Jumat, 14 Desember 2007

Combining Food to Control Diabetes and Reduce Obesity

As a diabetic who is trying to lose weight, it is not only important what you eat and how much but what you eat together too. Foods react differently together and for optimal performance and the best affect on your blood glucose level there are a few guidelines that should be followed.

At each meal you should have a combination of carbohydrates and protein and you can have fat in moderation. The majority of the foods a diabetic will eat fall under the carbohydrate category, carbohydrates can be found in:

* Fruits
* Vegetables
* Beans
* Dairy Products
* Bread
* Grains

To reduce blood sugars and lose weight, a diet where carbohydrates are counted and controlled is necessary. Depending on your weight and height your dietician will provide you with a number of carbohydrates that you can have at each meal. Some carbohydrates are better choices than others; choose fresh and whole wheat whenever possible.

Choosing carbohydrates that are high in fiber can help to reduce your blood glucose levels and will keep you feeling full for longer. Higher fiber content allows you to eat more an item without suffering the consequences later on.

At each meal, a small amount of protein will help counter-act the carbohydrate’s affect of raising blood sugars. Protein will also sustain you longer and you will not be hungry as quickly if you did not have protein at one of your meals or for snack. Choose high-quality protein that is not fried. Remove excess fat when it is possible such as chicken skin before eating.

Following a healthy eating plan with the correct number of carbohydrates at each meal combine with a protein can help you lose weight and manage your diabetes. Make time for exercising in your week too and you are sure to lose weight and have more energy.


Childhood Obesity and Type 2 Diabetes

When a child is diagnosed with diabetes it is commonly referred to as juvenile diabetes or type 1 diabetes. This type of diabetes is not related to a child’s lifestyle, it is an autoimmune disease that results in the need for insulin injections for food to be turned into energy properly. In recent years there have been an increased number of children that have been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. This is an alarming trend and one that can be mitigated because the link between children and type 2 diabetes is childhood obesity.

As it is fairly new that children are being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes there isn’t a lot of information or studies on it presently. But what is known is that parents need to take action immediately. Once a child has been diagnosed at an older age there isn’t much that can be done except to manage the disease. But if a younger child is obese and makes healthy lifestyle changes that result in weight loss there is a chance that type 2 diabetes can be avoided.

Some of the early warning signs that your child may have diabetes include:

* A sudden increase in thirst that appears to never be satiated
* An increased need to urinate
* Dark patches on the skin – usually found in the folds of the skin, around the neck
or around the eyes

As there are many other diseases and complications that can arise if your child is obese it is best to seek medical help for your child. Between you and your health care professional, a plan can be made and put into place that will start your child on the road to a healthier weight and more active lifestyle. Your child may be resistant at first but by involving them in the process and persistence the changes can be made.

A Healthy BMI for Diabetics

Body Mass Index (BMI) is a calculation that is based on your height and weight to determine if you are underweight, an ideal weight, overweight, or obese. The test is an indication of the total body fat that you are carrying around. The number ranges are fairly accurate but there are some circumstances when the calculations may not be 100% true. As these results are purely based on numbers, you should take the number you are given and discuss other contributing factors with your doctor (such as muscle weight or body type considerations).

A BMI of 30 or over is considered obese. The higher end of the scale for overweight people (25 – 29.9) and people that fall into the obese category are at an increased risk for developing type 2 diabetes. Other danger indicators are waist circumferences. If you are a man and your waist measures 40 inches or more and if you are a woman and your waist measures 35 inches or more, there is an increased abdominal fat risk factor for diabetes and other diseases.

Maintaining a healthy BMI is all about being at a weight that is right for your height and body type. Both of these goals will bring many more benefits than just better controlled blood glucose levels. You will also have increased energy, can reduce the amount of insulin you are on, and give yourself a longer life expectancy.

Reduce your total body fat to bring your BMI into a healthy range (18.5-24.9). Consult your doctor and get advice on how to meet your goals. And if you are just starting an exercise routine, get the okay from your doctor first. You do not want to overtax yourself at the beginning and your doctor may have some restrictions for you to ensure you do not suffer from injury or hypoglycemia.

A DNA Link between Diabetes and Obesity

There is no known reason for what causes diabetes. There are certainly risk factors that
make the likelihood of you being diagnosed with the disease higher. One of the only risk
factors that you have control over is your weight. If you are obese, the single best thing
you can do for your health and the prevention of diabetes is to lose weight. Even in small
increments, when you shed pounds you are increasing your health benefits.

These may be easier said than done. There are new studies that are now showing that
there is a genetic factor or mutation for people who are obese and have diabetes. This
genetic malfunction affects how the bodies use energy and insulin – two key elements in
the functioning of your body and the cause of diabetes and obesity.

The studies also state that this is not a cause and effect case. If you carry this defective
gene you are not guaranteed to be obese or have diabetes. But the link is there and it can
be prevented. You may have to work harder at it than others to maintain a healthy body
weight and put off diabetes but it can be done. Discuss with your doctor options and
ways to prevent or put-off the onset of diabetes.

The gene that researchers have discovered as a precursor to diabetes has been found in
young children. It is scary to know that children in their preschool years are being
diagnosed with obesity and type 2 diabetes due to genetics. But parents can reduce or
prevent these things from happening by giving their children healthy lifestyle choices.
Now that a DNA link has been found, the research can focus on finding a way to fix or
prevent this from happening at some point in the future.

A DNA Link between Diabetes and Obesity

There is no known reason for what causes diabetes. There are certainly risk factors that
make the likelihood of you being diagnosed with the disease higher. One of the only risk
factors that you have control over is your weight. If you are obese, the single best thing
you can do for your health and the prevention of diabetes is to lose weight. Even in small
increments, when you shed pounds you are increasing your health benefits.

These may be easier said than done. There are new studies that are now showing that
there is a genetic factor or mutation for people who are obese and have diabetes. This
genetic malfunction affects how the bodies use energy and insulin – two key elements in
the functioning of your body and the cause of diabetes and obesity.

The studies also state that this is not a cause and effect case. If you carry this defective
gene you are not guaranteed to be obese or have diabetes. But the link is there and it can
be prevented. You may have to work harder at it than others to maintain a healthy body
weight and put off diabetes but it can be done. Discuss with your doctor options and
ways to prevent or put-off the onset of diabetes.

The gene that researchers have discovered as a precursor to diabetes has been found in
young children. It is scary to know that children in their preschool years are being
diagnosed with obesity and type 2 diabetes due to genetics. But parents can reduce or
prevent these things from happening by giving their children healthy lifestyle choices.
Now that a DNA link has been found, the research can focus on finding a way to fix or
prevent this from happening at some point in the future.

The Link between Obesity and Diabetes

There are two kinds of diabetes, type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes. The first type is also
known as juvenile diabetes and is usually diagnosed in childhood. It is the body’s cells
and the pancreas’ inability to produce enough insulin. In type 2 diabetes there is not
enough insulin produced for the body or the body is not making proper use of the insulin
that is available.

Many studies and doctors have linked an increasing number of people being diagnosed
with diabetes to obesity. When a person is obese or very over weight they are overtaxing
their pancreas (the organ that produces insulin) and this can lead to type 2 diabetes.

Being obese is a risk factor for diabetes but it does not mean you will develop the disease
if you are obese. By losing weight and leading a healthier lifestyle you can gain control
of this risk factor either by reducing it or eliminating it altogether.

There are other risk factors associated with type 2 diabetes including age and race but of
course there is no control over these factors. Studies have shown that over half of the
people diagnosed with diabetes are considered clinically obese. People who are obese
and work hard to lose weight can better manage their diabetes through diet or oral
medications instead of insulin injections. Incorporating a healthy eating plan and regular
physical activity will also help to manage the disease.

In addition to being at a higher risk for developing diabetes people who are obese are at
an increased risk for other life-threatening diseases too. Namely heart and cardiovascular
diseases, it is in an individual’s best interest to maintain a healthy weight for their body
type and health in order to reduce the risks to their health. Medical support is available
through your health care provider if needed.