General Articles

Know Where Your Cup of Tea Comes From

Tea lovers would appreciate every cup of tea more if they could learn that the finest tea come from the finest estate tea gardens all the world. Estate tea gardens are smaller pockets of gardens where the tea plant Camellia sinensis are grown. These estate tea gardens are usually found in areas where the climate is perfect for growing fine tea. These are usually in the colder parts of the world such as the hills of Sri Lanka, India, Japan, China, Taiwan, the Himalayas and the coast of Africa.

The tea plant will grow new buds and leaves, called flushes, every seven to ten days during the growing season. Only the bud and top two leaves or about the top 1-2 inches of the mature plant are leaves, leaf buds, and internodes of the Camellia sinensis are carefully handpicked and prepared on these estate tea gardens, to be ready for shipment to other countries around the world. The United Kingdom, Turkey and Ireland are the. three biggest tea drinkers of the world per capita. This beverage can be enjoyed hot or cold, and could give a calming and soothing feeling with every sip of tea.

In some parts of the world, serving a cup of tea is a token of hospitality. This beverage is widely embraced as part of many people’s daily meal. Research indicates that a cup of tea may aid in digestion and could give that relaxing feeling. Taken hot or cold, every cup of this beverage is good for all ages and would also bring some health benefits.

Tea may come in many different varieties, the most common of which are the yellow tea, green tea, black tea, oolong tea and the pu-erth. Pu-erth is known to have medicinal use, while the rest of the varieties are among the most common varieties which come from the same plant called Camelia sinensis.

The herbal tea variety would be a fusion of clowers, fruits, herbs, or other materials from plants which would not contain Camellia sinensis. Other variety called ‘red tea’ is a fusion of the black variety from Africa’s rooibos plant and would not have the Camellis Sinensis in it.

Tea is also known to give health benefits to those who are regular drinkers of this beverage. There are published medical studies which discuss the medical benefits of this beverage including aiding weight loss, reducing the risk of cancer, may have a beneficial effect on the complications of diabetes, may help prevent hypertension, among many other benefits.…

Diabetes Management and Team Approach

Diabetes management and team approach, when combined, go a long way in providing the best possible care for the patients. So when I read the latest news on the early team approach being the best medicine, I dove right into it. I am not a stranger to this concept as I have always used this in my practice.

Integrating a team of specialists including a diabetes educator, a dietitian, cardiologist, nephrologist and endocrinologist is the way to go to lower the risk of complications. It can also lower the cost for the health care system. So does an online survey of physicians found out.

About 44% of the physicians reported that 50% of their patients developed one of the complications including nerve pain, cardiovascular disease, stroke, limb amputation, blindness and kidney disease. They said that most patients are not aware of these complications, especially the kidney disease.

What is not realized is that most people diagnosed with type 2 diabetes already have some form of impairment in the kidney. In order for the patients to know of this complication is to require yearly testing for those at the earliest stage of type 2 diabetes including a microalbumin urine test.

Those on the latter stage of type 2 diabetes should have blood testing of the kidney function. Knowing the impairment can lead to interventions to prevent further damage to the kidney and other serious type 2 complications like heart disease.

The physicians revealed in the survey that patients do not adhere to lifestyle modifications as well as following the prescription. In this case, the intervention of nutritionist or dietitians can help patients get back on track. About 63% of the participants agreed the members of the team can help them.

The physicians surveyed, 93% of them in fact, believe that some are not using the team approach to prevent complications although 71% believe it can be done. Diabetes management and the team approach will reduce the burden on the health care system and the patients.

The goal of diabetes management is to achieve glycemic control through lifestyle modification, insulin or oral therapy. This requires monitoring and careful follow-up and support and so there is a need for a core group of professionals with different roles and functions.

This interdisciplinary team approach is not a new concept in the treatment of chronic illnesses but is relatively new to diabetes. There is a need for the diabetes care providers to view their roles and relationships with their patients and with the professionals in other disciplines.

Recognizing the diabetes treatment as complex led both the American Diabetes Association and the American Association of Diabetes Educators to endorse diabetes management and team approach as the ideal model for the delivery of diabetes care.

The diabetes treatment team includes, physicians, dietitians, nurses and behavioral scientists that have training in diabetes management. This team will look after the basic requirements of medication, nutrition, self-management and self-monitoring. This can extend to podiatrists, ophthalmologists, pharmacists, exercise physiologists and even maternal-child care and gerontology specialists depending on specific needs.

This diabetes care team will insure that standards of care are met. The diabetes care should be based on research and focused on the desired outcomes. The team members will support and encourage each other in promoting the care that is centered on the patients and directed to the goal of providing the best care possible. And this can better be accomplished with diabetes management and team approach.

Diabetes experts agree that it is important to control the blood sugar level. This require a better approach to the treatment. The multidisciplinary team approach to diabetes care is essential to meet this goal. This will result to fewer complications so we cannot delay this any longer. We must therefore adopt the diabetes management and team approach.…

Herbal Tea Can Be a Delicious Way to Feel Better

There’s something so relaxing about drinking a cup of herbal tea. It’s flavorful and soothing, but did you know that there are health benefits to drinking herbal tea? Whether you have an upset stomach or a tension headache, or are having trouble sleeping, there is a delicious herbal tea that may help make you feel better.

If you have stomach or intestinal cramps, an herbal tea that will calm those painful spasms will help you feel better. Chamomile tea, known for its soothing and calming properties, is also good for digestion. Or try a cup of black cohosh, peppermint, or lemon balm tea to soothe your cramps.

A demulcent tea will soothe and lubricate your stomach when you’ve over-indulged. Marshmallow or mullein tea are known for their emulcent properties and will help calm down your digestive system.

Peppermint tea is a carminative, meaning it helps to get rid of intestinal bloating and gas. Drinking a cup of peppermint tea is a tasty way of reducing crampls from gas pains or painful bloating.

Chamomile tea has been used as a sleep aid for centuries. Clinical studies have shown that there is an amino acid in chamomile called glycine that acts as a mild, gentle sedative. Drinking a warm, steaming cup of chamomile tea before bedtime will treat your senses as well as sending you off to dreamland.

Valerian tea is another tasty tea that can help bring a restful sleep. Like with chamomile, there’s no morning grogginess or side effects. Valerian tea works especially well for people who sleep irregularly or have a hard time falling asleep.

Do you feel a cold coming on? There are several delicious herbal teas that can help to boost your immune system so that you’re better able to fight off colds. One of the best known herbal immune boosters is echinacea. This is a delicious tea that’s readily available. If you start drinking 3 cups a day when you first start to feel cold symptoms, your cold may be much less severe, of shorter duration, or you might not get the cold at all!

Goldenseal and astragalus teas are made from the roots of these plants and are well-known immunity boosters. Astragalus has been shown to have anti-viral properties, so is another very effective tea to drink when you feel a cold coming on. It can also be used daily as a preventative, to keep your immune system strong during stressful times. Goldenseal has been used to ease inflammation of the upper respiratory tract, easing cold symptoms.

Herbal teas have been used safely and effectively for years, by people all over the world. However, if you are pregnant, nursing or have a history of health issues, it’s important to proceed with caution. It’s always a good idea to consult with a doctor before trying any home remedy for the first time to avoid any potential side effects or adverse reactions, based on your current health. If your doc gives you the green light to drink the herbal tea of your choice, start with a low dose and see how you do with it. You can always drink another cup if all is well.

The next time you need some comfort, why not drink a cup of chamomile tea? It just might be good for what ails you!…

Are You the Next Diabetic?

Insulin enables the beta cells to accept glucose. With the regular dosage of glucose the cells are healthy. Pancreas produces insulin but it has a particular capacity. Pancreas may produce more insulin but only occasionally not always.

With the increasing consumption of fast foods, fatty foods, fried foods and sweet products, the body system calls for more production of insulin.

In the absence of sufficient insulin, billions of cells in the human body are not able to accept glucose. Ultimately it gets mixed up with blood and finally excreted through urine.

Effects:

1. Beta cells start getting weaker without the regular dosage of glucose. It results into dizziness, exhaustion and weakness.

2. Extra glucose in the body is washed out through urine so it results into frequent urination. It further washes off other valuable nutrients from the body.

3. With the loss of water, the body gets dehydrated and the cells of the body get weaker.

4. Weaker cells in the body affect the working of all the body systems.

5. Efficiency of pancreas is greatly affected since it has to be under regular pressure of producing more insulin. So it starts getting weaker.

The continuous process of undisciplined food habits and absence of any type of exercises will further weaken the body systems. Increasing glucose in the blood stream results into thickening of arteries and specially capillaries. It affects the supply of oxygen and nutrients to the beta cells of the body.

Result is Diabetes. It starts eating the body from within and the patient starts feeling its pinch in the form of heart problem, high blood pressure, eye problems, weakening immune system and problems with feet and legs and so on.

This is high time to realize the effects of Diabetes and take immediate steps to correct life style. Eating habits have to be improved. 60-75 minutes regular exercise has to be followed by everybody. Any delay will further increase the number of people going for more medicines and a painful older age.

Visit the site for Reversing Diabetes: …

Hydration In A Cup – How Tea Can Save Your Life

There’s nothing like a good cup of tea to quench your thirst and leave you feeling refreshed and ready to face the world. It’s a wonder how something so simple as tea leaves soaked in hot water, can have such an effect on a person. With a large array of health benefits, tea can be seen as a lifesaver to some; but this may be truer than you think.

The human body can survive for several weeks without food, but can only survive a few days without any fluids; providing functions to most body parts, fluid intake can affect the body in a number of areas. A key purpose involves the transportation of nutrients and oxygen in the blood; without this function the body cannot last.

Without the maintenance of an optimal fluid balance, the body can be put under threat from lack of hydration. The average cup of tea is 99.5% water, which is pretty much all of the drink; the myth that tea cannot count as part of your fluid intake because of the caffeine content is not all reliable. Through drinking tea during the day, you are in fact topping up your much needed fluid supply; killing two birds with one stone!

It has been found that nearly 40% of Britain’s fluid intake comes from tea; depending on the types of tea, the positive health benefits can improve even further. Drinking around 4 cups of tea a day can promote significant changes in a healthy lifestyle. With a high level of natural fluoride, tea can help us manage healthy oral conditions, as well as strengthening the power of the gums.

Different types of tea, such as herbal blends, can offer even further benefits to the drinker; chamomile and ginger infused teas take all the natural benefits of ordinary tea, but also build on everything you can get back from them. As natural remedies for sleep, and illness, it’s no wonder why they’ve been popular for so long, if you suffer from a lack of sleep then try one before you go to bed.

No matter what type of tea you drink, there is always some form of health benefit along in the package, if you notice it or not, drinking tea can have a great impact on your wellbeing and condition. With this in mind, there’s no excuse to have to say no to that third cup of tea in a row; after all it is good for your health!…

All The Flavor Options for Tea

Unlike coffee, tea is not reduced down to a single flavor with minimal variation. Taking into account the wide range of tea blends – those from the camellia sinensis plant and herbal options, or tisanes – here is a list of all flavor possibilities.

Dark and Malty

Breakfast black teas reflect the strong flavor of coffee without one element – a lack of acidity. Although darker, and described as malty at times, such blends, including English, Irish, and Scottish breakfast teas, provide the jolt of caffeine needed to get the day started. While flavor varies between each type, breakfast teas have a considerably darker flavor than their afternoon, green, or white counterparts.

Lighter

For teas originating from the camellia sinensis plant, most fall within this lighter range – moderately flavorful, still caffeinated, but without the impact of breakfast black teas. Falling within this range are afternoon black teas, such as Darjeeling or Earl Grey, the latter of which enhances the lighter flavor with bergamot oil.

Aside from black, green and white teas – both of which are processed less – fall within this range. Taste is less strong and caffeine amounts not as high, but along with the lighter, more palatable flavor, these two blends have greater concentrations of antioxidants – purported to have heart disease-, cancer-, and weight-fighting benefits.

Herbal

Although tea purists may balk at the notion, tisanes, or herbal blends, are included within the wide scope of this beverage. “Tisane,” on the other hand, is a nebulous term, and such teas have innumerable variations of spices, herbs, and fruits. Popular ones, however, include spice teas, vanilla, rooibos, mint flavors, and chamomile blends. Because of variation, tisanes tend to range from sharp or spicy to mild to sweet.

Fruity

Although tisanes made exclusively from dried fruit or rinds are one option, even black teas can have such a flavor infusion. Fruit flavors, for black, green, or white teas, play off the natural taste, adding a lighter side to a stronger blend or filling out and enhancing the flavor. For these teas, either loose or in bagged varieties, the fruit pieces are included in the blend. Nevertheless, adding your own fruit infusion to ordinary black tea is also a possibility.

For tisanes and infused black teas, however, there are no limitations on the types of fruits used. Orange is popular but by no means the only option. Black currant, raspberry, peach, lemon, apple, pomegranate, and mango are just some of the possibilities brands carry.…

High Blood Sugar FAQ – Causes and Complications of Diabetes

What is diabetes?

Diabetes is a malfunction of the body’s metabolism. The Islets of Langerhands in the pancreas produce little or no insulin at all. Glucose is not processed and it builds up as blood sugar. This buildup causes several complications, which can be fatal when untreated. It has two types:

• Type 1 is where the pancreas fails to manufacture insulin.

• Type 2 is where the body tissues develop an abnormal resistance to insulin utilization.

Both types are chronic; thus, they cannot be completely cured. However, they can be treated through various methods such as insulin injection, therapies, diets and food supplementation.

What are the medical implications of low insulin levels?

• Blood becomes more saturated with glucose, making it more viscous. Thus, its function of supplying oxygen and energy to the body is retarded.

• The body gets less energy, since glucose is stuck in the bloodstream. Glucose is wasted as it is expelled through the urine.

What causes this condition?

• Adults older than 50 years old are more vulnerable to developing the disease.

• Pregnant females may develop high blood sugar in the case called “gestational diabetes.”

• The disease can be genetic, and can be passed across generations in families.

• Overeating fatty and sweet food items may cause obesity, which will increase the risks of diabetes.

What are the symptoms of diabetes?

• Dizziness due to concentration of blood sugar

• Frequent urination due to urine viscosity

• Unquenchable thirst due to dehydration

• Fatigue and weakness due to unavailability of energy source

• Neuropathy or numbness in the hands, legs and feet

• Dry skin

• Blurred vision and weakening of senses

• Bruises and wounds that do not heal quickly

When the mentioned symptoms persist, there are chances that the condition is already diabetes, or blood sugar is abnormally high. It is advised to immediately seek a doctor for diagnosis. Diabetes can accurately be identified through blood tests.…