Loosing weight by not drinking any alcohol for three months...

Loosing weight by not drinking alcohol for three months

Hello everyone...I'm still here!...Always doing my scientific research on how to fix diabetes and how to get health improvements without drugs!!!

As I grow older (and who doesn't), I think my metabolism starts to slow down so did gain some extra weight and I didn't feel too good about...cravings!!!!! drive me insane!!!

So I decided to stop drinking any alcohol for three months and this is what happened:

* Lost 6 Kg  or 13.2 pounds approximately

* Hard to sleep for the first couple of weeks, then sleep was better and felt more rested in the morning

* Energy levels increased during the day, felt less sleepy and didn't need much coffee or stimulants to stay alert

* I've also been thinking a lot clearer (Finally!!!!) and I feel more alert

Overall I think it is a great way to improve one's health. To stop drinking for three months have been a good test for my ability to control myself (it's hard when you are used to red or white wines during dinner times!!!...or whiskey, rum, tequila, vodka...)

I'm now convinced that reducing alcohol intake and avoiding for three months at the time will help with the weight loss and with my general well being...

I'll continue this trial for another three months, this time I will include some daily exercises and will add some new foods which I think would be great to detoxify my body and reverse my continually creeping diabetes...

I'll share my results with you as soon as I can!

Guest Post: Does Diabetes Increase Your Risks of Cancer?

Guest Post: Does Diabetes Increase Your Risks of Cancer?

By Jillian S. McKee

Hi all, today's post is thanks to Jillian S. McKee (Freelance writer) who has kindly prepared it for the readers of this blog. It is really good and will be an eye opener for many of the readers. If you have any questions about this post you can contact Jillian: JilliansMckee@gmail.com
And don't forget to check the links ;-) ENJOY!

Diabetes and cancer are to of the most common and most deadly diseases in the United States. Most people think of the two as entirely separate conditions. But research suggests that there may be a link between the diseases. The connection between diabetes and mesothelioma, kidney, liver and pancreatic cancers is especially pronounced, although diabetes remains prevalent in patients diagnosed with other types of cancer. For example, the risk of colon, breast and bladder cancer is 20 to 50 percent higher in diabetics than it is in those without diabetes. The risk of dying from cancer also goes up for diabetics, which is why the mesothelioma life expectancy remains grim.

While there is a strong link between diabetes and cancer, there is little evidence supporting the common assertion that diabetes causes cancer. Many suggest that obesity-a risk factor for both diseases-is the true culprit. But again, the evidence suggests that obesity alone cannot account for the higher rate of cancer in those with diabetes. For example, a 2005 study conducted in South Korea reported a significantly increased risk of cancer in diabetes patients, even though most of the patients were not obese or even overweight.

Some researchers believe that certain types of cancers are more likely to develop in diabetes patients with excess insulin. If this is true, diabetic patients will not necessarily end up with cancer at some point. Diabetic patients can minimize the risk of cancer by taking steps to control their condition. Preventative measures include a healthy diet, frequent exercise and carefully following the physician's instructions. Additionally, the link between diabetes and cancer suggests that those with diabetes should be screened for cancer more regularly than the general population.

Other measures for lowering the risk of diabetes are being explored as well. A 2009 study published in "Diabetologia" investigated the impact of glucose-lowering therapies on cancer risk in diabetic patients. Treatments in this study included metphormin monotherapy, sulfonylure monotherapy and a combined therapy involving both metphormin and sulfonylure.

There may be mounting evidence of a connection between diabetes and cancer, but the reason behind that link remains unclear. But given the rising rates of both diabetes and cancer in the general population, it is essential that researchers continue to study this important health issue.

Diet, Exercise and a Positive mind, Keys to keeping diabetes under control

Thank you all for your comments and links, thank you for sharing your comments and for knowing that you've liked my posts!
Anyway, the battle continues and staying in control is hard, but not impossible...I have tried other experiments which I'd like to share, one in particular where I decided to test chewing raw ginger bits while drinking alcohol (Please do not try this at home!!! :-). Started by checking my blood sugar levels after lunch until it got stable around 2 hours after eating a healthy lunch (chicken sandwhich with salad). After my sugar was stable I had a 2 standard drinks size of whiskey (~20 grams of alcohol), followed by chewing a small cut of raw ginger. Tested blood sugar levels every 30 minutes for 1.5 hours, the reading did not go up...repeated this three times but the reading was still the same. Had to stop because I started to feel a bit tipsy and wanted to be okay for dinner, I thought the result was interesting though!...This was done just for fun and I don't want to promote drinking alcoholic beverages at all, even if chewing lots of raw ginger (which is hard to do in itself!)...I'll stick to what I've learnt so far...Good diet, exercise and a good dose of positive thinking!...Cheers!!!

Harvesting Energy and More Energy...naturally

Harvesting Energy and More Energy...Naturally...

Hello Again.

I know, I know, long time between posts, but hope they are worth it :-)

I mentioned, in my last post, that I would share some energising experiences to keep me motivated and moving through my fight with diabetes. So far I have been enjoying most foods and drinks, combining them with natural foods which help keep sugar levels low. But if I don't mix the ingredients properly I end up tired and sleepy, specially after a big lunch!!! I have found that chewing cinnamon sticks while sipping a black coffee, helps.

What I have been doing to keep energised is :

Breakfast: Cereal/Porridge with ground cinnamon followed with black coffee. Sometimes I take some pills before breakfast from my local health store, Ginko Biloba, Coenzyme Q10 and Cod liver oil. This combination seems to keep me going well. Of course I do some variations as I don't like to have the same food everyday!!!

I mix food with sugar lowering herbs during lunch time, and sometimes I have a sugar free red bull drink, this keeps me very active until dinner time...

My dinner meal includes meat, poultry, or seafood cooked in different ways, with vegetables and salads of course, with red or white wine...after this I just try to relax, watch TV or read a book (after doing the dishes, of course!), and have some green tea or a glass of hot milk mixed with grounded cinnamon..

A 20 minute walk around the block after dinner has also worked well.

Bed time before midnight works better than after it!, as there is nothing more energising than a good night sleep...try valerian or melatonin for a fantastic sleep and look forward for to a greater energetic next day... full of new experiences and adventures...(You make it whatever you want)

Never forget: Without a struggle, life would be too boring and we would never find out how strong we could ever be. Keep up with the fight against diabetes and you and me and all the sufferers will win the fight!

Hope I can get many other ideas out of my research to share with you soon...Until then... Cheers!

How To Increase Your Energy Levels...Naturally!

How To Increase Your Energy Levels...Naturally!

Hello Again, I know It has been a while since my last post, but I have been extremely busy at work and trying different healthy (and unhealthy) things. I have tried (as an experiment) to stop this research and see what happens to my glucose leves, and of course, without following any of the things I have written before, my blood glucose levels have gone up and down in the last nine months. I have been living a bit of a sedentary life and eating most things that can cause diabetes (I know it sounds silly, but it's all in the name of science -LOL). I have learnt that If you have the genes for diabetes, chances are it will develop (and if you don't have them, chances also are that you could develop it). But, I am back again into my research and now I really have to stop my blood glucose from creeping up!...

Ok, all I want to say for now is that you will need to work on your mind first. It doesn't matter how much energy products you have, the key is in motivating yourself to get, and stay, active. It's like a challenge, you have the key in your mind to really energise yourself. I am trying every morning, when I get up, to motivate myself, think what a wonderful day lies ahead for me, get a shower and keep smiling and thinking : I'm going to beat diabetes, I'm going to keep my glucose levels normal, I'm going to keep moving and being active all day, I'm going to win the battle against this disease, I have the power to succeed!

Then you can choose all good energy food, which will keep you positive and motivated!, I'll share some of them with you in my next blog...Until Then...

High G.I. and G.L. getting rid of them also

High G.I. and G.L., getting rid of them also

After learning some de-stressing techniques and foods to take for stress, it is appropriate to follow some logical path into reversing the symptoms of diabetes.

The next logical step is to watch the Glycemic Load, this is, the amount of sugars we eat or drink every time we put something in our mouths!

We hear this all the time, don't eat too much sugars, cut down on chocolates, watch out of white bread, white sugar, lollies, ice cream, etc. etc. etc....

All the things we really like we cannot have enough of them...uhmmm

Well, I think you can have just a bit more if you do one or more of the following (more about dosing requirements in future posts) :

Take some Chitosan before every meal (absorbs fats and sugars for slow release)
Eat half a grapefruit before you start eating
Take some Cinnamon with sweets or before meals
Drink plenty of water
Drink Green or black tea
Drink Milagro de la selva tea
Eat celery sticks
Go for a walk/have some fun as soon as you finish eating
Energise yourself to use up more (burn calories) energy

If you must watch your Glycemic Load, remember to use the formula used in my previous posts, for as you know the glycemic index is only an indicator when it comes to the calculation of the actual glycemic load (more important than G.I.) .

So we got the steps happening:

1. De-stressing techniques and foods to help de-stress,

2. Managing the glycemic load,

and in my next blog I will concentrate on

3. how to increase your enegy levels, key foods to have, to make you feel as energetic as a teeneger on a Saturday night! so the body learns to burn more calories and keep that glucose blood level normal.

Until then...

Reversing diabetes using anti-stressing natural remedies

Reversing Diabetes using anti-stressing remedies

As I mentioned in my previous blog, de-stressing plays a very important role in the treatment of diabetes, you may read that post if you haven't yet.

Stress is a normal part of life, we'll be dead without it!, however, as you know, stress affects blood sugar levels, so to stay healthy, you must learn to de-stress. This is a very hard task in today's world, as we live in very negative times, economic instability, global warming and pollution, the prospect of a global war...uhmmm...terrible isn't it?

So we should try to help our bodies by adding some natural remedies and nutrients to help achieve this quicker (and help stop diabetes from getting worst).

The short list of natural products to look at includes the following:

Vitamins
Celery
St. John's Wort
Chamomille
Kava kava
Rhodiola
Valerian
Catnip
Scullcap
Passion flower
Fish oil (omega-3)

There are some other natural remedies but the above should be enough to get you started.

Important:
Before you try any of the above products, you should check with your doctor.
Make sure you don't have any medical conditions which may be affected by taken any of the above (even in small doses). Also, find out if you are taking any medicines that could make any of the above natural remedy dangerous.

Tip: try one remedy at a time. If you detect any side effect, discontinue its use inmediately.

How long to try for : 12 weeks with breaks every 2 weeks in between.

Vitamins

The B6 and B12 vitamins help regulate the body's response to stress and maintain a healthy nervous system. Take with food.

Celery

Celery contains compounds called Pthalides which help relax the muscles of the arteries that regulate blood pressure helping the arteries to dilate. Pthalides are also known to reduce stress hormones (which cause blood vessels to constrict).

St. John's Wort

This is a well known anti-depressant, good for anxiety. It works by decreasing the uptake by the brain of a substance known as Serotonin. There may be side effects if you are taking other medications. Check with an expert first.

Chamomile

Well known tea, helps relax the nerves, headaches and insomnia. It's considered a herbal nervine that supports, soothes and rejuvenates the nerves. Chamomile tea has been used as a calming agent for centuries and is widely regarded for the way in which it helps compose the mind.

Kava Kava

This herb can help relieve acute and chronic anxiety without making you feel drowsy. It is a tranquilizer without addictive potential.
Not recommended if you have Parkinson's disease.

Rhodiola

It is good for reducing stress on the heart and to help normalise irregular heart beat.
It has been confirmed as anti-fatigue, anti-stress and a cardiotonic.

Valerian

This is a well known natural sedative. It is useful for relieving stress and anxiety because it helps you sleep. Is not addictive, does not make you feel drowsy in the morning.

Catnip

This has double action: it nourishes the stomach and also the nerves. It helps calm the nervous system.

Scullcap

This is a general nerve tonic, considered one of the best nervine herbs.

Passion Flower

The flavonoids present in passion flower are the primary constituents responsible for its relaxing and anti stress effects.

Fish Oil (Omega-3)

Fish oil has been found to reduce levels of stress hormones, including cortisol, which increase heart rate and blood pressure. Scientific studies have concluded that fish oil inhibits the adrenal activation elicited by mental stress, therefore reducing stress in people who take it.

In the next blog I'll concentrate on the next step to reversing diabetes: managing the intake of low G.I. foods and their relationship with G.L.

De-stress, Low G.I.(G.L.) & Re-energize to start reversing diabetes

Stress, High G.I. (G.L.) and Lack of energy - get rid of them first!

STRESS

The effects of stress on glucose levels in people with type 2 diabetes is an innevitable raise in blood glucose levels. This is what you don't want, so to fight back it is important to learn to relax... yes relax! you can try controlling stress with relaxation therapies, if you find it difficult to do on your own.

It is well known that stress blocks the body from releasing insulin in people with type 2 diabetes, so reducing stress may be the key to an improved health. Also, the normal bodily response to stress is to increase blood glucose for energy required for the "fight or run" stress response.

Again, as I said in my previous blog, everyone is different so the best way to find out if your glucose levels are affected by stress is to try for yourself by checking your blood glucose levels under different levels of strees (a scale from 1-5 maybe all you need to see if there is a relationship for you)

If test indicate that your blood glucose is higher when you're stressed, then you should start learning some relaxation techniques...like breathing, yoga, exercising...laughter :-)

HIGH G.I. FOODS

This is very obvious, isn't it? The higher thw G.I. of fooods the higher your glucose level will go, and that's trouble!, or is it?
It's very important to mention also the G.L. (Glycemic load) as this is probably more relevant when food is on the table, ready to go to your mouth.

The G.L is calculated by taking the percentage of the food’s carbohydrate content per portion and multiplying it by its Glycaemic Index value:

G.L. = Carbohydrate content per portion x G.I./100

Example:

The G.I. of watermelon is high (GI = 72), but its G.L. is relatively low (GL = 7).
Why?
because the quantity of carbohydrate in a serving of watermelon (say 150 g slice) is not much, as it contains quite a bit of water.
This, however, is not the case for watermelon juice, as the quantity of carbohydrate in a cup of watermelon juice (say 250 ml) is greater.

So, fruit juice would be a more concentrated source of carbohydrates high G.I and high G.L.

So watch out, get your calculator out, but, relax....and eat safe knowing that your blood sugar wont go through the roof.


LACK OF ENERGY

R.W. Emerson once said : "The world belongs to the energetic" and I say: "Diabetes belongs to the non-energetic".

This is really harsh, I know. The blood glucose levels keep climbing up, you feel depressed and unwell, you can't find energy for anything, except for sleeping....Uhmmm....NO GOOD!

Turning back the clock on diabetes does require lots of energy, and you should have plenty as sugar is full of it!

Energy will get you moving, moving will increase blood flow, good blood flow will prevent organ damage and improve some other organs function, bringing back better health.

In future blogs I will include some anti-fatigue techniques and foods which will energise you and make you start burning all that excess calories, which are just going around the blood stream...more in my next blog....just relax for now...relax... :-)

Risks of natural remedies for diabetes

Risks Of Natural Remedies for Diabetes

After searching for natural products available for treatment of diabetes, I found so many different kinds of dosing for each product which makes it difficult for one person to know how much it is safe to take.

As nobody likes to be a guinea pig, I will start researching some logical ways for anyone to try these products without having to play too much of a risk.

As traditional medicine says: "The dose makes the cure", so it must apply to natural remedies. Too little wouldn't be much good, too much of anything can kill you!

So my quest will be to find some relationship between age, sex, genetical make up, height and weight to be able to estimate initial dosing and to test if there is any relationship with key parameters like : blood glucose levels, Cholesterol levels, and effect on any of the listed symptoms listed in my previous blogs.

As this is all experimental, and probably fun to do, it is important to realise that anything which I will be posting here should no be taken as a medical advise, or as a possible treatment or cure for diabetes. Remember everyone is diferent and what works with one person may not work with others. Also any effectiveness of treatments would be related to how advanced the problem is.

Anyway, I think the critical issues to target would be the prevention of physical damage caused by diabetes. By physical damage I mean, damage to organs like the liver, kidneys, pancreas, skin, heart, nerves, and others.

The simplest way to start, of course, would be to walk (as fast as you can) 20-30 minutes a day, eating low G.I. foods and get some body massaging (particularly where blood flow may slow down, like the feet and other extremities), and keep as energetic as possible.

As I see it, diabetes is a disease of the pancreas and of the liver, thus both organs would have to be targeted to improve this condition.

A bit of physiology will help us understand what is happening to our bodies and how we sould reverse this deterioration and restore back to our normal life. I'll post a bit more of that in my next blog...

Conventional vs. alternative & traditional treatments for diabetes

General symptoms associated with diabetes (Just making sure) - Updated

Before I start investigating the paths to treatment, management and prevention of diabetes, I'd like to share some of the most common symptoms associated with it (Please add more if I missed them):

You keep drinking liquids all day but you're still thirsty
You keep urinating often, even if you haven't drunk much
You suddenly start loosing weight without excercising (don't be deceived, it's no good!)
You feeling worn out although not much activity is happening in your life
You keep eating all day and still feel hungry
You crave for sweets or chocolates or things rich in sugar
Your eye sight start playing up, blurry and even sleepy
You develop sores that tend to heal slowler than normal
You have dry and itchy skin not just after showering or after taking a bath
Your feet and toes tingle for no reason
You feel sleepy after few minutes driving (even though you have slept well the night before)
You loose some feeling in your feet without any particular reason
You have this sense of unwellness but can't pinpoint why
You feel lethargic and lacking energy...

This is all I can remember for now, please add any more if you have experienced them at the beginning, or during a diabetic onset.

Ok, then what we want to know is if we can eliminate any, or all of these symptoms before we get it or to slowed them down if we're already got it. I hope there is a safe and logical path to reverse and cure this disease, and we can discovered it and pass it on to everyone around the world (Big dreamer, aren't I?).

Diet + Excercise is the first thing we hear, but is not easy to do as you have to be so dedicated and motivated, when you are already depressed knowing that you are a diabetic and have to cope with the symptoms above.

So what can we do?

I guess we could try dieting and maybe walk around the shopping mall more often. But we can also try things that could be safe. Alternative products which have been researched by science and products which have been traditionally known anywhere in the planet.

Some well known traditional products + some nice foods you're probably having already

I'll start my list with the following (more later + see if there is any serious research done with any of them, also please feel free to post if you have any experience with any of them) :
Note: some of these seem to help indirectly or enhance others.

Green tea, Black tea, Coffee
Cinnamon, Ginseng, Ginko biloba
Garlic, Onion
Chitosan
Pau D'arco, Milagro de la selva, Gymnema Sylvestre
Mixed herbs (Liver tonics), Milk Thistle
Bitter Melon, Banaba, Goji Berry
Oils : Fish Oil, Flaxseed oil, Borage oil, fish oil supplements
Minerals: Chromium, Magnesium, Vanadium
Peanut Butter, nuts
Low G.I. foods
Water
Etc.... (more soon)