Posts Tagged ‘High Cholesterol’

Studies on Diabetes Supplements in Management of Diabetes

Sunday, May 9th, 2010

Diabetes:

Diabetes is a chronic disease because of less insulin in body compared to healthy individual or resistance to insulin.

Carbohydrate, fat and protein are the major nutrients in our diet. Body cells utilize carbohydrate and fat for energy production and proteins or growth and development. After absorption from foods, these nutrients first enter into blood and then into cells. Insulin is required for entry of blood sugar into cells. Because of less insulin or resistance to insulin in diabetes, blood sugar cannot enter into cells and remain in blood.

Studies have shown that diabetes supplements like chromium, alpha lipoic acid and vanadium are useful in the management of diabetes.

Chromium supplements in diabetes:

Diabetes is associated with low concentrations of chromium in blood, so, an early, long-term addition of chromium as diabetes nutritional supplement to the standard therapy has been recommended in several studies. Some latest clinical reports also support the safety and therapeutic value of chromium supplementation for the management of high cholesterol and sugar in subjects with diabetes.

Chromium increases insulin receptor numbers and insulin binding to cells. Since chromium acts by increasing insulin efficiency, so lower amount of insulin is required in presence of chromium.

A clinical study published in ‘Diabetes Care. (2006, August)’ has shown that chromium supplementation in subjects with type 2 diabetes significantly improves insulin sensitivity and glucose control. Chromium supplementation also reduced body weight gain and fat accumulation .

A review article published in Diabetes Technol Ther. 2006 December has mentioned that 13 of 15 clinical studies involving a total of 1,690 subjects reported significant improvement in at least one outcome of glycemic control. (Glycemic control is a medical term used for blood sugar levels in a person with diabetes). Chromium supplementation reduced blood sugar, cholesterol, and triglyceride levels and also reduced the requirements for drugs in diabetes.

Reduction in blood sugar and improvement in insulin sensitivity with chromium as diabetes supplement decreases the risk of long-term diabetes complications.

Alpha lipoic acid as diabetes supplement:

Alpha lipoic acid is a powerful antioxidant. Antioxidant is a substance, which can neutralize the free radicals. Free radical can cause damage to major organs like blood vessels, heart, brain etc.

High blood sugar in diabetes increases free radical formation in body, which leads to complications of diabetes like atherosclerosis, heart problems, nerve damage and cataract. Antioxidant decreases free radicals in body and decreases risk of complications.

Numerous publications have confirmed the beneficial effects of lipoic acid in therapy of many diseases like diabetes, atherosclerosis, degenerative processes in neurons, diseases of joints,

A clinical study on diabetic patients treated with alpha lipoic acid was published in ‘hormones (Athens). 2006 Oct-Dec 5(4)’. The result of the study has proved that short-term oral alpha-lipoic acid treatment as diabetes nutritional supplement increases peripheral insulin sensitivity.

Improvement in insulin sensitivity can improve both blood sugar control and cardiovascular risk factors in diabetes.

In diabetes, blood sugar cannot enter into cells because of decrease response to insulin by body cells. Alpha lipoic acid improves the insulin response and enhances glucose uptake by cells, thereby improve the blood sugar levels.

Diabetic neuropathy or nerve damage is a complication of diabetes. It is a progressive disease, which can cause pain, loss of sensation and weakness, in the feet and sometimes in the hands. Studies have shown that alpha lipoic acid is effective in management of diabetic nerve damage and reduces pain associated with neuropathy.

Vanadium supplement for diabetes:

Vanadium is a trace mineral required by the body in small quantities. Numerous studies have shown that vanadium has insulin-like effects in liver, skeletal muscle, and adipose tissue. It may improve glucose control in people with diabetes.

Along with chromium and alpha lipoic acid, some other diabetes supplements like evening primrose oil, fenugreek and some herbs also help in the management of diabetes.

For detail information on role of other nutritional supplements in diabetes and for scientifically formulated diabetes supplement, please visit
www.dietfordisease.com/diabetes-supplement.html

Top 5 Benefits of Aerobic Exercise

Tuesday, March 16th, 2010

Aerobic exercise (also known as aerobics, cardiovascular exercise, or cardio) is any sustained, rythmic activity that primarily uses your larger muscles, such as your quadriceps and hamstrings, and challenges your heart and lungs.

Aerobic means “with oxygen,” so when you exercise aerobically your body needs an extra supply of oxygen, which your lungs extract from the air. Your body uses the oxygen to produce energy during the exercise. Your heart has to work harder to continuously deliver the oxygen to your body, and this makes your heart stronger.

Here are the top 5 benefits of aerobic exercise:

1. Reduces health risks. Aerobic exercise helps prevent cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, obesity, high cholesterol, type 2 diabetes, arthritis, stroke, and certain types of cancer. Weight bearing exercises, such as walking and running, help prevent osteoporosis. Even if you already suffer from one of these ailments, aerobic exercise can help alleviate the ailment. Aerobic exercise also strengthens the immune system, making you less susceptible to colds and flus.

2. Strengthens the heart. Aerobic exercise strengthens the hardest working muscle in your body – your heart. A stronger heart pumps blood more efficiently, which improves blood flow to all parts of the body. Improved blood flow results in more oxygen and essential nutrients being delivered to the cells in the body. It also results in more effective removal of toxins and other waste materials from the body.

3. Strengthens the respiratory system. Aerobic exercise improves the efficiency with which the respiratory system can supply oxygen to the body. The cells in the body need a constant and generous amount of oxygen to carry out their vital functions.

4. Decreases body fat. Exercising aerobically is a very effective way to lose body fat. And when combined with strength training and healthy eating, there’s no better way to lose body fat.

5. Helps you stay active and independent as you age. Aerobic exercise keeps your muscles strong and efficient, which helps you maintain mobility as you get older. It also keeps your mind sharp. Research has shown that exercising aerobically three days a week for at least 30 minutes can reduce cognitive decline in older adults.

Best Anti Aging Remedies

Thursday, January 7th, 2010

Where as topical anti aging treatments may only show small improvements, people must realize today that it is actually our insides that we need to look after and cherish as much as the outside of our bodies.

Most of us would far prefer to find a natural anti aging remedy rather that to submit to the knife and many other risky procedures in our quest for looking young

As we grow older doctors often recommend the taking of vitamin supplements to replace some of the elements we lose and to relieve some of the symptoms of age decay such as high cholesterol, osteoporosis, hypertension, memory loss, cardiac and circulatory diseases. There are also additional common anti aging remedies within our reach to attack the aging process from the inside that we may also like to consider:

- One of the most obvious…drink lots of water…at least six glasses a day.

- Keep out of the sun and apply strong sunscreen if you can’t avoid it.

- Take up an excercise class.

- Cut down on alcohol intake and if you smoke…GIVE UP!

- Get at least eight hours of sleep a night.

- Flavonoids…a close ally of green tea. Flavonoids are a class of phytonutrients, also with great anti oxidant properties. Anti aging best known treatments include flavonoids as an essential ingredient of the fight against detrimental age aspects

- Replace coffee with green tea. Green tea known to be high in antioxidants and is said to contain some of the best anti aging substances we can find today. The popularity of green tea is on the increase and along with the high levels of polyphenols (antioxidants), green tea is said to help towards preventing breast and liver cancer, heart disease and help towards weight loss. For those who don?t like the acquired taste of green tea there are many supplements on the market today and many large pharmaceutical companies are including green tea in their dietary supplements. Green tea extract is also added to topical treatments for anti aging and wrinkle treatment.

- Ellagic acid found in raspberries, strawberries, cranberries, blackberries, and blueberries. Ellagic acid helps the body to eliminate toxins and many of the chemicals that have potential carcinogenic effects on the body. However mention should be made that some of these berries, for instance blueberries, may cause constipation.

- Try and include plenty of fresh food and vegetables, including berries, green leafy vegetables, garlic, onions and leaks, barley, buckwheat, chilli peppers, beans and lentils, nuts and seeds, yoghurt and wheat and barley grasses and of course green tea. These foods are rich in anti oxidants which help to protect the skins elastic tissue from damage by oxidants or free radicals. Give up processed carbohydrate laden foods.

- Oils. Essential oils for example fish oils, flax seed or primrose oil should be included as a regular supplement to our diets. These oils help towards preventing many diseases associated with old age such as loss of memory, heart disease and a deficient immune system. The presence of these best anti aging oils increase your metabolism without adding to free radicals helping to also lower your cholesterol, lower blood pressure and add to your energy levels.

Weight Loss Medication for Obesity Treatment

Friday, April 10th, 2009

Weight loss medication

If you want to know about Xenical weight loss medication, read through the following page. This page answers most of the basic queries related to this weight loss drug. However, this is not an all-inclusive information page and you must consult a doctor to know everything about this weight loss medication. This page aims to give you a basic guide of uses and side effects of Xenical weight loss medication and is not a comprehensive list of information, so always consult a doctor.

About weight loss

Weight loss may look like an easy task to some but for obese and overweight patients this is one of the most difficult tasks ever. Weight loss methods such as exercising and dieting help but after some point of time, our body develops a resistance to these conventional methods. Therefore, most people need some aid or weight loss medications to lose weight. Read on to know more about weight loss medications and treatments.

Availability of treatments for weight loss

There are many weight loss medications, both prescription and otherwise, that help in weight loss. Xenical is a prescription weight loss medication. It is available online and in brick and mortar pharmacies in most countries of the world.

Weight loss medication Xenical

Xenical is one of the prescription weight loss drugs. It is meant for obese and overweight patients with weight related risk factors such as diabetes and high cholesterol. You can find out your BMI with the help of a very simple calculation. Your BMI is the division of your weight in kilograms with the square of your height in meters. If your BMI is between 27 and 30, your doctor may prescribe Xenical weight loss medication to you. Remember, Xenical is a prescription drug and should not be used for cosmetic purposes. Xenical also helps stop the absorption of fat and controls fat intake.

Some of the other benefits of Xenical weight loss medication are:



Reduces cholesterol (improves the LDL/HDL ratio)
Reduces high blood pressure
Reduces the amount of anti-diabetic medication required
Reduces body fat

General information about Xenical weight loss medication



Dosage

One Xenical capsule (120mg) is to be conveniently taken with each main meal three times a day. Do not increase the dosage thinking it will yield fast results. Increasing the dosage has no benefits and in fact, it may lead to side effects. Always take the dosage of Xenical weight loss medication on time. The convenience of taking this weight loss medication with each main meal is to enable you to remember to take the correct dosage. Should your meal contain less fat, then Xenical will be of little benefit, but not harmful. If however, your meal contains no fat, do not take this weight loss medication. Under no circumstances take more than three Xenical capsules per day. If you forget to take a dose, simply continue as usual and take Xenical capsule with your next main meal.



Xenical treatment

Xenical treatment lasts for a year or more depending on your doctor’s advice. Xenical is a non-addictive weight loss medication and after just three days of stopping the treatment, all the traces of Xenical disappear. To maintain the weight lost with Xenical, continue with a sensible eating plan and exercise regularly. Unlike other weight loss medications, Xenical has safety record of two years and can be taken for this period continuously.

If you seriously want to shed those excess pounds and are tired of your ever-bulging waist line, Xenical can prove to be a good weight loss medication. Xenical can help you lose weight significantly and it has proven its safety and efficacy in clinical trials.