Type 2 Diabetes - FAQ's,
Natural Remedies and Diet
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Find out the early signs and symptoms of type 2 diabetes. Discover natural remedies that can help with controlling blood sugar levels. |  |
Introduction
Diabetes is a condition when the pancreas is no longer able to make enough of the hormone insulin. The body needs insulin to allow sugar in the blood to get into the cells for use as energy. Without sufficient insulin, the sugar stays in the blood and causes high blood sugar levels (hyperglycemia).
Facts and Frequently Asked Questions about type 2 diabetes
What are some early signs and symptoms of diabetes?
What causes diabetes?
What are some risk factors?
Myths about diabetes
What type of damage does diabetes cause?
Which diets should I consider?
Video - What does
diabetes do?
Natural Remedies for the Treatment of Type 2 Diabetes
| Natural Remedy | What experts say about them |
| For a detailed discussion and recommended dosage to use, see Natural Remedies for Type 2 Diabetes. | |
| Chromium |
 (What's this?) |
| Fiber | |
| Cinnamon | |
| Bitter Melon (Momordica charantia) |
|
| Vanadium |  |
| Magnesium | |
| Alpha lipoic acid | |
| Stevia |
|
| Fenugreek |
|
| Coffee or Tea | |
| Gymnema |  |
| Milk Thistle | |
| Apple Cider Vinegar | |
| Fish Oil | Enhances
Insulin Sensitivity |
| B-Complex vitamins | Helpful |
| Vitamin E | Helpful |
| Vitamin C | Helpful |
Frequently Asked Questions & Facts
What
are the types of diabetes?
Type 2 diabetes - This is the most common type and accounts for about 90% of the population with diabetes. It is a milder form and can take years to develop.
In this group of diabetics, their insulin production is reduced or that the insulin is not as sensitive (insulin resistance). The pancreas can't make enough to cope with the carbohydrates found in a meal. Because of this, the sugar level spikes and stays higher much longer. In some people, their sugar levels stays high even throughout the night when they are sleeping and may not even come down to an acceptable level in the morning.
This condition may also be referred to as impaired glucose tolerance. Diet, exercise and oral prescription anti-diabetic medications are used to control their blood sugar levels. In time, as the disease progresses, many people will eventually need to go on insulin shots.
Gestational Diabetes - This is a type of diabetes that develops in women who are pregnant. Usually, the diabetes disappears after delivery of the baby. During pregnancy, oral anti-diabetic medications can not be used so diet, exercise and insulin injections are used to manage this condition.
What are some early signs and symptoms of type 2 diabetes?
Early warning signs and symptoms include:
- Excessive urination
- Excessive thirst
- Excessive hunger
- Weight loss
- Fatigue
- Blurred vision
- Nausea
- Recurring vaginal yeast infection
- Impotence
- Irritability
- Wounds that do not heal in a timely fashion
What causes type 2 diabetes?
Suspected and known causes include:
What are some risk factors for type 2 diabetes?
There are known risk factors that increase a person's chance of getting type 2 diabetes. They include the following:-
Obesity (over 20% above their ideal body weight)
-
A relative with diabetes
-
Gestational diabetes (diabetes during pregnancy)
- High cholesterol
-
Gave birth to a baby heavier than 4 kg (9 lb)
- Lack of physical activities (exercise)
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Age - As you get older, especially after 45, you are more likely to develop type 2 diabetes
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Belong to an ethnic group known to have a higher risk of diabetes (such as Blacks, Hispanic, Native American or African Americans)
Myths about diabetes
As reported from the American Diabetes Association, the following commonly held beliefs are all false.-
Diabetes is not a serious disease
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Overweight or obese people will get type 2 diabetes
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Diabetics need to have a special diet
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Since fruits are healthy, you can eat as much as you want
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Eating too much sugar will cause diabetes
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If you are a diabetic, you'll need to eat only small amounts of starchy foods (for example bread, pasta and potatoes)
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Diabetics can't eat sweets or sugary candies
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You are more likely to catch a cold or flu if you suffer from diabetes
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If you eventually have to use insulin, that means that you didn't take care of your diabetes
What type of damage does type 2 diabetes cause?
High blood sugar levels damage two main groups of organs in our body. It damages nerves and blood vessels.If left untreated, a diabetic person will eventually suffer from the following serious health conditions.
| Blood Vessel Damage |
Nerve Damage (neuropathy) |
| Stroke | Lack of sensation in hands and feet |
| Heart attack | Burning, tingling or painful sensations in you fingers or toes |
| Angina | Hearing problems |
| Hardening of the arteries (atherosclerosis) | Nausea, vomiting, constipation from nerve damage in the digestive system |
| Impotence (reduced blood flow) | Impotence (loss of sensation) |
| Kidney failure (nephropathy) leading to a need for a kidney transplant | |
| Increased risk of infections (bacterial, fungus or yeast) | |
| Poor wound healing | |
| Amputation of limbs | |
| Loss of vision, cataracts or glaucoma | |
| Osteoporosis | |
| Alzheimer's disease or dementia |
Type 2 Diabetes - Which diets should I consider?
A new study published in the Diabetes Care Journal in August 2009 showed that following the DASH diet guidelines can reduce the risk of getting diabetes. (The DASH diet was originally designed for lowering high blood pressure but experts are discovering much more other health benefits!)Foods to eat more of...
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Cinnamon. Add cinnamon to your cereals, oatmeals or shakes.
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Increase the amount of fiber you take daily.
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Consider eating foods that have a low-glycemic index such as whole grains (whole wheat, brown rice and oats. Glycemic index is a measure of how fast blood sugar level to go up after eating certain food. (Sugar is the worst and has the highest glycemic index.)
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Cut back on sugar or sugary foods. If you need to sweeten foods, tea or coffee, consider using stevia as a natural sweetener.
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Avoid drinking alcohol or limit it to a glass a day.
- Avoid foods that have a high glycemic index. These would include sugar found in candies and soda pop, white rice, potatoes and refined cereals.
- One major study showed that people who ate
five or
more servings of white rice weekly were 17 percent more likely to get
diabetes than those who ate less than 1 serving per month. If you enjoy
rice, replace some serving of white rice with brown rice.
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