Type 2 Diabetes - Physical Activity in Obese Elderly Women

It is so often found people past a certain age are not in good physical shape. Every one's physical prowess declines with age. Research actually indicates between the ages of thirty and seventy, flexibility typically declines by 20 to 30 percent, that muscle mass and work capacity decline by 25 to 30 percent, and bone mass also declines by 25 to 30 percent in women, and 15 to 20 percent in men.

But it's not too late to improve your physical condition even if you think it is. If you are able to move at all, it's not too late. According to a report published in the Indian Journal of Endocrinology and Metabolism, even a small amount of physical activity in elderly obese individuals can make measurable health improvements.

In December 2012 investigators at Sri Ramachandra University in India reported the results of a study of 18 elderly obese women diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes.

• 9 participants walked 5 minutes per hour for most of their waking hours for 24 weeks.
• the other 9 followed standard protocols for diet and exercise.

At the end of the study the walking group improved its average HbA1c of 8.76 percent to 7.43 percent and also lost weight. The control group's HbA1c showed a rise from 8.34 percent to 9.34 percent.

From these results, it was concluded repetitive low intensity activity is effective in improving blood sugar and weight control.

Walking under 2.0 miles per hour burns about 140 calories for an individual weighing 155 pounds. Assuming the women walked 5 minutes every hour 18 hours a day, they walked for 1.5 hours each day. Walking slowly for 1.5 hours would have burned about 210 calories per day, or 1470 calories per week which would add up to 35,280 calories in 24 weeks. That's about 10 pounds of fat.

The improved blood sugar control shows that insulin sensitivity also improved. Since insulin resistance is the hallmark of Type 2 diabetes, a simple short walk taken in increments of only 5 minutes every waking hour can add up to clear improvements in the condition.

Feeling too old to begin training for marathons, or too obese to get into your old swimsuit? You can still do yourself some good with a little walking. Next time you are reading, knitting, or watching television, make it a point to get up and stretch your legs for 5 minutes every hour. What have you got to lose? Only some fat and insulin resistance!

No matter what your age, Type 2 diabetes is not a condition you must just live with. It need not slowly and inevitably get worse. You can take control and improve your health and quality of life.

For nearly 25 years Beverleigh Piepers has searched for and found a number of secrets to help you build a healthy body.

The answer isn't in the endless volumes of available information but in yourself.

Type 2 Diabetes - Jambolan Fruit And It's Effect on Blood Sugar

For those Type 2 diabetics who are seeking help in managing their condition and are not comfortable with taking prescription drugs due to the many side effects they often create, there are natural alternatives. The market is saturated with natural supplements which have been proven to help with Type 2 diabetes management. One of the lesser-known of these supplements is one called jambolan.

Jambolan is a tree which is indigenous to Australia and parts of Asia. For centuries, many parts of the tree, from the bark to the leaves, seeds and fruit, have been widely used in Ayurvedic medicine to treat a multitude of medical conditions. These include serious conditions such as:

• dysentery or severe diarrhea,
• stomach and digestive issues, and
• many types of lung problems including asthma, and bronchitis.

But one of the most commonly treated ailments is Type 2 diabetes.

Jambolan, or Syzgium Cuminni, is known by many names. Some of the more common ones include:

• Jaman,
• Jambul,
• Jambu,
• Jaman,
• Java Plum,
• Indian Blackberry, and
• Black Plum

just to name a few.

Although the jambolan grows in trees it is actually a species of clove. Even though the fruit pulp has been used for lowering blood sugar levels for hundreds of years, the fruit has only recently begun to gain new exposure as a possible natural treatment for diabetes.

Just how effective is it? In recent studies, the fruit pulp has been shown to lower blood sugar levels in approximately 30 minutes. The seeds can also be used for lowering blood sugar, but require substantially longer (approximately 24 hours) to achieve the same results. Regardless of the form that is used, it takes about ten days for the full effects to be seen.

Some experts tout the ability of jambolan to actually postpone and, in some cases, even prevent the onset of Type 2 diabetes. With studies point to the fruit's effectiveness in controlling fasting blood sugar levels, it is definitely something that diabetics should consult with their doctors about trying.

But if you are considering trying jambolan as a means of helping to control your diabetes you have to be careful as to the brands you purchase. Some extraction processes actually destroy a portion of the organic materials of the fruit which give it its potency. Therefore, you should research where your jambolan is being manufactured to ensure you are only purchasing a quality version of the product to ensure its maximum effectiveness to lower your blood sugar.

Type 2 diabetes is not a condition you must just live with. It need not slowly and inevitably get worse. You can take control of the disease and take back your health but always talk with your doctor before adding herbs to your medication regime.

For nearly 25 years Beverleigh Piepers has searched for and found a number of secrets to help you build a healthy body.

The answer isn't in the endless volumes of available information but in yourself.

What Is Diabetes Mellitus?

The number of people in the world suffering from diabetes has skyrocketed in the last two decades, from 30 million to 230 million, claiming millions of lives and severely tax the capacity of the health systemsto of the epidemic, according to data published Saturday, the International Diabetes Federation.

What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a disease in which the body can not store and use fuel for energy. Fuel that your body needs is called glucose, a form of sugar. Glucose comes from foods such as bread, cereals, pasta, rice, potatoes, fruits and some vegetables. To use glucose, your body needs insulin. Insulin is produced in the body called the pancreas gland. There are three types of diabetes: type 1, type 2 and gestational diabetes. Gestational diabetes occurs only during pregnancy.

Types of Diabetes
Diabetes mellitus is a heterogeneous disease with many clinical cases. The two main types of diabetes exist, idiopathic and secondary.

Idiopathic diabetes is divided into two main types, insulin and insulin depenedent. Diabetes mellitus insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (type 1) is defined by the development of ketoacidosis in the absence of insulin. Type 1 diabetes is most often seen in children (and therefore called juvenile diabetes) and is the result of the autoimmune destruction of pancreatic B cells. Insulin-dependent diabetes (type 2) is characterized by persistent hyperglycemia but rarely leads to ketoacidosis. Type 2 diabetes usually appears after age 40 and therefore has the obsolete name of adult onset diabetes types. Type 2 diabetes can cause genetic defects that cause insulin resistance and insulin deficiency. There are two main forms of type 2 diabetes:

1. Late-onset obesity.
2. Later, the appearance is not associated with obesity.

Meal Example
Choose foods you like and which satisfy you, and include carbohydrate foods in each meal to help control the level of glucose in the blood. You can eat your main meal at lunch or dinner.

Get help immediately if symptoms of diabetes
Sometimes the onset of diabetes - particularly Type 1 - can be abrupt. This can lead to a condition called "ketoacidosis, which is a medical emergency. Symptoms of this disease are loss of appetite, weight loss, vomiting, excessive passing of urine, altered consciousness, and finally the coma. Consult a doctor immediately if these symptoms occur.

Get Rid of Your Diabetes

Today, there are at least 20 million people living with diabetes in America and the sad part is that you can prevent and cure diabetes and pre-diabetes type 2 naturally balanced diet and basic exercise.

People at risk of contracting diseases drop by 60 percent if they manage to lose just 10 pounds by following a healthy diet and regular exercise, such as walking, according to a report published in the New England Journal of Medicine. (3 May 2001).

Pre-diabetesThis term means that you are at risk for type 2 diabetes and heart disease.The good news is, if you have pre-diabetes can reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes and even return to normal levels of glucose in the blood if you follow the instructions in this article.
Type 2 diabetesFormerly called adult-onset diabetes, the most common form of diabetes. This form of diabetes usually begins with insulin resistance, a condition in which the body can not use insulin properly. People can develop this type of diabetes at any age and is usually associated with the modern lifestyle of today's fast food, stress and lack of exercise.Being overweight and inactive increases the risk of type 2 diabetes dramatically. The standard treatment includes taking diabetes medicines, aspirin daily, and controlling blood pressure and cholesterol with prescription drugs.But with modest weight loss and moderate daily physical activity, you can delay or even prevent type 2 diabetes and lead a normal life. Let's look at some steps you can use right now in your life that will make a big difference to your condition.

Strength Training - Researchers have reported a 23% increase in glucose after four months of strength training. Because poor glucose metabolism is associated with adult-onset diabetes, improved glucose metabolism is an important benefit of regular strength training.
Today you do not have to live in the gym to put on functional muscle. Short high-intensity sessions once a week, all that is needed to improve glucose metabolism and lose weight.
Technical strength training I use only requires 20 to 30 minutes a week. Gone are the days of a program five days a week from June to December sets per body part, this method has never worked. A short intense workout bodybuilding a week will elevate your metabolism more than you ever thought possible.

The two main components of this technique are the intensity of the exercise and recovery after exercise. Sparse, short, high intensity weight training sessions, and then the required amount of time to recover and become stronger than what is necessary to make it more functional muscle mass and improve glucose metabolism.

Diet - how to lose body fat and maintain muscle for the food program for life. Food quality and additional bases of energy you need to go. Bulk Foods that fill you and you do not meet, foods that are low in fat and sugar, whichnot specified should be ideal.
Small frequent meals should be consumed during the day each containing a little protein to maintain muscle mass and energy levels. Foods containing vitamin and mineral supplements life should also be taken on a daily basis. Range of high quality range of vitamins and minerals should also be taken on a daily basis.
As previously calories from high quality food, but if you can not, use a blender to make concoctions from skim milk with additives you want to use, as long as you keep the calories from your daily total.
Now, with the help of these mixtures mixer and solid food for your daily meals. The spread over several small meals a day instead of the traditional three times a day. Way to track weight loss to buy a calorie counter and record your daily calorie intake for a week.

Exercise - Fat is burned from the body when cells oxidize to release energy in the form of physical exercise. When the exercise is done slowly to moderately then the majority of energy is derived from fat reserves.
The key to effective aerobic workout that burns fat maximum consistency not intensity. It does not matter if you run a mile, jog a mile walk a mile you will burn exactly the same amount of calories.
The best year to date in order to burn fat fast inside walking on a treadmill or outside. Other aerobic treadmill, biking, climbing or any other training gear in or out of the gym.You can do a lot to reduce your chances of developing diabetes. By exercising regularly, reducing fat from your diet and losing weight can help you reduce your risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

Exercise for Diabetics

Exercise for Diabetics
The two most common forms of diabetes are called type 1 and type 2. Type 1 diabetes, also called juvenile onset diabetes, differs from Type 2 in that the body stops producing insulin altogether. Type 2 diabetes is usually diagnosed in the elderly and occurs when the body does not produce enough insulin or the individual becomes resistant to their own insulin.
With any form of diabetes, we lose our ability to untilize sugar. Sugar level in the blood increases the difficulty of transporting the body sugar into the cells and outside the blood. There are several ways to reduce the levels of blood sugar, including exercise, diet and medication.
Exercise is a very important part of the management of type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes. Type 1 diabetes, regular exercise helps to maintain insulin sensitivity, helps prevent accumulation of excess weight and increases the use of glucose by muscles, thereby lower blood sugar in blood. Although there is currently no way to prevent type 1 diabetes, it may be possible to prevent type 2 diabetes.
What to consider when you try to prevent the development of type 2 diabetes are regular exercise, supplementation with vitamins and herbs that help prevent insulin resistance and proper weight control.
Exercise not only helps directly in the management of diabetes by lowering blood sugar levels in the blood and maintaining insulin sensitivity, but also helps minimize many of the complications that can occur in a person with diabetes. Studies have shown that walking for 30 minutes a day can significantly reduce the chances of developing type 2 diabetes.
 Diabetics tend to develop circulatory and exercise can certainly help lower blood pressure and improve circulation throughout the body. Because people with diabetes tend to have poor blood flow to the legs and feet, better circulation is a great benefit.
There are risks associated with exercise, but the potential benefits outweigh the risks. Since exercise does lower blood sugar, diabetics need to measure sugar levels in the blood, both before and after training. Since your body uses more sugar while exercising and makes you more sensitive to insulin, there is a risk of blood sugar becoming too low and causing hypoglycemia.
In the implementation of important for people to know that you are diabetic. They must be informed of what to do in case of hypoglycemia. You should always carry candy or fruit juice to treat hypoglycemia, as appropriate. During and after exercise, you should pay particular attention to how you feel, such as palpitations, sweating, shakiness, or hunger may indicate that your blood sugar in the blood becomes too low.
Exercise is an important part of diabetes management and treatment. Exercise helps blood sugar control when the muscles use more glucose and the body more sensitive to insulin. Exercise also helps to prevent and minimize common diabetic complications including heart problems, high blood pressure and circulatory deficiencies. All diabetics should include regular exercise as part of their overall management plan.

Diabetes and Your Heart

Diabetes is a condition that should be treated as soon as it is diagnosed, even at an early stage, it does not hurt or cause inconvenience, or create any alarming symptoms. But to ignore it is a mistake, because the blood sugar imbalance diabetes to live with us, can lead to various complications, and even lead to other serious health problems.

The main cause of concern for adverse effects on our hearts. Our unstable blood sugar can cause poor circulation, an important step on the road to heart problems. Here are some things to watch.

Hypertension
Diabetes often goes hand in hand with high blood pressure or hypertension. In fact, your doctor will tell you that diabetics must work to get their blood pressure even lower than others. While the systolic pressure (the top number) of 140 may be acceptable to the general population, we diabetics should strive to 130 or less. All this is part of the fight against heart disease possible.

Fats in The Blood
Cholesterol and triglyceride fat or blood, should also not be less than diabetics. Many fruits and vegetables, fewer packaged or fried foods are your best Paris to control blood fats. Discard this pan!

Blood Sugar
Monitoring of blood glucose should also blood vessels consistently high level of damage and can lead to cardiovascular problems.

Weight Level
And, of course, you know, it's important to maintain a healthy weight. Why is it especially important for us diabetics? First, if you are overweight heart muscle must work harder to pump blood through your system. This weakens the blood vessels, which are then more susceptible to damage caused by fluctuations in the level of blood sugar. It's a vicious circle, which you want to create.

Your heart is the main engine of your body, so you should do everything you can to keep it in good shape. For the love of a healthy heart, take control of your diabetes.

The Big FAT Lie

Over two thirds of Americans are over weight, and half of them are considered obese. Most of the remaining third of Americans are concerned about becoming overweight! While we are obsessed with avoiding food that is high in fat, America has the dubious distinction of its population having the highest percentage of overweight people of any nation in the world! England is number two!

One of the most common and harmful misunderstandings is the misinformation (lie) that we are fat because we eat too much fat. Though eating excess fat can contribute, the primary culprit for excess body fat and many degenerative diseases such as heart disease, cancer and diabetes is NOT eating foods high in fat, but eating too much carbohydrates and sugar, and especially in combination with fat, such as French Fries and corn or potato chips. People on a high carbohydrate and low fat diet tend to be more unhealthy, carry more excess body fat and don’t live as long.

Putting the Brakes to Your Metabolism! 

What creates excess body fat, more than anything else, is a high RATIO of the carbohydrates to protein and fat, and especially certain types of carbohydrates that have a high conversion rate to fat. When the percentage of a meal (not just for the day) is higher in sugar or carbohydrates (a long chain of sugar molecules), much more of that food will be converted to fat instead of being burned as energy (calories). The effect of this is putting the brakes on your metabolism, which results in lower energy and greater storage of fat. Obviously, this is NOT what you want!

Plus this sets up a vicious cycle of over eating. Once the carbohydrates are converted to fat, you get a blood sugar drop, which makes you hungry for more carbohydrates. So you eat more to raise your blood sugar, and the whole vicious cycle repeats! Soon, you’ve gained weight, and feel even more like a failure.

According to the Glycemic Research Institute, many of the “fat-free” foods are much more fattening than they were before the fat was removed, because sugar has been added (and often disguised) to compensate for the low fat!

This is because carbohydrates and sugar, and especially certain carbohydrates, stimulate insulin production. Insulin directs your body to convert the food to fat and store it as fat instead of just burning it as energy. To measure this fat conversion and storage effect, foods are rated by what is called the glycemic index. The higher the index, the higher percentage of that food and the other foods eaten with it, will be converted to fat, regardless of the fat content of the food.

So for an example, eating high glycemic foods like baked potato, rice cakes, corn flakes or cooked oatmeal which are low in fat, is more fattening than eating a juicy beef steak or a bowl of ice cream!

High Fat Conversion Foods 

These are some common foods with their glycemic index numbers, that are especially high on this index, and thus stimulate fat storage:
Common sugar (sucrose)—92
Macaroni and cheese—92
Potatoes (mashed—100; French fries—107; baked—121; potato chips—high)
Corn—78; pop corn—79; corn chips—105; corn flakes—119
Pizza—86
White rice—83; brown rice—79
White and wheat bread—101
Cold cereals (most). E. g. Life—94; Grape nuts—96; Cheerios—106; Total—109
Cooked cereals (e. g. Cream of Wheat—100, oatmeal—87 (steel cut is less)
Bananas—77
Most juices and all drink mixes and soft drinks (97)
Desserts (ice cream—87); donuts—108
Fat-free bottled “lite” dressings (due to added corn syrup and maltodextrins).
High fructose corn syrup—89
Maltodextrins—150 (added to many foods, but deceptively not counted as sugar! )

Did you notice that some of these foods are worse than pure sugar? It is wise to eat these foods sparingly. And when you do eat these foods, balance the glycemic index for the whole meal by eating low index foods with them.

Fat Burning Foods 

Here are some of the foods that are rated as having a low glycemic index:
Fructose—32
Trutina Dulcem (a fruit sugar fifteen times sweeter than regular sugar)
“Super sugars” (glyconutrients)
Stevia—though not “approved” by the FDA as a sweetener, it is often used as such
High protein foods (e. g. fish, meat and eggs)
Most vegetables including sweet potatoes and yams
Beans—40
Salads—low
Avocado—low
Stone ground bread and sprouted grain—low
Barley—36
Rye—48
Most pastas—varies; spaghetti—59 (but very low nutritional value)
Berries—low
Cherries—32
Apples—54
Oranges—63
Peaches—60
Pears—53
Dairy products; whole milk—39 (there are other concerns mentioned previously)
Soy milk—43
Seeds and nuts—as low as 21 (peanuts)
Butter (in moderation—far superior to margarine)
Olive oil
Soy beans—25
Celery—very very low

There is one other huge advantage to using low glycemic foods besides weight control: longevity! According a study by T. Par entitled "Insulin Exposure and Aging Theory" in the Journal of Gerontology - 1997; 43: 182-200, high insulin levels, which result from consuming high glycemic foods, promotes accelerated aging. Both calorie restriction and a low glycemic index diet appear to be important for longevity, BUT a diet of low glycemic foods is even more effective than calorie restriction for longevity.

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Total Body Warmup

Understanding The Two Principle Types Of Diabetes

By Donald Saunders

Diabetes is a chronic condition which is typified by a
distorted metabolism and raised levels of blood sugar which
lead to reduced levels of insulin. The symptoms of diabetes
can look very much like those of a host of other conditions
and the disease can therefore go undiagnosed for years.
Screening for this particular condition is important because
early diagnosis and treatment greatly improve the quality of
life for those who have this condition.

There are 2 key types of diabetes that individuals who are
not familiar with the disease normally find it difficult to
tell apart and these are type 1 and type 2 diabetes.

Type 1 diabetes is caused by the destruction of cells within
the pancreas which occurs because of an auto-immune attack.
It cannot be prevented and accounts for approximately ten
percent of the cases of diabetes in North America and
Europe. Type 1 diabetes is found in children and adults and
is often referred to as juvenile diabetes.

It is possible to treat type 1 diabetes very successfully by
closely monitoring levels of blood glucose and adjusting the
level of insulin in the body. Both forms of diabetes can
require the enhancement of the body's insulin level and
diabetic coma can result if the body's insulin level falls
too quickly.

Apart from the administration of insulin, the best form of
management for type 1 diabetes is a program of exercise and
diet. People with this condition need to be aware of their
body glucose level and ensure that insulin is replaced by
injection or use of an insulin pump.

Type 2 diabetes is different from the type 1 form of this
disease because it occurs as a result of insulin resistance
or a sensitivity to insulin combined with the body's reduced
insulin production. This form of diabetes is common in
people who are obese, are advanced in age, have a family
history and who do not exercise.

Type 1 diabetics have to use medication because their bodies
cannot make insulin. Type 2 diabetics however have several
different choices in terms of controlling their condition.
Diet and exercise might well be enough to keep type 2
diabetes under control but oral medication and insulin might
also be included in treatment.

There are numerous different treatment options available but
the most critical element of the treatment equation is the
patient. This is a chronic condition but this does not mean
that it has to be a lost cause and there are numerous ways
to keep your body in good health when you are suffering from
diabetes. Indeed, the diabetic is the most important factor
in the fight against the side effects of this all too common
disease.

If you have questions about diabetes then visit
http://diabetes-treatment-and-cure.com where you will find a
wealth of (http://diabetes-treatment-and-cure.com) diabetes
questions

Why Protein Is An Essential Part Of Any Diet

By Jim Duffy

You see them in all kinds of magazines. You hear people talking about them around the water cooler at work. There are hundreds of fad diets out there, and guess what? None of them work. Oh sure, you may lose a bit of weight, but more often than not, that weight is just going to come back, with a few additional pounds for good measure. The most sensible way to lose weight is to just eat properly. It is easy to follow a healthy, well-balanced diet, and there are all kinds of great-tasting foods that you can incorporate into a healthy diet.

An essential part of any diet is protein. Protein is necessary for survival, provides a natural source of energy and helps to build strong muscles. Our hair and skin are made from protein, and it is a nutrient for all of the cells in our bodies. Not enough protein in the diet can lead to a number of serious health issues and can add complications to existing health conditions. But as important as it is to have enough protein in our diets, too much may actually do more harm than good.

The body needs a certain amount of protein. According to the American Heart Association, protein should make up 35 percent of our daily caloric intake. If the body does not get the protein it needs, it will send signals to the brain that it is hungry, which is not good for dieters, because they will want to eat all the time. Eating snacks that are rich in protein or using protein supplements will help to suppress your appetite, which is essential for losing weight and maintaining your weight loss.

How Much Protein Do You Need in Your Diet?

We need different amounts of protein at different stages of our lives. For example, babies need quite a bit of protein, about 2.2 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight. But an adult bodybuilder only needs as much as 1.6 grams. The best way to figure out how much protein you should be getting in your diet is to follow this formula:

The first thing you need to do is convert your body weight from pounds to kilograms. Just divide your body weight in pounds by 2.2. Take the resulting number and divide it by one of the following numbers:

- .4 if you are inactive

- .5-.8 if you are somewhat active, such as a 30 minute workout, three times per week

- .8-1 if you are very active, such as working out 30 to 60 minutes at least four times each week

If you are a healthy person in general and have some knowledge about nutrition, you should be able to come up with a healthy diet plan on your own. It is important to remember that before beginning any type of diet, you should consult your physician first. There may be conditions that you have that require you to have certain foods in your diet. You can also speak with a nutritionist or a dietitian.

If you are going to start a diet, a healthy plan includes 50 percent carbohydrates, 35 percent proteins and 15 percent fats. Although many of today's popular diets recommend eating fewer carbohydrates, it is important that some are included in everyone's diet, but they do need to be the right kinds of carbohydrates. For example, simple carbohydrates digest quickly and cause huge surges by raising blood sugar levels. Complex carbohydrates are what you need in your diet. These carbohydrates are slower to digest and do not negatively affect blood sugar levels.

Eating Healthy and Using Protein Supplements

When you eat snacks that are high in protein, you will not have the urge to have more snacks later on. You will feel more satisfied and not feel the urge to eat unnecessarily. Some high-protein snacks that are great for diets and taste great are:

- 2 cups of popcorn with trail mix

- cup of fiber-rich cereal, mixed with non-fat Greek yogurt

- 1 ounce of baked potato chips with two tablespoons of bean dip

Another great-tasting snack that is extremely high in protein is milk. Non-fat is best for dieters, and low-fat chocolate milk is great too. It has all the same nutrients as white milk not much more fat and calories. It is delicious, and not only will you get the protein that you need, you can also satisfy your sweet tooth in a healthy way. Some people suggest drinking low-fat milk, while other studies say that whole-fat milk is best for diets. Speak to your physician or nutritionist for more information.

Another way that you can get the protein you need in your diet without having to eat a lot is by using protein supplements. There are a number of varieties available, and many come in pre-mixed drinks, which are portable and can be taken along anywhere. Some of the more popular protein supplements include:

Protein Powders - These are the most versatile of all of the protein supplements. They come in a variety of delicious flavors, including chocolate, vanilla, berry and fruit punch, and can be used to make great-tasting smoothies and shakes. They are also available in flavorless forms and can be added to just about any recipe.

Liquid Proteins - Liquid protein supplements are very popular because they are often available in a ready-to-drink form. One of the more popular liquid protein supplements on the market today is Profect, by Protica. This little shot provides 25 grams of protein per 2.9 fluid ounces of serving and only contains 100 calories. Profect is low in calories, carbohydrates and fats, and it comes in a number of delicious flavors, including Blue Raspberry, Fresh Citrus Berry, Grapefruit-Mango and Cool Melon Splash.

Protein Bars - These are delicious, protein-packed snacks that can also serve as meal replacements. Protein bars come in a number of flavors, including chocolate, and often have nuts and other great-tasting ingredients.



Protica Research (Protica, Inc.) specializes in the development of Capsulized Foods. Protica manufactures http://www.profect.com IsoMetric, Pediagro, Fruitasia and over 100 other brands, including Medicare-approved, whey protein supplements for weight loss surgery patients. You can learn more at http://www.protica.com

How Nutrition Can Affect Cardiovascular Health

By Jim Duffy

The last decade has seen deaths related to cardiovascular causes drop by 40% and deaths related to stroke drop by 35%. Yet there are only 16% fewer smokers and less than 3% fewer people defined as obese. There are two things that affect overall cardiovascular health - behavior and factors. Defining both and finding a good personal level between each are the keys to good cardiovascular health.

Behaviors

There are a number of behaviors that the American Heart Association deems important for good cardiovascular health, including exercise, maintaining a healthy weight, getting the proper amount of exercise, and avoiding smoking.

Factors

Good cardiovascular factors include keeping your blood pressure at an optimal level, as well as keeping a decent blood sugar and cholesterol level. The AHA has set a range these numbers should remain between, and it's best when it can be done without medication.

Organizations like the American Heart Association, the American Diabetic Association, and the American Cancer Association used to focus solely on their individual diseases, but they have recently come to realize that is not enough. Central to keeping disease away is the concept of keeping healthy overall. There are many behaviors that help not only cardiovascular health, but every part of the body, for both adults and children, including:

(Not) Smoking

- Adults: If you are a smoker, quit as soon as possible. The sooner you quit, the better your health will be in the long run. It doesn't take long for your lungs to return to their old level of functionality, which means less chance of not only lung disease, but heart disease.

- Children: If you never start, you'll never have to quit - and quitting smoking is one of the most difficult things to do.

Body Mass Index (BMI)

- Adults: The American Heart Association has guidelines on what a healthy weight is for every person. This weight should be maintained by a balanced, healthy diet, not a fad diet or the latest thing that takes off a lot of weight at once (which will only return once the fad ends). These diets can often be dangerous, because they provide too much of some nutrients while eschewing others, ending up with most of the weight loss being loss of water weight. The best way to lose weight is slowly and steadily, using a sensible diet.

- Children: Activity is the goal for children. There should be an hour, at least, of physical activity each day. And, of course, a healthy diet is ideal. Each day should also include a period where there are no televisions, computers, or video games.

Diet

- Adults: Abundant fruits and vegetables are important, as is completely avoiding fried foods. Cut down on salt and try to eat only healthy fats. Your protein sources should be lean meat and plant sources. When it comes to plain-based proteins, soy is the only one considered complete.

- Children: Do not force children to clean their plates and give them portions that are smaller.

The Basics of a Healthy Diet

All food is composed of a combination of the three macro-nutrients: proteins, carbohydrates, and fats. Any healthy diet will include all three. The good carbohydrates are complex carbohydrates. The fats should also come from healthy sources. Protein can be derived from both plants and animals, but any animal-based sources of protein should be lean. Protein supplements can be a great part of a heart-healthy diet. The recommendation of the American Heart Association is that about 35% of most diets should be protein, with most of the rest devoted to carbohydrates.

Animal-Based Sources of Protein

Animal-based proteins are considered complete, since they have all eight of the essential amino acids that the human body cannot produce. The best sources are the lean ones like turkey and chicken. Eggs and low-fat dairy foods are another excellent source for protein. Red meat, however, should be limited in the diet.

Plant-Based Sources of Protein

Virtually all plant-based sources of protein are incomplete, with soy being the only exception. Soy is the only one to have all eight essential amino acids. Vegetarians and vegans can still get all the proteins necessary by eating combinations of these foods.

Protein Supplements

Protein supplements come in many forms, including protein powders, bars, and liquid protein supplement shots. These are all made from natural sources of protein, either plant or animal-based, which means you will have to make good choices. They all contain different amounts of protein, but some have extra fats or sugars which should be avoided.

Whey

Whey protein is produced as a byproduct of cheese production. Whey protein powder has two basic varieties: the cheaper concentrate (containing about 30% to 85% protein) and the more expensive isolate (containing 90%) protein. Whey protein isolate has a smaller lactose content, which means it can be used by most lactose intolerant people.

Soy

Just two servings of soy protein each day can lower the level of blood cholesterol by as much as nine points. It can also lower blood pressure, which can reduce the risk of a heart attack. Soy also comes in both concentrated and isolated forms and is easy to digest. Vegans and vegetarians can take soy protein without any problems.

Egg

Egg protein comes from the white of the egg, which is a perfect protein. This is the standard by which all other forms of protein are judged.

Rice

These proteins come from brown rice and have all eight of the essential amino acids, making it complete. Rice is also hypoallergenic, making it ideal for anyone who has food allergies or food sensitivities. Vegans and vegetarians can also use rice protein without compromising.

Profect

Profect is a liquid protein supplement shot. Only 2.9 fluid ounces in size, it only contains 100 calories, no fat, and no carbohydrates. It contains 25 grams of protein and helps to suppress the appetite while providing a good deal of the protein you will need for the day.

Carbohydrates

Carbohydrates have gotten a bad reputation over the last several years, but the truth is that carbohydrates are a large part of a healthy diet - or at least this is the case with complex carbohydrates. Foods like whole great breads and pastas, certain fruits and vegetables, and other such foods are high in complex carbohydrates. On the other hand, simple carbohydrates are not healthy at all.

Fats

There are even healthy fats that should be a part of a healthy diet. These should be about 20% of the calories you consume every day. Things like fatty fish, olive oil, and avocados are high in healthy fats.



Protica Research (Protica, Inc.) specializes in the development of Capsulized Foods. Protica manufactures Profect, IsoMetric, Pediagro, Fruitasia and over 100 other brands, including Medicare-approved, whey protein drinks for cancer patients. You can learn more at http://www.protica.com

How To Choose The Correct Protein Powder Supplement For You

By Jim Duffy

The average diet has more than enough protein to meet daily needs, however, there are often times when the average diet becomes less than normal and may not be as adequate as it should be. Between the busy life that the average person leads and constant yo-yo or fad dieting, the fact is that what we should be eating quickly becomes what we do not eat and what we sorely miss.

For optimal health, every diet must contain the right amounts of the three macro-nutrients, protein, carbohydrates and fats. There have been many diets that have tried to severely limit or even eliminate one or the other of these vital building blocks of life, with little success. Yes, there are bad food choices among these three categories, but there are excellent food options among them too. While it is best that nutrition come from healthy, whole food choices whenever possible, it is not always feasible. We live on the run and on the road. Many of us spend most of the day with the steering wheel in one hand and a cell phone in the other. Eating healthy foods is hard enough, let alone trying to shop for and cook these options. We succumb to the lure of the drive-thru and then bemoan our chubby tummies. There is not enough time in the day to sit down for a meal that does not involve packets of ketchup or interruption by a cell phone call or the need to check our Facebook or our Twitter. When in our busy day are we going to fit in exercise?

While it should be next to impossible to have inadequate protein in the average diet, it is possible for those who are simply not eating at all because they think they can finally manage to get their weight under control if they do not eat solid food. What they succeed in doing is shutting down their metabolism all together. But, then what are they using for the energy to continue to live? Their body is burning energy stores, that is true, but only in limited amounts. What their body is actually burning might be their own lean muscle mass.

It is important that we not only become more educated about our health and nutrition needs and, but also about metabolism and weight loss. There are 34 million people in the United States who are medically obese. (Source: www.Stanford.edu ) At any one point in the year, there are over 20 million people who are starting, in the middle of or giving up on a diet. (Source: www.thriveonline.com)

Many of those people will try sensible diets that are nutritious and have the right amount of calories for optimal health. Unfortunately, many more of them will choose a fad diet that will sadly fail for them. There are countless reasons that these people will give for the diets that they choose, with some of them using the lack of time as one of the reasons that they do not eat well. For them, opting for protein supplements might be a better way to protect their health and to make sure they are getting enough of this important nutrient each day. Whether they are looking for a protein supplement that can serve as a protein booster or a meal replacement, they need to know what the different types are, the advantages and disadvantages of each and what makes them different from one another.

If you are interested in finding a good protein supplement, there are a few things that you should be looking at, including the ingredients and the nutritional value. Here are some suggestions for the best protein supplements, including choices for vegetarians and vegans as well as for those who have food allergies.

A final note: if you have any medical conditions, including serious food allergies, it is important to make sure that you are consulting a doctor, a dietitian or a nutritionist before adding protein supplements to your diet plan.

The Protein Supplement Options

Protein supplements come in many different forms, including powders, bars, liquid supplements, shakes and even pudding. There is a weight loss program that suggests eating a pudding "shot" before each meal so that you eat less while enjoying your favorite foods. The protein in the pudding shot fills you up and protects against muscle loss. The choice of which protein supplement is right for your will depend on a number of factors. Obviously, a powder would have to be mixed before you consume it, making it more suitable for use at home. There are portable, battery operated mixers that you could use for these powders, or you could mix and take along your supplement. Premade protein shakes and drinks might be handy to use, but can sometimes come in larger sizes that are not easy to carry around or might be too large for a quick boost. Profect, a liquid supplement shot from Protica, is fast and easy to drink, with only 100 calories and a full 25 grams of protein per serving.

No matter what type of protein supplement you are looking at, consider its cost and its ingredients before making a final selection.

The Protein Powders

There are four kinds of protein powders: whey, soy, egg and rice. Among these, there are some that are single ingredient and some that are combination. It is important to read the ingredients of these powders, especially if you are allergic to one or the other of these types of proteins. If you are not sure about an allergy, stick to single ingredient powders until you know that they are safe.

Whey Protein Powder -- Whey protein is derived from milk and is the most common type of protein powder. There are two types of whey protein powder, a concentrate and an isolate. The concentrate is the most common and the least expensive in most cases. The concentrate contains 30-85% protein while the isolate has around 90%. The isolate also has less fat and less lactose than the concentrate.

In addition, the whey protein isolate has 50% more leucine than soy protein, which has the advantage of building more lean muscle tissues and lowering body fat.

The benefits of whey protein powder are that it boosts immunity, is an optimal source of amino acids, including the essential amino acids, it enhances muscle recovery after workouts and prevents muscle loss after workouts. It increases glutathione, an antioxidant that is important for a healthy immune system. Whey protein releases hunger suppressing hormones as well.

Its sole disadvantage is that it is not meant for those who are lactose intolerant.

Soy Protein Powder -- Like whey, soy can be either a concentrate or an isolate, with the isolate providing more protein. Soy is the only plant based protein that is complete, meaning that it contains all eight of the essential amino acids. (The human body makes many of its own amino acids, but cannot make leucine, isoleucine, valine, threonine, methionine, phenylalanine, tryptophan and lysine). Soy protein powder is derived from soy flour and is highly digestible.

The benefits of soy protein powder are that it improves the nutritional value of foods, lowers cholesterol and lowers the risk of heart disease. Soy protein powder is one of the few protein supplements that is appropriate for a vegetarian or vegan diet.

The disadvantage is that it is not meant for those who are allergic to soy or soy products.

Egg Protein Powder -- Eggs are the perfect protein source, and are the protein that all others are judged and evaluated against. Eggs are complete proteins, meaning that all eight essential amino acids are present. The protein powder is created from egg whites so that it is fat free. Egg protein powder is the highest source of the amino acids alanine, argine, glycine and methane.

Its disadvantages are that it is not meant for those who have egg allergies, and it is not for vegans.

Rice Protein Powder -- Rice protein powder is derived from brown rice and is a complete protein source. The biggest advantage of rice protein powder is that it is hypoallergenic and is perfect for those who have any kind of allergies. It is also perfect for vegetarians and vegans.

Its disadvantage is that it may not be easy to find.



Protica Research (Protica, Inc.) specializes in the development of Capsulized Foods. Protica manufactures http://www.profect.com IsoMetric, Pediagro, Fruitasia and over 100 other brands, including Medicare-approved, whey protein bullets for bariatric patients. You can learn more at http://www.protica.com - Copyright

How To Get The Best Diet To Reduce Blood Sugar

Figuring out the best diet that reduces blood sugar can at
first seem to be a bit overwhelming and confusing. There
are so many different diets and books that claim they are
the most effective diet when it comes to lowering blood
sugar. Some diets say to eat high protein and low carbs
while others tell you to do the complete opposite.

Although there are variations in these low blood sugar
diets, one thing is common among most of them. Most of
these diets tell you to eliminate certain foods such as
white flour, sugar, caffeine, alcohol, and tobacco. In
addition, they probably speak about the portions of your
meals, to consume 6 small meals rather than the traditional
three.

However, the secret to a successful diet for a hypoglycemic
is personalization, which happens to work in any type of
diet program. Each person is different and has unique
nutritional needs so the diet must be customized to meet
those specific needs.

One of the most important parts of a diet book or doctor
advised diet plan is the section where they tell you what
foods to cut out. Although it is unrealistic for you to not
eat anything on that list, it is a great resource for you to
use when changing your lifestyle to fit your health needs.

In addition, listen to your body because it will give you
signs should you take in food that lower blood sugar that it
cannot tolerate.

Having a food diary is another part of your diet you may
want to implement. Recording what you eat for about 7-10
days can give you vital information about how your body
reacts to certain food which can help you decide what best
to eat in the future.

Start eliminating the hazard food that lower blood sugar. Be
careful in doing this and seek the guidance of a health
professional before proceeding. You can choose a slow but
steady pace.

Another little tidbit is to keep your blood sugar stable at
all times. Keep foods readily available whether you are at
home or on the go.

Using these tips as well as others from diet plans and your
doctor can help you maintain a stable blood sugar with no
need for confusion or frustration. Create the best diet
plan for your specific needs.

Some Of The Main Signs Of Diabetes

There are two types of diabetes but the symptoms for both of
these can be very similar. Having diabetes means that you
have a high amount of glucose in your blood and not enough
cells. It is critical to detect symptoms early so you can be
sure to take measures so your condition does not get worse.

First, you may notice that you need to urinate frequently,
in comparison to usual. When there is too much glucose in
the blood, humans need to urinate very frequently. Also, if
the insulin is not present, or is not working the right way,
your kidneys are not able to take the glucose to the blood.
This will cause your body to have to urinate more often.

Second, there is a high chance that you will notice you are
very thirsty, and cannot get rid of the feeling. You drink
and drink more water, yet you are still thirsty. This may
indeed be a sign of diabetes, especially if you have to
urinate more than often.

Third, you may notice that you are losing weight without
even attempting to. This is normally seen more often in
people with Type 1 diabetes. The body does not make insulin
anymore, so the body needs to find more energy for the
cells. To do so, it will use muscle tissue and fat for
energy, thus you will lose weight. It is less common in Type
2, but all the same, still be aware.

Fourth,if you feel that you are very tired, no matter how much you
sleep, you may suffer from diabetes. If your body does not
have insulin, or the cells do not respond to it, the cells
do not receive the glucose they need. At that point, you
will start to feel very fatigued.

These are some very common signs of people suffering from
diabetes. If you even notice a few of these symptoms, visit
a doctor. It is better to be safe than sorry!

Beyond Your Type 2 Diabetes Symptom

Just because you don't have the symptoms doesn't mean you
don't have. This may not always be true though and
understanding the true nature of a type 2 diabetes symptom
may help save your life.

The Figures

Having the condition means that the cells in your body are
not reacting properly to the work of insulin which is
supposed to open up the cells to glucose. Without glucose in
your cells you will have no clear source of energy.

More people suffer from Type 2 diabetes than type 1 diabetes.
It is estimated that at least 90% of diabetics belong to
the type 2 category. The sad fact though is that more than
6% of diabetics are not aware that they have the condition.
The lack of awareness may be due to a dismissal of seemingly
harmless type 2 diabetes symptoms or a total lack of warning
signs.

Different Symptoms

Although type 2 diabetes is more common than type 1, the
former is much easier to deal with since it does not involve
the pancreas and insulin production. Despite the difference
in cause however, both types of diabetes share the same
symptoms. A diabetic might begin to feel frequently tired,
thirsty and may have occasionally blurry vision and wounds
that do not heal quickly.

The main difference between the two types is in the onset of
the symptoms . A type 1 diabetes symptom can develop rapidly
and worsen in the span of a few weeks. Even with the rapid
symptom development however, cell damage may already have
been occurring for some time before type 1 diabetes is
finally discovered. A type 2 diabetes symptom on the other
hand is not as obvious and as bad as a type 1 symptom.

Effects of No Symptoms

Effects of not detecting or not having a type 2 diabetes
symptom may be drastic. The key to effectively managing this
chronic disease is early detection. Once you fail to detect
a type 2 diabetes symptom however, you can suffer from
complications that are even more difficult to reverse. Some
diabetics only realize that they have type 2 diabetes
because of complications like retinopathy, heart ailments,
kidney problems and nerve deaths. A complication is
therefore their only type 2 diabetes symptom.

Uncommon Risk Factors

A family history of diabetes and one's weight should be
enough to warn you about the condition. You should however
also consider yourself at high risk of developing diabetes
if you are over 45 years old, had a baby over 9 pounds and
had a history of gestational diabetes or pre diabetes. For
undetermined reasons, individuals who are Asian, African,
Hispanic and American are at greater risk of developing
diabetes.

What Has to be Done

Naturally, you would need to consult experts in diabetes to
help you manage your condition or your type 2 diabetes
symptom. There are however basic things you should remember
on your own. You should monitor your glucose levels, take
your medication as prescribed, follow your diet and exercise
plans and watch and manage your weight.