La Sallista Ako Network the "Green Network"

Diabetes- The Aging Disease 

Diabetes is a very serious disease.  A lot of people don’t realize how this disease can be so deadly in so many ways.  Simply put diabetes happens when your blood levels of glucose, a form of sugar, are too high. Diabetes can lead to dangerous health problems.  These health problems are diverse and cause your body to age and break down rapidly.

There are 2 ways glucose is measured.  When you have a blood test your doctor looks for two key things.  The first is the blood sugar count and the second is the hemoglobin A1C or simply A1C.  Think of the A1C as jagged pieces of glass attached to your red blood cells tumbling around all over your body ripping everything that it touches.  The higher your A1C the more of these damaging shards tumble around damaging your body. 

Left unchecked high A1C levels can lead to a host of problems.

The good news is that high glucose levels can be managed to help control the disease and prevent or delay future problems.

What is Diabetes?

Our bodies change the foods we eat into glucose. Glucose travels through the bloodstream to "fuel" or feed our cells. Insulin is a hormone manufactured by our pancreas that helps our bodies use glucose for energy. People with diabetes either do not make insulin, do not use insulin properly, or both. This means they have too much glucose (sugar) in their blood.

As a result, they often feel tired, hungry, or thirsty; they may lose weight, urinate often, or have trouble with their eyes. In time, the high levels of this form of sugar in the blood (glucose) can hurt your eyes, kidneys, and nerves. It can also cause heart disease, strokes and even the need to remove all or part of a limb (amputation).

Diabetes tends to run in families, but other factors add to the risk of getting diabetes. For example, being overweight and underactive can sometimes trigger diabetes in people who are at risk. There is a lot of research underway looking at what causes diabetes and how best to manage it. But there is a lot we do know. For example, we know that careful control of blood glucose, blood pressure, and cholesterol can help prevent or delay diabetes and its complications.

Types of Diabetes

There are two types of diabetes. In one kind, people must take insulin every day. This is called type 1 diabetes, formerly known as juvenile-onset diabetes. Type 1 diabetes is often first seen in children, teenagers, or adults under age 30.

The second kind of diabetes happens when the body produces insulin but doesn't use it in the right way. This is called type 2 diabetes, formerly called adult-onset diabetes. It is most common in people over age 40 although recent trends show more and more people developing this deadly disease at ages as young as 10.  Right now this is one of the fastest growing diseases affecting the population of all ages. 

Type 2 diabetes is linked to obesity, lack of activity, family history of diabetes, and family background. African Americans, Hispanic/Latino Americans, American Indians, and some Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders are at very high risk for type 2 diabetes.

There is also a condition called pre-diabetes in which blood glucose (a form of sugar) levels are higher than normal but not high enough to be called diabetes. This condition raises the risk of type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and stroke. People with pre-diabetes can delay or prevent type 2 diabetes by losing weight and being more active.

Symptoms

Often, people with type 2 diabetes have few or no symptoms. Many people with type 2 diabetes don't even know they have it. For some people, feeling run, down is their only symptom. Other people may feel thirsty, urinate often, lose weight, have blurred vision, get skin infections, or heal slowly from cuts and bruises. It is very important to tell the doctor right away about any of these problems.

Facts about Diabetes in America

Here are some statistics from the American Diabetes Association.

Data from the 2011 National Diabetes Fact Sheet (released Jan. 26, 2011)

Total prevalence of diabetes

Total: 25.8 million children and adults in the United States—8.3% of the population—have diabetes.

Diagnosed: 18.8 million people

Undiagnosed: 7.0 million people

Prediabetes: 79 million people*

New Cases: 1.9 million new cases of diabetes are diagnosed in people aged 20 years and older in 2010.

* In contrast to the 2007 National Diabetes Fact Sheet, which used fasting glucose data to estimate undiagnosed diabetes and prediabetes, the 2011 National Diabetes Fact Sheet uses both fasting glucose and A1C levels to derive estimates for undiagnosed diabetes and prediabetes. These tests were chosen because they are most frequently used in clinical practice.

Under 20 years of age

• 215,000, or 0.26% of all people in this age group have diabetes
• About 1 in every 400 children and adolescents has type 1 diabetes

Age 20 years or older

• 25.6 million, or 11.3% of all people in this age group have diabetes

Age 65 years or older

• 10.9 million, or 26.9% of all people in this age group have diabetes

Men

• 13.0 million, or 11.8% of all men aged 20 years or older have diabetes

Women

• 12.6 million, or 10.8% of all women aged 20 years or older have diabetes

Race and ethnic differences in prevalence of diagnosed diabetes

After adjusting for population age differences, 2007-2009 national survey data for people diagnosed with diabetes, aged 20 years or older include the following prevalence by race/ethnicity:

• 7.1% of non-Hispanic whites
• 8.4% of Asian Americans
• 12.6% of non-Hispanic blacks
• 11.8% of Hispanics

Among Hispanics rates were:

• 7.6% for Cubans
• 13.3% for Mexican Americans
• 13.8% for Puerto Ricans.

Morbidity and Mortality

• In 2007, diabetes was listed as the underlying cause on 71,382 death certificates and was listed as a contributing factor on an additional 160,022 death certificates. This means that diabetes contributed to a total of 231,404 deaths.

Complications

Heart disease and stroke

• In 2004, heart disease was noted on 68% of diabetes-related death certificates among people aged 65 years or older.
• In 2004, stroke was noted on 16% of diabetes-related death certificates among people aged 65 years or older.
• Adults with diabetes have heart disease death rates about 2 to 4 times higher than adults without diabetes.
• The risk for stroke is 2 to 4 times higher among people with diabetes.

High blood pressure

• In 2005-2008, of adults aged 20 years or older with self-reported diabetes, 67% had blood pressure greater than or equal to 140/90 mmHg or used prescription medications for hypertension.

Blindness

• Diabetes is the leading cause of new cases of blindness among adults aged 20–74 years.
• In 2005-2008, 4.2 million (28.5%) people with diabetes aged 40 years or older had diabetic retinopathy, and of these, almost 0.7 million (4.4% of those with diabetes) had advanced diabetic retinopathy that could lead to severe vision loss.

Kidney disease

• Diabetes is the leading cause of kidney failure, accounting for 44% of new cases in 2008.
• In 2008, 48,374 people with diabetes began treatment for end-stage kidney disease in the United States.
• In 2008, a total of 202,290 people with end-stage kidney disease due to diabetes were living on chronic dialysis or with a kidney transplant in the United States.
•  

Nervous system disease (Neuropathy)

• About 60% to 70% of people with diabetes have mild to severe forms of nervous system damage.

Amputation

• More than 60% of nontraumatic lower-limb amputations occur in people with diabetes.
• In 2006, about 65,700 nontraumatic lower-limb amputations were performed in people with diabetes.

Cost of Diabetes

• $174 billion: Total costs of diagnosed diabetes in the United States in 2007
• $116 billion for direct medical costs
• $58 billion for indirect costs (disability, work loss, premature mortality)

After adjusting for population age and sex differences, average medical expenditures among people with diagnosed diabetes were 2.3 times higher than what expenditures would be in the absence of diabetes.

These are indeed scary numbers and in spite of developments in modern science and medication the numbers continue to rise.  We simply cannot approach this just by treating the symptoms alone.  We must take preventive measures to control this disease through diet and exercise. 

But sometimes that may not be enough and there may be other alternatives that will compliment diet and exercise.  There are some in the medical field that are turning to alternative methods of treatment and this may include supplementation.  Popular supplements for blood sugar maintenance are chromium, alpha lipoic acid, cinnamon, fiber, bitter melon, banaba leaf extract, and many others.

One particular master antioxidant may hold promise in helping our bodies.

Glutathione and Diabetes

“No other antioxidant is as important to overall health as Glutathione.  It is the regulator and regenerator of  immune cells and the most valuable detoxifying agent in the human body.”

-Patrick J.D. Bouic, Ph.D. in The Immune System Cure-

Glutathione occurs naturally in body cells. GSH levels are actually indicative of the body’s state of health and well-being.

Glutathione(GSH) is often referred to as the master antioxidant or the mother of all antioxidants. Without GSH, other antioxidants such as Vitamins C and E will not be able to function to their fullest.

Science and the Distinction of Glutathione and Diabetes

People suffering from diabetes can benefit from higher levels of Glutathione in a number of ways:

* Glutathione protects cells from Oxidation

As an antioxidant, Glutathione protects cells from damage caused by free radicals and oxidation. Damaged cells age faster and have decreased functionality. In particular, GSH stops the spread of free radicals thereby preventing cell damage caused by oxidation.

There are many free radicals present in a diabetic’s body. Diabetics, however, have reduced glutathione levels. It is therefore essential for diabetics to increase their GSH levels so that their bodies will have enough antioxidants to neutralize the harmful free radicals.

* Glutathione May Help in Weight Control

Obesity and poor nutrition can predispose individuals to diabetes. Overweight people are especially at high risk of developing type 2 diabetes Mellitus.

Once contracted, diabetes will exacerbate an individual’s diet problems. This is because glucose, which is food for body cells, is not able to enter the cells properly. Consequently, the cells are always hungry. No matter how much a diabetic eats, his hunger will not be sated if he does not receive an adequate supply of insulin.

GSH can help individuals manage and control their weight. Glutathione can also prevent the accumulation of oxidized fats in blood vessels.

* Glutathione Increases Energy Levels

Because cells are not able to get adequate food which is needed to produce energy,diabetics tire easily. This can hamper their daily life, their social life, and may cause problems at work.

People who have diabetes can overcome their lethargy by taking a glutathione supplement which increases energy levels. With GSH and proper treatment, diabetics can live an active lifestyle and participate in any activity they want.

Glutathione – Strengthens The Immune System

Diabetics are susceptible to many complications due to the nature of the disease. Long term diabetes can lead to heart, kidney and circulation problems, including stroke. Blood that is high in glucose will be more viscous and requires the heart to pump with more force so that the blood can reach all areas of the body. The kidneys will also need to work harder to filter your blood.

People suffering from diabetes will need a strong immune system to help them fight against complications and secondary infections. Being a necessary component in the normal functioning of the immune system, Glutathione helps diabetics strengthen their immune system.

“Glutathione promotes longevity, protects the body against over 60 diseases, including arthritis, diabetes, Alzheimer’s  and Parkinson’s disease. It boosts the immune system strength and is useful autoimmune diseases and other health problems.”

-Dr. Gutman MD-

Glutathione also boosts the immune system by helping the liver neutralize toxic substances which can depress the body’s immune response. Some toxic substances contain free radicals which make them all the more harmful.

By preventing the spread of free radicals, aiding in weight management, increasing energy levels and strengthening the immune system, Glutathione can be considered a very important component in the treatment and management of diabetes.

Glutathione can be found naturally in many fruits including avocados, oranges, peaches and watermelons. It is also present in many vegetables like asparagus, broccoli, cabbage, Brussels sprouts, spinach and tomatoes. Some of these fruits and vegetables — particularly broccoli, cabbage, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, peaches and watermelon — can help the liver produce more Glutathione.

Other popular ways are supplementation through pills, tablets, and powders containing glutathione.  But not all these products are formulated correctly.

 Our proprietary Vitathione V-Glutathione complex formula contains the reduced form of glutathione plus 15 other ingredients that helps your body recycle and recharge its glutathione levels naturally.  Aging Is Nothing. Defy It.

*In addition to Glutathione, diabetics can help manage the disease by eating properly, exercising regularly and diligently taking their medications as prescribed. While glutathione may provide a lot of benefits in the management of diabetes, diabetics should not rely on GSH alone.

There are two main categories of functional foods. The first (and largest) category consists of ordinary foods that contain health-promoting substances. This category essentially includes all fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, soy and other legumes, and numerous other foods such as herbal teas, yogurt, and cold-water fish. When these foods are presented as functional foods, their specific health benefits and healthy constituents are highlighted, such as fiber, vitamins, minerals, and non-nutrient chemicals with potential health benefits.1  

The second category of functional foods consists of foods that have been enriched with a potentially health-promoting ingredient. Examples include margarines containing stanol esters, orange juice enriched with calcium and other nutrients, and beverages to which echinacea and other herbs have been added. 

Some of these functional food products are based on good, solid science. For others, however, the supporting evidence is weak or speculative. Furthermore, the requirement for good taste sometimes forces manufacturers to limit the amount of herbs and other additives to a level so low that they are unlikely to have any effect.

In the following table, we list some of the more promising functional foods, as well as natural products that are added to food products to create functional foods.

A Note About Labeling
The FDA allows labels on foods similar to those used on dietary supplements. These do not require very much scientific validation, and they formally state that the claims made are not approved by the FDA.
In some cases, however, the FDA has specifically authorized higher level health claims such as "heart healthy." These claims may be taken as representing scientific consensus. Because this is such a rapidly growing field, an increasing number of these labels should be expected.

This content is reviewed regularly and is updated when new and relevant evidence is made available. This information is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with questions regarding a medical condition.

Copyright © 2010 EBSCO Publishing All rights reserved.

 
It used to be that food was food and drugs were drugs. Nowadays, it is not always easy to tell them apart. Consumers are faced with a great variety of products—falling somewhere between medicine and food—promoted as medical treatments and as part of a well-balanced diet. Welcome to the ambiguous world of dietary supplements. 

The word "dietary" may lead people to believe such supplements are as safe as the foods we eat. While this is often the case, many of them have health effects—and side effects—comparable to medications. However, since dietary supplements are not as strictly regulated, like drugs, consumers need to be watchful and well-informed about purchasing these products.

The Nature of Dietary Supplements
Dietary supplements are edible products that contain one or more substances—usually natural—formulated to achieve a specific health effect. Three main groups of dietary supplements are:

• Nutritional supplements—These provide nutrients that are naturally present in food and have well-established health-related functions. These nutrients are isolated from foods and often provided at much higher concentrations. Examples include:
  • Amino acids
  • Fatty acids
  • High-dose vitamins and minerals
• Botanical supplements—These are herbal products containing concentrates or extracts from plants, such as:
  • Gingko biloba
  • Saw palmetto
  • St. Johns wort