Type 2 Diabetes - Preventing Hand Problems in Diabetics!

According to an article published in the journal Diabetes and Metabolism in July 2011, hand problems should be a concern in anyone diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes. Researchers in the Departments of Endocrinology and Medicine, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research in Chandigarh, India, looked at:

Dupuytrens's contracture,limited joint mobility, andthe carpel tunnel syndrome

in Type 2 diabetics, compared with non-diabetic participants.

Two hundred and six volunteers with Type 2 diabetes and 203 healthy volunteers were included in the study. Dupuytren's contracture, limited joint mobility, and carpel tunnel syndrome were found in significantly more hands belonging to diabetic volunteers than those belonging to healthy participants. The disorders were most common in the oldest patients and those who had Type 2 diabetes the longest.

The results were consistent with earlier research. Studies in the 1990's showed people with Type 2 diabetes had a high risk of problems causing hand stiffness. In July of 2001 Clinical Diabetes, the journal of the American Diabetes Association, published an article on abnormal proteins and small vessel disease, and limited range of motion in diabetes.

Dupuytren's contracture is:

a painless condition that can make the fingers unable to straighten.it most often affects the ring finger and pinky, and afflicts people over 40 and men more often than younger people and women.

It develops gradually, over a period of years or decades, and does not appear to be related to occupation or injury. Masses of hardened tissue grow to form bands in the fascia, a structure under the skin of the hands. The bands hold the fingers in a permanently contracted position, or contracture.

Physical therapy and warm baths can be helpful. In more severe cases the fingers can be released surgically or a substance called collagenase can be used to break down a protein called collagen, which forms the hardened bands.

Limited joint mobility also causes stiffness of the hand and other joints. The skin is described as tight, thick and waxy. One sign of the condition is the "prayer sign," in which patients are asked to put the palms of the hands together. If the fingers are:
unable to touch along their entire lengths,limited joint mobility is probable.joints in the shoulders, hips, and feet can also be affected.

Physical therapy can be helpful.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is caused by pressure on a nerve in the wrist, causing:

pain,numbness,tingling,weakness, andmuscle damage.

Surgery and anti-inflammatory drugs such as cortisone and ibuprofen are used to treat the condition.

Keeping your blood sugars under control is recommended for all the above conditions, so follow a plan of regular exercise, a healthy diet, and a medication regimen if needed.

To discover answers to questions you may be asking yourself about Type 2 Diabetes, click on this link... Natural Diabetes Treatments

Food List For Diabetics To Eat - Diabetic Diet Plan

Diabetic diet plan is not complete without these four essential categories of food. If a diabetic person eats food that help him to metabolize sugar, trigger insulin sensitivity, protect him from glycation and lower down oxidative stress; he can achieve his goals of maintaining normal blood sugar levels.

Here is the food list for diabetics to eat

Metabolizers

Diabetic diet plan must include ingredients that help to restore the metabolism process of sugar. Excessive blood sugar triggers dangerous reactions that start to destroy the body. There are certain foods that help to restore process of sugar metabolism.

The following spices and foods are good metabolizers:

1- Basil

2- Cinnamon

3- Green beans

4- Broccoli

5- Apples

6- Sprouted beans

7- Whole wheat bread

It is good to add either 1 or 2 servings in each major meal.

Promoters

The trademark of diabetes type 2 is insulin resistance. Insulin helps the intake of sugar by the cells of the body. Nutritional promotion of insulin sensitivity help the medications to work better.

Following is the list of good promoters for diabetes:

1- Lean red meat

2- Cabbage

3- Collard green

4- Brewer's yeast

A diabetic diet plan that provides 6 to 7 ounces of lean cut of red meat with plenty of green vegetables provides a good dose of insulin promoters.

Reducers

Excessive blood sugar levels creat extreme oxidative stress. If blood sugar isn't properly metabolized then blood sugar quickly changes itself into reactive molecules that damage the body. Reducers are also termed antioxidants. Antioxidant foods are those that could lower down the oxidative stress by mopping reactive metabolites of sugar. The key step in the treatment of diabetes is to eat wide range of antioxidants. Following is the list of foods for diabetics that can be added in their diet plan for lowering down the blood sugar levels.

1- Cranberries

2- Blueberries

3- Red beans

4- Pomegranate

5- Artichokes

6- Black And green tea

Each diabetic meal must contain 2 to 3 servings of antioxidants.

Protectors

It is critically important that all diabetic understand the ways in which blood sugar level cause the damage. The naughtiest process is glycation. In this process sugar molecules react with proteins and form non function structures in the body. This is the prime cause of complications of diabetes. It makes the basis of heart attack, heart stroke and even blindness.

Protector foods include those foods that have the capability of minimizing the glycation effect:

1-Liver

2- Turkey

3- Chilli pepper

4- Chicken

5- Lean red meat

6- Lentils

7- Tuna

The best way to enhance diabetes favour diabetes is by adding chilli peppers as marinade for fish and chicken. This is also strongly advised that diabetics must only choose the leanest cuts of the meat.

It is not difficult to beat diabetes, if a person has got the right tools for it. Human body can heal itself with the proper diabetes diet. The diabetic person has to plan his diabetic meals with greatest care while incorporating metabolizers, promoters, reducers and protectors.

If you want to have a free diabetic meal plan specifically designed according to your personal requirement check Diabetic Diet Plan. This list will help to design a meal plan that has the ability to control the Signs Of Diabetes in a way that you'll end up saying where is my blood sugar?

Homemade fig bars for diabetics and others

Yes, we can diabetic desserts. We must only pay, as they are to keep our quantities. Bar, not the half of it, get only a piece of this picture! Do you get the idea? In this article for a picture bar, good enough for diabetics is to share with family and friends. These bars are good enough, that there no need for two desserts, a diabetic, and one not. One thing I cannot stress enough is that diabetics self-regulation at the table must exert dessert. We can not simply load on two or three desserts. A dessert, our border is once or twice per day along with some protein!

FIG BARS
Figs nutrition pack a powerful punch. They have more potassium, fiber, and calcium than other fruits, and they contain antioxidants.

1/2 Cup dried figs
6 Tablespoons hot water
1 Tablespoon SPLENDA granulated
1/3 Cup all-purpose flour
1/3 Cup whole wheat flour
1/2 Cup Quick Oats
3 / 4 TEASPOON baking soda
1 / 4 TEASPOON salt
2 El canola oil
3 TABLESPOONS low-fat milk
1 Oz cream cheese
1/3 Cup 'Fake' * powdered sugar
1 / 2 Tsp vanilla

Oven to 400 degrees.

Lightly spray cookie sheet with nonstick cooking spray; override.

In the food processor or blender, combine the figs, water, and SPLENDA. Process blend, finely; hacked to the figs override.

Combine flour, baking powder, salt, in a medium-sized bowl oats. Add the canola oil and just enough milk, 1 tablespoon at a time, the mix form a sphere.

On a lightly floured surface, roll the dough into a rectangle about 9 x 12 inches. Place the dough on the prepared cookie sheet. Fig. mixture in a longitudinal stripes of 2 1 / 2-inch wide in the middle of the dough. Make cuts alost filling for every half inch on two long side. Fold the Strip over the filling, overlap and intersect in the middle.

Bake at 400 degrees for 15-18 minutes until lightly browned.

Make icing on the cake of the cream cheese, powdered sugar and vanilla in a small bowl, by combining Mix well. Drizzle over the cooled braid. Cut network into 12 equal pieces.

Can your own powdered sugar by 3/4 cup SPLENDA granulated and 2 tablespoons mix cornstarch in a blender or food processor until it is the consistency of the icing sugar. Store in an airtight container. Use icing sugar just like you.

Enjoy!

Why Diabetics Gain More From Exercise Compared To Other People

What's true pertaining to the benefits of exercise for most people is also true for diabetics, and more. Diabetics get all the benefits, plus added benefits as well that only they can enjoy. Combined with a good diet and medicine, exercise helps diabetics manage their condition, helps in reducing weight, and is handy in controlling their blood glucose levels. When we exercise, our body uses up energy faster than normal (up to 20 times faster). Since the body's primary source of energy is glucose, exercising is one of the better ways to lower glucose levels. Because we use up more energy during exercise, glucose levels in the blood decreases. Below is a list of the many ways exercise can help diabetics:

1. Exercise has been proven to help the body in its usage of insulin. Insulin helps in the absorption and storage of glucose from the blood vessels to the tissues. Regular exercise helps the body use insulin more effectively, thereby helping regulate the level of glucose in the blood.

2. Excess body fat is burned when we exercise regularly, thus exercise helps in reducing weight and also in maintaining weight at it's optimum level. More, the body's insulin sensitivity is improved as a direct result of the decrease in body fat.

3. It improves muscle strength. Diabetics often feel weak due to high or low glucose levels in the blood. Exercise helps by improving muscles, making them stronger, reducing the periods of weakness.

4. It helps in increasing bone density and strength making bones stronger and harder.

5. Exercise lowers blood pressure and also helps in protecting against heart and blood vessel related diseases by lowering bad cholesterol and promoting the increase of good cholesterol in the body. This is specially helpful for people with diabetes as they are more prone to diseases caused by bad cholesterol.

6. It improves our body's blood circulation thus lowering the risks of heart attacks and strokes. Diabetics will greatly appreciate this as they are prone to heart attacks as well.

7. By exercising regularly, the energy level of our body increases. This will, in turn, increase work capacity and overall productivity.

8. Exercise has also been proven to reduce stress. Stress is one of the many causes of blood sugar level's dips or rises in a diabetic. Reducing stress therefore means glucose levels are easier to maintain and control.

However, there are certain situations wherein intense exercise increases blood glucose levels. This is possible when our body mistakes intensive exercise as a form of stress, thus it responds by raising glucose levels in the blood. In such cases as this, it is more advisable to do some moderate exercises first all the while constantly monitoring your glucose levels. Also, it has been shown that for some diabetics, blood sugar levels go much lower than the preferred levels. It is best therefore to ask your doctor before deciding on what level of exercise is suited for you.

Yes, Diabetics Can Enjoy Cake, Too, With These Tasty Recipes

Being a diabetic doesn't mean we don't still have a "sweet tooth" now and then! For me, one of the hardest things about eating for my diabetic body, is knowing I can't skip meals and eat sweets. But, thankfully, I have come up with some tasty cake recipes with which to indulge my "sweet tooth." Although we have to be careful with cakes, we can still enjoy them. But remember, one of the most important things for diabetics is to eat everything in moderation. Do not bake one of these cakes, sit down and eat half of it. Eat no more than a piece a day. If you are not sharing your cake with others, freeze at least half of it for later! The White Party Cake is good enough to serve to the whole crowd and that will eliminate having a lot of leftover cake! The Apple-Walnut Cake has natural sugar from the apples but has the walnuts to counteract that sugar and is still a good cake for diabetics.

WHITE PARTY CAKE
3 cups cake flour
3 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
3/4 cup shortening
1 1/2 cup Splenda granulated
3 tbsp water
1/2 cup skim milk
1/2 cup warm water
2 tsp vanilla extract
6 egg whites, stiffly beaten

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Grease and flour three 9-inch round cake pans; set aside.

Sift the flour, baking powder, and salt into a bowl; set aside.

Cream the shortening, Splenda and 3 tablespoons of water together in a large mixer bowl until fluffy.

In a measuring cup, combine the skim milk, warm water, and vanilla extract. Alternately add the flour mixture and the milk mixture to the creamed mixture, beating well after each addition. Fold the cake batter into the stiffly beaten egg whites. Divide the batter evenly between the 3 prepared baking pans.

Bake at 350 degrees for 25 to 30 minutes or until a wooden toothpick inserted in the centers comes out clean. Allow to cool slightly in the pans. Remove from pans and cool completely on wire racks.

Frost with a can of Sugar-Free white or chocolate frosting.

APPLE-WALNUT CAKE
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 cup whole-wheat flour
2 tsp baking powder
1 1/2 tsp apple pie spice
3/4 tsp salt
2 1/2 cups chopped Granny Smith apples
3 tbsp packed Splenda Brown Sugar Blend
3/4 cup Splenda Granulated
4 1/2 tbsp butter, melted
3/4 cup fat-free milk
3 large eggs
1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 cup chopped walnuts

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Spray a 9-inch square baking pan with nonstick cooking spray; set aside.

In a small bowl combine the flours, baking powder, apple pie spice, and salt; set aside.

Place the apples in the prepared baking pan. In a medium bowl beat the Splenda Brown sugar blend, Splenda granulated, and butter in a medium bowl with a wire whisk until well blended. Whisk in the milk, eggs, and vanilla extract. Stir in the flour mixture until smooth. Pour the batter over the apples. Sprinkle walnuts over the batter.

Bake at 350 degrees for 45 to 55 minutes or until a knife inserted in the center comes out clean and the apples are tender. Cool in pan for 10 minutes before cutting to serve. Serve while warm and should there be any leftovers, refrigerate them.

Why Vegetables Are Essential in a Diabetic's Diet

Eating vegetables is healthy. Vegetables are rich sources of several nutrients that are essential to our bodies' health and overall well-being. For diabetics, vegetables are extra special. Not only are they rich sources of vitamins, minerals, and fiber, they also contain only a small amount of carbohydrates.

Less carbohydrates are good for diabetics because carbohydrates are converted into sugar during digestion. The more carbohydrates you eat, the more sugar your body produces. Diabetics should watch their sugar level. Too much sugar in the blood and a person with diabetes will be at risk. By substituting carbohydrate-rich foods with vegetables in their meal, diabetics can have a healthier meal and will take in less sugar too. They should make sure though that they are not losing a good source of another nutrient by substituting often. It's best that diabetics maintain a well-balanced diet to keep sugar levels normal and still have enough source for other nutrients that the body needs.

Expert nutritionists insist that vegetables are best when eaten fresh and raw, if possible. Vegetables can also be lightly steamed, roasted, or even grilled, though. Diabetics should avoid canned vegetables with lots of sodium and vegetables cooked with too much oil, butter, cheese, or sauces with lots of sodium. If you can't get them fresh, frozen vegetables are good alternatives. They can be slightly steamed before eating.

Vegetables are also rich in fibers. Fibers help in slowing the process of turning carbohydrates to sugar, a quality that can help prevent the sudden rise of sugar levels in the body. They are also more filling because the fibers they contain are sometimes only partially soluble, thus they retain their volume even when inside the stomach. This helps prevent overeating which can lead to obesity, another serious condition that a diabetic must certainly avoid. By staying intact inside the body, fibers from vegetables also help in bowel movement and are proven to prevent constipation.

Diabetics must be vigilant in preventing their bodies' sugar level rising over the acceptable levels. Vegetables can help them in this area in several ways. As an added benefit, vegetables are naturally rich in much-needed vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients, and they contain little carbohydrates which means less sugar in the blood. Vegetables should be a regular part of a diabetic's meal. In fact, most cookbooks that are written specifically for diabetics focus on vegetables, as well as on fruits.

Diabetics Do Have Choices - Puff Pastry Chicken Pot Pie or Peanut Pork Chops

Being diagnosed as diabetic does not have to be the end of a varied menu. You are not limited to a minimum number of dishes and can continue to enjoy yummy meals. This article contains a variety of recipes to choose from. If you enjoy poultry and 'comfort' food, the recipe for Puff Pastry Chicken Pot Pie is perfect for you. If your taste goes more to pork, you will enjoy the Peanut Pork Chops. The good thing about each of these recipes is that they are just as good for the non-diabetics and they are for diabetics.

PUFF PASTRY CHICKEN POT PIE
2 tbsp butter
1 small onion, minced
1 pkg (8-oz) fresh sliced mushroom
1/2 tsp salt
1 pkg (10-oz) frozen mixed vegetables, thawed and drained
3 cups chopped or shredded rotisserie chicken
1 can reduced-sodium cream of chicken soup
2/3 cup low-fat milk
1 tbsp lemon juice
1 sheet frozen puff pastry, thawed

Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onion to the butter and cook, stirring occasionally, a few minutes until tender. Add the mushrooms and salt to the onions. Cook until the liquid evaporates and mushrooms are lightly browned. Add the vegetables, chicken, soup, milk, and lemon juice; stir to blend well.

Pour the mixture into a 10-inch deep dish pie plate that has been lightly sprayed with nonstick cooking spray. Place the sheet of puff pastry and trim off excess pastry. Bake at 375 degrees for 30 to 35 minutes or until the filling is bubbly and the crust is browned.

Yield: 6 servings

Note: The puff pastry makes this pot pie much better for a diabetic than a regular flour crust. The chicken and mushrooms give this dish a good amount of protein versus carbs.

PEANUT PORK CHOPS
1 cup herbed croutons
1/2 cup finely chopped peanuts
2 tbsp instant minced onion
2 tbsp snipped parsley
1 tsp crushed red chili pepper
1/3 cup butter, melted
1 tbsp water
3/4 tsp salt
8 loin pork chops, 1 1/4-inch thick cut with pockets
1 tsp salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
1 jar (10-oz) sugar-free apple jelly
2 tbsp lemon juice

In a medium bowl mix the croutons, peanuts, onion, parsley, and chili pepper. Stir together the melted butter, water, and 3/4 teaspoon salt; pour over the crouton mixture and toss to moist all.

Trim any excess fat from the pork chops; season with the 1 teaspoon salt, and the pepper. Stuff the pork chop pockets with the crouton mixture. Close the openings with skewers.

Heat the apple jelly and lemon juice just to boiling, stirring constantly.

Place the pork chops on grill 4-inches from heat on outdoor grill). Cook 1 hour or until done, turning every 15 minutes and basting with the jelly-lemon mixture during the last half of the grilling time.