Type 2 Diabetes - Stress Increases Blood Sugar Levels!

Stress will increase your blood sugar levels. There are many types of stress, and with the exception of maybe long-term emotional stress, they will all increase blood sugar. This also occurs in non-diabetics.

Stress has an incredibly negative impact on the body. It puts an unnecessary strain on the body - most notably your organs. In essence, stress can kill you, as seen in the high rate of heart attacks and stoke. But stress affects diabetics even more.

Stress also includes physical stress such as:

infections,trauma,surgery, or evenintense heat or cold

In all these situations, insulin resistance increases and in non-diabetic people increases slightly.

How is that possible? Because stress causes blood sugar levels to increase. The proof of this is seen anytime you are in a dangerous or stressful situation. Your body responds by giving you a boost of energy to get you through the dilemma. Where does that boost come from? Cortisol and epinephrine kick in to elevate sugar levels in assisting with the crisis.

Intense emotional stress that triggers the release of adrenaline, the fight-or-flight response, increase blood sugar levels slightly in non-diabetics and can make a diabetic person's blood sugar levels soar.

These fluctuations wouldn't be considered so vast in range for a non-diabetic, but for a diabetic they can be detrimental. That's because a non-diabetic has the ability to easily recover from these spikes, while a diabetic doesn't.

A common association with stress is emotional eating. This type of eating has nothing to do with hunger, but rather an episode or a situation that has occurred in the diabetic's life. Just like with sadness or sometimes even with fear, the individual medicates with food since it is non-judgmental and provides a sense of relief, albeit temporary in nature.

While this affects a non-diabetic's weight, it does more than this with a diabetic. It brings on wild spikes and dips in blood sugar levels. It also implements a wide array of medical conditions, some of which can be quite dangerous.

Plus, when a person with Type 2 diabetes is anxious and soothes themselves with food they are almost assuredly not exercising. This brings on a whole new realm of health concerns. Separately, the sedentary lifestyle or the massive intakes of food are bad for an individual. When placed together, they can jeopardize a diabetic's health very quickly.

The right thing to do is to find other ways to deal with stress. Having healthy snacks on hand is one surefire way. That way, if you get the urge to put something in your mouth, at least it will be a healthy choice.

The other positive way to deal with emotions is to exercise. Nothing burns off stress faster than getting up and moving. Even something as simple as walking can do wonders for lowering your stress levels. At the same time, you are benefiting your heart, your blood sugar levels, trimming your body down to a more healthy weight, and helping your entire body.

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

How to Naturally Lower Blood Sugar Levels?

About Diabetes

There are currently some 25.8 million people suffering diabetes in the US (8.3% percent of the population), according to figures from the National Diabetes Information Clearing House. Of these, 18.8 million have been diagnosed with the illness, while a further 7 million are unaware that they have the problem.

Glucose is an essential source of energy for the brain and for the body. Glucose comes from carbohydrate foods, which are changed into glucose after we have eaten them.

The Insulin that the body produce transport glucose from the blood supply into fat and muscle cells, where it can be used for energy and switch off the liver once the level of glucose in the blood is high enough.

There are two main types of diabetes:

Type 1
People who do not make any insulin have Type 1 diabetes. They tend to lose weight very quickly because their body is actually being starved. They therefore require insulin by injection plus healthy eating to stay alive and maintain good health.

Type 2
People with Type 2 diabetes are still making insulin but the production is weak or their body is resistant to insulin. Type 2 diabetes can be treated with weight loss and regular physical activity. Medication in the form of tablets is often required to reduce the resistance to insulin or to stimulate the pancreas to make more insulin. Type 2 diabetes is a progressive condition in that the pancreas continues to get more sluggish over time.

Natural herbal tea remedies and lowering blood sugar levels

Drinking certain herbal tea remedues decreases the body's resistance to insulin, the cells get re-influenced by the insulin, absorb the sugar, disassemble it and as a result stabilize the levels of sugar in the blood.

Glucole herbal tea remedy, which was developed by Galilee Tisanes, is a natural mixture of medicinal herbs for reducing and balancing sugar levels in the blood. The tea reduces sugar and breaks down carbohydrates and fats, which rise to dangerous levels in diabetics after they eat a meal.

The tea, which includes the herbs, Stevia, Gymnema, Sage, Lemon grass, Olive leaves and Lemon verbena, rehabilitates and activates the pancreas, causing it to secrete insulin, a hormone which helps the cells absorb glucose from the bloodstream and use it to produce energy, thereby reducing sugar levels in the blood. In addition the tea helps diabetics absorb the insulin into their bodies.

Glucole tea is free of industrial extracts, preservatives or colorings. It contains Stevia - a plant that is 300 times sweeter than sugar but is not ingested in the body. This makes it naturally sweet and tasty, without the need for any additional sugar or artificial sweeteners.

My Blood Sugar Levels Are Normal - Why Do I Still Feel So Lousy?

I previously wrote about hypoglycemia. Now let's discuss the other extreme- hyperglycemia. And how it can be a challenge to treat.

'But doctor I feel perfectly fine even though you say my sugars are running high. In fact I feel really lousy when they are within normal range. So this must be normal for my body'

I cannot tell you how many times I have heard that statement or a semblance thereof. No doubt one of the things I emphasize to all my patients is the importance of keeping their sugar levels within target range.

According to the American Diabetes Association, the target blood sugar range should be between 70-130 mg/dL for fasting blood glucose (3.9-7.2 mmol/L). And after meals it should be less than 180 mg/dL (10 mmol/L).

Some people with type 2 diabetes begin to act like they have hypoglycemia at the target range. In other words their body tricks them into feeling bad with all the symptoms of hypoglycemia. They eat to counteract the feelings. And their blood sugars rise outside of target range.

Eventually, this leads to poorly controlled diabetes. When the blood sugars remain outside of the target range then this can lead to complications.

So why do some people with diabetes feel 'bad' when their sugars are really within the target blood sugar range?

I like to explain it this way:

Everybody has a set thermostat so to speak. This thermostat is set to a range for each person.

For instance, as you may notice, the normal fasting sugar levels for a non-diabetic is a range 70-99 mg/dL. So as long as the sugar levels are in that range then it is normal.

This set level is called homeostasis. Everyone has a set level that his or her body systems function at.

When type 2 diabetes sets in, one of the first things that happens is that the body attempts to reset the thermostat. So that it can continue to function at a normal level. Instead of functioning with blood sugars between 70-99 mg/dL, the body makes an attempt to function at a higher blood sugar level.

By the time the symptoms of diabetes set in, the blood sugar levels are usually well over 180 mg/dL.

This is why it is important to screen for diabetes early.

So now we have 'a reset thermostat'. Think about it like an air-conditioning system. If the thermostat is set at 73 degrees then the system does not come on until the temperature rises above 73 degrees. And then it cools the room down till it is below 73 degrees and then turns off.

In the case of a diabetic, the 'blood sugar thermostat' has been reset to a higher level. Say over 180 mg/dL.

Now here comes an ambitious healthcare provider. Our goal is to get the blood sugar levels down to the target range. Because from research, we know that when we achieve this goal, the complications of diabetes are reduced.

However, as the blood sugars begin to go down with treatment, the body sends out alarm signals. These alarm signals feel just like hypoglycemia. Hypoglycemia is a very scary feeling for a type 2 diabetic. Once they experience it once, most diabetics will usually do everything they can to avoid experiencing again.

So how can you bring your blood sugars levels down to target range without feeling lousy?

Here are some tips to discuss with your healthcare provider. Remember open communication leads to better results.

If you are experiencing this issue make sure you follow up with your doctor.Discuss about possibly bringing the sugars down slowly. This way their 'thermostat' resets itself slowly without sending out those alarm signals.If you feel that your blood sugars are dropping low, check the levels first before eating. Most times the blood levels are still outside of range.Do not to skip a meal. Try to eat smaller more frequent meals.

Remember that your goal is to maintain your blood sugar levels within the target range. This requires that you are committed to your health. And also that you are willing to ask questions.

Type 2 Diabetes - The Effect Of Low Levels of Vitamin D On Arteries In People With Diabetes

Type 2 diabetics tend to have low levels of vitamin D. According to an article published in the journal Diabetes Research and Clinical Practice, October 2011, that deficiency could have serious consequences for the heart and arteries of people with Type 2 diabetes.

The study, conducted at The Catholic University of Korea in Seoul, included 305 people 30 years of age or older diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes. Almost 86 per cent suffered a vitamin D deficiency. Those with the lowest levels of vitamin D showed stiffness of their arteries. The investigators concluded that a vitamin D deficiency could be involved in the heart and blood vessel disease seen in Type 2 diabetics.

How vitamin D might function in keeping the blood vessels supple remains a question for further research to answer. It is known to help regulate calcium circulating through the blood vessels and in keeping a balance of minerals between the bones and the rest of the body. It is also involved in cell growth, reduces inflammation, plays a role in the interactions of nerves and muscles, and helps the immune system to fight disease.

Diabetics are at high risk for:

coronary artery disease,heart attacks,high blood sugar,stroke, andperipheral artery disease,

all related to unhealthy arteries.

Two thirds of diabetics die from heart disease and stroke. The American Diabetes Association recommends adopting a heart-healthy lifestyle, keeping blood sugar, blood pressure, and cholesterol under control. And don't forget the vitamin D.

The United States Department of Agriculture recommends a dietary allowance of 600 International Units (IU) or 15 micrograms per day of vitamin D for adults. The normal blood level of vitamin D is from 20 to 50 nanograms per milliliter.

Just so you know, some of the symptoms of vitamin D deficiency include:

muscle aches,muscle weakness,fatigue, andbone pain.

In most people, the majority of their vitamin D supply is made when their skin is exposed to sunlight, then stored in fats and released as needed. Sunscreens, although important for preventing skin cancer, can also prevent vitamin D from being made... so 10 to 15 minutes of sun exposure per day without a sunscreen with a SPF rating higher than 8, is a good idea. The vitamin can also be obtained in cereals, soy milk, rice milk, and fruit juices fortified with vitamin D and in supplements.

One cup of fortified soy milk provides 114 IU of vitamin D, and a cup of fortified orange juice provides 142 IU. The best kind of soy milk is the unflavored kind, because it has a lower sugar content. Check the labels on commercial cereals since they vary widely as to how much vitamin D they contain. Avoid those that list refined sugars or fats. Most multivitamin supplements have 400 IU, or two-thirds the recommended daily allowance.

If pouring soy milk over breakfast cereal doesn't sound too interesting, try making smoothies with soy milk for a yummy way of getting some vitamin D. Smoothie.com recommends making a smoothie with plain soy milk, strawberries or raspberries, artificial sweetener, banana, and vanilla or almond extract. Everyday-vegetarian-recipes.com has a recipe for a soymilk blueberry smoothie that also includes soy yogurt, banana, psyllium powder, and a little honey or agave syrup.

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