If you have been diagnosed with diabetes or the condition known as “prediabetes”, elevated sugar levels that are the hallmark of diabetes need to be addressed before serious complications can develop. Many people with elevated blood sugar levels want to know, “Is insulin right for me?” and whether there are proven alternatives to taking medicinal insulin.

Insulin Resistance

Consuming certain foods and drinks leads to a natural process by which the amount of sugars in the blood become elevated. Under healthy circumstances, any excess sugars in the blood are “eaten” or scrubbed from the blood by insulin, a hormone produced in the pancreas. Diabetes is a disease with many negative outcomes but is effectively a simple equation – the amount of sugar in the blood is higher than the body’s ability to process it.

The CDC and other world health organizations recognize that insulin resistance is the first step towards developing diabetes. With insulin resistance, the body’s ability to use naturally-produced insulin to lower blood sugar levels becomes increasingly ineffective over time. It is thought consistently eating diets rich in certain substances raise blood sugar levels too high and thus overtax the pancreas’s ability to produce enough insulin.

Over time, the insulin that is produced becomes less and less effective, leading to chronically elevated blood sugar levels. Consistently high levels of blood sugar is a condition known as “prediabetes”, the last step on the path towards developing full-blown Type 2 diabetes.

A simple blood test can tell you your blood sugar levels. If your blood sugar levels are higher than the healthy range, this may be a strong indicator that you are developing insulin resistance. Consult with a doctor right away if you have high blood sugar levels. The best known cure is prevention – taking steps to address the problem before it becomes Type 2 diabetes.

Is Insulin Right for You?

If your doctor has officially diagnosed you with Type 2 diabetes, there are a number of steps you can take to manage and treat your condition. Popular misconceptions about diabetes lead to many people thinking that they must take insulin if they have diabetes. In fact, only about 14% of diabetes sufferers use insulin and 13% combine insulin and oral medications. The majority of people with diabetes – 57% – rely on oral medication only while 16% manage their blood sugar levels strictly by diet and exercise.

The benefit of taking medicinal insulin is that it is thought to supplement the body’s natural production of insulin, giving the body an extra boost that it needs in order to reduce blood sugar levels. Only your doctor or a trained medical professional can give expert counsel on whether or not insulin therapy is the best course of treatment for treating your diabetes. Many experts, however, recognize that since Type 2 diabetes is principally caused by deficiencies in diet and lifestyle, taking pro-active healthy steps in nutrition and increased mobility should always be attempted first before attempting to ameliorate the problem with medicinal insulin.

Research has effectively concluded that several forms human analogue synthesized insulin have now proven effective in reducing blood sugar levels in people with confirmed cases of diabetes. The benefits of taking insulin to treat diabetes is that it can be adjusted to dietary intake and can be used in conjunction with other diabetes medications. The downside to insulin is that it may require several injections a day and anyone who is dependent on therapeutic insulin must carry it with them with them everywhere they go.

Medicinal insulin is produced by either extracting insulin from animals or by synthesizing human insulin in a laboratory. Some people object on ethical grounds to taking insulin extracted from animals. Approximately 2% of people who have tried insulin have demonstrated an allergy to the product as a reaction to the preservatives used in medicinal insulin, including zinc, meta-cresol, and protamine.

As with all serious illnesses, consult with your doctor before beginning any course of treatment for diabetes.

Injected Insulin, the Insulin Pump, Insulin Pen and Inhaled Insulin

Due to the way the body breaks down foods in the gastrointestinal tract, taking insulin orally is not feasible. People who suffer from diabetes can inject insulin under the skin using a needle, infuse insulin under the skin via an insulin pump, inject insulin with a special “pen” or, in some cases, inhale insulin using a special device.

Synthesized human analogue insulin is sold by a number of brand names, including Apidra, Humulin, Novolin, Novolog, Relion, Humalog, Actrapid, Lantus, and NovoRapid. All are designed to lower blood sugar levels but some are designed to be fast-acting while others are designed for longer-term release of insulin into the blood.

Determining dosages is an extremely complicated endeavor due to the different ways in which food is broken down and digested in the body. Administering the right dosage of insulin requires expert medical counsel and experience in monitoring blood sugar levels and responding accordingly with the right dose of insulin.

Other Medications for Managing Diabetes

Although administering insulin from an exterior source is the oldest and most well-understood treatment for diabetes, there are now a number of pharmaceutical medications available for managing and controlling Type 2 diabetes.

One medication, officially called Metformin but sold under a variety of trade names such as Glucophage, Obimet, and Dianben, is a popular alternative to insulin in treating Type 2 diabetes. Although there are some known side effects such as diarrhea, nausea, and abdominal pain, Metformin has been shown to be effective in managing diabetes by causing the liver to decrease glucose (sugar) production.

The following medications differ from insulin because they can be taken orally in tablet form. All of them are now officially recommended by the American Diabetes Association as a first-line treatment for treating both prediabetes (elevated blood sugar levels not high enough to be full-blown diabetes) as well as Type 2 diabetes.

Glimepiride, sold under a number of different names such as Amaryl, Diabeta, Micronase, Glucotrol and Glynase, works by stimulating the pancreas to produce more insulin. Can be taken right after eating or used in slow-release forms for longer lasting protection.

Repaglinide, also sold under the names Prandin and Starlin, are similarly designed to rapidly reduce blood sugar levels by stimulating the pancreas to produce more insulin. Usually taken right after a meal.

Thiazolidinediones Pioglitazone, usually abbreviated as TZD but also sold under the brand name Actos is a different class of medication that works to open up muscle cells so that they absorb more glucose (sugar) in the blood while also dampening the liver’s ability to produce glucose.

Sitagliptin, sold under the brand names Januvia, Onglyza, and Tradjenta, is designed to boost Metformin’s ability to restrict the liver’s production of glucose. This class of medications is designed to be taken just once a day.

A new class of drugs to treat diabetes are known as alpha-glucosidase inhibitors. Sold under the names Precose and Glyset, they work by delaying and slowing down the body’s process of digesting carbohydrates.

Bile Acid Sequestrants, often sold under the brand name Welchol, were originally designed to treat high cholesterol but were shown to have a beneficial side effect of reducing glucose production in the liver. Usually taken in combination with other diabetes medications.

In addition to the above classes of medications, several “combination” medications have been designed to reduce the number of pills a person with diabetes has to take during the day. These are sold under a variety of trade names, including Actoplus Met, Glucovance, Janumet, Metaglip, Kombiglyze, Prandimet and Duetact. Because these combination pills are very powerful, they can lead to incidences of hypoglycemia or blood sugar levels that are too low.

Always consult with a physician about the correct dosage to take of any medication.

The post Managing Diabetes appeared first on SmartChoiceMD.

For now though, diet labs offer a number of tests to help people understand their current health condition and be better informed about what proactive steps can be followed to lose weight and become healthier.

What Tests do Diet Labs Offer?

Right now, there is no standardized legal description of a “diet lab”, so every facility offers different diet testing. Some of the tests currently available from diet labs include:

• CBC – Otherwise known as a “Complete Blood Count,” this common test will measure the functioning of your immune system, as well as the oxygen levels in your body. The test can reveal certain forms of malnutrition, including anemia, as well as the presence of inflammation in cell tissues, which can be linked to the consumption of certain types of food and drinks.
• Comprehensive Metabolic Panel – This full-spectrum test of your blood will reveal important insights into how your kidneys and liver are functioning. Your blood glucose levels will also be measured, which can reveal the presence of diabetes or an elevated risk of contracting Type II diabetes. Thyroid and other metabolic disorders can also be identified with this test, as well as abnormally low Vitamin D and/or calcium levels.
• Ketones – This test will measure the number of ketones in your urine. High levels can indicate the presence of diabetes or an excess of high glycemic index foods in your diet.
• Liver Panel – When people are obese, there is a strong correlation between high enzyme levels produced by the kidney. This test can also identify long-term damage to the kidneys.
• Serum Iron – This test measures the level of iron in your blood. Low levels may indicate anemia, iron deficiency due to dietary or other causes, as well as other forms of malnutrition.
• Lipid Profile – This is the test that measures the various forms of cholesterol in your blood, an important marker for tracking and monitoring your overall health.
• Serum Magnesium – This test can identify problems related to a loss of magnesium which can occur due to malnutrition, the consumption of diuretics (which include “water pills”), and excessive use of laxatives.
• Serum Phosphorous – Consuming too many diuretic drinks (which includes soft drinks, coffee, and tea) can lead to low calcium levels. High levels of phosphorous in the bloodstream can result from overusing common antacid products.
• Amylase Test – Performed on urine samples, the amylase test can reveal damage to the pancreas and/or salivary glands.
• Thyroid Panel – This test can reveal problems with the thyroid gland, including hypothyroidism (low levels of hormones produced by the thyroid glands). The thyroid is the “control center” of the body’s metabolic function, and can play a key role in difficulty losing weight.
• Transthyretin – Also referred to sometimes as prealbumin test, this can reveal certain deficiencies in the liver and the thyroid glands, as well as some forms of malnutrition.

It is also recommended that anyone visiting a diet lab get a standard check-up where vital signs are measured. These include blood pressure, pulse rate, and your temperature. Abnormal vital signs may indicate a fever, inflammation, dehydration and issues relating to blood pressure .

How Much Do Tests at a Diet Lab Cost?

Every diet lab charges different prices for their services. The tests listed above require just a small blood sample and/or urine sample but many diet labs send their blood work and/or urinalysis work to a third-party laboratory. In some cases, these tests may be covered by existing health insurance. Always check with your insurance provider for the exact details about which tests have partial or complete coverage.

Interpreting Your Diet Lab Results

The internet is replete with advice about how to interpret the results of your diet lab work but only a medical professional or nutritionist can give you an accurate diagnosis of the current state of your health. Working with the results of your diet lab tests, you and your nutritionist or healthcare professional can then develop a diet and exercise routine to help you succeed in losing weight and enjoying a healthier life.

The post Diet Labs – Diet Testing for Your Best Body appeared first on SmartChoiceMD.

Salmon

While it may not feature in too many holiday dishes, salmon is a wonderful source of healthy Omega-3 fatty acids, shown to significantly reduce stress. If you’re a vegetarian, you can get a similar boost of healthy Omega-3 fatty acids from consuming (raw) walnuts.

Turkey Breast

There’s a good reason why people feel so relaxed after consuming a big Thanksgiving dinner featuring turkey. Known as tryptophan, many meats, especially turkey breast, contain large amounts of this amino acid, which has been proven to have a calming effect on people. Low in fat, and reasonably priced, turkey breast is a great go-to meat for the holidays. If you’re a vegetarian, try eating tofu, beans, or seeds, as these foods also contain significant quantities of tryptophan.

Cashews

These delicious nuts are packed full of essential vitamins and minerals needed to maintain good health. Cashews, in particular, are also bursting with plenty of zinc, which has been shown to reduce anxiety and stress. Not only are cashews a delicious, fun snack, but they are also high in healthy omega-3 fatty acids and proteins, making them a smart choice any time of the year.

Dark Chocolate

Although we call a wide variety of foods “chocolate”, only dark chocolate has a good concentration of the cocoa plant, which is widely considered by health experts to be a “superfood” due to its high levels of essential vitamins and minerals. Dark chocolate that is at least 70% cocoa will help you to relax, lowering stress hormone levels, and helping to improve blood circulation. Oh yeah, and it tastes good too!

Blood Oranges

Once a favorite to fill stockings hung by the chimney with care, blood oranges are still an excellent holiday food to help reduce anxiety and stress. With even more Vitamin C than other varieties of oranges, blood oranges have been shown to reduce blood pressure levels and the stress hormone cortisol.

Green Leafy Vegetables

While it may be tempting to head straight to the desserts during the holiday season, don’t neglect to eat your vegetables! Adding a simple salad filled with lots of green leafy vegetables like spinach, kale, or rucola will help tremendously in lowering your anxiety and stress levels. Green leafy vegetables are high in folate, which has been shown to help people feel more calm, happy, and energetic.

The post Top Foods to Reduce Holiday Stress appeared first on SmartChoiceMD.

Not Getting Enough Rest

In our busy, hectic lives, we often sacrifice sleep in order to get everything done. Without a doubt, not getting enough rest is a sure recipe for poor health, as our bodies need an adequate amount of time to heal and rebuild. Most people need at least seven hours of sleep per day, so if you find that your schedule simply cannot accommodate a full night’s rest, try to take a brief nap or two during the day to compensate. That being said, a strict schedule that includes 7-9 hours of uninterrupted sleep, giving your body its best chance to stay in top condition and fend off viral invaders.

Overindulging During the Holidays

It’s the time of year for feasts and delicious treats, but overdoing it can severely tax your immune system. Gobbling down sweet foods sends the body into overdrive as it attempts to balance blood sugar levels, leaving few precious resources to protect your body against illness. And, while drinking at parties is part of the fun for some people during the holidays, every drop of alcohol adds a strain on the liver, one of the key organs in the fight against foreign viral invaders. Eat and drink responsibly, and enjoy your holiday treats in moderation, and your body will have the resources to protect you properly.

Stress

It has been conclusively proven that an excess of stress takes its toil on our immune systems, leaving us compromised and vulnerable to infections and illnesses. Whether it’s the stress of battling the crowds at the mall, or stress from overly strenuous workouts in response to over-indulging in holiday foods, our bodies and minds can only handle so much. Take it easy whenever possible, and carve out a few minutes to relax and reflect in between all the hectic activities of the holiday, and your body will reward you with robust health and fewer bouts with colds and other illnesses.

Skipping Your Workouts

While you definitely don’t want to over-compensate for eating holiday foods with too much time in the gym, it’s also a really bad idea to skip your normal workout sessions. Whatever your normal exercise and fitness routine, it’s always best to stick to your normal schedule, as it will reduce stress, help keep you fit, and blow off a lot of the stress and strain of the season.

Social Smoking

By now, we all know that smoking isn’t good for us. But many people pick up the habit, or vastly increase how often they smoke, during the holidays. After all, many people will agree that nothing goes better with a few party drinks than a cigarette. If you find yourself tempted to blaze through an entire pack, take a moment to step out and get some fresh air, remembering that every cigarette is putting a tremendous stress load on your health and immune system.

The post 5 Worst Things for Your Immune System appeared first on SmartChoiceMD.

The 80/20 Rule

This famous equation works equally well during the holidays. Give yourself permission to indulge in your favorite treats 20% of the time, while remembering to stick to your healthy diet and exercise regime the other 80% of the time. Many people celebrate the holidays by staying on their regular track during the weekdays, and then give themselves permission to indulge during the weekends.

Managed Indulgence

Saying no to your favorite holiday drinks and goodies can be almost impossible. But when you decide to give in and sample some of those delicious sugary foods, do so without a guilty conscience, but don’t let it get out of control. If you order a holiday drink at your favorite coffee shop, order a standard size, not the huge one. And if your coworker brings in a fresh batch of cookies, eat one or two, don’t bring a handful back to your desk.

Just a Taste

If a coworker or loved one is pressuring you to eat some wicked holiday treats, it can be hard to say no. Go ahead and put a little on your plate, but be sure to stay on track by filling the rest of your plate with vegetables and other healthy fare. If the pressure to eat every sugary, high-fat dish becomes overwhelming, try a polite excuse like, “Yes, I will try it later,” or “I’d love to eat more, but I filled up earlier.”

Being Different Makes You Stronger

While it may look like everyone around you is gorging themselves on unlimited holiday goodies, it is possible to stay strong by choosing to be different. Remember that in a few weeks that those people are going to feel stuffed, sickened, and force to vow to change their ways on New Years’ Day. If you can remain committed and on track during the holidays, transitioning to the new year will be a breeze. By remaining committed to a healthy diet and exercise routine, you might just inspire those around you to employ a little self-control.

Party With a Full Belly

Office and other holiday parties can be a real blast, but if you arrive with an empty stomach, it’ll be almost impossible not to overindulge on fat-packed goodies and sugary treats. Eat a healthy meal at home first, or bring your own lunch to work, and then you’ll have the power to resist all those tempting goodies. After the party is over, and the other guests are groaning and moaning, you’ll be glad you ate a healthy meal beforehand.

The post How to Enjoy the Holidays Without Packing on the Pounds appeared first on SmartChoiceMD.

THE THREE PILLARS OF CLEAN EATING

Pillar 1 – The most important step in clean eating is to avoid consuming chemicals, additives, preservatives, artificial substances, and genetically-engineered organisms (GMO). While many of these products are legally able to tout their “natural” origin, or “healthy” benefits, we all know that the clean, pure foods found in nature have absolutely nothing in common with these poisonous industrial products.

While many people are understandably focused on the results of eating clean, such as losing weight, having clearer skin and complexions, and healing from illnesses, even an otherwise healthy person will force their body to work overtime if they consume chemicals and artificial additives in their foods and beverages. Before we can begin to achieve maximum health, the first step is to quit taxing our bodies with toxic substances.

Pillar 2 – After moving towards a diet that is free from chemicals and preservatives, the next area to be aware of is understanding the source of the fruits, vegetables, grains, and even meats that we eat. A tomato grown with tender loving care in a small garden is a vastly different plant than what results from large-scale commercial growing enterprises. Secondly, food is always cleaner when it is acquired in its purest, most natural state, meaning fresh from the vine, bush, tree, or plant instead of being boiled, canned, diced, and otherwise processed.

While some advocates of clean eating avoid the consumption of meats, others feel comfortable with it. Whenever possible, it is best to buy meat in its natural, whole state from a local butcher, instead of processed meats like hamburgers and sausages, mass-produced by robotic industrial machines on a commercial scale. Consuming meat in its cleanest state starts with buying large joints or natural cuts of meat, and then cutting them and processing them at home yourself, rather than relying on industrial machines to serve up pre-packaged fillets and steaks.

Consuming whole grains and fiber, as opposed to processed white flour, is an important part of eating clean. In this area, a careful examination of the label is very important. While it’s fashionable and convenient to put the word “whole grains” on products, a careful examination of the label often reveals that while yes, the food was made from whole grains, it was also made with ordinary processed white flour as well, completely negating the benefit of eating clean.

Last, but not least, a good way to ensure that you are eating clean is to count the number of ingredients in the foods that you are eating. The old rule of thumb of five or less ingredients is incredibly useful. Almost anything for sale in a supermarket that has more than five ingredients is probably heavily processed and full of chemicals, preservatives, or additives.

Pillar 3:  The third pillar of clean eating is regulating your meals.

Nutritional science now understands that the human body does best when we eat small meals more often, rather than the traditional three large meals during the day. A number of hormones and other natural chemicals are produced during the digestive process, and keeping our bodies fueled and hydrated throughout the day helps keep those hormones at steady levels. When we go from large meals to periods of not consuming anything, the insulin in our blood spikes and falls, and adds a lot of stress to our bodies.

Nighttime and the sleep period is when our bodies rest and repair from the stresses of the day. When we are active and alert, it is generally a good idea to keep our bodies in a steady state of processing and digestion, converting the clean foods and beverages we consume into a healthy source of reliable energy.

The post Clean Eating appeared first on SmartChoiceMD.

Medical researchers have conclusively proven that working to rid excess weight is the absolutely best step anyone suffering from osteoarthritis can take to help reduce pain and swelling of the joints. Simply put, obesity adds extra strain on the entire body, including the joints.

Working together with a trusted healthcare professional, it is possible to enjoy a healthy and balanced diet that will rid the body of excess weight, and help reduce the stress load on inflamed joints.

Foods to Avoid

Increasingly, the world is becoming aware of the dangers of consuming an overly-processed diet that is heavy in such foods as bread, white rice, and pasta. These refined cereal products can work to further inflame the sensitive areas of the body, including the tender joints in the hips, knees, back, hands, wrists, and other areas susceptible to developing osteoarthritis.

Trans fats, as well as an overconsumption of saturated fats, particularly in fried foods, can also work against your body’s natural ability to reduce inflammation and swelling in the joints.

Cold Water Fish

Research has shown that a diet containing rich sources of cold water fish is an excellent way to obtain protein and give your body the necessary ingredients to help reduce swelling and pain in tender joints afflicted with osteoarthritis. Species such as salmon, halibut, mackerel, herring, and tuna are all cold water fish, and contain a great balance of Omega 3 fatty acids and other healthy nutrients.

Fruits and Vegetables

It’s no surprise that a diet containing plentiful amounts of fresh fruits and vegetables is also effective in reducing the symptoms of osteoarthritis. Best are organic fruits and vegetables, free of pesticides, insecticides and other chemicals, preferably consumed in their whole – or as close as possible – state. In many cases, flash frozen vegetables are a great alternative when fresh vegetables are not available. Less ideal are canned fruits and vegetables, or heavily processed vegetarian food products.

Different government agencies around the world have varying recommendations, but a simple rule of thumb is that adults should consume about two cups of fruits per day, and three cups of vegetables. A mix of different-colored fruits and vegetables is recommended, both as a way to ensure a broad spectrum of full nutrition as well as to add variety and excitement to your diet.

Fresh fruits and vegetables are natural sources of antioxidants, which science has shown can drastically reduce inflammation in the joints.

Nuts, Seeds and Beans

Nuts, seeds, and beans are nature’s way of preparing all of the necessary ingredients for a new cycle of plant life. Consuming nuts, seeds, and beans is a great way to get vital minerals, as well as a surprising amount of protein.

When eating seeds and nuts, it is critical to eat them in their raw, uncooked state, as most nuts sold in grocery stores are actually fried and heavily salted.

Beans, on the other hand, are usually not safe to eat raw, and must be thoroughly cooked. Other similar plants called pulses are great for reducing inflammation, including chickpeas and lentils. It is really simple to make delicious and healthy soups mixing beans/pulses with vegetables, and it will simultaneously work to give your body what it needs to reduce the pain and swelling of osteoarthritis.

Dairy

For osteoarthritis sufferers who choose to consume dairy products, it is important to choose fresh, whole products like yogurt and soft cheeses over heavily processed items like hard cheeses and cheese-based snacks.

The post Best Diet for Osteoarthritis appeared first on SmartChoiceMD.