But not everything that glitters is gold. And not only patients seek new ways to fight diabetes. Many researchers interested in this topic also thought that cinnamon could be an effective option and tried to find reliable data to confirm these assertions allow to use it as a treatment in a medical office, as well as herbs and food supplements do not require rigorous studies that are submitted to the drugs. So designed scientific studies necessary.

Unfortunately, the results of scientific studies to date are similar to those assertions, while research showed that half teaspoon of cinnamon a day could help some patients with type 2 diabetes lower their blood sugar levels, and bad cholesterol (LDL) and total cholesterol, several other studies have found that cinnamon caused no reaction and diabetes followed exactly the same.

In addition, there are other caveats you should consider if you have diabetes and want to take cinnamon:
- If you have liver problems (liver), cinnamon may make them worse.
- Since cinnamon can lower blood sugar in the blood, you must be careful if you take it together with other medications or supplements that also have this effect, such as alpha lipoic acid, bitter melon, chromium, fenugreek, garlic, India’s chestnut or Siberian ginseng.
- Some ways in which cinnamon is sold may contain a component (Cumaru), which may decrease the ability of blood clotting, which can be dangerous.
- For all these reasons, cinnamon is not recommended as a supplement to combat diabetes, as it still lacks evidence or concrete proof to show its positive effects on human health.

So far, the best natural way to combat type 2 diabetes with a healthy, balanced diet and exercising regularly. Do not hesitate and start to change your habits or healthy behaviors continue adding to your daily routine now. On the other hand, if you like cinnamon no objection to add it to your food as a condiment in normal amounts as they always have done.

When taking your medicine, follow the directions your doctor has given you. Remember it is very important that you discuss all medications (prescription and nonprescription), herbs or supplements you take. All have an effect on your body and whether natural or not, can interact with each other and can have unwanted side effects. If you make any changes thereof, do not do it without talking to your specialist, he or she will tell you how you can improve your treatment and what alternatives may be more appropriate for you and your diabetes management.

After learning he had diabetes, Juan began to seek alternatives that will help to combat excess sugar in your blood in order to continue to eat pasta that is so fond and desserts that you are passionate. Then someone told him that cinnamon helps lower glucose levels in the blood, and John immediately began to include it in your diet. But does it really work?

For years, some studies suggest several benefits of this plant in relation to diabetes, however, research has developed over time and by different groups of specialists, show results, and can not reach agreement.

It is therefore important that before only to incorporate cinnamon to your diet to control your diabetes, also check with your doctor. Please note that unfortunately there is still no magic solution that allows you to control diabetes and can not regulate the values ??of your blood if you make changes in your eating habits and your physical activity, and sometimes, in addition to this medicine is needed.

Cinnamon is an aromatic plant that over millennia of history has been used for various medicinal purposes. In particular, the different types of cinnamon there, it is considered that the variety known as cassia cinnamon is one that contains healing properties.

Although their effects on health have not been proven, many use their medicinal use, not only to reduce levels of blood sugar but also to reduce other discomforts such as vomiting, gas (flatulence) and stomach muscle spasms Nausea, diarrhea, infections, common cold, lack of appetite, erectile dysfunction, hernias, joint problems, symptoms of menopause, menstrual problems, chest pain, blood pressure high, cramps, cancer, and to prevent children wet the bed.

I realize that I am not recommending that you use it for any of these conditions. These are symptoms or signs that may pose serious health conditions or diseases that require a correct diagnosis and using cinnamon or other things instead of trying to determine their cause to establish the correct diagnosis as soon as possible can lead to complications and cause more pain and Delaying treatment you really need.

credit to: Dr. Aliza

For Dr. Rios Torres is important that people have an early diagnosis due to various reasons, one of them is the ability to timely identify people with impaired glucose tolerance, because in this way is possible to focus on prevention measures halt the progression of the disease and therefore its consequences.

Another is to monitor individuals with risk factors such as people with obesity or a family history of diabetes, and even noted that in these circumstances “would be highly desirable fasting glucose measured at least once a year, also in the case of women with a macrosomic child or gestational diabetes (increased sugar during pregnancy due to hormonal factors that create changes in insulin secretion). “

The specialist also noted that the detection of people with diabetes, and earlier, allows not only to control glucose levels but also blood pressure and blood fats, as would otherwise trigger chronic complications such as:

Microvascular problems. Consist of damage to blood vessels that affect vision and kidneys.
Neuropathy. Nerve injury, which among other effects can lead to foot ulceration and require amputation.
Macroangiopathy. These are changes that occur in large arteries, and are responsible for myocardial infarction.
Finally, Dr. Juan Manuel Rios concludes that, unfortunately, “the same doctors minimize the diagnosis of diabetes and tell their patients that nothing happens to them and not to worry, maybe not cause stress. Rather I think that should change this and treat people with tact and delicacy, but firmly, to tell you that it is time to act and that early treatment will prevent future problems.”

According to specialized physicians, graduated from the University of Texas (USA), there are three tests that measure the presence of sugar or glucose in the blood (hyperglycemia), which, besides having different methodologies used in different circumstances.

Explains that “the first diagnosis, and one of the most frequently performed, is known as random blood glucose, consisting of an analysis of a blood sample taken at any time of day and in every condition, so it is said which takes place at random. “

To say Dr. Ríos Torres, random blood glucose is recommended for people who know that any family that has suffered from diabetes and obesity, especially aged over 30 and people who show symptoms of the disease, eg , polyuria (frequent urination) and polydipsia (being very thirsty), but there are also others such as polyphagia (hungry), weight loss and fatigue.

When the outcome of this test shows blood sugar levels above 200 milligrams per deciliter of blood (mg / dl, which is the unit used in these studies), it is considered that the patient has diabetes, and should consult an endocrinologist for know what the treatment required by his condition, so as not to see his body deteriorated.

Moreover, he notes that the respondent in those who show no symptoms and do not necessarily know a history of diabetes in your family, you must perform a test called a fasting glucose measurement, which is to analyze a blood sample taken after 12 hours without eating food, and a confirmation, that is, performing an identical test a week later.

According to the results, “states that a person has diabetes when sugar levels are 126 mg / dl or more in the two samples, so that, for example, if the first result indicates 130 mg / dl and presented next week 128 mg / dl, diabetes is diagnosed. ”

However, the specialist indicates that there are cases where some of the blood sampling gives results less than 126 mg / dl, but higher than 110 mg / dl, so that you can not talk about diabetes, but its precondition known as pre-diabetes or glucose intolerance.

This situation results from the last test, known as a curve of oral glucose tolerance (CTOG), and on this point, Dr. Juan Manuel Rios goes deep: “This test is done to people in the study were fasting glucose rates from 110 to 126 mg / dl, because although they are considered intolerant to glucose, the practice showed us that many of them, when subjected to closer examination, are actually patients with diabetes. ”

It also explains that it is useful for diagnosis CTOG doubtful obtained in obese individuals with a family history of the disease and results of fasting glucose 100 mg / dl, while “it is very helpful for women who gave birth to a son macrosomic, ie that at birth weighed more than 3.5 kilograms, as we have observed that this condition may indicate the presence of the disease. ”

For this test, the subject drinks a solution containing 75 grams of glucose, and measured their blood sugar levels every 30 minutes, which is determined by the value taken at 2 hours (120 minutes), if it exceeds 200 mg / dl were diagnosed diabetes. When between 140 and 200 mg / dl, is said to be glucose intolerant.

It should be noted that the American Diabetes Association (ADA, by its initials in English) has tried to eliminate the curve of oral glucose tolerance (CTOG) as a method of diagnosis of diabetes, with which, according to Dr. Juan Manuel Rios Torres is a mechanism accepted by the World Health Organization because of the many evidences to show its effectiveness.

The endocrinologist said that experts of the association are eligible to CTOG as “a complicated and expensive study to be extended to the general population, but in reality is neither one nor the other if we consider that enables early detection of diabetes and prediabetes, which in turn facilitates early initiation of effective treatment. In the general context, it is much cheaper to perform this procedure to stop a person without a diagnosis and then have complications. ”

Finally, Rios Torres believes that “it is a poor assessment of the ADA, as many studies have been conducted in Europe, Asia and Latin America where it is clear that leaving the curve, oral glucose tolerance is inappropriate.”

credit to: Rafael Mejia

Many people have diabetes and do not know, so that damage to your body move in silence until they are too significant and affect various organs. This situation may change as the population at risk is subject to timely diagnosis of glucose.

Diabetes is a chronic (lifelong), is characterized by insufficient or absent secretion of the hormone insulin, a fact that generates excessive accumulation of glucose in the blood and damage to many structures within the body, is very common worldwide and it is estimated that 10% of Mexico’s population suffers from it.

However, much remains to be done in terms of disclosing the real value of prevention and early detection of this condition, because many people are unaware that a review in time gives the possibility of carrying out measures to improve living standards.

Thus, it is to note that while diabetes may present with symptoms such as thirst and constant urination, there are significant number of cases it progresses silently, showing no signs of their existence or veiled by ignorance and fear experienced by the patient undergoing treatment, so that large numbers of cases are diagnosed when there are severe secondary complications such as impaired vision, feet, kidneys and blood circulation.

Therefore, “which insists on timely diagnosis is not fortuitous, but very important because the earlier you are aware of the presence of diabetes or previous state, called glucose intolerance, it is easier to control the disease and avoid complications. ”

Such is the opinion of Dr. Juan Manuel Ríos Torres, assigned to the Departments of Internal Medicine and Endocrinology, National Institute of Medical Sciences and Nutrition Salvador Zubirán, who emphasizes saludymedicinas.com.mx interview that “it is vital that people know about diabetes and its diagnosis, it is the only way to realize and act. ”

And, to say the specialist, who has also made important studies on the spread of the disease in Mexico, the social belief that diabetes is a condition “very aggressive” has prevented the creation of a culture that encourages each person to recognize the latent risk of suffering from this disease and its complications are responsible for high mortality.

credit to: Rafael Mejia

Taking a few precautions, there is no reason to prevent those affected with diabetes physical activity, in fact, many patients practice different sports, but as prevention is recommended to have at their disposal liquid sugar can occur if glucose reduction below normal levels, then it must be remembered that exercise decreases the amount of the substance in the body.

On the other hand, consider that diabetes is no reason to interfere with or limit travel, as long as they follow some specific recommendations to make to very remote places, for example, sure you can get insulin or oral hypoglycemic agents and if you see private supply, do not store all medications in your suitcase, because there are times when you are lost, and carry card or bracelet stating that you have the disease.

Measurement

The goal of any treatment for diabetes is to maintain glucose levels closer to normal blood glucose levels (less than 120 milligrams per deciliter), which can be measured in the comfort of home, office, club, or while traveling through the use of a portable device, glucose meter, which functions using strips sensitive to that substance.

The procedure is performed as follows: The patient was prick a finger and let a drop of blood at the end of a test strip, which is introduced to the meter. A few seconds later it appears on a screen what is the amount of glucose in milligrams.

With the blood glucose test measures the effectiveness of the last dose of insulin or oral hypoglycemic managed, if the result shows high concentration of the substance, you should consult an endocrinologist, a specialist that will adjust the dose.

As you can see, diabetes does not have to limit the activities concerned, as it is possible to live normally as long as be responsible for complying with the measures described above, which also avoid the risk of complications of the disease as leg amputation, blindness, kidney damage, risk of stroke or frequent infections.

Remember better safe than sorry, for it is very important that you follow from childhood balanced diet and encourage physical activity. These measures must be stricter in predisposed individuals, in example those who have several relatives with the condition.

credit to: Angelica Villanueva

Diabetes has no cure, and control is the responsibility of the patient, who must understand that treatment against lifelong illness, so it is essential not to neglect the administration of hypoglycemic agents (drugs that lower blood glucose levels) and / or insulin (responsible for transporting the sugar consumed in the liver and muscles), exercise and follow a special diet.

This condition occurs when the amount of glucose or blood sugar exceeds the normal (120 milligrams per deciliter), which occurs when the pancreas stops producing insulin (type 1), or, if the substance is generated to a lesser extent and the body’s response to it is diminished (type 2).

Currently, doctors who treat diabetes (endocrinologists) encourage their patients to take responsibility for their health by following a special diet, exercise and regular checkups for blood sugar levels that indicate how effective are the drugs administered.

Treatment

In the late nineteenth century, two German doctors deduced that the pancreas, a gland behind the stomach, produced a substance that prevented blood glucose levels to rise. For its part, three Canadian scientists isolated this element of mystery and named insulin, a substance which from 1922 began to be used to treat diabetes, which transformed the future of patients and saved the lives of many young people who would otherwise have died after a long and painful illness.

30 years after it was discovered that type 2 diabetes could be treated with tablets given orally (hypoglycemic) to reduce the amount of glucose in the blood, which are still used today.

Beware of diet

Having diabetes does not mean you should follow rules restricting foods, but a healthy one, which is valid for both types in which the disease occurs.

The diet should be understood as a plan that successfully combine the right foods and delete those that are harmful. Once the person gets used to the basic principles, it is very easy to follow the guidelines below:

- Avoid eating sugar, sweets, chocolates, cakes, biscuits, alcohol and soft drinks as they are simple carbohydrates and are incorporated into the blood immediately, you can use products made from sweeteners or sugar substitutes.
- Eat complex carbohydrates (bread, potatoes, pasta, rice and cereals), as it is absorbed slowly and are good sources of energy.
- Reduce consumption of saturated fats, such as those in meat, whole milk, butter and lard, which are high in calories.
- Preferred unsaturated fats, they are less damaging than previous ones, but avoiding excess, naturally found in vegetable oils and margarines.
- 30 grams of fiber a day allows the intestines to function properly and contributes to the balance of glucose and cholesterol levels, is contained in cereals, rice and breads, and fruits and vegetables can be eaten in the shell.
- Protein intake from lean (lean), fish, skinless poultry, nonfat dairy products, cereals and legumes, as though not needed in large quantities are essential for the body to repair tissues.
Moderate amounts of salt that causes excess water retention in the body and promotes hypertension.

credit to: Angelica Villanueva

The patient is subjected to an interrogation to identify the symptoms described above.

It takes blood and urine analysis.

In some cases, the patient must undergo a blood test class called “proof of an oral glucose tolerance, which involves obtaining a fasting blood sample to measure the value of sugar. Then you are given a special solution that contains a standard amount of glucose. During the next 3 hours new samples are obtained. This test is mainly to pregnant women.

Experts believe that a person has diabetes if their fasting glucose levels are higher than 126 milligrams per deciliter of blood.

Prevention

- If family history is necessary to maintain regular monitoring of blood sugar levels.
- It is advisable to follow a healthy diet and an exercise plan, not being overweight or obese.
- Reduce or avoid the consumption of sweets.
- Use salt and sugar substitutes.

Treatment

- The application of insulin is the main treatment for those suffering from type 1 diabetes.
- It is essential to follow a diet that avoids excessive consumption of carbohydrates and sugar as pure or contained in jams, desserts and fruits like mango and banana. It is recommended to opt for sugar substitutes.
- Avoid alcohol.
- Consistent exercise.
- It is common the use of hypoglycaemic medications that help regulate sugar levels and insulin conducive to perform their work properly. The doctor will prescribe the most appropriate.
- It is recommended self-monitoring and knowledge of the disease. To do this, there are devices on the market that provide reliable data on levels of blood sugar.
- There are some natural products and food supplements that alleviate some symptoms of diabetes, reduce cholesterol and obesity, improving the health of the patient.

There are two subtypes of the disease:

Type 1 diabetes. Develops in people in the production of insulin, a hormone responsible for transporting glucose into cells throughout the body is weak or nonexistent. Most patients with this condition develop it before age 30.

Type 2 diabetes. It occurs when the pancreas continues to produce insulin but the body develops resistance to its effects. Usually this type of diabetes usually appears after age 30.

Causes

It occurs when insulin is unable to keep glucose in the storage areas (liver, muscles and tissues) and the concentration in the blood.

Hereditary or genetic factors increase susceptibility to this disorder.

Obesity, limited physical activity and consumption of foods rich in carbohydrates, such as meat, bread, sausages and pasta, are considered risk factors.

Symptoms

- It is common for physical fatigue, blurred vision and nausea.
- Headache after eating.
- Increased urine.
- Dry mouth.
- Hypertension
- Elevation normal cholesterol levels.
- Weight loss unexplained.
- Increased thirst and appetite.
- In type 1 the above symptoms appear early on because the amount of glucose in the bloodstream rises rapidly, which leads to dehydration and weight loss.
- In contrast, people with type 2 start having the symptoms described and gradually (slowly), and it is common that the patient seek medical attention when several of them have already expressed.

1 .- Those that do rely on persistent hyperglycemia digestive disturbances and its annexes.
- Theory of Bouchardat. Diabetes is caused by pathological condition of the digestive tract.
- Theory Pancreática.Origen pancreatic disease, failing to reconcile the preservation of exocrine pancreatic functions with endocrine dysfunction, Malberty discarded wrongly held by the successful Lancereaux theory, Popper and others.
2 .- Other causes of hyperglycemia consider the matter overproduction of glycogen. Are hematogenous theory, myogenic, the histogenetic and motor vessel or nerve.
3 .- reflecting a lack of utilization of sugar by the body are normal Theories Mialhe, Reynoso and De Chambre, Cantani, Weiss and Dock and Bouchard.
Based on research of Claude Bernard, discard the first group and presents the discussion among themselves the cause is an excessive production of glucose or a failure to use it.

Analyzing both, and concluded that there is a lack of assimilation because of the normal glucose homeostasis, its almost constant production and release into the blood. Similarly, it recognizes that there is far to “find the true element pathology of diabetes mellitus.” Know what might be the ultimate cause and attributed to a general disturbance of nutrition and concludes: “Diabetes mellitus is the result of the impairment of intracellular molecular renewal, ie the weakening of the ability asimilatriz, the anatomical element Live necessary to use glucose and must in our view, as I said, look for the pathogenesis of this disease in the system that presides, governs and directs the function of any living organic element tends to be used, to assimilate all that you need for natural conservation in proportion to what they already used, transformed or destroyed, returned to the bloodstream for purification. “