How Stress Affects Your Blood Sugar

The cold hard truth

By living with diabetes and by taking your prescribed medication, you are under the constant daily threat of dying of a heart attack, stroke, kidney failure, succumbing to blindness, amputations, neuropathy, hypertension, nerve system disease, high cholesterol, depression, and falling into a coma. Those are just the side-effects of living with diabetes.

Now lets add the side-effects from the drugs that are supposed to "help" you; hepatitis, liver problems, acidosis leading to death within hours, heart attacks, stroke, increased risk of cancer, weakened immune system, vomiting, nausea, diarrhea, heart failure, etc.

Everyone knows that diabetes, both Type 1 and Type 2, involves properly controlling the body's blood sugar level. This can be affected by the type, frequency, and amount of foods that are consumed. But there is another factor that is also a major contributor to blood sugar levels and complication: stress. In fact, it has more to do with managing diabetes than you can imagine.

When your body is under stress it will automatically respond in the only way that it knows how... which is to release hormones. Hormones run everything from a woman's menstrual cycle, to a person's moods... to body functions. But when hormones are released, so is sugar. That's why under extreme periods of stress our bodies are able to perform some extraordinary acts as it is burning up the excess reserves of sugar that are stored in it.

But instead of rapid bouts of stress that are soon over, what about stress that continually builds over time? If short bursts of stress release extra sugar into the blood spontaneously, what does a continuous level of stress release? That's right: it releases sugar too, but over a longer period of time. And to a diabetic, this is not good news.

Releasing additional levels of sugar due to stress, in addition to what is extracted from your food intake, only ups the limits of sugar that is present in your bloodstream. This is the one thing that diabetics don't need. Now, stress is not only causing the diabetic to worry more, but it is now affecting their overall health.

One common side effect form stress is to either skip meals or skimp on meals. Skipping them altogether is disastrous for anyone, but the effects are amplified in diabetics. This is one thing that they cannot afford to do. This results in blood sugar levels plummeting and brings on an onslaught of complications too numerous to mention.

Almost as dangerous is skimping on meals. Taking the easy way out by consuming unhealthy snacks or fast food is equally as effective in sabotaging your blood sugar level. That's why eating healthy is so critical for Type 1 and Type 2 diabetics. Healthy food helps to equal healthy sugar.

Stress can also affect the body by cutting out exercise. People think they simply do not have time. But a healthy cardiovascular system is essential to maintaining optimal blood sugar levels.

Sleep, or lack of sleep, is another way that stress can creep into our lives. Not getting enough rest taxes the body, which causes stress, which causes insomnia, and so forth. It is a wheel in a gerbil cage that you won't be able to get off of until your body gives out. For an average person, this would mean exhaustion. For a diabetic, the consequences can be much more severe.

To discover answers to questions you may be asking yourself about Type 2 Diabetes, Click Here

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6079670

Read More

3 Foods That Will Make Your Type 2 Diabetes Even Worse

Did you know that some “safe” foods might be making your diabetes even worse?
You know to stay away from sweets, but some so-called “healthy” alternatives could be hijacking your blood sugar.
>>>What if you could REVERSE your Type 2 Diabetes and throw away your insulin shots? A new medical discovery makes it possible.
Keep these blood sugar-boosters off the menu to maximize your energy level:
Fruit Smoothies
You’ve been told your whole lives to eat your fruits and veggies, but here’s what they didn’t tell you…
Many smoothies contain as much sugar as three cans of soda…
…especially fast-food and restaurant smoothies.
So how can you get the necessary vitamins and fiber while avoiding blood sugar spikes?
The solution: make smoothies yourself.
Just make sure to stay away from super-sugary fruits like bananas and peaches.
Try these instead:
Apples
Blueberries
Strawberries

Potatoes
I know what you’re thinking:
“What could go wrong with a food that’s fat-free, cholesterol-free, and full of fiber and vitamins?”
The problem with starchy foods, like potatoes, is that they’re digested into the bloodstream lightning-quick and can trigger sharp insulin spikes.
Don’t scrap your spuds just yet, though. The key to a diabetes-friendly potato is in the preparation and portion size.
Preparation tips:
Cook them with a healthy fat, like olive oil
Add leafy greens or vegetables
Chill the potato or add lemon juice to slow digestion
As for portion size, stick to about 1/2 cup of mashed potatoes or a computer mouse sized baked potato.

White rice
In the diabetes world, white flour is like sugar’s evil minion.
Combine this with all the frying and processing involved with cooking flour, and your bloodstream is about to become a war-zone.
In fact, regularly eating white rice significantly increases your risk for Type 2 Diabetes. The risk increases 11% for each additional daily serving.
Thankfully, there is another option: brown rice.
Whole grains have fiber, which slows the rush of glucose into the bloodstream. Two servings of brown rice per week can actually lower your risk of diabetes, and help keep your blood sugar in check.
What if you could REVERSE your Type 2 Diabetes and never stop enjoying your favorite foods, here’s what you need:
A recent medical breakthrough at Newcastle University has revealed 3 Proven Steps to Reverse Type-2 Diabetes. Click the link below to find out more.
Click here to find out 3 Proven Steps to Reverse Type-2 Diabetes Discovered by Newcastle University.

Read More

How to Control High Blood Sugar

Overview

How to control blood sugar is quite easy if you pay specific attention to your diet and to the information you would have received from the Dietitian at one of your regular Clinic appointments.

However, food is pleasurable and we all eat partly on impulse: we do not sit around thinking of chemicals and nutrients, but of that delicious evening meal you are looking forward to, or that bar of chocolate you are craving for and know you absolutely must not have it. So, is it possible to control blood sugar in a more straightforward way so that you do not spend all day thinking about food and what you can no longer eat.

Reduce the Temptations Associated with Carbohydrates

Firstly, regardless of the trend, stay well away from the carbohydrate diet revolution. This kind of diet is no good for you if you are trying to control your blood sugar. For you, with high levels of glucose in your blood, you need to ration your carbohydrate intake because, when your body detects too much carbohydrates and sugar it will release a dose of insulin to counteract the carbs.

Usually, your sugar is stored in your liver and muscle cells as glycogen which is an instant source of energy. Stored glycogen is the reason why you need to exercise for at least 20 minutes before you start burning fat, by the way.

Essential Vitamins and Minerals

Chromium-3 and Zinc are two of the micronutrients that enables glucose to be metabolized more efficiently. Zince is present in much high protein, low carbohydrate foods such as meat, eggs, and dark green leafy vegetables. Chromium-3 is found in broccoli, apple, tomatoes and sweet potatoes. It is also found in sweetcorn although this isn't such a good choice if your blood glucose level is elevated.

Soluble fiber should always be included in the diet. Apart from making you feel fuller for longer, soluble fiber actually slows down the rate at which carbohydrates get metabolized during the digestion process, giving your insulin longer to be able to act on your intake of carbohydrate.

There are two sources of vitamins. These are either fat-soluble or water-soluble which is why, even when you are following a low-fat diet you must take some fats into your diet. Without fats in your diet your body wouldn't be able to absorb those vitamins that are essential to health: Vitamins A, D, E, and K. The water-soluble vitamins are Vitamins B and C. Vitamin B is an excellent source of nutrition for the individual suffering with high blood sugar.

One of the problems that people often face, especially those with diagnosed diabetes, is nerve damage. The B vitamin group of 6 individual vitamins is able to help prevent this nerve damage from occurring. The B Vitamins tend to be thiamine [B1]; riboflavin [B2]; nicotinic acid [B3]; pyridoxine [B6]; cobalamin [B12]; and folate [folic acid]. Since all sources of Vitamin B12 are from animal origin, the British Vegan Society recommend a range of foods that have been fortified with B12.

Basically, however, if you eat a wide range of foods, including something from each food group, you will gain sufficient nutrients to keep you healthy and, whilst you can learn how to control blood sugar by taking food supplements and reducing the amount of carbohydrate you eat, you will be far healthier by choosing food from each of the food groups and varying your diet as much as possible.

Not only will this enable you to figure out how to control your blood sugar, but you will probably find new foods that you actually enjoy eating and find that maintaining a healthy diet to control your blood sugar becomes less of a chore in the future.

For More Video How To Control High Blood Sugar CLICK HERE



Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/5036706

Read More

Natural Solutions For Lowering Your Blood Pessure

Over 1 billion people worldwide suffer from high blood pressure / hypertension. Many of these people take medication to control it. The medication is only treating the symptoms. If all you needed was a ten day or seven day prescription to eliminate the cause, the drug companies would go out of business.

Yes you can control, reduce and may even eliminate hypertension naturally regardless if you taking prescription medication or not. You can do this with a complete solution.

If you can eat, breathe and move you can lower your blood pressure naturally.

Here are some guidelines for your eating habits:

• Prepare a healthy meal at night for the next day as you have total control over your nutritional choices 
•  Reduce your salt intake to less than 1500mg a day 
•  Replace a coffee with green tea 
•  Replace soft drinks with water 
•  Minimize your fast food to once a week or less - fast food generally has a lot of sodium in it 
•  Eat foods that have a high water content 
•  Reduce your sugar intake 
•  Follow the food guide first, then supplement second

The key is to do this on gradual basis as compared to doing it "cold turkey"
For example take one week and each day have a green tea instead of a coffee. Another thing you may want to try is have red delicious apple instead of coffee first thing in the morning.

The following week continue this habit and then add one glass of water to your eating habits. Over a period time replacing one piece junk food something healthy will help you.

Here are some guidelines for deep breathing that will help you with your hypertension.

•  Take ten to fifteen minutes a day to some breathing exercises 
•  Start by breathing in for a count of three and out for a count of three 
• You can do this standing, sitting or lying down 
•  As you do your breathing picture your self with low blood pressure 
•  Find soft music to be in the background when you do the breathing

Enjoy the process. Deep breathing is an excellent natural remedy to control or eliminate hypertension if you are consistently in a state of stress.

Finally, start moving your body. The more your body moves the more your blood flows naturally in the body. If you have a sedentary job it is important that you get up and walk around the office a few times during the day. At lunch if the environment allows go for a twenty minute walk. When you walk the blood vessels widen to allow blood to pass through to feed the working muscles. This occurs naturally.

You may also want to start a proper strength training program if your family doctor or cardiologist permits it.

In general, the more active you are using the bigger muscles of the body, the healthier you will be.

The choice is up to you; however as I have suffered in the past from blood pressure medication side effects I suggest you take a serious look into what you need to do to improve your health .

Remember to eat, breathe and move to lower your high blood pressure naturally.

Michael Wolfe Grafstein is a registered massage therapist who discovered a natural solution to lower high blood pressure with out the harmful side effects of hypertension medication. Click Here for a complete natural solution to lower high blood pressure.




Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/2527008

Read More