Diabetes + Original Articles

New science suggests shorter workouts may be just as effective as longer ones. Hey there, you on the treadmill! If you're putting in hour-long sessions in hopes of seeing decreasing numbers on your scale, it may be okay to step off and cut yourself a break. Short workouts may be as effective at longer ones for weight loss, according to a study published online in the American Journal of Physiology.

It may be possible to put your condition into remission by following an intensive diet and exercise program. "Kind of a long-term assumption really is that once you have diabetes there's no turning back on it, and there's no remission or cure," said Edward Gregg, lead author on the report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Reuters. However, the study reinforced the notion that following a healthy diet, maintaining a normal weight, and getting adequate exercise can help individuals manage their diabetes better.

Deciding what type of insulin might be best for you will depend on many factors, including your age, your lifestyle habits, and your body's individualized response to the hormone. You may take it every day, yet you may not know that insulin comes in many different types and can be delivered through several different methods. Here's a guide to insulin and delivery methods. Rapid-acting insulin starts working in 15 or 20 minutes, peaks in around an hour, and is out of your system in two to four hours.

Researchers are hard at work developing an artificial pancreas system that will automatically monitor blood glucose levels and deliver the correct dose of insulin when needed. Some of the most exciting research in diabetes management centers around the Artificial Pancreas Device System (APDS), an automatic blood glucose monitoring appliance, worn on the body, that will take the place of both a continuous glucose monitoring and insulin infusion pump used by everyone who lives with type 1 diabetes.

Diabetes can put you at greater risk of tooth decay, gingivitis, and periodontitis. Here's how to help keep your smile healthy and bright. Taking charge of your diabetes means being vigilant about the health of every part of your body—and that includes your mouth. Elevated blood sugar levels increase your risk of tooth decay, early gum disease (gingivitis), and advanced gum disease (periodontitis.

Lower your risk of pre-diabetes, a precursor to diabetes, by loading up your plate with whole grains. A recent study showed that individuals who consumed more than 59 grams (about two ounces) of whole grains daily were less likely to develop pre-diabetes compared to those who ate less than 30 grams of whole grains in a day. "This is of great importance because pre-diabetes is increasing," said lead study author Tina Wirstrom of Karolinska University Hospital in Sweden in Reuters Health.

New rules provided by the American Association of Pediatrics may make managing diabetes easier on your child. Childhood obesity has ushered in a variety of health problems that traditionally afflicted adults. Managing one of the conditions, Type 2 diabetes, is the focus of new guidelines from the American Academy of Pediatrics. When diabetes strikes during childhood, it is routinely assumed to be Type 1, or juvenile-onset, diabetes.

What does it mean to be a diabetes advocate? And are you up for the challenge? If you want to lead the healthiest possible life with diabetes, it's time to step up and become an advocate. And if you know someone with diabetes, advocacy can help improve care for him or her as well. In fact, as a diabetes advocate, you'll help promote better medical care for all.

Yes, you can bake guilt-free goodies that taste great, too. You just have to know which sweetener to use. Can you have your cookies and eat them, too? You sure can, if you make some simple swaps. By switching out refined sugar for non-nutritive sweeteners, you'll be able to turn out not just cookies, but cakes, muffins, and quick breads that have fewer calories than their traditional counterparts.

Researchers have identified an association among hormones and increased risk of diseases in people who smoke. Scientists are discovering more compelling reasons why quitting smoking is among the best ways to improve your health. A recent study has demonstrated a link between smoking and increased male and female hormones in post-menopausal women. These increased hormones may boost the risk for diseases like breast cancer, endometrial cancer, and type 2 diabetes.

Don't fool yourself. Just because you appear healthy from the outside doesn't mean you can't develop diabetes. When you envision a person with type 2 diabetes, you tend to picture someone obese, not thin. But, according to the National Institutes of Health, some 15 percent of individuals with type 2 diabetes are not even overweight, much less obese. Here, three reasons you can be young and thin, and still have diabetes.

Don't let your blood sugar swings result in mood swings. Use these preventative tips to keep an even keel. Could the old saw "you are what you eat" have a bearing on your mood? Possibly. If you have mood swings, especially if you have diabetes, you may want to evaluate your food choices. They may be affecting your blood sugar levels. Blood Sugar When we digest carbohydrate foods, they break down into glucose, a simple sugar that easily converts to energy and reaches cells via the blood stream.

Is there a connection between diet and this common brain disease? Alzheimer's is arguably one of the most dreaded, terrifying diseases that older people can face. It's also not uncommon, affecting some 5.4 million Americans. Some experts theorize that there is a connection between Alzheimer's and diabetes. The trouble begins when a person develops insulin resistance, a precursor to diabetes.

Issues such as decreased sexual desire can often accompany diabetes. But it doesn't have to be that way. Read on for a list of causes and solutions. Only half of men and 19 percent of women with diabetes have raised the subject with their health care provider, according to a study in the journal Diabetes Care. The causes of sexual problems vary depending upon gender. For men with diabetes, especially if they are overweight or have type 2, the risk of having low testosterone levels is about twice as high as it is for those without diabetes.

Shopping online for your prescription medications can save you time and money. Here's how to ensure you have a positive experience. When you buy medication online, you want to be sure you are dealing with a company that has a pharmacy license valid in the United States, Canada, or other approved country, and that the site has a verifiable privacy policy and transaction security. Here's how you can tell if an internet pharmacy is running a safe, legitimate business: Contact information, including address and phone number, should be available on the website.

Today and maybe every day, have a handful of almonds or walnuts. Find out how these diabetes-friendly foods can help your health. Individuals who consume tree nuts on a regular basis reduce their risk not just for type 2 diabetes, but for metabolic syndrome and heart disease as well, according to researchers at Louisiana State University Agricultural Center.  The study, funded by the International Tree Nut Council Nutrition Research & Education Foundation, was published in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition.

If you have type 2 diabetes, you should know about the latest recommendations for treating hyperglycemia. If you have type 2 diabetes, you're certainly familiar with hyperglycemia, or high blood sugar. Hyperglycemia occurs when the body doesn't have enough, or is unable to use, insulin (the hormone that metabolizes carbohydrates and regulates the amount of sugar in the blood).

In between visits to the dentist, take these precautions to keep your mouth in tip-top shape. Taking steps now will help protect your dental health and prevent serious decay and disease from developing as you get older. The changes that occur in your body as you age can be seen in your mouth just as readily as they can be seen in other areas.

Your risk of fracture is higher than average if you have diabetes. Take a few preventive steps now to ensure you don't break a bone later. A recent study published in Orthopedics Today found an increased fracture risk among people with diabetes. However, the precise reason why adults with type 1 or type 2 diabetes have a higher incidence of a fracture that results in a hospitalization is not clear.

That miracle cure sound too good to be true? It probably is. Follow these tips to safeguard yourself and your family. From Acai berries to apricot pits, there have been many purported cures for what ails us. Things haven't changed much since the snake oil salesmen of the 1800s, says Marc I. Leavey, MD, of Lutherville, MD. Shady products are still being marketed based on our fears, anxieties, and the desire to do the best for our families.

Attention mozzarella, Muenster, and Monterey Jack lovers. Researchers have identified a possible connection between cheese consumption and reduced diabetes risk. But there's a flip side. A recent study may be music to the ears of anyone who loves eating mozzarella, Muenster, and Monterey Jack. Researchers from Oxford University and Imperial College London, reported a 12 percent lower risk of type 2 diabetes in individuals who consumed cheese compared to those who didn't eat the dairy product.

An estimated 1 out of 3 people with diabetes over the age of 50 has Peripheral Artery Disease, a condition that increases one's risk of heart attack and stroke. Some 10 million Americans are affected by peripheral artery disease (PAD), which causes leg pain (especially when walking), numbness, and tingling in the feet or lower legs. Sores on the legs or feet that heal very slowly are also associated with this condition.

This common condition is often a precursor to diabetes. Insulin is the hormone that regulates your metabolism, and it helps cells absorb the glucose (sugar) in your bloodstream so it can be used for energy. But if you're insulin-resistant, your cells have trouble using the insulin, so glucose starts building up in the blood.

Considering weight loss surgery? Read this first. If you think gastric bypass surgery is always more effective than drugs, exercise, and diet for treating overweight individuals with type 2 diabetes, think again. Though in recent years bypass surgery (a procedure that reduces stomach size by having your digestive passageway bypass part of the stomach and small intestine) has been held out as a magical cure for the chronic disorder, it now appears this is not always true.

Could improving your diet and exercise habits return your blood sugar to a normal range? Here's what the latest research says. If you've got type 2 diabetes, it may go into remission if you follow an intensive program of diet and exercise, new research shows. The study, from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, found 1 in 9 individuals with type 2 who stuck with an intensive diet and exercise program for one year saw their blood sugar go back to the normal range.

Dealing with loved ones' concern about your diet is no picnic when you have diabetes. Learn how to deal with these caring (but meddling) meal monitors. The "food police" come out in full force during special occasions. Go to a cocktail party, and chances are a well-meaning friend who knows you have diabetes asks whether you're supposed to be eating a particular food. At a family gathering, your aunt inquires in a loud voice (and within earshot of the entire table) if that's your second slice of pie.

Your body has its own way of determining your best weight. Learn how to use this knowledge to your advantage. If you've been engaged in a long-term, losing battle with your bathroom scale, which seems stuck at the same weight no matter how little you eat, chances are you're feeling a bit defeated. Dieting down to what is considered your "ideal" weight can be fraught with frustration—and failure.

Men's biology works differently. Learn the expert's action items for successful slimming. Love handles. Spare tire. Beer belly. Whatever men call it, that abdominal bulge is not healthy and is not a normal part of aging. According to the Mayo Clinic, men who carry extra weight around the belly are at greater risk for serious health problems, including heart disease, high blood pressure, stroke, cancer, type 2 diabetes, insulin resistance, and metabolic syndrome.

There's an app for that! We checked out tons of free or low-cost smart phone apps and found the very best ones to support your health. Using your smartphone can be good for your health. It can help you learn how to choose more nutritious foods, lose weight, tone up, avoid gluten, evade food allergies, and help you find a doctor in your area. The right app can make it easier for you to do all of this and more from the comfort of your phone.

Not all saturated fats are created equal. Learn the potential health benefits, and how to use coconut oil the right way. Thinking about coconuts may bring to mind softly swaying palm trees, hot white sand, and cool, aqua water—not necessarily good health. However, research on populations who consume large amounts of coconuts find they have low rates of heart disease.

Are carbs the worst? The best? Or something in between? Get the facts. Low-carb diets. No-carb diets. Good carbs. Bad carbs. Is it any wonder why people are so confused about carbohydrates? Are they inherently evil and fattening, to be shunned permanently? Or are they a crucial source of fuel that our refrigerators and pantries should never be without? Myth: All carbs are fattening.

These 5 tips will take you from gym-phobic to gym-savvy. There are dozens of reasons why going to the gym is the right thing to do, and just as many excuses for why you don't go often enough. One excuse could be that you find the gym or gym members intimidating. Overcome gym intimidation with these tips: Fitness Fashion In a place full of tight-fitting spandex and tummy-baring sports bras, knowing what to wear can be difficult.

Here's what to consider before you disclose your condition. It's a tricky situation. On the one hand, you'd rather not have co-workers know about your condition. On the other hand, you potentially could have a severe episode of hypoglycemia at work, and may need help from someone around you. To tell or not to tell? It's a personal decision, experts say.

A research study of 50 countries reveals surprising findings about black tea's effect on blood sugar. Want to reduce your blood sugar levels?  Consider brewing a pot of black tea and indulging in a mug or two. Countries with high black tea consumption have significantly lower rates of Type 2 diabetes, according to research reported in Medical News Today.

Increasing your awareness and pinpointing patterns are just two of the ways keeping a food journal leads to weight loss and better health. If you're overweight and have high cholesterol, (which puts you at risk for heart disease) keeping track of what you eat for a period of time can help boost your health. You will soon see that you could be consuming too many processed, fatty foods and not eating a steady diet of lean meats, whole grains, and vegetables.

Pop this pill and you're promised pain-free sugar pang prevention. Quite a perk, but pause, there are possibly potential problems to ponder. If you're sweet on sweets, you may wish for a pill you could pop that would reduce your appetite for sugar, a supplement that could magically and painlessly curb your appetite. You'd run right out to stock up, right? Gymnema sylvestre, a supplement sold in health food stores and specialty stores, is believed by some to do just that.

Cholesterol. Albumin. A1C. Here's what you need to know about your levels. When you're diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes, numbers of all kinds suddenly become very important. You'll hear your health care provider talking about what number you should strive for with your hemoglobin A1C, what your fasting blood sugar should be, and how many grams of carbohydrate you should ideally be consuming at every meal.

A plant extract from Asia may help treat eczema, psoriasis, type 1 diabetes, and rheumatoid arthritis. An ancient Chinese herbal medication, used for centuries to treat fever and malaria, is finding a new purpose in a modern Harvard research lab. This could be good news for people living with rheumatoid arthritis and related conditions. Researchers at...

Consider three sizeable arguments against soda, and diet soda too. Plus, sip on replacement thirst quenchers. Next time you want to quench your thirst, how about foregoing the soda and other sugary drinks and instead down a tall glass of cold water or another healthy alternative? Your body may thank you later. There's been much attention in recent years focused on the negative effects of sugary drinks.

An estimated 750,000 Americans get sepsis each year and 28 and 50 percent will die from the infection. Who's at risk for sepsis, and what can be done to prevent it? An estimated 750,000 Americans get sepsis each year—and 28 and 50 percent of these people will die from the infection. What's more, the number of patients being treated for sepsis has increased at an increasingly staggering cost—$17 billion dollars a year—due to a prolonged hospital stay to treat the condition.

Industrialized society has come a long way when it comes to nutrition. Or has it? Modern society has come a long way from the foraging, uncivilized lives of our hunter-gatherer ancestors 10,000 years ago. Not only are we at far greater risk of being attacked by a saber-toothed tiger, but we have medicine to combat infection, well-constructed houses to protect us from the weather, and food readily available to stave off hunger.

Even with a lack of pain, cancer can make its presence known in many ways, although some symptoms are a bit vague and ambiguous. When you consider the side effects of cancer, what comes to mind? You probably think about pain and the presence of a noticeable lump (at least for common cancers such as breast or prostate cancer). According to the National Cancer Institute, early cancer does not usually cause pain, which makes it not a very good early warning symptom.

New research links chronic elevated glucose to another complication, but you can help keep your heart healthy with these tips. Hyperglycemia can injure the heart, even in individuals without a history of either cardiovascular disease or diabetes, according to a recent study from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and reported in Newswise. An elevated hemoglobin A1C (which is a sign of chronic high blood sugar) is linked to minute levels of a protein in the blood that's a marker for heart damage.

Diabetes raises the risk of complications for mother and baby. Here's how to help have a healthy pregnancy. You've decided you want to become a mom and are hoping to become pregnant soon. But if you have diabetes, it's important your blood sugar is under control before you even try to conceive. "Your level of glycemic control will really dictate how well the pregnancy goes," says Cynthia Gyamfi, MD, an OB/GYN at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Columbia University Medical Center in New York City.

Use these actionable expert tips to ward off heart disease, kidney disease, and other common diabetes-based complications. There's good news when it comes to diabetes: Death rates from the disease are on the decline. In fact, all-cause mortality among individuals with diabetes is down 23 percent, according to researchers at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

Each pound counts. Even if you have a long way to go, check out the positive difference you'll make from losing a few pounds. Losing excess weight is not an all-or-nothing proposition. So if you're stalled somewhere above your goal, remember that the handful of pounds you've already lost still count toward good health. If 30 pounds gone would be ideal, 10 gone is still an achievement.

More people are experiencing serious vision problems and even blindness. Learn the risks and what you can do. Troubling numbers recently revealed at the Prevent Blindness America "Focus on Eye Health Summit" held in Washington, D.C., in June (2012) suggest that vision problems and blindness are plaguing the population. Consider these statistics: 2,069,403 people age 50 and older have late age-related macular degeneration (AMD), a 25 percent increase.

This painful, chronic condition affects nearly 50 percent of individuals with diabetes. What does new research show? You may not have heard of dendritic spines, which are very tiny bumps on the surface of the nerve cells. But new research shows that changes in their structure may be contributing to diabetic neuropathy, a painful, chronic condition affecting nearly 50 percent of individuals with diabetes, according to research reported in Science Daily.

Each person has different needs when it comes to smoking cessation. Use these strategies to make it work for you. Here are four philosophies/tips to quit smoking that can be helpful to remember. They can help you stay strong in your efforts to stop smoking once and for all. 1. One size doesn't fit all. Each person has different needs when it comes to smoking cessation efforts.

You hear something's good for you, and tomorrow you hear it's bad. Here's how to solve the puzzle when it comes to health claims. One day aspirin is good for you; the next day's report says it's linked to some sort of rare disease. If you follow medical news closely, it's not that surprising to find contradictory or conflicting information during the same week's news. Trying to stay on top of medical information—and use it to improve your health—can be quite challenging.

Diabetics are twice as likely to experience hearing loss. Take steps to protect yourself. If you have diabetes, you're twice as likely to experience hearing loss as someone without the disease, according to the National Institutes of Health. And individuals with pre-diabetes are also at risk: It's believed that the incidence of hearing loss among the 79 million adults with prediabetes is nearly one third higher than it is among those who don't have the condition.

The support you need can be just a click away, but first it's essential to find trustworthy advice. If you've ever googled diabetes in search of useful information on the right diet, drugs, and exercise to help manage your diabetes, you know how overwhelming it can be to plow through scores of websites. After spending hours online, you may come away wondering if what you've read actually is beneficial to your health.

Taking your time at the table may impart a big health benefit: Reduced risk of type 2 diabetes. Do you devour your dinner as if it were your last meal? It may be time to start slowing down. Individuals who eat at a fast pace have a 2.5 times higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes, according to research reported in The Huffington Post. Researchers focused on the eating habits of 700 people, some without Type 2 diabetes and some newly diagnosed with the disorder.

New light is shed on the connection between weight and type 2 diabetes risk. If you're thin, you may think you'll never have to worry about getting Type 2 diabetes. But that's not the case. Lean people get the disease as well, and new research suggests that when they do, they tend to have a greater genetic disposition to the disorder than obese Type 2 diabetes patients.

What about these edibles is so effective? Get a harvest of delicious ways to include them in your diet. Can eating a sweet, juicy treat really lower your chances of developing type 2 diabetes? Quite possibly. It appears that consuming more blueberries, apples, and pears may be linked to a decreased risk of developing the disorder, according to research reported by Reuters.

Living with diabetes during the hottest season of the year can be challenging. Here are practical tips. While basking in the summer sun may be great for your mental health, it can be dangerous if you have diabetes. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to reduce your risk of complications. Use sunscreen. "It's important to heed the basic sunscreen rules," says Donna Bilu Martin, MD, a dermatologist.

Early treatment may help preserve insulin-producing cells in type 2 diabetics. The first line of treatment for an individual who's just been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes is often lifestyle changes (losing weight and exercising) and a prescription for metformin (the standard medication used to treat the disorder). But a new study from UT Southwestern is suggesting that intensive early treatment with insulin, followed by a drug regimen, can actually preserve the body's insulin-producing cells for several years after diagnosis.

Long associated with heart health, magnesium may offer other surprising benefits. Magnesium is finally getting the attention it deserves. This mineral can help treat everything from acute attacks of asthma in children to migraine headaches, and depression. Magnesium also protects against the development of type 2 diabetes, provides pain relief for people suffering from fibromyalgia, and may even prevent hearing loss.

With this hit-list on hand, you'll be able to build wholesome, seasonal meals rich in flavor and nutrients. Summer is the easiest season of all to be a cook. Ripe, fresh produce is abundant, meat and fish can be grilled to juicy perfection with a minimum amount of fat, and salads provide an excuse to use healthful olive oil and herbs in a light dressing. Want to cook healthy this summer? Here are suggestions, from Keri Gans, MS, RD, CDN, author of The Small Change Diet, Alyssa Faden, RD, of NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill-Cornell Medical Center in New York City, and Keri Glassman, MS, RD, CDN.

Recognize the most common skin conditions associated with diabetes. Nearly one third of those with diabetes will develop a skin condition linked to diabetes, explains Kellie Rodriguez, MSN, CDE, of the Diabetes Research Institute in Hollywood, Florida. And sometimes, one of these conditions is an early indicator of diabetes itself.

Learn how this hormone, secreted by the brain, plays a role in diabetes risk. Melatonin is regarded by many as a sleep aid, something to take on nights when insomnia is keeping them from getting a good night's rest. But did you know the hormone also plays a key role in your body? "Melatonin is important in regulating your body's clock," says Ronald Goldberg, MD, of the Diabetes Research Institute in Hollywood, Florida.

Men can prevent health risks by paying attention to changes in their body and seeing their doctor when something isn't right. When it comes to scheduling doctor visits, some men are notorious procrastinators. But this can be risky. Routine preventive care can find diseases in the early stages when there are more options for treatment and better chances of treating the issue.

Thanks to TV ads erectile dysfunction is no longer under the covers. Still, misconceptions remain. Learn what causes impotence and ways to reduce your risk. Between 15 and 30 million men suffer from some form of impotence or erectile dysfunction. At first glance this range seems wide, but it's due to the fact that some health professionals use the term "impotence" to include a host of sexual problems in men—not just the total inability to have or maintain an erection.

As obesity rates climb, health problems such as diabetes are becoming more common. Here's a look at the disease by the numbers. Diabetes is a chronic, life-altering disorder that can pose daily challenges to those struggling to keep their blood sugar in the normal range. The most serious form, type 1, is an autoimmune disease in which the pancreas stops producing insulin. Multiple daily insulin injections or an insulin pump are needed to manage it.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has established new restrictions on the use of Avandia, a widely used diabetes treatment. In 2004, the FDA approved Avandia, in combination with insulin, to treat type 2 diabetes. Avandia is the brand name for rosiglitazone. In 2007, the agency reported a possible association between rosiglitazone and an increased risk of cardiovascular events, such as heart attack.

Proper eating can have an enormous impact on your health. Here's a look at nutrition by the numbers. If you want to look and feel your best, a healthy diet is key. Eating right may also help reduce your risk for such serious disorders as diabetes, osteoporosis, and heart disease. But following a balanced diet can be challenging when you're not exactly sure what foods have which nutrients, and how much of a particular food you should be consuming.

For certain individuals with type 2 diabetes, weight-loss surgery may be a viable method of treatment. Here's what you need to consider. For obese individuals whose type 2 diabetes is poorly controlled, weight-loss surgery may be a lifesaving option. In fact, an operation may be more effective than traditional treatments like drugs, diet, and exercise according to two recent studies reported in The New York Times.

Learn how the body reacts to different types of fat, plus get tips on incorporating the right ones into your diet. Ever wondered why nutrition experts advise eating unsaturated fats rather than saturated ones? A recent American Diabetes Association-funded study explains how the body actually reacts differently to different kinds of fat. The body's fat cells, researchers found, can sense and discriminate between the kinds of fatty acids, and saturated fatty acids can trigger a response that interferes with insulin function.

A university study suggests that the right proteins could help lower blood pressure in patients with diabetes. Occasionally swapping out sugar for protein may help lower high blood pressure, according to a study in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition that was reported by Reuters. But it's unclear whether the study participants' decrease in blood pressure came about because of reduced carbohydrate intake or added protein intake.

Satisfy your sweet tooth while still keeping your blood sugar in check with these simple tips. Whether your passion is cookies or your weakness is for anything sweet and greasy (think doughnuts), chances are you find yourself eating more sugar than you should. Intense cravings for sweets can be hard to overcome, but even die-hard sugar addicts can find satisfying and healthy alternatives with just a few tweaks.

Everything from exercise to illness can influence the effectiveness of an insulin injection. Here’s a list of dos and don’ts to follow. Getting just the right amount of insulin can be a daily balancing act. If you take too much, you risk a potentially dangerous episode of hypoglycemia. But if you don't take enough, your blood sugar can get too high and over time, you run the risk of serious complications.

A university study questions the age-old method of carb counting for keeping blood sugar levels under control. If you're living with diabetes, you know that keeping track of how many grams of carbohydrates you eat—and deciding how much insulin to take to "cover" those carbs—is an important part of managing your blood sugar.  But a new study is questioning whether a more effective way to regulate blood sugar would be to focus on a food's glycemic load instead.

Focus on food labels. Use smaller plates. Don't multi-task. Try these, and seven other suggestions for sizing down your servings. If you're making every effort to slim down, don't assume you have to forego your favorite foods and confine yourself to a diet of raw vegetables. You can eat what you love—just not too much of it. "Portion control is key to losing and maintaining weight," says Keri Gans, MS, RD, CDN, the author of "The Small Change Diet.

Diabetes plus high cholesterol can present unique challenges. Address your double diagnosis. Even on their own, diabetes and high cholesterol are serious health issues. But together, they can spell trouble. "Diabetes already puts you at risk for cardiovascular disease," says Haidar Yassin, MD, of SUNY Downstate Medical Center of Brooklyn, New York.

Here are some of the exciting developments on the near horizon of diabetes treatment options. Having diabetes is no walk in the park, but living with the disorder really does get easier all the time. Just 10 years ago, testing the blood sugar took several long minutes. Insulin pumps were unheard of. And the concept of an artificial pancreas was almost unthinkable.

From entrées and desserts to sodas and sides, Americans are supersizing. Learn how to choose healthier portions. If you think that plate of spaghetti is much bigger than it was when you were a child, you're probably right: Portion size has increased dramatically over the past 20 years. The result? A dramatic rise in the number of overweight and obese Americans. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) conducted several studies and found alarming changes in the number of calories people consume now compared with what they ate 20 years ago.

Follow these easy tips to make exercise part of your daily routine. Let's face it: We live in an inactive nation where obesity has become a growing epidemic. More than one-third of American adults meet the criterion for obesity, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The good news is that it's never too late and never too hard to get in shape.

Diabetes is a lifelong disease, but these tips can make it easier to manage the condition. According to the American Diabetes Association, more the 25 million Americans are living with diabetes. Try these tips to help manage the condition and prevent the serious complications associated with the disease. 1. Follow a balanced diet. A low-fat eating plan with plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean protein can help keep blood sugar at healthy levels.

About 90 percent of the more than 25 million U.S. children and adults affected by diabetes have type 2 diabetes. Find out more about this growing epidemic, from risk factors to treatment options. Diabetes is a lifelong metabolic disorder that affects more than 25 million U.S. children and adults—about 90 percent of whom suffer from type 2 diabetes. The bodies of those affected by the disease either can't produce enough insulin or have cells that ignore the insulin.

Follow these steps to help prevent the complications that lead to amputation. The very idea of losing a limb, or part of one, is terrifying. Individuals who have diabetes are at a higher risk for amputation than others, and diabetes is a leading cause of amputation in the United States, says Spyros Mezitis, MD, of Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City.

More and more Americans are opting for bariatric surgery to shed major pounds and improve their quality of life. Find out if you or a loved one could be a candidate. As most health experts can attest, the best way to lose weight is to exercise regularly and eat a healthy diet. But that doesn't always work—just ask the 129.6 million Americans, or 64 percent of the population, who are currently overweight or obese.

Keeping up with all your health screenings may seem daunting, but this list can get you started on a year of healthy living. In a perfect world, we'd all know exactly when we need to get our important health screenings. In reality, however, these checkups and exams often take a backseat to work, family, and other obligations. Fortunately, you can get on the right track by making a simple phone call to your doctor.

When it comes to assessing cholesterol, HDL and LDL get most of the focus. But there's another category that deserves equal attention. Triglycerides are essential to human life. These chains of fatty acids are absorbed into your system from the foods you eat and are even created by your own body. They circulate through your bloodstream, providing energy to cells and enabling your body to function.

Sugar, butter, and cream may be one celebrity chef's go-to ingredients, but that doesn't mean you should follow in her footsteps. You can still recreate the cuisine of the Queen of Southern Cooking without doing damage to your health. Let a team of experts show you how. Now that Paula Deen's been diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes, it's time for her followers to rethink adding all that butter, cream, and sugar to food to make it taste good. It's certainly possible to switch out high-fat, high-cholesterol ingredients for more healthful ones, nutrition experts say.

Fitness imparts a slew of health benefits, but if you’re living with certain diabetes-related complications, some exercises could end up doing more harm than good. Here’s how to navigate through the confusion and find a workout that works for you. Chances are, you've heard about the benefits of exercise so often, you could list them in your sleep: it can lower your bad cholesterol and raise your good cholesterol, help you lose weight, reduce body fat, reduce your stress level, and give you more energy.

Eating the new shoots and tender leaves of bamboo may have powerful medicinal effects. Where would you find them? How are they prepared? And what health benefits might they possess? Fresh, young, edible bamboo shoots are grown in some parts of the United States and are sold at local farmer's markets, specialty food stores, and in some restaurants. You can find canned bamboo shoots in the Asian food section of most supermarkets, but fresh shoots are a little more difficult to come by.

Assessing a diabetic's ability to drive should be tied to evidence of risk and not a diabetes diagnosis alone, says the American Diabetes Association. Yet there are still proper precautions all diabetics should take in order to stay safe on the road. Deciding if a person with diabetes is at risk while driving should be done on an individual basis, according to a new position statement from the American Diabetes Association. The statement, which appears in the magazine Diabetes Care and was reported by MSNBC, says assessing a driver's ability to drive safely should be "tied to concrete evidence of risk, rather than on a diagnosis of diabetes alone.

A vaccine originally developed to prevent tuberculosis may be the key contender when it comes to reversing type 1 diabetes. Preliminary findings are promising. Individuals with Type 2 diabetes are fortunate in that it's possible, with diet and lifestyle changes, to actually reverse the course of the disease. Even if they're unable to reverse Type 2, it's possible for them to avoid going on insulin by losing weight, watching carbs, and getting moderate exercise.

If you’re a diabetic who’s going through menopause, you’re up against some unique challenges. Find out what steps you can take to stay on top of your health. If you're going through menopause, you're undoubtedly familiar with moodiness, sleep difficulties, and hot flashes. If you have Type 2 diabetes, you've got a few additional concerns. Here's what you can expect during menopause-and what you can do to stay fit and healthy.

If you haven't had a good handle on managing diabetes, be careful. It could cause a digestive condition called gastroparesis. It occurs when your stomach nerves are too weak empty the stomach which makes it more likely for you to regurgitate. If you have diabetes and nausea, constipation, and low blood sugar have left you feeling chronically crummy, gastroparesis may be the reason. It's a condition that is found most often in individuals with long-standing or poorly controlled diabetes, explains Spyros Mezitis, MD, of Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City.

If your child has been diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, you might feel concerned about how to help her manage and monitor her blood sugar daily. But there are things you can do to make it easier for you, her, and the whole family. As a parent, you probably thought that you could protect your child from harm if you made sure that she ate right, got enough sleep, and was up to date on all the recommended vaccinations. But everything changed the day your child was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes.

Sometimes it seems as if carbs get all the attention from nutrition experts who extol the virtues of "good" ones vs. "bad" ones. But protein comes in various forms, too. Some are better for your overall health, and others should be eaten more sparingly. Sometimes it seems as if carbs get all the attention from nutrition experts who extol the virtues of "good" ones vs. "bad" ones. But protein comes in various forms, too. Some are better for your overall health, and others should be eaten more sparingly.

It can be tricky to eliminate gluten from the diet, and when you must simultaneously manage your blood sugar, eating can get downright complicated. Here are the tips to follow. It's not uncommon to have both type 1 diabetes and celiac disease, both of which are autoimmune diseases (as are lupus and rheumatoid arthritis.) Both type 1 diabetes and celiac disease require an extra measure of dietary vigilance in order to stay healthy and feel good.

If you can barely find the energy to get yourself and your kids out the door in the morning and you're too tired to do anything at all after work, you probably feel that you don't have even a sliver of time to devote to exercise. Here's how to fix that. Consider exercise an investment in yourself. Aerobic exercise has great benefits like raising your heart rate and working your muscles. Strength training helps build strong bones and muscles. Stretching exercises not only help keep your joints flexible, but reduce your chances of injury as you work out.

There are steps you can take to keep your feet healthy and minimize your risk of serious complications. Get started with these simple tips. When you have diabetes, taking proper care of your feet is extremely important.  Diabetics are more prone to cuts, ulcers, and sores on the skin, which can sometimes lead to serious infections. An article published in the Health Science Journal noted that foot problems remain a major cause of hospitalization amongst patients with diabetes.

Nerve damage doesn't only affect the legs, fingers, and the toes. It can also result in erectile dysfunction (ED), or impotence. Read on to find out how you can prevent ED from affecting you. Also called neuropathy, nerve damage is not uncommon in those with type 2 diabetes, especially when the disease is poorly controlled. In fact, about half of all individuals with diabetes develop some form of neuropathy. But nerve damage can also affect individuals who have high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and  who smoke, explains Elizabeth Kavaler, MD, a urology specialist at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City.

In a society obsessed with beauty, most of us don't want to stand out because of our appearance. Whether you have a physical deformity, or are just unhappy with some aspect of how you look, follow these tips to work toward better quality of life. In a society obsessed with beauty, most of us don't want to stand out because of our appearance. Whether you have a physical deformity, or are just unhappy with some aspect of how you look, insecurities about your appearance can negatively affect your quality of life and mental well-being.

Learn how pro-bowler Ryan Schafer, who has type 1 diabetes, shares his time and talents to help others with the disease. Pro-bowler Ryan Shafer, who's had type 1 diabetes since age 19, shares his time and talents to help others with this disorder. As part of National Diabetes Month for November, he's hosting a tournament at a bowling alley in his hometown of Horseheads, NY as part of an effort called Reason to Believe, and he'll also be out in Vegas for a national bowling tournament.

While a set of pearly whites is certainly aesthetically pleasing, poor oral health can put you at risk for a variety of chronic conditions. Poll your friends about what physical characteristics they find most attractive. The majority will include a "nice smile" at the top of the list. While a set of pearly whites is certainly aesthetically pleasing, poor oral health can put you at risk for a variety of chronic conditions.

While the quickest way to a man's heart may be through his stomach, the easiest way to prevent chronic conditions and improve longevity is through his diet. These 10 foods are particularly beneficial for those with the Y-chromosome. While the quickest way to a man's heart may be through his stomach, the easiest way to prevent chronic conditions and improve longevity is through his diet. Following a balanced diet that is low in fat and simple carbohydrates and high in lean protein and whole grains is beneficial for both sexes; however, these 10 foods are particularly beneficial for those with the Y-chromosome.

Here are some of the clever tools that will fill your diabetes medicine cabinet of the future. If you're worried that you'll be dealing with insulin shots for the rest of your life, don't despair just yet. Though injections are still the only effective way to deliver insulin to the body, a variety of new devices may be on the horizon. Here's a look at what's under development: Inhalable Insulin Efforts to come up with a safe, effective inhalable insulin so far have been unsuccessful, but companies keep on trying.

It's a life-threatening habit for anyone, but for individuals with diabetes, smoking is even more lethal and could be tied to another dangerous condition. The most avoidable cause of death in the U.S., cigarette smoking, accounts for 400,000 deaths annually. It's a life-threatening habit for anyone, but for individuals with diabetes, smoking is even more lethal. Nicotine increases glucose levels in the red blood cells, according to a study that was reported in Diabetes Forecast.

Two new tests could allow you to assess your pre-diabetes risk and monitor your blood sugar, all with just a puff of breath. Two new tests could allow you to assess your pre-diabetes risk and monitor your blood sugar, all with just a puff of breath. Pre-Diabetes Breath Test Someday soon you may be able to accurately predict your diabetes risk without a single finger prick.

Asking the right questions of yourself and your loved ones could save lives. Figuring out who's likely to develop type 2 diabetes isn't all that difficult, provided the patient's healthcare provider asks the right questions and alerts the patient to the fact that he might have prediabetes. A community study, the largest non-governmental study of its kind, found that predictors for the disease are easy to pinpoint.

If you're craving sugar, the problem may be more serious than merely trying to satisfy an occasional sweet tooth. You may be addicted to sugar. If you're craving sugar, the problem may be more serious than merely trying to satisfy an occasional sweet tooth. You may be addicted to sugar. Researchers at Princeton University conducted several laboratory studies on rats and found that when the rats were given too much sugar, they suffered from withdrawal.

Take a coffee break. Get zen. Here are five fun fixes that will add to your quality of life, while lowering your risk of developing diabetes and possibly heart disease, too! For every two hours that people watch TV each day, they increase their risk of developing Type 2 diabetes by 20 percent and their risk of getting heart disease by 15 percent, according to a recent analysis in the Journal of the American Medical Association.

If your doctor diagnoses you with metabolic syndrome, don't panic and think you've come down with some fatal disease. Instead, consider it a warning sign that your long-term health is at risk, and resolve to take action. If your doctor diagnoses you with metabolic syndrome, don't panic and think you've come down with some fatal disease. Instead, consider it a warning sign that your long-term health is at risk, and resolve to take action. While metabolic syndrome puts you at risk for developing type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease, a variety of lifestyle changes can help put it behind you.

Visceral fat, the type found around the waist and belly and surrounding the vital organs, poses much more of a health risk to you than fat that's right under the skin. But upping a particular type of fiber in your diet could help you get rid of it. No one likes to have flabby arms, chubby thighs, or bountiful hips. But fat in these areas is considered subcutaneous fat, and while it may not be pretty, it's not as hazardous to your health as visceral fat. This second type, found around the waist and belly and surrounding the vital organs, poses much more of a health risk to you than fat that's right under the skin.

Strawberries get an A+ rating as a healthy snack. Here's why. An apple a day may keep the doctor away, but strawberries appear to be just as potent when it comes to fighting disease. In fact, research suggests that the scarlet fruit is a true nutritional blockbuster. Strawberries contain abundant amounts of a naturally occurring flavonoid called fisetin; it's found in lesser quantities in other fruits.

You may have considered participating in a clinical trial. But are you a good candidate? And what's in it for you? Reading about the latest miracle medication to hit the market after success in clinical trials, you may have wondered who are these people who offer themselves up to science? You may even have considered participating in a clinical trial yourself. But are you a good candidate? And what's in it for you? Advantages 1.

It's also called "double diabetes," and diagnoses are on the rise. Here's a puzzling disease that until a few years ago didn't even have a name. But type 3 diabetes can be an especially trying disorder for those who are diagnosed with it. Individuals with type 3 diabetes display some of the characteristics of type 1 and some of type 2, explains Kelly O'Connor, RD, LD, CDE, of Mercy Medical Center in Baltimore, MD.

Here's how a food diary can help you and your doctor. Plus tricks to make keeping one easier. Suppose your blood sugar is running high on a particular day, and you're not quite sure why. You think back to the morning: did walking rather than driving to work play havoc with your numbers? Or could it have been the cinnamon bun that had your name on it at the local bakery? But you didn't eat the whole thing.

Vacation may be relaxing and restorative, but it can set you up for failure when it comes to monitoring your blood sugar and keeping it in the normal range. Here's your summer must-read before you take your trip. As you probably know all too well, diabetes doesn't take a vacation. So before you set off on a trip--be it a cruise, a week in the mountains with the family, or an international destination--be well-prepared for every possible scenario. "When people are on vacation, they're just naughty," says Dana Simpler, MD, of Mercy Medical Center in Baltimore, MD.

Taking an active role in your treatment is essential to receiving the care you need and deserve. Here's how you can guarantee a quality doctor's visit every time you enter the office. Taking an active role in your treatment is essential to receiving the care you need and deserve. Julie Silver, M.D., Associate Professor at Harvard Medical School and author of What Helped Me Get Through: Cancer Survivors Share Wisdom and Hope and After Cancer Treatment: Heal Faster, Stronger, Better weighs in on how you can guarantee a quality doctor's visit every time you enter the office.

Although dietary fiber is probably best known as a remedy to prevent or relieve constipation, it provides other important health benefits as well, including lowering your risk of diabetes and heart disease. Although dietary fiber is probably best known as a remedy to prevent or relieve constipation, it also provides other important health benefits as well, including lowering your risk of diabetes and heart disease. Dietary fiber includes all parts of plant foods that your body can't digest or absorb.

Following a balanced diet can help you lower your blood sugar and cholesterol, and it ensures you'll enjoy lots of delicious and healthy options. Here's how to do it. If the thought of following a "balanced diet" has you so confused you're a bit, well, off balance, not to worry. The June issue of Diabetes Forecast, the magazine of the American Diabetes Association, outlines some simple steps for adopting a diet that's not just balanced, but tasty and easy to follow, too.

Live it up at all the backyard barbecues and casual al fresco get-togethers this season has to offer, but keep these eight tips in mind so your blood sugar and your waistline won't reflect poor choices later. Between the backyard barbecues, pool parties, and alfresco cocktail soirées, it can seem like summer is just one continuous and tempting opportunity to feast. But if you don't want to see your blood sugar go sky-high and your weight creep gradually upwards when you get together with friends, resolve now to party with care.

Living with diabetes raises your risk of heart disease. What if the same drug you take to treat your diabetes symptoms also had benefits for your heart health? If you have type 2 diabetes, would you be interested to know about medications that not only help stabilize blood sugar, but also appear to be protective against heart disease? Research is showing such medications may already be on the market. A Danish study involved more than 100,000 individuals who took oral medications to treat their diabetes.

What and how you eat could be hazardous to your health. When Canadian physician Kevin Patterson worked as doctor at the Canadian Combat Surgical Hospital in Kandahar, Afghanistan, he came to realize that the Afghans he treated had very different body types from the Canadians he typically cared for back in his homeland.

After a diagnosis, learning to cope with diabetes includes handling the emotions this lifelong illness can bring. Getting diagnosed with diabetes is a life-altering event. Suddenly, you're looking at a chronic condition that has potentially serious, long-term complications and that requires you to rethink the way you look at eating, at exercising, and at the way you live your life.

This juicy little fruit contains a substance that may help prevent obesity and type 2 diabetes. No medical expert's going to advise you to eat a tangerine a day to keep the doctor away. But the juicy little fruit could turn out to have awesome health benefits. It contains a substance called nobiletin, which may protect against obesity and type 2 diabetes, according to a new study.

As a part of diabetes management, taking off excess weight is important, but it's essential to do it the right way. Anyone who's ever decided to lose weight knows that impatient feeling. You want results—instant results—and you're more than ready to embrace any diet that promises a new, slimmer you in a very short time. Before you put yourself on a trendy diet that promises rapid weight loss, consider that a fad diet could have even more severe health consequences for you than for someone without diabetes.

It's not just for salad anymore. This astringent condiment may actually help lower blood sugar. You may want to consider using a liberal hand with the vinegar bottle next time you make salad dressing. Consuming apple cider vinegar at bedtime may have a positive effect on the waking blood sugar for those with type 2 diabetes, according to a recent study from Arizona State University in Tempe, Arizona.

Here's how to prepare delicious food that works for the diabetic in your life and doesn't leave anyone feeling deprived. As the family chef, you get to choose the menu and exercise a certain amount of control over what everyone else eats. But if your spouse or significant other gets diagnosed with diabetes, you may suddenly need to modify your menus and shopping choices.

Taking a daily aspirin could be good for your health... or it could be bad for your health. There are advantages for those living with diabetes, but there are also risks. Taking a daily aspirin could be good for your health... or it could be bad for your health. And since there's no clear-cut answer for everyone who has diabetes, it's best to ask your doctor before deciding to start taking aspirin on your own. As with many medications, it has both risks and benefits.

There's good news for people looking to lower their risk for heart disease. A new study published in the journal Clinical Nutrition reveals that taking a daily dose of safflower oil—about 1 2/3 teaspoons—might help keep heart disease at bay. The findings come from a study of obese, postmenopausal women who have type 2 diabetes and were given the safflower oil for 16 weeks.

By taking an integrated approach to disease management with a team of medical professionals, patients put themselves in the best position for long term health. Or, possibly they just wind up spending more time and money. On the con side, expensive, time consuming disease management programs (DMPs) don't necessarily benefit patients in the long term, according to a German study. Roland Linder, a professor at Deutsches Aerzteblatt International, and his group set out to determine if diabetes-related conditions and emergency inpatient hospital admissions occurred less frequently in patients in a DMP.

Mexican, Thai, Italian, Japanese, Chinese, Indian: All are delicious, to be sure, but they can also be potential minefields in terms of blood sugar control. So does this mean you should stay home? Definitely not! It's enough of a challenge to manage your blood sugar when you're eating at home and cooking with familiar ingredients. But when you eat in a restaurant, you may suddenly realize you have no idea what's in the food set before you. Mexican, Thai, Italian, Japanese - all are delicious, to be sure, but they can be a potential minefield in terms of blood sugar control.

New research suggests that a particular plant oil might be a powerful weapon in the fight against obesity, diabetes, and heart disease. Abdominal fat is more hazardous to your health than the fat that accumulates in other parts of the body. The reason? "Belly fat is more harmful because it's so close to your vital internal organs," says Jerome Tolbert, MD, of Beth Israel Medical Center in New York City.

You may pass through several stages of grief and acceptance as you come to terms with your newly diagnosed, lifelong illness. Being diagnosed with diabetes is a life-altering event. Suddenly, you're looking at a chronic condition that has potentially serious, long-term complications, and one that requires you to rethink how you eat, exercise, and live your life. Once it settles in that you'll always have to monitor your blood sugar, and that you might have to give yourself shots of insulin, you may feel anxious and despondent.

No soap and water handy? It might be time to try this approach to glucose testing. It's one of the first things newly diagnosed diabetics are advised to do before they test their blood glucose: wash your hands. But when soap and water are not available, some experts recommend another strategy: place the "second drop" of blood rather than the first on the test strip.

If you've had surgery to remove part of your stomach or had gastric bypass surgery to help you lose weight, you may be susceptible to this condition. If you've had surgery to remove part of your stomach or had gastric bypass surgery to help you lose weight, you may be susceptible to a condition called dumping syndrome. The problem occurs when the undigested contents of the stomach get "dumped" into the small intestine too quickly, causing excess fluid to build in the small intestine.

Chances are that your doctor has never mentioned acupuncture as a potential part of your treatment. It's an unconventional approach, but some say it works. You try to get some exercise (most days), you eat right (no extra desserts for you!), and you take whatever medications your doctor recommends. Chances are that your doctor has never mentioned acupuncture as a way to improve your diabetes, though. So far, this ancient form of Chinese medicine is not exactly a standard treatment for the disease.

Twenty-five percent of people with diabetes don't even know they have it and that means they're not getting the treatment they need or taking the important steps necessary to keep the disease in check. Considering that there are 7 million undiagnosed diabetics in the United States and about 1.9 million new cases of diabetes diagnosed each year, it's likely that someone you know has the disease. In fact, you or a family member could be at risk for developing diabetes.

What are the telltale signs of an insulinoma? It's an uncommon condition—many physicians never see a case in their lifetime. And insulinoma, which is an insulin-secreting tumor of the pancreas gland, can be very difficult to diagnose, says Jerome V. Tolbert, MD, Ph. D., medical director of the Outreach Team for the Friedman Diabetes Institute at Beth Israel Medical Center in New York City.

It's a great cause. If you'd like to get involved in finding a cure, raising awareness about the disease, or simply learning more about diabetes, here are some ways you can help out. Chances are that even if you're not diabetic, you have a friend or relative who is. Some 285 million people worldwide have the disease, and that figure is expected to jump to 438 million by 2030, according to the International Diabetes Federation (IDF), as reported on MedicalNewsToday.

Overweight and slightly obese individuals with type 2 diabetes may one day qualify for an operation that would alleviate the symptoms of the disease. A trial underway at New York-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center is exploring whether surgery may be the best option to treat diabetes in these patients. Until now, bariatric surgery was recommended only for individuals who are severely or morbidly obese, which means having a body mass index (BMI) of 35 or higher.

The Web offers many options for staying connected and keeping loved ones updated on your or your family member's health issues. These methods are fast, easy, and efficient, and you'll know your support network is right there with you as a part of your journey. When Jennifer Wilson Cooper learned she had ovarian cancer, she launched a blog as a way to share her story with others and to make it easy for friends and family to keep up with her progress. Little did she know she'd quickly-and dramatically-expand her circle of friends (you can follow Cooper's journey on her blog, Four Seeds, which is featured in Quality Health's free cancer newsletter and on the QualityHealth.

This simple error can result in an inaccurate reading that's too high or too low. Accuracy counts when you measure your blood sugar, so it's crucial that you wash your hands thoroughly just before testing. That's because even microscopic pieces of fruit on your hands could skew the results of your finger prick blood test, causing your level to appear higher than it really is, a study shows.

Here are the solutions you need to add to your menu before you pick up your knife and fork. See what people are saying about this article on our Facebook page! The waiter hands you a menu, a basket of warm bread magically appears on the table, and you sit back, unfold your napkin and prepare to savor a restaurant meal. But keep in mind that dining out can be dangerous to your health if you're not careful.

Before you raise that glass, consider these stay-safe tips. See what people are saying about this article on our Facebook page! If you've recently been diagnosed with diabetes, you may be feeling deprived because you can't eat unlimited quantities of so many of your favorite foods. And you may be wondering whether you can still enjoy a beer, glass of wine, or margarita with friends from time to time.

Coffee may decrease the risk of developing this disorder. But is it as simple as chugging lattes? Multiple cups of coffee a day might be enough to bring on insomnia, or at least make you feel wired and jittery, but it could also have a positive effect. Drinking four cups a day cuts a woman's risk of getting type 2 diabetes by more than 50 percent, according to a new study reported by LiveScience.

Top doctors share what works best when it comes to keeping your skin healthy. If you're living with diabetes, the skin you're in needs extra TLC. Not only are diabetics more prone to skin infections, but dry, flaky skin is a problem, too. And while some areas are dry, other areas, like the armpits, can be too moist.   Here's advice from dermatologists on how to care for your skin:  Wash skin gently and pat it dry, says dermatologist Michele Green, MD, who has a private practice in New York City and works at Lenox Hill Hospital.

Did you know diabetes is the leading cause of kidney disease? But there are steps you can take to avoid this diabetic complication. Chances are that when you worry about diabetic complications, kidney disease is at the top of your list. But diabetes is the leading cause of kidney disease (also called microalbuminuria) in the United States. The disease damages these amazing organs, which function as filters in the body and remove waste products from the blood.

Is it possible to live with diabetes, eat meat-free, and be healthy? Here's what's essential to keep in mind. Trade your T-bone for tofu? If you're considering giving up meat in the interest of health, you may be wondering if you can you be a healthy vegetarian and have diabetes? Diabetics are constantly told to limit their intake of carbohydrates, which is exactly what's contained in fruits and vegetables.

This exercise combo is proven to make the biggest positive impact on your blood sugar. If you're motivated to exercise because you want to lower your blood sugar levels, the best course of action is to combine aerobics and weight lifting, according to a recent study in the Journal of the American Medical Association. Combining both forms of exercise is more beneficial to a diabetic than sticking to just one, according to the research.

Do diabetics need more vitamins than non-diabetics? It's easy to think of vitamins as a form of no-hassle health insurance: pop enough of them and you won't fall victim to colds or the flu, plus you'll have extra energy even if you're not eating right or sleeping enough, right? And if you've got diabetes, you may be tempted to pop some extras.

The terms are so similar that it's easy to confuse being allergic to insulin with insulin resistance. The terms are so similar that it's easy to confuse being allergic to insulin with insulin resistance. But these days, an allergy to insulin is exceedingly uncommon. "It is extremely rare," says Shahla Nader-Eftekhari, MD, professor of internal medicine at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UT Health.

What should you reach for and what should you avoid when it comes to living a healthy life with diabetes? It’s easier than you think. If you have diabetes, choosing the right foods can help keep you healthy and keep your blood sugar in the normal range. "Diabetics are more at risk for heart disease," says Adee Rasabi, RD, CDN, CDE, of NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Columbia Medical Center in New York City.

Harvard School of Public Health scientists, along with colleagues from other institutions, have discovered a natural substance in dairy fat that could reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes. Harvard School of Public Health scientists, along with colleagues from other institutions, have discovered a natural substance in dairy fat that could reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes. The substance, a fatty acid that's present in butter, cheese, and milk, is called trans-palmitoleic acid.

Lurking in the foods you love, these nutritionally bankrupt bad guys are well worth avoiding. They lurk in many of the foods you love: movie theater popcorn, commercially made doughnuts, even coffee "creamers." And trans fats, also called trans fatty acids are so unhealthy that there's really no "safe" level—it's best to avoid them at all costs, particularly when you have diabetes.

Here are the signs of hypoglycemia that your close family, friends, and coworkers should learn to recognize and how they should react and respond. You know firsthand what it feels like when your blood sugar drops too low. Everyone experiences hypoglycemia a little differently, but chances are that you feel shaky, hungry, cranky, and sweaty. While you recognize the condition in yourself, it is also important for a few trusted individuals—a dear friend, family members, even a co-worker—to know the symptoms of hypoglycemia and how to help you when it occurs.

Understand the scary truth behind diabulimia, the diabetic eating disorder. It can seem like a win-win situation for a young woman who's concerned about her weight and wants to lose pounds quickly. But the end result of diabulimia, a condition in which a diabetic purposely does not take the necessary insulin so that weight loss will result, is the loss of good health.

Educate yourself on what can happen so you can take the steps now to change your outcome for the better. Having diabetes over the long-term comes with consequences in the form of complications that no one likes to think about. But by familiarizing yourself now with possible complications, and resolving to do everything in your power to prevent them, you'll be looking at a healthier and happier future.

Losing extra weight can do wonders for bringing your blood sugar under control. But what are the pros and cons of your surgery options? If you're overweight and just can't seem to shed the unwanted pounds, you may be wondering whether surgery could be helpful in your quest to lose weight and get your blood sugar back in the normal range. Before you make a decision, weigh all the options.

Could half the country be diabetic in 10 years? Here are changes you can make now to keep this scary prediction from becoming reality. Half of Americans will have Type 2 diabetes by 2020, according to a current forecast. This comes from a newly released report by United Health Group's Center for Reform and Modernization.  It's a scary figure to consider, since diabetes is a devastating and potentially deadly disease.

It's not too late to embrace these New Year's resolutions for those with Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes. A new year always feels like a fresh start, a blank slate, a perfect reason to resolve to get healthier. It's also a time to move forward and put the past behind—so even if you've been less than vigilant about your blood sugar testing in the past, think of 2011 as a brand new opportunity to get your health back on track.

Do they or don't they? The question of whether artificial sweeteners cause cancer has been hotly debated in the medical community. Do they or don't they? The question of whether artificial sweeteners cause cancer has been hotly debated in the medical community. The conclusion: scientists don't think so. At least, the data collected so far is inconclusive, and does not point to a link.

Nearly 10 percent of Type 1 diabetics also have celiac disease. Here's how to eat well when you have both of these conditions. Nearly 10 percent of Type 1 diabetics also have celiac disease, an inflammatory condition of the small intestine that is brought on by eating gluten. Like Type 1 diabetes, celiac disease also is an autoimmune disease, explains Peter Green, MD, director of the Celiac Disease Center at Columbia University and co-author of "Celiac Disease (Revised and Updated Edition): A Hidden Epidemic.

Diabetes increases risk of erectile dysfunction, but there are ways to keep your sex life satisfying. If you're a man with diabetes, you may worry about its association with impotence. While it's true that disease may contribute to impotence in some diabetic men, the good news is that there are plenty of effective treatments out there to help you get your sex life back on track.

They're not much bigger than your iPod and they can make managing your diabetes much easier than it used to be. So learning all about blood glucose meters and insulin pumps is crucial to good diabetes management. If you're wondering which pump or meter is best for you, here are some facts to consider, from Devon Carlson, MS, RD, of the Naomi Berrie Diabetes Center at New York-Presbyterian Hospital/Columbia Medical Center in New York City and Rita Louard, MD, of the Diabetes Center at Montefiore Medical Center in New York City.

If you've lost access to insurance, you may be wondering how you'll survive. Is there a way to get good health care even if your finances are unstable? The cost of health insurance is scary, but having no health insurance can be downright terrifying. If you've lost access to insurance, you may be wondering how you'll survive. If you or a family member has a pre-existing condition, covering the costs of all of the prescription drugs and doctor's visits you need may seem impossible.

A baby, maybe? Here's what you need to know before trying to conceive. Long before you're ready to take an at-home pregnancy test and pray that the stick turns blue, you should start planning for your baby. Before becoming pregnant, it's crucial for a woman with diabetes to get her hemoglobin A1C within the normal range, or risk both miscarriage and birth defects.

Get to know this common test, what it measures, and what percentage number means you're in good control. Whether you have just been diagnosed with diabetes or you've had it for awhile, you've surely heard the term "hemoglobin A1C" tossed around by your doctor. Here are answers to some important questions about this test. 1. What exactly does the hemoglobin...

There are benefits to taking inhaled corticosteroids to control your asthma symptoms. But did you know this medicine can put you at risk for diabetes? There are benefits to taking inhaled corticosteroids to control your asthma symptoms. But did you know this medicine can put you at risk for diabetes? Before you skip your next puff, it's important to weigh in on all the facts to determine what's best for your situation.

Get ready, get set, get moving! Do having fun and exercising have to be mutually exclusive? No way! If you find a form of fitness that you enjoy, you're much more likely to stick with it than with something that bores you. And you'll be doing your health a huge favor. Exercise is great for lowering blood sugar and helping with weight control, says Caroline Bohl, MS, RD, CDE, of the Naomi Berrie Diabetes Center at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Columbia Medical Center in New York City.

Start paying attention to this organ, experts say, since having diabetes puts you at risk for developing a potentially serious liver disease. If you have diabetes, you may feel like you've got enough to cope with just dealing with the day to day stress of monitoring your blood sugar and watching what you eat. Who's got time to think about your liver? Start paying attention to this organ, experts say, since having diabetes puts you at risk for developing fatty liver disease.

What are the positive effects certain cereals can have on your insulin sensitivity? Here's a compelling reason to serve cereal for breakfast: Increasing insoluble fiber in the diet for just three days actually improved insulin sensitivity, research shows, and the numbers suggest that cereal fiber intake may be linked to a reduced risk of Type 2 diabetes.

What to do when your medication is no longer available. If the medication you take is withdrawn from the market, it can feel as if someone pulled the rug out from under you. It's been working for you, you don't have side effects, and you've gotten used to it. So why would a drug no longer be available? Such was the case in Europe with the diabetes drug rosiglitazone (Avandia), which was withdrawn from the market there and will be sold here in the U.

Demystify the "dawn phenomenon" and prevent elevated blood sugar when you wake up. It's disconcerting to say the least. You go to bed with a normal blood sugar, eat what you're supposed to eat, and follow your doctor's instructions for insulin dosage to the letter. Yet the next morning, you wake up with an elevated blood sugar. What's...

Type 2 diabetes, once considered a disease of the old, is turning up more often than ever before in younger people, but there is some good news. Type 2 diabetes, once considered a disease of older people, is turning up more often than ever in the young and rising obesity rates among teens is why. Some 154,000 people under the age of 20 now have diabetes in the U.S., according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Whether you want to lose 5 or 50 pounds, it's extra challenging when you have diabetes. Whether you want to lose 5 or 50 pounds, it's extra challenging when you have diabetes. If you're prone to episodes of hypoglycemia, there are times when you have to eat whether or not you want to, and it can be frustrating to have to take in those extra calories to prevent your blood sugar from dropping dangerously low.

Even with an insulin pump, when your blood sugar rockets upward you have to know what steps to take to get back on track. Many people with diabetes regard the insulin pump as a wondrous invention that makes their lives a lot easier and makes their blood sugar easier to control. But even with a pump, things aren't perfect, and when your blood sugar rockets upward for no apparent reason, it pays to know what steps to take to get back on track.

Diabetic women are much more prone than non-diabetic women to getting yeast infections. Here's why and what to do about it. If you're a woman with diabetes, you've probably found yourself at the drugstore more than once, trying to figure out which over the counter medication would be most effective for the symptoms of itching and burning that signal another yeast infection.

Could type 2 diabetes be a precursor to Alzheimer's disease? A study team out of Japan has just released research results that suggest this possibility. Could type 2 diabetes be a precursor to Alzheimer's disease? A study team out of Japan has just released research results that suggest this possibility. The scientists recruited 135 older Japanese people with an average age of 67. At the beginning of the study, the participants were given several tests to determine if they had elevated blood glucose levels.

The As (apples), Bs (Brussels sprouts), and Cs (cabbage) of cooking the season's best for nutrition and balanced blood sugar. If you're diabetic, autumn is a fabulous time to enjoy the fresh treats from the field and the orchard. Picture tawny pumpkins piled high at farm stands, bushels of crisp, juicy apples, hearty greens, crunchy cabbage, and all kinds of colorful hard-shelled squash.

Although there isn't a clear cut reason why people suffer from ischemic colitis, there are health issues and medications that can increase your chances of getting this arduous and agonizing condition. Ischemic colitis is a condition that occurs when blood flow to the large intestine (colon) becomes blocked. This can lead to inflammation of the colon and in some cases, permanent colon damage. However, most cases of the disorder are mild, and people suffering from ischemic colitis usually recover quickly.

Keep your blood sugar in check even when you can’t keep food down. You've got a stomach flu, you don't feel like eating, and it's hard to keep down even sips of liquid. What should you try to eat? And if you're on insulin, should you stop taking it? Our top tips from our three noted experts will help you feel better soon.

Have diabetes? Simple measures can keep your skin fresh and beautiful. A simple wound can get infected when you are diabetic, so it makes sense to pay close attention to cuts and bruises-even if they don't look all that bad. "The longer you have diabetes, the more you should be watchful," says Amy Hess Fischl, MS, RD, LDN, BC-AD , CDE, of the University of Chicago's Kovler Diabetes Center.

New research links the consumption of red meat to an increased risk of bladder cancer, the tenth most common cancer in the U.S. Red meat is making headlines again. This time, new research links the consumption of red meat to an increased risk of bladder cancer, the tenth most common cancer in the U.S. The Study In the National Institutes of Health and AARP's Diet and Health...

More than half of all Americans who have diabetes also have arthritis, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It seems like such a cruel double whammy. More than half of all Americans who have diabetes also have arthritis, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Just what causes the two to be present together is unclear. "We don't have any evidence that diabetes causes arthritis or that arthritis causes diabetes," Chad Helmick, MD, medical epidemiologist for the arthritis program at the CDC, told the Wall Street Journal.

Overwhelmed with sadness? You should know diabetes sufferers have higher rates of depression. "It's believed that as many as 25 percent of people with diabetes struggle with depression," says Peter Sheehan, MD, president of the New York City leadership board of the American Diabetes Association and a consultant whose company is called Sheehan Health Management Consulting.

Make the most of your meds with these top 10 tips from the experts. Dealing with the daily regimen of a whole array of pills can be time consuming, confusing, and annoying. On the plus side, being on multiple meds can give you better blood sugar control, which makes you healthier in the long run. To get the most from your meds, keep these 10 tips from the experts in mind: 1.

Nothing spoils your day faster than aching feet. Happy feet, however, create a foundation for well-being from the ground up. We’ve got five tips for keeping your feet in tip-top shape and pain-free. Nothing spoils your day faster than aching feet. Happy feet, however, create a foundation for wellbeing from the ground up. We've got five tips for keeping your feet in tip-top shape and pain-free. 1. Don't go barefoot outside. The risks for stepping on something sharp, rough, hot or icky are too high.

If nerve pain from diabetes is keeping you up, here's how to cope. Tingling, burning, stinging, and dull aches. Somehow, whatever nerve pain you may feel during the day seems intensified at night, which of course is just when you want to be free of any and all discomforts so you can drift off to sleep. "Nerve pain at night is very common in people with diabetes," says Michael Bergman, MD, clinical assistant professor of medicine at NYU Langone Medical Center in New York City.

How has Top Chef Season 2 Finalist Sam Talbot flourished in the culinary arts with diabetes? How does he manage his condition on a personal level? Was competing on Top Chef difficult, given his health issues? Seth Czarnecki sat down with Sam to ask him these questions and more. If you're a diabetic, you know what a predicament food can put you in.  For most, finding meals that are diabetes-friendly is difficult enough-let alone finding meals that are both diabetes-friendly and delicious. Well, tell that to Sam Talbot, Top Chef Season 2 Finalist and Executive Chef of the Surf Lodge in the Hamptons, and the soon-to-be Mondrian in New York City's Soho.

Now more than ever, coffee and tea are being linked to good health. And recently, researchers have found that there's something in these brews that may help prevent diabetes. For years, researchers have tried to figure out if drinking coffee is bad for your health, but study after study has shown just the opposite. In fact, time and again, both coffee and tea have been linked with good health. Now we know there's something in these brews that may help control insulin production and that, in turn, can help prevent diabetes.

It’s three hundred times sweeter than table sugar, it doesn’t add any calories, and it doesn’t cause a lot of unpleasant side effects. So is Stevia a sweet dream come true for people with diabetes? It's three hundred times sweeter than table sugar, it doesn't add any calories, and it doesn't cause a lot of unpleasant side effects. So is Stevia a sweet dream come true for people with diabetes? "There have been pros and cons about it over the years," says Daniel Baxter, MD, chief medical officer of the Ryan Community Health Center in New York City.

Here, what you need to know to fend off type 2 diabetes. If you have been diagnosed with pre-diabetes, you join the estimated 60 million Americans (about 30 percent of the population) who have this condition. But rather than despair that you're now destined to develop fullblown type 2 diabetes,  take action.

Drinking for diabetes? It may sound strange, but it does have its upside. Is it time to hoist a toast to the pleasures of drinking? If you're diabetic and you don't already imbibe, you won't find any medical authority recommending that you start consuming alcohol. However, it appears that people who consume alcohol in moderation have a lower incidence of diabetes, reports Meena Murthy, MD, FACE, of Saint Peter's University Hospital in New Brunswick, NJ.

Having diabetes doesn't equate with a lifelong sentence to a punitive and restrictive meal plan. Just know how and when to find the proper diet. "What should I eat?" That's the most common question that newly diagnosed type 2 diabetics ask when they visit Adee Rasabi, RD, CDN, CDE, senior dietitian of the Ambulatory Care Network at New York Presbyterian Hospital in New York City. Her answer? "A diabetic diet is all about healthy eating," Rasabi says.

Is combination therapy the best option for you? Get your answers here. The longer you have diabetes, the more likely it is that you'll need additional medications to keep you feeling fit and healthy. Combination therapy--mixing a variety of medicationsmay be just what you need to get your blood sugar right where it belongs.

How do you treat the skin you’re in? If you’re diabetic, hopefully you take extra care to examine yours often and see a doctor at the first sign of any abnormality. How do you treat the skin you're in? If you're diabetic, hopefully you take extra care to examine yours often and see a doctor at the first sign of any abnormality. People with diabetes are more prone to certain skin conditions so it pays to be vigilant.

Here's one more reason to maintain good blood sugar control: it helps keep your pearly whites healthy Here's one more reason to maintain good blood sugar control: it helps keep your pearly whites healthy. When your blood sugar is high, the chances of getting gum disease are significantly higher, too. Diabetics in poor control have a higher than average chance of getting gingivitis, the start of gum disease.

Could a glucose tattoo work for you? Here, the truth about this method for testing blood sugar. Multiple finger pricks are all part of the daily routine for people with type 1 diabetes, who must keep a close watch over their blood sugar. The consequences of having the blood sugar drop too low are dangerous, even life threatening, and the downside of having high blood sugars are life-threatening complications down the line.

Seniors who don’t get enough Vitamin D in their diets could be putting themselves at risk for developing diabetes. Seniors who don't get enough vitamin D in their diets could be putting themselves at risk for developing diabetes. A recent study found that older adults with low levels of this vitamin are more likely to develop metabolic syndrome, a condition that increases the risk of diabetes.

Does quitting smoking raise your type 2 diabetes risk? The answer may surprise you. Smokers are at an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes after they give up their cigarettes, according to a study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine. The risk is due to the après-quitting weight gain that's so common, according to the researchers.

Here, a primer on brown rice to help you beat diabetes. Next time you whip up some stir-fry, you may want to reach for the brown rice rather than the white variety. Doing so could reduce your risk of getting type 2 diabetes, according to a new study from the Harvard School of Public Health that was published in the Archives of Internal Medicine.

What happens when your sugar drops too low? You're shaky. You're sweating. You've never been so hungry in your life. If you've had diabetes for awhile, you recognize that you're experiencing an episode of hypoglycemia, or low blood glucose, which needs to be treated right away before it gets dangerous.

When you don't get enough sleep, it can make you feel groggy and cranky. But it can also result in insulin resistance that can lead to the development of type 2 diabetes. When you don't get enough sleep, it can make you feel groggy and cranky. But it can also result in insulin resistance that can lead to the development of type 2 diabetes, research shows. Even worse, it doesn't take long for this to happen. In one study, when sleep was restricted to four hours a night for two nights in a row, glucose tolerance—when the body does not process glucose properly because it's not using insulin right—was reduced by 40 percent.

Does eating processed meat increase your risk of diabetes? Find out here. If you want to lower your risk for type 2 diabetes, you may be better off cutting into a steak than grilling sausages for dinner. Research shows that processed meat bumps up your risk of diabetes more than red meat. In fact, in some U.S. studies, for each serving of processed meat that was consumed, there was a 53 percent increase in the incidence of type 2 diabetes.

Risks have been found for healthy people taking cholesterol drugs. In February of 2010, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the expanded use of AstraZeneca's cholesterol-lowering drug Crestor as a preventive medication for people who don't have cholesterol problems. Crestor, as well as other cholesterol-lowering drugs, or statins, including Lescol, Lipitor, Mevacor, Pravachol and Zocor, are FDA approved for people with high cholesterol levels to reduce their heart disease risk.

Here, we discuss the treatment options that use substances found in pot. Cannabidiol, a non-psychotropic substance found in marijuana, may actually prevent an eye condition that leads to an all-too-common complication of diabetes. The complication, of course, is diabetic retinopathy. It's the growth of abnormal, excess blood vessels in the eye that leads to retinopathy.

Diabetics need to be vigilant about dental health. Learn to protect your pearly whites. If you have diabetes, the old adage--ignore your teeth and they'll go away--is worth heeding. Your risk for a myriad of dental problems increases if your blood sugar is not in control. Even when you're in good blood sugar control, however, you still should be extra vigilant about oral health, experts say.

Work through the fallacies to get the diet truth you need. Dieting presents its own special set of challenges to people who have diabetes. And while there's no magic weight loss regimen that will effortlessly melt away the pounds while keeping your blood sugar in the ideal range, clearing up misconceptions may help you shed unwanted pounds for keeps.

Tips for how to prevent this sleep-robbing, and potentially fatal, disorder. It's easy to blame the symptoms on something else—job stress, an exciting TV show right before bed, or waiting up for a teenager who's late getting home. But if you suffer from constant fatigue, chronic poor concentration, depression and a lack of energy, you may have obstructive sleep apnea and not even know it.

It's relaxing, fun, and can help keep your blood sugar in check. Tai chi may be just what your body needs. You're bored with the treadmill and the stationary bike, and you don't feel like taking up golf or tennis. Still, you'd like to incorporate some form of exercise into your routine. If you've never considered tai chi, you just may want to give this traditional Chinese martial art a try.

You may think of diabetes as a disease that mainly affects adults. But did you know that a growing number of children are also being diagnosed with this condition? There are two type of diabetes that can impact young people. The first, called Type 1 Diabetes, is an immune system disorder that causes the pancreas to stop producing the insulin needed to process food and turn it into energy. The second, called Type 2 Diabetes, occurs when the pancreas produces decreasing amounts of insulin and is unable to efficiently use what does exist.

Infection is a scary prospect for all diabetics. Here, symptoms to watch for. If you have diabetes, you should be  extra vigilant about the possibility of infection, which can quickly result from a wound or a blister.  Fortunately, this is less likely to occur when you are in good control of your blood sugars. But when your blood sugars are regularly elevated, your all-important infection-fighting white blood cells just don't do the job that they should.

Cooking up a diabetes-friendly kitchen? Here's what to buy, what to toss, and how to keep food temptations at bay. Chances are that you spend more of your waking hours in the kitchen than any other room of your house. It's a place to eat, socialize, watch the news, or even check your email. When a kitchen becomes a minefield of temptations that sabotage your best intentions to eat healthy and keep your blood sugars where they belong, it may be time to rethink not just what you put into your kitchen, but where you put the various foods.

All you want is a healthy baby. Here, how to prevent diabetes-related birth defects. If you're a woman with diabetes and would love to be a mom some day, here's good news: diabetic women can give birth to a beautiful, healthy baby.Careful planning, however, is crucial. High blood sugar in a mother can harm a developing fetus, and since most of the vital organs, like the brain, heart and spine, are formed in the first month after conception, before a woman even knows she is pregnant, it's important to get levels under control before even trying to conceive.

Preventing diabetes is possible but challenging. What if you had the early warning signs of a life-threatening disease, and someone told you that if you made some lifestyle changes, the disease would go away? Would you be willing to make some sacrifices in order to stay healthy? We all would like to believe that our answer is "yes"; however, when it comes to keeping diabetes at bay, it's really hard for us to do what it takes.

You could have type 2 diabetes and not even know it. Here, a top 10 list worth checking out. Though millions of Americans have been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, many more don't even know they're at high risk. If you're unsure whether you're in this group or not, it pays to be aware of the most common symptoms. If you find that you have some of these telltale symptoms, see your health care provider.

A good laugh can lower your blood sugar. Laughing not only makes you feel happy and mirthful on the inside, but if you have diabetes, it is also good for your health. In one study, researchers found that laughter not only decreased blood sugar levels in individuals with type 2 diabetes, it also decreased the levels of prorenin in the blood.

The season’s healthiest produce can help you manage your condition. Winter's hearty gourds and tubers have given way to a trove of springtime treasures at the market, and the good news is that everything in the colorful cornucopia is appropriate for those with diabetes. Delicate, tender greens, juicy berries, and crisp, sweet peas all are becoming abundant now, and there's no need to resist the temptation to fill up the market basket with vitamin-packed goodies.

Which option is best for for you? Read on to find out. Diabetic women of child-bearing age may well wonder if the birth control pill is a healthy option for them. The answer depends upon her age and her general health, experts say. Young, healthy diabetic women should not have a problem with the birth control pill, says Millicent Comrie, MD, chair of the department of obstetrics and gynecology at Long Island College Hospital in New York.

Research suggests that your TV-viewing habit can be a deadly pastime. Americans watch more than five hours of television per day on average, according to a 2008 study conducted by the Neilsen Company. While you may have your weekly "must-watch" show , you may consider doing something else with those 25+ hours that you usually spend plopped in front of the television.

Sitting too long raises fatality risk, experts say. Americans sit a lot. In fact, it is not uncommon for people to spend half of their waking hours sitting. Whether you sit at the office, in the car, at school, at the computer or in front of the TV, if you're seated for too many hours, you are increasing your health risks, experts say.

What it is, what to look for, how to treat it. Even if you've had diabetes for a long time, chances are you've never heard of Necrobiosis Lipoidica Diabeticorum (NLD). In fact, the condition is so unusual that it's not even listed in the Merck Manual Home Health Handbook, which lists just about every imaginable malady you can possibly think of.

How one celebrity copes and thrives. She's not the only public person to have diabetes. Nick Jonas of the Jonas Brothers, boxing legend Sugar Ray Leonard, and Sonia Sotomayor on the Supreme Court all have the disease, Mary Tyler Moore, however, not only has Type 1 diabetes, she has written a book about her own experiences, Growing Up Again: Life, Loves And Oh Yeah, Diabetes, and she has campaigned tirelessly for more research to find a cure.

Irritable? Sleepy? Confused? Your feelings are closely tied to your blood sugar. Feeling down? Or so irritable you could scream? Chances are that your blood sugar's too high or too low. And not surprisingly, it affects your mood. "When diabetics have low blood sugar, they may not even act like themselves," says Olga Calof, MD, a board-certified endocrinologist in the Los Angeles area.

Learn the difference between normal changes in your feet and diabetes complications so that you can put your best foot forward. They take a lot of abuse, and they cover a lot of ground. So it's hardly a surprise your feet may start to act up. If you're starting to experience foot problems, it could certainly be part of the aging process. Wear and tear on the feet, over the years, can not just make the feet spread, but can cause the fatty pads that cushion the bottom of the foot to thin out, according to the American Podiatric Medical Association.

Here are tips for becoming a vegetarian while responsibly managing your blood sugar. If visions of verdant vegetables, nutty whole grains, and fresh fruit are tempting you to give up meat in favor of a healthy, plant-based diet, you may well wonder if a vegetarian diet can work for a diabetic. After all, carbs comprise the bulk of a vegetarian eating plan, and when you're diabetic, they have to be carefully tallied up in order to keep the blood sugar as close to normal as possible.

Women must deal with some complications that men don’t. Here, the diabetes complications no one talks about. If you are a woman with diabetes, you must be extra vigilant about certain conditions. The good news is that you're less likely to get some of them if your blood sugar is in good control, says Jeffrey Powell, MD, endocrinologist at the Mount Kisco Medical Group in Mount Kisco, New York.

Avoiding extremes when managing blood sugar levels is important to keep from going too high or too low. Trying to maintain optimum blood sugar levels is a constant-and often tiresome-balancing act. Both high blood sugar (hyperglycemia) and low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) have health consequences. Recognizing the symptoms of both, and being aware of the health problems that they cause, are important, says Elbert S.

Under development is an amazing, life-simplifying device. If you or someone close to you has insulin-dependent diabetes, you know the endless, time consuming daily ritual of fingersticks, injections, and dealing with low blood sugar episodes that can occur at the most inconvenient times. Now imagine if there was a machine that could automatically deal with all of these tasks, smoothly regulating the blood sugar and preventing the terrible thirst that comes with a high blood sugar level or the shaky, disoriented feeling that comes with being low.

How to ease the financial burden. It's expensive to manage diabetes. Even those with health insurance find themselves scrambling to pay unreimbursed co-pays for glucose testing strips, oral medications, and insulin. Many patients and caretakers find themselves asking this essential question: Can the cost be reduced without compromising your health? Here, experts weight in to provide five tips on how to spend less, be healthier, and reduce the risk of complications from diabetes.

Are you sugar substitute savvy? Here's the lowdown on what's available. If you've got Type 2 diabetes, non-nutritive sweeteners can let you have your cake and eat it, too.  It's easier than ever these days to satisfy a sweet tooth without spending a lot of calories as ordinary table sugar (or sucrose) has been joined by a staggering array of non-nutritive sweeteners.

Experts say that Type 2 Diabetes can be reversible—if you’re willing to change your lifestyle. If you've recently learned you have Type 2 Diabetes, you'll welcome the news that it's not necessarily a lifelong sentence. In fact, Type 2 Diabetes can actually disappear if the person loses the recommended amount of weight. The bad news? Diabetes typically returns if the person gains back the weight, says endocrinologist Stuart Weiss, MD, of NYU Langone Medical Center in New York City.

While most fruits have low to moderate values, there are some exceptions. After you eat, your blood sugar (glucose) levels rise. This signals the need for insulin to be released into the blood to carry that sugar to individual body cells where they will be  used for energy production and other activities. The amount and type of food you eat can have a dramatic effect on your blood sugar levels.

In yet another example of the inseparable link between mental and physical health, medical experts are noting the increase in depression among people who are obese, especially as they age. In yet another example of the inseparable link between mental and physical health, medical experts are noting the increase in depression among people who are obese, especially as they age. Depression affects 10 to 25 percent of population in the United States and often goes hand in hand with anxiety and other mental health disorders.

Exercise is great, but if you're diabetic, it is possible to get too much of a good thing. Love it or hate it, exercise is crucial if you want to keep your blood sugar at an optimal level. And don't forget all the other benefits, such as sleeping better at night, keeping your weight in check, and just feeling better overall. But—and don't think this gives you a reprieve next time you're feeling too lazy to get to the gym—according to experts, it is possible to exercise too much.

Help your kids enjoy the year's spookiest night without sacrificing nutrition. For children, October 31 is one of the most eagerly anticipated nights of the year. And is it any wonder? Not only is Halloween an excuse to dress up in scary costumes; it's also an opportunity to snatch up massive amounts of sugary treats. According to the National Confectioner's Association, 93 percent of U.

They're juicy and delicious, but grapes may also be helpful in counteracting some complications of diabetes. According to an article in ScienceDaily, a compound found in grape skin can protect blood vessels from the cellular damage that occurs when blood sugar levels are elevated. Resveratrol, the ingredient that makes red wine heart-healthy, stops the damage by actually helping the cells form protective enzymes.

You take your meds faithfully, yet judging from how you feel, you're beginning to suspect they may not be as effective as they'd once been. You're faithfully taking each dose of your diabetes medication. Yet judging from how you feel, you're beginning to suspect they may not be as effective as they'd once been. Could meds simply stop working? Unfortunately, yes. And once you find out why, you can get back on track.

Stories of insulin dosage mix-ups that have had fatal results are unfortunately all too common, but they can be avoided by following critical tips. Medical experts say the best way to minimize tragic endings like this are to read insulin labels carefully—and to double—check your doctor's prescriptions, too. "Even in hospital settings, insulin is considered to be one of the high risk medications because if you take too much you can end up with serious consequences," says Suzanne Khanna, program coordinator at CentraState Medical Center in Freehold, New Jersey.

Having fat on the lower portion of your body, such as on the thighs, hips and backside, may protect against diabetes and heart disease, a recent report suggests. Most people are working hard to keep off fat, but new research published in the International Journal of Obesity suggests that the more fat individuals have in their hips, thighs and hind area, known as gluteofemoral fat, the less likely they are to develop diabetes and heart disease later in life.

Smokers are at an increased risk of developing Type 2 diabetes after they give up their cigarettes, according to a study published in the "Annals of Internal Medicine." Smokers are at an increased risk of developing Type 2 diabetes after they give up their cigarettes, according to a study published in the "Annals of Internal Medicine." According to the researchers, the risk is due to the après-quitting weight gain that is all too  common.

Remember: not all carbohydrates are created equal. A low-carb diet can help people with Type 2 diabetes control their blood sugar, according to a study in Nutrition & Metabolism. The study followed 31 subjects, of whom 13 were on a strict low-carb diet and 18 of whom followed a moderate-carb diet.

This critical life change may also be associated with an increased risk for developing diabetes. As if there weren't enough unpleasant aspects of menopause, such as hot flashes, insomnia and forgetfulness, it now appears that this change may actually be associated with Type 2 diabetes. "There has been some research where we see women going through menopause and developing Type 2 diabetes," says Tracy L.

Picking the specialists who will help you stay healthy is critical for helping you live well with diabetes. If you've recently been diagnosed with diabetes, you may be feeling a little overwhelmed at the sheer number of specialists you're suddenly supposed to visit. Besides your primary care physician, you may be told to see an endocrinologist, a certified diabetes educator, a registered dietitian, a podiatrist and an ophthalmologist.

If you're counting sheep instead of catching zzz's, you need a bedtime makeover. Take control of your insomnia and diabetes at the same time. If sleep eludes you night after night, chances are you're feeling the mind-numbing effects by day. Maybe you're drinking more coffee to keep awake, or succumbing to a mid-afternoon nap just to stay alert for the rest of your day. For those who have diabetes, better control of the blood sugar may be just what you need in order to get high quality slumber every night.

Learning about the glycemic index can help with your meal planning. You may have heard the term "glycemic index" (GI) tossed around by your healthcare provider, but not know exactly what it is. The GI measures how foods that contain carbohydrates raise your blood sugar, according to the American Diabetes Association. Foods with a high GI raise the blood sugar more than foods with a low or medium GI.

Smart and delicious options that will fill you up and keep your blood sugar down. If you've got diabetes, the ideal midday meal should contain protein to fill you up, and carbs (but not too many) to give you energy. Delicious as they taste, carbs should be restricted to 45 to 60 grams at lunch, recommends Adee Rasabi, RD, CDN, CDE, senior dietitian in the Ambulatory Care Network Nutrition Wellness Center at New York Presbyterian-Weill Cornell Medical Center in New York City.

Here’s how to treat and prevent an annoying and painful occurrence. It may or may not cause symptoms, it can start out subtly and if not treated, it can progress to a more serious infection. Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are much more frequent in women than in men, and they're even more frequent in women with diabetes.

Taking care of your pearly whites is crucial when you have diabetes. Counting carbs. Blood glucose testing. Possibly juggling several different types of medication. You may be so busy taking care of your diabetes that it's easy to forget about one very important part of your body: your mouth. Both "dry mouth" and periodontal disease are very common among diabetics, says  Maritza Dominguez, DMD, dentist who treats many patients with diabetes.

If you have diabetes, these terrific treats will satisfy your sweet tooth. If you love to reward yourself at the end of the meal with something sweet, you don't have to deny yourself the pleasure. By carefully calculating your carbohydrate intake, you can eat dessert, says Adee Rasabi, registered dietitian and certified diabetes educator at New York-Presbyterian Weill Cornell Medical Center.

If you have diabetes, it's important to plan between-meals with care. Who doesn't like to snack? It's fun, it's social and it's a great diversion from boredom. Besides, sometimes snacks just taste better than regular meals. Despite how wonderful snacking can be, when you've got diabetes, it's crucial that you eat for nutritional benefit and the ability to help keep your blood sugar in control.

Good health ups the odds that you and your partner will have a better time in bed. It's hard to get revved up for sex if you're not feeling well. Before you start blaming your less than vigorous libido on getting older or becoming disinterested in your partner, take a long, hard look at your health profile. Medications used to treat...

Diabetics get sicker with this serious disease, so play it safe with a shot. A simple vaccine could save your life. People with diabetes are about three times more likely than the rest of the population to die from influenza or pneumonia, reports the Federal Centers for Disease Control. People with diabetes, if they develop pneumonia, are more likely to be sicker longer and to go to the hospital, says the CDC.

There are rocky patches, but recipients often can look forward to having more energy and a less constrained lifestyle. The typical recipient of a donated kidney is hooked up to a dialysis machine a few times a week and may not feel too lively overall. After some time, the patient isn't not tethered to dialysis on a regular basis. So why don't people feel immediately euphoric? "Your body has to adjust to the new organ, and to all the medications that you are getting," says Blanca Sckell, MD an internist at Saint Vincent's Hospital in New York City and manager of the primary care program.

Following a nutritious meal plan isn’t easy after years of dietary indiscretions. Change the way you eat. Give up your favorite foods. Reduce your portion sizes. That's the typical advice the newly diagnosed diabetic hears right from the start. Yet even though people with diabetes understand that the best way to prevent complications and to avoid going on insulin is to eat healthy, putting the plan into action can be daunting.

If you don’t want to watch your health go up in smoke, resolve to quit today. It's a well-known fact that people with diabetes have a higher-than-average risk of cardiovascular disease. But when you add cigarettes to the equation, the picture gets considerably grimmer. "We think of diabetes as a disease of glucose metabolism but in fact it's a vascular disease, especially type 2," says Dr.

A diagnosis of diabetes is tough on the whole family. Here, effective strategies for learning to cope. One day your family is clicking along as usual. The next day, without any warning, you're in the hospital with your child. You've just been told he has type 1 diabetes, and you're overwhelmed learning how to give insulin injections, manage hypoglycemia and cook a whole new way.

Advice from the medical experts: Ready, set, play! Whether your child has just been diagnosed with type 1 diabetes or has had it for awhile, chances are that your anxiety level rises when he's on the soccer field, up at bat, or dribbling around the basketball court. You worry that your child's blood sugar will drop too low without his being aware of it, or that he didn't have a big enough pre-game snack, or that he might not be drinking enough water.

Switching from injections to the pump can give you better blood sugar control. Here, the pros, the cons, and how to decide if it’s right for you. It's about the size of a beeper and can be worn just about anywhere on your body--in a pocket, inside a bra, even on your back. It holds the promise of better blood sugar control, more flexibility, and less equipment to tote around. But the insulin pump also requires some training on your part.

A diet rich in the following fruits, veggies, spices and meats will lower your need for diabetes medication and help you avoid complications such as nerve damage and kidney disease. It's a delicate balance—making smart food choices to control your blood glucose levels, while keeping the fun in food. A diet rich in the following fruits, veggies, spices and meats will lower your need for diabetes medication and help you avoid complications such as nerve damage and kidney disease.

After earlier failures, a new form of insulin may offer an alternative to injections. It sounded like a diabetic's dream come true: the idea of inhaling insulin rather than injecting it. But Pfizer's Exubera, the first inhaled insulin product on the market, wound up a commercial failure. After that, other companies like Eli Lilly-Alkermes stopped studies of similar products.

Your home state impacts how likely you are to develop diabetes, research shows. If you live in one of the Southern or Appalachian states, you better be extra vigilant about your health. Diabetes prevalence is higher in these places than in any other part of the country, according to Medical News Today. "This concentration of cardiovascular risks and diabetes points to the need for lifestyle and health care interventions in these states," said the Harvard School of Public Health's Goodarz Danae.

If it’s not type 1 and it’s not type 2, then what is it? Find out about this misunderstood and often misdiagnosed form of diabetes. It's got the rather ungainly name of Latent Autoimmune Diabetes of Childhood (LADA) but many people call it Type 1.5 diabetes. It's a "rather common and often underrecognized form of diabetes whose clinical presentation falls somewhere between Type 1 and Type 2," says S.

Have you or a loved one survived a life-threatening disease? Are you currently struggling with depression, chronic pain, heart disease, or other health-related condition? Have you gone to extraordinary lengths to help someone in a health crisis? If so, we want to hear from you! Would you like to inspire thousands by sharing your story? There are no better, more inspiring stories than those that are personal. At QualityHealth, we understand that you, our readers, have your own tales that are both unique and powerful, but most importantly, can serve as an inspiration to others.

Kick off the season of celebration with festive fare that’s delicious and healthy. Sugar and fat-laden pies, cookies and egg nog. Stuffing, sweet potatoes topped with marshmallow, gravy-laden mashed potatoes. These are among the foods that make the holidays taste so good, but can also wreak havoc for people with diabetes trying to eat healthy.

Rethinking your diet and exercise regimen can restore your blood sugar to normal. Maybe you'd been feeling tired a lot of the time. Or perhaps you just didn't feel like yourself. A visit to the doctor gave you the diagnosis you didn't want to hear: pre-diabetes. In pre-diabetes, blood glucose levels are higher than normal but not high enough for a diagnosis of diabetes, according to the Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP), a large multicenter clinical research study.

For those with type 2 diabetes, there are many solutions so you can avoid injections. If you've been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, you've probably been advised to lose weight and start exercising. The right diet and a good exercise plan both help keep your blood sugar where it should be. With that said, eating right and working out aren't always easy for busy people to fit into their schedule.

Here, we eye one of the most common, and treatable, complications of diabetes. As the incidence of diabetes continues to rise--an estimated 23.6 million Americans now have type 2 diabetes--the number of cases of eye complications is on the increase, too. In fact, the CDC projects that the number of diabetic retinopathy cases will double by 2050.

Start the day off right with a nutritious eye-opener. Your mom was right. Breakfast is the day's most important meal, especially for those with diabetes. "Metabolically and nutritionally, breakfast can help with blood sugar control," says Ericka Arrecis, diabetes educator and registered dietitian at the Naomi Berrie Center for Diabetes at New York Presbyterian Hospital in New York City.

If you have diabetes, there may be a healthier choice. But be sure to read the label before making a selection. Years ago, margarine was typically made with partially hydrogenated oil, explains nutritionist Christine Avanti. "The older margarine spreads were unhealthful because of the hydrogenation process," she explains. "But fortunately the newer spreads are much more heart healthy.

Exercise not only staves off full-blown diabetes, but it can also lower blood sugar levels in those who already have it. If pre-diabetes has you worried about what the future holds, here's some good news. An exercise program can be your ticket back to good health. Exercising can help those with diabetes maintain better blood sugar controls. Some 11 percent of the people who are diagnosed with pre-diabetes go on to get full-blown diabetes, explains Dr.

The health consequences of misusing insulin to lose weight can be serious. Diabulimia is a disorder that's becoming more common among insulin-dependent diabetics who want to lose weight, explains Ann Goebel-Fabbri, a psychologist at the Joslin Diabetes Center. About one third of all American women with type 1 diabetes, have manipulated their insulin at some point to lose weight, according to the same body of research.

Storing and carrying insulin is easy if you take temperature into account. You've carefully calculated the right dose based upon what you're eating and how much you're exercising. But do you know exactly how (and where) your insulin should be stored? A lot depends upon the temperature, experts say. In order to work effectively, insulin should be stored at anywhere from about 45 to 75 degrees, says  Dr.

Here, top tips for preparing a terrific turkey with all the trimmings for those with diabetes—and everyone else. This all-American holiday calls for a celebratory meal filled with special dishes and cooked with love. The meal may need to be timed strategically depending upon if you take insulin or a pill to lower your blood glucose. The good news is that many of the traditional Thanksgiving foods fit in perfectly with the meal plan of those who have diabetes as well as other family members.

Don’t ignore safflower, olive, and fish oils if you have diabetes. The much touted Mediterranean diet has practically elevated olive oil to the status of super food. But there are other oils out there that have health benefits, too. Safflower oil, for instance, appears to reduce blood sugar levels by 11 to 19 points, says Kelly A.

Having rheumatoid arthritis and diabetes can be an autoimmune double whammy. As if rheumatoid arthritis isn't enough of a life changing diagnosis to cope with, now it appears that RA sufferers may be at an increased risk for developing diabetes as well. Although, the connection between rheumatoid arthritis and diabetes is unclear at this point, but research suggests that it's real.

For the first time, a simple blood test may hold the answer There may be good news for diabetics. Doctors can predict which diabetic patients may come down with the nerve condition called neuropathy by measuring their triglycerides, according to new research. Diabetics with elevated triglycerides are much more likely to suffer from the condition, which can cause tingling, pain and numbness in the hands, arms, feet and legs, according to a study from the University of Michigan and Wayne State University.

General health problems that put your sexual health at risk — and what you can do about it. Consider this: Thirty to 50 percent of men with diabetes suffer from erectile dysfunction. Men in their 40s who have erectile dysfunction (ED) are twice as likely to develop cardiovascular disease compared to men without ED. These are just a few examples of how your sexual health relates to overall health.

New in India, a once-a-day injectable insulin could be a life changing medication. Anyone with type one diabetes knows just how time consuming the daily routine is--multiple injections are the norm for anyone who wants to stay in good blood sugar control. Now a brand new insulin analog holds the promise of being a once-a-day regimen.

Study sheds new light on the diabetes and breast cancer link. A study published in the International Journal of Cancer confirms previous research showing that diabetes increases the risk of breast cancer. In this study elevated insulin levels in the blood appeared to raise the risk of breast cancer in postmenopausal women.

Exercise Physiologist Dr. Sheri Colberg answers readers' questions on the most common concerns of diabetics. Q: I’m new to “pumping” and I have trouble finding the proper site. Where is the best spot for my insulin pump? Here's some sensible advice about pump sites from www.diabetesnet.com: In the abdominal area, the infusion set can be placed anywhere from just below the rib cage to just above the pubic area, to within two finger widths of the belly button extending to the sides, basically anywhere you can "pinch an inch.

Vitamin C may one day be used to treat diabetes-related health issues. Don't run out and stock your medicine chest with it just yet, but some research shows that Vitamin C, when combined with insulin, stops blood vessel damage in patients with Type 1 diabetes. We had tested this theory on research models, but this is the first time anyone has shown the therapy's effectiveness in people," says Michael Ihnat, Ph.

Sprinkling a bit of this spice may do well for your diabetes. For those who are familiar with the diabetes diet, cinnamon is a large component. Research is suggesting that cinnamon may help control blood sugar in those with type 2 diabetes, but results so far have been mixed. Lab studies at the University of Georgia tested extracts from two dozen spices and herbs, and some findings suggest that generous amounts of cinnamon could be useful.

According to recent research, being a double D makes you more likely to develop the disease. If you're worried about getting diabetes, take note of your bra size. A larger cup size is linked to higher rates of Type 2 diabetes, according to a study published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal. The lead author of the study, Dr Joel Ray, said"I think the take-home message is that we have a new and thought provoking concept about how breast fatness or breast fat might be viewed as a contributor to Type 2 diabetes risk in a woman," lead author Dr.

Exercise Physiologist Dr. Sheri Colberg answers a reader's question on which foods are safest for those with pre-diabetes.   Q: What foods are safe to eat for people with pre-diabetes? A: It's not that any foods are really "unsafe" to eat if you have pre-diabetes or insulin resistance.  It's simply that some food choices are better than others for blood sugar control and overall health.

When you have diabetes and travel away from home, even for a few hours, you need to be prepared for any problems. Here are 10 items you should always carry with you. Living with diabetes means you've got to plan for any situation when you're away from home for an extended period, for instance, when you're at work or on an outing. Here are 10 things you should always take with you when you have diabetes: 1. Diabetes bracelet.

When you first receive a type 1 diabetes diagnosis there are several steps you should take right away to properly manage your disease and enjoy better long-term health. A type 1 diabetes diagnosis most commonly occurs in childhood or young adulthood, but it can occur at an age. Type 1 diabetes is when the immune system starts to attack beta cells in the pancreas responsible for producing insulin. Eventually these cells stop producing insulin and glucose increases in the bloodstream instead of entering cells where it can be used for energy and other functions.

Today pregnancy and diabetes is more manageable than in previous decades. Here are seven essential things you should know to protect your health and have a healthy baby. & Many women with type 1 or type 2 diabetes have healthy, successful pregnancies, which are still considered high-risk. Some of the risks that increase due to diabetes and pregnancy include pre-eclampsia, miscarriage, premature birth, congenital defects, stillbirth, neonatal death, and having a baby who will have diabetes.

Here, the link between diabetes and pancreatic cancer and a diabetes medication that can lower the risk. Pancreatic cancer is the fourth leading cause of death from cancer for men and women in the U.S. For years, pancreatic cancer and diabetes have been linked, but it still remains unclear about whether one disease causes the other. Last year there were over 42,000 new cases of pancreatic cancer diagnosed in the U.

High blood sugar increases risks of heart disease for people with diabetes and non-diabetics. The numbers are a bit scary: two out of three people with diabetes will die from heart disease or stroke, reports the American Diabetes Association (ADA). Through their campaign Make the Link! Diabetes, Heart Disease and Stroke, the ADA and the American College of Cardiology are hoping to raise awareness of the connection between diabetes and heart disease.

The information you need to avoid weight gain when taking diabetes medications. Last year a study revealed that weight gain can be a positive thing for people who have type 1 diabetes. Those who gained an average of 10 to 55 pounds lived longer compared to those who gained less weight. But, in most cases, doctors recommend that you do not gain additional weight, especially if you have type 2 diabetes.

What you need to know about diabetes and stem cell research. Last March the American Diabetes Association (ADA) applauded President Obama's executive order that will advance stem cell research by lifting existing restrictions on the use of embryonic stem cells, while maintaining strict ethical guidelines. "The ethical use of stem cell research holds the promise of accelerating medical advancements in many fields.

Are daily bouts of hypoglycemia from diabetes dangerous? According to the Joslin Diabetes Center, hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar, is one of the most common problems associated with insulin treatment, but it can also affect people who take pills for diabetes. Hypoglycemia can occur suddenly. In most cases, it's mild and can be successfully treated by eating or drinking a small amount of glucose-rich food.

How to tell if your doctor is right for you and meeting your needs in managing your diabetes. Diabetes is a chronic condition that requires life-long care and monitoring--but most of all, change. Your daily routine will involve monitoring your blood glucose, taking diabetes medication such as insulin, increasing physical activity, and adjusting your diet.

An overview of the most common causes of penis pain and treatment. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) describes penis pain or penile pain as any pain or discomfort in the penis. Pain can range from mild to severe and may affect different areas of the penis and be accompanied by other symptoms such as burning or lesions.

Discover the best exercises for diabetes that should be a part of your daily routine. When you think about the benefits of diabetes exercise they're plenty. First, daily exercise helps your body to work more efficiently. It helps your body to burn more calories, and to use insulin more effectively. It also helps to control your blood glucose, cholesterol and triglyceride levels.

Learn more about this dangerous epidemic as well as steps you can take to ward off the disease. Although much attention has been focused on the new generation of kids being diagnosed with diabetes, diabetes is no stranger to the elderly population. Of the more than 16 million Americans with diabetes, more than half are older than 60. And almost 20 percent of people over age 65 have the disease.

See how far the benefits of this disease-fighting protein can go besides promoting bone health and rich nutrition. Soybeans are legumes, such as peas, beans and lentils. They are one of the world's most important crops. Soybeans are consumed many different ways including edamame (young green soybeans), soy milk, soy nuts, soy yogurt, soy cheese, tempeh, miso, tofu and in a variety of meat substitutes such as veggie burgers.

Is the glycemic index important for treating your diabetes? What is the Glycemic Index? Foods that contain carbohydrates increase blood sugar levels. The glycemic index ranks carbohydrates on a scale from 0 to 100 based on how much they increase blood sugar levels compared to a rise that would occur from pure glucose.

Get fitter and healthier with the easiest diabetes exercise—walking. If you have diabetes or prediabetes, you know the importance of daily exercise to maintain your weight and control blood glucose levels. Walking is one of the easiest and most effective diabetes exercise. You can do it anywhere and it won't take a bite out of your purse.

Kidney disease is a common diabetes complication. Learn about symptoms of kidney disease and ways to reduce your risk. Symptoms of kidney disease aren't noticeable until you have chronic kidney disease, which leads to kidney failure. Diabetes is the most common cause of kidney failure, which accounts for nearly 44 percent of new cases and affects over 100,00 Americans every year.

Joining a diabetes support group online or in your community can improve your disease and overall well-being. More and more people are turning to diabetes support groups to cope with some of the difficulties associated with the condition--both online and in their neighborhoods. A 2001 study found that nearly 48,000 Internet users visited diabetes support and discussion groups over a 21-month period, spending an average of about 15 minutes.

Good news — you can indulge in the sweet tastes of summer with these fruits. According to the Mayo Clinic, having diabetes doesn't prevent you from eating fruits, even though you may be concerned about their high sugar content. Dr. Maria Collazo-Clavell, an endocrinologist at the hospital explains that the total amount of carbohydrates you consume has more of an impact on your blood sugar levels than the sources of the carbohydrates.

Here, simple ways to control your diabetes in summer. Coping with diabetes in summer can be a challenge. However, you can still soak up all the joys of the season by making some simple lifestyle changes and a few adjustments to your diabetes care routine. Monitor Your Blood Glucose More Often It's quite common for people with diabetes to experience low blood glucose levels in summer.

Foods that fight diabetes provide better blood glucose control and improve long-term health. It's a delicate balance - making smart food choices to control your blood glucose levels, while keeping the fun in food. Learning how to adjust your diet takes time, but the benefits are worth it. You'll need less diabetes medication and avoid complications such as nerve damage and kidney disease.

Studies find that taking aspirin can help prevent type 2 diabetes. You may already know that doctors recommend aspirin therapy to lower your risk of cardiovascular problems if you have diabetes. But did you know that aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid or ASA) may also lower your risk of developing diabetes? If you are in a high risk group - for instance, if you're obese or overweight, or you've been diagnosed with prediabetes - results of a new study will interest you.

Having diabetes and going through menopause simultaneously doubles the health risks for women. Learn about better ways to treat both conditions. Over the last decade we've gained more insight into the diabetes and menopause connection. Menopause is a natural process women go through and is marked a reduction in estrogen and progesterone. The process ends when you have your last period. The transition can last for 10 years and familiar symptoms include hot flashes, irregular periods and mood swings.

Studies show a high correlation between diabetes, obesity, and being overweight. Find out where your BMI should be to combat type 2 diabetes. Last year a study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences revealed a new link between diabetes, obesity and being overweight. For years health professionals have warned about the adverse effects of a high body mass index (BMI) on the body, which includes insulin resistance that leads to type 2 diabetes.

More diabetics are putting their health at risk during the recession. Learn how to lower the cost of diabetes. People with diabetes are cutting back on care during the recession, according to an analysis conducted by the Associated Press (AP). The report indicates that diabetics have been going without doctors' visits, blood-sugar testing, insulin, and other medicines as they lose income and health insurance in these tough economic times.

Intensive insulin therapy offers people with diabetes many benefits. But are the risks worth it? Intensive insulin therapy assists people with diabetes to achieve tight control of blood sugar levels. As a result, it reduces several diabetes complications, and helps to improve long-term health. A study published in the New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM) revealed the impact this treatment has on diabetes.

The top 8 ways to treat diabetic neuropathy pain at home. If you're living with diabetes, you know that you're at a high risk for nerve damage or diabetic neuropathy. According to the American Diabetes Association, one out of two people with diabetes has nerve damage. It causes burning sensation, numbness, stinging, tingling, and weakness and extreme pain.

People with rheumatoid arthritis are more likely to develop cardiovascular disease. Here’s how to lower your risk. When you have rheumatoid arthritis (RA) it's understandable that you would be more concerned with controlling pain and inflammation. However, you should also be aware of the strong link between heart disease and rheumatoid arthritis. If you have RA, you're more likely to develop coronary heart disease, suffer unrecognized heart attacks and sudden cardiac death, according to the Mayo Clinic.

What you eat is one of the most important aspects of managing your diabetes and a new diet trend might be what the doctor ordered.  The Mediterranean diet is rich in olive oil, grains, cereal, fruits, nuts, legumes, vegetables, and fish, but low in meat, dairy products and alcohol. Olive oil is used as the cooking medium of choice in this diet as well. So how does this diet compare to what The American Diabetes Association recommends? Below are the basic guidelines to follow and what you'll notice is that the Mediterranean is strikingly similar.

Erectile dysfunction may raise the likelihood of developing heart disease for men with diabetes. Diabetic complications due to continued and unregulated blood sugar levels such as neuropathy (nerve damage) and circulation problems are most likely the culprits that make erectile dysfunction more prevalent in men with diabetes too. For men, a sequence of nerve impulses and muscular and vascular (veins and arteries) responses lead to an erection.

Find out how your condition can put you at an increased risk for TB. Several studies show that people with diabetes have an increased risk of tuberculosis (TB), including three conducted at the University of Texas School of Public Health Brownsville Regional Campus (UTSPH). According to the researchers, patients with tuberculosis who identified themselves as being diabetic tended to have a more severe form of tuberculosis.

Studies show that coffee lowers type 2 diabetes risk, but the connection between caffeine, coffee, and diabetes prevention is a little murky. More than 23 million Americans suffer from diabetes--90 to 95 percent of those cases are type 2 diabetes. It's a chronic condition that occurs when your body doesn't effectively use the insulin that it makes. Insulin helps to control blood sugar levels in the body and to carry them into the cells.

The epidemic of insulin resistance puts one in three Americans at risk for type 2 diabetes and coronary heart disease. Find out how you can prevent insulin resistance. It's estimated that global diabetes rates will rise to 300 million in 2025, up from 135 million just over a decade ago. The rise is being attributed to the surging rates of insulin resistance linked to obesity. When insulin resistance coincides with obesity (especially abdominal obesity), cholesterol problems and high blood pressure, it's referred to as the metabolic syndrome or the insulin resistance syndrome.

Over four million Americans have this eye disease, which is a common complication of diabetes. Find out how to prevent diabetic retinopathy and preserve your vision. For people with diabetes and health professionals, methods to prevent diabetic retinopathy are high on the radar. Diabetic retinopathy, the most common diabetes eye disease, is one of the leading causes of blindness. The retina of the eye is essential to good vision.

Nerve damage, or neuropathy, is a common side effect of diabetes. Learn about the symptoms and how to reduce your risk. Sixty to 70 percent of people with diabetes suffer some form of nerve damage or diabetic neuropathy, according to the National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse (NDIC). While the brain and spinal cord aren't usually affected, neuropathies can develop in many other parts of the body, such as the extremities (feet and hands), internal organs and genitalia.

What's the connection between stress and diabetes? Knowing can help you gain more control of your condition and reduce the long-term impact. When you have diabetes, stress is a double whammy. While the medical community is reluctant to say stress can cause diabetes, they believe it may play a role in its onset—plus, it can make the symptoms worse. Also, diabetes can increase stress in your life, as does any chronic illness.

Nearly a third of all people with diabetes have kidney disease, or nephropathy. Learn how to reduce your risk. Diabetes is the leading cause of kidney failure, making up 40 to 50 percent of all cases. People with type 1 diabetes are more likely to suffer severe kidney disease. However, if you have type 2 diabetes you are still at risk, especially if you also have hypertension.

Childhood diabetes — or juvenile diabetes — is a chronic illness that requires special care around the clock. Use these tips to keep your child with diabetes safe at school. Sending your child with diabetes off to school can be a harrowing experience, especially if she's very young. Most children (along with many adults) wrestle with insulin injections and pumps, blood glucose monitors, and other diabetes tools. Plus, your child may have difficulty recognizing when her symptoms are severe, or when she needs to eat.

Learn about the steps you can take to prevent this condition. Gestational diabetes is one of the most common complications of pregnancy often resulting in high birth weights. It not only affects the mother during pregnancy but it also puts them at a greater risk for developing type 2 diabetes later in life. Unfortunately gestational diabetes is treated reactively rather than preventatively.

Find out the latest on the diabetes front. The biological barriers against curing type 1 diabetes are alarming. After the body's immune system kills off the insulin making islet cells in the pancreas, it remains a problem.  The human body mounts an immune response to any transplanted cells requiring the recipient to undergo a lifelong course of immunosuppressant drugs.

Dessert and diabetes can’t go together--can they? Creativity is the key to enjoying good food while still managing your diabetes. It's all a matter of substituting small portions of sweets for other carb-containing foods in your meals and snacks.  Carbs are found in a variety of foods including bread, cereal, corn, crackers, fruit, juice, milk, pasta, potatoes, rice, and yogurt.

Learn more about this startling increase, and find out what steps can be taken to prevent or reverse the disease. According to surveys conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the incidences of type 2 diabetes are up 90 percent. Even more frightening, it's estimated that about 1/3 of those with the disease don't even know they have it. The CDC has released state and regional data on diabetes and is also helping health officials target at-risk populations in need of diabetes education.

Here are some ways you can get involved in your community. Community programs are an effective way to get involved and make a difference in the fight against diabetes. With rising numbers of pre-diabetic and diabetic children and adults in the United States, a family member, friend, or neighbor might be suffering from this disease.

Learn how to spot the symptoms so that you can get the proper treatment. Diabetes is a disease that doesn't discriminate—the damage it causes often takes place throughout the body. And one of the things the disease attacks is your nerves. About 60 to 70 percent of diabetics suffer some type of nerve damage, or neuropathy, according to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.

There are treatments and steps you can take at home to relieve some of the symptoms you're experiencing and prevent further problems. Since there are many different types of diabetic neuropathy (nerve pain and damage associated with diabetes), it makes sense that there's no one-size-fits all method of treatment. Pain in your foot may be handled differently from stomach discomfort or bowel problems.

Diabetes currently affects millions of people. But is the government doing enough to support patients and their families? If you or a family member has diabetes or a diabetes-related illness, the healthcare costs can be expensive and daunting. The American Diabetes Association reports that people with diabetes spend an average of $13, 243 a year on healthcare expenses. Below is a list of government funded resources that will help you shoulder the financial burden of diabetes treatment and management.

Learn what you can do to keep your mouth healthy. Diabetes affects so many parts of the body, and your mouth and teeth are no exception. Everyone has bacteria in their mouths, but diabetics, with their high blood-sugar levels, are more prone to tooth and gum problems than the average person. This is because high blood sugar enables germs to multiply and grow, and also lowers a person's resistance to infection.

Find out how this test can help you manage your condition. Once upon a time urine testing was the only method available to gauge blood glucose levels for patients with diabetes. Urine tests however do not tell the whole story of glucose levels for diabetes management. For the most part, glucose levels in the urine are undetectable unless they reach high levels.

The number of Americans with diabetes has climbed into the millions and is now the fifth deadliest disease, according to the Food and Drug Administration. Diabetes affects 8.9 percent or 9.1 million of all women in the United States, and due to the increasing lifespan of women and population growth, the number of women at risk is only climbing. Compounding the problem are the complications that diabetes causes.

Find out how diabetes and heart disease are related and what you can do to reduce your risk. According to the National Institutes of Health, diabetes is on the rise, with more than one in 10 adults over the age of 20 suffering from diabetes and one in three having prediabetes. The metabolic disorder—in which the body’s ability to...

Attention to details can help prevent the devastating consequences of uncontrolled and unchecked diabetes. If you have diabetes, it's important to pay attention to even the most subtle signs or changes in your condition. According to the American Diabetes Association, the majority of complications that result from diabetes are caused by elevated blood sugar levels over extended periods of time.

Here are some general tips to make sure your child’s diabetes is cared for if he or she is away from home. If you have a diabetic child, you've probably established a manageable routine at home. But what if your child is on vacation or even just sleeping over at a friend's house? Here are some important steps to follow-so you can put your mind at ease. Get Supplies Before Your Ride  Have more than enough medication, syringes (if necessary), and testing supplies on hand.

Learn more about the risks and benefits of these disease treatments. While the American Diabetes Association notes that diet, exercise, and weight loss is often the first line of treatment when a person is diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, medication is sometimes required to control blood glucose levels. If you don't like needles and looking for a different alternative, you might consider oral medications.

Learn more about this complication of diabetes. A potential complication of diabetes is nerve damage, which can affect several areas of your body, including your digestive system. When this happens, a condition known as gastroparesis can set in, making blood sugar levels even more difficult to control.

Here, you’ll find diet and exercise tips to help your loved one successfully manage his or her condition If you’re caring for someone with diabetes, you understand the importance of proper disease management. For diabetics, the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) suggests a 5 to 10 percent reduction of body weight, which can result in less reliance on insulin or other medications.

Find out the 411 on pre-diabetes. Pre-diabetes is just what it sounds like, a condition that precedes full blown type 2 diabetes. But how do you know you have it and how do most people find out? Unfortunately many don't find out until they have diabetes related complications like blurred vision and heart trouble.

The complications of the disease may sound daunting, but fortunately, lifestyle changes can help prevent them. Even for basketball fans, the name Larry H. Miller probably doesn't ring a bell. He wasn't Michael Jordan and he didn't even play. What he did do was create a car dealership dynasty that allowed him to buy the NBA's Utah Jazz franchise and turn it into a powerhouse.

Find out if this operation is a smart move for teens with the disease. The Research In April of 2007, the National Institutes of Health (NIH), in conjunction with the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disease, launched several studies to evaluate the benefits and risks of gastric bypass or bariatric surgery in adolescents.

An aggressive action plan can help ward off the disease. If you’re pre-diabetic or on the borderline of developing type 2 diabetes, it’s important to remember that simple changes in diet and exercise habits can play a significant role in warding off the disease. Reducing body weight is the key to cutting your risk, and this involves healthy diet and exercise habits.

Learn more about the science behind the surgery. Obesity is a major epidemic in the United States. According to the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC), two thirds of adults in the United States are obese. If you’re among these two thirds, your risk factor for type 2 diabetes is great—and in fact, you may have diabetes and be unaware.

Learn more about the important role that glucose plays in brain function. Scientists are only beginning to uncover the brain’s role in normal insulin and glucose control as it relates to diabetes. Likewise, the cognitive deficits associated with the disease are just recently being understood. So what has been discovered so far? Research has revealed that diabetes is associated with impaired cognitive function and an increased risk for dementia, including Alzheimer's disease.

Type 1 diabetic children are found to be lacking Vitamin D. So it is more important than ever to ensure they take their vitamins, get some sun, and eat some fish. Type 1 diabetes confronts children and their parents with a number of questions and concerns. What is this going to mean for my child's health? What are the long term effects of the disease? What can be done to prevent some of these complications? Is there anything besides insulin that is lacking in the child's body? Your child has every opportunity to live a long and fulfilling life, it’s important to learn how to manage the disease.

Are you considering a transplant due to complications from your diabetes? Or are you trying to arrest the disease and find a cure? Whatever the case may be it is gravely important to read the following about the transplant procedures and the lifetime commitment they require. Are you considering a transplant due to complications from your diabetes? Or are you trying to arrest the disease and find a cure? Whatever the case may be it is gravely important to read the following about the transplant procedures and the lifetime commitment they require.

Learn more about the undeniable relationship between the two. The Link  In 2006, the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) held a conference addressing the link between obesity and type 2 diabetes-due to the rising numbers of both in the United States. And as recently as the summer of 2008, Congress heard testimony from the American Diabetes Association on the same topic.

Learn more about the undeniable relationship between the two. The Link  In 2006, the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) held a conference addressing the link between obesity and type 2 diabetes-due to the rising numbers of both in the United States. And as recently as the summer of 2008, Congress heard testimony from the American Diabetes Association on the same topic.

Do you need a specialist for your disease, or is your primary care physician enough? Finding the right doctor can sometimes feel like searching for a needle in a haystack. And when it comes to treating your diabetes, the right doctor is essential.  So how do you know if your current primary care physician is the right person to tailor your treatment plan or if you need to seek out a specialist? Let's start by looking at the difference between the two.

With some careful planning and moderation, the pleasure of something sweet can be yours. If you're like most people, you crave something sweet after a meal. But if you're a diabetic, grabbing a cookie or a slice of cake certainly isn't a good idea. Fortunately, with some careful planning and consideration, you can enjoy a delicious dessert with the best of them.

Learn about the important role that ethnicity plays in one’s chances of developing the disease. The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) suggests that anyone 45 year old or older consider being tested for diabetes. They place a strong recommendation on being tested if you're of age and also overweight. And since the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) puts the number of Americans that are obese at over two thirds the population, many of us should be concerned about our risk.

Learn how the famous deal with their condition. What do Halle Berry, Dick Clark, David Crosby, Jay Cutler, Aretha Franklin, Jerry Garcia, Mikhail Gorbachev, Nick Jonas, B.B King, Larry King, Elizabeth Taylor, and Neil Young have in common? They're all famous actors, actresses, musicians, or politicians-and they all had or have diabetes.

It's best to steer clear of the following fare. If you have diabetes, you may be thinking: why do I have to avoid certain foods while other can eat whatever they want? Remember, though, that the two food groups diabetics should avoid are the same that food pyramids tell everyone else to use sparingly.

Your home is the perfect place to build a foundation of healthy food choices, ongoing physical activity, and regular blood glucose testing. Sir Edward Coke is credited with the famous phrase "et domus sua cuique tutissimum refugium" or "A man's home is his castle." Hundreds of years later, we can apply that same principle to diabetes care. Your home is your diabetes castle, a place where you can feel safe and secure in the knowledge, support, and supplies you have to successfully manage your condition.

It's best to abide by the Boy Scouts motto: Be prepared. An emergency for a person with diabetes can be as simple as a hypoglycemic episode or as complicated as a natural disaster in which the person has no access to his or her supplies. Whatever the case, it's important to be ready for any and all eventualities.

A diagnosis of diabetes doesn’t necessarily mean sugar is out of the question. If you have been diagnosed with pre-diabetes, type 1 diabetes, or type 2 diabetes, you may be thinking to yourself, "I can never eat sugar again." But that's usually not the case. The pleasure of something sweet can be yours by using moderation and creativity.

The idea of pricking your finger could soon be ancient history. Wouldn't it be nice to toss the testing strips and stop pricking your finger? Help is on the way in the form of several new technologies being put through the necessary trials for Food & Drug Administration (FDA) approval. While the FDA presently does not recommend abandoning the traditional methods for testing blood glucose all together, they have approved some interesting new technologies for monitoring and testing blood sugar.

Learn more about the important role that genes play in the disease. How did I get diabetes? Why did I get it? If I have diabetes, what are the chances that my children will get it, too? If you've been recently diagnosed with diabetes, these questions are probably cascading through your mind, and the fear of the unknown might be setting in.

By taking certain precautions, you can enjoy your time away from home in a safe and healthy manner. Whether you're leaving on a jet plane or just taking a road trip for the weekend, it's important to remember that wherever you go, your diabetes goes with you. The good news is that, if you're diligent about managing your disease, you can go almost anywhere and do almost anything.

With the right knowledge and preparation, you can properly care for your condition while on the job. If you think you're the only person with diabetes in your workplace, odds are you're mistaken. The most recent data from the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) shows that diabetes now affects nearly 24 million people, or 8 percent of the population, in the United States.

There's no need to abandon carbs completely. It's all a matter of selecting the right ones. In the wake of popular protein-heavy diets such as South Beach and Atkins, some people still consider carbohydrates to be the enemy. But it's important to remember that there actually are two types of carbs: complex carbs and simple carbs, otherwise known as good carbs and bad carbs.

Sweet tooth or addiction? Find out for yourself. There's nothing wrong with the occasional post-dinner sweet. In fact, some studies suggest that, in moderation, chocolate can be beneficial. One study conducted by the American Association for the Advancement of Science's (AAAS) found that the natural nitric oxide in coca can help lower blood pressure and aide in overall heart function.

"Fast food" and "healthy": Is it possible for these two things to go together? If you've seen the movie Super Size Me, chances are, you may not have had a Big Mac since. In his 2004 documentary, Morgan Spurlock, inspired by troubling statistics on American obesity, relied on the shock value of a thirty-day McDonald's diet to show audiences what they already knew about fast food: that it's not healthy.

New research may be changing the way we view fat's relation to diabetes. Think fatty foods are bad for diabetics? A new study suggests that the opposite may be true: that extra fat in the buttocks and thighs may actually help prevent type 2 diabetes. Researchers found that injecting subcutaneous fat (fat just below the skin) into the abdomens of mice helped improve sensitivity to insulin.

Does a diagnosis of diabetes mean alcohol is out of the question? Find out now. If you've been diagnosed with pre-diabetes, type 1 diabetes, or type 2 diabetes, you're faced with several questions about your lifestyle. For example, is it OK to enjoy a glass of wine, a can of beer, or a cocktail with friends? The official position of the American Diabetes Association with regard to alcohol is this: If a patient with diabetes is not already drinking alcohol regularly, he or she shouldn't start.

Here are important factors to consider before investing in one. According to the Food & Drug Administration (FDA), there are roughly 25 over-the-counter glucose meters commercially available to consumers. Although the technology behind them may be similar, there are several differentiating factors to consider before making a purchase.

Think these foods are safe? Think again. Whether you've been diagnosed with pre-diabetes, type 1 diabetes, or type 2 diabetes, monitoring your blood glucose levels is extremely important. According to the American Diabetes Association (ADA), what you eat is a key factor in keeping glucose levels in check and managing diabetes.

With these helpful tips, you can enjoy restaurant food while still being good to your body. What should you eat when you go out to a restaurant? Or when you're a guest at someone's house? How about when you stop for fast food with the kids? If you have diabetes, these are questions that might plague you. Diet is a key component to successfully managing diabetes, and eating out can make it difficult to control ingredients and portion sizes.

Before you pop open a can, consider these more nutritious choices instead. As John Pemberton brewed up a batch of the first formulation of Coca-Cola in 1885, he probably never dreamed just how popular his drink would become. According to current company estimates, every day, distributors worldwide sell more than 1.4 billion servings of Coke, which Pemberton originally marketed as a health tonic capable of curing everything from headaches to morphine addiction.

Clean teeth and healthy gums might be your first line of defense against other diseases. Learn more. As a kid, brushing your teeth may have seemed like a hassle, but as an adult, you should be aware of how important healthy teeth and gums really are. Oral health goes hand in hand with your overall health. Think of your mouth as a window to your body's health.

While medical advancements are constantly being made, Americans continue to fall behind on some basic health measures. How healthy are you? No, really. Your health goes beyond having the sniffles, an upset stomach, or a strained muscle. What's the state of your overall health and well being? Well, if you're anything like most Americans, it's not great—and it's getting worse as more people are being diagnosed with diseases like diabetes and asthma, are exercising less, and are gaining more weight.

These frightening illnesses have experienced a resurgence over the past few years. But why? During the 20th century, the scientific community made great strides toward the eradication of certain dangerous diseases. This was accomplished, in part, through improvements in sanitation and vaccinations, the invention of antibiotics, and advancements in medical technology.

Reduce your risks by understanding your condition and the problems that can arise. Although diabetes is a serious disease, it can generally be managed through a combination of diet, exercise, self-care techniques, and sometimes medication. In fact, with proper care, many patients lead long and fulfilling lives. When diabetics stray from their treatment guidelines, however, a variety of problems can result.

The nation's costliest conditions rack up a combined tab of more than $500 billion a year. What's the cost of poor health? A lot more than you may think. The nation's 10 most expensive medical conditions cost about $500 billion to treat in 2005, according to the latest News and Numbers from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ).

A diet rich in whole grains can help lower the risk of some serious health conditions. Numerous studies continue to reveal the many health benefits of eating whole grains. While the benefits are most pronounced for those consuming at least three servings daily, according to the Whole Grains Council, some studies show reduced risks of certain conditions from as little as one serving daily.

Could you be sick and not know it? Some diseases can sneak up on you without a single warning sign or with symptoms so nonspecific that it may take your physician precious time to figure out what's ailing you. Since early detection often results in more effective treatment, illnesses that slip under your (and your doctor's) radar can be especially dangerous.

Not getting enough z's? You could be doing serious damage to your health. With a long list of to-dos and not enough hours in the day, you might be tempted to skimp on the amount of z's you get. Besides, you can sleep when you're dead, right? But, if you sleep less than six or seven hours a night, death might come sooner than you think.

Nearly six million people live with diabetes, but are unaware that they have the condition. Could you be one of them? While the exact cause of diabetes remains unknown, both genetics and environmental factors, such as obesity and lack of exercise, appear to play major roles. Diabetes is a disease in which the body does not produce or properly use insulin, which is a hormone that is needed to convert sugar, starches and other food into energy needed for daily life.

Use this guide to be prepared in the case of a diabetic emergency. When you're preparing for a trip, there's always a lot to think about. Where will you stay? How will you get there? What sights do you want to see? People who have diabetes have one more consideration: Do you have a diabetes first aid kit ready? Whether you'll be traveling for a night or a month, it's important to have a diabetes first aid kit on hand to help you deal with any special circumstances or emergencies that may arise.

When it comes to maintaining a healthy weight, some countries are making the grade, while others are falling dangerously behind. Ready for some startling statistics? According to the World Health Organization (WHO), about 350 million people worldwide are obese--a dangerous trend that may increase their risk for diabetes, heart disease, and even certain cancers. But fortunately, there's a flip side: Many international hotspots boast extremely low obesity rates.

Here, eight foods that are definitely not a part of a balanced breakfast. You'd probably think twice about having an ice cream sundae for breakfast, but it's doubtful you'd question having a bacon and egg sandwich with hash browns to start your day. For many, breakfast is a forgotten meal. While there's plenty of evidence to show that eating breakfast everyday is good for your health and your weight, the bad news is, if you start your day off with the wrong meal, you may be destined for a midday crash.

Want to fall off the weight-control wagon? Just a few of these fattening foods are all it takes. You watch your weight. You cut back on snacks. You even hit the gym twice a week. But no matter how hard you try, the pounds come creeping back. The culprit? It could be one of these inflationary foods. Each is so fattening that just the occasional indulgence could result in major weight gain--even if you do everything else right.

These nine foods simply aren't fair to your diet. A day at the fair conjures up ideas of friends, family, fun...and very possibly, fried foods. Although the fair has much to offer in the way of rides and activities, the truth is, many people come mostly for the food. Some stands may offer healthy choices, but they're often overshadowed by the seemingly endless supply of funnel cakes and corn dogs.

It may seem counterintuitive, but eating more of some foods can actually help you lose weight. Find out how. Eat more food, feel full all day long, and lose weight. It sounds too good to be true, like one of those fad diets that promises to help you shed 10 pounds while you watch TV. But this one is real. It's not that you can eat more Snickers, more pizza, or more sour-cream-and-onion potato chips.

Get the inside scoop on how certain countries manage to stay so slim. When it comes to obesity, it might seem as if America is tipping the scales-and for good reason. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the United States is the ninth fattest country in the world (second only to Kuwait and some South Pacific isles).

Could your state be decreasing your life expectancy? Find out if it's time to move. On average, an American can expect to enjoy about 78 years of life on this planet, according to a report by the United Nations. Factors such as genetic predisposition and lifestyle choices can extend or abbreviate this amount of time, but did you know that the area in which you live can play a part as well? Here, the states with the shortest life expectancies, as determined by the U.

Learn how to pinpoint and fix the seven sneakiest diet blunders. Dieting is a bit like walking a tightrope: easy to start but hard to stay on. And according to experts, the most common diet missteps are caused by things that might surprise you--your schedule, your friends, your shopping habits, even your clothes. While these sneaky saboteurs could derail your efforts, the good news is that you can stop them from undermining your long-term weight-loss goals.

Could you spot the warning signs of cataracts, glaucoma, and other vision disorders? Get the whole picture here. How much do you know about your eyes? Many Americans are in the dark about eye diseases that could cause blindness, according to a recent survey conducted by U.S. National Eye Institute and the Lions Clubs International Foundation. Use this guide to separate sight myths from reality and to become more enlightened about your vision.

Follow these tips to keep minor slip-ups from becoming major setbacks. You started your diet with the best of intentions, but then the inevitable occurred. You went to a party and polished off a plate of hors d'oeuvres. You took a trip to new city and splurged on the local fare. You woke up in the middle of the night and ate a whole pint of ice cream.

Some studies suggest our favorite foods might be as habit-forming as controlled substances. Whether you're constantly craving chocolate or have an uncontrollable urge for French fries, you probably think your food impulses are simply the result of hunger, boredom, or a lack of willpower. And some experts would agree—ultimately, you're in control of what you're eating.

Follow these tips to prevent complications and keep your disease under control. Although diabetes can lead to a host of health problems, you can prevent most complications by keeping your blood glucose levels under control, eating healthy, and being physically active, reports the Centers for Disease Control. What's more, diabetics should work with their health-care providers to keep their blood pressure in check.

A diagnosis of diabetes can seem overwhelming. Follow these tips to accept and cope with your condition. Nearly 15 million Americans have been diagnosed with diabetes, and according to the American Diabetes Association (ADA), most of them have experienced feelings of denial somewhere along the way. In fact, denial is so common among diabetics that some doctors believe it's a natural part of eventually accepting the diagnosis.

Pizza and doughnuts and burgers, oh my! These all-American treats top the nutritional hall of shame. Fried chicken, cheeseburgers, milkshakes, candy bars--these tasty treats are as American as, well, apple pie. Unfortunately, so, too, is obesity. According to the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, more than 66 percent of U.S. adults are currently overweight, and 32 percent are obese.

A healthy diet is essential to managing diabetes. Here, a complete guide to diabetic-friendly nutrition, including shopping tips, quick recipes, and more. If you've been diagnosed with diabetes, your doctor has most likely stressed the importance of eating right to help keep your disease in check. Most experts agree that although there's no one correct diet for diabetes, people with the disease should follow the nutritional guidelines outlined in the USDA Food Pyramid.

Being active is one of the best ways to keep diabetes under control. Here, what you need to know about starting an exercise routine. Many diabetics rely on injections and medications to keep their blood sugar levels stable, but exercise is another effective way to help control diabetes. Before starting a new fitness routine, it's important that you schedule an appointment with your doctor to discuss safety guidelines and to have your blood pressure, cholesterol, kidneys, eyes, and feet checked.

Learn how to detect and prevent the most common diabetes-related infections. It's no secret that people who have diabetes are more susceptible to infection than their non-diabetic counterparts. And these infections can come in a variety of forms from styes and boils to foot ulcers and sores. But the good news is, there are ways to lower your risk.

It's often said that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Find out why it's so important to get off to a good start. When you're hitting the snooze button for the third time, breakfast is probably one of the last things on your mind. After all, you still have to shower and then race to work in time to make that presentation. But according to experts, letting a hectic schedule force you to skip breakfast could compromise your health.

Following these simple tips can help you lower your cholesterol levels and your health risks. Everyone needs a basic amount of cholesterola waxy, fat-like substance found in all cells of the body to function. But if your cholesterol is at an unhealthy level, it could mean you have an increased risk of developing heart disease. What can you do to keep your cholesterol at or reduce it to healthy levels? Try these nine tips: Eat a hearty bowl of oatmeal for breakfast.