There is a lot of debate as to whether liver function is a contributing factor as a cause of diabetes, or if diabetes is the cause of liver function malfunction. It is well established that insulin resistance is a precursor to diabetes. Many of the factors that contribute to the cause of insulin resistance are the same factors that cause liver damage. Regardless of the cause, if diabetes has been diagnosed, the liver is at risk and should be a major consideration in the maintenance of diabetes.

The liver performs many vital functions (over 500) that the body would not survive without. The liver is the first place that nutrients goes to after digestion. Virtually everything that is eaten or is absorbed through the skin goes through the liver. Nearly 2 quarts of blood pass through the liver every minute. Blood rich in nutrients flows from the intestines directly to the liver. That blood is also loaded with toxins and bacteria from the colon as well. The liver filters the blood and destroys the toxins and bacteria, allowing clean blood to circulate to the rest of the body. The liver also destroys poisons that are absorbed from pollution, smoking and drinking alcohol.

The liver manufactures bile, which is stored in the gallbladder, and discharges it through the bile ducts into the small intestine where it aids in the digestion of food. The liver manufactures HDL (good) cholesterol and deposits it into the bloodstream. HDL cholesterol seeks out LDL (bad) cholesterol and carries it back to the liver where it is processed and discharged with the bile fluids into the small intestine to be discharged. The liver also manufactures liver enzymes (GGT -gamma-glutamyltransferase) and processes numerous hormones. The liver stores fat soluble vitamins, and glucose (stored energy) and distributes them as required. The liver manufactures blood, proteins, and blood clotting substances.

Diabetes weakens the body’s systems. Bad diet, which played a major role in the development of diabetes, severely disrupts proper colon function. An impaired colon results in massive amounts of fats, bacteria and toxins in the digestive tract. Beneficial flora (bacteria) is lost due to overuse of antibiotics, and medications. Beneficial bacteria is the foundation for the body’s immune system. They normally destroy bacteria and toxins before they reach the liver. Substantial imbalances and reduced numbers have a serious negative impact on health. Blood from the digestive tract is overloaded with undesirables that the liver is charged with removing. Overloading the liver results further impairing its function. The bile ducts become restricted by the accumulation of small gallstones (thousands of them), which restricts the flow of bile to the small intestine. The liver starts to reduce the amount of bile produced, reducing the efficiency of digestion further.

Diabetics consume less than half the amount of fiber each day that their body requires. Fiber is responsible for removing the LDL (bad) cholesterol and other toxic residue from the body. The LDL cholesterol and toxic residue ends up being re-circulated because it is not removed from the body by fiber. The result, a seriously overloaded liver. When the liver’s filters lose efficiency, toxins and LDL cholesterol begin to build up in the bloodstream. The toxins begin to damage the walls of blood vessels. LDL cholesterol is oxidized and forms plaque in the arteries. Normally, the liver and spleen would destroy cancer cells, but , due to overload, fail to destroy them all. Medications are basically chemicals that the liver identifies as undesirable. The liver’s filters seek to remove them and attempts to break them down. Many medications cause a filter overload in the liver. They contribute heavily towards the overloading of the liver. That is why so many drugs have warnings about possible liver damage.

When the digestive system breaks food down into glucose, it is managed primarily by the liver. Glucose is broken down into storable forms of fat. As the body’s muscle tissues and organs use glucose for energy, the liver replaces it. Most diabetics do not get adequate exercise, resulting in an overabundance of glucose (in the form of fat) to be stored. Normally, the liver would store some of it in its cells, and put the rest in the adipose tissue (belly area). When the body needs more, the liver will convert the stored fat and place it in the bloodstream. If the diabetic has belly fat, they likely have a fatty liver. That means that their liver’s cells are full of sacs of triglycerides that that have accumulated. A fatty liver substantially reduces the efficiency of the liver. Fat build-up in the belly area increases insulin resistance, which is the body’s inability to manage glucose and insulin. Insulin resistance reduces the body’s ability to utilize glucose and insulin. As the glucose level increases in the bloodstream, the pancreas produces more insulin in an attempt to deal with it. Increased amounts of insulin encourages more fat to be stored, and blocks the livers attempts to convert the fat and distribute it.

Fatty liver is not a dangerous condition if it is removed early. If allowed to progress, the second phase of liver damage occurs (NASH). In this phase, oxidation begins to take place inside the liver, which destroys cells and causes scarring to take place. When the scarring increases, cirrhosis of the liver develops, which is irreversible. Cirrhosis, normally associated with alcoholism and hepatitis, can be fatal.

Liver damage is clearly preventable. The liver is merely one of the vital organs that are impacted by diabetes. Serious lifestyle changes need to be made. Major diet changes need to be made. The digestive tract must be cleaned, restored and maintained. The beneficial flora that is so important to a diabetic’s health and digestion must be restored and maintained. The liver’s filters need to be cleaned and maintained. Gallstones need to be softened and flushed out of the system. Other vital organs need to be cleaned, restored to good health, and maintained. All of which are easily done if incorporated into a good management routine. Clearly, there is considerably more that diabetics need to know and incorporate to take charge of their diabetes. Simply taking medications and seeing the doctor every few months is not enough.

Damage to the body’s vital organs, heart disease and stroke, eye damage, neuropathy, and all the other damage that otherwise would occur, are preventable. Some damage is reversible. Doctors are unprepared and unwilling to dedicate massive amounts of time to training diabetics on all of these topics. Diabetes trainers are limited by insurance companies to teaching only basic elements of diabetes care. It is very important for diabetics to learn as much as they can about their disease. The burden falls solely on the shoulders of the diabetic to self educate. Knowledge is power.

The internet is full of information. All that is needed it to spend a little time searching for it. Extensive coverage of all of these topics are found in easy to follow instructions. Go to www.diabeticshandbook.com for a free preview.

About The Author

Thomas Nelson is a freelance author and internet researcher. He resides in Central Florida with his family. He is a graduate of Webster University St. Louis, MO.- MBA in Business Administration, Florida Southern College – Lakeland, Florida – BS Business Administration, Milwaukee School of Engineering – Milwaukee, Wisconsin. www.diabeticshandbook.com

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Let's talk diabetes and nutrition on July 15 at 2 pm ET

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That’s all the news for today guys, so until next time, thanks for stopping by.

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Type 2 diabetes is a horrific disease that can bring forth several medical complications and problems such as a stroke, gout, blindness, and other skin problems. This is why it is so important that a person recognizes the type 2 diabetes symptoms and signs as soon as possible, as the disease can be controlled with the proper lifestyle program such as Kathy Smith’s Project You Type 2.

Here are some of the common type 2 diabetes symptoms to be on the look out for, especially if you are considered overweight or obese.

Fatigue

When your body deprives your cells of sugar, you become fatigues because you do not have the energy source anymore.

Increase thirst with frequent urination

When excess sugar builds up in your blood stream, it pulls the water and fluids from your tissues and cells, which leaves you constantly thirsty. The result is that you drink more than normal and have to urinate more than normal.

Blurry vision

This goes along the same lines as increased thirst. When sugar pulls the fluid away from the lenses of your eyes, you start to have trouble with your eyesight and it becomes blurry. You may not be able to focus clearly on objects.

Sores are slow-healing

Type 2 diabetes affects your body in that it takes much longer to heal your sores and infections. Your body does not have the proper energy to heal your body quickly anymore.

Increased hunger

When you don’t have enough insulin your body to move the sugar into your cells, your body craves the energy and food, even after you may have just eaten. This type 2 diabetes symptom actually worsens the effect of the disease as it can make a person gain even more weight.

If you concerned that you are suffering from at least 2 or more of the above type 2 diabetes symptoms, you need to see your doctor as soon as possible. The quicker that you are diagnosed with the disease, the quicker you can change your life and start fighting it.

The American Diabetes Association is recommending a lifestyle program called Project You Type 2, which was developed by fitness and nutritional expert Kathy Smith to change the way you live to fight off type 2 diabetes.

The good part about recognizing type 3 diabetes symptoms is that most of the time, the disease can be controlled with healthy lifestyle programs like Project You Type 2 and medicine may not be needed.

About The Author

Tiffany Brunskole is a writer for Surfer Body Fitness, an Online retailer who specializes in workout products and supplies from Beachbody such as

Insanity. Project You Type 2 can help you accomplish your weight loss goals.

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Liver dump, dawn phenomenon and dawn effect are all common terms that describe the same condition. It is an abnormally high early-morning fasting increase in blood glucose. It usually occurs between 4:00 AM and 8:00 AM. It occurs in everyone’s body, but it has more impact on diabetics than normal bodies. It is more common in people with type I diabetes than in people with type II diabetes. Understanding the phenomenon can go a long way towards helping diabetics manage it.

The liver is responsible for the increase in glucose levels in the bloodstream. The brain, vital organs, the creation of red blood cells, and muscle tissue are constantly consuming glucose to function (24 hours per day). When the glucose levels in the bloodstream drop, the brain sends a message, via hormones, to release more glucose. At the same time, these same hormones signal the pancreas to reduce the amount of insulin that is produced and released into the bloodstream. In a normal body, the balance of glucose and insulin levels will be regulated. However, diabetics have an impaired control over this balance. Type I diabetics and insulin-dependent type II diabetics do not produce, either enough or, any insulin. The insulin in their system is dependent upon periodic injections. When the hormone insulin is out of balance with the other hormones (cotisol, glucagon and epinephrine), the liver will release too much glucose.

Also, as the result of normal hormonal changes. The body’s internal clock recognizes that it is morning, and the wake-up process begins. The hormones cause the increase in blood glucose levels. No one actually knows what the exact cause of the phenomenon is, but many believe that it is increases in the hormones cortisol, glucagon and epinephrine, that causes increases in insulin resistance. Insulin resistance is a breakdown in cellular communication, resulting in reduced amounts of insulin attaching to cell membranes, which, in turn, results in the cells not taking glucose in to burn as energy. Insulin resistance is the primary cause of elevated blood glucose levels. Also, while sleeping, the body carries out a process called gluconeogenesis. During gluconeogenesis, the body converts amino acids into glucose. Like the release of stored glycogen the creation of glucose from amino acids occurs in response to hormonal signals. The body, during sleep, responds to signals from several different glands. The pituitary gland produces a growth hormone. The adrenal cortex produces cortisol. The alpha cells in the pancreas make glucagons. The outer layer of the adrenal gland sends out epinephrine. Those hormones raise the blood glucose level.  There are specific methods that can be applied to determine if a patient has the liver dump phenomenon.

There are other possible causes of the dawn phenomenon. Insufficient amounts of insulin taken, or incorrect medication amounts taken the night before, may result in increases in blood glucose levels. High glycemic index foods (certain carbohydrates), can cause an increase in morning glucose levels, especially if eaten just before bed time. The only currently known way to determine if the phenomenon exists, is to take blood glucose readings periodically throughout the night. High glucose readings throughout the night will signify if there are other causes, and eliminate the possibility that the patient has the phenomenon. If the patient displays high readings throughout the night, it may not necessarily mean that the phenomenon does not exist. The other possible causes should be eliminated, such as the type of snacks eaten before bed, incorrect medication administration, changes in medications, and possible incorrect settings on an insulin pump if one is used. Particularly the early morning dosages settings. A diet that is high in sodium will stimulate insulin and promote hypoglycemia. A diet that is low in sodium can promote hyperglycemia.

In some cases (not commonly), the phenomenon may be the result of a rebound from a low blood glucose level that has occurred during the night. This is commonly referred to as the Somogyi effect. The dawn phenomenon, unlike the Somogyi effect, it is not the result of antecedent (preceded by) hypoglycemia; they are not the same condition. The insulin taken the night before may be wearing off, which is usually due to too low of a dosage. However, larger dosages may easily cause hypoglycemia during the night. Only experimentation with food types and dosage amounts will tell what the overall effect will be.

Carbohydrate blockers, such as PGX, are known to have a drastic effect on morning glucose levels. Another possible remedy may be to increase the amount of water-soluble fiber in the diet, particularly in the evening meal. Some studies have shown that a green apple eaten as a nighttime snack is effective, because the body digests green apples slower than other apple types. Mostly due to the fact that Granny Smith apples are less ripe than others.. However. those that have been diagnosed as having the dawn phenomenon, sometimes will not show any change. Nuts (or other proteins and fats) are a good choice for a late night snack. Unfortunately, late night snacks can encourage the packing-on of extra pounds.

The practice of taking a dosage of vinegar or acidic products before bed does show a reduction in the morning blood sugars on most people. Unfortunately, the body cannot handle large increases in blood pH, without leaching calcium from the bones. This can prove to be a dangerous practice, especially for women and older diabetics. Vinegar tablets are lower in dosage, and a bit slower in conversion, which can reduce the risk to some extent. However, most of the recommended dosages are as high as six tablets which can cause the same effect. Also, acids promote the increase in fat cells, as the body attempts to eliminate the acids by placing them in fat storage.

 

Diabetics that have the dawn phenomenon do not have any symptoms that are associated with it. Nocturnal hypoglycemia (low blood sugars), followed by morning hyperglycemia (high blood sugars) for several nights is an indication of the Somogyi effect. It may be necessary to get help from a doctor to resolve it, because most cases are the result of medications that are mismatched to the patient’s needs. Metformin, a generic form of a diabetic oral medication (Glucophage), is known to curb glucose production by the liver, which makes it a good candidate for patients that have the dawn phenomenon. Metformin also encourages the insulin bonding to cell membranes, which reduces insulin resistance. Diabetics that take these oral medications rarely experience the dawn phenomenon.

While all diabetics should exercise, the timing of doing the exercises may impact the rebound effect of nighttime hypoglycemia. It may be necessary to exercise as early in the day as possible to avoid the rebound effect. Exercise can stimulate the metabolism to be elevated for several hours after exercise.

How long the patient has been diabetic; the quality of the patient’s glycemic control; sleep disorders; exercise; nighttime snacks (especially carbohydrates); high or low sodium in the diet; the state of counter-regulation to hypoglycemia; and the patient’s insulin sensitivity all can contribute to the dawn phenomenon. Start by experimenting with nighttime snacks. Switch to proteins such as nuts. Or, stop the nighttime snacks altogether. Make small adjustments to insulin levels and give the change several days to function. Have a doctor test the metabolic rate. Carefully monitor the amounts of sodium in the diet. If sodium is a part of the diet, it should be sea salt. Insulin resistance is caused by belly fat. It may be necessary to eliminate excess weight to eliminate insulin resistance, and improve sleep patterns. Determining if a patient has the dawn phenomenon, can require the help of a doctor if medications are responsible for the problem.

Learn about all aspects of diabetes including the cause of diabetes, diabetes control, reversing the effects of diabetes on vital organs, protecting the body from damage due to diabetes, weight loss and control, cholesterol, high blood pressure, heart disease, eye health, insulin resistance and many other important topics at www.diabeticshandbook.com.

About The Author

Thomas Nelson is a freelance author and internet researcher. He resides in Central Florida with his family. He is a graduate of Webster University St. Louis, MO.- MBA in Business Administration, Florida Southern College – Lakeland, Florida – BS Business Administration, Milwaukee School of Engineering – Milwaukee, Wisconsin. www.diabeticshandbook.com

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Sensible selections of food along with healthy and disciplined lifestyle are the two key success points of diabetic treatment. A healthy diabetic diet plan must include six essential factors such as restricting consumption for sweet products, frequent eating, attentive towards carbohydrate consumption, consume plenty amount of whole grain foods, fruits and vegetables, eating low-fat products, restriction in alcohol consumption.

Diabetic Diet

If you are having diabetes, it doesn’t mean that you should start eating special foods or depend on only strict diabetic diet plan. In most of the case, it is simply switching to a variety of foods in moderate amounts but following a fixed timing.

You should not follow a complicated diabetic diet plan, rather your diet should comprise with a wise selection of nutrients and low in calorie and fatty contents. There are two essential factors that you must not forget while preparing your diet plan. One is eating foods at regular time every day and the second point is the selection of healthy food in right amounts.

Carbohydrate counting is a crucial part for healthy diet plan, especially if you are on insulin medication. In fact, fat and protein counting is not as important as carbohydrate counting is. But that doesn’t mean you should not be careful enough about the fat or protein intake. High calorie and high fat always increase the risk of various health complications including cardiac problems, high cholesterol and high blood pressure.

Diabetic Diet and Sweets Consumption

The fact says if you are suffering from diabetes, all your near and dear ones continuously warn you not to have sweets in your diet. Contrary to popular belief, scientific studies confirmed that sweets may not produce any harm if it can be used in a balanced amount in the meal plan. Although, different sweets affect blood sugar level in a varied fashion, but the total carbohydrate count matters the most. If you consider a small amount of sweets in your overall diabetic diet plan, it will not harm your health.

Vegetarian Diet

Some people believe that switching to a vegetarian diet may cure their diabetes problem, but it is not totally correct. Well, it can be managed well with vegetarian diet compared to a non-vegetarian one. In that sense, vegetarian diet can be a wise inclusion to diabetic diet plan.

There is no hard-and-fast rule for preparing a vegetarian diet plan. Vegan diet is the austere form of vegetarian diet. Vegans typically do not feed themselves on any sort of animal products such as dairy and egg. However, other vegetarians can eat these products.

An austere vegan diet comprises of almost no-cholesterol content in it. It also contains low saturated fat. It is mostly prepared with a generous selection of fruits, vegetables, whole grains and legumes. These food products are essentially high in fiber. Typically, a vegetarian diet offers lesser calories than non-vegetarian one. So it is beneficial for diabetic patients.

Vegetarian diet is an effective choice in diabetic diet plan because of its weight loss ability which significantly benefits people with type-II diabetes. Some scientific studies confirmed that vegetarian diet can make the body more receptive to insulin.

Vegetarian diet can not cure diabetes, but of course it can alleviate various diabetes-related symptoms including cardiovascular disease and kidney problems. But, obviously this is profoundly dependent on the selection of food.

If you have diabetes and you are planning to change your diet to a vegetarian one, you should consult your dietician. The dietician can guide you for the best selection of diabetic diet plan suitable to your health system

About The Author

Dr John Anne is an ayurvedic doctor having years of experience in the field of Ayurveda and Alternative medicine. Visit Diabetes Diet at http://www.diabetesmellitus-information.com for Diabetes Mellitus Information and Diabetes Treatment. Also visit Diabetic Food to Control Diabetes

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Yet, the American Diabetic Association (ADA) still states that there is no cure for diabetes. And even yet, thousands of people will cure diabetes this year. Who is telling the truth? In this article, you will learn the basics of how to cure type 2 diabetes with exercise and dieting.

Why Curing Diabetes Works

Have you seen the popular show, The Biggest Loser? Recently, one of the overweight contestants lost pounds of fat and changed her life. I was impressed to hear how she naturally cured her high blood pressure and cured her diabetes in a matter of 10 weeks.

How did she do it? Exercise and dieting.

And research study after research study shows that the best way to become healthier and cure common diseases like gout, high blood pressure, and diabetes is good old fashion exercise and dieting. Here are some tips to help you make your diet simpler, your exercise program simpler and cure type 2 diabetes.

Cure Type 2 Diabetes Naturally

Simpler is better. These tips may be considered simple but they will reverse diabetes in a matter of weeks. Just try them!

1. Drinking water should be an important habit throughout the day. Water can help you lose weight and also keep your body flushed. It also makes healthier cells which will eventually accept insulin. You should drink at least 2 cups of water for every 2 hours you are awake. Do the math and make a goal today.

2. Avoid sugar and avoiding carbohydrates is extremely important to start your diet. Sugar is obviously a no-no for diabetics. Carbohydrates and starches are also important to avoid because they are converted to glucose once it mixes with saliva. In other words, carbohydrates are like eating tablespoons of sugar.

Once you reverse or cure diabetes, you will be able to reintroduce carbohydrates to your body through whole grains.

You should avoid breads, pastas, cereals, crackers, potatoes and chips for a few weeks while your blood sugar normalizes.

3. Exercising is also important for making new cells that accept insulin and normalizing blood sugar. Try to exercise once a day for at least 30 minutes (you can go longer). Exercising has been shown to help in the cure of diabetes.

Exercise is beneficial because it will reduce insulin resistance, ward off diabetes complications, help you lose weight, make you feel and look better and help you maintain a steady blood sugar level for life.

If you live an inactive lifestyle, start by exercising only a little each day. Gradually work your way up to exercising more which will reduce the chance of burning out. And find something you enjoy like biking, hiking or swimming.

Cure Diabetes in 4 Weeks

Your body creates about 60,000 new cells by the time it takes you to read one sentence. Imagine if your body was healthy enough to create cells that accept insulin and start reversing diabetes. Imagine curing diabetes in 4 weeks with a 100% guaranteed, step by step plan.

http://www.diabetesreversed.com/diabetes-treatment

About The Author

Guaranteed! Researched! Step by step! Joe Barton challenges you to learn how to cure type 2 diabetes in 4 weeks.

http://www.diabetesreversed.com/diabetes-treatment

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