, a common artificial sweetener, lowers blood sugar dangerously in dogs and sometimes humans, possibly also cats. Some prescription and over-the counter medications, including vitamins and supplements which are made for human use contain Xylitol. Reading labels thoroughly and asking your vet can prevent needless tragedies. Heartworm [8][9] is a global problem, with areas on all continents except Antarctica affected and is a disease that is far easier to prevent than to cure. It can affect both cats and dogs[10][11][12][13]. Should your pet be affected by this, a talk with your vet is in order. Increasing insulin doses to counter this temporary situation may cause hypoglycemia once the systemic medication level has lowered. The phenomenon also does not mean your pet has ceased to respond to the insulin you currently use. Since there are no formal label warnings, he/she needs to be aware that there are temporary side effects for these drugs which apply to some d Continue reading >>
6 Ways To Boost Your Immunity With Diabetes
Diabetes is often considered an autoimmune disease, especially type 1. The body is unable to produce any insulin. In type 2, the body either does not produce enough insulin or does not use it correctly. Either kind of diabetes can lower the actions of the immune system. People with diabetes are more prone to sickness and infection due to reduced action of white blood cells. Discover ways to boost your immunity with either type of diabetes and combat attacks from invaders such as viruses, bacteria, and fungi. Portion Size and Carbohydrates Make a Difference The foods we eat can boost our immune system and may help people with diabetes control blood sugar levels. Conversely, the wrong foods can be unhealthy and cause our blood sugar levels to rise which ends up decreasing our immunity. Portion control is crucial as weight gain can harm the immune system by increasing inflammation and make it more difficult to control blood sugar levels. Consider using portion plates to determine the proper amount of protein, carbohydrates and vegetables to serve during each meal. Never skip meals and always test your blood sugars as suggested. If snacks are recommended (depending on your medication regimen) eat them when scheduled. It may also be helpful to count calories. Too many calories can lead to weight gain which causes the immune system to slack. Instead of actual counting of calories, use a small kitchen scale or cup measurements to help you visualize portion size. After a while you will understand what a true portion is. You can also use common objects such as a fist, thumb, tennis ball or deck of cards to realize what a reasonable portion really looks like. Counting carbohydrates is critical to keeping blood sugars controlled and immune systems working properly. Schedule an app Continue reading >>
Vitamin C And Diabetes
A new study has added to the growing amount of research showing that vitamin C- as well as a high intake of vegetables and fruits- may have protective effects against diabetes. This makes more than a little intuitive sense- after all Diabetes is a disease marked by a good amount of oxidative damage- damage done to your cells and DNA by rogue molecules called free radicals. Antioxidants- like vitamin C- can help protect against this. A cornerstone of the Atkins program has always been a diet high in antioxidants such as vitamin C, vitamin E, zinc and selenium, precisely because of their multiple protective benefits. In the current study, published in the July 28 edition of the Archives of Internal Medicine, researchers collected food questionnaires from over 21,000 subjects. The researchers also measured blood levels of vitamin C in all the participants. The subjects were then followed up for 12 years during which 735 individuals were diagnosed with diabetes (about .4% of the population studied). There was a significant inverse association between vitamin C levels in the blood and the risk of getting diabetes. In other words those patients with the highest blood levels of vitamin C at the beginning of the study were the least likely to be among those who developed diabetes. Since vitamin C is often a “marker” for fruit and vegetable intake- after all, we get 90% of our vitamin C from vegetables and fruits- the researchers decided to investigate the effect of fruit and vegetable consumption independently from blood levels of vitamin C. Using the questionnaires, they determined that indeed, fruit and vegetable consumption did protect against diabetes to some degree. But surprisingly, the protection was not nearly as dramatic as the protection obtained by high blood lev Continue reading >>
Ways To Make Nutritional Progress Against Diabetes
Diabetes Home WAYS TO MAKE NUTRITIONAL PROGRESS AGAINST DIABETES (Introduction by Abram Hoffer, M.D.: Reading this chapter will report what can be done over and above the use of insulin and classical dietetics. I am very familiar with Type I (insulin dependent diabetes or juvenile diabetes), as two members of my family have it. As this is not a medical text, the author does not describe the symptomatology and treatment using insulin. (By the way, doctors who treat diabetes are practicing orthomolecular medicine without knowing it, for they are using a hormone that is naturally present in the body.) Dr. Saul lists and describes both positive and negative factors in dealing with this condition. Thus for Type I, we have on the positive side the B complex vitamins, especially vitamin B-3, and vitamin C. The negative factors are diets which are too rich in free sugars and not rich enough in the complex carbohydrates. Negative factors also include milk, fluoride, coffee and vaccinations. When it is started at an early age, niacinamide will prevent diabetes from developing in many children born to families prone to the disease. I have also found niacin very helpful in preventing patients from suffering the long term ravages of diabetes, which are not directly due to high blood sugars, but to the side effects involving the vascular system. Niacin lowers total cholesterol, elevates HDL, and prevents the development of arteriosclerosis. Therefore these patients are less apt to become blind and lose their legs. With medical supervision, it may be used safely in dealing with diabetics, but you will need to find a doctor who knows niacin. Dr. Saul provides supporting references to the literature, which physicians will benefit from seeing. I was especially pleased to see that he cite Continue reading >>
33 Proven Vitamin C Benefits + Dosage, Natural Sources
33 Proven Vitamin C Benefits + Dosage, Natural Sources Before reading all of the benefits of vitamin C, I did not realize all of the ways that its beneficial. This post will surprise you about how good vitamin C is for your health. Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) is an essential water-soluble micronutrient that has had a dramaticinfluence on world history. Naval and sea battles have literally been won and lost based on the numbers of the naval forces sick with scurvy (severe Vitamin C deficiency) ( R ). Vitamin C is the most effective antioxidant in our blood, due to its water solubility and to the wide range of radical oxygen species ( ROS ) that it can scavenge ( R , R1 ). Its greatfor a whole range of health issues, like high blood pressure , stroke , cancers , atherosclerosis , inflammation and obesity ( R , R1 ). In this article I will take you through exactlywhat the science saysVitamin C could do for your health. Helps preventcolds & flu when the body is stressed A lot of people find high dose vitamin C very good for immunodeficiency, chronic toxin or infectious problems High dose vitamin C has anti-cancer effects Can cause a bit of nausea or stomach upset Can cause loose stools if too much is taken As proof of the importance of Vitamin C for brain health, the brain retains Vitamin C at the expense of other tissues during chronic states of deficiency and can uphold concentrations 100-fold higher than other organs, e.g. liver and kidney ( R , R1 ). Vitamin C plays a role inmany important functions in the brain, including reactive oxygen species scavenging, neuromodulation, and thedevelopment of new blood vessels (angiogenesis) ( R ). Vitamin C modulates neurotransmitter systems of the brain (cholinergic, catecholinergic, and glutamergic) ( R ). Vitamin C helpsthe gener Continue reading >>
What Medicines Can Make Your Blood Sugar Spike?
If you have diabetes or high blood sugar, you probably know some of the things that cause your glucose (another name for blood sugar) to go up. Like a meal with too many carbohydrates, or not enough exercise. But other medicines you might take to keep yourself healthy can cause a spike, too. Know Your Meds Medicines you get with a prescription and some that you buy over the counter (OTC) can be a problem for people who need to control their blood sugar. Prescription medicines that can raise your glucose include: Steroids (also called corticosteroids). They treat diseases caused by inflammation, like rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and allergies. Common steroids include hydrocortisone and prednisone. But steroid creams (for a rash) or inhalers (for asthma) aren’t a problem. Drugs that treat high blood pressure, such as beta-blockers and thiazide diuretics High doses of asthma medicines, or drugs that you inject for asthma treatment OTC medicines that can raise your blood sugar include: Cough syrup. Ask your doctor if you should take regular or sugar-free. How Do You Decide What to Take? Even though these medicines can raise your blood sugar, it doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t take them if you need them. The most important thing is to work with your doctor on the right way to use them. If you have diabetes or you’re watching your blood sugar, ask your doctor before you take new medicines or change any medicines, even if it’s just something for a cough or cold. (Remember, just being sick can raise your blood sugar.) Make sure your doctor knows all the medicines you take -- for diabetes or any other reason. If one of them may affect your blood sugar, she may prescribe a lower dose or tell you to take the medicine for a shorter time. You may need to check your blood s Continue reading >>
