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Asthma and Its Symptoms
In his book, Essential Allergy, Niels Mygind defines asthma as,
"A lung disease characterised by: 1, variable and reversible
airway obstruction; 2, airway inflammation; and 3, bronchial
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Asthma is a disease where...
Dill The Meeting House Herb
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INDIA: Looking Ahead
India, the emerging superpower. India, the resurgent economy.
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during the recent past.
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Lose Weight While You Sleep
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Rush Limbaugh, Victim, Perp or none of the above? (Part 2)
He reported that overseas pharmacies inform American buyers that U.S. Customs will not seize shipments of drugs because a "personal use" policy allows customers to import a limited supply of drugs. As a result, Law enforcement agencies that try to...
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Type 2 Diabetes
Type 2 Diabetes
Type 2 diabetes is sometimes referred to as mature onset
diabetes. Type 2 diabetes is much more common than Type I. In
Type 2 diabetes the pancreas either does not produce adequate
levels of insulin or the body becomes resistant to its own
insulin.
Type I diabetes, also known as adolescent diabetes, differs from
Type 2 in that the body stops producing insulin altogether. Type
I diabetes is generally diagnosed in children or young adults.
Type 2 diabetes is usually diagnosed in older adults, however,
it is becoming substantially more prevalent in the younger
population.
With the onset of diabetes, whether it be Type I or Type 2, we
lose our ability to adequately utilize sugar. When this occurs,
blood sugar levels increase due to the body's inability to
transport sugar into the cells and out of the blood stream.
Sugar is very important in that it is the basic fuel source for
the cells in our bodies. Insulin is necessary for the transport
of sugar from the blood and into the cells.
Diabetes is a serious condition and can lead to many other
health problems. Some problems that diabetics commonly encounter
are an increased risk for heart and circulatory problems, high
blood pressure, visual problems and blindness, nerve damage, and
kidney damage. With the diagnosis of diabetes, it becomes
extremely important that blood sugar fluctuations are tightly
controlled. With good control of blood sugar levels and the
prevention of prolonged periods of elevated blood sugar, people
with diabetes can live long and healthy lives.
Fortunately for the newly diagnosed diabetic, there are more and
more tools available to help monitor and control the condition.
Glucose meters are becoming smaller and easier to use. Blood
samples necessary for glucose meter use are much smaller than in
the past. Painful finger pricks can now be avoided with blood
samples being able to be taken from alternate, less sensitive
areas, such as the forearm. In the relatively near future,
non-invasive glucose monitoring devices not requiring a sample
of blood at all will become commonplace.
A simple blood test, known as the A1c test, can measure the
average blood glucose levels over the previous three months.
This test is a very good way to monitor and critique how
effective current treatments, diet, medications, etc. have been
recently. This test is now available for home use and as such
does not even require a visit to the doctor.
Type 2 diabetics have more options available to them for blood
sugar control than do Type I diabetics. Not only are there oral
medications, often eliminating the need for insulin injection
treatment, but other methods that may eliminate the need for
medications altogether.
Type 2 diabetics should look to multiple sources of information
in order to determine the best methods available to deal with
their condition. A good start is a physician specializing in the
treatment of diabetes. Most physician specialists will have
nutritional counseling available to help understand the
relationship of various food items with blood sugar levels.
Additionally, diabetics should become very familiar with
vitamin, mineral, and herbal options to improve blood sugar
metabolism and control. A few examples of supplements that are
well known to help in this regard are chromium, magnesium, and
vanadyl sulfate. Various natural glucose transport factors can
be very helpful in aiding the body's transport of glucose from
the blood and into the cells. Vanadyl sulfate has been shown to
improve glucose sensitivity and decrease insulin resistance.
Various herbal preparations have been shown to significantly
improve blood sugar levels, sugar metabolism, and reportedly
even improve the function of the insulin producing cells in the
pancreas. Notably, Gymnema sylvestre, known as "sugar destroyer"
in Sandskrit, has been shown to have positive effects and
benefits for diabetics.
Along with proper nutrition, appropriate supplements and
vitamins, other important considerations are weight control and
exercise. Excess weight tremendously increases the burden on the
pancreas as fat requires much more insulin than lean tissue.
Exercise not only helps control body fat and reduce weight, but
additionally aids the transport of sugar from the blood and into
the cells.
Diabetes is a very serious condition, but proper diet, glucose
monitoring, and exercise can substantially improve our ability
to control the condition. We should attempt to educate ourselves
not only in the importance of tight blood sugar control, but
also the various methods and options available to help in this
regard. By utilizing good judgment in diet, weight control,
exercise, and appropriate supplementation, diabetics can
markedly reduce complications and lead long and healthy lives.
Further information regarding diabetes can be obtained at
http://www.diabetessites.com
About the author:
About the Author: Dr. Mark S. Johnson, D.C., FAFICC, QME is a
doctor of chiropractic medicine, specializing in nutrition and
exercise rehabilitation. He is a Fellow of the Academy of
Forensic and Industrial Chiropractic Consultants and a Qualified
Medical Evaluator for the State of California.
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