Diabetes is very restrictive - living with the disease however does not imply that you stop enjoying. By bringing about certain changes in your lifestyle, you can still live your life to the fullest. For better management of your disease, these are some of the changes that you can make to improve your blood sugar levels and keep your condition under control.
1. Stay fit with physical activity: The first lifestyle change you can make is to increase your level of physical activity. This can help you in burning extra calories, thereby keeping your blood sugar levels in check. Spending 30 minutes a day exercising is ideal. If you’re not fond of exercising or don’t have the time for it, even performing simple activities like walking, vacuuming or doing your laundry can help to lower glucose levels while burning calories.
2. Maintain a healthy BMI: Likewise, try to lose those extra kilos that may be weighing you down and increasing your sugar levels. You don’t have to lose all the weight in one go, you can do so little by little. To lose weight gradually and consequently achieve a healthy BMI, you must have more of fruit and vegetables and less of sugary items and processed food along with exercising regularly.
3. Make the right food choices: When it comes to food, you should consume whole grain foods instead of refined carbohydrate alternatives. Make every meal a balanced one with starches, fats and proteins included in the right amount. Furthermore, avoid beverages that come with high sucrose or fructose content, as they don’t offer much in terms of nutrition, and instead just add to your calorie count. Some of the foods you can include in your diet are bitter gourd, cinnamon, green tea, amla, jamun etc.
Osteoporosis:
Osteoporosis is a condition whereby the density of the bone decreases and the body ceases to manufacture the same quantity of bone as it did previously. Although it tends to affect both females as well as males, it is most commonly seen in women. The reason for this is the decreased production of estrogen during the menopause phase. The hormone, estrogen provides protection against osteoporosis.
When someone suffers from this condition, all their bones become weak and they become highly susceptible to fractures in the event of an accident or even a slight knock.
The word osteoporosis means porous bones. Once a person crosses the age of 35 years the rate of bone renewal or rebuilding slows down. When this happens on a prolonged basis the concerned person is highly prone to develop osteoporosis.
Key Points:
• Those who smoke and have a poor diet are more likely to suffer from osteoporosis.
• Osteoporosis targets areas of the body such as the hip, wrists and spine.
• Although there is no particular outward sign of osteoporosis you are likely to develop a stoop as a result of a weak spine. This will further lead to bone pain.
Osteomalacia:
Osteomalacia is a condition that is similar to osteoporosis where the bones are weakened. But what makes this condition different from osteoporosis is that in osteomalacia there is difficulty in the process of bone-building. In osteoporosis, existing bones become weak.
Reasons for Osteomalacia:
Osteomalacia occurs when there is vitamin D deficiency. As a nutrient, the benefits of vitamin D are enormous because it is instrumental for the absorption of calcium in the stomach.
Vitamin D is helpful for the maintenance of phosphate and calcium levels which is needed in the proper formation of bones. Vitamin D can be acquired from ultraviolet rays of the sun and also from food items such as fish and dairy products.
Signs of Osteomalacia:
Signs of osteomalacia are few. The most common signs include fracturing of the bones and weakening of the muscles. A person who suffers from the condition of osteomalacia has a difficult time walking and may develop abnormal gait.
Treatment of Both Osteoporosis and Osteomalacia:
When it comes to treating osteoporosis it is mainly focused on preventing the onset, maintaining healthy bone density, preventing fractures and reducing pain. This treatment is done by making adjustments to your lifestyle as we daily meal plan in addition to taking medications and health supplements.
As the first line of treatment of osteomalacia, the patient will be prescribed a number of phosphates, vitamin D, and calcium health supplements. Additionally, the patient will be asked to spend some time out in the sun for the absorption of sunlight.
Why should people with diabetes be extra careful of their Heart Health? What’s the connection? Diabetes is considered as one of the major controllable risk factors for cardiovascular disease.
A Study conducted shows that around 65% of diabetic patients die from heart disease or stroke. The connection between diabetes and heart disease starts with high blood sugar levels. With continued high blood sugar levels i.e. high glucose in the bloodstream, the arteries gets damaged and become hard and stiff. Fatty material that builds up on the inside of these blood vessels can eventually block blood flow to the heart or brain, leading to a possible heart attack or stroke.
People with the below listed condition and lifestyle are at increased risk for developing cardiovascular disease (CVD)
What is Diabetes?
It's is a disorder in which your body doesn’t produce insulin in the required quantity because of too much sugar in the blood or high blood glucose.
Symptoms
Frequent urination, Intense thirst and hunger, Weight gain, unusual weight loss, fatigue, cuts and bruises that do not heal, male sexual dysfunction, vaginal Infection in females, numbness, tingling in hands and feet.
Connection with Heart-related diseases i.e. What can diabetes do to the person's healthy heart?
Prevention: More of a lifestyle change followed by medication under supervision of a doctor and a nutritionist is possible. The best way to prevent the development of cardiovascular disease is to prevent diabetes itself. General nutrition recommendations:
There is no certain way to avoid heart disease and circulation problems, but there are a lot of things to do to cut your risk.
Can diabetes patients eat fruits?
It is a common understanding that fruits are not good for diabetic patients or they should not eat fruits, but is it really true? Almost all diabetic patients hesitate to eat fruits, as they consider them to contain sugar and since they already suffer from high sugar, they believe that eating fruits will spike it further.
Does diabetes mean excess sugar in blood?
No, diabetes means excess glucose in blood, not sugar. So, what's the difference? The difference is that all sugars are not glucose. Glucose is just one type of sugar and the only sugar that can cause diabetes. Glucose is present in most of the foods that we eat. It is highest in white table sugar, processed & packed foods and grains like rice & wheat.
Which kind of sugar is present in fruits?
Fruits contain a type of sugar known as fructose. Fructose is a simple sugar like glucose. However, it acts very differently as compared to glucose, and it does not mix with blood, as glucose does, and is stored in the liver. Therefore, Fructose acts as stored sugar and not as instant sugar like glucose. Some fruits also contain glucose, but it is present in much lower quantity, which is not responsible for increasing the blood glucose level. Remember, glucose is the energy or fuel for the body and even diabetic patients need it. But certainly not in excess.
Fruits & diabetes
Conclusion
Diabetic patients must not hesitate to eat fruits but they must eat 3 different types of fruits every day, including one citrus fruit like orange & sweet lime. As, glucose, is highest in white sugar and white maida and it's products, diabetic patients can safely eat 2 fruits a day, each being equally spaced and on empty stomach or near a high physical intensity workout. Best is to consult your doctor/nutritionist and decide the kind and timing of fruit as per your drugs and or insulin.
In case you have a concern or query you can always consult an expert & get answers to your questions!
Osteoporosis is a condition whereby the density of the bone decreases and the body ceases to manufacture the same quantity of bone as it did previously. Although it tends to affect both females as well as males, it is most commonly seen in women. The reason for this is the decreased production of estrogen during the menopause phase. The hormone, estrogen provides protection against osteoporosis.
When someone suffers from this condition, all their bones become weak and they become highly susceptible to fractures in the event of an accident or even a slight knock.
The word osteoporosis means porous bones. Once a person crosses the age of 35 years the rate of bone renewal or rebuilding slows down. When this happens on a prolonged basis the concerned person is highly prone to develop osteoporosis.
Key Points:
• Those who smoke and have a poor diet are more likely to suffer from osteoporosis.
• Osteoporosis targets areas of the body such as the hip, wrists and spine.
• Although there is no particular outward sign of osteoporosis you are likely to develop a stoop as a result of a weak spine. This will further lead to bone pain.
Osteomalacia is a condition that is similar to osteoporosis where the bones are weakened. But what makes this condition different from osteoporosis is that in osteomalacia there is difficulty in the process of bone-building. In osteoporosis, existing bones become weak.
Reasons for Osteomalacia:
Osteomalacia occurs when there is vitamin D deficiency. As a nutrient, the benefits of vitamin D are enormous because it is instrumental for the absorption of calcium in the stomach.
Vitamin D is helpful for the maintenance of phosphate and calcium levels which is needed in the proper formation of bones. Vitamin D can be acquired from ultraviolet rays of the sun and also from food items such as fish and dairy products.
Signs of Osteomalacia:
Signs of osteomalacia are few. The most common signs include fracturing of the bones and weakening of the muscles. A person who suffers from the condition of osteomalacia has a difficult time walking and may develop abnormal gait.
Treatment of Both Osteoporosis and Osteomalacia:
When it comes to the treating osteoporosis it is mainly focussed on preventing the onset, maintaining healthy bone density, preventing fractures and reducing pain. This treatment is done by making adjustments to your lifestyle as we daily meal plan in addition to taking medications and health supplements.
As the first line of treatment of osteomalacia, the patient will be prescribed a number phosphate, vitamin D and calcium health supplements. Additionally, the patient will be asked to spend some time out in the sun for absorption of sunlight.
Can diabetes patients eat fruits?
It is a common understanding that fruits are not good for diabetic patients or they should not eat fruits, but is it really true? Almost all diabetic patients hesitate to eat fruits, as they consider them to contain sugar and since they already suffer from high sugar, they believe that eating fruits will spike it further.
Does diabetes mean excess sugar in blood?
No, diabetes means excess glucose in blood, not sugar. So, what's the difference? The difference is that all sugars are not glucose. Glucose is just one type of sugar and the only sugar that can cause diabetes. Glucose is present in most of the foods that we eat. It is highest in white table sugar, processed & packed foods and grains like rice & wheat.
Which kind of sugar is present in fruits?
Fruits contain a type of sugar known as fructose. Fructose is a simple sugar like glucose. However, it acts very differently as compared to glucose, and it does not mix with blood, as glucose does, and is stored in the liver. Therefore, Fructose acts as stored sugar and not as instant sugar like glucose. Some fruits also contain glucose, but it is present in much lower quantity, which is not responsible for increasing the blood glucose level. Remember, glucose is the energy or fuel for the body and even diabetic patients need it. But certainly not in excess.
Fruits & diabetes
Conclusion
Diabetic patients must not hesitate to eat fruits but they must eat 3 different types of fruits every day, including one citrus fruit like orange & sweet lime.
In case you have a concern or query you can always consult an expert & get answers to your questions!
Diabetes or diabetes mellitus is a collection of disorders that affect the way blood sugar is used by your body. A healthy blood sugar level is very important as it provides energy for the necessary bodily functions. Diabetes results in increased glucose levels in the blood. Diabetes is classified into two types:
Type 1 Diabetes: In this type, the immune system of the body destroys cells that produce insulin, thus resulting in lesser insulin production.
Type 2 Diabetes: In Type 2 diabetes, the body is not able to use the insulin as a result of increased resistance to insulin and definite deficiency in insulin, thus resulting in high blood glucose levels.
Symptoms
The symptoms of diabetes are:
Rapid weight loss.
You may feel thirsty frequently.
Excessive and frequent bouts of hunger.
Presence of ketones (byproduct of muscle and fat breakdown) in the urine.
Vision problems.
Constant fatigue.
Sores take a longer time to heal.
You become vulnerable to various infections because of the weakening of the immune system.
Causes
The causes for Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes are different. In case of type 1 diabetes, the immune system of the body kills cells in the pancreas that produce insulin. This results in shortage of insulin in the body, resulting in high blood sugar levels.
In Type 2 Diabetes, the cells in the body turn resistant to insulin. The exact cause of this is not known, but genetic factors, being overweight, inactivite and other environmental factors can trigger this disorder.
Treatments
The treatment options for diabetes are:
Exercise: Exercise is an effective remedy to lower your blood sugar levels as it helps in transporting sugar into the cells for energy. You can include cardiovascular activities such as running and swimming in your workout regimen.
Insulin Therapy: Insulin therapy involves injecting insulin into the body to reduce blood sugar levels. It can be injected by using an insulin pen or an insulin pump.
Oral Medications: Oral medications may be prescribed to stimulate the pancreas to boost insulin production. Certain medications can also inhibit excess glucose release from the liver.
Pancreas Transplant: In some cases, pancreas transplant is advised to replace the faulty pancreas with a good one that produces insulin in sufficient quantity. Although, it's a rare possibility and does not correct already caused damage to eyes, kidney or nerves.
Vitamins are literally translated to vita and amins, which are important ingredients for overall good health. They are required in minor quantities and are therefore part of the list of micronutrients. Vitamin H is actually a part of the vitamin B complex and is also the vitamin B7. It is known as vitamin H given the German word for Haar and Haut, which stands for hair and skin. In fact, this vitamin is most beneficial for the good health of hair and skin. Read on to know more about its functions, benefits, and sources.
Functions:
Benefits:
Sources:
Vitamins are literally translated to vita and amins, which are important ingredients for overall good health. They are required in minor quantities and are therefore part of the list of micronutrients. Vitamin H is actually a part of the vitamin B complex, and is also the vitamin B7. It is known as vitamin H given the German word for Haar and Haut, which stands for hair and skin. In fact, this vitamin is most beneficial for the good health of hair and skin. Read on to know more about its functions, benefits, and sources.
Functions:
Benefits:
Sources: