HEALTH REPORT for DIABETICS

taken from Diabetes Forecast magazine 2012

A1C
WHY: A1C is your average blood glucose over the past two or three months. If helps determine how well you are controlling your diabetes.
TARGET:
Less than 7 percent for most people. Your provider may recommend a lower or higher target for you.
HOW OFTEN:
Every three months if you are not on target, twice a year, otherwise.

BLOOD PRESSURE
WHY:
High blood pressure can cause heart disease, kidney failure, and stroke.
TARGET:
Less than 130/80 mmHg
HOW OFTEN:
At every health care visit.

LDL Cholestrol
WHY:
Too much LDL (bad) cholestrol in your blood can stick to your artery walls and lead to plaque build up, which increases your risk of heart disease and stroke.
TARGET:
Less than 100 mg/dl (lower than 70 if you have cardiovascular disease)
HOW OFTEN:
Once a year blood test

FOOT EXAM
WHY:
To screen for symptoms of neuropathy (nerve damage) and to prevent or identify foot ulcers and other risk for foot problems.
HOW OFTEN:
Once a year or more often if you are at risk for foot problems.

Albumin-to-Creatinline Ration
WHY:
To monitor for kidney disease
TARGET:
Less than 30 mg/g
HOW OFTEN:
Once a year urine test for all people with type 2 and for people who have had type 1 diabetes for five years or more.

Serum Creatinine/eGFR
WHY:
To monitor for kidney disease.
TARGET:
More than 60 mi/min/1.73 M2
HOW OFTEN:
Once a year blood test.

Dilated Eye Exam
WHY:
To detect and treat retinopathy and to identify and monitor other eye diseases, such as: glaucoma and cataracts.
HOW OFTEN:
Once a year, though less frequent exams may be considered if you have had normal exams for a couple of years.

Peripheral Arteries
WHY:
People with diabetes over age 50 should be tested for peripheral artery disease (PAD), in which the arteries in the lower extremities become blocked increasing the risk for amputation.
TARGET:
An ankle-brachial index (ABI) between 0.91 and 1.30, measured by comparing blood pressure in your ankle and your arm.
HOW OFTEN:
As long as the test result is normal, every five years.

Blood Pressure Medicine.....

eScott Bumgarner 03/28/12

One month ago, in February, my doctor put me on high blood pressure medication which consists of 2.5mg of LISINOPRIL. I don't have high blood pressure. She put me on this medication to relieve the stress of my kidneys; because, I am a diabetic, and diabetes is harder on kidneys for folks like us.

If you aren't taking a small high blood pressure tab, you may want to speak with your diabetes professional and talk about it.

Currently, besides taking LISINOPRIL, I also take METFORMIN, and Coumidian which is a blood thinner. I had blood clots in my pulmonary artery a few years ago; now, I am a lifetime user.

I would like to hear from any of you who are diabetics; and, if you want to email me, drop me a line at: esbtexoma1944@gmail.com, and we can discuss our diabetic situations with each other.

I hate to workout; but, having said that, last August of 2011, I rode my 'stationary bike' for about three solid months in order to lose some weight. I current weigh in the 360 pound area. I rode for two to three days a week; but, never lost a pound. In the past, of course when I was younger, I used to climb on the bike and lose weight, weekly. I am now 67 years of age; and, it is harder to lose.

I did lose one point off of my A1C blood test, from 7.2 down to 6.2. No, I haven't climbed back on the bike; but, I am planning to, one of these days. My wife is a workout nut; but, not me.

Choe..................

Diabetes Defeated

www.HSIBaltimore.com

This is the story of how one member of the Health Sciences Institute got off insulin in six weeks…after nine years on prescription drugs! And if only she’d known about this “blood sugar supplement”she could have prevented the whole problem before it ever started!
June was a 56-year-old with diabetes.

She had been on insulin and oral prescription medications for nine years when she agreed to test a new natural solution. Within six weeks, she stopped not only her insulin but another prescription drug as well.

You read that right: In just six weeks an alternative doctor solved a problem that mainstream medicine couldn’t handle in nine years and for thousands of dollars. The fact is that it costs the typical diabetic around $10,000 a year for treatment. Conventional medicine soaked this woman for maybe $90,000 to treat a medical problem that plant remedies cured in no time at all!

A standard diabetes test showed June went from severely diabetic to healthy in the course of the treatment. But this diabetes breakthrough almost didn’t happen. Believe it or not, Jon Barron, the acclaimed researcher who found this remedy, wanted nothing to do with creating a diabetes treatment. He thought it would be a mistake to use herbs and nutrients to manage the symptoms of diabetes rather than addressing the root cause––mainly the way we eat.

What changed Jon’s mind was the galloping diabetes epidemic all around us. Nearly 20 million Americans already have full-blown diabetes, and up to 40 percent of the rest of us are pre-diabetic.

Diabetes is the No. 6 cause of death in the United States, and it’s destined to move up the charts pretty quickly, given the way we eat. It’s hard to believe, but the average American scarfs down 152 pounds of sugar a year. It’s easy to do, even if you think you’re being careful. For instance, sodas contain as much as a teaspoon of sugar
per ounce.

There’s sugar in catsup, salad dressing, “organic” cereals...in practically everything. The key is to balance your blood sugar now—before you get sick. We take natural supplements for cholesterol and blood pressure. Isn’t it about time for a natural
solution to diabetes?

Jon Barron decided it was... Seven herbs tackle diabetes seven different ways We told you we’d tell you about a two-herb combo that packs a punch against diabetes. But it’s actually much better than that… Jon Barron combined a full 7 diabetes-fighting herbs in one amazing supplement!

Barron came at his solution from a wholly unique angle. Instead of just following the mainstream approach, Barron addressed the fact that diabetes was the wrong point of attack. That’s because diabetes is the symptom of a metabolic problem, not the cause.
So instead of dealing with that end result, Barron developed a formula to help optimize the body’s ability to metabolize sugar properly.

Before formulating his product, Barron analyzed all the studies and competing claims for natural diabetes treatments and sugar-regulating formulas. Ayurvedic medicine (the ancient tradition of India), for example, offers 44 different natural remedies for diabetes. Other traditions offer dozens more. After much study, Barron narrowed the menu down to six that had the best chance of creating a thorough, root-cause approach to maximizing the body’s ability to metabolize sugar.

Then, on the heels of a new discovery, he added the seventh potent ingredient to come up with the ideal sugar metabolic enhancement formula. You may have heard of the first two ingredients below from other sources, but you probably can’t name the other five…and that’s where Barron’s unique research expertise comes in.

The first ingredient is fenugreek. In a recent study, researchers saw a 54% drop in urinary glucose levels—the test doctors often use to identify diabetics. But to get the most benefit, patients had to eat a huge amount of fenugreek––a pretty unpleasant
bitter), and comes with some pretty unpleasant side effects (like foul-smelling sweat and urine) when you eat a lot of it.

Now a new extract concentrates the active ingredient in fenugreek, making much smaller doses possible and getting rid of those smelly side effects. In India they call gymnema sylvestre, a traditional Ayurvedic diabetes remedy, “the sugar destroyer.” Here’s why: A protein in the plant makes you lose your craving for sugar and may actually prevent you from digesting some of the sugar you DO eat.

Plus, gymnema seems to regenerate pancreas cells, allowing your body to produce more insulin. In an 18-month gymnema study, most test subjects were able to reduce their medication… and some were able to get rid of drugs altogether. Best of all, no one has reported any adverse side effects of gymnema.

Not one.Konjac mannan is a potent herb you’ve probably never heard of, but it’s been proven effective in clinical trials. In fact, in a 65-day trial, 72 patients with adult-onset diabetes who took konjac saw their fasting blood sugar levels drop an average of 51.8 percent and their levels after eating drop 84.6 percent!

The nopal cactus (a.k.a. the prickly pear cactus) is just gaining recognition in the natural medicine world. There’s not a lot of clinical research into its medicinal benefits yet, but several small studies suggest that eating nopal leaves with a meal can help contain —even reduce — serum glucose levels.

Individuals with type 2 diabetes have experienced a 10 to 20 percent reduction in blood sugar levels after eating nopal.

Banaba leaf extract has been shown to lower blood sugar levels in people with Type 2 diabetes by up to 30%. It also helped the people in the trial keep tighter control over glucose fluctuations. Best of all, banaba appears to encourage weight loss…without any major dietary changes.

Bitter melon contains at least three components that act on blood sugar – and clinical trials confirm its effectiveness for managing glucose levels.

The final ingredient is a patented cinnamon extract called Cinnulin PF™ which ramps up the overall effectiveness of the supplement. In fact, Cinnulin PF actually works to make the insulin receptor sites on your individual body cells more receptive…and that insulin more efficiently.

Barron put all these ingredients together into a highly beneficial supplement he called Glucotor™ v.2. Here are just some of the astounding results seen in six-week Phase I Clinical Trials conducted using this formula:

Blood sugar levels dropped by an average 54.4 points

An average 52% improvement in blood sugar utilization and optimization, meaning that
participants’ bodies learned to handle sugar more efficiently

Improved carbohydrate metabolism (meaning that patients’ metabolic systems handled
dietary carbs more effectively) by an average 39%

An average weight loss of 5.5 pounds

This sugar metabolic enhancement formula, which can help control diabetes from the right angle, is just one great example of how members benefit from being part of the Health Sciences Institute (HSI) network. Thanks to our inside, confidential sources, we were able to follow the development and testing process and bring this breakthrough to our members as soon as it became available.

To learn more about Glucotor™v.2, go to the Product Source Directory at the end of this report.

A word of caution: If you’re on prescription medications—and even if you aren’t—you need the guidance of a qualified health professional before you try this (or any) remedy.

Managing Diabetes Through Good Nutrition

Having diabetes means thinking differently about food and nutrition. This can seem challenging sometimes, but it becomes a bit more manageable once you learn the facts. Here is some information that may help.

According to the American Diabetes Association (ADA), healthy eating can make it easier to stay within your blood-sugar target range. It also may delay and help manage the complications of diabetes.

To help you create a healthy eating plan, following are some key tips from diabetes experts. It’s also a good idea to see a registered dietitian who can help you with a food plan that’s right for you. Keep in mind that regular physical activity is important in managing your diabetes as well.

Smart carbohydrate choices

Carbohydrates are your body’s main energy source. Experts recommend that about half of your daily calories should come from carbohydrates. Tracking how many carbohydrates you eat—along with setting a maximum each day—will help you keep your blood sugar within the target range.

Here’s a quick look at the 3 types of carbohydrates and the best food sources for them:

Starch: Good sources of starch include vegetables such as potatoes, green peas, and corn. Grains such as oats, barley, and rice also are high in starch. These foods tend to be high in vitamins and minerals.

Fiber: To get the fiber you need, aim for foods such as beans, nuts, fruits, vegetables, and whole-grain products. Fiber can help slow the rise of blood sugar, making it easier to stay within your blood-glucose target range. Soluble fiber, the kind found in foods such as oats, apples, and citrus fruits, also may help lower cholesterol.

Sweets: The occasional sweet treat may be fine for special occasions, but in general you should keep these to a minimum. Sweets often have fewer vitamins and minerals than more healthful foods. A tip: Taking a brisk walk after eating a sweet snack may be a good idea.

Fat findings

Some fat in the diet is essential, but it’s best to go for the “healthy” unsaturated fats found in nuts, vegetable oils, olives, and avocados. Nonfried fish such as salmon, mackerel, and albacore tuna is another good source. It contains healthy omega-3 fat.

Then there are the unhealthy fats—saturated and trans fat. Experts recommend that less than 7% of your total calorie intake should come from saturated fats. They are found in full-fat dairy products such as ice cream, sour cream, and cheese, as well as meats, chicken skin, and bacon.

Trans fats are present in margarine, shortening, and many processed packaged goods such as crackers and chips. A food-label tip: In packaged goods, trans fats can be listed as “hydrogenated” or “partially hydrogenated” fat, so look for those words when you’re reading the label.

Protein in moderation

People with diabetes generally should try to get the same amount of protein in their diet as those in the general population, which is 15% to 20% of total calories.

High-protein diets have been in the news a lot lately. But there’s no evidence they result in weight loss in the long term for people with diabetes or anyone else. Also, the long-term effects of a high-protein diet on kidney function in people with diabetes is unknown.

A word on alcohol

Alcohol is a source of extra calories with few nutrients. It’s best to get the OK from your health care professional on this. If adults with diabetes choose to drink alcohol, daily intake should be moderate. Moderate means 1 drink per day or less for women and 2 drinks per day or less for men.

Try this method at mealtimes

You can try a simple strategy for healthy nutrition from the ADA called “Create Your Plate.” This will help you figure out which foods to eat and how much—2 good things when it comes to managing diabetes and losing some weight. Here’s how it works.

1.	Using a dinner plate, draw an imaginary line down the middle of your plate, then divide the left side of your plate once more into 2 equal sections. Now you have 3 sections on your plate—2 small and 1 large.

2.	For every meal, try to fill the largest section with nonstarchy vegetables such as spinach, carrots, lettuce, greens, green beans, broccoli, cauliflower, tomatoes, or cucumbers.

3.	In 1 of the small sections, place starchy foods such as whole-grain breads, rice, pasta, tortillas, peas, potatoes, corn, lima beans, low-fat crackers or chips, or pretzels.

4.	In the other small section, put your low-fat meat such as a deck-of-cards-size piece of chicken, tuna, salmon, cod, lean beef, or pork; or go with high-protein meat substitutes such as tofu, eggs, or low-fat cheese.

5.	Add a low-fat drink and a piece of fruit for dessert.

Getting in the habit of organizing your meals this way can help make healthful eating a little easier, which can make a real difference when it comes to managing your diabetes.

PREVENT DIABETES FROM PROGRESSING INTO KIDNEY DISEASE?

THE DIABETIC NEWSLETTER
November 21, 2011 - Volume XII; Issue #28
From Diabetic Gourmet Magazine -- http://DiabeticGourmet.com
Online Version: http://diabeticnewsletter.com/2011-11-21-dnl.shtml
Find more on Twitter: http://twitter.com/diabeticgourmet


Since one of the big risk factors for diabetes-based End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) is hypertension, drugs used to lower blood pressure (antihypertensive drugs) can slow the progression of kidney disease significantly. One drug, an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor, has proven effective in preventing progression to stages IV and V.1 Calcium channel blockers, another class of antihypertensive drugs, also show promise.

Some, but not all, calcium channel blockers may be able to decrease proteinuria (loss of protein into the urine) and damage to kidney tissue. Researchers are investigating whether combinations of calcium channel blockers and ACE inhibitors might be more effective than either treatment used alone. Patients with even mild hypertension or persistent microalbuminuria (presence of albumin, a component of protein, in the urine) should consult a physician about the use of antihypertensive medicines.

A diet containing reduced amounts of protein may benefit people with kidney disease of diabetes. In people with diabetes, excessive consumption of protein may be harmful. Experts recommend that most patients with stage III or stage IV nephropathy consume moderate amounts of protein.

If you have diabetes:

Have your doctor measure your glycohemoglobin regularly. The HbA1c test averages your level of blood sugar for the previous 1-3 months.

Follow your doctor's advice regarding insulin injections, medicines, diet, exercise, and monitoring your blood sugar.

Have your blood pressure checked several times a year. If blood pressure is high, follow your doctor's plan for keeping it near normal levels.

Ask your doctor whether you might benefit from receiving an ACE inhibitor.

Have your urine checked yearly for microalbumin and protein. If there is protein in your urine, have your blood checked for elevated amounts of waste products such as creatinine.

Ask your doctor whether you should reduce the amount of protein in your diet.

MORE GOOD NEWS ON FISH

THE DIABETIC NEWSLETTER
November 21, 2011 - Volume XII; Issue #28
From Diabetic Gourmet Magazine -- http://DiabeticGourmet.com
Online Version: http://diabeticnewsletter.com/2011-11-21-dnl.shtml
Find more on Twitter: http://twitter.com/diabeticgourmet


Fish is even better for us than we thought. Recent scientific research shows that consumption of fish is associated with lower risk of colon cancer.

Results from the ongoing European Prospective Investigation into Cancer study tracked the diets of more than half a million subjects in 10 European countries for an average of five years. They found that subjects who ate the most red meat and processed meats had a 35 percent greater risk of developing colon cancer compared to those who ate the least of these foods.

These findings are in keeping with what the AICR has been saying for years: diets high in red and processed meats are associated with higher risk of colon cancer. AICR recommends limiting consumption of red meat to 3 ounces a day.

Among those monitored in the European study, people who ate the most fish had a 31 percent lower risk of developing colon cancer than subjects who ate the least. This recent study is the strongest evidence yet that consumption of fish has a measurable and significant protective effect against colon cancer.

Although the study's authors did not distinguish among types of fish, the existence of a protective effect seems to align with evidence on the anti-cancer activity of omega-3 fatty acids, which are found in salmon, tuna and other deep-water "fatty fish."

AICR and other health experts recommend fish as the best animal protein alternative to red meat. This Indonesian salmon dish is a good way to introduce more fish into your diet.

DIABETES RELATED DEFINITIONS AND EXPLANATIONS

THE DIABETIC NEWSLETTER
November 21, 2011 - Volume XII; Issue #28
From Diabetic Gourmet Magazine -- http://DiabeticGourmet.com
Online Version: http://diabeticnewsletter.com/2011-11-21-dnl.shtml
Find more on Twitter: http://twitter.com/diabeticgourmet

HORMONE:
A chemical released by special cells to tell other cells what to do. For instance, insulin is a hormone made by the beta cells in the pancreas. When released, insulin tells other cells to use glucose (sugar) for energy.

SOMATOSTATIN:
A hormone made by the delta cells of the pancreas (in areas called the islets of Langerhans). Scientists think it may control how the body secretes two other hormones, insulin and glucagon.

KETOSIS:
A condition of having ketone bodies build up in body tissues and fluids. The signs of ketosis are nausea, vomiting, and stomach pain. Ketosis can lead to ketoacidosis.

DAWN PHENOMENON:
A sudden rise in blood glucose levels in the early morning hours. This condition sometimes occurs in people with insulin-dependent diabetes and (rarely) in people with noninsulin-dependent diabetes. Unlike the Somogyi effect, it is not a result of an insulin reaction. People who have high levels of blood glucose in the mornings before eating may need to monitor their blood glucose during the night. If blood glucose levels are rising, adjustments in evening snacks or insulin dosages may be recommended.

METABOLISM:
The term for the way cells chemically change food so that it can be used to keep the body alive. It is a two-part process. One part is called catabolism-when the body uses food for energy. The other is called anabolism-when the body uses food to build or mend cells. Insulin is necessary for the metabolism of food.