Stevia and Diabetes

Stevia is a genus of about 150 species of herbs and shrubs in the sunflower family (native to subtropical and tropical South America and Central America. Stevia commonly known as sweetleaf, sweet leaf, sugarleaf, or simply stevia, is widely grown for its sweet leaves. As a sugar substitute, stevia's taste has a slower onset and longer duration than that of sugar.

With its extracts having up to 300 times the sweetness of sugar, stevia has garnered attention with the rise in demand for low-carbohydrate, low-sugar food alternatives. Stevia also has shown promise in medical research for treating such conditions as obesity and high blood pressure. Stevia has a negligible effect on blood glucose, even enhancing glucose tolerance; therefore, it is attractive as a natural sweetener to diabetics and others on carbohydrate-controlled diets.

Rebiana is the trade name for a stevia-derived sweetener being developed jointly by The Coca-Cola Company and Cargill with the intent of marketing in several countries and gaining regulatory approval in the US and EU. You can find stevia in most health-food stores and some supermarkets.

Safety Concerns. Stevia is sold in the U.S. as a dietary supplement and not as a food or food additive. In 1994 the USDA gave permission to manufacturers to market stevia as a food supplement. SOme foreign studies have found decreased sperm production in mice after being administered stevia, however there is no evidence that stevia is harmful to humans.

Sources:

1. ^ PubMed research articles related to treatments of obesity
2. ^ PubMed research articles on stevia's effects on blood pressure
3. ^ PubMed articles on stevia's use in treating hypertension
4. ^ Curi, R; Alvarez M, Bazotte RB, Botion LM, Godoy JL, Bracht A (1986). "Effect of Stevia rabaudiana on glucose tolerance in normal adult humans". Braz J Med Biol Res 19 (6): 771-4. 
5. ^ Gregersen, S; Jeppesen PB, Holst JJ, Hermansen K (January 2004). "Antihyperglycemic effects of stevioside in type 2 diabetic subjects". Metabolism 53 (1): 73-76. 

More information on diabetes management and sugar control at Diabetes and Sugar Management

Go Here to Check the Glycemic Index of Your Foods

If you have diabetes or at risk of becoming diabetic you should definitely be aware of and plan your meals with the glycemic index of foods in mind.

Glycemic index (also glycaemic index, GI) is a ranking system for carbohydrates based on their effect on blood glucose levels. It compares available carbohydrates gram for gram in individual foods, providing a numerical, evidence-based index of postprandial (post-meal) glycemia. The concept was invented by Dr. David J. Jenkins and colleagues in 1981 at the University of Toronto.

On of the most informative sites about your glycemic load of foods is found at http://www.montignac.com/en/ig_pionnier.php. The site is published by a former "big pharma" executive, so you know its credible.

You should check out the glycemic index for management of other health conditions such as weight management, lowering the acidity of your body and other related health conditions
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Also check out our Lens at: http://www.squidoo.com/gymnemasylvestregum/ for more tips on managing your dietary sugar intake.

FDA Knew About Avandia Dangers 5 Years Ago

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Public Citizen, (http://www.citizen.org/publications/release.cfm?ID=7523), a national non-profit public interest organization reported today that the US Government as far back as 2002, knew about the potential of Avandia to lead to heart failure.

Public Citizen was able to secure a FDA memorandum, (http://www.citizen.org/documents/AvandiaMemo.pdf), from Health and Human Services Team Leader and Drug Safety Evaluator, Lahn Green to David Orloff, Director of Metabolic and Endocrine Drug Products at HHS that warned of the connection between rosiglitazone, commonly known as Avandia(registered trademark) and congestive heart failure.

Yet we the public (victims?) are just finding out about the dangers of the drug today. In a war, the fatalities that one comes to expect is known as an, "acceptable risk". Apparently, the government was willing to wait five years and create an acceptable risk of death by not fully advising patients of the potential risks of Avandia. What other chemicals approved by the FDA are killing us today with their full knowledge and acquiescence. Is the profit and kickback motive that strong?

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Wonder Drug Avandia in Question

CBS, the Associated Press and other news sources reported today that Avandia the diabetes, "wonder drug", may not be so wonderful after all.

Although Glaxo Smith Kline, the developers opf Avandia, say the benefits outweigh the risk, the New England Journal of Medicine reports that people taking Avandia to help lower their blood sugars may face a 43% higher chance of heart problems, and a 64% higher chance of cardiovascular problems while taking the drug.

It is reported that last year the Avandia developer changed the medicine's label to reflect this higher risk. They are recommending that patients who take Avandia not stop taking the drug on their own because of possible uncontrolled rises in blood sugar. Such patients should confer with their doctors.

We agree with the advice that patients not cease taking Avandia. However, people have to begin to put pressure on their doctors to recommend natural treatments for diabetes and other chronic conditions. We simply are getting tired of revelation after revelation about these chemically manufactured "cures".
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Get the Diabetes Miracle Breakthrough, lower your blood sugar levels, watch your units of insulin drop... and eventually be free from shots altogether.Click Here!

Natural Ways To Treat Diabetes by: Gray Rollins

Diabetes is a disease caused when the body does not properly produce insulin. Seven percent of the population in the United States has diabetes. There are two types of the disease. Type one diabetes is where the body does not produce insulin and type two is where the body resists insulin. The majority of people diagnosed with this disease have type two. Symptoms of diabetes include extreme thirst, hazy vision, excessive hunger, weight fluctuation, fatigue and frequent urination. Diabetes is often controlled with insulin and prescription drugs, but diet and exercise play a large part in the ability to control the disease. There are also herbs that can help reduce the effects of diabetes.

Ensure a healthy diet by concentrating on foods such as vegetables, grains, fiber and legumes. These foods will help regulate sugar in the blood stream. Avoid junk food and foods that contain sugar such as cakes, cookies and other sweets. Alcohol, tobacco and caffeine should also be avoided to maintain a nourishing diet.
Exercise helps promote good health and combats against the negative effects of diabetes. It is important to exercise regularly and keep an appropriate weight. People who are inactive or overweight have a higher risk factor for diabetes and are prone to suffer from more side effects caused by the disease. It is especially important to exercise to build muscle. Starting a weight program will increase muscle mass which will increase sensitivity to insulin.

There are many herbal remedies recognized for their therapeutic properties of treating diabetes. They are commonly found in pharmacies and grocery stores and can be a great natural remedy. Prickly pear cactus has shown positive results in the treatment of this disease and was recently recognized by the International Diabetes Center as a viable natural remedy. Bitter Melon has been used for years in Asia, Africa and South America for treatment. Garlic will reduce sugar levels and is a healthy way to add flavor to food while benefiting from its curative traits. Other common herbs are ginseng, psyllium, fenugreek, bilberry, dandelion and burdock.

Vitamin supplements are frequently used to help treat diabetes with the most commonly recommended ones being vitamins B6, C and E. Also, zinc, selenium, alpha lipoic acid, chromium and vanadium are commonly used. Rather than take individual supplements, some patients opt for a multivitamin to add to their diet.

Diabetes is a disease that affects a large portion of the population. The risks associated with it are serious but can be controlled with lifestyle change. Ensuring a well balanced diet and good exercise routine will help in preventing side effects. Also, proper use of herbs, vitamins and natural remedies will help prevent the necessity for more traditional means of medication.

About The Author
Gray Rollins is a featured writer for MyDiabetesInfo. To learn more about Diabetes Treatment, visit http://www.mydiabetesinfo.com/diabetestreatment/ and http://www.mydiabetesinfo.com/naturalcurefordiabetes/

Gymnema Sylvestre Gum

Whether or not one has diabetes many people have a difficult time controlling their sugar cravings. Sugar, especially refined sugar can have a number of negative effects on the body. For those with diabetes sugar can be particularly damaging. A rare Indian herb known as Gymnema sylvestre gum may reduce sugar cravings in those with and without diabetes.
Known as gurmar in its native India, gymnema sylvestre is a tropical plant of the milkweed family. Its ancient Sanskrit name means "sugar destroyer." It is a totally natural substance that has been used for years
Gymnema leaves have been used for centuries in the traditional Indian system of Ayurvedic medicine. The term "destroyer of sugar" is traditionally used for Gymnema because chewing the leaves will abolish the taste of sweetness. After chewing gymnema sylvestre gum, sweet foods and drinks can’t be tasted because it temporarily blocks sweet receptors on the tongue. The effects of gymnema sylvestre last about thirty minutes. Participants in studies tended to consume fewer sweet-tasting foods and drinks after using gymnema sylvestre.

See http://www.squidoo.com/gymnemasylvestregum/ for more information