Do you have symptoms that relate to an insulin imbalance? If you have fibromyalgia, look and see if you also have hypoglycemia, insulin resistance, or diabetes symptoms. These types of blood sugar imbalances can cause fibromyalgia pain to get worse. Blood sugar imbalances cause insulin absorption problems that can affect your health especially if you have fibromyalgia.

Insulin has many roles in the body. It maintains sugar levels in our cells where we create energy. If we cannot get sugar into the cells we become tired more easily. Overtime this can lead to hypersensitivity to pain that is associated with fibromyalgia.

Insulin is a storage hormone. Insulin builds muscle and stores amino acids from protein. Insulin also stores magnesium for future energy production. Insulin also takes excess glucose from carbohydrates and stores them as fat. Many people with insulin imbalances have excess weight, especially in the upper abdomen area. Insulin also controls salt and water retention in the body, and may contribute to rising blood pressures and imbalances in the cholesterol profile. Excess insulin will cause adrenalin to be secreted even when you are not stressed.

Reactive hypoglycemia, the first stage of blood sugar imbalance, occurs two to three hours after eating a high carbohydrate breakfast or lunch. Symptoms of reactive hypoglycemia are shakiness or tingling, pounding heartbeats, perspiring, and concentration problems. These symptoms occur because excess insulin causes adrenalin to be released.

We crave carbohydrates because we need energy. Yet when we eat carbohydrates, we stimulate insulin production. Insulin is supposed to move blood sugar into our cells, where it is burned as fuel. When there is an excess of insulin as well as an excess of carbohydrates, the excess carbohydrates are stored as fat in fat cells. The excess insulin also prevents the carbohydrates from being used for energy. You not only gain weight, but you are also prevented from losing these excess fat deposits because of the excess carbohydrates.

If it progresses toward insulin resistance you will have symptoms of excess body fat, high blood pressure, high triglycerides/cholesterol, fluid retention, dry skin, decreased memory chronic fatigue, irritability, mood swings, and sleep disturbances. These symptoms are very similar to associated conditions of fibromyalgia.

Insulin balances affect other areas of our metabolism. It slows our thyroid hormone conversion from T4 to T3. It affects the calcium absorption rate into our bones, and it affects how our muscles store sugar to burn for energy. When we burn sugar stored in our muscles, before burning fat, we get more muscle weakness and fatigue. This is why it takes a long time to recover after exercise or exertion.

Then cholesterol and triglyceride levels become more out of balance. You can measure the level of insulin resistance by looking at the ratio of Triglycerides / HDL. If the ratio is greater than 4.0 then you probably have an insulin imbalance.

How Do We Balance Insulin Levels? All carbohydrate foods stimulate the secretion of insulin. Use a Glycemic Index / Glycemic Load Chart found at www.naturalchoicesforyou.com to alter your diet to include more foods that take longer to digest, thus maintaining sugar and insulin balances better.

Use good fats, from fish oils, flax oils, and or olive oil to lower the glycemic level of any carbohydrates you do eat. If you eat breads or rolls, it would be beneficial on your blood sugar to put butter or olive oil on it, than to eat it plain. Incorporating essential fatty acids (the good fats) into your diet will help provide the fuel for building new muscles and will stimulate energy production.

Remember, insulin triggers an adrenalin response. So taking in anything that further stimulates adrenalin like coffee, tea and colas will make insulin resistance worse. Gradually reduce the level of caffeinated drinks in your diet and change over to pure water. Also, regular exercise will decrease the amount of insulin in your blood improving both blood sugar and insulin levels.

Are you a diabetic? If so, you are definitely not alone. Recent numbers report that there are some 18 million Type 2 diabetics. The American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists released statistics at it's annual meeting suggesting two-thirds of Type 2 diabetics don't have their blood sugar under control.

What may be even more astonishing, an additional 41 million have what is known as pre-diabetes, a precursor to the full blown disease.

Public health experts believe diabetes will be the next great lifestyle disease epidemic to afflict the United States. A study by doctors from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently startled people with the finding that the prevalence of diagnosed cases of diabetes had increased 33% over the past eight years.

Do you have a friend or family member with diabetes? If you have not been diagnosed as a diabetic, are you perhaps one of the millions that are undiagnosed? The following are some warning signs to look for:

- Frequent urination
- Unusual thirst
- Extreme hunger
- Extreme fatigue
- Irritability
- Frequent infections
- Blurred vision
- Cuts / bruises that are slow to heal
- Tingling / numbness in the hands and feet
- Recurring skin, gum or bladder infections

There are two primary reasons for Diabetes, 1) A prolonged diet high in carbohydrates and 2) Improper and under nourishment. Today, most people with diabetes are only treating the symptoms and not getting to the root of the problem. Furthermore, most medications given to diabetics are compounding problems instead of getting to the source. The best way to manage Diabetes is to get to the root causes.

Diabetics can help protect themselves by changing their daily routine. Although doctors have stated that there is no cure for diabetes, the following is recommended:

- Exercise
- Reducing sugar consumption
- Improved nutrition
- Nutritional supplementation

A 13 year old company named Sportron International has developed a "Diabetic Pack" that is nutritionally supporting today’s crisis with dramatic results. World renown nutritionist, Dr. W. Alan Tomlinson recently said, "Sportron’s Diabetic Pack is the most advanced nutritional support available and has been scientifically developed to intervene and assist in cases of abnormal sugar metabolism."

Most of the time, we focus on health or skin care completely ignoring the importance of our feet. Foot care is equally important especially for diabetic people to avoid foot complications. Feet is one part of our body which is used the most. Even then, we tend to ignore it until we don't come across some serious feet problem. Feet are made up of 26 bones, held together by tendons, ligaments and muscles and wrapped in skin.

Some handy and valuable tips of foot care:

a) Check your feet daily for cuts, sores, red spots, swelling and infected nails.

b) Do not cut corns and calluses( hardened or thickened part of the skin). Consult your doctor if you have developed corns and calluses rather than cutting them off using razor, corn plasters or some liquid corn removers.

c) Make sure your toe nails are trimmed properly. Trim them straight across and smooth them using a nail file.

d) If you are diabetic, consult your doctor. Diabetic patients are at more risk to developing foot complications and wounds which do not heal easily. There are three major problems which a diabetic person faces if he develops some foot disease.

. Ischemia: It is poor circulation of blood.

. Neuropathy: It is a nerve disease.

. Infection: Precipitation Factor.

Tip: Keeping your blood sugar level in good control and taking care of your feet properly can help you avoid serious foot problems. Also avoid sitting with your legs crossed as it can reduce the flow of blood to the feet.

e) Scrub your feet each time you take a shower. You can also wash them using mild soap and lukewarm water and then drying them gently.

f) Wear clean socks and shoes that fit you properly. Right shoes helps you put off injuries and soreness. If you feel your feet sweat more than others, go in for leather or canvas shoes but not synthetic ones or plastic shoes. Plastic or vinyl shoes do not stretch or breathe. Sandals are also a good option. Use foot powder daily.

In a time not too long ago, there lived a little girl named Lindsey. (Real story.)

She was born on the pale side of health and never seemed to get better. At six she was diagnosed with juvenile diabetes.

Then began the scramble to save her life. Heavy doses of insulin. Seventeen different drugs.

But nothing worked. Gradually her listless body began to shut down. First the bladder. Then the kidneys. Then the liver.

Her mother, in a frantic effort to buy time, wanted to donate a kidney. But the doctors refused. It was too late. The damage too great.

Lindsey went home to die.

But then someone suggested giving her sugar. At first, Lindsey’s mother was horrified. But then she became convinced enough to add eight simple sugars to her daughter’s diet.

Nothing happened...at first. It took time. But then improvement began to shine from behind Lindsey’s wasted face.

Gradually, her organs started functioning again. The prescription drugs were dropped. Her insulin requirements were cut in half.

Today, Lindsey is an energetic young girl of 12. Loves sports. And is trying out for cheerleading.

Did the simple sugars heal her?

No. Simple sugars have no healing power of their own. Yet recent Nobel Prize winning discoveries in medicine confirmed that they are essential for the functioning of human cells. And it is the cells that perform the healing. Not only do they heal but, as in Lindsey’s case, the damage caused by the disease is often reversed.

Is diabetes the only disease affected by these simple sugars?

No. There are thousands of testimonials from people with life debilitating and life threatening diseases that have been helped. Cancer...MS...Fibromyalgia...arthritis...and that’s just the beginning of a long list.

So why haven’t you heard about this?

The Science of Simple Sugars is relatively new. Plus the sugars are classified as ‘food’ which tends to place them below the radar of most doctors.

This means you may have to check out the science on your own. There are a number of resources available.

It will eventually become standard medical treatment. But until then, many people will suffer and even die because of the lack of knowledge. Don’t be one of them.

It is estimated that over 18 million people over the age of 20 in this country have diabetes. Persons over the age of 45 and those considered obese according to the Bio Mass Index are in elevated risk categories for this potentially fatal disease. Once diagnosed the potential health conditions that may result are: partial to complete blindness, kidney disease, hypoglycemia and certain sexual and urological problems including erectile dysfunction in men. Despite all of these potential effects the truth is very simple—diabetes is manageable!

Without question, a diabetes diagnosis does in fact mean that you will live with the condition for the rest of your life but it does not mean an end to your life. Far from it. There are millions of people living very full and complete lives despite the condition’s very real potential to bring about serious consequences to one’s well-being. And don’t worry—a diabetes diagnosis does NOT mean that you need to worry about going in and out of the doctor’s office every other day either! With proper self-discipline, a thorough understanding of the disease and its effective treatment techniques, and especially with the proper equipment—this is a VERY manageable condition!

You will need to check your glucose levels every day and depending on your particular diagnosis insulin shots may be required to manage your blood chemistry effectively. Having a Glucogen emergency kit is definitely a good idea as well. So long as you do not make the mistake of thinking that this is not a serious condition that requires daily attention and of course always keep on hand all of the supplies necessary for proper treatment there is absolutely NO reason why any of your normal activities need to be discontinued! All of the medical supplies you need are available online and can be delivered to your home as needed. So if you have recently been diagnosed with diabetes just make certain to get those supplies and be certain to check your glucose level in regular intervals and take whatever additional steps your physician has advised—and above all else, go out there and live your life because diabetes IS manageable

Adult onset diabetes, like the common ulcer of a few years ago, makes a lot of work and provides a lot of money for the medical system. There was a cure for the biological disease of stomach ulcers but the doctors were telling us it was stress-related (Everything is stress-related to some extent, as the Pauling research that won a Nobel Prize for Vitamin therapy [especially 'C'] has proven.) and many people suffered under the surgeon's knife until recently. The homeopathic war with the FDA and drug-pushers is a very interesting study in deceit and power. For example it took until last year for the research at the University of Alabama led by Dr. Campbell to confirm what won a Nobel Prize a quarter century ago. The immune system and lymph system is vital to the interplay between soul and physical body energy manifestation. The arrogance of competitive marketing enterprises can't be the only reason that we have endured the removal of health maintenance at the hands of these 'experts'.

Current books on nutrition and herbal supplements tout Hydro-chloric Acid (HCA) and chromium percolonate along with 'Vanadol' as a cure for adult onset diabetes. The truth of the fact that disallows 'Vanadol' for sale in Canada is evil, though I do not believe there is such a thing as evil. The drugs that are recommended lead inexorably to the use of insulin and toxic death. There is research that shows these drugs directly create death in a certain percentage of cases as well. HCA and vitamin C may have benefits in building up the immune system and stopping cancer and other disease. Our body has the ability to cure itself when the soul is properly in tune with it, according to many healers of the past. Will we support it rather than deny it? There is no need to avoid the use of medical approaches when warranted but their overuse leads to hospitals of high risk. The stories of unnecessary operations and faulty operations are rampant in society.

When one learns to have regular exercise and nutritional discipline great things can be achieved, as in the case of my 'twin' who beat leukemia which I mentioned under 'cancer cures'. The joke that says if it walks like a duck and talks like a duck - it is a duck! - might have some benefit for us to consider. Who is the quack? The results are sufficient to know we could use the homeopathic and naturopathic or chiropractic knowledge but it is an uphill fight. There are 300 doctors in Ontario who support this 'environmental medicine' but they run the risk of losing their license. Yes, it happens all the time, and the lawyers get rich while people die from the debilitating effects of drugs and their effect on leeching the body of vitamins and resources to beat all kinds of disease.

One of the biggest mistakes that weight loss failures make is cutting out carbs altogether. An example of this flawed ideology is the Atkins diet. Clinical studies have proven that the low-carb, high fat diet has a negative impact on the health of your heart and blood.

But bringing back the carbs can cause problems too. Did you know that many of the carbs we eat every day may cause a condition called insulin resistance? With the extra carbs adding the extra pounds and inches to your body, the insulin hormone runs into a big problem: It can't help you process fuel, fats, or sugars. When you reach this condition, your body stores even more fat than it should be, mostly around your stomach and hips.

So how do we keep the delicious carbohydrate-filled foods without adding inches and developing insulin resistance? If you're dedicated to losing weight and achieving health for the rest of your life, this solution is for you! You must understand that thre are two types of carbohydrates; good and bad. Good carbohydrates include non-processed foods like fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Bad carbohydrates include those such as white bread, chips, snacks and other baked or fried foods that have been mechanically processed.

What are the good carboydrates?

These are the carbs we should focus on eating. They come in more natural forms such as whole grain wheat bread, fruit like strawberries and peaches, and vegetables such as carrots, green beans or squash.

What are the bad carbs?

If you want to keep the healthiest blood chemistry, try hard to avoid eating these foods. Some of the foods with "bad" carbohydrates include those such as white bread, chips, snacks and other baked or fried foods that have been mechanically processed. These carbs bad for you because during processing, much or all of the dietary fiber is removed from them, and your body cannot process these new complex carbs with efficiency.

There are two main types of diabetes, type I and type II. Type I diabetes is characterized by the pancreas making too little or no insulin. An individual with diabetes type I will have to inject insulin throughout the day in order to control glucose levels. Type II diabetes, also known as adult onset diabetes, is characterized by the pancreas not producing enough insulin to control glucose levels or the cells not responding to insulin.

When a cell does not respond to insulin, it is known as insulin resistance. When a subject is diagnosed with type II diabetes, exercise and weight control are prescribed as measures to help with insulin resistance. If this does not control glucose levels, then medication is prescribed. The risk factors for type II diabetes include: inactivity, high cholesterol, obesity, and hypertension. Inactivity alone is a very strong risk factor that has been proven to lead to diabetes type II.

Exercise will have a positive effect on diabetes type II while improving insulin sensitivity while type I cannot be controlled be an exercise program. Over 90% of individuals with diabetes have type II.

Exercise causes the body to process glucose faster, which lowers blood sugar. The more intense the exercise, the faster the body will utilize glucose. Therefore it is important to understand the differences in training with type I and type II diabetes. It is important for an individual who has diabetes to check with a physician before beginning an exercise program. When training with a diabetic, it is important to understand the dangers of injecting insulin immediately prior to exercise. An individual with type I diabetes injecting their normal amount of insulin for a sedentary situation can pose the risk of hypoglycemia or insulin shock during exercise.

General exercise guidelines for type I are as follows: allow adequate rest during exercise sessions to prevent high blood pressure, use low impact exercises and avoid heavy weight lifting, and always have a supply of carbohydrates nearby. If blood sugar levels get too low, the individual may feel shaky, disoriented, hungry, anxious, become irritable or experience trembling. Consuming a carbohydrate snack or beverage will alleviate these symptoms in a matter of minutes.

Before engaging in exercise, it is important for blood sugar levels to be tested to make sure that they are not below 80 to 100 mg/dl range and not above 250 mg/dl. Glucose levels should also be tested before, during, after and three to five hours after exercise. During this recovery period (3-5 hours after exercise), it is important for diabetics to consume ample carbohydrates in order to prevent hypoglycemia.

Exercise will greatly benefit an individual with type II diabetes because of its positive effects on insulin sensitivity. Proper exercise and nutrition are the best forms of prevention for type II diabetics. It is important for training protocols to be repeated almost daily to help with sustaining insulin sensitivity. To prevent hypoglycemia, progressively work up to strenuous activity.

Exercise is often recommended in treating type 1 (insulin- dependent) and type 2 (noninsulin- dependent) diabetes ~ both as a stand-alone activity and in combination with diet and drug therapy. For people who are heavily dependent on medicines, exercise cannot replace drugs but it does contribute to normalizing the glucose metabolism.

Exercise helps diabetes sufferers in many ways. Weight is easier controlled when exercising regularly. Blood sugar level, which is a major concern for all diabetes sufferers, is lowered, thanks to exercise. Additionally, exercise lessens the probability of a heart disease, which is also very wide-spread among diabetes sufferers.

Also, regular exercise helps to improve one~s overall condition and this way reduces the risk of long-term complications. Regular exercise can even prevent diabetes in people who still have not developed it but are susceptible to it.

Despite the numerous advantages of exercise, do not underestimate the risks. Let your doctor decide if taking exercise is recommendable for you and if yes ~ what kind of exercise will be less risky. One of the dangers for diabetes sufferers are that exercise might change your reaction to insulin or might lead to an abrupt drop in blood sugar level, which is another risk for you.

In addition to the general advice for exercising, there are some tips, which for diabetes sufferers are especially important to follow. For them wearing comfortable shoes (and clothes) is a must because the occurrence of a single blister on the foot might lead to a serious infection that requires time and drugs to heal.

Special attention should be paid to drinking enough water and any kinds of liquid in order to avoid dehydration. Dehydration during exercising occurs because the body evaporates liquid in order to keep cool and if you do not drink water while exercising, you will get dehydrated, which is bad for your blood sugar level.

So, what kind of exercise is recommended? Exercise can be any physical activity ~ from cleaning the house, to regularly climbing the stairs, to strength training. It all depends on the physical condition.

Generally household chores that take 20-30 minutes a day and do not require much effort reduce the daily insulin requirement and are risk free. Also, many doctors usually recommend aerobic exercise ~ walking, jogging, bicycling, or aerobics.

If you have problems with the nerves in the legs or feet, then chair exercises, bicycling, or swimming can be a wise choice, because they do not strain the lower limbs. If you do not have problems with the lower limbs, then you can undertake walking or jogging.

If you are young or do not have diabetes-related complications, even strength training is OK. However, it is mandatory that your doctor approves strength training. Even better, exercise only in the presence of a personal instructor! Strength training exercises make one~s muscles to more actively demand glucose and have a positive effect on the glucose metabolism. Besides, strength training minimizes the lean mass and helps in keeping weight under control.

Avandia, a compound of rosiglitazone maleate, is an oral antidiabetic agent. Avandia pills increase insulin sensitivity for patients with type 2 diabetes, or non-insulin-dependent diabetes. Avandia also improves glycemic control as it reduces the circulation of insulin levels. If diet, exercise, and a single drug are not enough to control blood sugar levels, Avandia can be used in conjunction with another drug.

Avandia is not to be used for type 1 diabetes (juvenile onset diabetes) or diabetic ketoacidosis. It is questionable whether people with heart failure, fluid retention, or active liver disease should take Avandia at all. Since Avandia became available there have been reports of the development of hepatitis (the inflammation of the liver) due to elevated liver enzymes. Patients taking Avandia should have their liver enzymes monitored regularly.

Additionally, Avandia is in the same class of drugs as Rezulin, a very dangerous drug that has been associated with devastating liver injury including liver failure that can only be cured with transplant. Without immediate transplant, many Rezulin liver failures have resulted in death. Because of this close association with a dangerous drug, users of Avandia should be in close contact with a doctor if they notice any symptoms of liver problems such as nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, fatigue, dark urine, or jaundice. Avandia is also very dangerous for pregnant women and their unborn children.

It is also advised, should you suffer adversely from the use of Avandia, to consult a lawyer. The recent proliferation of dangerous drugs into the marketplace is a disturbing trend, and should a drug threaten your health you should be repaid for damages and the drug should be taken off the market.

Adult onset diabetes, like the common ulcer of a few years ago, makes a lot of work and provides a lot of money for the medical system. There was a cure for the biological disease of stomach ulcers but the doctors were telling us it was stress-related (Everything is stress-related to some extent, as the Pauling research that won a Nobel Prize for Vitamin therapy [especially 'C'] has proven.) and many people suffered under the surgeon's knife until recently. The homeopathic war with the FDA and drug-pushers is a very interesting study in deceit and power. For example it took until last year for the research at the University of Alabama led by Dr. Campbell to confirm what won a Nobel Prize a quarter century ago. The immune system and lymph system is vital to the interplay between soul and physical body energy manifestation. The arrogance of competitive marketing enterprises can't be the only reason that we have endured the removal of health maintenance at the hands of these 'experts'.

Current books on nutrition and herbal supplements tout Hydro-chloric Acid (HCA) and chromium percolonate along with 'Vanadol' as a cure for adult onset diabetes. The truth of the fact that disallows 'Vanadol' for sale in Canada is evil, though I do not believe there is such a thing as evil. The drugs that are recommended lead inexorably to the use of insulin and toxic death. There is research that shows these drugs directly create death in a certain percentage of cases as well. HCA and vitamin C may have benefits in building up the immune system and stopping cancer and other disease. Our body has the ability to cure itself when the soul is properly in tune with it, according to many healers of the past. Will we support it rather than deny it? There is no need to avoid the use of medical approaches when warranted but their overuse leads to hospitals of high risk. The stories of unnecessary operations and faulty operations are rampant in society.

When one learns to have regular exercise and nutritional discipline great things can be achieved, as in the case of my 'twin' who beat leukemia which I mentioned under 'cancer cures'. The joke that says if it walks like a duck and talks like a duck - it is a duck! - might have some benefit for us to consider. Who is the quack? The results are sufficient to know we could use the homeopathic and naturopathic or chiropractic knowledge but it is an uphill fight. There are 300 doctors in Ontario who support this 'environmental medicine' but they run the risk of losing their license. Yes, it happens all the time, and the lawyers get rich while people die from the debilitating effects of drugs and their effect on leeching the body of vitamins and resources to beat all kinds of disease.

Dr. Bell did a tape I listened to once; it said in 1993 the average age or lifespan of doctors was 57 and the population at large was 73 (U.S.). He is a veterinary doctor who found the benefits of chromium and vanadium with cattle also worked on humans. Animals might 'quack' but 'experts' are often 'quacks'!

Diabetes can briefly be defined as a state when the body’s blood glucose is too high. The body does require a certain amount of sugar in the blood; however, those suffering from diabetes have levels much higher than what is needed.

Type I diabetes is also referred to as juvenile diabetes or insulin-dependent diabetes. In this form of diabetes, the body’s immune system has destroyed the ability of the pancreas to produce insulin from its beta cells. As in all cases of immune disorders, the body makes a mistake somewhere along the line and sees itself (the pancreas and its insulin producing beta cells) as foreign bodies. The immune system launches an attack to get rid of the invaders, which in this case are actually much needed beta cells.

Type II diabetes, on the other hand, has been called non-insulin-dependant diabetes or adult-onset diabetes, although lately the number of children presenting with Type II diabetes is rising at an astonishing and alarming rate. In Type II diabetes, patients’ cells are found to be unresponsive to the insulin in their blood or unable to recognize and use it properly when present.

Currently, treatment for both types of diabetes is limited to either painful, usually daily, insulin shots or diabetes medication. Patients are also advised to change their diet, increase their physical activity, and maintain a controlled blood pressure and cholesterol level.

When considering the cause of the disease further, one realizes that the same basic concept is true for both forms of diabetes. For some reason the body has turned against itself, attacking and destroying - as in Type I diabetes - or has ceased to recognize its own cells as “self” - as in Type II diabetes.

The body’s mechanism for cellular communication and recognition is glyconutrients, or sugar forms, found on the outside of every single cell of the human body. Glyconutrients help each cell to recognize others as “friendly” and not to be attacked (Type I diabetes). Additionally, they are the words by which cells “talk” to each other and give instructions, ie. “I’m insulin, let me in” (Type II diabetes).

If these glyconutrients are absent or damaged, the cells cease to have the ability to recognize and communicate with one another and various diseases such as diabetes may appear in an individual.

New research and studies are focusing on the use of glyconutrients to help diabetic patients. Several recent studies 1, 2 have shown that with the use of supplemental glyconutrients, blood sugar levels in patients with Type I and Type II diabetes can be decreased. What is hoped is that with continued use of supplemental glyconutrients through the diet, the body’s repair mechanisms may be able to fix the damage that has been done by the disease by learning to recognize and communicate between cells once again.

While exercise and eating guidelines are based on good scientific principles, they do not necessarily agree with human nature or common sense. Recent history tells us that we are better off encouraging the mediocre people who are willing to include exercise in their daily lives, rather than cramming guidelines down the majority of those who want to fight the inevitable. In the end, keeping things simple and in a supportive situation will keep everyone happy.

With all the fitness and diet programs out there, you would think people in our country would be getting in better shape. We're not. Why? All of us are confused, frustrated and burdened down at the contradictory of medicine and fitness for one reason, and the other reasons involve issues we have already discussed.

The key in motivating yourself to exercise is to keep your eye on the big picture. If you don't, the details will become a quicksand pit. The big picture is: JUST MOVE IT!

So much money and time is spent on gimmicks and diet fads that only get used for a short time, with little or no results.

The big picture is about being realistic, not to have high expectations, but to focus on internal health issues, such as blood pressure, body fat, cholesterol levels, and a quiet mind. The challenge is that you have grown accustomed to being motivated by instant gratification. It is more of a priority to look good rather than to have lower stress levels.

You get frustrated because you are trying to fight a battle you can't win with something fast and easy. It's called aging. You blame aging on other things in hopes there is something out there that you can do or take that will get you the results you want in the shortest amount of time. The truth is while good looks are a good measurement; they are only perks in the big picture.

THERE ARE NO MAGIC FORMULAS

The "Wellness Industry" is the fastest growing industry today. Why? Because millions of people are searching for some hidden treasure box with a magic formula. The truth of the matter is you will never replace HARD WORK! There are parts to any exercise program that work. Yet, anything promising fast results is usually too good to be true and will set you up for disappointment.

MORE IS NOT BETTER

Logic will say if I walk for twenty minutes, I will burn this amount of calories. If I walk forty minutes, I will burn twice as many calories and be in better shape. Not so!

When it comes to exercise, the term "Over Training" is used when muscles have reached their limits, run out of nutrients and need replenishing, but do not get it. Sometimes you will see this in poor sleeping patterns, added soreness, plateaus and boredom in workouts that make us aware of needing rest. For the athlete, one of the hardest things, yet best things for us to do, is consciously listen to our bodies. Sometimes the body's requirements go against logic. There may be situations where your body needs more rest time to rebuild itself. Sooner or later you will hit a wall and then what are you going to do?

EXERCISE SMARTER, NOT HARDER

When it comes to maintaining an exercise program let's face it, it is hard work. It can be hard at times and it never seems to get any easier. Harder exercise is not the answer to better results, but doing it effectively and efficiently is. No matter how old you or what your goals are it's important to incorporate all areas of fitness into a program:

" Joints- through flexibility exercises

" Heart-through cardiovascular workout,

" Skeletal muscle -with strength training.

" Balanced eating habits

When all areas are implemented in a regular routine, they build on each other. Something is better than nothing, but if your program is lopsided, meaning lacking in one area or another, your results will be affected.

Living with multiple health problems can complicate things. As a diabetic balancing the levels of carbohydrates, (starches and sugars) with the level of insulin requires thought and discipline. You should always consult your doctor and dietician for specific advice.

People with type 1 diabetes are at greater risk of developing celiac disease. It follows that they will need to manage a diet which controls both conditions. The diets do sit perfectly well together, but it needs careful planning.

In principle the same rules apply to your diet, whatever the problem. As a diabetic you need to eat a well-balanced diet. The one area of difficulty is managing your carbohydrate intake with gluten-free versions. You can find gluten-free carbohydrates in potatoes, rice, wild rice, buckwheat, maize, millet, sago, tapioca, corn flour, soya, polenta, flax, sorghum, linseed, gram flour, cargeenan, urd, channa (chickpea flour), quinoa, arrowroot, codex wheat starch, corn pasta, pure rice noodles, gluten-free pastas are available, as are gluten-free versions of bread.

The principles of planning ahead and the need to be well informed and to take control are exactly the same for celiac disease and diabetes. Confidence grows out of knowing what you can and cannot eat. Instead of tackling the conditions as two sets of restrictions, combine the needs of both. Having both diabetes and celiac disease is unfortunate but it is important to be positive and take control.

Always take a supply of suitable gluten-free carbohydrates and insulin with you. Plan ahead and involve school, friends and other organizations of your needs.

Your doctor may have recently advised you have diabetes. Or you are overweight and you have discovered you may be at risk of diabetes. Others may have a friend or family member who has been diagnosed with the disease. Just what does diabetes mean and how does it affect your lifestyle?

Diabetes means that your blood glucose (often called blood sugar) is too high. Your blood always has some glucose in it because your body needs glucose for energy to keep you going. But too much glucose in the blood isn't good for your health.

How do you get high blood glucose?

Glucose comes from the food you eat and is also made in your liver and muscles. Your blood carries the glucose to all the cells in your body. Insulin is a chemical (a hormone) made by the pancreas. The pancreas releases insulin into the blood. Insulin helps the glucose from food get into your cells. If your body doesn't make enough insulin or if the insulin doesn't work the way it should, glucose can't get into your cells. It stays in your blood instead. Your blood glucose level then gets too high, causing pre-diabetes or diabetes.

What is pre-diabetes?

Pre-diabetes is a condition in which blood glucose levels are higher than normal but are not high enough for a diagnosis of diabetes. People with pre-diabetes are at increased risk for developing type 2 diabetes and for heart disease and stroke. The good news is if you have pre-diabetes, you can reduce your risk of getting diabetes. With modest weight loss and moderate physical activity, you can delay or prevent type 2 diabetes and even return to normal glucose levels.

What are the signs of diabetes?

The signs of diabetes are:

· being very thirsty
· urinating often
· feeling very hungry or tired
· losing weight without trying
· having sores that heal slowly
· having dry, itchy skin
· losing the feeling in your feet or having tingling in your feet
· having blurry eyesight

You may have had one or more of these signs before you found out you had diabetes. Or you may have had no signs at all. A blood test to check your glucose levels will show if you have pre-diabetes or diabetes.

What kind of diabetes do you have?

People can get diabetes at any age. Type 1 diabetes, formerly called juvenile diabetes or insulin-dependent diabetes, is usually first diagnosed in children, teenagers, or young adults. In this form of diabetes, the beta cells of the pancreas no longer make insulin because the body's immune system has attacked and destroyed them.

Treatment for type 1 diabetes includes taking insulin shots or using an insulin pump, making wise food choices, being physically active, taking aspirin daily (for some), and controlling blood pressure and cholesterol.

Type 2 diabetes, formerly called adult-onset diabetes or noninsulin-dependent diabetes, is the most common form of diabetes. People can develop type 2 diabetes at any age—even during childhood. This form of diabetes usually begins with insulin resistance, a condition in which fat, muscle, and liver cells do not use insulin properly.

At first, the pancreas keeps up with the added demand by producing more insulin. In time, however, it loses the ability to secrete enough insulin in response to meals. Being overweight and inactive increases the chances of developing type 2 diabetes.

Treatment includes using diabetes medicines, making wise food choices, being physically active, taking aspirin daily, and controlling blood pressure and cholesterol.

When I was first diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes at the age of 21, I had not given the first thought to living a healthy diabetic lifestyle. As far as I was concerned, a healthy lifestyle was reserved only for fitness junkies and overweight moms.

I didn't know squat about the benefits and overall happiness a healthy lifestyle would lead to. I was perfectly content eating frozen pizza, smoking cigarettes, and binge drinking on a regular basis. After I was diagnosed with diabetes, I had a lengthy discussion with my doctor that resulted in an epiphany, "Everything I love is killing me!"

First, we'll define what I mean by healthy lifestyle. When I asked the question, "What is a healthy lifestyle?” the common answer seemed to be, "Don't smoke, don't drink, eat only vegetables and protein, and make sure to exercise every day."

My first thought was, "You can give that crap right back to the birds." I was 21, loved to party, and absolutely chock full of testosterone.

The ideas, practices, and benefits a healthy lifestyle provided sounded great for managing my diabetes, but I sure didn't like the idea of my social life falling off the face of the planet. Believing in the power of moderation, I made some compromises with my disease:

1. Smoking

I quit smoking cigarettes and only smoked cigars on special occasions such as bachelor parties, Super Bowls, or the birth of my first child. That last part was a joke. After many years of searching, special occasions are the only reason I can find to put nicotine or smoke of any kind in your body.

2. Drinking

For me, this was a big one. I'm not really the type of guy that likes to meet girls at church, and school was not really an option for me, but drinking was all my friends and I did. As a result, drinking alcohol (sadly enough) was a major component of my social life. From that day forward, I laid down some basic rules.

No liquor. Liquor causes severe instability in blood sugar levels, and will cause serious problems. I stick only to beer and wine with a maximum of three drinks. If you monitor your sugar regularly and eat beforehand, you should be able to enjoy a nice night out.

3. Eating

Of the areas available for improvement in my lifestyle, eating was the easiest for me to adapt and overcome. When I learned that protein had a minor effect on my sugar that was good news, any hamburger and steak-loving American would be happy to hear that, but the bad news was that French fries, baked potatoes, and (my favorite) sweet potatoes were off limits. That meant I had to learn to love vegetables.

From that point forward, I began cooking veggies with light butter and cayenne pepper. I know that sounds odd, but I like spicy food. As far as your diet is concerned, for the sake of your happiness, find your favorite spices and seasonings and begin experimenting with healthy foods.

4. Exercise

When it comes to exercising many people (including myself) do not follow through for long enough to see substantial results. Personally, I believe in living an active lifestyle instead of becoming a fitness and free-weight junkie. What worked for me? Basic exercises (lunges, squats, and crunches) in front of the television every morning followed by a 15 minute walk.

Complying with the guidelines I listed above, I'm still able to have a fun, active lifestyle while controlling my diabetes. Finally, I need to say that I'm not a doctor, just a guy with Type 1 Diabetes. The practices I listed worked for me to maintain the young-adult lifestyle that I wanted. You may be different, and understanding your own personality traits is critical to successful moderation and control of your diabetes.

The following information is for educational purposes only and is meant to complement any medical treatment, not to prescribe or diagnose any condition. Please consult with your doctor before starting any medical or nutritional program.

With the invention of all our modern and refined processing for foods we have seen an increase in diabetes in our world. Some of the races that have diabetes in large numbers are the Hawaiians and the Native American Indians. Their bodies have a hard time adapting to the modern foods. More than any other disease, diabetes can be managed quite well with nutrition.

There are two types of diabetes: the first, diabetes insipidus, is more rare and has to do with a deficiency in the pituitary hormone called vasopressin. The other possibility is that the kidneys have an inability to respond properly to that hormone. People with this form of diabetes have several symptoms that make it stand out: they have tremendous thirst and they urinate large amounts regardless of how much they drink, and this shows us the weakness in the kidneys.

Diabetes Mellitus Type I is often called insulin-dependent diabetes It occurs at a young age and is sometimes called “Juvenile Diabetes.” It is often caused by a viral attack on the system, but most experts are of the opinion that the body’s immune system is weak when this occurs. With the destruction of the beta cells in the pancreas which manufactures the insulin, the body is unable to utilize glucose, the main food for the body. Consequently, the level of glucose is high in the blood since the body can’t absorb it. This is often called "insulin resistance." The diabetic's blood becomes "too thick" or "sticky" and this causes blood clots or thromboses that damage blood vessels.

This can lead to the creation of excessive levels of free radicals (oxidants which break down the body faster) and makes the person more susceptible to the following problems: Diabetics have a larger risk of kidney disease, arteriosclerosis, blindness, heart disease or nerve diseases, as well as being more prone to infections. This is because of their body’s resistance to insulin, which is the hormone that actually drives the glucose into the tissue and cells as a nutrient. When this does not happen the body becomes metabolically weak. The glucose molecules engage in an abnormal coupling with body proteins, a step called “glycosylation.” Consequently, this disrupts the protein’s ability to function biochemically and further weakens the immune system.

Some of the more common symptoms are abnormal thirst, again; irritability; weakness; fatigue; excessive urination; extreme loss of appetite or excessive hunger, and in the worst cases, vomiting and nausea. Some of these diabetics can have hyperglycemia type symptoms, which is too much glucose in their blood or at other times hypoglycemia when there is too low blood sugar. Both conditions can be serious. The worst of all these conditions is hypoglycemia, which can come from just missing a meal, or too much exertion or an insulin overdose. The symptoms could be dizziness, confusion, excessive sweating, and if not treated may lead to a coma. With hyperglycemia it could look the same as far as the symptoms, with not being able to keep down fluids as one of the danger signs. This means there is too much blood sugar in the system. It is more common during an illness and could also result in a coma. These two can be serious medical emergencies with life and death consequences.

A poor diet may be one of the biggest factors leading to diabetes. It often occurs with people who are overweight or who eat a diet high in refined sugar, highly processed foods, low in fiber, with too many complex carbohydrates and with too much meat, and who don’t exercise.

The second category is Type II or non-insulin dependent diabetes, and more often occurs when people are older, and usually with people whose family may have a history of diabetes. This disorder is a little different in that the pancreas does produce insulin, but for some reason the insulin is not effective. Some of the common symptoms are poor vision; fatigue; frequent urination; skin infections, and slow healing of wounds as well as unusual thirst, drowsiness, and tingling or numbness in the feet. This disease is also linked to a poor diet. The National Institute of Health says that there are twenty to twenty-five million people with diabetes type problems, many have undetected Type II (some five million). Diabetes is the third leading cause of death in America. It can be detected with a simple urine test.

Nutrition

There is lots of controversy about nutrition but most experts agree that if there is excessive weight, a weight loss program is essential. Consult with a doctor who specializes in nutrition. As with other health challenges, each individual is different and I believe we need to treat the whole person. Many will recommend a high complex carbohydrate, low fat and high-fiber diet with lots of fresh vegetables, moderate fruits and green vegetable juices.

Excess fat cells create chemical messengers that block the body's ability to actually respond to the insulin. As the fat comes off the diabetic's own insulin works better and the blood sugar level can improve. Garlic and onion are always great for healing the body. Add some capsaicin, a natural derivative of hot peppers to spice it up and it is also very healthy.

Eat more steamed and raw vegetables, complex carbohydrates moderately, low fat foods (cut down on animal fats), and increase grains and whole foods. Avoid white flour, salt and white sugar as they elevate blood sugar levels. Eat more legumes, root vegetables, brown rice, and nut butters. Vegetable sources from protein are much better because high fiber helps reduce blood sugar urges. Eat proteins such as beans and tofu, salmon, and tuna two or three times a week. These fish have the Omega 3, great for the immune system. Eat lots of raw olive oil for your dressings or spread it on breads instead of butter; never use margarine.

In some medical circles it's called Type 3 Diabetes. Teenagers and young adults diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, if overweight or obese, can develop type 2 diabetes later in life. It's a double whammy and the medical consequences of such a diagnosis don't look good.

First, let's briefly cover the basics of diabetes.

Diabetes is Elevated Blood Glucose Levels

Higher than normal level of glucose in the blood is diabetes. Glucose is the main energy source for the brain and nerves and comes from digesting carbohydrates. Because of its importance as an energy source, glucose blood level is normally kept within a narrow range.

Two hormones help to keep glucose in this normal range. First, there is insulin. Insulin is released by the pancreas as glucose levels rise after a meal. It promotes the uptake of glucose by muscle cells. Second, is glucogon. This hormone causes the release of glucose out of energy stores during fasting. The insulin to glucogon ratio helps to stabilize the normal levels of blood glucose.

Two Types of Diabetes

In order to have consistently high blood glucose levels either insulin production and/or release from the pancreas is defective or the muscles don't respond to insulin when it is released.

Juvenile or Type 1 Diabetes -- Insulin production is defective. Most often detected early in life. These patients require insulin shots.

Adult Onset or Type 2 Diabetes -- The muscles don't respond to insulin. In this case, glucose stays within the blood and not in the tissues. The early stage is called Insulin Resistance. Type 2 is associated with being overweight or obese.

The Atypical Type of Diabetes -- Double Diabetes or Type 3

A young man who has type I diabetes, if he does not follow a proper diabetic diet and an exercise program, could develop type 2 diabetes on top of his type I diagnosis.

This is a fear turned into reality for many type I diabetics and their families. The Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh states that 25% of children with type I diabetes are showing features of type 2. The main feature shared by all of these children...obesity. Dr. Dorothy Becker, a pediatric endocrinologist and leading double-diabetes researcher, feels the numbers will continue to climb.

And an ongoing study to determine the best treatment for children with type 2 diabetes is also uncovering many kids who harbor antibodies that signal they have or are developing the type 1 form.

No matter which type of diabetes came first in a child, it makes treatment that much harder for everyone involved. So what is the best treatment?

Treating Type 3 Diabetes

The best treatment for type 3 diabetes is prevention. Children, with or without diabetes, must exercise. Toning and building muscle tissue is the only effective way to protect against type 3 diabetes.

Strong muscles are metabolic active and able to uptake glucose as expected when insulin is released into the blood. Parents, start a supervised and doctor approved workout program with your children. Something tells me that we may need a strong future.

The term diabetes refers to higher than normal levels of sugar, or glucose, in the blood. Type II diabetes, also known as insulin-dependent diabetes, was commonly referred to as adult onset diabetes until recently when the name no longer accurately describes the population with this disease.

Type II diabetes, in the past, was relegated to the adult population. However, in the new era of ever rising cases of childhood obesity and heart disease, the term adult onset diabetes is quickly becoming a misnomer. The number of children that are presenting to doctors with this disease is rising at epidemic rates.

Unlike Type I diabetes, where there is little to no insulin being produced by the beta cells of the pancreas, in Type II diabetes there is plenty of insulin. The problem lies in the fact that the cells of the body no longer respond to the insulin. The normal response is to cause gates in the cell membranes to open and letting the sugar in from the blood stream. Since this is not occurring, the sugar levels in the blood remain extremely high and the cells are deprived of the necessary energy that they would normally derive from the sugar.

Additionally, as Type II diabetes is sometimes not diagnosed for many years, the pancreas will sometimes stop producing insulin all together since the body sees no need to make something that can't be used.

Many professionals are prescribing changes in diet and increased activity levels as the medicine needed to help reverse some of the non-responsiveness of the cells to insulin. Making lifestyle changes can dramatically improve the overall health of the patient as well. To augment adjustments in nutrition and exercise, doctors can also prescribe diabetes medication which assists to increase the responsiveness of the cells to the insulin that the body may still be producing.