What the Heck is Diabetes?
What the heck is diabetes? Yes, I’m sure you have heard of it…and that it’s increasing. My endocrinologist’s office is filled with patients with Type 1 and 2 diabetes making it difficult for us thyroid sufferer to make an appointment. Okay, that’s only slightly true but according to JAMA over 44 million now considered obese
Currently, more than 44 million Americans are considered obese by body mass index (BMI), reflecting an increase of 74 percent since 1991. During the same time frame, diabetes increased by 61 percent, reflecting the strong correlation between obesity and development of diabetes. Today an estimated 17 million people have diabetes in the United States. And this was in the journal Lancet: An international study has revealed some shocking statistics. In less than 30 years, between 1980 and 2008, the number of people with type 2 diabetes more than doubled around the world, rising from 153 million to 347 million.
Yikes, right! But let me put what diabetes is in simple words.
Type 2 diabetes accounts for 90-95% of all cases of diabetes. Type 2 diabetes is caused by eating too much sugar. Remember, sugar has 56 names.(Click here for the 56 Names of Sugar) Here’s how it works. When you eat a meal, the carbs in your food are broken down into glucose. The glucose enters your bloodstream where it is carried throughout your body to give…energy! Your pancreas in turn releases the hormone insulin to help your cells turn glucose into energy. What happens when there is too much sugar over and over again? Your body becomes insulin resistant. So, the pancreas sends more and more insulin out (poor pancreas) into the bloodstream so glucose can convert to energy but keep going along like this; forcing more insulin into your bloodstream, and your pancreas won’t be able to keep up. What happens instead is that the glucose becomes trapped into your bloodstream, and the cells of your muscles and organs are starved for energy. Eventually, this causes organ and nerve damage.which eventually will lead to heart disease, eye sight damage, limbs being amputated, strokes, etc.
That’s why your grandparents used to call it SUGAR. Because you give a urine sample and if you are experiencing diabetes an over abundance of glucose will present in your sample. Now, it is know as simply diabetes – type 2.
Type 1 diabetes is usually diagnosed in children and young adults, and was previously known as juvenile diabetes. Only 5% of people with diabetes have this form of the disease.
In type 1 diabetes, the body does not produce insulin. Insulin is a hormone that is needed to convert sugar, starches and other food into energy needed for daily life. With the help of insulin therapy and other treatments, even young children can learn to manage their condition and live long, healthy lives.
– See more at: http://www.diabetes.org/diabetes-basics/type-1/#sthash.meThJ71C.dpuf
Are You at Risk for Type 2 Diabetes?
- A waist that is 35 or more inches in diameter of you’re a woman or 40″ if a man.
- A Blood triglyceride of 150 or greater.
- Fasting blood sugar greater than 100mg.
Symptoms you may have type 2 diabetes:
- Common symptoms of diabetes: Urinating often Feeling very thirsty Feeling very hungry – even though you are eating
- Extreme fatigue
- Blurry vision
- Cuts/bruises that are slow to heal
- Weight loss – even though you are eating more (type 1)
- Tingling, pain, or numbness in the hands/feet (type 2) –
- See more at: http://www.diabetes.org/diabetes-basics/symptoms/#sthash.souFT766.dpuf
What you can do to prevent developing type 2 diabetes.
Eat a well balanced diet that is high in vegetables, low in simple carbohydrates, zero in refined sugar except on your birthday and maybe Christmas…if you must, and, this is a big one…cut out the alcohol.
I recently read a magazine about diabetes and they had some recipes that included chocolate cake. Come on! Chocolate cake? Yes, it had stuff like sugar and white flour. No, not a good thing to eat if you have or have not diabetes. This recipe for 1 Minute Chocolate Cake is the correct recipe for preventing diabetes:
1-Minute Cake With Almond Flour
1/4 cup Truvia Baking Blend
1/2 cup almond flour
3 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
1/8 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
2 tbsp coconut oil
1 egg
2 tbsp half & half
Directions
Mix all ingredients together in a bowl until the mixture is even and smooth (no lumps).
Pour 1/4 of the mixture into a mug and microwave for 1 minutes.
Refrigerate remaining batter for later!
I like to add unsweetened whipped cream on top. No sugar carbs in this recipe!
If you suspect you have symptoms of diabetes it is imperative to seek a doctor’s advice as soon as possible and be tested. I have my blood tested every year.There is medicines that can control diabetes and in severe cases, insulin injections. Hopefully, you will keep good healthy eating habits and avoid that long, dark ride down type 2 diabetes lane.
Day 7-The 30 Day Juicing Challenge
Today (Monday) I was pretty hungry in the morning which is usually an indication I had too much sweet things the day before. Hunger can get out of control with foods that are high glycemic. I thought back to last night and remembered I downed about 5 prunes. Way too much sugar. That was it. My plan was to always be in control of my appetite and not let my appetite control me. But, however, I was hungry and I decided to make a juice early. I went out and picked the last lime from our tree (will have to buy them now until next crop) and climbed the fence to reach my neighbors star fruit.
Today’s formula contained:
- sugar snap peas
- celery
- carrot
- blueberries
- star fruit
- apples
- a slice of ginger
So much better today than yesterday. Yummy actually and I again, do not sip but chug away. Made a little more than 8oz…more like 10oz. It filled me up and just the right amount of ginger.
I might of made a mistake buying these cooking greens. They contain kale and collard greens…..oh well. live and learn.
Still not feeling any amazing energy from the juicing…still staying away from sugar and gluten. When will I feel the magic?
Day 7 done. Check!
The Benefits of Jumpy-Jump
For the beginner
For the dedicated
The benefits of Jumpy-Jump. Okay, that’s not the real name…something I thought up as I see my husband put on his sneakers and walk towards the rebounder. A rebounder is a mini trampoline that people have been using for years for light exercise. So I say to him, in a really bad Downton Abbey accent, “Are you going to use the jumpy-jump?” Hence; we now call the ever present rebounder in our lives the jumpy-jump.
I first learned about a rebounder from the Harvey Diamond’s alternative health book, Fit For Life. If you haven’t read it, get your hands on a copy. He pointed out health hazards in the way we were eating way before we knew milk was bad for us. Diamond now lives in Sarasota area so I am going to try and get an interview with him.
You can pick up a cheap, or should I say inexpensive rebounder, but beware. Take the force of your body weight jumping up and down on a thing made of springs, canvas, and little legs. You want to make sure you have a good item so you don’t get a huge surprise when you are jumping, and possibly a terrible injury. You want to spend the money to get a quality product. I have links to many on this page and suggestions below.
| The typical rebound mini-trampoline is about 3′ in diameter and 9″ high. It is safe, easy to use, and effective. Research has led some scientists to conclude that jumping on a mini-trampoline is possibly the most effective exercise yet devised by man, especially because of the effect rebounding has on the lymph in the body. |
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Mini-Trampoline Exercise Good For Lymphatic System
The human body needs to move. The lymph system bathes every cell, carrying nutrients to the cell and waste products away. Contrary to blood which is pumped by the heart, the lymph is totally dependent on physical exercise to move. Without adequate movement, the cells are left stewing in their own waste products and starving for nutrients, a situation which contributes to arthritis, cancer and other degenerative diseases as well as aging. Vigorous exercise such as rebounding is reported to increase lymph flow by 15 to 30 times.
| The lymph fluid moves through channels called “vessels” that are filled with one way valves, so the lymph always moves in the same direction.The main lymph vessels run up the legs, up the arms and up the torso. This is why the vertical up and down movement of rebounding is so effective to pump the lymph. |
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Restrictive clothing prevents the flow of both blood and lymph. Wearing a bra to prevent sagging breasts actually weakens the muscles and connective tissue which helps to create sagging breasts. The free movement of the breasts during walking and exercise helps to pump the lymph through the breast tissue.
| Hours in a Bra Per Day* |
Chance of Breast Cancer* |
| 24 | 75.00% (3 out of 4) |
| >12 (but not while sleeping) | 14.28% (1 out of 7) |
| <12 | 00.66%(1 out of 152) |
| 0 (or rarely) | 00.60% (1 out of 168) |
*Singer and Grismaijer, 1995.
Rebounding For Detoxification And Immune System Benefits
| The rebounding motion stimulates all internal organs, moves the cerebral-spinal fluid, and is beneficial for the intestines. Many immune cells such as T-lymphocytes and macrophages are self-propelled through amebic action. These cells contain molecules identical to those in muscle tissue. All cells in the body become stronger in response to the increased “G force” during rebounding, and this cellular exercise results in the self-propelled immune cells being up to 5 times more active. These immune cells are responsible for eating viruses, bacteria and even cancer cells, so it is good that they be active. Jumping on a mini-trampoline directly strengthens the immune system, so it’s a big deal! |
When the outer coating of cancer cells has been dissolved by the enzymes trypsin and chymotrypsin, the immune cells attack the cancer cells. Therefore, supplementing one’s healing diet with enzymes, combined with rebound exercise are a useful way to combat cancer.
The mini-trampoline and safety
| Everyone should start with the gentle “health bounce” which means your feet remain IN CONTACT with the mat while the body moves up and down. The health bounce is sufficient to obtain all the benefits of rebounding while gently strengthening the entire body. The health bounce can be done while talking on the phone, listening to podcasts on your ipod or watching TV. It is recommended that you do your rebounding with bare feet so you do not slip. Note: My husband and I do not do it in bare feet but use sneakers. If you feel unsure on a rebounder, get one with a stabilizing bar. Here’s one Click Here. |
To recap, rebounding:
- It increases the capacity for breathing.
It circulates more oxygen to the tissues.
It helps combat depression.
It helps normalize your blood pressure.
It helps prevent cardiovascular disease.
It increases the activity of the red bone marrow in the production of red blood cells.
It aids lymphatic circulation, as well as blood flow in the veins of the circulatory system.
It lowers elevated cholesterol and triglyceride levels.
It stimulates the metabolism, thereby reducing the likelihood of obesity.
It tones up the glandular system, especially the thyroid to increase its output.
It improves coordination throughout the body.
It promotes increased muscle fiber tone.
It offers relief from neck and back pains, headaches, and other pain caused by lack of exercise.
It enhances digestion and elimination processes.
It allows for easier relaxation and sleep.
It results in a better mental performance, with sharper learning processes.
It relieves fatigue and menstrual discomfort for women.
It minimizes the number of colds, allergies, digestive disturbances, and abdominal problems.
It tends to slow down aging. - Source: http://www.healingdaily.com/exercise/rebounding-for-detoxification-and-health.htm
These are all plenty steep claims about the benefit of rebounding but my Rita Rimmer, who is the thermographer who does my yearly breast images with thermography has lectured me (lectured may be a strong word) about how I must keep my lymphatic system flowing. She has suggested to me a massage therapist that specializes in lymphatic drainage as recommended preventative health care.
Here is some more helpful information and products.
Other great sites:
- http://www.healingdaily.com
- https://www.facebook.com/HarveyDiamond
- http://curezone.com/blogs/fm.asp?i=980665
- http://ashleysgreenlife.blogspot.com/2012/09/rebounding-for-better-health.html
Day 6-Of The 30 Day Juicing Challenge
Sunday, I found a coupon in the newspaper for $10.00 off a $40.00 shopping spree at Sweetbay’s and my hubby and I jumped in the car and drove over to Sweetbay’s. I picked up some great organic veggies for my juicing and FINALLY picked up some fresh ginger.
At home, I juiced a blend of herbs, kale, a 1/2″ of ginger, celery, a cucumber and a handful of frozen raspberries. This was the first day that I did not add an apple and I later regretted that. Ick! It was so bitter and the ginger was overpowering but want not waste not and I drank it down in a few gulps. Yikes! The ginger burned and I expected heartburn to kick in 10 minutes after drinking, but no heartburn. Hmmmm
Anyway, tomorrow I will add the apple or apples and cut down on the ginger.
The old Hamilton Blender was making some grinding noises so I don’t expect it to last much longer but I have a spare extractor in the garage that I picked up at a garage sale, so I’ll keep using the Hamilton until it finally kicks the bucket.
And sorry but have to add this…talk about a cleanse. I spend some time on the toilet yesterday and I could go in for a colonoscopy today. Some people had told me that may happen with the juicing and yup, it did.
Today I got on the scale to see how much weight I lost now that my sis-in-law said I was looking thinner and my pants were fitting looser, and according to the scale; not one freaking pound. Wow! Was that disappointing. Numbers mean a lot to me.
But I will not give up…not for 30 days. I will not surrender.
Day 6 done. Check!
Day 5-The 30 Day Juicing Challenge
Left over salad works!
Day 5 was a Saturday and it was almost going to be a no juicing day. On the weekends we have a lot of people in and out of the house and usually eating, so I didn’t have much of a chance to get close to the extractor or the veggies.
Dinner time came and my sister-in-law and mother were here for dinner so they helped themselves to leftovers in the refrigerator from the Valentine’s dinner we had on Friday night. I saw my sister-in-law grab my special organic veggie mixture I use for juicing to make a salad. I thought, oh well, I may have to miss a day of juicing but that’s how it is. They also heated up the stuffed shells which is a no-no on my diet of no gluten or high glycemic foods, so I grabbed a glass of water and went to my room to read.
After awhile I came back to the kitchen and they were finishing up eating dinner and I looked and saw the bowl of salad with a lot of the greens left over; plus fresh tomatoes from the garden and cucumber slices. Perfect!
I got the extractor out and put the veggies through with blueberries, celery, and an apple. Plus, I added powdered ginger. (I still haven’t bought the fresh ginger.)
Everyone wanted a taste and they all agreed it tasted pretty good. My sister-in-law made a comment that last night she noticed that i was getting my waist back. That’s a good thing! Oh yea!
I made everyone hot fudge sundaes with home-made caramel and salt ice cream for dessert (a neighbor made the ice cream) which is amazing we still had because the normal is that if there was any ice cream in the freezer I would have consumed it all in one sitting, but it was still there and since the juicing I have had no cravings for sweets and I had no sundae and didn’t even lick the spoon. That’s new to me and didn’t really see that one coming. Shocking! Shocking, that the juice fills me up so much and satisfies me.
Day 5 done. Check!
D5 Creation