Insulin Resistance Facts

Insulin resistance can pave the way for the onset of more-dangerous forms of diabetes in the future. Here's more:

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Diabetes - What is Insulin Resistance?
Posted in the Diabetes category by Scott Meyers on 2007-05-21

Insulin resistance is now being understood to be a major contributor to the onset of diabetes. While we know that glucose and glycosylated hemoglobin tests can be used to detect diabetes type I or II, many in the general public did not realize that higher glucose levels over a long period of time can create insulin resistance, thus setting the stage for the more serious forms of diabetes in the future.

What causes insulin resistance? One can point to current dietary habits and lack of exercise as the main contributors.

The body's cells need sugar in order to run their metabolic functions, from brain activity to running to the tasks of everyday living. Most of this sugar is presented to the cells through the bloodstream in the form of glucose. Glucose is produced by the liver from foods that are digested in the stomach and small intestine, and whose components end up in the liver for further processing. The liver produces enough glucose to power the then-needs of the body, while converting the rest of the sugars to fat for storage for later use.

The liver creates glucose from all food types, but is particularly stimulated by the carbohydrates, which are easier to convert to glucose with fewer byproducts (such as ketones, which are poisonous byproducts of the production of glucose from proteins).

Two general types of carbohydrates stimulate the liver in different ways: the 'simple' carbohydrates are converted much faster, and create large amounts of glucose relatively quickly after ingestion. Simple carbohydrates include all the things that we love to eat, but are regarded as junk food by the general media: unrefined sugars, such as those found in soft drinks and in our cereals, flour, such as that found in white bread and fried foods, and sugar found in candies like chocolate bars and 'energy bars,' which are mainly sugars.

The 'complex' carbohydrates, on the other hand, are converted to glucose at a much slower rate, which means that there is less of a glucose peak after one eats complex carbs. Complex carbohydrates include whole-wheat bread, spaghetti and other forms of pasta, and starches found in legumes like beans and potatoes. These are 'complex' because the liver must perform a series of chemical transformations before converting to the end-product, glucose.

Insulin resistance is the result of too much glucose circulating in the bloodstream for too long a time. The high levels of glucose stimulate the pancreas (more specifically, the Islets of Langerhans) to produce more insulin. And more insulin circulating in the bloodstream means that the cells are 'tired' of the excess of hormonal signal, and develop a resistance to the chemical.

Simple carbs, consumed in too great a quantity, are clear causes of this insulin overproduction. The other factor which contributes is inactivity. That is, the less one exercises, the less the body is able to absorb the glucose which is produced in such high quantities by the liver.

If, for example, one eats too many simple carbs, but goes out and runs for an hour, much of the insulin messages are accepted by the cells, glucose levels are reduced and insulin resistance doesn't occur.

Insulin resistance is therefore caused by two main factors: the types of food one eats, and the amount of exercise one does after eating. Both affect the level of insulin circulating in the bloodstream, and therefore can have an important influence over insulin resistance by the body's cells.

This article courtesy of: http://articles.net.au

Scott Meyers is a staff writer for Its Entirely Natural, a resource for helping you achieve a naturally healthy body, mind, and spirit. You may contact our writers through the web site. Follow this link for more information on Insulin Resistance.


insulin resistance

Diabetes: Cloves, Glucose

Diabetes: Cloves, Glucose

Diabetes: Cloves improve glucose, cholesterol and triglycerides of people with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Cloves (Syzygium aromaticum) have been shown to improve insulin function in vitro but the effects on people have not been determined. The objective of this study was to determine if cloves may be important in the prevention of type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Thirty-six people, with type 2 diabetes mellitus were divided into 4 groups and given capsules containing 0, 1, 2 or 3 grams of cloves/day for 30 days followed by a 10 day washout period. Since the responses to the three levels of cloves were not significantly different, the three groups were combined.

* Serum glucose decreased from 225 [plus/minus] 67 to 150 [plus/minus] 46 mg/dL [-33%],

* triglycerides decreased from 235 [plus/minus] 63 mg/dL to 203 [plus/minus] 86 mg/dL [-13%],

* serum total cholesterol decreased from 273 [plus/minus] 78 mg/dL to 239 [plus/minus] 47 mg/dL [-12%], and

* LDL decreased from 175 [plus/minus] 73 mg/dL to 145 [plus/minus] 44 mg/dL [-17%] after 30 days.

Serum HDL was not affected by the intake of cloves.

Following the 10 days of not consuming cloves, glucose, triglycerides, total and LDL cholesterol were all still significantly lower than at the onset of the study. There were no significant changes in the placebo group.

In summary, consumption of capsules containing 1, 2 or 3 grams of cloves/day for 30 days decreased risk factors of diabetes including glucose, triglycerides, total and LDL cholesterol with no changes in HDL concentrations. There were no significant differences among the 3 levels of cloves tested. These data suggest that intake of 1 to 3 grams of cloves per day is beneficial for people with type 2 diabetes.

This project was financially supported by Higher Education Commission of Pakistan. Source: Khan, Alam, et al., "Cloves improve glucose, cholesterol and triglycerides of people with type 2 diabetes mellitus," Program/Abstract # 640.5, http://www.eb2006-online.com/pdfs/001253.PDF.
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Technorati tags: diabetes, overcome diabetes, Type 2 diabetes, cloves, insulin, diabetes cloves.


diabetes cloves glucose

Diabetes: Cinnamon, Glucose Tolerance

Diabetes: Cinnamon, Glucose Tolerance

Diabetes: Extracts of cinnamon increase insulin activity several-fold and reduce blood glucose levels, according to studies by the Beltsville Human Nutrition Research Center. These measurements were based on in-vitro or test-tube measurements of the ability of insulin to increase the breakdown of glucose. Insulin is the hormone that controls the utilization of the blood sugar, glucose. Improved insulin function leads to improved blood sugar concentrations.

The human study involved people with type 2 diabetes and demonstrated average (mean) improvements in the following blood factors:

* blood glucose, ranging from 18 to 29%;
* triglycerides, 23 to 30%;
* LDL-cholesterol, 7 to 27%; and
* total cholesterol, 12 to 26%.

Source: Diabetes Care, vol. 26, pages 3215-3218, 2003.

The active components of cinnamon are found in the water-soluble portion of cinnamon and are not present in cinnamon oil, which is largely fat-soluble.

In addition to ground cinnamon consumed directly, one can also make a cinnamon tea and let the solids settle to the bottom or use cinnamon sticks, which make for a nice clear tea. Cinnamon can also be added to orange juice, oatmeal, coffee before brewing, salads, meats etc. The active components are not destroyed by heat.

According to the Department of Agriculture, recent human studies indicate that consuming roughly one half of a teaspoon of cinnamon per day or less leads to dramatic improvements in blood sugar, cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol and triglycerides. Intake of cinnamon, at these levels, is stated to be very safe and there should not be any side effects. There are also companies selling water soluble components from cinnamon that contain the active ingredients with minimal amounts of the components that could be toxic at elevated levels.

Read more about this in the April 2004 issue of the Agricultural Research Magazine, see www.ars.usda.gov/is/AR/archive/apr04/cinnam0404.htm

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cinnamon glucose tolerance

Diabetes: Cinnamon, Insulin, Blood Sugar

Diabetes cinnamon

Diabetes: Cinnamon may be more than a spice -- it may have a medical application in preventing and combating diabetes.

Cinnamon may help by playing the role of an insulin substitute in type II diabetes, according to cellular and molecular studies at the University of California, Santa Barbara, Iowa State University and the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

"Cinnamon itself has insulin-like activity and also can potentiate the activity of insulin," said Don Graves of UCSB. "The latter could be quite important in treating those with type II diabetes. Cinnamon has a bio-active component that we believe has the potential to prevent or overcome diabetes."

The researchers have been studying the effects of cinnamon on obese mice, which have been fed water laced with cinnamon at Sansum's lab [Sansum Diabetes Research Institute].

Using nuclear magnetic resonance and mass spectroscopy, the researchers obtained results which allowed them to describe the chemical structure of a molecule with "insulin-like" activity in cinnamon. Graves and others reported earlier that this [cinnamon] compound, a proanthocyanidin, can affect insulin signaling in fat cells.

Richard Anderson of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, a former Graves student and the discoverer of the insulin-like activity, recently completed a human study with associates in Pakistan using cinnamon. Promising results were obtained by 30 test subjects with type II diabetes after only 40 days of taking cinnamon. They had a significant decrease in blood glucose [blood sugar], triglycerides, LDL, and cholesterol.

The researchers hope that a human trial may begin in the US, possibly in Santa Barbara, using cinnamon and its water-soluble extract to treat type II diabetes. Source: " Cinnamon May Help to Alleviate Diabetes Says UCSB Researcher," see: http://www.ia.ucsb.edu/pa/display.aspx?pkey=1123

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Technorati tags: diabetes, overcome diabetes, Type 2 diabetes, insulin, diabetes cinnamon.


diabetes cinnamon

Diabetes: Diabetic Retinopathy

Diabetic retinopathy is one of the complications of diabetes. In diabetic retinopathy, the retinas of the eyes become damaged as a result of prolonged high levels of blood glucose.

"Diabetic retinopathy is the most frequent cause of new cases of blindness among adults aged 20 - 74 years. During the first two decades of disease, nearly all patients with type 1 diabetes and [greater than] 60% of patients with type 2 diabetes have retinopathy. In the Wisconsin Epidemiologic Study of Diabetic Retinopathy (WESDR), 3.6% of younger-onset patients (type 1 diabetes) and 1.6% of older-onset patients (type 2 diabetes) were legally blind. In the younger-onset group, 86% of blindness was attributable to diabetic retinopathy. In the older-onset group, in which other eye diseases were common, one-third of the cases of legal blindness were due to diabetic retinopathy.

* * * * *

"Vision-threatening retinopathy is rare in type 1 diabetic patients in the first 3 - 5 years of diabetes or before puberty. During the next two decades, nearly all type 1 diabetic patients develop retinopathy. Up to 21% of patients with type 2 diabetes have retinopathy at the time of first diagnosis of diabetes, and most develop some degree of retinopathy over time. Vision loss due to diabetic retinopathy results from several mechanisms. Central vision may be impaired by macular edema or capillary nonperfusion. New blood vessels of PDR and contraction of the accompanying fibrous tissue can distort the retina and lead to tractional retinal detachment, producing severe and often irreversible vision loss."

Source: Fong and others, "Retinopathy in Diabetes," Diabetes Care 27:S84-S87, 2004, see: http://care.diabetesjournals.org/cgi/content/extract/27/suppl_1/s84

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Technorati tags: diabetes, diabetes complications, diabetic neuropathy, diabetic retinopathy.


diabetic retinopathy

Impaired Glucose Tolerance

Impaired glucose tolerance is diagnosed when patients have blood glucose levels during an oral glucose tolerance test that are above normal but are below the level that is diagnostic for diabetes.

"Impaired glucose tolerance and impaired fasting glucose form an intermediate stage in the natural history of diabetes mellitus. From 10 to 15 percent of adults in the United States have one of these conditions. Impaired glucose tolerance is defined as two-hour glucose levels of 140 to 199 mg per dL (7.8 to 11.0 mmol) on the 75-g oral glucose tolerance test, and impaired fasting glucose is defined as glucose levels of 100 to 125 mg per dL (5.6 to 6.9 mmol per L) in fasting patients. These glucose levels are above normal but below the level that is diagnostic for diabetes.

"Patients with impaired glucose tolerance or impaired fasting glucose have a significant risk of developing diabetes and thus are an important target group for primary prevention. Risk factors for diabetes include family history of diabetes, body mass index greater than 25 kg per m2, sedentary lifestyle, hypertension, dyslipidemia, history of gestational diabetes or large-for-gestational-age infant, and polycystic ovary syndrome. Blacks, Latin Americans, Native Americans, and Asian-Pacific Islanders also are at increased risk for diabetes."

-- Source: American Family Physician at www.aafp.org/afp/20040415/1961.html

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Technorati tags: diabetes, Type 2 diabetes, pre-diabetes, insulin resistance, impaired glucose tolerance.


impaired glucose tolerance

Blood Glucose: Free Glucose Meter

A free glucose meter is available in a special offer that I recommend to you. The glucose meter is easy to use, provides 5-10 second results, uses only a tiny blood sample and, importantly, can test on the forearm or leg. With the new glucose meters, you don't have to draw blood from your fingers. The offer also includes free personal training in use of the meter.



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Technorati tags: diabetes, Type 2 diabetes, pre-diabetes, insulin resistance, impaired glucose tolerance, glucose meter


free glucose meter

Diabetes Care: Diabetes Care Improvements Shown by Government Study

Diabetes care has improved over the past decade, according to a recently-published study conducted by the National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health (CDC).

"Between the mid-1990s and now, there have been encouraging improvements in the quality of diabetes care. Gains have been identified in control of cholesterol and somewhat in glucose control; in the use of aspirin, influenza and pneumococcal vaccines; and regular exams of eyes, feet, and teeth." – Source: www.cdc.gov/diabetes/news/

As part of diabetes care, "there are good treatments to prevent diabetes complications."

Please see: Reducing Blood Sugar Naturally.

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Technorati tags: diabetes, Type 2 diabetes, pre-diabetes, insulin resistance, impaired glucose tolerance, diabetes care.


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Impaired Fasting Glucose: Diabetes Precursor?

Impaired Fasting Glucose

Impaired fasting glucose is a pre-diabetic stage in which blood glucose levels are elevated above normal values, but are lower than the blood glucose levels at which diabetes is diagnosed. Left uncontrolled, impaired fasting glucose will likely progress over years into frank diabetes.

Diabetes is a disease that occurs when a person's body doesn't make enough insulin or can't use insulin properly. If left untreated, it may result in blindness, heart attacks, strokes, kidney failure and amputations. There are two types of diabetes. Type 1 occurs when the body doesn't produce any insulin. People with type 2 diabetes either don't produce enough insulin or their cells ignore the insulin. Nearly 95% of people with diabetes have type 2.

Before people get type 2 diabetes, they usually go through a pre-diabetic stage in which they have what is called impaired fasting glucose (IFG). In people who have IFG [impaired fasting glucose], blood sugar levels are higher than normal but not high enough to say they have diabetes. People who have IFG [impaired fasting glucose] have a high risk of getting diabetes. They also are more likely to have a heart attack.

* * * * *

You are at risk for getting IFG [impaired fasting glucose] or diabetes if any of the following are true:

* You are overweight or obese.
* You have a parent, brother or sister who has diabetes.
* You were diagnosed with diabetes during pregnancy or had a baby who weighed more than 9 pounds at birth.
* You belong to any of the following ethnic groups: African American, Native American, Latin American or Asian/Pacific Islander.
* You have high blood pressure (above 140/90 mm Hg).
* Your high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol level (“good” cholesterol) is less than 40 mg per dL (for men) or less than 50 mg per dl (for women), or your triglyceride level is higher than 250 mg per dL. -- Source: "Impaired Fasting Glucose and Type 2 Diabetes," published at http://familydoctor.org/821.xml .

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Technorati tags: diabetes, Type 2 diabetes, impaired fasting glucose.


impaired fasting glucose

Chromium: Insulin Response In Diabetes Enhanced

Chromium: Insulin Response In Diabetes Enhanced

Chromium works as an insulin amplifier in diabetes, enhancing insulin response, according to U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) research.

While glucose transport is the primary role of insulin, chromium's main function is increasing insulin's efficiency in regulating blood sugar levels. But this hormone produces much more complex and far-reaching effects. These include the transport of amino acids and electrolytes into cells, several enzymatic activities and cellular growth. Numerous studies show that chromium alters lipoprotein abnormalities (unhealthy LDL and HDL levels) that are believed to increase the risk of cardiovascular disease. Chromium supplementation also appears useful in treating obesity in other research, increasing lean muscle mass and improving athletic performance.

While chromium is an essential nutrient for humans, even healthy adults may be deficient. "Often 50 percent or more of the subjects in various studies improve following chromium supplementation," according to the results of studies led by Walter Metz, PhD, the USDA researcher who identified chromium as the essential component of glucose tolerance factor (GTF). The body needs GTF to metabolize sugar.

Scientists have found that eating foods high in simple sugars stimulate chromium loss through the urine. In addition, refined carbohydrates are devoid of chromium and other important trace minerals. Besides the prevalence of these foods today, a stressful lifestyle, traumatic experiences and heavy exercise deplete the body of chromium. --

Source: "Insulin Amplifier: Chromium is key to diabetes," by Marcia Zimmerman, M.Ed., C.N., published in Taste for Life magazine; November, 2000

In the reported study, all the patients taking chromium showed measurable improvement in their diabetes-related symptoms.

To read more about the specific findings for chromium and insulin response among a group of 180 men and women test subjects with Type 2 diabetes, see http://www.thenutritionsolution.com/ChromiumAndDiabetes.htm .

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Technorati tags: diabetes, Type 1 diabetes, Type 2 diabetes, insulin resistant, insulin resistance, insulin response, chromium.


chromium

Diabetes: An Easy Meal for Diabetes Blood Sugar Control

Diabetes: An Easy Meal for Diabetes Blood Sugar Control

Diabetes blood sugar control is helped by low-carbohydrate, low-fat, high protein cuisine. Here is an easy meal that fits in with that cuisine for diabetes.

I have worked out an easy meal of one block (14 ounces) of tofu (soybean curd) sauteed in about 1 cup of dry red wine (no oil) with a fair amount of Lee & Perins worchestershire sauce, plus a lot of Montreal chicken seasoning, some (1/2 - 3/4 teaspoon) crystalized chicken bouillion, plus red and green Bell peppers and red onions. Use a non-stick pan and either no oil or about 1 teaspoon of olive oil.

Using firm or extra firm tofu works better, sliced up. Check the carbohydrate content on the package; flavored tofu has more carbohydrate. Boiling of the wine drives off the alcohol.

Meal is great and you drink the remaining juice from the plate (red wine has healthful properties).

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Technorati tags: diabetes cuisine, diabetes cooking, diabetes.


diabetes

Diabetes: Sparkling Water Beverages for Diabetes

Diabetes: Sparkling Water Beverages for Diabetes

For diabetes, I can recommend flavored sparkling water beverages, which come in 1 liter bottles. Giant food store has them, Shoppers Food Warehouse has them, and WalMart has a version (Giant foodstore calls theirs "Splash, Shoppers calls theirs "Chill").

Each store carries different groups of flavors. I can recommend key lime, blackberry/raspberry, blackberry/apple, raspberry, strawberry, kiwi/strawberry, and lemon flavors.

Pay attention that you are selecting the "beverage" version, rather than similarly packaged flavored "seltzer." The difference is that the beverage is sparkling (less carbonation) and, importantly, is sweetened with artificial sweetner; the seltzer is not sweetened. These are very good and can be enjoyed by diabetics.

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diabetes

Diabetes: Chromium Linked To Weight Management in Diabetes

Diabetes

Diabetes weight management is helped by chromium, according to new study.

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"Chromium Found Very Beneficial Against Weight Gain"

"Even if not listed among the essential nutritive minerals needed by our body to fully function, Chromium may be as important as Calcium, Magnesium, Iron or Potassium. A recent study shows that daily supplements of Chromium picollinate combined with a common anti-diabetic drug cuts high levels of sugar in the blood and also reduces weight gain with 60%." -- Source: news.softpedia.com

Read more at Chromium.

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Technorati tags: chromium, diabetes mineral supplements, diabetes.

diabetes

Disease Management: Diabetes Natural Remedies

Disease management diabetes is about the management of the diabetes disease and how natural supplements may help you to become symptom free.

Diabetes as a disease has been known for thousands of years. And in that time, diabetes disease management by physicians found and used various natural remedies, which often have been overlooked today—particularly in today's era of expensive prescription drugs.

Here is an extract from a site with a focus on disease management of diabetes:

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"Do You or a Loved One Have Diabetes?

"Want To Discover "SECRETS" about Vitamins and Minerals that most Doctors Can't or Won't Reveal To Their Patients with Diabetes?

"Would You Like To Learn More about Vitamins that may Help Your Body To Become "SYMPTOM" Free?

"If you or a loved one has type 2 diabetes, also called adult onset diabetes, insulinemia, and diabetes mellitus, the next few minutes you spend at this site could be the most important time you spend on the internet this ENTIRE YEAR!"

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This is extremely useful information and you can read more at: Diabetes Disease Management.


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disease management diabetes

Diabetes: Is a Cure in the Works?

Diabetes – particularly adult onset diabetes – is reaching epidemic proportions, although most of the disease's victims are undiagnosed and unaware of the complications in store for them. Additionally, as the baby-boomers (the generation born between 1946 and 1964) age, there are larger numbers of people in the older age ranges when adult onset diabetes is likely to be detected.

The growing magnitude of the diabetes problem raises the question of whether this disease can be reversed. Here is some information on that.

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Diabetes Cure
By Karen Newton, Platinum Quality Author

At this time there is no specific cure for diabetes, but research continues to try to find a way to end this disease, rather than just treating and managing it as is now done. The problem with just treating and controlling diabetes is that it requires constant care, attention, and medications that continue to change over an individual’s life. Many people with diabetes are not treated and may be unaware of the condition. This leads to further complications including kidney disease, circulation problems, cardiovascular disease, vision problems, and elevated heart attack and stroke risk. It is estimated that only a third of all diabetics are treated, the other two thirds are not being treated for the condition.

Research continues to focus on curing, preventing and managing diabetes. While there are significant advancements in managing and preventing diabetes, it is public knowledge and education that allows people to understand the symptoms of diabetes and pre-diabetes, and start prevention programs. Since many people are unaware of the symptoms, they don’t use the prevention programs. Many school health programs now offer advice on diet, exercise and lifestyle choices that will reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes [ed., adult onset diabetes].

In addition to working on prevention and management there is ongoing research to find a cure for diabetes. There are several surgical or medical procedures being tested to cure diabetes, but at this time they are still largely experimental.

Islet cell transplants

Recent advances have been made in the transplantation of islet cells into the body. Islet cells are made up of two types of cells:

• alpha cells, which make glucagon, a hormone that raises the level of glucose in the blood


• beta cells, which make insulin.

It is hoped that the production of insulin in the body with this transplant would eliminate the need for daily injections that type 1 diabetes have to do.

The side effects of this transplant include rejection of the cells by the body and reactions to the immunosuppressive drugs. These side effects are very serious and include mouth sores, intestinal disorders, kidney function impairment and increased risk of cancer and other tumors.

Pancreas transplant

This is the full surgical transplant of the complete pancreas. Usually this procedure is only done if the kidneys are being transplanted as well. Again, there are many complications with the procedure, and the side effects of the immunosuppressive drugs may be more dangerous and risky than the continued injection of insulin. There is a fairly high rate of rejection for this procedure, but progress continues to be made.

There is also a process to implant an artificial pancreas, but this is still in the development phase. Many researchers believe that this will prevent rejection problems once the artificial pancreas is perfected.

Genetic manipulation

This cure for diabetes would allow insulin producing cells to be made out of regular cells by inserting the insulin producing gene. This would avoid the need for invasive surgery and would prevent most of the risks associated with surgical procedures.

While at this time there is not a definite cure for diabetes, the research is ongoing. New advances in genetic and medical practices and research will hopefully result in a cure for both type 1 and type 2 diabetes in the future.

Karen Newton is a registered nurse and acclaimed author with over 25 years of health care experience. Her newest book, Diabetic Diet Secrets, is an easy to follow guide to losing weight and getting control of your diabetes. Karen offers a free Diabetic Tips Course at http://www.diabeticdietsecrets.com/diabetictips.htm .

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Karen_Newton

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Technorati tags: Type 2 diabetes, adult onset diabetes, diabetes.


diabetes

Diabetes: Find Symptoms of Diabetes

Diabetes is a disease having symptoms that often go unrecognized for prolonged periods of time (years). And the sooner that the disease is diagnosed, the sooner that treatment can begin to head off or reduce the inevitable complications of diabetes, which can be life threatening.

Here is some overview information:

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Symptoms of Adult Diabetes - How to Know a Symptom or Sign for Diabetes
By Olinda Rola, Platinum Quality Author

The symptoms of adult diabetes are symptoms that should be recognized. Recognizing a symptom or sign for diabetes is important because diabetes is a condition that can be life-threatening. Diabetes is a disease where high levels of sugar in the blood exist, creating a symptom or sign for diabetes. Diabetes can be caused by too little insulin in the body, by the inability to use insulin or both of these. Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas to regulate blood sugar levels. About 17 million persons in the USA suffer from symptoms of adult diabetes.

Diabetes consist of three main types:

• Type 1 Diabetes - is usually diagnosed in childhood. The body makes very little or no insulin, and daily injections of insulin are required to keep the person alive.


• Type 2 Diabetes - accounts for about 90% of all cases of diabetes and usually occurs in adults. The pancreas do not make enough insulin to keep blood glucose levels normal, frequently because the body does not use the insulin produced very well. Symptoms of adult diabetes and Type 2 diabetes is becoming more common with the increasing number of elderly Americans, with the failure to exercise and increasing obesity rates.


• Gestational Diabetes - is high blood glucose that develops during pregnancy in a woman who does not have diabetes.

Here are the most common Type 2 symptoms of adult diabetes:

1. Blurred Vision


2. Fatigue


3. Impotence In Men


4. Increased Appetite


5. Increased Thirst


6. Infections That Heal Slowly


7. More Frequent Urination

How does one know if symptoms of adult diabetes that are being experienced are actually indicating diabetes? The best way is to do a blood test called the fasting blood glucose level test. Diabetes is diagnosed if this test shows blood glucose is higher than 126 mg/dL on two different tests. If levels are between 100 and 126 mg/dL, this condition will be referred to as impaired fasting glucose or prediabetes and should be considered a risk factor for Type 2 diabetes.

What does one attempt to do for stabilizing blood sugar levels and diabetes? While there is no cure for diabetes, the immediate objectives are to stabilize blood sugar and eliminate any symptom or sign for diabetes and high blood sugar. Long-term, the goals of treatment are to prolong ones life, to relieve symptoms of adult diabetes and prevent long-term complications that may result such as heart disease and kidney failure.

A person with symptoms of adult diabetes should work closely with their physician to keep blood sugar levels within acceptable ranges. In addition, the more you understand a symptom or sign for diabetes and how to treat it, the more proactive you can become in making lifestyle changes that will improve your health. Besides oral medications, the good news is that Type 2 diabetes may respond to treatment with exercise, diet improvements and weight management.

Copyright 2005 InfoSearch Publishing

Read an excellent Permanent Weight Loss free report you can view online right now. Olinda Rola is President of InfoSearch Publishing and webmaster of http://www.safemenopausesolutions.com - a website of physician-recommended natural treatments and articles for a variety of health issues.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Olinda_Rola

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Technorati tags: diabetes symptoms, adult onset diabetes, diabetes.



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