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Are We Close to a Cure? Hope for Diabetes Patients with Latest Treatments

The advances in medicine and health has given diabetes patients hope that they may be close to cure the disease as a range of the latest treatments helps people struggling with diabetes better manage it. In such a short time solutions have been found to some of the most pressing problems diabetics deal with on a daily basis.

Joe Martino from collective-evolution.com reports that scientists have discovered that Bitter Melon, a type of fruit that grows well in Asia, Africa and the Caribbean, has been shown to be effective in managing blood sugar. The effect is not as strong as treating diabetics with Metformin, however, the active compounds in Bitter Melon that is responsible has not been isolated.

Trial participants in a 2011 study, published in the Journal of Ethnopharmacology, took 2000mg of Bitter Melon each day and results indicate it was effective in managing spikes in blood sugar and overall management of the disease.

The express.co.uk reports scientists have discovered a potential cure for both types of diabetes. It may be possible, writes health reporter Mark Reynolds, to take a pill which scientists claim can potentially cure diabetes. The pill works by changing the point of blood glucose management from the pancreas to the patient’s intestines.

Leading research author, Professor John March and his colleagues at Cornell University in New York engineered a strain of a common gut flora, Lactobacillus, to release a peptide. This peptide is a hormone that stimulates release of insulin into the bloodstream in response to eating food.

Professor March was upbeat about the prospects of the developments for diabetics saying that diabetics may “…just take the pill and wouldn’t have to do anything else to control their diabetes.” Though, he did note that it would be likely that the new treatment would be used in tandem with other medical interventions.

Diabetes sufferers experience high-levels of blood glucose levels, which can be dangerous as the disease is linked to obesity, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, stroke, blindness and limb amputations. Very high levels of blood glucose can also cause sufferers to fall into a diabetic coma which can be deadly.

In type I diabetes the pancreas doesn’t produce any insulin or too little insulin to assist the glucose in the blood to enter the cells where energy will be used in cellular activity. Type I diabetics require synthetic insulin to help their body process sugars.

Type II diabetes occurs where the insulin the body produces doesn’t work properly. This causes what is known as insulin resistance. The cells may also stop responding to insulin. As a result sufferers can experience severe fatigue and may not be able to reduce weight through diet and exercise as their metabolism fails to work properly. Excess body weight can often be a clue that someone may have Type II diabetes.

A probiotic pill may face fewer hurdles in being approved for use by drug authorities.

“One of the things that’s useful about probiotics,” says Professor March, “is that they’re generally regarded as safe.” The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) may not require the same level of testing before approving probiotics for use in the treatment of diabetes.

“They’re already available, people already take them, and they haven’t had any adverse side effects.” Said Professor March. There are further animal trials ahead for the new pill. If they are successful, says March, it may become available for human use.

Diabetics struggling with their disease may soon have hope to break free of their condition.

You are looking for more information on healthy living and healthy finance, then go to Living Health Shack on FaceBook and click “Like” on the page.

Are We Close to a Cure? Hope for Diabetes Patients with Latest Treatments

Are We Close to a Cure? Hope for Diabetes Patients with Latest Treatments

The advances in medicine and health has given diabetes patients hope that they may be close to cure the disease as a range of the latest treatments helps people struggling with diabetes better manage it. In such a short time solutions have been found to some of the most pressing problems diabetics deal with on a daily basis.

Joe Martino from collective-evolution.com reports that scientists have discovered that Bitter Melon, a type of fruit that grows well in Asia, Africa and the Caribbean, has been shown to be effective in managing blood sugar. The effect is not as strong as treating diabetics with Metformin, however, the active compounds in Bitter Melon that is responsible has not been isolated.

Trial participants in a 2011 study, published in the Journal of Ethnopharmacology, took 2000mg of Bitter Melon each day and results indicate it was effective in managing spikes in blood sugar and overall management of the disease.

The express.co.uk reports scientists have discovered a potential cure for both types of diabetes. It may be possible, writes health reporter Mark Reynolds, to take a pill which scientists claim can potentially cure diabetes. The pill works by changing the point of blood glucose management from the pancreas to the patient’s intestines.

Leading research author, Professor John March and his colleagues at Cornell University in New York engineered a strain of a common gut flora, Lactobacillus, to release a peptide. This peptide is a hormone that stimulates release of insulin into the bloodstream in response to eating food.

Professor March was upbeat about the prospects of the developments for diabetics saying that diabetics may “…just take the pill and wouldn’t have to do anything else to control their diabetes.” Though, he did note that it would be likely that the new treatment would be used in tandem with other medical interventions.

Diabetes sufferers experience high-levels of blood glucose levels, which can be dangerous as the disease is linked to obesity, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, stroke, blindness and limb amputations. Very high levels of blood glucose can also cause sufferers to fall into a diabetic coma which can be deadly.

In type I diabetes the pancreas doesn’t produce any insulin or too little insulin to assist the glucose in the blood to enter the cells where energy will be used in cellular activity. Type I diabetics require synthetic insulin to help their body process sugars.

Type II diabetes occurs where the insulin the body produces doesn’t work properly. This causes what is known as insulin resistance. The cells may also stop responding to insulin. As a result sufferers can experience severe fatigue and may not be able to reduce weight through diet and exercise as their metabolism fails to work properly. Excess body weight can often be a clue that someone may have Type II diabetes.

A probiotic pill may face fewer hurdles in being approved for use by drug authorities.

“One of the things that’s useful about probiotics,” says Professor March, “is that they’re generally regarded as safe.” The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) may not require the same level of testing before approving probiotics for use in the treatment of diabetes.

“They’re already available, people already take them, and they haven’t had any adverse side effects.” Said Professor March. There are further animal trials ahead for the new pill. If they are successful, says March, it may become available for human use.

Diabetics struggling with their disease may soon have hope to break free of their condition.

You are looking for more information on healthy living and healthy finance, then go to Living Health Shack on FaceBook and click “Like” on the page.

Are We Close to a Cure? Hope for Diabetes Patients with Latest Treatments

Are Sweet Potatoes Good for Diabetics?

It is an age-old nutrition debate; are sweet potatoes good for diabetics or are they as troublesome for blood sugar control as ordinary white potato varieties? It is an important debate because diabetics need firm answers – the sooner, the better. It is crucial that diabetics understand as early as possible after they are diagnosed exactly what foods are safe to eat and what they must stay clear of.

A diabetes diagnosis often means eliminating or cutting back your consumption of many of your favourite foods. Many foods with high carbohydrate content, such as many desserts, large amounts of pasta, breads, sugary breakfast cereals and soft drinks, can send your blood sugar levels sky-high after only a few minutes from having eaten them.

The big problem with this is that over time perpetually high blood sugar levels can damage your small blood vessels and lead to heart diseases, blindness, kidney diseases, and stroke. In some serious cases diabetics may even face limbs needing to be amputated.

The good news is that diabetics can include a variety of carbohydrates that are digested more slowly, such as the ones found in non-starchy vegetables, fresh fruits, nuts and sweet potatoes to stay healthier with their condition.

In particular, the advice around eating potatoes, whether regular potatoes or sweet potatoes, has not always been clear with some dieticians arguing that diabetics should stay clear of both. Other dieticians argue that sweet potatoes are fine for diabetics and regular potato varieties should be consumed in limited proportions.

The situation is not as clear as many diabetics would like, only adding to the confusion and distress they may already be experiencing after being diagnosed. However, there are important distinctions that can make your decision about eating potatoes a little easier.

Sweet Potatoes and White Potatoes are from Different Plant Species

Both Sweet Potato and White Potato are tubers, a type of plant that stores energy in tubular root systems. There are many of these types of plants. Carrots, swedes, turnips, yams, sweet potato and white potato are the most commonly known examples of vegetables that come from plants with these tubular root systems.

Sweet Potato and White Potato are rich in energy as a result. They make a great side dish and can be enjoyed mashed, boiled, steamed, baked and fried. They both originate from Central and South America where they have been cultivated for thousands of years.

Krista Scott-Dixon and Brian St. Pierre from Precision Nutrition note some of these key differences in their article, “Sweet vs. regular potatoes: Which potatoes are really healthier?”

“Botanically,” they write, “potatoes and sweet potatoes are completely unrelated.”

Potatoes (Solanum tuberosum) are from the Solanaceae family of plants. They are related to plants like tomatoes, peppers, eggplants and the inedible, deadly, nightshade. The stems and leaves of these plants can’t be eaten as they are poisonous. If potatoes have over-ripened they will start to turn green and, for the same reason, shouldn’t be eaten.

But as Scott-Dixon and St. Pierre note, Sweet Potato (Ipomoea Batatas) is from the totally different family of plants called Convolvulaceae. Like Solanum Tuberosum it is also a tuber, however, that is where the similarity ends. Sweet Potato plants can also be used in cooking, especially the leaves which are very nutritious.

Ordinary potatoes, whether you have them baked, mashed, boiled, steamed, or fried as french fries or potato chips, have a much higher glycaemic index, which means that their carbohydrates are more-quickly turned into sugar, which can lead to elevated blood sugar levels. In contrast, Sweet Potatoes have a much lower glycaemic index value, meaning they will not lead to a rise in blood sugar levels as long as they are consumed in moderation.

If you would like to swap potatoes with sweet potatoes, not only will you have a delicious and nutritious alternative, but, you would be lowering your overall carbohydrate intake. Adding to their status as a healthy option, Sweet Potatoes have a high dietary fibre contribution which actually aides in keeping blood sugar and cholesterol in-check.

You can now enjoy a tasty option totally guilt free.

You are looking for more information on healthy living and healthy finance, then go to Living Health Shack on FaceBook and click “Like” on the page.

Are Sweet Potatoes Good for Diabetics?

Are Sweet Potatoes Good for Diabetics?

It is an age-old nutrition debate; are sweet potatoes good for diabetics or are they as troublesome for blood sugar control as ordinary white potato varieties? It is an important debate because diabetics need firm answers – the sooner, the better. It is crucial that diabetics understand as early as possible after they are diagnosed exactly what foods are safe to eat and what they must stay clear of.

A diabetes diagnosis often means eliminating or cutting back your consumption of many of your favourite foods. Many foods with high carbohydrate content, such as many desserts, large amounts of pasta, breads, sugary breakfast cereals and soft drinks, can send your blood sugar levels sky-high after only a few minutes from having eaten them.

The big problem with this is that over time perpetually high blood sugar levels can damage your small blood vessels and lead to heart diseases, blindness, kidney diseases, and stroke. In some serious cases diabetics may even face limbs needing to be amputated.

The good news is that diabetics can include a variety of carbohydrates that are digested more slowly, such as the ones found in non-starchy vegetables, fresh fruits, nuts and sweet potatoes to stay healthier with their condition.

In particular, the advice around eating potatoes, whether regular potatoes or sweet potatoes, has not always been clear with some dieticians arguing that diabetics should stay clear of both. Other dieticians argue that sweet potatoes are fine for diabetics and regular potato varieties should be consumed in limited proportions.

The situation is not as clear as many diabetics would like, only adding to the confusion and distress they may already be experiencing after being diagnosed. However, there are important distinctions that can make your decision about eating potatoes a little easier.

Sweet Potatoes and White Potatoes are from Different Plant Species

Both Sweet Potato and White Potato are tubers, a type of plant that stores energy in tubular root systems. There are many of these types of plants. Carrots, swedes, turnips, yams, sweet potato and white potato are the most commonly known examples of vegetables that come from plants with these tubular root systems.

Sweet Potato and White Potato are rich in energy as a result. They make a great side dish and can be enjoyed mashed, boiled, steamed, baked and fried. They both originate from Central and South America where they have been cultivated for thousands of years.

Krista Scott-Dixon and Brian St. Pierre from Precision Nutrition note some of these key differences in their article, “Sweet vs. regular potatoes: Which potatoes are really healthier?”

“Botanically,” they write, “potatoes and sweet potatoes are completely unrelated.”

Potatoes (Solanum tuberosum) are from the Solanaceae family of plants. They are related to plants like tomatoes, peppers, eggplants and the inedible, deadly, nightshade. The stems and leaves of these plants can’t be eaten as they are poisonous. If potatoes have over-ripened they will start to turn green and, for the same reason, shouldn’t be eaten.

But as Scott-Dixon and St. Pierre note, Sweet Potato (Ipomoea Batatas) is from the totally different family of plants called Convolvulaceae. Like Solanum Tuberosum it is also a tuber, however, that is where the similarity ends. Sweet Potato plants can also be used in cooking, especially the leaves which are very nutritious.

Ordinary potatoes, whether you have them baked, mashed, boiled, steamed, or fried as french fries or potato chips, have a much higher glycaemic index, which means that their carbohydrates are more-quickly turned into sugar, which can lead to elevated blood sugar levels. In contrast, Sweet Potatoes have a much lower glycaemic index value, meaning they will not lead to a rise in blood sugar levels as long as they are consumed in moderation.

If you would like to swap potatoes with sweet potatoes, not only will you have a delicious and nutritious alternative, but, you would be lowering your overall carbohydrate intake. Adding to their status as a healthy option, Sweet Potatoes have a high dietary fibre contribution which actually aides in keeping blood sugar and cholesterol in-check.

You can now enjoy a tasty option totally guilt free.

You are looking for more information on healthy living and healthy finance, then go to Living Health Shack on FaceBook and click “Like” on the page.

Are Sweet Potatoes Good for Diabetics?

Are Bananas Bad for Diabetics? Bananas, More Friend than Foe

There is so much misinformation out there it can be hard to know the truth about what foods are bad for you if you are diabetic, especially when it comes to eating fresh fruit like bananas. Diabetics are told they need to swap processed refined carbohydrates for fresh fruit and vegetables; however, many dieticians recommend diabetics don’t consume fruits high in natural carbohydrates.

Bananas are one such fresh fruit that has attracted a lot of attention because they can have higher levels of carbohydrates. These are in form of fructose, which is a natural form of sugar and easier for the body to process. However, the effect on blood sugar is not uniformly bad.

As the American Diabetes Association (ADA) highlights, whether or not bananas are bad for diabetics comes down to how sensitive a diabetic is to natural carbohydrates. Some diabetics are highly sensitive to any carbohydrates whether natural or refined. Other diabetics may react to refined carbohydrates very badly but will not experience the same reaction to natural carbohydrates in fresh fruits such as bananas.

The ADA recommends that diabetics can still consume bananas, but they caution diabetics to plan their meals to account for the carbohydrates so that overall carbohydrate consumption is safe, and, they also suggest that diabetics become familiar with how much carbohydrate is in bananas.

The level of natural sugars in bananas is not uniform. The amount of carbohydrates in bananas depends on the size of the fruit you are consuming. The ADA points out that a large banana of around 9 inches (approximately 24 centimetres) may have up to 35 grams of carbohydrate. Dried banana, in the form of banana chips, can have up to 150 calories per 1 cup serving. This is as much as many confectionary foods like, chocolate bars, potato chips and cake.

Small bananas, though, are relatively safer for diabetics to eat as they may have as little as 18.5 grams of carbohydrate. This is more in line with other fruits and some vegetables.

The American Diabetes Association’s list of banana size and carbohydrates comparison looks like this:

• Extra Small Bananas – 6 inches long or less – have approximately 18.5 grams of carbohydrate;


• Small Bananas – between 6 and 7 inches long – contain around 23 grams of carbohydrate;


• Medium Bananas – between 7 and 8 inches long – have around 27 grams of carbohydrate;


• Large Bananas – between 8 and 9 inches long – contain approximately 31 grams of carbohydrate; and


• Very Large Bananas – over 9 inches in length – include 35 grams or more in carbohydrate.

Bananas are a good choice for food to snack on, or to add to a meal, like fruit salad or on top of breakfast cereal. They are full of fibre which is great for diabetics as it helps to digest and control blood sugar, harmful cholesterol and aids in promoting healthy bowel function.

Bananas are also rich in many vitamins such as; vitamin C, potassium, B vitamins like thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, vitamin B-6 and folate, vitamin E and beta carotene which is a pre-cursor to vitamin A. Bananas are one of the most-nutritious natural foods available and are excellent for all people to include in their diet, especially diabetics who need many of the vitamins bananas come with. The B vitamins, vitamin E and beta carotene have a vital role to play in keeping blood, the nervous system, skin and body tissue and the cellular repair functions of the body working properly for good health.

So, if you are a diabetic and your condition is well-managed with your blood sugar levels under control, there is no reason why bananas can’t be a part of your overall healthy eating plan. They are a good diabetes-friendly snack.

You are looking for more information on healthy living and healthy finance, then go to Living Health Shack on FaceBook and click “Like” on the page.

Are Bananas Bad for Diabetics? Bananas, More Friend than Foe

Are Bananas Bad for Diabetics? Bananas, More Friend than Foe

There is so much misinformation out there it can be hard to know the truth about what foods are bad for you if you are diabetic, especially when it comes to eating fresh fruit like bananas. Diabetics are told they need to swap processed refined carbohydrates for fresh fruit and vegetables; however, many dieticians recommend diabetics don’t consume fruits high in natural carbohydrates.

Bananas are one such fresh fruit that has attracted a lot of attention because they can have higher levels of carbohydrates. These are in form of fructose, which is a natural form of sugar and easier for the body to process. However, the effect on blood sugar is not uniformly bad.

As the American Diabetes Association (ADA) highlights, whether or not bananas are bad for diabetics comes down to how sensitive a diabetic is to natural carbohydrates. Some diabetics are highly sensitive to any carbohydrates whether natural or refined. Other diabetics may react to refined carbohydrates very badly but will not experience the same reaction to natural carbohydrates in fresh fruits such as bananas.

The ADA recommends that diabetics can still consume bananas, but they caution diabetics to plan their meals to account for the carbohydrates so that overall carbohydrate consumption is safe, and, they also suggest that diabetics become familiar with how much carbohydrate is in bananas.

The level of natural sugars in bananas is not uniform. The amount of carbohydrates in bananas depends on the size of the fruit you are consuming. The ADA points out that a large banana of around 9 inches (approximately 24 centimetres) may have up to 35 grams of carbohydrate. Dried banana, in the form of banana chips, can have up to 150 calories per 1 cup serving. This is as much as many confectionary foods like, chocolate bars, potato chips and cake.

Small bananas, though, are relatively safer for diabetics to eat as they may have as little as 18.5 grams of carbohydrate. This is more in line with other fruits and some vegetables.

The American Diabetes Association’s list of banana size and carbohydrates comparison looks like this:

• Extra Small Bananas – 6 inches long or less – have approximately 18.5 grams of carbohydrate;


• Small Bananas – between 6 and 7 inches long – contain around 23 grams of carbohydrate;


• Medium Bananas – between 7 and 8 inches long – have around 27 grams of carbohydrate;


• Large Bananas – between 8 and 9 inches long – contain approximately 31 grams of carbohydrate; and


• Very Large Bananas – over 9 inches in length – include 35 grams or more in carbohydrate.

Bananas are a good choice for food to snack on, or to add to a meal, like fruit salad or on top of breakfast cereal. They are full of fibre which is great for diabetics as it helps to digest and control blood sugar, harmful cholesterol and aids in promoting healthy bowel function.

Bananas are also rich in many vitamins such as; vitamin C, potassium, B vitamins like thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, vitamin B-6 and folate, vitamin E and beta carotene which is a pre-cursor to vitamin A. Bananas are one of the most-nutritious natural foods available and are excellent for all people to include in their diet, especially diabetics who need many of the vitamins bananas come with. The B vitamins, vitamin E and beta carotene have a vital role to play in keeping blood, the nervous system, skin and body tissue and the cellular repair functions of the body working properly for good health.

So, if you are a diabetic and your condition is well-managed with your blood sugar levels under control, there is no reason why bananas can’t be a part of your overall healthy eating plan. They are a good diabetes-friendly snack.

You are looking for more information on healthy living and healthy finance, then go to Living Health Shack on FaceBook and click “Like” on the page.

Are Bananas Bad for Diabetics? Bananas, More Friend than Foe