Years ago, insulin was derived from animals and injected by a needle. Patients often needed multiple insulin injections throughout the day. There were problems with the insulin derived from beef and pork and many patients developed a resistance to the insulin after a period of time. In 1977, modern technology in the treatment of diabetes took a giant leap as human insulin was cloned. Today, insulin to treat diabetes is human insulin and is much more effective than insulin used in the past.

There are many different types of insulin on the market today and, as is the case with oral medications, it may take several different insulin types in order to find the correct balance that will insure good glucose levels. Some insulin, such as Humalog, is very short acting and peaks
within an hour after injection. Other insulin, such as Ultra Lente, is very long acting and peaks in 18 hours.

There are three characteristics to insulin. Onset is the time it takes for the drug to reach the bloodstream and begin lowering the glucose. The peak time is the time when the drug is at the
maximum strength and the duration is how long the drug continues to work in reducing the blood glucose level.

Each patient has different needs when it comes to insulin and for this reason, there are many
different types of the drug. Cost is also a consideration in many cases as the insulin must be
injected every day and, in certain instances, many people have to inject the insulin several times a day.

Another benefit of modern technology in managing people with diabetes through the use of insulin is the insulin pump. This is much more effective than injections as it is a catheter that remains under the skin and separates the insulin into three different types of insulin. Basal insulin is injected continuously. Bolus doses are given to cover any carbohydrates consumed in a meal. You can also have correction doses or supplemental doses. This is especial y effective if your blood sugars are high prior to eating.

The use of the insulin pump is much more effective than using injections as it controls your insulin and blood glucose levels on a continuous basis. It is relatively easy to use and most people with Type I diabetes are using insulin pumps.

Not only people with Type I diabetes use insulin. Those with Type II diabetes who have been unable to control their blood sugars through diet and medication are often prescribed insulin. Because the insulin pump is so effective at retaining control of the blood glucose level, many people with Type II diabetes have also opted to use the insulin pump.

Medical science is continuing to search for a cure for diabetes which has reached epidemic
proportions in some areas. Until a cure is found, however, there are many ways to treat this disease. When someone gets a diagnoses of diabetes, they often panic and are overwhelmed at al of the information. If you or a loved one is diagnosed with diabetes, become empowered by learning al you can about treating the il ness, learning about different medications and making sure that you comply with orders given by your physician. Patients with diabetes who are compliant and learn about their disease stand the best chance of living a long and productive live, despite having diabetes.

The loss of magnesium in diabetic ketosis has been known for many years. About 37 percent of infants born to diabetic mothers have been found to be lacking in this mineral. It has also been found that children aged five to 18 years with well-controlled type-1 diabetes have lows serum magnesium values.

Magnesium – Magnesium also decreases the need for vitamin B6 and if it is increased in the diet, the amount of xanthurenic acid in the blood is reduced, even without vitamin B6 supplement. Moreover, magnesium is also necessary to active enzymes containing vitamin B6. Blood magnesium being particularly low in diabetic, it may be reasonably inferred that diabetes can result from a combined deficiency of vitamin B6 and magnesium. It may therefore, be advisable for any person with diabetes or a family history of the disease to take the at least 500 mg of magnesium and 10 mg of B6 daily.

Magnesium is widely distributed in foods. It forms part of the chlorophyll in green leaves. Other good sources of this mineral are nuts, Soya bean, alfalfa, apple, fig, lemon, peach, almond, whole grains, brown rice, sunflower seeds and sesame seeds.

Chromium – According to Dr. Richard A. Anderson, at the U. S. Department of Agriculture’s Human Nutrition Research Center in Beltsville, Maryland, whatever the blood sugar problem, chromium tends to normalize it. Dr. Anderson believes that increased prevalence of type-2 diabetes is partly due to a deficiency of chromium in the diet.

Chromium has been found beneficial in the prevention and treatment of diabetes. Columbia University scientists, in a study reported in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition established chromium’s benefits for type-2 diabetes. They confirmed that chromium enhances insulin production in the body. Some other researchers have also confirmed that chromium helps stabilize blood sugar and increases energy.

Studies have also revealed that chromium supplements control total cholesterol and triglyceride levels and raise the good or HDL cholesterol. In some patients with impaired glucose tolerance, especially children with protein malnutrition, glucose tolerance showed improvement after they were given chromium supplements.

The recommended daily allowance of chromium is 50 to 100 micrograms. Some foods rich in chromium, besides broccoli, are whole grain cereals, nuts, mushrooms, rhubarb, Bengal gram, kidney beans, Soya beans, black gram, betel leaves, bottle gourd, corn oil, brewer’s yeast, pomegranate and pineapple.

No Known Cure for Diabetes

Even though, there have been great advances in modern day medicine, there is still no cure for many illnesses including diabetes. And because there is no cure, many people who are diagnosed with diabetes just “give up”. They don’t watch their diet, they don’t follow their doctor’s recommendations, and they end up dying prematurely.

So lets face facts! There is no known cure for diabetes! But… diabetes is controllable, and you can live a successful, interesting and even active life, even though you have been diagnosed with the disease. It is only a matter of what you want to do, and what life changes you are willing to make.

Diabetes can be the most terrible news and the most terrible disease you have ever had. It can also provoke changes within your life and cause you to make serious life changing decisions which will bring you into some of the healthiest living you have ever done! You can live with diabetes and you can manage it well, or you can give up! It’s really up to you!

If you are interested in managing it and living the best life you possibly can, then the first step, is to get it properly diagnosed, and then get as much information as you can about the disease. You will need to re-learn and re- think the way you eat, the information you have on nutrition, and the activities you do. If you take the program seriously, you will live a healthy active and fun filled life. If you give up… Well you know what will happen!

Controlling Diabetes is a Matter of the Right Information

Managing your diabetes is first a matter of finding out what type of diabetes you have because controlling this disease has to do with controlling the glucose cycle which is affected by two things:

• The way glucose is absorbed into your body and the levels of insulin needed to get it out.
Diet and Exercise Directly Influence Glucose Levels

Glucose levels are sensitive to diet and exercise, so any change you make in these two areas of your life will benefit and help your diabetes. The only precautionary measure you need to take is to consult with your physician as to the best type of diet and exercise. This is so important because there are normal foods that we don’t think are sugar but change into sugars in our body, and there are exercise routines that should not be done by people with diabetes.

Don’t Ignore the Facts!

Many people who are diagnosed with diabetes tend to ignore the recommendations. They eat anything and everything, and they get “no” exercise. It is almost as if they do not believe the diagnosis of their physician, or maybe they believe the medication will take care of the problems. As an answer to this question, I often use a quote that I read somewhere: “ The least costly treatment for any illness, is modern day medication.” Medicine may take care of the symptoms, and may help you control the disease for a while, but the diabetes will “overcome” and eventually take over. Don’t put yourself through this.

Use the medication, but make healthy lifestyle changes! These are the changes that will let you lead a healthy life, avoid things like loss of vision, amputations, and insulin injections. Eating the right foods and getting the right exercise, while following your doctor’s orders will give you the life you want to lead. You will feel better, and healthier than you did even before you were diagnosed with diabetes.