Vitamin D--New Study

Study: Vitamin D linked to stronger muscles in children Posted on February 1, 2014 by admin Earlier this month, we featured an article from Dr. Mark Lange about the importance of probiotics and prebiotics in children. Days later, another important children’s health study was released; this one a link between vitamin D and muscle mass in children. According to researchers in the United Kingdom, the presence of higher amounts of vitamin D in children – starting with pregnancy and running through age 4 – greatly influences muscle development, “primarily on muscle strength,” according to published reports. vitamin d children muscle strengthWhile this latest study tracked children whose mothers had increased levels of vitamin D, “previous research has linked low vitamin D levels to decreased muscle strength in children and adults,” the reports state. According to the study’s authors: It is likely that the greater muscle strength observed at 4 years of age in children born to mothers with higher vitamin D levels will track into adulthood, and so potentially help to reduce the burden of illness associated with loss of muscle mass in old age. The increasing recognition of vitamin D insufficiency among women of childbearing age, combined with the increase in exclusive and partial breastfeeding, may prevent infants from receiving an adequate amount of vitamin D from their diets. Because of these reasons, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends 400 IU daily of vitamin D with supplementation to begin in the first few days after birth and continue through childhood and adolescence. This entry was posted in Children's Health, Research & Studies, Women's Health and tagged children, muscle development, muscle strength, pregnancy, vitamin d. Bookmark the permalink. ← Mass-Marketed Energy Drinks Full Of … Calories and Sugars Dr. Deedra Mason: Inaccuracies in recent Vitamin D Study

Isotonix

Isotonix OPC-3® is an isotonic-capable food supplement that is made from a combination of bilberry, grape seed, red wine and pine bark extracts, and citrus extract bioflavonoids, all found to be powerful antioxidants. Oligomeric proanthocyanidins (OPCs) are bioflavonoids (complex organic plant compounds) found in fruits, vegetables and certain tree barks that provide exceptional nutritional benefits to the human body. Studies have shown OPCs to be up to 20 times more powerful than vitamin C and 50 times more powerful than vitamin E in neutralizing free radicals. Isotonix OPC-3 contains the only isotonic form of Pycnogenol® in the world. Pycnogenol is a natural plant extract from the bark of the French maritime pine tree and the most clinically researched and potent bioflavonoid.* Isotonic, which means “same pressure,” bears the same chemical resemblance of the body’s blood, plasma and tears. All fluids in the body have a certain concentration, referred to as osmotic pressure. The body’s common osmotic pressure, which is isotonic, allows a consistent maintenance of body tissues. In order for a substance to be absorbed and used in the body’s metabolism, it must be transported in an isotonic state. Isotonix® dietary supplements are delivered in an isotonic solution. This means that the body has less work to do to in obtaining maximum absorption. The isotonic state of the suspension allows nutrients to pass directly into the small intestine and be rapidly absorbed into the bloodstream. With Isotonix products, little nutritive value is lost, making the absorption of nutrients highly efficient while delivering maximum results.

Diabetes Exercise Checklist

Diabetes Exercise ChecklistExercise provides huge benefits for people with diabetes. If you’re ready to add more activity to your routine, here are five tips to help you get your exercise program off to a safe start. Know How Much Exercise You Need The American Heart Association recommends that people with diabetes get about 30 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise per day, 5 days a week. That includes brisk walking, or any other activity that gets your heart beating a bit faster, but isn't pushing you to your limits. People with type 2 diabetes should add two strength-training sessions a week, doing at least five exercises involving the major muscle groups. But be realistic at the start. Don’t expect to start off with 30 minutes of vigorous exercise daily if you've been inactive for a while. Start slow -- even walking 15 minutes twice a day is great for people who are just starting out. You can slowly make your workouts longer and more challenging. Protect Your Feet Diabetes makes foot problems more likely. So when you're exercising, take extra care of your feet. To protect against foot injuries, especially if you have diabetic nerve damage or circulation problems, wear cotton socks and athletic shoes that fit well and have plenty of room in the toe. Always check your feet every day for blisters, cuts, bumps, redness, or other sores. Watch Your Blood Sugar Exercise can have an immediate and long-term effect on blood sugar. If you’re taking insulin or medications that lower blood sugar levels, test 30 minutes before and every 30 minutes during exercise to make sure you’re stable. If you take insulin, avoid activity during its peak action time. Also, skip shots in the arms and legs on days you plan to work out. For most people, a blood sugar level between 100 mg/dL and 250 mg/dL is an OK pre-workout range. Here are some general guidelines for other readings. If your blood sugar is: Lower than 100 mg/dL: Have a snack with carbs -- fruit or crackers. 250 mg/dL or higher: Test for ketones, compounds your body makes when it doesn’t have enough insulin. If you’re active when ketones are high, it can make you ill. 300 mg/dL: Wait to exercise until it drops. Stop exercising if: You feel shaky, anxious, weak, or confused. You're sweating more than usual. Your heart is racing. You have a headache. These could be signs that your sugar is dropping or low, and they can happen during or several hours after exercise. Drink water before, during, and after exercise. Don’t wait until you feel thirsty. Have a Snack Exercise can lower blood sugar, so if you have type 1 diabetes, eat a light snack1 to 3 hours before a workout, depending on the type of insulin you use. During exercise, keep on hand items such as 3-5 glucose tabs, a small carton of fruit juice, a few pieces of hard candy, or 2 tablespoons of raisins to quickly raise your blood sugar if needed. Ask your doctor for tips on working out while wearing an insulin pump. If you’re using short- or rapid-acting insulin, talk with your doctor about reducing doses pre-exercise. Make Workouts Fun Look for ways to add more activity to your day. Take your dog on an extra walk, hand-wash your, car or lift weights between shows while you’re watching TV. Want to make exercise more fun? Bring a friend. Working out with a partner can make you more likely to do it -- and stick with it. WebMD Medical Reference View Article Source SOURCES: American Diabetes Association: “2014 Standards of Care.” American Diabetes Association, “Foot Care.” CDC: “Be Active,” “Overcoming Barriers to Physical Activity.” Marjorie Cypress, PhD, RN, president, Healthcare and Education, American Diabetes Association Johns Hopkins Health Alerts: “Diabetes and Exercise -- Keeping Your Blood Glucose Levels in Check.” Mayo Clinic, “Diabetes and exercise: When to monitor blood sugar.” Reviewed by Brunilda Nazario, MD on April 04, 2014 © 2014 WebMD, LLC. All rights reserved.

Tumeric

Turmeric Extract 100% Effective At Preventing Type 2 Diabetes, ADA Journal Study Finds Written By: Sayer Ji, Founder A remarkable human clinical study published in the journal Diabetes Care, the journal of the American Diabetes Association, revealed that turmeric extract was 100% successful at preventing prediabetic patients from becoming diabetic over the course of a 9-month intervention.[1] Performed by Thailand researchers, the study's primary object was to assess the efficacy of curcumin, the primary polyphenol in turmeric which gives the spice its golden hue, in delaying the development of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in a prediabetic population. The study design was a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial including 240 subjects who met the American Diabetic Association's criteria for prediabetes. All subjects were randomly assigned to receive either 250 mg of curcuminoid or placebo capsules for 9 months. Type 2 diabetes progression was assessed by measuring a wide range of parameters, including changes in the insulin-producing cells within the pancreas known as β-cells, insulin resistance, and the anti-inflammatory cytokine known as adiponectin, at four different times: baseline, 3-, 6-, and 9-month visits during the course of intervention. The results were reported as follows: "After 9 months of treatment, 16.4% of subjects in the placebo group were diagnosed with T2DM, whereas none were diagnosed with T2DM in the curcumin-treated group. In addition, the curcumin-treated group showed a better overall function of β-cells, with higher HOMA-β (61.58 vs. 48.72; P < 0.01) and lower C-peptide (1.7 vs. 2.17; P < 0.05). The curcumin-treated group showed a lower level of HOMA-IR (3.22 vs. 4.04; P < 0.001) and higher adiponectin (22.46 vs. 18.45; P < 0.05) when compared with the placebo group." [emphasis added] The researchers concluded: "A 9-month curcumin intervention in a prediabetic population significantly lowered the number of prediabetic individuals who eventually developed T2DM. In addition, the curcumin treatment appeared to improve overall function of β-cells, with very minor adverse effects. Therefore, this study demonstrated that the curcumin intervention in a prediabetic population may be beneficial." The full study can be viewed for free on the American Diabetic Association's Diabetes Care website: http://care.diabetesjournals.org/content/35/11/2121.full Discussion Considering that at least 40% of the US population ages 40-74 are believed to have prediabetes, according to CDC statistics, [2] the health implications of this study are profound. Curcumin, which constitutes approximately 3-4% of dry turmeric powder by weight, is affordable, safe and easily accessible. Moreover, over 600 potential health benefits of curcumin (and/or turmeric) have been documented within the biomedical literature freely available to peruse on either the National Library of Medicine's open access database (pubmed.gov search: "curcumin"), or for your convenience, our intricately organized Curcumin database. Recently, we highlighted research on curcumin's potential ability to heal the diabetic liver. (Read: Turmeric May Repair and Regenerate Diabetic Liver Function) But this is really only the tip of the iceberg. Below you will find the related sections on our Curcumin database indicating curcumin's value in a wide range of diabetic complications: Disease Category Article Count Diabetes Insipidus 1 Diabetes Mellitus: Type 1 9 Diabetes Mellitus: Type 1: Prevention 1 Diabetes Mellitus: Type 2 13 Diabetes: Bone Quality & Density 1 Diabetes: Cardiovascular Illness 11 Diabetes: Cataract 2 Diabetes: Cognitive Dysfunction 6 Diabetes: Glycation/A1C 2 Diabetes: Kidney Function 4 Diabetes: Liver Disease 1 Diabetes: Oxidative Stress 2 Diabetic Microangiopathy 1 Diabetic Nephropathy 2 Diabetic Neuropathies 2 Diabetic Retinopathy 4 Considering the abject failure, if not also sometimes deadly nature of diabetic medications, turmeric (curcumin) provides an ideal alternative. We can only hope that medical professionals who treat prediabetics and diabetics will take seriously this study, especially considering that it was published in the American Diabetic Association's very own, highly respected journal. ________________________________________ [1] Somlak Chuengsamarn, Suthee Rattanamongkolgul, Rataya Luechapudiporn, Chada Phisalaphong, Siwanon Jirawatnotai. Curcumin extract for prevention of type 2 diabetes. Diabetes Care. 2012 Nov ;35(11):2121-7. Epub 2012 Jul 6. PMID: 22773702 [2] CDC: Diabetes. National Diabetes Fact Sheet; United States, 2003.

Lose Weight and Improve Your Diabetes

Lose Weight and Improve Your Diabetes Simple & Realistic Weight Loss Tips for People with Type 2 Diabetes By Barbie Cervoni, RD, CDE Updated February 27, 2014 There are many reasons to lose weight - reduce stress on joints, increase energy levels, reduce blood pressure and lipids, improve sleep and self-esteem. Losing weight is also extremely effective in improving blood glucose levels. The American Diabetes Association recommends that people with Type 2 diabetes who are overweight aim to lose a minimum of about 7% of their body weight. Weight loss improves insulin sensitivity. Think of insulin as a "gate keeper" - its job is to take sugar from the blood stream to the cells to use for energy. Insulin opens the cell to let the glucose inside. When a person is overweight, fat acts like an obstacle course and interrupts insulin from doing its job. Instead of sugar going to the cells, it remains in the blood. That is why we often say, people who are overweight are 'insulin resistant.' Their cells are unable to accept the sugar efficiently. By losing weight we can improve insulin sensitivity and hence lower blood sugars. Slow and Steady: Rapid weight loss might seem like the way to go, but odds are losing weight at a rapid pace won't be long lasting. The American Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics recommends losing 1-2lbs per week. To do this you need to yield a calorie deficit of 500-1000 calories per day. You can achieve this by a combination of diet and exercise. How Can I Get Started? A Registered Dietitian or Certified Diabetes Educator can create an individualized meal plan for you. Meal plans should be individualized based on past medical history, lifestyle, likes and dislikes, as well as reactions to certain carbohydrates. Ideally, persons with diabetes should follow a low - moderate carbohydrate diet, rich in fiber, lean protein and hearth healthy fats. New research leads us to believe that the fat quality is more important than the total intake of fat. It's best to swap saturated fats for heart healthy fats. For example: avoid or limit - bacon, sausage, full fat cheese, butter, and creamy dressings. Replace these foods with unsaturated fats like avocado, oil based dressing, nuts, seeds, fatty fish like salmon and tuna, and low-fat cheese. You can adjust portions of fats with your Registered Dietitian or Diabetes Educator. Eliminate Sugary Beverages and Added Sugars: People with Type 2 diabetes or at risk of should avoid all sweetened beverages and limit intake of added sugars (even natural ones) such as sugar, fructose, honey, maple syrup and agave. By reducing intake of sugary beverages and snacks you will not only improve your blood sugars, but you will lose weight too. Portion Control Your Carbohydrates: Carbohydrates are the bodies main source of energy but, when eaten in excess, the body is unable to burn them as fuel. Instead the excess carbohydrates are stored as fat. When choosing carbohydrates it's best to choose those that are low in added sugar and fat, rich in fiber, and minimally processed. Good Sources of Carbohydrates Include Foods Like: Fruit: whole fruit - fresh, frozen or canned (without added sugar) Low-fat dairy - 1% fat or skim milk, and plain yogurt (Low-fat plain Greek yogurt has less carbohydrates and more protein than regular yogurt) Legumes: all bean varieties (preferably dried, but if canned be sure to rinse them to eliminate most of the sodium) Starchy vegetables: sweet potato, squash, peas Whole grains: oatmeal, whole grain bread, quinoa, barley, bulgar, brown rice It's important to portion control your carbohydrates to control your weight and blood sugars. Many people with diabetes benefit from eating a consistent carbohydrate diet. A consistent carbohydrate diet entails eating about the same amount of carbohydrates for meals daily. Counting carbohydrates can get a bit complicated, but a Registered Dietitian or Certified Diabetes Educator can help guide you to find a meal plan that works best for you. If you are not sure where to find a Registered Dietitian of Certified Diabetes Educator ask your primary physician for a referral. If they do not know of any you can always search for one at: eatright.org. All persons with prediabetes and diabetes are entitled to meet with a Registered Dietitian or Certified Diabetes Educator. Keep a Food Journal: A food diary helps to keep you accountable for what you put into your mouth. You can use a smart phone app to log your food or write it down manually. Logging your food can help you discover which foods impact your blood sugars the most and what types of food combinations work best for your body. It can be used to track calories, fat, carbohydrates and exercise. In addition, a food log can also help you discover and change food behaviors. If you are someone who eats emotionally this is a good tool to help re-direct your behavior and facilitate change. Weight loss goes well beyond the numbers on the scale - it's about making lifestyle changes that are long lasting. Get Moving: Exercise can improve blood sugars, sleep patterns, weight, mood and cholesterol levels. Aim to participate in physical activity that you find enjoyable and realistic. Start with a goal of 10 minutes per day and work your way up to 30 minutes daily (The American College of Sports Medicine recommendation of 150 minutes per week). Be sure to have medical clearance by your physician before starting any exercise regiment. Resources: American Diabetes Association. Standards of Medical Care in Diabetes – 2014. Diabetes Care. 2014 Jan; 37 Suppl 1: S14-80. American Dietetic Association Position Paper: Weight Management. J Am Diet Assoc. 2009; 109: 330-346. American College of Sports Medicine. ACSM issues new recommendations on quality and quantity of exercise. Accessed on-line January 12, 2014: http://www.acsm.org/about-acsm/media-room/news-releases/2011/08/01/acsm-issues-new-recommendations-on-quantity-and-quality-of-exercise Get Started Today Healthy Eating on a Type 2 Diabetes Diet Five Apps You Want to Know About if You Have Diabetes Nutrition and Diabetes List of Starchy Vegetables Kale Nutritional Benefits Toasted Pumpkin Seed Recipe - Traditional Mexican Pepitas Jack LaLanne Quotes and Diabetes