Benefits of Chia Seeds for Diabetes

Several reports suggest that chia seeds are highly beneficial for diabetics. But, how does it really work?

If you have a loved one who is diabetic or you have been diagnosed with diabetes, you must have heard about the importance of exercise and diet for diabetes. There are numerous reports and evidence about people who have been able to control type 2 diabetes or at least improve their health by adhering to the right diet and exercise. Therefore, we cannot deny the fact that proper nutrition helps improve the health of diabetics.

What is Chia Seed?

Chia is one of a few complete protein plants and is commonly found growing naturally in Central America, Guatemala, and Mexico. It is also known as California Sage, California Chia or Salvia Hispanic.

Benefits of Chia SeedsChia seeds are very rich in minerals, proteins, vitamins, antioxidants, omega-3 fats and fiber. This is the main reason why it’s considered a super-food. This basically means that it’s a nutrient-rich food with numerous health benefits. More and more people are consuming chia seeds as they come aware of its benefits resulting from its nutritional value.

The number of people (including children) being diagnosed with diabetes worldwide is growing at an alarming rate. However, rather than resigning yourself to simply live with this debilitating disease, you should understand that there are ways to control and manage this diabetes and eating chia seeds is just one of them.

Chia Seeds Nutritional Profile

One of the main reasons why chia is so beneficial is because it’s rich in minerals, omega-3, vitamins, protein and fiber.

For instance 28 grams (one ounce) of chia seeds contains:

  • 6 grams fiber
  • 137 calories
  • 4 grams protein
  • 3 grams carbohydrates
  • 6 grams fat
  • 65 milligrams phosphorus (27% DV)
  • 6 milligram manganese (30% DV)
  • 1 milligram copper (% DV)
  • 8 milligrams potassium (1% DV)
  • 1 milligram copper (3% DV)

Chia seeds are also a rich source of antioxidants and they also contain essential fatty acids linoleic and alpha-linoleic acid; vitamins A, B, E and D; mucin; strontium; and minerals including magnesium, niacin, manganese, iodine, sulphur and iron.

What are the Benefits of Chia Seeds for Diabetes?

  • Improves Insulin and Glucose Tolerance

In a study in diet-induced obese rats, a high fructose, high fat diet was fed to one group of rats and the other group of rats was fed a high fructose, high fat diet along with chia oil and chia seeds. The group of rats that was fed a high fat, high fructose (sugar) diet developed insulin resistance, oxidative stress and glucose intolerance just like humans would if they fed on a typical diet high in sugar and processed foods.

However, the other group which was fed a high fructose, high fat diet along with chia oil and chia seeds didn’t develop such problems. In fact, it was the opposite and quite remarkable. Chia seeds helped improve insulin and glucose resistance and restore their bodies’ antioxidant system.

  • Reduce Diabetes Swelling – Chia Reduces Inflammation

Numerous studies show that inflammation is the main cause of many health conditions including diabetes. One of the main nutrients that have been extensively studied for anti-inflammatory effects is omega-3. Chia seed is rich in Omega -3 which comes from alpha-linoleic acid. Although alpha-linoleic acid does not convert to EPA and DHA (usable forms), as well as eating fish such as salmon, it still provides benefits.

On the other hand, chia is rich in dietary fiber which is also an anti-inflammatory agent and this contributes to chia’s anti-inflammatory power.

  • Rich in Anti-Oxidants

The high antioxidant capacity of chia seeds prevents the sensitive fats from going rancid. Anti-oxidants also help prevent oxidative stress and free radicals and damage to the body. Remember, free radicals damage body cells and lead to the development of various conditions. Chia seeds donate stable molecules to free radicals in order to make them normal once again and prevent further damage and decline in health.

  • Improves Cardiovascular Risk Factors

A randomized control trial conducted in 2007 took two groups of people with type 2 diabetes and gave one group 37 grams of wheat and the other group was given 37 grams of chia seeds per day for 12 weeks.

The group that was given chia had a reduction hs—CRP of 40 percent (an inflammatory agent that is commonly seen in cardiovascular disease), a reduction in SBP (systolic blood pressure) and a decrease in A1C. Reductions in CRP and SBP indicate significant improvements especially in cardiovascular risk factors.

Research shows that chia does not have any harmful effects for diabetics. Therefore, it’s perfectly fine to include it in your every other day or every day diet routine.

Check out some other natural remedies for diabetes here!

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Worms for Treatment of Diabetes

Worms Could Be The Weapon In The Fight Against Diabetes

Parasitic worms (helminths) could help fight autoimmune diseases such as lupus, type 1 diabetes (TID), rheumatoid arthritis, and crohn’s disease. Worms are small multicellular organisms that reside in human intestines.

Rutgers immunologist William Gause published an article in Nature Reviews Immunology reporting that the presence of the worms through centuries of human evolution has led to humans developing an immune response known as type 2 immunity.

This immune response includes immune regulator pathways that control harmful inflammatory responses that can contribute to various autoimmune diseases.

 How can Parasitic Worms help Prevent Autoimmune Diseases?

According to the researchers, the immune response seems to have developed as a way for the body to rapidly heal wounds caused by the parasites. Components of type 2 immunity may be the future weapon for enhancing the wound healing process. This response also triggers vital regulatory networks that prevent harmful immune responses and inflammation that tend to worsen tissue injury.

The researchers now want to find a way to harness the components of type 2 immunity in order to target the control of inflammation that contributes to autoimmune diseases such as inflammatory bowel disease and diabetes.

Gause says that the harmful inflammation responses also contribute to other diseases such as metabolic disorders and cardiovascular disease. Inflammation has also been linked to fibrosis and allergic reactions that may be caused by titanium shavings flaking away from artificial joints and settling in the body.

Therefore, finding a new way to stimulate the regulatory components of type 2 immunity may provide a new set of tools to prevent and control harmful inflammatory responses associated with different diseases.

New Treatments for Diabetes The Hygiene Hypothesis

According to the study by Gause and his colleagues, helminth byproducts or even live helminthes may be introduced into the patient’s body on a short-term basis in order to train weak or compromised immune systems. According to a study conducted by Gause and his colleagues in 2012, the introduction of parasitic helminthes in mice for 2 weeks stimulated their immune systems to produce signaling molecules or cytokines which gave them protection against T1D (Type 1 Diabetes).

These findings mirror human experience especially in developing world where worm (helminth) infection is quite common but the incidence if type 1 diabetes and other autoimmune diseases is extremely low.

Best Natural Cures for DiabetesThis means that the low incidence of helminth infection in industrialized nations may compromise the development of vital regulatory networks that are responsible for controlling harmful inflammation.

According to Gause, the end result of this process is increased incidence of a wide variety of diseases associated with harmful inflammatory responses.

Therefore, if we find a controlled and effective way to tap the benefits that worms seem to provide to the immune system, it’s possible that we wouldn’t have to endure the tradeoff between inflammatory diseases and clean living.

Latest Treatments for Diabetes World-first Clinical Trial to Cure Diabetes with Hookworms

This word-first clinical trial will be conducted in Cairns and it aims to combat type 2 diabetes by infecting young overweight women with parasitic worms.

Researches from James Cook University are recruiting young female volunteers for this new research project in which hookworms will be used as possible therapy to improve the overall health for people at risk of chronic diseases such as diabetes. This comes after research in mice found that infecting the animals with helminth can protect them against diabetes by stimulating the immune system to release anti-inflammatory molecules.

The 2-year study will be carried out by scientists from the Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and JCU’s Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine. The study aims to examine the effect of hookworm infestation on young women at risk of diabetes in an attempt to replicate similar results in humans.

The researchers will inoculate young overweight women (aged 18 to 44) with hookworm larva and monitor their health through regular medical assessments.

According to Dr. Paul Giacomin, the worms are masters of controlling inflammation. He believes that this clinical trial is critical especially for determining whether researchers should start studying the active molecules that helminth release into the body to help control metabolism and whether these molecules can be used as a drug for preventing metabolic diseases such as diabetes.

The researchers also said that type 2 diabetes and obesity are increasing at an alarming rate in Australia’s population hence leading to disability and death from infections, kidney failure and heart disease.

Read about the Best Natural cures for Diabetes HERE!

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Green Tea and Diabetes

Is Green Tea Helpful in Diabetes?

According to Medline Plus, green tea may offer several benefits which include lowering your risk for high cholesterol, Parkinson’s disease, and cancer. Preliminary studies also show that green tea may also reduce the risk of developing diabetes and some of the complications associated with this debilitating condition. Although people suffering from diabetes can safely drink green tea, they should also monitor their blood sugar carefully because of its potential blood glucose lowering effect.

Why is Green Tea Highly Beneficial for Diabetics?

  1. Green tea is rich in EGCG catechins

EGCG (epigallocatechin gallate) catechins help increase fat oxidation and have proven to be highly effective in burning body fat. Excess fat in the body is a major problem that might lead to diabetes and EGCG catechins help protect vascular muscle cells from high glucose levels. Moreover, EGCG catechins help prevent Type 1 Diabetes by improving glucose tolerance and changing lipids and glucose metabolism in the body.

Herbal teas to lower blood sugarEGCG catechins also help prevent Type 2 Diabetes by inhibiting digestive enzymes which reduces the production of glucose from carbohydrates.

  1. It stimulates the production of insulin

Recent studies show that green tea stimulates the production of insulin in the body which controls your blood sugar levels and transforms nutrients into energy. Green tea also maximizes the functions of the pancreas which is responsible for producing insulin. It also protects the pancreatic beta cells from damage.

  1. It prevents obesity

Green tea lowers your triglyceride and fatty acid levels hence preventing obesity and the complications associated with obesity. Moreover, EGCG catechins also help reduce your appetite and boost the metabolism cycle. Recent studies show that drinking 2 to 4 cups of green tea spread throughout the day can help you burn up to 80 calories per day hence increasing your metabolism and endurance even while working out. Green tea also stimulates the nervous system that stimulates the fat burning process

  1. It can protect you from hyperglycemia

If left untreated, hyperglycemia can lead to oxidative stress which can cause serious complications such as diabetic retinopathy or even blindness. A recent study conducted by Brazilian researchers seeking to explore the benefits of green tea in diabetic rats shows that green tea protects the rats’ retina from diseases caused by diabetes including neurodegenaration disorders.

  1. Green tea is rich in polyphenols

Polyphenols are antioxidants which have strong anti-diabetic properties. These anti-diabetic properties help increase glucose tolerance and inhibit oxidative stress which is critical when it comes to controlling diabetes. In a study conducted in China, researchers observed that the polyphenols in green tea help reduce adiponectin levels and fat deposits in rats. Adiponectin plays a very important role in glucose and lipid metabolism.

Green tea warnings and precautions

Several studies show that green tea is safe even for diabetics when consumed in moderate amounts. However, there are some warnings and precautions for diabetics who want to consume green tea in a bid to improve their health and general well-being. Avoid taking green tea or consult your physician if you’re pregnant or breast-feeding, if you have a sensitive stomach, or if you’re under medication.

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Is Agave Nectar Safe For Diabetics?

Many diabetic people and people who want to lose weight want to find the right sugar substitute that can satisfy their sweet tooth. Agave nectar or syrup has gained popularity as one of the products that provide such as substitute.

It is about 1.5 sweeter than regular sugar and its taste and consistency are comparable to honey.

Although for many people agave nectar may seem like the best answer to satisfy their sugar cravings, the truth is that it’s best used in moderation because it has its own complications especially when too much of it is consumed.

What is Agave Nectar/Syrup?

Agave syrup is derived from the agave plant which can be found growing naturally in Southern Mexico. When fermented, the blue agave plant turns into tequila. Angela Ginn, National Spokesperson for The Academy of Nutrition and Diabetes, explains:

agave nectar diabetesAgave nectar is a sweetener that contains vitamins, carbohydrate and sweeteners such as calories, magnesium, calcium, iron and potassium. The color difference is mainly due to the filtration of minerals and salts in production.

Health food advocates used to believe that agave was a good solution for people with diabetes (PWD) because it is made of 90 percent fructose. This means that agave is much lower on the GI (glycemic index) and thus doesn’t pack the same punch to blood sugar levels as table sugar.

However, we’ve learned that this might be somewhat misleading. Although it’s true that foods that rank lower on the GI index are absorbed slowly and tend to raise blood sugar gradually. However, a food’s healthfulness should not be based on the glycemic index. For instance, watermelon ranks higher than ice cream.

Agave Nectar Nutrition Facts

Agave is commonly used as a sweetener to replace brown or white sugar in baking. One tablespoon of agave contains 15 grams sugar, 16 grams total carbs and 60 calories. Therefore, agave nectar is straight sugar with very little else to offer in terms of nutrition.

What is the Relationship Between Fructose and Diabetes?

Most people with diabetes know that it’s generally healthier to choose foods that rank lower on the glycemic index because they keep blood sugar levels more stable. However, it’s also essential to understand that there is more to consider than just the glycemic index. For instance, although agave syrup ranks lower on the glycemic index compared to other sweeteners, it contains 90% fructose.

Numerous studies have linked over-consumption of fructose to a wide range of health problems including increased weight gain, high blood pressure, insulin resistance, fatty liver, higher triglyceride levels and cholesterol, to name a few.

Nowadays, loads of packaged and processed foods contain large percentages of fructose largely because it’s a cheap substitute for sugar. As a result, people are generally consuming fructose in high proportions.

Studies show that drinking and eating a lot of fructose leaves you feeling hungrier because it influences hormones including ghrelin, leptin and insulin. This creates a cycle where you still feel hungry even after your meal and you end up eating more food.

Overconsumption of glucose is one of the risk factors for insulin resistance, cardiovascular disease, obesity and hypertension. Therefore, if you are diabetic, consuming fructose might make your condition worse and may even increase your risk of complications.

What is the best sweetener to use for diabetics?

Alternative Sweeteners for Diabetics.

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Acupuncture Therapy For Diabetes

Acupuncture is a practice that mainly involves insertion of thin needles (4 to 25 mm long) into the skin on specific points in the body in order to prevent illness and improve health and general well-being.

The practice originated in China more than 2,000 years ago and it’s one of the oldest medical practices known to man. The stimulation of sensory nerves results in the release of vital chemicals including endorphins.

Studies show that acupuncture treatment may reduce nerve pain and improve peripheral diabetic neuropathy.

Acupuncture Therapy Procedure

Acupuncture Therapy For Diabetes After inserting (4-20) thin needles into specific areas in your body, the acupuncturist may leave them in for about 30 minutes or manipulate them via electric stimulation or with his hands.

However, different people describe the experience in different ways. Although some people report mild pain (a dull, throbbing sensation) especially during needle insertion, most patients report no pain whatsoever.

Some people become relaxed following the procedure, while others feel a burst of energy.

Follow-up treatments usually occur over a period of several months or weeks. However, treatments are customized to each patient’s symptoms and needs.

Benefits of Acupuncture for Diabetes

  • Reduces pain and discomfort by regulating endocrine function

Diabetes mainly stems from the endocrine system because these hormones are mainly responsible for triggering organs to control our blood sugar levels. Acupuncture stimulates endorphins which block pain and trigger positive feelings in the body.

  • Regulate sugar levels

Acupuncture regulates cortisol, a hormone which stimulates the body to feel stress. Studies show that the hormonal reaction triggered by acupuncture helps balance parts of the body that are unable to regulate blood glucose levels on their own. Therefore, unlike most pharmaceutical treatments, acupuncture helps regulate blood sugar levels without the risk of dangerous side effects.

Other Benefits of Acupuncture for T1D (Type 1 Diabetes) include:

  • Decreasing depression and anxiety
  • Preserving nerve function and alleviating painful diabetic peripheral neuropathy
  • Increasing gastropareisis (gastric emptying time)
  • Increasing circulation
  • Increasing range of motion especially in musculoskeletal conditions such as trigger finger and frozen shoulder
  • Reduce the release of glucagons by the pancreas
  • Reduce the urge to eat too much (polyphagia), excessive thirst (polydipsia) excessive urination (polyuria)
  • Prevent myocardial contractility and microcirculation
  • Normalize vascular peripheral resistance and enhance blood outflow
  • Enhance immunomodulating antioxidant and antiatherogenic effects
  • Stimulate secretion of beta-endorphin
  • Elevate pain threshold
  • Increase neuropeptide Y levels and cell proliferation
  • Reduce antheroscelerosis of the limbs

Acupuncture also supports the immune system’s ability to fight off viruses and colds. As we all know, illnesses can cause fluctuations in blood glucose levels especially for people suffering from Type 1 Diabetes.

How does Acupuncture Work?

Although the mechanisms of acupuncture are not fully understood, studies show that acupuncture stimulates the body’s regulatory systems to produce chemicals that reduce inflammation and pain, trigger the secretion of neurotransmitters and neurohormones in order to restore homeostasis.

On the other hand, the blood glucose lowering effects are due to the regulation of cortisol, a hormone that stimulates the liver to produce glucose and by reducing the concentration of fatty acids in the blood, which increases insulin sensitivity.

Does Acupuncture have any Shortcomings or Risks for Diabetes?

Recent studies and clinical trials of acupuncture therapy for diabetes have proven that acupuncture does not have any serious risk. However, this does not mean that acupuncture is for everyone.

As Mayo Clinic points out, although diabetes can be controlled and treated, there’s no diabetes cure. Therefore, if you’re unable to manage diabetes symptoms through lifestyle choices and diet, you’ll need insulin therapy.

There are a few general risks associated with acupuncture treatment that we should be aware of. Some of the side effects of acupuncture include bruises, soreness, and minor bleeding where the needles have been inserted.

All needles must be removed after the procedure as this could have serious adverse effects. On the other hand, if you have a bleeding condition like vitamin K deficiency, are pregnant or have a blood disease such as HIV or hepatitis, acupuncture might not be the best treatment option for you.

Guidelines for Acupuncture Therapy for Diabetes:

Acupuncture treatment usually includes the following:

  • During your initial appointment, the acupuncturist will ask you detailed questions about your diabetes condition and specific symptoms.
  • Your practitioner will ask you questions about your pain levels, diet, health goals and lifestyle. Your acupuncturist might also ask questions about stress, relationships and any other area of your life that has a holistic impact on your condition.
  • After the initial consultation, the treatment procedure usually takes approximately 30 minutes. Your acupuncturist will most likely recommend that you go for treatments twice per week to see how your body is reacting.

If everything goes well, your practitioner will probably drop your treatment appointments to twice a month.

Remember, the first and most important treatment for diabetes is a healthy lifestyle which generally includes a sustainable and pleasurable habit of stress management, nutrition and physical activities. This is the starting point of a holistic and integrative approach to diabetes and other chronic medical conditions.

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