When you have diabetes, your doctor is likely
going to bombard you with chemically-produced medications. The thing
is, these medications may have components that may not be necessarily
safe. In fact, most synthetic products have some degree of unhealthy
stuffs. Adverse reactions are possible with synthetic presentations,
and you clearly wouldn’t want that at all. Do you know, though, that
you can control blood sugar levels without medications? Indeed, you can
beat diabetes by resorting to natural and safe methods.

Controlling
your blood sugar is one of the most effective ways to stay healthy if
you have diabetes. A person of normal health without diabetes has blood
sugar levels that remain within narrow limits, all done completely
naturally with the body’s natural generation of insulin. When a person
has diabetes either Type 1 or Type 2, blood sugar levels can
potentially rise or fall outside of safe levels and potentially result
in severe health problems that could affect your longevity.

If
you have either of these conditions (or even if you don’t), keeping
blood glucose in balance is often as simple as adjusting your eating
habits. While foods high in simple sugars (e.g., candy, soda, peanut
butter, canned soup) can increase your blood sugar levels, research
shows that fiber-rich diets that include vegetables, whole grains and
fruits can help control it in most people, and may prevent health
complications (such as heart disease or kidney disease) in those who
already have diabetes.

There are ways to control blood sugar
levels without medicine. The easiest way to lower blood sugar naturally
is to mind one’s diet. By following a diet of food that lower blood
sugar effectively, you can get your normal blood glucose levels without
having to take any medications. High fiber low-fat diets are
recommended by physicians and nutritionists for diabetics.

You
can increase the intake of soluble fiber and vitamins, which are found
in fresh vegetables and fruits. You can also consume fruits like
mangoes, jackfruit, custard apple, or grapes but avoid fruits, which
contains starch content. Fruits are wonderful at stabilizing blood
sugar level. Have red peppers and cinnamon because they have the
classic properties to control sugar level although they are not
classified as food.

Follow a normal and healthy lifestyle and
don’t follow luxurious and unhealthy lifestyle Take herbal medicine
with no side effects and don’t take synthetic medicines with side
effects Be physically active during day hours in general and don’t be
lazy on bed most of the day Be in happy moods with pleasant hobbies and
don’t be in serious moods with serious thoughts Practice mild exercises
to keep alert and don’t exhaust your body with heavy exercises

Read about natural treatment for diabetes, natural weight loss supplements and kidney stones treatment

Your blood sugar is regulated by your body but
it cannot do the job without some help from you. The types of foods you
eat play a big part in the level of your blood sugar. Some foods help
to lower the levels. Others enter the bloodstream faster, thus raising
sugar levels. The pancreas produces insulin and high-gylcemic foods
make it have to work harder to produce the insulin your body needs.

Choose
your meals based on the Glycemic Foods Index. Glycemic Index is a
ranking of foods according to how fast the food can raise your blood
sugar. Therefore, the lower the Glycemic index means a smaller rise in
blood sugar and can help control blood glucose levels.

Hyperglycemia,
high blood sugar levels can, over time, damage the blood vessels that
supply blood to our vital organs. This, in turn, increases the risk of
heart and kidney disease, as well as leading to vision problems and
problems with your nervous system. Researchers have linked high blood
sugar levels with cancer in women. Hypoglycemia, low blood sugar, can
cause us to feel tired, depressed and lead to food eating disorders.

Another
efficient way to lower blood sugar without insulin is by taking proper
sugar free diet. Sugar intake should be avoided completely by a
diabetes patient. You should consume lots of green leafy vegetables and
fruits to stop this deadly disorder. They are rich in fibers, vitamins
and minerals and low in saturated fats and carbohydrates. You can also
eat lean meat and poultry products like duck, chicken etc.

Stay
away from sugary foods. Hold off on that sweet tooth. You do not need
anymore sugar into your body. High sugar levels in the bloodstream
could be dangerous. Do not eat or drink any more food containing sugar.
Food and drinks like candy bars, pastries, donuts, soda, and artificial
fruit juices are not good for those who are trying to lower blood
glucose levels.

Exercise actually influences your blood sugar
levels and as we all know it helps to keep body weight in check. This
can also help with cholesterol. Being physically fit will help your
body to function better. Hence it can help with blood circulation and
high blood pressure.

Eating fruits should be preferred rather
taking other bulky meals, taking fruits which has citric acids helps to
reduce the weight so that the blood glucose levels are in control. Rose
apple, Apple, Grapefruit, Orange and all citrus fruits are really
helpful to reduce the blood sugar levels.

Supplements: People
with diabetes more than likely have a zinc deficiency. Take a
supplement or eat more foods that contain zinc to help to bring down
blood sugar level. Chicken and sardines are a couple of foods that are
good sources of zinc. Six ounces of cinnamon a day is believed to keep
down sugar level naturally, it is also available in capsules if you
prefer to take it that way.

Read about natural treatment for diabetes, natural weight loss supplements and kidney stones treatment

There are many different diets circulating in the media as well as medicine today. Diets that focus on reduced carbohydrate intake, diets that limit or reduce fat intake, low-caloric diets, combination diets, blood typing diets, genotype diets, and diabetic diets can all be very confusing.

The topic of this discussion is the glycemic index. The glycemic index was first developed by Dr. David Jenkins who was a professor of nutrition at the University of Toronto in Canada. The first glycemic index was developed in 1981 by Dr. Jenkins. The purposes of determining glycemic index of particular foods were to determine which foods were best for people with diabetes. In the early 80s, most dietary programs that focused on diabetics were based on systems of different carbohydrate exchanges. Each exchange or each portion of food one was able to consume contained the same about of carbohydrate. The exchange system assumed that all starchy foods produce the same effect on blood glucose levels. Even though some earlier studies had also proven this was not correct, it was during that time that the phrase “good carbs and bad carbs” was developed and as time went on, we started to understand there were simple carbohydrates and complex carbohydrates and as time continued to go on, we realized that they had different effects on blood sugar levels, so in reality all carbs were not the same.

Dr. Jenkins was one of the first researchers to challenge the use of these exchanges and the first to really study the effect foods have on blood sugar levels as well as blood insulin levels. Dr. Jenkins’ approach was very scientific in nature which for the time was very unusual especially when trying to ascertain the effects different foods had on blood sugar level. Dr. Jenkins and his fellow researchers tested a large number of common foods with some very surprising results. For example ice cream which is greatly loaded with sugar content had less effect on blood glucose than ordinary white bread did, so basically the testing of individual food groups revealed surprising results in terms of affecting blood glucose levels, so Dr. Jenkins was actually a pioneer in developing a new means of classifying different types of carbohydrates.

His classification is known as the glycemic index, so what exactly is the glycemic index? The glycemic index is a means of ranking different food groups based on their immediate affect on blood sugar level. The foods that primarily affect blood sugar level are the carbohydrates. Proteins and fats do have an effect on blood glucose levels but not to the same degree that carbohydrates do, so for this reason carbohydrates were the primarily studied classification of food groups. For the comparison to be equal, all foods are compared with the reference food such as pure glucose in equivalent carbohydrate amounts so the basic standard is sugar and sugar is given a value of 100. All foods tested and given a glycemic index number and are compared to sugar. It was believed at that time, if we were aware of the impact of food on glucose levels, we could, by manipulating the foods we intook affect blood glucose levels, thereby normalizing and stabilizing blood sugar levels and in effect controlling diabetes. As a practical example and again glucose having a value of 100, potato chips have a glycemic index of 57, jelly beans which contain a great deal of simple sugar has a glycemic index of 80, peanuts on the other hand have a glycemic index of 7, tortilla chips or corn chips have a glycemic index of 42.

Again, all these are relative to glucose being 100 on the glycemic scale. As with most new discoveries in medicine or in scientific research, when new ideas are presented there is a great deal of controversy surrounding the theories and only over time and pending proven scientific results has the glycemic index now been accepted as the standard for measuring carbohydrate and their influence on blood sugar levels.

Other researchers over the past several years that have been involved in research considering glycemic index, include Dr. Jennie Brand Miller from the University of Sydney as well as Dr. Thomas M.S. Oliver and his colleagues at the University of Toronto. Foods containing carbohydrates that break down quickly during digestion have the highest glycemic index values. In other words, the glucose or sugar in the blood stream increases rapidly. Foods that contain carbohydrates that break down slowly release glucose gradually into the blood stream. These foods have a low glycemic index value. High glycemic index foods cause very wild, erratic elevations in blood glucose level and consequently reducing levels of glucose quickly in the blood stream. On the other hand, low-glycemic index foods are the slow and steady, low GI foods produce a smooth blood glucose curve without wild fluctuations. High glycemic index foods are useful in the treatment of hypoglycemia of short periods of time. Oftentimes after athletic competition or extreme physical exertion, high glycemic index foods are indicated again short term to reduce recovery time in these individuals.

As I previously noted, the glycemic index of pure glucose is set at 100 and the other food is ranked on the scale from 0 to 100 according to the actual effect on blood glucose levels. There are several foods that actually have a glycemic index greater than 100. These would include white flour and jasmine rice as well as a few others. The reason for this is that these types of foods unlike glucose are held in the stomach longer for digestion consequently altering the glycemic index and the effect of the glucose on the blood stream.

In summary, the glycemic index is a measure of the immediate affect of a food on blood sugar level. Glucose is the standard with a glycemic index of 100. All foods are ranked on a scale of 0 to 100.

Contact your healthcare provider or if you have further questions visit our website.

Dr. Lewis provides science based nutritional counseling utilizing whole food vitamins, minerals, homeopathics, and herbal remedies. Diagnostic testing is a key component in the evaluation process.
Dr. Keith E. Lewis, B.S.D.C. D.A.B.A.A.H.P., F.A.A.I.M.

http://www.freehealthstrategies.com

It is a fact that many people suffer from high blood sugar, and this is not a disease that affects only diabetic people. This article is intended to analyze the different aspects of high blood sugar, such as; what the levels after eating are, reasons why your blood sugar is increased, symptoms of high glucose levels, range of concentration, how to test your blood sugar levels and why this is important. Finally some tips about how to control sugar levels. Hopefully after this reading, you will get a better understanding of blood glucose process.

Blood Sugar After Eating – Blood sugar goes up after eating, but returns to normal range within 1 to 2 hours. Blood sugar level (also known as blood glucose level) is the amount of glucose (sugar) in the blood. It is also known as serum glucose level.

Blood sugar levels 1 to 2 hours after eating are called postprandial. Research shows that blood sugar levels in people with diabetes can more than double after eating, even when their blood sugar before eating is normal.

Blood Sugar Increasing – Blood sugar levels are increased in the early morning hours because of the normal release of hormones – growth hormone and corticosteroids -, a reaction called the dawn phenomenon. And blood sugar may shoot too high if the body releases sugar in response to low blood sugar levels, known as “somogyi effect”.

Blood sugar levels below 45 mg/dl are almost always associated with a serious abnormality.

Blood Sugar Symptoms – Blood sugar levels just above the safe range may make you feel tired and thirsty. You may sweat, feel very hungry, weak and anxious, feel your heart pounding in your chest. However, If your blood sugar level stays higher than normal for weeks, your body will adjust to that level, and you may not have as many symptoms of high blood sugar, for that reason is very important that you control your glucose levels regularly.

Blood Sugar Concentration – Blood sugar concentration, or glucose level, is tightly regulated in the human body. Normally, the blood glucose level is maintained between about 4 and 8 mmol /L (70 to 150 mg/dl).

Blood Sugar Testing – Blood sugar tests measure how well your body processes sugar. Some blood sugar tests are used to diagnose pre-diabetes or diabetes. Blood sugar that is too low, known as hypoglycemia, can make you feel sick as well. Blood sugar monitoring and maintenance is particularly important for those who suffer from diabetes, this is a condition related to the release of insulin from the pancreas into the blood stream and the ability of the body to use that insulin efficiently.

Blood Sugar Control – The way to control blood sugar is trough insulin, this one is a hormone made by the pancreas, it carries the sugar from your blood into your cells, where the sugar is used for energy. The right amount of insulin helps keep your blood sugar level balanced. Therefore, the job of insulin is to keep blood sugar levels from rising too high.

In conclusion, this article gives you some basic information about how glucose levels work in your body. Nevertheless, it is quiet important that you visit your doctor for specialized advise.

Hector Milla at http://www.TheHighBloodSugar.org shows you how to control high blood sugar, this is a specialized niche website with hundreds of articles around this topic, visit for further information. Website associated with http://www.mufatel.com .

The relationship between soy foods and long-term health benefits has been the topic of many discussions among physicians and health organizations for several years now. Studies have been conducted that prove the link between high soy diets and lower heart disease, strong bone mass and cancer prevention. Now studies are being conducted regarding the relationship between a soy diet and blood glucose or sugar levels. Believe it or not, it seems soy may aid the body in this fight as well.

Soy and Diabetes Study

Recently, Iranian researchers reported to the Journal of Diabetes Care that their findings coincided with previous work. They found that soy protein had a significant impact on risk factors associated with Type-2 diabetic patients with kidney disease.

The study followed forty-one patients for a total of four years. All of the patients were Type-2 diabetics and suffered from some type of kidney disease. Twenty of the patients were given a diet of animal, plant, and soy protein, while the remainders were given a diet of just animal and plant proteins.

Results concluded that the patients who added the soy to their diets showed a lowering of blood sugar levels. Patients saw a dramatic drop in cholesterol levels and triglycerides, the number one cause of cardiovascular disease. This is great news for the 18 million Americans suffering from diabetes, because they are three times more vulnerable to heart problems.

Another study involving diabetics and a soy diet was focused on those patients with severe kidney disease. Results concluded that soy protein seemed to improve kidney function, perhaps even better than completely avoiding all protein, which is the typical treatment.

Soy May Help in Prevention

As for those of you who are not diabetic and don’t ever want to be, soy is great for you as well. One study conducted on Chinese women found that eating a diet with large amounts of tofu, a soy product, protected them from Type-2 diabetes. Women who consumed the most soy in the study had 50% less sugar detected in their urine than the control group.

Researchers contribute the great benefit of soy to the proteins and isoflavones present in soybeans. The isoflavones stop fat tissue buildup and enhance the body’s ability to break down the fat. As a result, the blood glucose levels are lowered and the body doesn’t have to work as hard to produce insulin.

There is currently no data that suggests how much soy is needed in order to eliminate risk factors for diabetes. However, the Food and Drug Administration suggests that Americans eat a healthy 25 grams of soy protein per day in order to aid the body in disease control and in lowering risk factors, in particular, lowering cholesterol. Further studies are being conducted regarding diabetes patients and soy diets as well as soy used to lower the risk factors associated with Type-2 diabetes.

Dee Overly is a mother and artist who discovered the health benefits of soy milk and now sells a Soymilk Maker at www.SoymilkCrossroads.com. Stop by and pick up your free Vegan recipe book and check out the blog.