How Much Insulin Do You Need?

If you have type 2 diabetes and your doctor thinks it might be a good time to start insulin therapy, there are two important factors to consider: How much insulin do you need to take? When do you need to take it? And both are very personal.

"You can't paint everyone with type 2 diabetes with the same brush," says Mark Feinglos, MD, division chief of endocrinology, metabolism, and nutrition at the Duke University School of Medicine, in Durham, N.C. "You need to tailor the regimen to an individual's needs."

A person with type 2 diabetes might start off on half a unit of insulin per kilogram of body weight per day, especially if there is not much known about the nature of his or her diabetes. Still, it is not unusual to need more like 1 unit, says Dr. Feinglos. (One unit per kilogram would be 68 units per day for someone who weighs 150 pounds, which is about 68 kilograms).

A lot depends on your specific health situation. People with type 2 diabetes suffer from insulin resistance, a situation in which the body loses its ability to use the hormone properly. Early in the course of the disease, the insulin-producing cells of the pancreas respond to insulin resistance by churning out even more of the hormone. Over time, though, insulin production declines.

Taking insulin can help you overcome the body's insulin resistance, though many factors can affect your dosage. If your body is still sensitive to insulin but the pancreas is no longer making much insulin, for example, Dr. Feinglos says that you would require less insulin than someone who is really resistant to insulin.

"But the most important issue is not necessarily how much you need to take," he adds. "Rather, it's the timing of what you to take. Timing is everything."

Source :  Lynne Peeples [Health Integrated Solutions]

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Why Insulin Makes Sense for People With Type 2 Diabetes

If you have type 2 diabetes, you have more options to control blood sugar than ever before, including no less than six classes of oral medication and an injectable drug based on lizard venom, Byetta.

Still, just because one certain drug—insulin—has been around for nearly a century doesn't mean that it should be considered as less useful or less important than other "more modern" medications. In fact, insulin's tried-and-true safety record and ironclad ability to lower blood sugar in all patients make some doctors more likely to recommend it sooner rather than later in some people with type 2 diabetes.

"Insulin is an appropriate choice at any point," says John Buse, MD, PhD, director of the Diabetes Care Center at the University of North Carolina School of Medicine, in Chapel Hill. "You can start it as the first therapy for diabetes. In some countries, such as Germany, many doctors advocate that as the best approach.

"Insulin therapy has gotten easier over the years, making the drug less painful and simple to use than in the past.

But even if this therapy doesn't seem suitable for you right now, don't be afraid to use it if your doctor thinks it can help control your blood sugar in the future. Elevated blood sugar basically acts as a poison in the body, so if other treatments aren't working, you'll need to do whatever it takes to get it into the safe zone.

Most fears about insulin are unwarranted, or at least outdated, says Dr. Buse.

Source : Health Integrated Solutions

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Fasting: Is it healthy?

Fasting has been a common human activity since the beginning of recorded history. At its most basic level, fasting is abstaining from food and liquids, or sometimes just solid food. But is fasting healthy? More specifically, can fasting be used to lose weight, or detoxify (detox) harmful materials from the body?

Fasting to lose weight

Medical experts agree that fasting is not a safe or beneficial way to lose weight. Although it may help you lose a little weight in the short term, it presents numerous health risks and is not a long-term solution. Weight lost due to fasting usually is regained quickly. In fact, fasting can actually make weight problems worse.
 Dr Joel Fuhrman explains that “Fasting is not a weight loss tool. Fasting slows your metabolic rate down so your diet from before the fast is even more fattening after you fast.”¹ After fasting, your body will quickly try to regain your “set point”, whereas if you lose weight more gradually, by changing your diet and combine that with exercise, this effect will not be as pronounced.

Fasting to detox the body

Lately various schemes to detox the body have become popular. Dr Michael Ho (famous for the “DR-HO Dual Muscle Therapy System”) makes numerous claims about his Digestive Detox system, including that it “helps cleanse and detoxify the intestinal tract by promoting regular bowel movements” which “help eliminate built-up toxins, parasites and worms from the digestive system.”²
However, such products are not supported by the medical field. Research has concluded that “detox diets do no more than the body’s own natural system to get rid of toxins.” Similarly, suggestions that fasting can somehow clear toxins from the body is repudiated by most medical experts, who suggest that drinking plenty of water, along with getting enough sleep and getting fresh air, are all that are needed.³

What’s the point of fasting?

If fasting isn’t useful for dieting or detoxing the body, why bother with it at all?  Traditionally fasting was a spiritual exercise. It is mentioned in the Old Testament of the Bible, where people like Moses, King David, and others fasted to humble themselves or to focus more on spiritual matters rather than merely physical ones. Fasting is also found in Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, and other religions.
Jesus taught about fasting, and commented that:

When you fast, don’t make it obvious, as the hypocrites do, for they try to look miserable and disheveled so people will admire them for their fasting. I tell you the truth, that is the only reward they will ever get. But when you fast, comb your hair and wash your face. Then no one will notice that you are fasting, except your Father, who knows what you do in private. And your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.⁴

For him, fasting was all about focusing on prayer and your relationship with God. Although most biblical fasts were for a single day, Jesus once fasted for 40 days! This is feat that has been repeated by others in recent times such as Dr. Bill Bright who fasted for 40 days as a time of spiritual renewal.  He later described the experience as being “a great blessing.”⁵ He undertook this fast after many years of doing smaller fasts.  If you are considering a long fast be sure to consult your doctor first.

The role of fasting today

Today the tradition of fasting continues in several different ways. One of them is Lent, a forty day long tradition commemorating the forty days Jesus spent in the desert. It is celebrated during the forty days (not including Sundays) leading up to Easter, which is the celebration of Jesus’ death on the cross and resurrection. During Lent many Christians will fast or give up a certain cherished food or activity in order to try to spend more time in spiritual contemplation.
In a society that often over-emphasizes the feverish pursuit of material things to the detriment of development of our spiritual lives, fasting is a way to focus on things that are more important. Have you ever felt like something important is missing from your life? Perhaps it’s time to take the spiritual component of your life more seriously, maybe for the first time? If so, here are some links you might be interested in exploring.

1. Susan Seliger, “Is Fasting Healthy?,” WebMD, n.p. Cited 25 February 2009. Online: http://www.webmd.com/diet/features/is_fasting_healthy
2. “Benefits of DR-HO’S® Digestive DetoxTM,” Dr. Ho Website, n.p. Cited 25 February 2009. Online: http://www.drhonow.com/digestive-detox-benefits.php
3. “Scientists dismiss detox schemes,” BBC News (3 January 2006), n.p. Cited 25 February 2009. Online: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/4576574.stm
4. Gospel of Matthew, chapter 6, verses 16-18. (New Living Translation)
5. Kerry Batchman, “Fasting for 40 days,” Today’s Pentecostal Evangel (March 11, 2001), n.p. Cited 25 February 2009. Online: http://pentecostalevangel.ag.org/conversations2001/4531_bright.cfm

Source : Darren Hewer [Powertochange]

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Tips Mudah Mengontrol Kolesterol

Sebenarnya Kolesterol adalah salah satu komponen lemak. Seperti kita ketahui, lemak merupakan salah satu zat gizi yang sangat diperlukan tubuh, disamping zat gizi lain seperti karbohidrat, protein, vitamin dan mineral. Sebagai salah satu sumber energi, lemak memberikan kalori paling tinggi dan (khususnya kolesterol) sangat dibutuhkan oleh tubuh untuk membentuk dinding sel-sel dalam tubuh.

Meski tubuh memerlukannya untuk dapat berfungsi dengan baik, jumlah yang dibutuhkan sudah dapat terpenuhi dari produksi di dalam tubuh. Sehingga tidak diperlukan lagi tambahan kolesterol dari makanan.

Kolesterol sendiri terbagi menjadi 2 jenis, yaitu: LDL (Low Density Lipoprotein) dan HDL (High Density Lipoprotein). HDL disebut sebagai kolesterol baik karena mampu mengangkat lemak dari pembuluh darah untuk kemudian dikeluarkan sebagai asam empedu. Sedangkan, LDL adalah kolesterol jahat karena dapat melekat pada dinding pembuluh darah dan menyebabkan  penumpukan lemak. Jadi, semakin tinggi LDL dalam darah, makin tinggi risiko mendapat serangan jantung koroner atau stroke. Sebaliknya, semakin tinggi HDL, makin terlindungi dari risiko terserang penyakit-penyakit tersebut.

Bagaimana mengendalikan kolesterol dalam tubuh? Berikut ini tips mudah mengontrol kadar kolesterol dalam darah Anda :

Ketahuinya Kadarnya.
Cobalah ambil inisiatif untuk memeriksakan kadar kolesterol Anda dan lihat hasilnya. Umumnya, dokter menyarankan kadar kolesterol agar berada di bawah 200 mg/dL, dengan kadar LDL di bawah angka 130, dan HDL berada di atas 40.

Berkenalan Dengan Lemak Baik.
Jika ternyata Anda didiagnosa memiliki kadar kolesterol tinggi, biasanya dokter akan menyarankan menurunkan konsumsi lemak. Tapi, jenis makanan yang mengandung lemak tak jenuh tunggal, seperti selai kacang, avokad, minyak zaitun dan kanola, kacang-kacangan serta ikan laut masih boleh dikonsumsi. Penelitian membuktikan bahwa jenis lemak ini membantu menurunkan kadar LDL dalam darah, serta meningkatkan HDL.

Jaga Keseimbangan Berat Badan.
Salah satu cara mudah dan murah mengendalikan kadar kolesterol adalah mengurangi berat badan. Lagi pula menurut penelitian , berat badan berlebih dapat mengganggu proses metabolisme tubuh dalam menghancurkan lemak. Cara praktisnya, hindari atau kurangi konsumsi makanan dan minuman beminyak, berlemak, dan mengandung kolesterol tinggi. Misalnya jeroan, kepiting, udang, kerang, daging, santan, margarine, telur, cokelat, dan gula.

Perbanyak Air dan Serat.
Langkah ke 4 dalam mengendalikan kolestrol adalah memperbanyak konsumsi buah-buahan dan sayuran. Mengapa? Karena serat yang terdapat dalam buah dan sayur dapat mengikat kolesterol sehingga tak beredar dalam darah. Sementara vitamin C berguna untuk keseimbangan kolesterol. Namun perlu diingat, sayuran yang kaya vitamin C cukup direbus setengah matang. Kalau sampai matang, vitaminnya akan hilang. Jika sayuran atau buah dibuat menjadi jus, minumlah bersama ampasnya yang merupakan sumber serat.

Lakukan Aktivitas Fisik Rutin.
Satu hal yang tak kalah penting dalam mengendalikan kadar kolesterol adalah berolahraga secara rutin. Jalan kaki atau jenis olahraga ringan lain yang dilakukan secara rutin akan membantu meningkatkan kadar HDL. Pastikan saja bahwa Anda sudah berolahraga selama 10 menit setiap hari, 5 hari dalam seminggu.

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