IMEX Associates

How to Prevent Diabetes Mellitus

It is important to be knowledgeable about the disease process in order to understand how to prevent diabetes. Diabetes is a disorder that affects the way food is digested and used for energy. Food is broken down into a form of sugar, called glucose. Glucose is then used by cells for growth and energy. However, insulin must be present in order for the glucose to reach the cells.

Individuals with diabetes are unable to utilize the glucose because of decreased or absent insulin production by the pancreas, and insulin resistance. Insulin resistance means that the cells do not properly use insulin. Due to the glucose not being utilized by the cells, it builds up in the blood stream.

Diabetes is diagnosed in one of three ways:

* Type 1, or juvenile diabetes

* Type 2, or adult onset diabetes

* Gestational diabetes.

Type 1 most often affects people below the age of 40, but can occur at anytime. It is considered an auto-immune disease. This means the immune system is attacking the cells in the pancreas that are responsible for insulin production. The cause is not fully understood and, therefore, it is not preventable.

Gestational diabetes, also called carbohydrate intolerance, is diagnosed at some point during pregnancy. It usually resolves after birth, but the mother is at an increased risk of developing Type 2 diabetes later in her life.

Type 2 is the most common, and usually affects people over the age of 45. It is characterized by insulin deficiency and insulin resistance. It is the only form that can be preventable.

Prevention starts with awareness of the risk factors which include: a family history of diabetes, sedentary lifestyle, poor diet, excess body weight, and if you are over 45 years of age.

Some ways you can reduce your risk of developing this condition are eating healthy, exercise, and weight loss if you are overweight.

Healthy eating consists of eating low fat and low calorie foods. Avoid having a lot of animal products in your diet, and eat plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.

Incorporate at least thirty minutes of moderate physical activity into your daily routine. If you are overweight, work on shedding those excess pounds. Healthy lifestyle choices and awareness are essential to prevention of diabetes.…

Important Information About Diabetes

Across the United States millions of people suffer from diabetes. According to statistics from the American Diabetes Association this it is actually much higher than this because there are many people who have not been diagnosed before. Once it has been discovered that you have diabetes there is still a way you can get your old normal life back. There are so many things about diabetes that people do not know and some of these things need to be revealed.

The first thing you need to know is that diabetes is not at all a progressive disease. There are chances that you can actually control and monitor the diabetes all by yourself. If you are diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes (usually common in juveniles) then you will need to begin using insulin because your body is not producing it at all. You could use an insulin injection while having a good exercising routine and having a diet that is healthy.

If however you have Type 2 diabetes then it means your body is producing the insulin but it is just not being used well. This diabetes occurs later in life and can be brought under control through regular exercise, constant blood sugar monitoring, good diet and in some occasions medication that is oral.

Pre-diabetes is the condition that occurs just before someone actually gets the full diabetes. This condition can be dealt with very well and stopped from advancing to worse levels of diabetes through certain changes to your lifestyle. Make a change in your diet through the reduction of grains and sugar and involve exercise in your day-to-day life.

If you have been diagnosed with pre-diabetes, it might seem like you are safe but the fact is you are not safe. A quick change of lifestyle will save you from making your condition worse and making it fully blown diabetes. If you decide not to do anything about it then you should brace yourself for the diabetes. Your doctor should be able to offer you the perfect remedy for this condition and they should be able to offer you a blood sugar meter which will help you monitor it and see if you are on the right path to recovery.

Blood sugar levels always increase because of carbohydrates. High Fructose Corn Syrup and refined sugars are the top culprits in this respect. Diabetics should not exactly think that whole wheat bread is okay for them also. It might be advisable to have an apple everyday but with diabetes it is bound to increase the sugar to levels and that might create trouble. Eliminate breads, sugar, pastas, cereals and some fruits apart from berries from your routine of feeding. Blood sugar counts should be at 75-90 between meals and it should be 120 about 2 hours just after the meal. If it goes beyond 140 then you need to think about changing your diet.

Many people do not know it but controlling diabetes is a combination of factors. Eating healthy and indulging in regular exercise is the best way to control diabetes. This should be topped up with regular monitoring of the blood sugar level. All in all, it takes a combination of all 3 to ensure that your problem of diabetes is going to be beat and you will soon be freed from it.…

Herbal Tea – Uses and Benefits

The Chinese have known about the medicinal benefits of tea since ancient times. One of the most popular herbs today is chamomile (matricaria). Chamomile is regarded as a great all round herb. It will calm anxiety and relax tension, both physical and emotional. It is also helpful for flatulence, diarrhea, stomach disorders and gastritis, insomnia and toothache. Chamomile is also an excellent herb for teething babies or when they have ear infections, cramps or stomach aches. I have also listed some other popular herbal tea and their benefits.

Loose Leaf Tea

DANDELION Dandelion can be used to assist skin conditions such as acne and eczema, as well as itchy or scaly rashes. It also stimulates appetite, and the flow of bile and works as a diuretic. Dandelion is beneficial for liver and gallbladder disorders and digestive complaints. It can also be used in managing weight problems and distributing cholesterol.

DONG QUAI Dong quai like lady’s mantle is a great herb for easing symptoms of premenstrual syndrome and heavy menstrual bleeding. As well as helping balance female hormones dong quai is also rich in iron, magnesium and niacin, which makes it an excellent blood stimulant.

ECHINACEA Echinacea must be one of the most popular, and most used herb. It is most useful in stimulating the immune system, helping the body to rid itself of infections of all sorts, including fungal, viral and those caused by micro organisms. Effectively echinacea increases the body,s defenses helping them to work more efficiently.

EPILOBIUM Epilobium is the most effective herb for treating prostate condition disorders, with no side effects. It is also a herb with exceptional long term therapeutic effects.

FEVERFEW Feverfew Loose Leaf Tea has been associated with promoting restful sleep, relief from asthma attacks and improving digestion. By far its most noted use is effectiveness in relieving and preventing migraines. Probably due to a combination of active constituents of the herb, which are both anti-histamine and anti- inflammatory.

CHAMOMILE Chamomile is regarded as a great all round herb. It will calm anxiety and relax tension, both physical and emotional. It is also helpful for flatulence, diarrhea, stomach disorders and gastritis, insomnia and toothache. Chamomile is also an excellent herb for teething babies or when they have ear infections, cramps or stomach aches.…

Herbal Teas For Nursing

If you are a lactating mother, and you have not yet been introduced to herbal teas for nursing, then tune in and get inspired! Even if you have been using herbal teas already to support you in motherhood, it’s always interesting to know a little more about the nutritious medicines that you are taking. Herbal teas are especially useful when your baby is going through a feeding spurt, and you are not producing enough milk to meet these demands.

Common Herbs used in Nursing Teas Today

Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) has both a rich flavour and history of use in breastfeeding mothers. It has been used to boost milk production, and also to treat colic in babies since antiquity. It enhances digestion by preventing flatulence and cramping. So it’s ideal for lactation. No good nursing tea would be without Fennel!

Caraway (Carum carvi) is from the same plant family as Fennel, the Umbelliferae family, and when you compare the two plants physically you see that they both grow erect, with many branches that shoot out from the main stem and are topped with umbrella-like clusters of tiny flowers. Caraway is a wonderful lactation and anti-colic herb, just like fennel. However it’s used extensively in breads, sauerkraut, cheeses and digestive liquors throughout Europe. It also improves iron absorption in nursing mothers.

Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum) is an enhancer of breast development, and has long been used for lactation. I’ve known women who have experienced an increase in breast milk production with this herb who were not even breastfeeding at the time! Another reason why fenugreek is great for nursing mums is it helps your body regulate blood glucose levels, thus improving energy production and reducing carbohydrate cravings!

Anise (Pimpinella anisum). We use the deliciously sweet seeds of anise for their high content of volatile oil, which is responsible for it’s powerful anti-flatulence and anti-colic activities. It’s from the same family as Fennel and Caraway, with its own umbrella-like clusters of tiny flowers.

Lemon Verbena has historically been used to promote healthy milk flow. It’s also a soothing relaxant, and helps to make breastfeeding a more harmonious experience.

In some situations it may be necessary to slow down your production of milk. In this case it’s best to consult a professional herbalist. They will use herbs such as sage (salvia officinalis) to achieve this.

Nursing Teas are a wonderful support for mother and baby throughout lactation and even beyond. There’s no time like the present to make sure that you are both receiving the best, natural nutrition possible. Happy Nursing!…

The Benefits of Echinacea Herbal Tea

Echinacea herbal tea has been determined to provide many health benefits to those that drink it. Echinacea is a plant that is native in the regions of Eastern North America and Central North America. While nine varieties of these plants have been discovered to date, only three are incorporated into herbal medicine. These three varieties include “Purpurea”, “Angustifolia”, and “Pallida”. This plant is believed to have been one of the primary plants used in the tribes of Native Americans. While popular in the late 18th century and the 19th century, once antibiotics were introduced, it declined in popularity. In today’s world, Echinacea herbal tea is regaining in popularity as it is a natural health remedy.

One of the most popular benefits for the health when it comes to Echinacea herbal tea is that it acts as a natural means for boosting the body’s immune system. Many individuals will consume antibiotics when they are sick in order to kill the bacterium that is causing their sickness. Echinacea works much differently than antibiotics in that it does not kill the bacterium that is causing the sickness. It works by providing an enhancement to the overall strength of the immune system so that it can successfully fight off bacteria. In addition to being able to fight against bacteria, it can help the body to fight against fungus and even viruses. This means that by drinking Echinacea herbal tea, you can easily combat colds, a fever, soreness in the throat, infections, and coughs.

Echinacea herbal tea has been known to assist in skin complications. There are many skin problems that one may suffer from. These include mild to severe bouts of eczema, acne of all forms, inflammation, irritation, and even painful and embarrassing boils. In addition to soothing the complications associated with skin issues, this tea is extremely helpful in assisting those that have disorders that affect the joints, and the muscles. Many times, individuals that have these types of illnesses suffer from pain. In most cases, that pain is a direct result of inflammation that occurs throughout the body. If you drink Echinacea herbal tea on a regular basis, and suffer from such a condition, you will likely discover that you no longer experience these challenges.

In studies conducted by those with an avid interest in medicine and herbal remedies, it was found that Echinacea herbal tea may prove to be highly beneficial for treating respiratory conditions such as asthma. The tea contains various parts of the actual Echinacea plant. While the roots are the most productive ingredient as believed by many, the stem of the plant and the leaves of the plant are also contained within the tea. Additionally, the flowers from the plant are also used. Many individuals find that if they add a touch of honey and a touch of lemon that the taste is improved and the health benefits that the tea provides are optimized. Honey and lemon both have been stated to have properties that help in boosting the immune system. While Echinacea herbal tea is quite beneficial, if you wish to consume it, it is best to first discuss it with your doctor. This is especially true if you take any prescription medications.…

Dandelion Root Tea

Dandelion root tea, also known as dandelion coffee, is a drink made by infusing prepared roots of Dandelion plant.

The flowering plant known for its bright butter-colored flowers on long stems. It is native in Europe, Asia and Americas, and it’s often considered as a weed because of its hardiness. But parts of the plant, like leaves and its long taproot, are actually edible and are included in the cuisine in some parts of Europe and Asia.

Young dandelion leaves and buds, after blanching and cooking, can be eaten as a leaf vegetable while the taproots of more mature plants, (which can tend to look like pale carrots), can be used to make tea, or coffee substitute.

Benefits of Dandelion Root Tea

The tea has many medicinal uses.

It has high potassium content and offers a benefit to people suffering from diarrhea with vomiting. It’s also good for dyspepsia, heartburn and can help improve the appetite. Diabetics can also benefit from blood sugar-lowering effects of dandelion root tea.

People with hypertension may benefit from the tea because it promotes urination that reduces salt and water levels in the blood, lowering excessive pressure.

People with problems in the liver, gall bladder and spleen may benefit from dandelion root tea because it has compounds that protect liver from stress and promotes good bile flow.

Take one cup of dandelion root tea daily to help alleviate stress and reduce inflammation from viral diseases like colds, flu and fever.

Preparation

Dandelion root tea is very easy to prepare. It is commercially available in powder form, which can be purchased in health stores and online tea stores. It is made from freshly harvested mature roots of dandelion plants that are cleaned, dried then ground into powder.

To make a tea, mix 1 tbsp of powder to 8 oz. water then boil for 5 minutes. You can flavor it with cinnamon, or add honey.

Contraindications

Like all herbal plants, some people may not take dandelion root tea. The effects of compounds found in it on unborn, or newborn babies is not known, so it’s not recommended for pregnant and nursing mothers.

People taking potassium-sparing diuretics, such as Spironolactone and Amiloride, are not allowed to drink it because it may cause Hyperkalemia (too much potassium in the blood).

People with dealing with hemophilia, or people undergoing chemotherapy or aspirin therapy, should note that drinking it may impair blood clotting.…