Green tea miracle drink

Green tea leaves are the unfermented leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant. Green tea has a very high polyphenols content. The polyphenols in green tea is classified as catechins. There are six primary catechin compounds in green tea - catechin, gallaogatechin, epicatechin, epigallocatechin, epicatechin gallate and apigallocatechin gallate (EGCG). Of the six, the most active is EGCG. Polyphenol is a powerful anti-oxidant (anti-oxidant scavenge free radicals which are damaging compounds which alter cells and damage DNA). It is believed that the anti-oxidant property of polyphenol is more potent than vitamin C.

Drinking green tea is a very healthy practice. Traditional Chinese medical practioners use green tea as a stimulant, diuretic (increase the flow of urine, which causes the body to get rid of excess water) and astringent (draw together or constrict tissues). It is also used to treat flatulence (excessive gas in the alimentary canal), regulate body temperature and blood sugar and promote digestion.

Studies showed that green tea lowers total cholesterol and raises LDP (high-density lipoprotein) cholesterol which are the good cholesterol and reduces LDL (low-density lipoprotein) cholesterol which are the harmful cholesterol. Some clinical studies also showed that green tea may prevent cancer because it is believed that the polyphenols in green tea kill cancer cells and stop their growth.

Studies on animals showed that green tea prevents Type 1 diabetes. It can also slow the progression of Type 1 diabetes once it has developed.

Clinical studies also indicated that green tea increase metabolism and burn fat and thus help weight loss. It may also reduce inflammation and is thus helpful for athritis patients.

Diabetes cure? Liver regulates blood sugar

Insulin used to regulate blood sugar is produced by the pancreas. If the pancreas is damaged, the body is unable to produce insulin thus leading to diabetes. Recently, Dr. Lawrence Chan and his research team at the the Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, succeeded in injecting a gene into mice which converted stem cells in the liver to be capable of producing insulin. According to Dr. Vijay Yechoo, co-author of Dr. Lawrence Chan, mice injected with the gene responded within a week and their blood sugar falls to normal level and stayed normal throughout their normal life. This raise the hope that they may be on the way to a cure for diabetes. The only problem is they used a virus to cause the liver stem cells to bond with the gene called neurogenin3. That virus which can be deadly to human. Let us hope they find a way around that problem.

Aframomum melegueta: Natural remedy for diabetes

Aframomum melegueta, a West African spice, common names Grains of paradise, Melegueta pepper, alligator pepper, Guinea grains. The pungent peppery powder obtain from this spice is also called Guinea pepper. According to Ilya Raskin, a plant biologist at Rutgers University in New Jersey who have tested the African spice on diabetic mouse, Aframomum melegueta has the potential to be a natural remedy for diabetes. He found in his test that when extract of A. melegueta were given to diabetic mice, it produced a significant drop in their blood sugar levels.

Source:

http://technology.newscientist.com/article/dn15069-invention-diabetes-spice.html?DCMP=ILC-hmts&nsref=tech1_head_Invention:%20Diabetes%20spice

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aframomum_melegueta

Easy weight control tip: eat slowing

Obesity is a major health problem giving rise to ill health like diabetes, cardiovascular diseases like hypertension (high blood pressure), heart attacks and strokes. Many go to great length to control weight like dieting, going to gym for exercise, etc. There is one easy thing weight control tip - eat slowly.

According to an Osaka University research which studied the relationship of eating speed, feelings of "fullness and being overweight, they found fast eaters to be 84% more likely to be overweight than those who eat slowly. This tendency is even more remarkable for women where women who eat fast are two times more likely to be overweight. For those who wolf down their meals are 3 times more likely to be overweight. So if you want to slim down, eat slowly and take your time to chew your food thoroughly.

Source: BBC News (Health)

Pre-diabetes, diabetes, consequence and control

Pre-diabetes and Diabetes Facts and Figures

Some survey showed that there are over 20 million people in the United States of America who suffer from diabetes. Diabetes can be classified into 2 types:

Pre-diabetes (Impaired Glucose Tolerance or IGT)

Pre-diabetes used to be called Impaired Glucose Tolerance. I was diagnosed as having Impaired Glucose Tolerance more than 20 years ago. What they did was made me drink sugar water and monitor the blood sugar level at regular intervals (oral glucose tolerance test or OGTT). It was found that my blood sugar level fell at a rate slower than a normal person. According to what had been reported in the newspaper, I should be diabetic now, but numerous tests have shown that I do not have diabetes, so what should we make of this. Anyway, it seems some research in the United States of America found that 54 million people in United States is pre-diabetic, and even if that has not become diabetes, there are still long-term damages to the heart and circulatory system. Looks like I may have to consult my physician when I go for my appointment next month. Also, it seems making changes in one's diet, controlling one's weight plus taking regular exercises can help prevent progression to diabetes.

Type 1 diabetes or juvenile diabetes

For people who have Type 1 diabetes, their body cannot produce insulin which is absolutely essential to help convert sugar, starches and other food to energy. Type 1 diabetes is a serious medical conditions but those with Type 1 diabetes who control their blood sugar level well can live long and healthy life. Type 1 diabetes can be controlled by injection of insulin into the blood and preferably supplemented by dietary and suitable lifestyle. The reason why Type 1 diabetes is also referred to as juvenile diabetes is because victims are often children and young adults.

Type 2 diabetes

People who suffers from Type 2 diabetes either do not produce sufficient insulin or their body cannot utilize the insulin effectively. This form of diabetes is the most common, but often can be controlled by just dietary changes or following a careful diet that helps keep the blood sugar level at manageable levels. More serious cases may need medications.

Adverse consequences of badly controlled diabetes

Diabetic patients who do not control their blood sugar level well are exposed to various health hazards including kidney failure (nephropathy), eyesight problems which may include blindness (retinopathy), cardiovascular disease (hypertension and stroke) and nerve damage (neuropathy). Wounds may heal slower than normal.

Controlling diabetes

Diabetic patients should have suitable diabetic supplies such as blood glucose test strips to monitor their blood sugar level so as to ensure it is within manageable levels. I understand that if you purchase most test strips, you can even get a free glucose meter. Sounds like a good deal, but do check them out.

Prevent diabetes, heart problems, get more Vitamin C, potassium

I have previously written about Oats lower cholesterol and Using food to control cholesterol (click BACK button to get back to this page), which obviously will help you avoid future heart problems. But then, when I cook the rolled oats (I refused to purchase the quick-cooking or instant version), I added sugar. Now I leave out the sugar, but add slices of banana, cut pieces of orange, or other fruits available. The added fruits will provide the sugar needed plus give me that extra Vitamin C to keep me healthy. I understand potassium, present in great quantity in bananas, is good for cramps.

Prevent diabetes

Read an article that says even "small" exercises like sweeping or vacuuming the house, taking a walk to the shops, etc., can help ward off onset of diabetes. That is a relief to me because I am usually online glued to the computer busily blogging, responding to questions in comments and emails, participating in forums, reading emails, reading other bloggers' blogs, etc. But I try my best to take some kind of "exercise" by walking to the news vendor to buy papers every morning (except Saturday and Sunday), walk to the shops for my meals, walk to the bank which is almost half hour walk from my house, walk to the hypermarket just a bit further than the back, walk to the pasar malam (night market) twice a week. If what the article says is true, then I have a chance of keeping diabetes at bay as long as I can.

Almond is good for your heart, reduce diabetes risks and help maintain a good weight

Almond is rich in healthy, monounsaturated fats (the same kind as found in olive oil), a good source of protein and fiber, potassium, calcium, phosphorous and iron and an an excellent source of vitamin E and magnesium.

Studies have shown that almonds help lower LDL (low-density lipoprotein) or bad cholesterol, and contribute to the prevention of diabetes and heart disease. Researchers are discovering that almonds may also help maintain your desired weight.

All about almonds

Exercise and diabetes

My father was diabetic. I have had a Glucose Tolerance Test done, and the test shows that after consuming the sugar solution, my blood sugar falls slowly, which means I have Impaired Glucose Tolerance.

I have come across many articles mentioning that regular exercise is good for keeping diabetes at bay.

Healthy Ways to Keep Diabetes at Bay
Exercise a Day May Keep Diabetes at Bay

Children should exercise more to keep diabetes at bay, experts warn
Diet and Exercise May Be Keys to Avoiding Diabetes
Diabetes and Exercise

Conclusion? I need to exercise.