Persons with diabetes do not have to use their entire checks for diabetic supplies, ordering discount diabetic supplies online is entirely possible. Individuals have several ways to get discount diabetic supplies. First, diabetics can apply online for free or no cost diabetic supplies, or second they can find an online seller that offers discount diabetic supplies for a cost lower than other sellers. Either way, saving money on supplies is an easy endeavor and it only takes a few extra minutes of a person’s time to access great deals.

What’s particularly attractive about buying diabetic supplies from an online supplier is that people will find the seller’s website is often informative. The sellers often have information dealing with diabetic health and how to manage diabetes. The sites that you order your discount diabetic supplies from almost always have a way for you as the buyer to check the status of an order so that you can make sure that you are getting your supplies in a timely manner.

In your discount diabetic supplies you will get all you will need to keep your diabetes under control. Sellers are able to offer these great deals due to instant rebates, sales, and specials on discount diabetic supplies. Online sellers also offer free shipping and handling in most instances, allowing for addition savings on any supplies ordered. Lastly some sellers will offer clearance specials on some of the diabetic supplies that they offer. It is completely possible to get blood glucose testing equipment, blood pressure equipment, infusion sets, medication cases and more at extremely low clearance costs.

In contrast, if the individual searching for diabetic supplies has private insurance or Medicare, they may qualify for discount diabetic supplies or free supplies. The submission of an online application will be necessary in order to determine what the individual qualifies for and filling out the application takes no more than three minutes time. The extra time spent is well worth it because the savings on diabetic supplies can be huge!

What are those good fats in foods? What fats should you and I stay away from. This article is about trimming the fat from the fat confusion about food. After reading this article you will have a clear view about what fats in food to consume and which ones to stay away from. Being diabetic this is only good news.

First let's look at the bad fats

These bad fats are called saturated fats and trans fats. These bad fats show up in foods like chocolate, (sorry) cream sauces, butter, high fat meats like sausage, bologna, hot dogs, bacon, French fries and stick margarines to name a few foods where these ingredients prevail. For a complete list do a search on the internet and use trans fats or saturated fats to search on.

Why are trans and saturated fats bad for diabetics?

Trans and saturated fats do not mix well with diabetes. It's about circulation. Because there is more sugar in the blood of diabetics circulation of the blood is slower. These two types of fats do the exact opposite of what you want to have happen in your body. The LDL which we want to be low goes up and HDL which we want to increase goes down.

What are some good fats?

Monounsaturated, polyunsaturated, omega-3 fatty acids and omega-6 fatty acids are the good guys as far as fats are concerned. These fats help our bodies. They make our cell membranes more flexible, lower blood pressure and cholesterol, and reduce mortality from heart disease. Cold water fish like salmon and bluefish are rich in omega-3 fatty acids. Use canola and/or olive oil to sauté, cook, prepare salad dressing or bake.

Some diabetes diet tips. Grill instead of fry. Lean meat instead of fatty meats will keep you lean. For meats and seafood eat two to three ounce servings. Forget about a half of a pound to a pound of beef. Skin that chicken before cooking or eating. Keep your saturated fat intake down. You and your diabetes diet plan will be much better off.

Your diabetes diet is essential to being healthy and turning the tide on your diabetes. Grab your free e course to help you gain the edge over your diabetes.

An insulin pump is a relatively new advancement in the way to administer insulin into the body as a means to regulate the levels of glucose in the blood. People that have diabetes often have to inject insulin into the body via a syringe. This can be painful and sometimes inconvenient to do so an insulin pump is a useful alternative. This article will discuss how insulin pumps work and some of the advantages and disadvantages.

An insulin pump consists of :

a pump

a disposable reservoir of insulin

an infusion set - tubing and a cannula that connects the insulin reservoir to the body

The reservoir of insulin is fitted into the pump. The pump is about the size of a cell phone and can be worn around the waist in a pouch or any other way that you find suitable. The pump is connected to a cannula via a thin tube. The tube passes insulin to the cannula that is attached to the skin. In this way insulin is passed into the body.

Insulin pumps pass insulin into the body in two ways. The first is a continuous passing of insulin into the body. This is used to maintain the level of glucose in between meals, exercise or at night. It is called the basal dosage.

The second method is referred to as the bolus dosage. This is an instant larger dosage that is generally administered before eating.

The pump is programmed to deliver the correct dosages based on the individuals circumstances. If the individual changes diets or adopts a new exercise regime the dosages and the times that they are delivered can be altered.

The insulin used in insulin pumps is fast acting insulin so it is believed to be a better alternative to most syringe administered insulin, that is slow acting, and is generally an approximation of the amount of insulin that will be needed by the body.

Insulin pumps have a better idea of the amount of insulin that will be needed by the body which is better for the long term health of the diabetic. They allow the diabetic more freedom and to eat or exercise when they want. They are also more discrete than a syringe.

On the negative side, an insulin pump has to be worn all the time so it might be inconvenient for some people that play sport or swim. Strategies have to be developed as a work around for these situations. Insulin pumps are more expensive than the normal syringe method of insulin therapy. Changing from slow to fast acting insulin may cause diabetic ketoacidosis if the fast acting insulin is stopped for some reason, like the supply runs out for example or the cannula gets detached.

Research continues to improve the pumps in terms of features and size. It is thought that ultimately an insulin pump will be the best method to deliver insulin therapy because it is a more precise dosage and is less obtrusive. As development continues the price will inevitably drop and make an insulin pump accessible to most people.

When you are being treated for type 2 diabetes, how can you tell if your treatment is working?

Well, there are several ways, and we'll go through these in this article.

Firstly, realise that there are various ways to treat type 2 diabetes, and these include both medications as well as lifesyle changes.

Indeed, sometimes impaired glucose tolerance and even type 2 diabetes can be fully reversed with lifestyle changes alone.

But everyone is different and you should seek the advice of your own doctor.

So to monitor the effectiveness of your diabetes treatment in non insulin dependent (type 2) diabetes, you can:

1. Ask your doctor about the blood tests needed to monitor the blood glucose level control in your bloodstream.

An example is the HbA1C test which tells you how well your sugar level has been controlled over a 3 month period.

2. Use a blood glucose meter to monitor your blood sugar levels at home. Always bring your results to your doctor to see if the numbers are satisfactory. And also work out how often you should monitor your glucose levels.

3. If you actually experience symptoms when your blood glucose levels are high, then you can use this as a rough guide.

Not everyone has symptoms when their blood sugar levels are out of range, so it's not reliable in everyone. But some symptoms of high sugar include tiredness, increased urination, increased thirst, and increased drinking.

4. Watch out for and report any side effects.

Some medicines for diabetes can have side effects, so talk to your doctor about these.

5. See if you need to see certain specialist doctors to monitor for end organ damage.

Your physician may ask you to see an ophthalmologist ot have a retinla examination to look for diabetic eye damage at regular intervals. So see your doctor to discuss this.

So there you have it.

Seek to treat your diabetes well and to look after your health and your body will look after you in return.

You've just learnt some handy ways to help monitor your treatment for type 2 diabetes and to help see if your treatment is on the right track.

Can you really prevent the complications of diabetes? Is it even possible to reverse the complications of diabetes? What steps can you take, if any? Well, there are some definite things you can do to make your life healthier with diabetes.

The first thing you must do if you want to prevent complications from diabetes is to keep studying. Learn everything you can about diabetes. It is amazing how little information people, even people with diabetes, have about the disease. If you want to be a healthy diabetic, you need to continue learning all you can.

Continually educating yourself about diabetes is a great way to prevent or reverse the effects of diabetes. There is a continuous stream of new information and new technology in the study of diabetes. Many of these new advances can help you live a healthier and longer life with diabetes. To improve your health need to keep up on a regular basis with the advances that doctors are making.

Of major importance, in keeping diabetes under control, is your diet. In dealing with diabetes, watching the food you eat and really paying attention to nutrition is one practice that can save your life and even prevent some complications in the future. If you have been recently diagnosed with diabetes, very likely your health, obesity level, and normal diet are not very good. Most adults diagnosed with diabetes have a very common history of eating too many harmful foods and having a very poor diet practices.

You need to become watchful of every bit of food that you put in your mouth. You need to ask yourself if that food is going to provide your body the nourishment it needs or deplete your body of its needs. You will need to follow a diet for diabetics. But you diet for diabetics is also great diet for everyone. A good diabetic diet is a diet that is good for anyone who wants to nourish the body and have plenty of energy whether or not they have diabetes.

Exercise is also an important part of avoiding diabetes complications. Exercise is just as important as a good solid diabetes diet in preventing or reversing complications of diabetes. It is also important to consider your food intake, along with your activity and its effect on your insulin.

Exercising daily can be a difficult task for some people. However, research shows that people that are having trouble keeping diabetes control often are lacking in daily exercise. On the other hand, diabetics who exercise regularly have little trouble when it comes to balancing their insulin intake and their food. You do not need to run marathons in order to keep diabetes in check. All it takes is a few brisk walks during the day and you can see results.

For best results, consistent and regular exercise is needed, just like continuously watching your diet. Losing weight can be very difficult for a diabetic. Yet, losing a few pounds can reduce your need for diabetic medications and make regulating it much easier. It's not always easy, but the results of exercise and a good diet can really make a big difference in your health. Keeping educated on developments in the diabetic sector can help. It is a daily fight to prevent or reverse diabetes complications.

When a child has diabetes, there are many experiences that they miss out on. Halloween for the diabetic child, means collecting a bag of treats they will not get to enjoy. Playing at a friend’s house entails heading home for medication or a shot, and having to say no to sweet snacks if they are offered. Class parties can leave a child feeling left out when sugary treats are being served and a birthday party without cake and ice cream seems dismal.

If you have a child that has been diagnosed with diabetes, there are ways to make their birthday special. With a little preplanning a birthday party for a diabetic child can be lots of fun for everyone.

As your child’s party approaches, make sure that they are eating carefully and doing everything they can to keep their blood sugar levels in check. The excitement of the day can change their appetite and not eating can wreak havoc on blood sugar. Make sure that on the day of the party, your child eats a good breakfast and has a snack before everyone arrives. Make sure that they are well rested the night before their party and if at all possible, have your child take a short rest or nap the day of their party.

If it is too hard to plan a menu that your child can eat and the other guests will enjoy, simply plan to have your party in the afternoon, so guests won’t be expecting you to serve them lunch or dinner. If you are serving food, make sure that there are lots of healthy things to eat, served in fun ways. Put out trays of vegetables instead of chips with dip, or crackers and cheese. Many children will appreciate the healthy fare over the sugary foods that are often served at children’s birthday parties.

Instead of giving sweets as party favors, give out little toys. Make the main focus of your party fun activities and no one will miss the fact that there aren’t an abundance of sweet snacks everywhere. Some fun activities include party games, crafts, scavenger hunts, or even playing outside. If you don’t want to plan these types of activities, host your child’s party at a skating rink or play park. The kids will be so busy, that a lack of snacks won’t bother them.

It is hard to avoid a birthday cake at a party. If your child’s diabetes is under control, a small piece probably won’t hurt them. Most diabetics are allowed to have angel food cake, so serving this delicious confection is always an option. You can top it with sugar free fruit pie filling or even sugar free candies. You can even check with your bakery and see if they have a diabetic friendly recipe for birthday cake.

The best thing you can do to make your child feel special on their birthday is to make the day as normal as possible. Don’t make your child eat sugar free cake while the guests get a sugar sweetened variety. Don’t make a big deal over the fact that the cake is sugar free. Most of your guests will probably not even notice. Just have fun, keep an eye on your child, and congratulate yourself on another year of successfully controlling your little one’s diabetes.

It is important to have a food plan for people with either type 1 or type 2 diabetes. Every family must work out with their dietitian that fits their family. People with type 1 diabetes cannot be treated with diet alone while type 2 can sometimes be treated with diet and exercise alone. Some beginning rules of good food management, some of which relate to more to a constant carbohydrates food plan, are:

1) eating a well balanced diet,
2) eating meals and snacks at the same time,
3) keep the diet similar from day to day,
4)use snacks to prevent insulin reactions, like meat slices, low carbohydrates veggie sticks, cheese slices...etc.
5) watch how much carbohydrates is in a meal,
6) avoid over treating low blood sugar,
7)reduce total fat which eaten,
8) watch weight and height: avoid becoming over weight,
9) increase the amount of fiber eaten,
10) eat less foods high in sodium,
11) avoid eating too much protein.

A helpful way to plan your meals is use a system called carbohydrate counting. Once you know how many grams of carbohydrates you are allowed, then it's up to you to decide how to "spend" them. For example it is fine to enjoy an occasional candy bar or a cheese danish, as long as you count it toward your daily carbohydrates total, just as you would a plate of pasta or a cup of rice, says Joan V.C. Hill, R.D., director of Educational Service and program at Joslin Diabetes Center in Boston.

Antioxidants found in fruits and vegetables rich in vitamin C and E may be the source for healthier eyes, nerves, and blood vessels. They help protect your body's cells from free radicals, naturally occuring, cell damaging molecules that may pose particular risks to people with diabetes. Some examples of sources of antioxidants ( Vitamin C & E ) rich vegetables and fruits are broccoli, red pepper, grapefruit, oranges, cantaloupe, chickpeas, sweet potatoes, and avocado.

The Trace mineral chromium, found in broccoli, grapefruit and fortified breakfast cereals, has been shown to improve the body's ability to regulate blood sugar according to Richard A. Anderson, Ph. D., a biochemist with U.S. Dept. of Agriculture Human Nutrition Research Center in Beltsville, Marlyland.

People with diabetes have lower levels of chromium than people without the disease. In a study, eight people who had difficulty regulating their blood sugar were given 20 micrograms of chromium a day. After five weeks, their sugar levels fell by as much as 50 percent. People without blood sugar problems who were given chromium showed no such changes. You can boost your chromium supplies by eating food that provide it for instant a cup of broccoli contains 22 micrograms, 18 percent of the daily Value. Another source of chromium is found in Xooma's Xtreme X2O, which is an all natural mineral complex that has over 70 trace minerals ( chromium included) and electrolytes.

I have found that my seven year old with diabetes (type 1) , when using Xooma's X2O in her water, regulates her blood sugar much better than days she was drinking just plain water.

In conclusion managing diabetes is more than just eating a few good foods. It's really a "whole" diet in which fibers, minerals, vitamins and so forth are put together in meal planning plus regular exercise to promote blood sugar control, coordinates with medications, and is tailored to your individual preferences and lifestyle.

One diabetic side effect is neuropathy. This is a condition where the nerves of the body are damaged. It is called “Diabetic Peripheral (referring to the outer part of the body) Neuropathy”. This type of neuropathy affects the feet and legs, hands and arms, and it can occur on both sides of the body. In fact, 40 percent of type 2 diabetics experience Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy.

Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy shows up as one or more of the following symptoms:|

* Tingling or numbness in the fingers, toes or legs.
* Feeling cold, burning or pain in the hands, feet or legs.
* Extreme sensitivity to touch, even a light touch.
* Sharp pains or cramps.
* Loss of balance and coordination.

These symptoms are often worse at night.

Higher than normal sugar levels in the body cause the outer sheathing (protective covering) of nerve cells to degenerate. This is similar to an electrical wire that is covered with insulation, and the insulation is beginning to crumble. Without insulation the unprotected wire will start short-circuiting.

In the same way, when the sheathing of nerve cells degenerate, the signals being transmitted are scrambled, resulting in your body receiving signals that are interpreted as numbness, heat, cold, tingling, pain, etc.

It has been known for some time that increased levels of Tiamine (vitamin B1) in the blood stream are very effective in reducing and reversing diabetic neuropathy. Unfortunately, the oral intake of vitamin B1 does not greatly increase the levels of B1 in the blood stream. Previously, the way that blood stream levels of B1 were increased was through periodic intravenous feeding or through injections every few weeks.

The reason that methods like this had to be used is that Tiamine (sometimes spelled Thiamine), like all of the B vitamins, is water-soluble. It cannot be stored in the body and flushes out within 4 to 5 hours. Oral intake of Tiamine over 5 mg results in greatly reduced bioavailability and immediate flushing from the body (this is why urine frequently turns yellow when taking larger doses of B vitamins).

Now, a new type of vitamin B1 has been produced, called Benfotiamine. It is a fat-soluble version of vitamin B1. What this means is that this new form of vitamin B1 can be taken orally in large dosages and it will not flush out of the body the way ordinary Tiamine (vitamin B1) does.

The result is that the blood stream levels of vitamin B1 can now be greatly increased, enabling a rapid and effective decrease or elimination of the symptoms of Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy.

Many of our diabetics now using Benfotiamine report a lessening of their neuropathy symptoms within 4 to 7 days, and Benfotiamine has been shown to be non-toxic and without any side effects even in very high dosages.

Diabetic Neuropathy is nerve damage caused by poor blood circulation that is a consequence of diabetes. This means that any nerve within the body can be damaged and lead to a malfunction of that nerve or group of nerves. As nerves and the nervous system control and regulate many of the bodies vital organs and everyday functions this means that signs of diabetic neuropathy can manifest anywhere in the body. This article will pinpoint common symptoms and highlight ways to prevent and treat diabetic Neuropathy.

Diabetic Neuropathy is classified into four types. The types commonly describe the nerves affected and their related body areas.

Peripheral Neuropathy concerns the extremities of the body - the feet, hands, legs and arms.

Autonomic Neuropathy applies to the autonomic nervous system which controls the everyday functioning of the heart, stomach, urinary tract and other body functions.

Proximal neuropathy concerns the thighs, buttocks and hips.

Focal neuropathy is concerned with specific nerves or groups of nerves that appear to 'flare up' suddenly causing pain. Focal neuropathy can occur anywhere in the body and effectively means focused or specific nerve problems.

Each of these types of neuropathy have different signs.

The most common form of neuropathy is peripheral neuropathy and primarily concerns the feet and hands. Common signs of diabetic neuropathy in the feet are numbness or insensitivity to pain. If your feet are constantly feeling 'pins and needles' then you should see a doctor.

The feet are also more prone to cuts, bruises and infections because the nerves do not communicate damage or pain to the body. Careful monitoring and care of the feet is a must for diabetics.

Hands are not as prone to nerve damage problems as feet because they are often uncovered and are easier to monitor and care for but they can still be susceptible to cuts and bruises and can lose sensitivity.

Autonomic neuropathy commonly causes stomach problems. This could mean that food is not processed effectively which may lead to constipation, cramps or bloating. The autonomic nervous system also controls the urinary tract which could lead to urinary tract infections or incontinence.

The autonomic nervous system controls the respiratory and cardiovascular systems too, so problems with blood pressure and circulation can occur however these are often hard to detect for the individual and can be caused by other diseases other than diabetic neuropathy.

Proximal neuropathy applies to the hips, buttocks and legs. Commonly there will be pain in these areas and weakness that may make it hard to move from a sitting position to standing without help. Proximal neuropathy is often a consequence of long term diabetes and other symptoms of peripheral neuropathy are likely to exist beforehand.

Focal neuropathy is a sudden bout of pain in a localized area. This is a consequence of a group of nerves malfunctioning. The pain can be anywhere in the body but is often in the head or torso regions. The pain will eventually recede over a few days to weeks.

The best way to treat diabetic neuropathy is to try to prevent it. This means maintaining blood sugar levels at a normal rate as often as possible. The more that the blood sugar level is normal the less chance for it to damage the nerves. This means eating healthy and sugar free foods. It also requires regular exercise. For relief from the pain, doctors will often determine the area affected by the neuropathy and then prescribe the appropriate analgesic.

Diabetes is the failure of the body to process sugars as it should be. When we eat or drink our pancreas creates a hormone called insulin. Insulin is released into the blood and helps to adjust the amount of glucose (sugar) in the bloodstream. Diabetes is a condition where this process does not function appropriately. The reasons why this happens are:

- No insulin being produced, often called Type 1 diabetes, and requires the sufferer to use insulin injections, or...

- Insulin is made but the body becomes resistant to it. The insulin is really ineffective. This is normally called Type 2 diabetes and is rapidly becoming more common.

The problem is that while diabetes is not instantly life threatening the long term effects of high blood sugar can be damaging to one's health. Uncontrolled diabetes and prolonged high blood sugar levels can, in later life, cause problems to your body part like your kidneys, eyes, nerves and the heart. This may sound harsh; however controlling blood sugar by a combination of herbal remedies, alternative health care procedures, diet and exercise will greatly decrease any long term issues.

The simplest way to check if you have diabetes is to arrange a blood sugar check with your doctor. A tiny sample of blood, obtained by pricking a finger is checked using a small electronic tester. A normal blood sugar level is generally between 72 - 126 mg/dl in the USA.. Diabetes is diagnosed when the body is unable to keep the blood sugar level within these limits.

Someone can have diabetes for months or even years without realizing they have the condition. Diagnosis of diabetes can occur out of the blue during a routine check-up but more often it follows from the sufferer experiencing the "symptoms" of diabetes. These symptoms can be many or few, mild or severe depending on the individual.

The symptoms are:

- No symptoms. Huh? No this is not an error. Many people experience no difference the way they feel and are astonished to find out they have diabetes. Whether you feel fine or not it is important that you take the doctor’s diagnosis to heart.

- Increased thirst. You can drink and drink and drink some more and still feel thirsty. The problem is compounded before diabetes is diagnosed by sufferers drinking abundant amounts of...sugary liquids! This only escalates the blood sugar level and leads to increased thirst.

- An increase in urination. Sufferers need to urinate often and pass large volumes every time. Getting up in the middle of a deep sleep at two or three in the morning is very common. This can be very disturbing for many. High sugar levels in the blood spill over into the urine making it syrupy. To counter-act this water is drawn from the body causing dehydration and therefore thirst.

- Weight loss. The main fuel for the body is glucose. Diabetics cannot take care of this properly so it passes into the urine and out of the body. Less fuel means the body's reserve tissues are not working to produce energy. The results are a loss in weight.

Other symptoms include constipation, tiredness, lack of energy, tingling or pins and needles in the hands and feet, blurred vision and increased infections.

If you have experienced any of these symptoms it does not necessarily follow that you are diabetic however it might be advisable to visit your doctor to be sure.

That driver cuts you off on the highway. Someone closes the elevator door just as you are about to get in and you have to either wait for the next elevator or take the stairs. Your kid takes the last piece of fish from the serving plate and you have not had your first piece of salmon. All these and other potentially stressful situations need to be addressed so your diabetes does not get worse.

It's how we act when these situations show up. It is not the situations that make us stressful. For some of us some situations are easy for us to deal with and those same incidents drive others crazy. Yet we get all tensed up with some stuff that your best friend finds amusing.

Why it's bad to have more stress if you are a diabetic?

Stress provides a deep blow to the body. When we become stressful because of either a good situation like your daughter just got a scholarship to college or a bad situation like your contractor will be four days late laying the patio our bodies react the same way. Because we are either fearful or anxious our hormones wake up. Then extra sugar is released into your blood stream for the energy that is needed to address the issue or event. More sugar in the blood stream is not the best thing for a diabetic.

Being aware of these or similar stressful situations is the first step.

You cannot do anything about these events unless you are aware of them. That is the first step. Awareness. You can start asking yourself questions like what can you differently when stressful situations begin to come forward. Knowing what some of these stressful situations are for you is a key component to handling them. What may be tense for you may not be tense for others. So know your stressful self.

Now that you are aware of some of your stressful situations what do you do next?

Creating stress relaxers will help you ease the situations as they come up. Have your arsenal ready to go when a situation arises. Let's say you get very tense when you hit some traffic and have to be somewhere at a specific time. The facts are this. You cannot move as quickly as you would like and some people are depending on you to be somewhere. You can call them address your lateness. But what can you do about moving so slowly. Look for alternative routes and if that does not work, find some relaxation techniques that will not drive your hormones crazy. Think about good times you had on some vacations, or happy times you spent with your loved ones. Do something that will give you freedom from the situation. Because you cannot do anything about the traffic anyway. Why not enjoy it? You and your diabetes will be better for it.

You may need to practice these new methods for a while until they become natural for you. Keep yourself open to new actions will be part of the relaxation process. Reducing your stress hormones is a key to reduced blood sugar. Stay on course.

Relaxation techniques will help you ease your diabetes. They are a part of a complete diabetes natural solutions care program. Go grab your free e course about creating a all-inclusive diabetes program for yourself.

Whenever I am in the presence of someone I deeply admire I tend to listen more. I know that they will share some pearls of wisdom.

Recently, I was not disappointed when I was with someone who was so impressive that he commanded my full attention. Of all places to meet, it was a get-together at Denny’s restaurant in Orlando, Florida on March 23, 2007 for breakfast. Jim Loesch and I were in the same booth with Patrick Lecky.

Patrick, a diabetic for 19 years, is a passionate writer and a caring, intelligent human being -- especially when it comes to the topic of diabetes.

In the short period of time we spent together, Patrick taught us a lot about what can be done to overcome the dangerous disease of diabetes. He changed my life and how I look at things, and he is eager to improve the lives of people around the world.

After being with Patrick, my thinking about food has changed. I now know how important it is to watch what you eat -- not just to focus on healthy foods, but to eat a “nutritionally sound” diet. This is a big difference for me. I used to think that it was vital to eat certain foods and avoid other foods. While I see this as part of the solution, I see that eating foods that replenish my body with high octane fuel can be a great benefit for me. It was like going to the gas station and always ordering regular gas when I could order high octane instead. I now see that eating the best will have me at my best.

So why should someone listen to Patrick?

Because he has spent the time researching diabetes. He’s already done the homework for us. He has one of the best selling diabetes eBooks on Clickbank! He has also written 56 reports on various aspects of healing and controlling diabetes naturally. From retinopathy to neuropathy to Glycemic index to blood sugar. His knowledge about diabetes pours fourth on every page and with every word he speaks regarding the subject.

All this from a man who stopped taking insulin after 10 years of sticking needles into his body and ballooning up to 320 pounds. He knew there was a healthier, safer, more natural way to treat his diabetes. By using natural remedies, nutrition and doing some exercise he lost 150 pounds. He looks great and feels wonderful. His health secret is available to everyone.

Diabetes is a troubling disorder and growing in frequency in the United States. Western medicine offers a variety of treatment options, but so does Eastern medicine.

Diabetes is a disease that is rapidly getting out of control in the United States. The incidence rate is approaching 15 to 20 percent in certain population groups such as the elderly. Non-insulin dependent diabetes is the most common form of the disease. It is characterized by low sugar levels in the body and its cause is often related to lifestyle issues. It is interesting to note that the earliest mention of a condition that appears to be non-insulin dependent diabetes in ancient Chinese texts referred to it as a disease of the rich. It suggested that the rich would not be willing to give up the excesses of their lifestyle.

The disease is far more prevalent in the United States and Europe than in the Orient, but it is on the increase there. This is thought to be the result of the modernization that is bringing the same harmful diet and lifestyle choices as are available in the United States. This idea of the effect of lifestyle on the onset and course of the disease suggests the first approach of Traditional Chinese Medicine to its treatment. First comes diet and improved lifestyle. Any of the twenty or so herbs that have been used in the treatment of diabetes for centuries would come next.

Acupuncture is the third step. It has been said that an acupuncturist is going to be better able to treat diabetes simply because he will tend to spend more time with the patient than most busy Western doctors. This is because the acupuncturist is interested in the lifestyle of the patients. He needs to know factors about his life and condition that the doctor would not deem important. This is because the acupuncturist is going to see even the diabetes as a symptom of something amiss in the body, and not the problem itself.

For example, although many patients showing the onset of diabetic symptoms are also suffering from weight problems and might even be obese, this could be misleading. Overweight people are thought to have an excess of yin and a deficiency of yang. Closer examination will often reveal a deficiency of yin. This deficiency causes excessive heat that further stagnates the yin until the qi is impacted. The patient suffering from advanced diabetes will end up with deficiencies in qi, ying, and yang.

There are as many as twenty good energy points for the treatment of low blood sugar. Usually, a dozen of these points are selected in each treatment depending on the patients overall situation. Many Western doctors have begun to give a cautious recommendation to the consideration of Chinese medicine. They have not been able to argue with the results. Although they do not accept the premises of why these treatments are successful, they will still suggest that it might be attempted as long as the more conventional treatment methods are retained. There is actually much common ground. Both disciplines recognize the impact of diet and lifestyle and their recommendations for maintenance are generally the same.

Glucose is also a vital factor for the proper functioning of your body, just like oxygen is essential for the survival of your cells. Glucose provides the energy required by your body's cells in order for the body to perform its myriad tasks correctly. When not enough glucose is available to your body, it can lead to adverse and irreversible effects.

The inability to use the insulin present in the body to produce glucose, leads to Type 2 diabetes. Just like oxygen is needed to breathe, so is glucose needed by the body to function well. Glucose is required for the cells of the body to produce energy.

There are two types of diabetes and their respective treatment differs accordingly. To ensure that you get the treatment that you need, you first have to know the difference between the two types. It is very important to be aware of what type of diabetes you have, because the wrong diagnosis can lead to even more problems later. Learn what the signs and symptoms are and go to a physician as soon as possible. The longer you delay your visit, the more difficult your disease becomes to control.

In Type 1 diabetes the pancreas stops producing insulin completely. It can occur at any age and is often seen in children and young adults. The disease is therefore also known as juvenile diabetes. The only way to get treated for Type 1 diabetes is to supply insulin to the body on a daily basis by giving yourself insulin shots. Leading a healthy lifestyle is very, very important if you have any type of diabetes.

Type 2 diabetes is seen usually in adults at a later stage in life. This condition occurs when the body is unable to use the insulin produced by the pancreas, to generate the energy required for the correct functioning of the body. The good news is that type 2 diabetes can be controlled if you follow a strict and regular diet, exercise daily and get proper medication.

The onset of Type 2 diabetes occurs when the body resists the insulin present and the body cells stop responding to the hormone altogether. When this happens, the pancreas starts producing more and more insulin. What follows is that the storage organ for glucose - the liver - also starts releasing glucose. Eventually the pancreas is unable to produce more insulin and the muscles and tissues of the body start resisting it. As a result, the blood sugar level increases dangerously because the body does not convert the glucose present in the bloodstream into energy required for the body's proper functioning.

Are You at Risk?

Once you pass the age of 40, you have to be very cautious as this type of diabetes is seen mainly in people of this age group, especially if you are also overweight. If you have a Body Mass Index of over 25 and do not lead an active lifestyle, you have a greater risk of contracting diabetes. A person whose body shape is like an apple; with a lot of fat in the stomach area, has to get their weight under control by dieting and exercise, because obese people are especially at risk.

It has become a great concern now for children also, as the obesity level in kids is also increasing at an alarming rate. Children risk getting Type 2 diabetes if a proper diet and exercise program is not maintained.

Although there are clear symptoms, people with Type 2 diabetes do not necessarily show any of them. The symptoms are very common and therefore, a wrong diagnosis can easily occur:

• Passing of urine frequently

• Excessive thirst

• Feeling fatigued

• Weight loss

• Increase in appetite

• General malaise

• Blurred vision

Watch out for any of these symptoms and see your physician immediately if any of them occur. If you have Type 2 diabetes, the sooner you start treatment, the sooner you can get it under control.

So alongside 10,000 other people in the U.S, you have received a diagnosis of Type II Diabetes. Hearing this can cause people to react in many ways, and as already discussed this can be with anger, or denial. Becoming depressed is another reaction that is quite common.

To actually start living with your diabetes can be difficult some times, and this is especially so as the disease begins to progress, leaving you suffering with some of the complications of diabetes. It is quite a natural reaction for you to begin to feel as though you are fighting a losing battle.

It is also hard to keep your blood sugar levels under control at times, and sometimes you can feel as though you are fighting a losing battle. One way to help with keeping blood sugar levels under control is to ensure that you are using a top brand blood glucose meter, such as Accu-Chek Advantage, as this is simple to use, keeps a record of the last 480 readings including the date and time they were taken, and all the information can be downloaded to your computer with the help of the extra pc download kit that is available separately.

Should you feel that you are getting depressed then make sure you talk to your medical team and don’t just bottle it all up – it could be that there is an actual physical cause for how you are feeling which can be treated easily and quickly. Your team will be experienced in helping patients with these feelings, and you can find that talking things through with someone who you feel understands your problems and what you are going through can be a great help to you, and they will be able to help you come up with a plan to overcome your depression.

There is a lot to learn and to take on board once you know you have type II diabetes, and your feelings about this are bound to alter, especially in the beginning. That is why it is so important for you to be able to feel that you are able to control your disease, and not just literally lie back and let everyone else sort it out for you.

At the end of the day, it is you, and your family who are going to have to adjust to life with diabetes. You should not feel alone though, as there are many groups that are available to you, to help get through this difficult adjustment period.

Your medical team will be happy to put you in touch with people that can help and guide you through the first few confusing days, weeks and months as you come to terms with your type II diabetes. Many self help groups exist where other people that have diabetes get together and just talk – it is surprising how much better you can feel in yourself to actually meet and speak to someone who is going through the same thing as you are.

Remember diabetes will only change your life as much as you allow it to.

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Receiving a diagnosis of Type II Diabetes can cause very different responses and reactions. There are around 10,000 people that are diagnosed with this serious condition in the United States each year, so remember you are not alone.

One of the first reactions from many people is to feel angry. They are angry to think that this disease could have entered into their lives and be a threat to the future they had all nicely planned out. The cry of “Why me?” can be frequently heard. Unfortunately as anger can be a very destructive emotion as well as a powerful force for good, you need to understand why you are so angry and then put this towards fighting diabetes, rather than using it against the disease itself. To comment that you hate the disease or want nothing to do with it, is not really going to help, although it is a natural reaction.

Another very common reaction to being told you are Type II Diabetic is pure denial. This happens particularly when the diagnosis has been made in the early stages of the disease when the symptoms may be particularly mild.

Type II diabetes will usually progress quite slowly, so if you go into denial it will not cause too much of a problem, and your medical team will often be quite happy to let you get used to the idea for a while anyway.

Denial will only really become a problem if it continues, and you try to carry on with your life in the same old way as before. Failure to accept the fact you have diabetes and therefore not to accept any treatment can and does lead to very serious complications.

From the very first day on which you are given your diagnoses of Diabetes, it is imperative to learn how to control your disease and to understand what your blood glucose levels mean to your diabetes. You will be advised when you first receive your diagnosis about the meter that you will need to use to keep a daily (or however often you have been advised) check on your sugar levels.

One of the easiest Blood Glucose Meters to use is the Accu-Chek Advantage – this will automatically turn on as soon as your testing strip has been inserted, which is much easier than some of the other available meters, which necessitate you pushing the strip in the machine in a certain way before the reading will commence. The Accu Chek Advantage is also able to store 480 readings, so you will easily be able to inform your diabetes care team of your readings, and the time and date they were taken. The Advantage Blood Glucose Meter will also enable you to download the readings onto your computer with the pc download kit which is available separately.

Something simple like making sure that you buy the appropriate blood glucose meter will make your life much easier, as this will quickly become just another part of your routine, and it really will not take very long at all to get the necessary readings so that you, and your medical team, can keep a check on your sugar levels.

Diabetes will not just disappear, and you really do need to accept this fact and begin to work with your medical team to learn how to control the disease.

Remember that you need to learn to manage the disease, and not let the disease manage you.

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