The Insulin war

Unless you have been living in a cave without electricity for the last 75 years, you are likely aware that "Insulin", a hormone produced and secreted by the pancreas, is absolutely necessary to control blood sugar. You also likely know that if you do not produce enough insulin, your blood sugar count will remain high and you will be diagnosed as a Diabetic (referring to the disease of "Sugar Diabetes").
Diabetes Association statistics tell us that we find a new Diabetic every 8 minutes in Canada (over 60,000 new cases per year - do the math). More alarming to me is the fact that the same statistic just 6 years ago was one new Diabetic every 23 minutes - a 3 fold increase in just 6 years.
Many people may not realize that the Diabetes "epidemic" is that of the type II variety which is a situation where the pancreas does produce or even over produce insulin but for some or many reasons certain cells have become "Insulin Resistant". Other names used are - carbohydrate intolerant, or glucose intolerant or glucose resistant.
Historically, man developed the ability to produce insulin through a genetic adaptation fondly referred to as the THRIFTY GENE. Insulin became the hormone responsible for storing surplus sugars (the digestive product of all carbohydrates) in muscle cells as Muscle Glycogen (athlete know about that), liver glycogen and body fat- also known as tri-glycerides.
I works like this: digested carbohydrates become blood sugar. Blood sugar triggers the pancreas to release the hormone insulin. Insulin directs the sugars to their appropriate storage depots. When the glycogen stores are full due to eating many carbohydrates or due to physical inactivity, the surplus is stored as fat. When blood sugar drops, Insulin follows suit and drops. This allow the pancreas to release it other hormone - glucagon - which is responsible for mobilizing fat from stores and making it available for energy. Like an energy bank.
The problems arise when we constantly eat too many carbohydrates which keep the insulin production high and therefore the glucagon production low. We tend to always be in the STORAGE MODE. This can be aggravated by choosing carbohydrates that raise the blood sugar very quickly (sugar drinks, sugar snacks, white flour products are a few examples) and are known as High Glycemic Index foods. These high GI foods create a situation of chronic hyper insulinemia. This condition, experienced by about 70 per cent of the population is responsible for the obesity epidemic which is coinciding with the diabetes epidemic. High insulin is also partly or wholly responsible for insatiable appetites, elevated cholesterol, tri-glycerides, and blood pressure. Insulin also interferes with the production of some of our other hormones responsible for controlling inflammatory conditions.
To control the insulin war try to eat very complex carbohydrates and to eat some protein in every meal and every snack. Eat some of the protein food in your meal or snack first - before eating or drinking your carbohydrate. This will reduce the rate of rise in blood sugar thus controlling the rate of release and quantity of release of the insulin hormone. If you follow these few simple rules you will have more energy throughout the day, control your weight with ease and generally be healthier

Blood Sugar Foods and Herbs that Decreases Diabetes

Diabetes is disease which has become very common these days. It is also known as diabetes mellitus. It is caused by accumulation of glucose or sugar in blood. Generally the carbohydrates we eat are converted in to glucose. The glucose is burnt down by a hormone called insulin secreted by our pancreas.
The burnt glucose enters the body cells, supplying the body with energy. When this process does not take place properly, glucose builds up in the blood stream leading to diabetes. Diabetes is of three major types: Type 1 diabetes is caused due to insufficient supply of insulin, Type 2 diabetes is caused due to cells becoming insulin-resistant and Gestational diabetes attacks women during pregnancy.
Foods and Supplements that Decreases Blood Sugar Levels
Cinnamon:
Studies are finding that cinnamon reduces blood sugar levels naturally when taken daily. If you completely love cinnamon you can shower the recommended six grams of cinnamon on your food throughout the day to attain the desired effect. If you are not that big a fan of cinnamon there is another substitute cinnamon capsules. This gives you the suggested cinnamon dose all in one tidy capsule.
Chromium:
To help your body's cells counter correctly to insulin you can use Chromium. There are researches that are finding that people with diabetes have lower Chromium levels than people who do not suffer from diabetes. But here question arises that how do you add Chromium to your diet? Well it is a trace mineral so the best stake it to take a Chromium Picolinate dietary supplement.
Zinc:
 The mineral Zinc plays a enormous role in your body's production and storage of insulin. It is now being brought to light that people with diabetes mellitus have a Zinc deficiency. You can go about raising the Zinc in your diet by either taking a supplement or by eating foods that are high in Zinc value. This would include of lamb, oysters, pecans, almonds (badaam), chicken and sardines.
Herbs can control diabetes
Cinnamon has insulin like properties-
 It also reduces blood cholesterol and triglycerides which are also important factors for Type 2 Diabetes. A half teaspoon of cinnamon powder daily in diet can reduce the blood glucose level.
Bitter gourd-
Bitter gourd has some compounds that help in lowering blood sugar levels. Taking its juice early morning in empty stomach can give desired results.
Onion-
Onion has a compound that is capable of blocking the breakdown of insulin and also stimulates the pancreas in insulin production. It gives good results whether eaten in raw or boiled form.
Fenugreek seeds-
Fenugreek seeds widely used as spice in different Indian recipes can lower the blood sugar levels. A teaspoonful of the powdered seeds if taken with a glass of water daily helps in the treatment.
Asian ginseng is usually used by the treat Diabetes. This herb stimulates the pancreas to produce insulin and increase the number of insulin receptors. These help in lowering the blood glucose levels.
Blueberry-
Blueberry leaves has given remarkable results in ridding the body of excess blood glucose. Soaking few leaves in hot water and drinking 3 cups a day can produce good results.
Gingko biloba-
Gingko biloba is a popular herb to treat various diseases. Extract of its leaves may have good results in treating diabetes at the early stage.

Get Rid of Your Diabetes

Today, there are at least 20 million people living with diabetes in America and the sad part is that it is possible to prevent and heal pre-diabetes and diabetes type 2 naturally with balanced nutrition, and basic exercise.
People at risk of getting the disease drop by a staggering 60 percent if they manage to lose just 10 pounds by following a healthy diet and engage in regular exercise such as walking, according to a report published in the New England Journal of Medicine. (May 3, 2001).

Pre-Diabetes

This term means that you are at risk for getting type 2 diabetes and also heart disease.
The good news is if you have pre-diabetes you can reduce the risk of getting diabetes type 2 and even return to normal blood glucose levels if you follow the guidelines in this article.

Type 2 Diabetes

Formerly called adult-onset diabetes, this is the most common form of diabetes. This form of diabetes usually begins with insulin resistance, a condition in which the body cannot use insulin properly. People can develop this type of diabetes at any age and is usually associated with today’s modern lifestyle of fast food, stress and no exercise.
Being overweight and inactive increases the chances of developing type 2 diabetes dramatically. Traditional treatment includes taking diabetes medicines, aspirin daily, and controlling blood pressure and cholesterol with prescription drugs.
But with modest weight loss and moderate daily physical activity, you can delay or even prevent type 2 diabetes and lead a normal life. Lets look at a few steps you can use straight away in your daily life that will make a big difference to your condition.
Strength Training - Researchers have reported a 23% increase in glucose uptake after four months of strength training. Because poor glucose metabolism is associated with adult onset diabetes, improved glucose metabolism is an important benefit of regular strength exercise.
Nowadays you do not have to live in a gym to put on functional muscle. Short High Intensity sessions performed once a week is all that is required to improve glucose metabolism and lose weight.
The strength training technique I use requires just twenty to thirty mins per week. Gone are the days of the five-day a week program with 6 to 12 sets per body part that, method has never worked. One short intense strength-training workout a week will elevate your metabolism more than you ever thought possible.
The two main components of this technique are the intensity of the exercise and the recovery after the exercise. Infrequent, short, high intensity weight training sessions, followed by the required amount of time to recover and become stronger is what is needed to increase functional lean muscle and improve glucose metabolism.
Nutrition - The way to lose body fat and maintain muscle is to have a food program for life. Quality food and more energy output are the basics you'll need to go for. Bulk foods that fill you up and don't fill you out, foods that are low in fat and sugar which
aren't refined should be the ideal.
Small frequent meals should be consumed during the day each containing a little protein to maintain muscle and energy levels. Foods with vital vitamin and mineral supplements should also be taken on a daily basis. A high quality broad-spectrum vitamin and mineral supplement should also be taken on a daily basis.
As before get the calories from high quality food but if you can’t, utilize a blender to make concoctions from skim milk with whatever additives you want to use, just as long as you keep count of the calories for your daily total.
Now use these blender mixtures and solid food for your daily feedings. Spread it out over many small meals a day instead of the traditional three meals a day. The way to keep track of weight loss is to buy a calorie counter and record your daily calorie intake for a week.
Exercise - Fat is burned from the body when cells oxidize to release energy in the form of exercise. When the exercise is done slowly to moderately then the majority of energy is taken from the fat stores.
The key to effective aerobic training that burns off maximum fat is long-term consistency not intensity. It doesn’t matter if you run a mile, jog a mile or walk a mile you will burn exactly the same amount of calories.
The best exercise by far for the purpose of fat-loss is fast walking either indoors on the treadmill or outdoors. Other aerobic activities are the treadmill, bike, climber or any other training gear found in or out of the Gym.
You can do a lot to lower your chances of getting diabetes. By exercising regularly, reducing fat from your diet and losing weight can all help you reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.