Wanted: Women Chocolate Fans
April 28, 2008 by Lucy · Leave a Comment
Diabetes is a problem and if you have it, it’s not a condition that will just go away, as being a chronic disease that can cause serious complications - it’s a condition where the blood sugar level consistently runs too high and has to be taken care of each and every day - failure to do so, can be fatal.
As diabetes is the leading cause of adult blindness, lower-limb amputations, kidney failure as well as causing heart disease, strokes, and even death if untreated, it’s important that ongoing research is carried out, to help find cures.
But perhaps there is some new hope for certain types of diabetes…. at least according to this news snippet from BBC News:
Scientists are to investigate whether eating chocolate can reduce the risk of heart disease in women with diabetes.
Volunteers - postmenopausal women with type 2 diabetes - will be asked to eat a bar of chocolate a day for a year.
Cocoa is rich in compounds called flavonoids, which are thought to benefit the heart.
The University of East Anglia is using a specially formulated form of chocolate which contains more flavonoids than usual.
The scientists are testing the theory that adding flavonoids to the diet may give added protection against heart disease on top of that provided by prescription drugs.
Deaths due to heart disease among women increase rapidly after the menopause and having type 2 diabetes increases this risk by a further three-and-a-half times.
If the trial confirms the hypothesis then it could have a far-reaching impact on the advice given to at-risk women.
The researchers aim to recruit 150 women under the age of 70 with type 2 diabetes who have not had a period for at least a year, and who have been taking cholesterol-lowering statin drugs for at least 12 months.
Dr Iain Frame, director of research at the charity Diabetes UK, said: “We certainly don’t advise people to start eating a lot of chocolate as it is very high in sugar and fat.
News Source and to read the full story: BBC NEWS | Health | Chocolate ‘may cut diabetes risk’
How High Are You On The Chromium Scales?
January 29, 2008 by Julia Hanf · Leave a Comment
This has made researchers sit up and pay even more specialized attention to diabetes control and treatment, as conventional methods have yielded as many disastrous side-effects, as they have produced encouraging results. One of the more scientifically proven methods of diabetes treatment, which has gained itself the cynical nod as well, is supplementing the diet with chromium.
Chromium is one of the fundamental constituents of every organism and is found in the body as Chromium Picolinate. This biologically active form of chromium helps the cells of the body become more responsive to the insulin that is produced, thus forming an integral part of the digestive process. Although a trace mineral, research has found that chromium deficiencies can largely influence the development of diabetes, while even moderate levels chromium picolinate when administered as supplements, have been known to significantly lower blood glucose levels.
Vast and exhaustive case studies have indicated that the effectiveness of chromium is heightened in cases of Type 2 Diabetes and obese individuals. This category of individuals is particularly prone to insulin resistance and hence chromium supplements play an irreplaceable role in diabetes management, as they actually stimulate the insulin-sensitivity of the body in these cases. The human body absorbs chromium from the small intestine in minute doses, given the minimal requirement of this element in the body. In fact, a normal human body contains only about 6 mg of chromium, which is deemed as sufficient to fulfill its requirements. A diabetic body, however, suffers from an impaired ability to absorb chromium, which leads to a deficiency of this element in the body, further disarraying the balance between glucose ingestion and metabolism.
As per research conducted by the American Institute of Medicine, chromium is a very safe mineral to supplement your diet with, as it does not have an upper limit for the amounts that can be administered in a day. The treatment of insulin-resistant diabetes is most benefited by chromium supplements as opposed to Type 1 Diabetes, as chromium directly enhances the number of receptor cells that are dedicated to insulin.
However, all is not quite as pleasant when it comes to whether chromium can be approved for wide-scale use. A certain number of experts point out the effect chromium has on neurotransmitters, making its use dangerous for those who are clinically depressed, suffer from bipolar disorders or even schizophrenia. Chromium is also known to cause skin irritation in individuals when their body cannot cope with the undulating chromium levels it is subject to.
Chromium supplements can be both natural and artificial depending on which source is more convenient for you. Foods and condiments like black pepper, broccoli, dry beans and whole grains are very rich in chromium, while supplements of chromium alone, or which contain chromium as a part of a nutrient mlange have been found to be just as effective.
In spite of the huge body of research that has been devoted to chromium, it has yet to find its niche as a popular nutritional supplement. However, this is soon changing with many medical practitioners embracing the high success ratio of this mineral and granting it their expert approval. If you intend to include chromium as a part of your diabetes management program, ensure that your physician is well-aware of your decision and is kept regularly updated about the progress you are making. Diabetes management may seem like a daunting process at first appearances. However, it really is a matter of how easily you can incorporate the changes diabetes demands of you into your daily routine. If you are still grappling with your diabetes control, remember that help is always readily available and close at hand. All you need to do is make the first attempt the results which follow, will have plenty to talk you into sticking with this way of life!
About the Author:
Julia Hanf author of the book How To Play the Diabetes Diet Game and Win Through a real life crisis Julia figured out how to live diabetes free. Visit http://www.yourdiabetescure.com and learn more about your solution for diabetes.
Natural Treatments For Diabetes Type 2
January 23, 2008 by Marcus Clarkson · Leave a Comment
Below in this article we take a look at what kinds of natural treatments people are now using in order to help treat and control their Type 2 Diabetes. It is also important to note that the ones we have chosen to discuss in this article are readily available by going to your local health food store or by going online.
1. Ginseng - Is very effective however in studies carried out the most effective type of Ginseng for treating Type 2 diabetes is the North American (Panax Quinquefolius) form of this herb. In studies carried out it has been found that not only does it control blood sugar but also glycosylated hemogobin levels in those with this form of diabetes as well.
2. Chromium - Is an essential trace mineral and plays a part in helping the body to produce sufficient amounts of insulin for the body. Also this particular herb is effective in playing a role to control a person’s carbohydrate and fat metabolism as well. But it is important that when looking to use this to control Type 2 diabetes you avoid the one known as Chromium Picolinate as this can cause side effects in a person.
3. Magnesium - Yet another mineral that the human body needs to function properly and which helps to control the production of insulin. The best sources of foods from which magnesium can be obtained is nuts such as pecans and walnuts, along with green leafy vegetables and whole grain foods as well. Another way of ensuring that your body is getting sufficient amounts of magnesium is by taking a supplement.
Otherwise you may want to take a magnesium supplement as well. But if you do you will need to keep to the recommended dosage as too much and you may suffer from other health issues, such as diarrhoea, nausea, loss of appetite and low blood pressure.
4. Cinnamon - Another effective natural treatment for Type 2 diabetes that also tastes great as well. Studies have been carried out on this spice, which have shown that it again contains properties, which are effective at helping to control a person’s blood glucose levels.
5. Zinc - Another mineral which is essential to the human body and which not only helps in the production of insulin but in the way in which it is stored within the body. The best way of getting zinc is through eating such foods as pecan nuts and walnuts, split peas, egg yolks as well as ginger root, beef liver and almonds.
Along with the above-mentioned diabetes Type 2 natural treatments there are plenty of others which are considered to be effective. But what is important that if you wish to consider using any kind of natural treatment for your condition you need to discuss the matter with your doctor first.
About the Author:
About the author: Marcus Clarkson has been publishing articles about diabetes type 2 natural treatment for a while and regularly publishes fresh content to his website which provides diabetic information.






