Carbohydrates are the body’s major source of energy which enables the many body organs to function properly. Carbohydrates taken in by the body is broken down into glucose which provides the much needed energy of the human body. With the glucose that was produced as the human body consumes carbohydrate-rich foods, the pancreas secretes an important hormone called insulin which transfers the glucose from the blood to the different cells of the human body. That in a nutshell explains how important carbohydrates are and why everyone should not totally eliminate the intake of carbohydrates through their diet plans.

To explain why carbohydrates is not the key to weight loss, it is important to know the two different types of carbohydrates contained in the food that people eat. One is the carbohydrates in its simplest raw form of sugars found in fruits and vegetables and the other one is complex carbohydrates which are found in cereals and potatoes. Both of these forms of carbohydrates have good and beneficial effect on the body because they produce energy which is badly needed by the body to function properly. However, not all foods are good supplier of carbohydrates whether simple sugar or complex carbohydrates. Sugar sources of carbohydrates found in fruits and vegetables are good carbohydrates because they these sugars are unrefined and come in their simplest natural form. And aside from this fruits and vegetables also contains phyto-chemicals which make it a good source of nutritional needs. Complex carbohydrates are also good for the body if they are taken in by eating fiber-rich carbohydrate heavy foods such as cereals, whole wheat bread and whole grains. Aside from giving the body good supply of sugar to produce energy, these foods are easily digested and are not stored in the body as fat. The bad carbohydrates rich food that should be avoided are those that come from foods made of refined sugar such as cookies, cakes, carbonated drinks and others because of the high sugar concentration in these foods which are hard to digest and most often than not remain in the body as stored fat.

Going to the question of whether carbohydrates are the key to weight loss, the answer is either a yes or no. Like any other food, anything that is taken in excess of how much the body needs is always a bad thing. The same thing is true for carbohydrates, whether it is simple or complex, good or bad carbohydrates; the important thing to remember is that, both affects weight gain, if not taken moderately. It should always be remembered that any amount of carbohydrates taken in by the body which is not consumed and converted into energy will remain in the body as stored fat, which would contribute to weight gain.

So, is a low-carb high-protein diet the best way to lose weight? The answer is still either yes or no. It would still depend on what type of protein is taken in as part of the diet. Protein like carbohydrates also contributes to weight gain if not taken at the right proportion and not consumed by the body properly. But this is not saying that low-carb high protein diet has no effect on weight loss, actually it has an effect on weight loss. However, Too much of protein and less of energy producing carbohydrates may not be good to one’s over all health. The body needs energy from carbohydrates and the nutrients from protein rich food to build up muscles and for other sustenance.

Carbohydrates intake may lead to weight loss, it is a proven fact. But to say that it is the key to weight loss is not true. Depriving the body of the much needed energy from carbohydrates may lead to weight loss, but the effect on the over all health of the body must also be considered. The best way to achieve weight loss is by attaining weigh loss objective without sacrificing total body health. To do this, the key is still moderation in the intake of the essential nutrients whether they are carbohydrates, protein among other things. And of course, ensure that these nutrients are properly utilized by the body through maintaining a healthy and active lifestyle.



By: Sam Morovy

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Diabetes Risk for Men

Men with diabetes face several health concerns, including increased risk of heart attacks and strokes and impotence (not being able to have or keep an erection).

Above the age of 50, the likelihood of having difficulties with an ******** occurs in approximately 50-60% of men with diabetes. In men over 70, 90% have erectile dysfunction problems (link to diabetes and ED page)

Diagnosed and controlled, diabetes can be successfully managed to minimise its impact on health and well being. You can prevent or delay diabetes complications like damage to eye sight and nerve damage to fingers and toes. However many men do not realise they suffer from the disease. Around one third of the men with diabetes are not aware of their illness.

Diabetes Signs and Symptoms

If you find yourself with any of the following symptoms, it is important you visit your doctor or health practitioner and get tested for diabetes:

• feeling tired

• frequent ********* (especially at night)

• being very thirsty

• weight loss

• blurry eyesight

• recurring skin, gum, or bladder infections

• sores that heal slowly

• dry, itchy skin

• loss of feeling or tingling in your feet

Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes

There are different kinds of diabetes:

• Type 1 diabetes is usually first diagnosed in children, teenagers, or young adults.

• Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes. People can develop it at any age, but it is often diagnosed in later life and is commonly found in men who are over weight and do little exercise.

What is Diabetes?

Most of the food we eat is turned into glucose (sugar) for our bodies to use for energy. The pancreas makes insulin, which helps sugar get into the cells. When you have diabetes, your body either doesn’t make enough insulin or can’t use the insulin it does make. This causes sugar to build up in your blood. Over the years, high blood sugar leads to problems like heart disease, stroke, blindness, kidney disease, nerve problems, gum infections, and amputations.

Diabetes-Related Problems in Men

Men with diabetes suffer more from some diabetes-related health problems than women. The American Diabetes Association reports that:

• In people who develop diabetes before the age of 30, men develop retinopathy (a vision disorder that can lead to blindness) more quickly than women.

• Having the main symptoms of peripheral vascular disease (pain in the thigh, calf, or buttocks during exercise) is linked to a two- to three-fold increased risk of coronary heart disease, stroke, or cardiac failure in men with diabetes.

• Amputation rates from diabetes-related problems are 1.4 to 2.7 times higher in men than women with diabetes.

“Beer Pot” Belly Equals High Diabetes Risk

Overall obesity, measured by high body mass index (BMI) and a “beer pot” belly, measured by a large waist circumference, both accurately predict the risk of type 2 diabetes in men, but abdominal obesity appears to be the better predictor, new research shows.*

Both BMI and waist circumference are useful for assessing health but waist circumference can indicate a strong risk for diabetes whether or not a man is considered overweight or obese according to his BMI, researchers said.

As waist circumference increased, so did the risk of developing diabetes, with the risk in men with the highest waist circumference (up to 158 centimeters) increasing by 12 times.

The study findings also suggest that the currently recommended cutoff for high waist circumference of 102 cm (40 inches) for men may need to be lowered to 95 cm.

Many of the men who developed type 2 diabetes had measurements lower than the cutoff and the risk associated with the waist circumference increased at a much lower level than previously thought.

Sleeping Too Much Or Too Little Increases Diabetes Risk

Men who sleep too much or too little are at an increased risk of developing Type 2 diabetes, according to a study by the New England Research Institutes in collaboration with Yale School of Medicine researchers.

Six to eight hours of sleep was found to be most healthy.

In contrast, men who reported they slept between five and six hours per night were twice as likely to develop diabetes and men who slept more than eight hours per night were three times as likely to develop diabetes. Previous data have shown similar results in women.

The elevated risks remained after adjustment for age, hypertension, smoking status, self-rated health status and education.

Too little sleep appears to produce metabolic disturbances like decreased carbohydrate tolerance, insulin resistance, and lower levels of the hormone leptin leading to obesity. The mechanisms by which long sleep duration increase diabetes risk requires further investigation.

You Can Delay or Prevent Type 2 Diabetes

When you take steps to prevent diabetes, you also lower your risk for heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, blindness, and amputation.

Small changes in your lifestyle can make a difference.

They include:

• Getting 30 minutes of physical activity five days a week and losing 5 to 7 percent of your body weight.

• To help you lose weight, choose low-fat foods and foods high in fiber.

• Cut down on fat and cholesterol by having low-fat dairy products, lean cuts of meat, fish, poultry, fruits, and vegetables.

• Limit foods high in salt and sugar.

Know Your Risks That Can Lead to Type 2 Diabetes

It’s important to find out early if you have type 2 diabetes or if you are at risk of developing it. To find out if you’re at risk, check off each item that applies to you.

• I am overweight or obese. (Obesity is measured with a body mass index (BMI), which shows the relationship of weight to height.)

• I have a parent, brother, or sister with diabetes.

• My family background is African American, American Indian, Asian American, Latino, Maori or Pacific Islander.

• I have high blood pressure.

• My cholesterol is not normal. My HDL or “good” cholesterol is less than 50 or my triglycerides are 250 or higher.

• I am not very active. I exercise less than three times each week.

Talk to your doctor or health care practitioner about the risks that you checked off. If you are age 45 or older, also talk about getting tested for Type 2 diabetes. If your test result is normal, you should then be tested every three years. People younger than age 45 who are overweight or obese and checked off any of the items above should also talk about getting tested for diabetes

* SOURCE: American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, March 2005.

Is there a natural Answer for Diabetes-Related Erectile Dysfunction?

Many researchers and satisfied customers of potent herbal formulations like Herbal Ignite give an enthusiastic yes to this question. Products like Herbal Ignite boost natural testosterone levels without the negative feedback associated with Hormone Replacement Therapy. Herbal Ignite capsules help your body produce more testosterone, instead of adding outside testosterone from an outside source.

Herbal Ignite to enhance virility and reduce male menopause symptoms has been researched and refined by modern science so today’s men can enjoy quality controlled extracts of concentrated active ingredients.

Herbal Ignite’s special formula has helped thousands of men enjoy a better *** life and an improved sense of well being with minimal unwanted side effects

To find out more about Herbal Ignite just Google the term “Herbal Ignite”.



By: Tim Bickerstaff

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Causes of Diabetes

Diabetes mellitus often referred to simply as diabetes , is a syndrome characterized by disordered metabolism and abnormally high blood sugar (hyperglycaemia) resulting from insufficient levels of the hormone insulin

Diabetes is a disease in which the body does not produce or properly use insulin. Insulin is a hormone that is needed to convert sugar, starches and other food into energy needed for daily life. The cause of diabetes continues to be a mystery, although both genetics and environmental factors such as obesity and lack of exercise appear to play rolesIf you’ve been diagnosed with diabetes, you know how overwhelming it can seem. It may feel like your life has been temporarily turned upside down. The Diabetes Toolbox is an article that links all the information you need in one convenient place.

Risk factors of Diabetes

Age. The risk of type 2 diabetes increases as you get older, especially after age 45. Often, that’s because people tend to exercise less, lose muscle mass and gain weight as they age. But type 2 diabetes is increasing dramatically among children, adolescents and younger adults.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) – when a woman’s body produces an excess of testosterone (a male hormone) which causes the ovaries to release eggs (ovulate) less frequently than normal or they don’t release eggs at all. This syndrome usually causes irregular or absent menstrual cycles.

People with type 1 diabetes are more likely to have heart disease, stroke, kidney failure, high blood pressure, blindness, nerve damage and gum disease. These things happen 2 to 4 times more often in people with diabetes than in people without diabetes.

Diabetes resulting in an insulin-dependent state is classified as Type 1 diabetes. While Type 1 diabetes affects only between 5 to10 percent of the diabetic population, its effects on the body can be worse than other forms of diabetes. In the past, Type 1 has been known as juvenile or juvenile-onset diabetes (because it is usually diagnosed in those under thirty), brittle diabetes, unstable diabetes, and ketosis-prone diabetes.

Diabetes Symptoms

Diabetes often goes undiagnosed because many of its symptoms seem so harmless. Recent studies indicate that the early detection of diabetes symptoms and treatment can decrease the chance of developing the complications of diabetes

In type 2 diabetes, symptoms may go unnoticed for years, and only when complications of diabetes – such as foot ulceration or blurred vision occur – is diabetes diagnosed. Remember that all the symptoms may not be present.

Many of the signs of Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes are similar. In both, there is too much glucose in the blood and not enough in the cells of your body. High glucose levels in Type I are due to a lack of insulin because the insulin producing cells have been destroyed.Symptoms of ketoacidosis include nausea and vomiting. Dehydration and often-serious disturbances in blood levels of potassium follow.

Treatment  of Diabetes

If you have diabetes, your doctor may tell you to regularly check your blood sugar levels at home. There are a number of devices available, and they use only a drop of blood. Self-monitoring tells you how well diet, medication, and exercise are working together to control your diabetes and can help your doctor prevent complications.

In the past, the insulin was being derived from animal sources, particularly cows and pigs. Not only was there a problem with enough supply of insulin to meet the demand, but beef and pork insulin also had specific problems. Originating from animals, these types of insulin caused immune reactions in some people.Medication. Any medications you take may affect your blood sugar level, sometimes requiring changes in your diabetes treatment plan.



By: james sameul

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seb t asked:


I try to control my diet and do moderate exercise every alternate days for about 20 minutes. It is difficult to manage my diabetes, friends say having diabetes supplement is another way. Any suggestions.

One of the biggest health threats we are facing as a nation today is Diabetes. Both Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes are on the rise. Type 1 is Juvenile onset Diabetes and Type 2 is what we get as we grow older. Type 2 is the form we see the largest increase of cases. The experts believe it is due to the large problem we are having as a nation with obesity.

Get Free: Diabetes Remedies

Diabetes can not be cured but can be controlled if it is recognized early and the proper medication is prescribed and the patient follows a healthy diet along with exercise. In this article I will familiarize the reader with some of the early warning signs of- Diabetes.

Find: Natural Diabetes Methods

First, a common first sign is frequent *********. The kidneys of diabetics become loaded with glucose and do not work properly. This causes frequent *********.

Second, unquenchable thirst, a person with diabetes that has not been treated tends to feel thirsty all of the time. If you drink a lot of water and can not seem to quench your thirst you should consider having yourself tested for Diabetes.

Three, if you are losing weight and are not trying. If you have not changed your diet or increased your exercise level and are dropping pounds you may want to get yourself tested.

Four, if you ate tired all of the time and feel very fatigued for no special reason and may have one of the other symptoms you may consider having yourself tested.

Fifth, if you have some numbness or tinkling in your extremities this to can be a sign of Diabetes. Untreated Diabetes can cause some nerve damage that will cause these symptoms.

Lastly, if you notice you may have some wounds that are healing more slowly than normal, this can be a sign of Diabetes. You may to check your feet extra carefully. Many times people with Diabetes get sores on their feet and don’t even feel them due to numbness.



By: Bryan Burbank

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The three type Diabetes:

1. Type 1 Diabetes. 2. Type 2 Diabetes. 3. Gestational Diabetes. The three-type-diabetes, cause blood sugar levels to turn into higher than normal. Nevertheless, they cause it in different ways. Type 1 is rare than the second type. Most of diabetics nationwide suffer from type 2, which happens at the time that the body becomes incapable to process insulin properly. Over 95% of diabetics are type 2, which is insulin-resistant.

Type 1 – Juvenile Type Diabetes

In view of the fact that, Type 1 diabetes most often occurs in kids and young adults it is called also juvenile diabetes. This type diabetes has an effect on 5% of all diabetics. This type diabetes happens at the time that the body’s immune system attacks the insulin-producing cells of the pancreas. As the body cannot turn blood sugar, or glucose, into energy – either since it does not produce a sufficient amount insulin or does not use it suitably – diabetes will outcome. In the past, it was common that Type 1, the Juvenile Type Diabetes, only happens in children but recent research shows that it also can develop in adults. This type-diabetes is treatable. Medicine, work out and severe diabetes diet will be needed to maintain health.

Adult-Type Diabetes – Diabetes Type 2

Some people develop a Diabetes Type – called secondary diabetes, Diabetes Type 2 This type diabetes is similar to type 1 diabetes, though adult-type diabetes – Diabetes Type 2 happens, as the body is unable to act in response to insulin ordinarily . The beta cells are not destroyed by the immune system however by several other factors, such as cystic fibrosis or pancreatic surgery. Constructing people with type 1 diabetes, nearly everyone people with type 2 diabetes can produce insulin, but not enough to meet the body’s needs.

Type Diabetes: Diabetes Gestational

Higher maternal women ages are to be expected to have the type diabetes-Diabetes Gestational. Other imperative issues that cause diabetes: fatness and family history of Type 2 Diabetes. A national research reveals that at the childbirth, approximately 4% of all pregnancies are more often than not complicated due to diabetes. Mothers diagnosed with diabetes for a long time, have fewer odds of transferring diabetes onto born babies. Research found that the baby might develop diabetes after birth at anytime later in life. In addition, having diabetes increases a mother’s risks of the following: 1. Preeclampsia, high blood pressure that occurs while pregnancy. 2. Low glucose episodes, which can sometimes be deadly if not managed appropriately. Luckily, these risks can be reduced by fine preparation and diabetes diet before conception, in addition to early prenatal care, exercise and punctual care at the time of delivery.

During my pregnancy, I came to know that I had diabetes gestational. However, there are few subtle symptoms, which I did not particularly notice that help to diagnose diabetes gestational in its early stage.

On our site you’ll get clear easy to read information about the causes and risks of Diabetes Gestational. You’ll acquire knowledge, note the symptoms and know which questions to ask your physician.

At  Gestational Diabetes Info center you will get helpful information about causes and risks of Gestational Diabetes. You’ll acquire knowledge of prevention, note the symptoms and know which questions to ask your physician.



By: Jane Reynolds

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For people diagnosed with diabetes, this is an indication that your body is unable to make or process insulin, leading to high sugar levels in your body. Hence, a great amount of attention should be paid to your diet to ensure that you control the amount of sugar in your blood levels, keeping it low and stable whilst getting the required carbohydrates intake. There is no one diet for people with diabetes, but diabetic diets will ensure that you take your lifestyle and health needs into consideration and help to forestall any further complications.

A general and quick guide for diabetic diets should include a limit on sugar and carbohydrate consumption, eating regular meals with emphasis on fruits and vegetables, and consuming less fat and alcohol. Diabetic diets should include more starches such as bread or cereals, and fruits and vegetables are strongly recommended as they reduce the absorption of glucose in your body as they contain soluble fibers. You should pay a visit to a dietitian to develop a meal plan that is suitable to your body’s needs and caters to your personal taste.

Weight control is important for people with diabetes as a healthy weight indicates an improvement in control of your blood sugar levels. Whilst maintaining a healthy weight is important for everyone, a diabetic diet is not a diet plan for losing weight, but one that focuses on a healthy lifestyle. If you suffer from diabetes, smoking and alcohol consumption should be halted as it causes complications to your condition. These include blood flow problems, increased cholesterol levels, heart attack risks and low blood sugar levels.

A diabetic diet that works for you should not mean complete abstinence from sugar, carbohydrates and fat. Amazing diabetic diets are those that allow moderate consumption of carbohydrates once or twice a week. This allows you to indulge in your favourite ice cream or chips, by employing carbohydrate counting. This will help you to maintain your carbohydrate levels by planning your meals and snacks so that you do not exceed your limit. Keep track of your carbohydrate consumption every day by writing down the number of grams of carbohydrates consumed.

Low carbohydrate diets are popular diabetic diets, as they advocate a low carbohydrate consumption, limit sugar levels and processed foods. It is important for people on a diabetic diet to look out for foods that contain hidden sugar in the forms of preservatives or sauces, as they can lead to overly high blood sugar levels without your conscious knowledge. Proteins are also essential to a diabetic diet, and are available through consumption of meat, eggs and oilseeds which have high protein content.

Diets such as the Atkins Diet which are high in fat are a strict no for people with diabetes. Instead, focus on a diabetic diet which is suitable for you. Whilst it can be difficult to make the transition into a strict diet, it is possible to maintain your health and blood sugar levels without compromising too much on the foods that you enjoy.



By: Brian Bandler

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