Smoking And Diabetes: Risks, Effects, And How To Quit

The health risks of smoking are well known, and most smokers already know the risks they are taking. For people with diabetes, however, smoking is a serious risk factor for numerous health issues they may face. Smoking may even cause diabetes. Quitting is the best course of action smokers can take for their health. However, some strategies may reduce the health effects for some of those with diabetes.
Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes, accounting for at least 90 percent of cases worldwide. Type 2 diabetes is also closely linked to certain lifestyle factors, including smoking. In fact, smokers are 30-40 percent more likely than non-smokers to develop diabetes. People who have diabetes already and who smoke are more likely to have uncontrolled diabetes.
Smoking damages cells and tissues, increasing inflammation. It also causes oxidative stress, which is when molecules called free radicals damage cells. Both these conditions are linked to an increased risk of diabetes. They can cause other health problems, as well, including cardiovascular disease.
Research further suggests that heavy smoking increases abdominal fat. Even in people who aren't obese or overweight, excess abdominal fat is a risk factor for diabetes.
Health risks of smoking
The health risks of smoking are numerous, and researchers are constantly uncovering new health concerns associated with smoking. The habit of smoking is the leading cause of preventable death in the United States, while more than 16 million Americans have a smoking-related disease.
cardiovascular disease, including coronary h Continue reading

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Strategies for Stabilizing Insulin Absorption Rates

Strategies for Stabilizing Insulin Absorption Rates
Last week, I introduced the topic of insulin absorption . I laid out the basics, and then gave a nice, cheery list of all the things that can go wrong with how our bodies handle incoming insulin. This week, well revisit that list and talk about some strategies for managing this issue.
The first issue we went over last week was site selection. For both infusion sites and for shots, this is very, very important. Repeated use of a single site leads to the buildup of scar tissue, another issue I highlighted last week. Over time this scar tissue can impede insulin absorption so badly that an area of your body simply becomes unusable for taking in insulin. Scar tissue CAN heal over time, but areas with severely built up scar tissue can take years to recover and become absorbent again. The better solution is to avoid developing scar tissue in the first place (as much as possible, at least).
Rotating our injection sites is key. The methods people use vary (some people have said they rotate their sites in the shape of a W on either side of the belly button, moving left to right across the belly, then moving on to the next are of the body and following a similar pattern there; others rotate in a clockwise circle around the belly button [at least 2 inches away], and so on). But there are a few general rules. When you move to a new site, it should be at least 2 inches from the last site, particularly for insulin pumps, as the previous area can become overly saturated with insulin, and so the next round of insulin needs to be far Continue reading

Top 10 Herbs And Spices For Fighting Diabetes

It is unfortunate to find that there is a sharp rise in number of people suffering from type 2 diabetes all over the world. Diabetes is a metabolic disease that affects the way people respond to or produce insulin, which in turn determines body’s way of processing sugar. When there is low insulin secretion by the pancreas or cells of the body do not respond to insulin the way it should, your blood sugar remains high. If left untreated diabetes can cause serious complications. For diabetics, it is important to take a note, what they are eating and how it will impact their blood sugar levels. However, intensive studies and research are finding new ways to stay healthy and fulfilling life with diabetes. A healthy diet and following a healthy life-style like exercising regularly, not drinking and smoking can help to maintain healthy blood sugar level. Some herbs and spices have shown promising result in maintaining blood sugar levels.
Following herbs and spices have shown incredible result in fighting diabetes –inducing inflammation in the body and control blood glucose level.
Top Herbs And Spices For Diabetes
1. Holy Basil (Ocimum Sanctum)
Holy basil, native to India, the leaves and stems of which have been used in Ayurveda medicinally for managing asthma, arthritis, heart problem and respiratory infections [1] . The leaves of holy basil contain potent antioxidants that have been found to relieve oxidative stress which compounds major problems in diabetics. Researchers have shown evidence that basil leaves can help to enhance insulin secretion by improving the pancreatic b Continue reading

Meat Intake and Insulin Resistance in Women without Type 2 Diabetes

Meat Intake and Insulin Resistance in Women without Type 2 Diabetes
1Department of Exercise Sciences, Brigham Young University, 237 SFH, Provo, UT 84602, USA
2Department of Exercise Sciences, Brigham Young University, 269 SFH, Provo, UT 84602, USA
3Department of Exercise Sciences, Brigham Young University, 267 SFH, Provo, UT 84602, USA
Received 2015 Mar 11; Revised 2015 Jun 19; Accepted 2015 Jun 21.
This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
This article has been cited by other articles in PMC.
Purpose. To examine the relationship between meat intake and insulin resistance (IR) in 292 nondiabetic women. Methods. IR was evaluated using the homeostasis model assessment (HOMA). Diet was assessed via 7-day weighed food records. Servings of very lean meat (VLM) and regular meat (meat) were indexed using the ADA Exchange Lists Program. Physical activity was assessed using accelerometers and body fat was measured using the Bod Pod. Results. Meat intake was directly related to HOMA (F = 7.4; P = 0.007). Women with moderate or high meat intakes had significantly higher HOMA levels than their counterparts. Adjusting for body fat weakened the relationship (F = 1.0; P = 0.3201). Odds ratio results showed that the low meat quartile had 67% lower odds of being IR (75th percentile) compared to their counterparts (OR = 0.33; 95% CI = 0.160.71). These findings changed little after adjusting for all covariates sim Continue reading

Foot Care when Traveling (For People with Diabetes)

Why is foot care important for people who have diabetes?
When you have diabetes, taking good care of your feet is important — especially when traveling. Poor foot care can lead to serious problems.
Whether your trip includes skiing, touring city streets, walking sandy beaches, or making business presentations, you will probably spend a lot of time on your feet. This can increase the risk of foot problems.
Following the guidelines in this article will help you keep your feet healthy while you’re traveling so that you can enjoy your trip.
What should I do before I leave home?
Being well-prepared before you leave for your trip will help prevent problems. Follow these guidelines:
Talk to your doctor about your trip. Ask your doctor how you should care for your feet while you are traveling.
Write down your doctor’s phone number and a current medication list. Keep this information with you in your carry-on bag, purse, or wallet. This information will be helpful if you need to see a doctor away from home.
Wear medical identification that states you have diabetes.
What should I pack?
1. Comfortable shoes:
Break in stiff, new shoes before you leave for your trip to avoid foot irritation.
Plan to wear dress shoes or high-heeled shoes only when necessary.
Bring at least two pairs of shoes so you can switch pairs often. Changing shoes helps prevent blisters and sore pressure points.
2. Comfortable socks:
Socks with padding will protect troublesome pressure points.
Socks made with natural fibers, including cotton and wool, will keep moisture away from your skin and will protect yo Continue reading