Top 10 Reasons Why you should NOT "go" on a Diet

by: Holly Rigsby
http://www.fityumymumy.com/

The only thing growing faster than the $65 billion diet industry is the American waistline. If one of your New Years resolutions was to Go on a Diet, the only place I guarantee you will go....is up in weight. It's a Fact - Diets will only make you fatter. When it comes to the latest in Diet fads, we are quite gullible and easily tempted by a Diet's empty promised.

Reason being....the diet industry KNOWS we are in search of the "quick fix" and will only play with our emotions - our desperation for the quickest way to relieve looking and feeling fat. Diets are nothing more than Temporary Solutions with many lingering, negative side effects. Here are the Top 10 Reasons Why you should NOT "go" on a Diet 1. Diets do NOT work. Diets have a 99% Failure Rate. Have you noticed a pattern yet? Lose weight....quickly regain it? Over time, studies show if you diet you are more likely to be overweight than people who eat normally and make small gradual changes to their lifestyle. No, the Law of Averages does not apply to this faulty system. 2. Dieting can be Dangerous. Any time you severely restrict the amount or types of foods you eat you put your health and life at risk. Dieting has been related to injuries and sudden deaths from electrolyte imbalance, malnutrition, and heart arrhythmia's. Weight cycling, or yo-yo-ing weight, is associated with higher death rates - especially if some type of pills are being used. At no point should you ever place weight loss above your health. 3. Dieting Destroys your Metabolism. Diets will cause your weight to quickly cycle up and down. Sure, you may lose weight quickly because you are simply not eating enough. In the initial stages, the first seven to nine pounds lost are water, presenting a real danger of dehydration and mineral deficiencies. Even more terrifying ins the break down of lean muscle due to inefficient nutrients and calories. If you are losing more than 3-4 pounds a week, you can be sure this is what is happening - very little fat is lost this state. Now, any muscle loss will cause your metabolism slow to a crawl. The cumulative effect takes place for you cannot survive very long on very low calories (1200 or less) and you will eventually eat more - on top of a slower metabolism. All those excess calories will be stored as fat - causing rapid weight gain. 4. Dieting is Exhausting. Diets are just reduced calorie Fads disguised by a clever gimmick. "Lose weight while you sleep" "Eat all you want and still lose weight" Not eating enough or cutting out certain food groups means your body may not be getting the energy it needs, or may lack certain nutrients. You will feel exhausted, light headed and experience some not-so-fun mood swings. 5. Dieting is Disruptive. Dieting negatively affects your normal eating patterns. Diets can lead to binge eating, overeating and chaotic eating. When you diet, it is common to override your internal signals telling you to eat. You end up trying to use willpower or resist hunger signals and may even go as far as taking appetite suppressants. This results in being unable to know when you really are hungry or wore....when you're full. 6. Dieting can lead to eating disorders. Experts state that the high rates of eating disorders in the U.S. are due in part to people dieting, losing weight, rebounding, and becoming chronic dieters. 7. Dieting Causes Food Obsessions. If you spend a large amount of time and energy depriving yourself of food or certain types of food - you will spend more time thinking about food and become obsessed attempts to control your weight by what you choose to eat or not eat. How long do you want to live like this? 8. Dieting Diminishes Women. There is way too much attention focused on our appearance and an arbitrary number on the scale. In the midst of this focus - we end up avoiding what really matters to us - our dreams and ambitions. Even worse, it erodes our confidence and self-respect. 9. Dieting Intensifies Negativity. If you diet, you are more judgmental and critical of yourself and others. Once again, wasted time and energy. 10. Diets Put Your Life on Hold. Does this sound familiar...."I'll be happy when I weigh "x pounds." Guess what, the issues in your life are not related to your weight. Take responsibility and take back control of your life. Decide to be happy now and do what it takes to live a lifestyle that reflects your priorities. So this year resolve to NOT go on a Diet. Set Yourself Free from this miserable, guaranteed to fail weight loss cycle. Do NOT let the diet industry make money by taking advantage of you. It is time to stand up for yourself and take control.

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Treatment and management diabetes

Diabetes mellitus is currently a chronic disease, without a cure, and medical emphasis must necessarily be on managing/avoiding possible short-term as well as long-term diabetes-related problems. There is an exceptionally important role for patient education, dietetic support, sensible exercise, self glucose monitoring, with the goal of keeping both short-term blood glucose levels, and long term levels as well, within acceptable bounds. Careful control is needed to reduce the risk of long term complications.

This is theoretically achievable with combinations of diet, exercise and weight loss (type 2), various oral diabetic drugs (type 2 only), and insulin use (type 1 and increasingly for type 2 not responding to oral medications). In addition, given the associated higher risks of cardiovascular disease, lifestyle modifications should be undertaken to control blood pressure^[32] and cholesterol by exercising more, smoking cessation, consuming an appropriate diet, wearing diabetic socks, and if necessary, taking any of several drugs to reduce pressure. Many Type 1 treatments include the combination use of regular or NPH insulin, and/or synthetic insulin analogs such as Humalog, Novolog or Apidra; the combination of Lantus/Levemir and Humalog, Novolog or Apidra. Another Type 1 treatment option is the use of the insulin pump with some of the most popular pump brands being: Cozmo, Animas, Medtronic Minimed, and Omnipod.

In countries using a general practitioner system, such as the United Kingdom, care may take place mainly outside hospitals, with hospital-based specialist care used only in case of complications, difficult blood sugar control, or research projects. In other circumstances, general practitioners and specialists share care of a patient in a team approach. Optometrists, podiatrists/chiropodists, dietitians, physiotherapists, clinical nurse specialists (eg, Certified Diabetes Educators and DSNs (Diabetic Specialist Nurse)), or nurse practitioners may jointly provide multidisciplinary expertise. In countries where patients must provide their own health care (i.e., the United States in the developed world), the impact of out-of-pocket costs of diabetic care can be high. In addition to the medications and supplies needed, patients are often advised to receive regular consultation from a physician (e.g., at least every three to six months).

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diabetes#Treatment_and_management

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Diabetes – Understand Diabetes

By: Bertil B Hjert
Diabetes is a chronic disease. Medical experts believe that once contracted, this disease cannot be cured.
This article will help you to understand it and make you to be more aware how to live with the disease without having to face too many complications.

A) What is diabetes?

Diabetes is a disease that may strike anyone anytime. It is chronic and does not have any permanent cure. However, with proper care and treatment, one can live a healthy life. If left untreated, the disease will have a real bad effect on health and result in death.

Many people with diabetes tend to face a lot of problems due to diabetes. These complications interfere in their daily activities. Hence, medical experts always prescribe proper treatment.

B) Causes

Diabetes is a result of body’s inability to produce insulin. Insulin is a hormone that is required to convert starches, sugar and other food into energy to facilitate daily life requirements.

The actual cause of diabetes is a mystery. However, doctors feel that family history and certain environmental factors play a major role in development of diabetes in human body. Other crucial factors remain lack of exercise and obesity. In a shocking research, it has been proved that diabetes is one of the major causes of blindness in the United States.

C) Types of diabetes

In order to understand types of diabetes, it is important to learn certain things about pancreas. It is a structure long and thin in shape that’s situated behind our stomach. This integral part of our bodies works towards regulating the use of glucose inside the body. It has two primary functions:

Function 1: It produces pancreatic endocrine hormone that would help in regulating body’s metabolism.

Function 2: It produces pancreatic digestive enzymes.

As soon as the level of blood glucose rises in the body, the insulin needs to push fat and muscles to absorb the amount of glucose they require for future activities. Any extra glucose left is stored by the liver. However, some people’s body is not able to produce adequate amount of glucose. This results in Type 1 diabetes.

Another complication that occurs is the resistance of body towards production of insulin. This makes it necessary for foreign source of insulin production. The condition is known as Type 2 diabetes.

D) Symptoms

There are several symptoms of this disease including the following:

a) Increase appetite

b) Bladder infection

c) Fatigue

d) Blurred vision

e) Nausea; Vomiting

f) Skin infections

g) Increase thirst; Increase urination

h) Vaginitis

E) Treatment options

Today, there are several treatment options available for diabetes. One of the most common treatment options is Glucosium. It is a diabetes treatment made of natural ingredients that can help in controlling blood sugar, restrict nerve damage and even stimulate your body’s insulin product.

Other options doing a lot of exercises, eating right and supplements your body with several nutrients that would assist your body in producing the insulin it requires. Early detection of this disease is the best treatment you can have. Keep tabs on the symptoms and you will be ready to lead a happy life.

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HERBAL REMEDIES FOR DIABETES

By: shivesh

DIABETES:

INTRODUCTION:

Diabetes is a disease that affects your body’s ability to produce or use insulin. Insulin is a hormone. When your body turns the food you eat into energy (also called sugar or glucose), insulin is released to help transport this energy to the cells. Insulin acts as a “key.” Its chemical message tells the cell to open and receive glucose. If you produce little or no insulin, or are insulin resistant, too much sugar remains in your blood. Blood glucose levels are higher than normal for individuals with diabetes.

There are two main types of diabetes: Type 1 and Type 2.

DEFINITION:

Diabetes is a disease that causes an abnormally high level of sugar, or glucose, to build up in the blood. Type 1 diabetes - previously labeled insulin-dependent, or juvenile, diabetes- is caused by the destruction of cells in the pancreas (an organ located just behind the stomach) that produce the hormone insulin.

TREATMENT OF DIABETES:

Type 1 (Insulin-Dependent Diabetes Mellitus):

Type 1 diabetes is treated with intensive insulin therapy. This type of treatment is designed to achieve near-normal blood sugars safely - while keeping the episodes of low blood sugars (”insulin reactions”) to a minimum. Insulin therapy includes:

* Multiple Daily Injections of Insulin (Flexibility is important!).

* Use of Insulin Pens or Pumps.

* Use of new type of insulin: Lispro or Humalog (extremely fast-acting) - replaces regular insulin.

Type 2 (Non-Insulin-Dependent Diabetes Mellitus):

The treatment used in treating type 2 diabetes will be based on the physiological defects experienced by the patient. The three most common problem areas are: the pancreas, the liver and the muscle.

* Pancreas: Abnormal response to meals.

* Liver: Abnormal sugar production.

* Muscle: Abnormal lack of sensitivity to insulin.

HOME REMEDIES FOR DIABETES:

Diabetes is one of the most common disorders in which either the pancreas produces insufficient amounts of the hormone insulin or the body cells become resident to the hormone’s effects.

1. Eat green vegetables, coriander, cucumber, cabbage, coconut, chenopodium album (bathu), creeper of pumpkin, cucumber, cabbage, bitter guard, carrot, tomato, lemon, radish, onion and ginger.

2. Eat fiber rich food like apple, figs, guava, lemon and orange. Grains rich in fibers are barley, oatmeal, maize, wheat flour, jowar, bajra, whole wheat, rice flakes, refined wheat flour (without husk) and puffed rice. Other sources of fiber are coriander seeds, cumin seeds, dry pepper and turmeric.

3. Soak 90-100 seeds in 250 gms of water in the evening. Mash them in morning, sieve in a cloth and drink mixture regularly. Take daily for two months to cure diabetes.

4. Take juice of bilva and parijataka leaves in equal parts for natural remedy of diabetes. Take two teaspoons of it twice a day.

5. Eat grapefruits regularly for diabetes natural remedy.

6. Boil 3-4 fresh leaves of mango tree in the morning and drink. It is also very effecting in curing diabetes.

7. Take soyabean in diet. It does not contain sugar and is a good source of energy for diabetes.

8. Do regular exercises to reduce the chances of developing coronary artery disease and also improves control over diabetes.

9. Avoid exertion and always try to stay free from tension.

10. Avoid sweets, chocolates, rice, banana, grapes, mangoes, dry fruits, oils, cakes and pastries.

11. Drink half-cup karela (bitter gourd) juice daily. It is an effective natural home remedy for diabetes.

12. Avoid drinking alcohol (including beer, gin, wines and whisky).

13. Lower your fat intake for obese diabetic patients. Do regular morning walk and exercises to reduce weight.

14. Avoid infections, burns and injuries as they develop ketosis in such stressful conditions.

HERBS FOR DIABETES:

Since antiquity, diabetes has been treated with plant medicines. Recent scientific investigation has confirmed the efficacy of many of these preparations, some of which are remarkably effective. Only those herbs that appear most effective, are relatively non-toxic and have substantial documentation of efficacy are covered here.

Pterocarpus marsupium (Indian Kino, Malabar Kino, Pitasara, Venga):

This herb has a long history of use in India as a treatment for diabetes. The flavonoid, (-)-epicatechin, extracted from the bark of this plant has been shown to prevent alloxan-induced beta cell damage in rats.

Both epicatechin and a crude alcohol extract of Pterocarpus marsupium have actually been shown to regenerate functional pancreatic beta cells. No other drug or natural agent has been shown to generate this activity.

Bitter Melon (Momordica charantia):

Bitter melon, also known as balsam pear, and has been used extensively in folk medicine as a remedy for diabetes. The blood sugar lowering action of the fresh juice or extract of the unripe fruit has been clearly established in both experimental and clinical studies.

Bitter melon is composed of several compounds with confirmed anti-diabetic properties. Charantin, extracted by alcohol, is a hypoglycemic agent composed of mixed steroids that is more potent than the drug tolbutamide which is often used in the treatment of diabetes. Momordica also contains an insulin-like polypeptide, polypeptide-P, which lowers blood sugar levels when injected subcutaneously into type 1 diabetic patient. The oral administration of 50-60 ml of the juice has shown good results in clinical trials.

Gymnema Sylvestre (Gurmar, Meshasringi, Cherukurinja):

Gymnema assists the pancreas in the production of insulin in Type 2 diabetes. Gymnema also improves the ability of insulin to lower blood sugar in both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes. It decreases cravings for sweet. This herb can be an excellent substitute for oral blood sugar-lowering drugs in Type 2 diabetes. Some people take 500 mg per day of gymnema extract.

Onion and Garlic (Allium cepa and Allium sativum):

Onion and garlic have significant blood sugar lowering action. The principal active ingredients are believed to be allyl propyl disulphide (APDS) and diallyl disulphide oxide (allicin), although other constitutents such as flavonoids may play a role as well.

Onion extract was found to reduce blood sugar levels during oral and intravenous glucose tolerance. The effect improved as the dosage was increased; however, beneficial effects were observed even for low levels that used in the diet (eg. 25 to 200 grams). The effects were similar in both raw and boiled onion extracts. Onions affect the hepatic metabolism of glucose and/or increase the release of insulin, and/or prevent insulin’s destruction.

Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum):

Experimental and clinical studies have demonstrated the antidiabetic properties of fenugreek seeds. The active ingredient responsible for the antidiabetic properties of fenugreek is in the defatted portion of the seed that contains the alkaloid trogonelline, nicotinic acid and coumarin.

Blueberry leaves (Vaccinium myrtillus):

A decoction of the leaves of the blueberry has a long history of folk use in the treatment of diabetes. The compound myrtillin (an anthocyanoside) is apparently the most active ingredient. Upon injection it is somewhat weaker than insulin, but is less toxic, even at 50 times the 1 g per day therapeutic dose. A single dose can produce beneficial effects lasting several weeks.

Asian Ginseng:

Asian ginseng is commonly used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat diabetes. It has been shown to enhance the release of insulin from the pancreas and to increase the number of insulin receptors. It also has a direct blood sugar-lowering effect.

A recent study found that 200 mg of ginseng extract per day improved blood sugar control as well as energy levels in Type 2 diabetes (NIDDM).

Bilberry:

Bilberry may lower the risk of some diabetic complications, such as diabetic cataracts and retinopathy.

Stevia:

Stevia has been used traditionally to treat diabetes. Early reports suggested that stevia might have beneficial effects on glucose tolerance (and therefore potentially help with diabetes), although not all reports have confirmed this. Even if stevia did not have direct antidiabetic effects, its use as a sweetener could reduce intake of sugars in such patients.

Ginkgo Biloba:

Ginkgo biloba extract may prove useful for prevention and treatment of early-stage diabetic neuropathy.

Cinnamon:

This herb has been used traditionally to treat diabetes. Triples insulin’s efficiency

Plz also visit:http://www.herbsandcures.com

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Protect Your Family with a Good Drinking Water Filter by Mark Hegge

A good drinking water filter can protect your family from dangerous drugs, hormones and cancer causing chemicals found in public water sources. Drinking water filters that use an activated carbon system trap all of those things, and in doing so improve the taste and smell of the water.

If you drink bottled water, switching to an in-home drinking water filter can save you money and help save the planet, by reducing the number of plastic bottles going to our landfills. Some of us recycle the plastic bottles, but about 80% of them end up in the landfills, according to recent reports.

Another problem with bottled water is that manufacturing the plastic bottles uses our natural resources. It takes both water and oil to make and transport those bottles. By using drinking water filters and bottling your own water at home, you're not only providing yourself and family with a healthier water to drink but you're saving our natural resources.

One suggestion that the experts have made is that people reuse and refill the plastic water bottles to reduce how many are disposed of. The problem with that is plastic bottles degrade over time, so chemicals from the plastic seep into the water. Plus, they're not dishwasher safe, making cleaning and disinfecting a problem.

To solve this problem, refillable dishwasher safe, glass or plastic bottles are usually available where you buy your drinking water filter.

It's estimated that most people who drink bottled water regularly spend about $3.00 per day, while it costs only about 10 cents per day to bottle your own, filtered water in safe, reusable containers. Drinking water filters can actually save you money, while providing healthy, high quality, better tasting water.

Most purified drinking water comes from a tap, anyway. It's not spring water that you are drinking. One of the major companies was required by the FDA to remove those words form their labels. Do yourself and the planet a favor. Get a good drinking water filter and some good bottles and make your own.

When comparing drinking water filters, you'll want to avoid distillers and reverse osmosis systems. They remove trace minerals that are good for your health. Numerous studies have shown that drinking distilled water is bad for your digestive system. On top of that, it has a rather, dull, flat taste. Some bottled water companies use distilled water too. Be sure to read the label, if you do buy bottled water.

A carbon activated drinking water filter is a good choice, but a multi-stage system is even better. The multi-stage systems are designed to trap microscopic bacteria and organisms that can cause serious illnesses. They also balance the mineral content, so that your water is not too soft, and not too hard. It may be a little more difficult to find the multi-stage units, but it's worth the effort.

In many areas of the United States, experts have advised that tap water not be consumed until it has been run through good drinking water filters. Lead has been found in the water of many homes, and particularly dangerous to your children.

With all of the other health risks that we face each day, we should not have to worry about the water that we drink. With the investment in a good drinking water filter, that's a worry you'll never have again.

For more information on multiple filtration Home Water Purifiers visit the following website:{a href=" http://www.safewaterpurifier.com/purewater.htm"}http://www.safewaterpurifier.com/purewater.htm

About the Author

Mark Hegge - Dedicated to researching and improving the quality of health through natural resources, including the water we consume.
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