Diet Tips for Diabetic Patients

• Diabetics have to limit their carbohydrate intake because it takes such a long time for most carbohydrates to digest. The carbohydrates that take a longer time to digest, cause higher blood glucose level.
• Diabetics have difficulty breaking down in their system, foods which are high in carbohydrates. Digestion is slow and sugars and starches are absorbed into the blood stream, causing an excess blood glucose level.
• Glycemic Index measures how quickly the carbohydrate present in the food raise your blood sugar and for how long. 
• The Glycemic Index is a very helpful tool for diabetics who need to monitor their glucose level. 
• The Glycemic Index ranges from one to one hundred. A low food in the glycemic index has a rating of below 55. 
• The GI for Wheat – India is 90. Hence it is advisable to avoid wheat if one wants to maintain the blood sugar level without any medication.

Herbal Benefits of Bitter Gourd

Herbal Benefits of Bitter Gourd :

• It is good for rheumatism and gout and diseases of the spleen and liver.
• It aids in lowering blood sugar levels.
• It helps in lowering blood pressure.
• It relives headaches.
• It disinfects and heals wounds and burns.
• It can be used as a cough and fever remedy.
• It is helpful for Treatment of intestinal worms, diarrhea.
• It helps prevent some types of cancer.
• It enhances immune system to fight infection.
• It is helpful for treatment of hemorrhoids.
• It is an antioxidant and parasiticide.
• It is antibacterial and antipyretic.

Preparation and Use of Bitter Gourd : 

• For coughs, fever, worms, diarrhea, diabetes, juice Bitter Gourd leaves and drink a spoonful daily.
• For other ailments, the fruit and leaves can both be juiced and taken orally.
• For headaches wounds, burns and skin diseases, apply warmed leaves to afflicted area.
• Powdered leaves, and the root decorations, may be used as stringent and applied to treat hemorrhoids.
• Internal parasites are proven to be expelled when the bitter gourd juice, made from its leaves, is extracted.

The bitter gourd juice and grounded seeds is to be taken one spoonful thrice a day, which also treats diarrhea, dysentery, and chronic colitis.

Bitter Gourd Juice for Diabetics Patient

Bitter gourd is a green vegetable with a bitter taste. In India it is used as a household medicine because of its medicinal and curative properties. It is a very nutritious vegetable. It contains a hypoglycemic substance which helps in lowering blood and urine sugar levels. Intake of bitter gourd in any form will be of immense help in controlling the blood sugar level.

Ingredients (for 1 Glass) :

• Half piece of Bitter Gourd.
• Half Lemon.
• A pinch of Salt.
• Half teaspoon Turmeric Powder

Method :

• Wash the bitter gourd thoroughly.
• Cut it into small pieces.
• Soak the cut pieces in water with little salt and half teaspoon turmeric powder for 15 minutes
• Remove the pieces from the water and grind it in the mixer with enough water.
• Remove the fibers by passing the juice through sieve.
• Add lemon juice and stir well.

Suggestion : Drink the juice in the morning on empty stomach daily.

Some Quick Tips

• Soak the pieces in water with little salt and turmeric powder for 15 minutes to remove the bitter taste.
• Instead of lime amla can also be used along with bitter gourd.

Alternative Treatment for Diabetes : Bitter Gourd

Bitter Gourd and Diabetes Mellitus

Momordica charantia is a vine that belongs to Family Cucurbitaceae, and it is a relative of cucumber and squash. It is called bitter gourd or bitter melon in English speaking countries, kerala in India and Pakistan, and ampalaya in the Philippines, and it grows in damp and wet places. Upon reaching its reproductive stage, it produces a cucumber shaped fruit with wrinkled skin. It is known for its bitter taste, which makes some people uncomfortable eating it. Its taste, though, is overshadowed by the health benefits it offers.

It has been used as traditional medicine in India and China for thousands of years. People used it to treat various diseases, including diabetes mellitus. It is consumed as a salad, as an ingredient for other food recipes, or as a tea. It is a very popular herbal medicine to poor and diabetic people who cannot afford expensive drugs to treat their diseases, and they have found it to be very effective. In fact, wealthy people are now also taking bitter gourd supplements (in capsule form) because of its anti-diabetic effect.

Diabetes mellitus is caused by the failure of cells to absorb glucose, the main energy source of the cell. It must go inside the cell to be transformed into the energy rich chemical compound Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP). The hormone insulin helps the cell to absorb glucose by initiating the necessary biochemical pathways in the cell membrane. When glucose molecules are not absorbed by the cells, glucose will concentrate in the blood – a condition called hyperglycemia. If there is not enough insulin produced by the Islet of Langerhans (specialized cells in the pancreas), Type 1 diabetes mellitus occurs. On the other hand, if the cells became resistant to insulin, Type 2 diabetes mellitus occurs.

Hyperglycemia is the major symptom of diabetes, but it is not the direct cause of death in diabetic patients. Body tissues are destroyed when cells produce too many toxic by-products through the metabolism of fats as an energy source. These toxic by-products are not produced if glucose molecules are used instead of fats. Unfortunately, cells have no choice but to metabolize fats, in the absence of glucose inside the cell. Too much of these toxic compounds can shut down vital organs, leading to death.

The hypoglycemic effect (lowering blood glucose level) of Momordica charantia has been investigated by biochemists, medical researchers, and pharmaceutical companies for decades. These studies broaden our knowledge of the positive effects of bitter gourd in treating diabetes mellitus.

The Hypoglycemic Effect of Bitter Gourd

Welihinda et al. (1982) investigated the effect of bitter gourd extract in stimulating the cells of the Islet of Langerhans to produce insulin. They found that the extract significantly affected the cells to produce insulin. This experimental result tells us that bitter gourd can be an alternative treatment for Type 1 diabetes mellitus. Further research is needed to investigate the effect of bitter gourd extract for patients with Type 1 diabetes.

Another study found that an active compound in bitter gourd is able to inhibit the absorption of glucose in the intestinal lining. If glucose uptake in the intestine is decreased, there would be a lower glucose concentration in the blood. This study, however, was performed on laboratory rats. More studies are needed to know if bitter gourd effectively inhibits glucose absorption in the intestinal tract of humans (Meir and Yanib 1985).

Khanna et al. (1981) investigated the hypoglycemic effect of a polypeptide-p isolated from bitter gourd. They claimed that polypeptide-p is an insulinomimetic agent – an agent that mimics the biochemical activity of insulin in the plasma membrane. It helps the cell to absorb glucose just as natural insulin does.

Sridhar et al. (2008) investigated the effect of bitter gourd extract in stimulating the sensitivity of insulin in the muscle cells of laboratory mice. Muscle cells need a continuous supply of glucose. If the muscle cells are resistant to insulin, glucose molecules cannot enter. The animal would then experience weakness or fatigue. In the experiment of Sridhar and colleagues, insulin sensitivity in mice was induced by giving them high fat diet. After injecting the mice with bitter gourd extract, the researchers measured increased insulin sensitivity in muscle cells. The result of their experiment is in agreement with the findings of other studies. The exact biochemical mechanism of the effects of bitter gourd in enhancing insulin sensitivity are still unknown, but scientists are working to unravel this mystery. Nevertheless, these experimental findings imply that bitter gourd can help patients with Type 2 diabetes, because it helps the cells to absorb glucose.

Recommendations

Bitter gourd is highly recommended as an alternative treatment for diabetes mellitus. There are now bitter gourd supplements available in capsule form for people living in the temperate region. If raw bitter gourd is available, diabetic people can eat it raw, blend it into a juice, or add it to their favorite salads and soups. It is, however, important for diabetic people to consult their doctors before they take bitter gourd.

Allowable dosage for common illness is at 50 to 100 ml per day. Though over dosage do not show any significant side-effect, it is discourage to take more than the normal dosage.

गुड़ किस प्रकार लाभदायक है और चीनी का प्रयोग कैसे हानिकारक है

दिखावे पर मत जाओ अपनी अकल लगाओ! यदि मीठा खाना ही है तो गुड़ खाओ!

जानिए चीनी का प्रयोग कैसे हानिकारक है और गुड़ किस प्रकार लाभदायक है!

1- चीनी मिलें हमेशा घाटे में रहती हैं। चीनी बनाना एक मँहगी प्रक्रिया है और हजारों करोड़ की सब्सिडी और चीनी के ऊँचे दामों के बावजूद किसानों को छह छह महीनों तक उनके उत्पादन का मूल्य नहीं मिलता है!

2- चीनी के उत्पादन से रोजगार कम होता है वहीं गुड़ के उत्पादन से भारत के तीन लाख से कहीं अधिक गाँवों में करोड़ों लोगों को रोजगार मिल सकता है।

3- चीनी के प्रयोग से डायबिटीज, हाइपोग्लाइसेमिया जैसे घातक रोग होते हैं!

4- चीनी चूँकि कार्बोहाइड्रेट होता है इसलिए यह सीधे रक्त में मिलकर उच्च रक्तचाप जैसी अनेक बीमारियों को जन्म देता है जिससे हर्ट अटेक का खतरा बढ़ जाता है!

5- चीनी का प्रयोग आपको मानसिक रूप से भी बीमार बनाता है।

6- गुड़ में फाइबर और अन्य पौष्टिक तत्व बहुत अधिक होते हैं जो शरीर के बहुत ही लाभदायक है!

7- गुड़ में लौह तत्व और अन्य खनिज तत्व भी पर्याप्त मात्रा में होते हैं!

8- गुड़ भोजन के पाचन में अति सहायक है। खाने के बाद कम से कम बीस ग्राम गुड़ अवश्य खाएँ। आपको कभी बीमारी नहीं होगी!

9- च्युइँगगम और कैँडी खाने से दाँत खराब होते हैं!

10- गुड़ के निर्माण की प्रक्रिया आसान है और सस्ती है जिससे देश को हजारों करोड़रुपए का लाभ होगा!

How do You deal with a Personality which is of a Mean Type?

So how do you address a behavior that you dislike? Here are three steps :

1. Focus on the things that bother you. Try not to focus on why the person is behaving a certain way. If you do not know the person, you will make assumptions. You may categorize them and put labels on them. You may decide they are just evil. All of these assumptions and opinions and labels could be totally wrong. Instead, focus on behaviors. If the person has a tendency to interrupt you while you are speaking, then address that problem. If the person has a tendency to walk off during a conversation, address it.

2. Be honest and direct. Do not beat around the bush when telling a strong personality type you have a problem with their behavior. You will annoy them if you do. Tell them you have a problem with this or that. I have found in dealing with strong personality types that they appreciate when others are direct and truthful. So be strong. Be honest and be truthful. However, do so with care and love in your heart and not out of anger.

3. Do not ask a bunch of questions. You never want another person to feel as if they are in an inquisition. When you begin asking questions about a person's behavior, (e.g. do you know how it makes others feel when you do this or that?), you are perceived as lecturing them. You are setting yourself on a moral high ground, looking down on them. Make statements such as, "I know you have a strong personality and you get things done around here. I want to address something I observed in you that is making others, including myself; uncomfortable..."These three steps are enough to help you effectively confront a person with a strong personality at work, home or in your organization.

Medicinal Benefits of Tulsi

Ocimum sanctum (Holy basil), called Tulsi in India, is ubiquitous in Hindu tradition. Perhaps its role as a healing herb was instrumental in its "sacred" implication.

Ocimum sanctum(Tulsi) is perhaps the most common and most revered of all household plants in India.

        Tulsi is an erect sweet -scented pubescent herb, 30-100cm in height , growing in abundance near cultivated field gardens and waste lands. Its leaves, seeds ands whole plant is useful.

Varieties of Tulsi 

• Krishna Tulsi (Ocimum sanctum)
• Rama Tulsi (Ocimum sanctum), 
• Vana Tulsi (Ocimum gratissimum)

 Chemical Constituents - A variety of biologically active compounds have been isolated from the leaves including ursolic acid, apigenin and luteolin.

Tulsi medicinal properties / Uses:

• 
  

  • Pharmacological Effects – In traditional Ayurvedic system of medicine, several medicinal properties have been attributed to this plant.
  Recent pharmacological studies have established the anabolic, hypoglycemic , smooth muscle relaxant, cardiac depressant,antifertility,adaptogenic and immunomodulator properties of this plant.
• Antimicrobial effects – Essential oil of Tulsi have antibacterial, antifungal and antiviral properties. It inhibites the growth of E coli, B.anthracis, M.tuberculosis etc. It's antitubercular activity is one-tenth the potency of streptomycin and one-fourth that of isoniazid.
          Preperations containing Tulsi extract significantly shorten the course of illness, clinical symptoms and the biochemical parameters in patients with viral hepatitis and viral encephalitis.
• • • Antiallergic and Immunomodulator effects - Essential oil of Tulsi was found to have anti-allergic properties. When administered to laboratory animals, the compound was found to inhibit mast cell degranulation and histamine release in the presence of allergen. These studies reveal the potential role of Ocimum sanctum extracts in the management of immunological disorders including allergies and asthma.
• • Antistress/Adaptogenic effects - Extracts from the plant have been found to reduce stress.
  • Antifertility effect – One of the major constituents of the leaves, ursolic acid has been reported to possess antifertility activity in rats and mice. This effect has been attributed to it's antiestrogenic effect which may be responsible for arrest of spermatogenesis in males and inhibitory effecton implantation of ovum in females. This constituent may prove to be a promising antifertility agent devoid of side effects.
  • Anti diabetic effect - A randomized, placebo-controlled cross-over single blind trial on 40 human volunteers suffering from Type II diabetes was performed. During the four week trial, subjects alternately received a daily dose of 2.5 g of Tulsi leaves powder or a placebo for two week periods. The results showed 17.6 % reduction in fasting blood glucose and 7.3% decline in postprandial blood glucose on treatment with Tulsi as compared to the blood glucose levels during treatment with placebo
  • For Heart ailments - As 'Tulsi' (basil) has a positive effect over blood pressure and also a de-toxicant, its regular use prevents heart attacks. A tonic may be prepared by mixing 1 gm of dry 'Tulsi' leaves with a spoonful of butter and some candy sugar or honey.Take twice a day; first thing in the morning and before going to bed at night. The drinking of Tulsi-leaf tea keeps the blood pressure even
  • 
    

    • Other effects - The leaves in the form of a paste are used in parasitical diseases of the skin and also applied to the finger and toe nails during fever when the limbs are cold. The juice of the leaves is given in catarrh and bronchitis in children. The plant is said to have carminative, diaphoretic and stimulant properties. A decoction of the plant is used for cough and also as mouth wash for relieving tooth ache. It is good for headache, convulsions, cramps, fevers and cholera.
    
    

    • The drinking of Tulsi tea keeps one free from cough and colds and other ailments associated with 'Kapha' dosha in the body. This Tulsi tea is an instant pick-me-up (energy drink).

Benefits of the Tulsi (Ocimum Sanctum)

• In traditional Indian medicine system called Ayurveda, Tulsi (Holy Basil) is considered as a tonic to retain youth and avoid aging. Vitamin C, Vitamin A, Phytonutrients and the essential oils in Tulsi, are excellent anti oxidants and protects the body from nearly all the damages caused by the free radicals.
• . Tulsi reduces blood glucose levels. Thus it is useful for diabetics. Tulsi contains vitamin C and other anti oxidants (such as Eugenol), which protect the heart from harmful effects of free radicals.
• . Tulsi reduces total cholesterol levels. Thus it is useful for heart disease patients.Tulsi also reduces blood pressure.
• . Tulsi helps in building up stamina , use it to prepare herbal tea.
• . Tulsi is useful in the treatment of respiratory system disorders. A decoction of the leaves, with honey and ginger is an effective remedy for bronchitis, asthma, influenza, cough and cold. A decoction of the leaves, cloves and common salt also gives immediate relief in case of influenza. They should be boiled in half a liter of water till only half the water is left and add then taken.Tulsi is an important constituent of many Ayurvedic cough syrups and expectorants. It helps to mobilize mucus in bronchitis and asthma. Chewing tulsi leaves relieves cold and flu.
• . Tulsi is used as mouth wash for reducing tooth ache.Its leaves, dried in the sun and powdered, can be used for brushing teeth. It can also be mixed with mustered oil to make a paste and used as toothpaste. This is very good for maintaining dental health, counteracting bad breath and for massaging the gums. It is also useful in pyorrhea and other teeth disorders.
• . Tulsi is an excellent mouth freshener and oral disinfectant and its freshness lasts very long in the mouth. Holy Basil destroys more than 99 percent of the germs and bacteria in the mouth and this effect lasts long. It also cures ulcer in the mouth. It is also known to help inhibit growth of oral cancer caused by chewing tobacco etc.

• Tulsi (Holy Basil) is an excellent anti biotic, germicidal, fungicidal and disinfectant and very efficiently protects our body from nearly all sorts of bacterial, viral and fungal infections. Fever is mainly caused due to infections from protozoa (in case of malaria), bacteria (typhoid), viruses (flu) and even allergic substances and fungus. Actually, fever is not an ailment in itself. It is just a symptom which shows that our body is fighting against infections. The tremendous disinfectant, germicidal and fungicidal properties of Tulsi destroys all these pathogens discussed above and heals fever. It is an old practice in India to have decoction of Tulsi leaves and flowers in cases of fever
• . Tulsi leaves are regarded as an 'adaptogen' or anti-stress agent. Recent studies have shown that the leaves afford significant protection against stress. Even healthy persons can chew 12 leaves of basil, twice a day, to prevent stress.It also has immuno-modulatory properties.
• . Many herbal cosmetics contain tulsi. Tulsi purifies blood. Applied locally, Tulsi juice is beneficial in the treatment of ringworm and other skin diseases and hence used in skin ointments. Tulsi leaves or oil extracted from it on the body keeps mosquitoes and other insects away.
• . Insect Bites: The herb is a prophylactic or preventive and curative for insect stings or bites. A teaspoonful of the juice of the leaves is taken and is repeated after a few hours. Fresh juice must also be applied to the affected parts. A paste of fresh roots is also effective in case of bites of insects and leeches.Tulsi acts as insect repellant. So it is used to store grains also.
• . Tulsi is useful in Eye Care & Headache. You can be free from conjunctivitis, boils and many other problems of eyes (which are caused due to viral, bacterial or fungal infection) by washing your eyes with water where few leaves of Tulsi are soaked. It also soothes eyes and reduces stress. A regular consumption can protecteyes from all the damages done by the free radicals, such as cataract, macular degeneration, glaucoma, vision defects, opthalmia etc. due to the high anti oxidant properties of its essential oils, vitamin A, vitamin C, etc. Headaches caused due to migraine, sinus, cough and cold, high blood pressure, etc. can be effectively controlled by the use of Tulsi. Camphene, Eugenol, Cineol, Carvacrol and Methyl Chavicol have excellent analgesic, sedative, anti congestive and disinfectant properties.
• . Recent research shows that tulsi does have analgesic ( pain killer) properties similar to COX 2 inhibitor drugs.
• . Ursolic acid, a chemical in tulsi may have a role as antifertility ( contraceptive) agent in future.
• . Tulsi, being detoxifier and mild diuretic in nature, can help reduce uric acid level (main culprit as far as kidney stones are concerned) concentration in the blood as well as helps cleaning of the kidneys through urination. Acetic acid (CH3COOH) and certain components in its essential oils also facilitate dissolution of the stone. It has painkiller effects and help bear the pain from kidney stones.
• . Tulsi can protect from radiation poisoning and also heal up damages from it. It acts as a vaccine against pox if consumed regularly. It is anti carcinogenic and it found to be effective in healing nearly all types of cancer and tumors.

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The Personality

Every person is having three type of personality; One > what he himself think to be. Two > what other people think about him and Third > what he really is. Now if he is having a very high estimation of self: he will have a super ego and will turn to be a proudly and dictatorial person who care very less about others. Uncompassionate, resentful and some times selfish and thankless. They are having no gratitude to the society or even to the mankind. On the other hand, if the person is having low estimation of self he will turn to be "introvert”, mostly confined to himself and some tomes get detached from the society. They are having no friends or very less friends. These types of persons are always susceptible and prone to all sort of psychosomatic diseases and phobias. Almost every 6th person is having such type of features. Such type of people are highly sensitive, rather hypersensitive, imaginary, day-dreamers and as such high class scientists, seers, writers, artists, scholars, inventers and enjoy extrasensory powers. Such types of people are assets to any country or society. But they, being hypersensitive; are always susceptible to mental ailments and sanity. The best and safe personality is of those, who know what they really arte. Such types of persons are mostly very rigid and firm of their opinion. They may change the fate of ant Race/Country or even the whole of the mankind. Some of such gifted persons are; Chanakya, Aadi Shankaracharya, Swami Vivekanand, Osho Rajnish etc. So, know yourself and become of this kind.

Diet Tips for Healthy Life

Eating a diet rich in fruits and vegetables as part of an overall healthy diet may protect against certain cancers, such stomach and colon cancer. 

Only get calories from foods that you chew, not from drinks. For example, eat a fresh instead of drinking a fruit juice.

Consider fish. Most fish are lower in saturated fat than meat.

Just one super-sized fast-food meal of a sandwich, fries, and soda can have calories, fat, and added sugar than you need in an entire day. 

Always check out the healthier options at popular fast food restaurants.

Avoid weight-loss pills. Most weight-loss pills that you can buy without a prescription from your doctor or dietician have not been shown to work or be safe.

Drink at least 6 to 8 glasses of water, and limit 100% fruit juice, sugar-sweetened beverages, or diet beverages to 0-1 serving per day.

On long commutes or shopping trips, pack some fresh fruit, cut-up vegetables, and low-fat string cheese sticks to snack on.

Grill vegetable kabobs as part of a barbecue meal. Try tomatoes, mushrooms, green peppers, and onions.

In s restaurant, start your meal with a salad packed with veggies, to help control hunger and feel satisfied sooner.

For dessert, Try baked apples, pears, or a fruit salad.

Don't eat too much pasta, bread, or rice. Eat more vegetables instead.

Don't turn to food for comfort. When you feel stressed, go for walk, listen to your favorite music, or call a friend.

Popcorn, a whole grain, can be a healthy snack with little or no added salt and butter

Brush your teeth right after dinner so you can be reminded not to eat after that.

Most vegetables are naturally low in fat and calories. None have cholesterol.

Don't eat just because you are bored. Eat only when you are hungry.

Brown rice is more nutritious than white rice as it's loaded with antioxidants, thiamine, niacin, potassium, vitamin E and fiber. 

Resist the temptation of eating at fast food restaurant. But if you have to, resist the temptation of super-sizing your meal.

Your plate should be half vegetables or fruits at every meal.

If you have to eat dessert when eating out, just order one and share with another person.

Flu Attack! How A Virus Invades Your Body

Why Drink Coconut Water?

CocoWater is naturally:

• Low in Carbs
• 99% Fat Free
• Low in sugars

Coconut Water contains organic compounds possessing healthy growth promoting properties that have been known to help -

• Keep the body cool and at the proper temperature.
• Orally re-hydrate your body, it is an all natural isotonic beverage.
• Carry nutrients and oxygen to cells.
• Naturally replenish your body's fluids after exercising.
• Raise your metabolism.
• Promote weight loss.
• Boost your immune system.
• Detoxify and fight viruses.
• Cleanse your digestive tract.
• Control diabetes.
• Aid your body in fighting viruses that cause the flu, herpes, and AIDS.
• Balance your PH and reduce risk of cancer.
• Treat kidney and urethral stones.
• Boost poor circulation.

Coconut Water -

The English name coconut, first mentioned in English print in 1555, comes from Spanish and Portugese word coco, which means "monkey face." Spanish and Portugese explorers found a resemblance to a monkey's face in the three round indented markings or "eyes" found at the base of the coconut. On the Nicobar Islands of the Indian Ocean, whole coconuts were used as currency for the purchase of goods until the early part of the twentieth century.

Coconuts are the fruit of the coconut palm, botanically known as cocos nucifera, with nucifera meaning "nut-bearing. " The fruit-bearing palms are native to Malaysia, Polynesia and southern Asia, and are now also prolific in South America, India , the Pacific Islands , Hawaii and Florida. The light, fibrous husk allowed it to easily drift on the oceans to other areas to propagate. In Sanskrit, the coconut palm is known as kalpa vriksha, meaning "tree which gives all that is necessary for living," since nearly all parts of the tree can be used in some m anner or another. The coconut itself has many food uses, including milk, meat, sugar and oil as well as functioning as its own dish and cup. The husk was also burned for fuel by natives, but today a seed fibre called coir is taken from the husk and used to make brushes, mats, fishnets, and rope. A very potent fermented toddy or drink is also made from the coconut palm's sap. Coconut oil, a saturated fat made from dried coconut meat, is used for commercial frying and in candies and margarines, as well as in non-edible products such as soaps and cosmetics.

Although it takes up to a year for coconuts to mature, the trees bloom up to thirteen times a year, so fruit is constantly forming yielding a continuous harvest year-round. An average harvest from one tree runs about 60 coconuts, with some trees yielding three times that amount. The coconut's name is a bit of a misnomer, since it is botanically classified as a drupe and not a nut. It is the largest seed known.

If you've ever opened a fresh coconut, you will have seen the thin, opaque almost clear coconut juice or water which has a slight almond flavor. Contrary to popular belief, this is not the coconut milk. However, the water is consumed as a drink fresh from the coconut by many, and it can also be used in recipes.

Here are some more information about Coconut Water -

"It's a natural isotonic beverage, with the same level of electrolytic balance as we have in our blood. It's the fluid of life, so to speak." In fact, during the Pacific War of 1941-45, both sides in the conflict regularly used coconut water - siphoned directly from the nut - to give emergency plasma transfusions to wounded soldiers.

Most coconut water is still consumed fresh in tropical coastal areas - once exposed to air, the liquid rapidly loses most of its organoleptic and nutritional characteristics, and begins to ferment.

• Coconut Water is More Nutritious than whole milk - Less fat and NO cholesterol.
• Coconut Water is More Healthy than Orange Juice - Much lower calories.
• Coconut Water is Better than processed baby milk - It contains lauric acid, which is present in human mother's milk.
• Coconut water is naturally sterile - Water permeates though the filtering husk.
• Coconut water is a universal donor - Its identical to human blood plasma.
• Coconut Water is a Natural Isotonic Beverage - The same level we have in our blood.
• Coconut water has saved lives in 3rd world countries thru Coconut IV.

"Coconut water is the very stuff of Nature, biologically Pure, full of Natural Sugars, Salts, and Vitamins to ward off fatigue and is the next wave of energy drinks BUT natural", according to Mortin Satin, Chielf of the United Nation's Food & Agriculture Organization.
Coconut water contains more potassium (at about 294 mg) than most sports drinks (117 mg) and most energy drinks.

• Coconut water has less sodium (25mg) where sports drinks have around 41mg and energy drinks have about 200 mg.
• Coconut water has 5mg of Natural Sugars where sports and energy drinks range from 10-25mg of Altered Sugars.
• Coconut water is very high in Chloride at 118mg, compared to sports drinks at about 39mg.
  Data is based on a 100ml drink

Blood glucose control and diabetic management

ü               A low-GI food will release glucose more slowly and steadily. A high-GI food causes a more rapid rise in blood glucose levels and is suitable for energy recovery after endurance exercise or for a person experiencing hypoglycemia.

ü               It's also possible to lower the GI of a meal with a few teaspoons of vinegar and the addition of fresh fruits and vegetables

^ü               Jamun Sirka is a vinegar produced from the Jamun (or rose apple) fruit in India. It is considered to be medicinally valuable for stomach, spleen and diabetic ailments.

ü                When you eat a low-G.I. food, such as oatmeal, it will break down more slowly and deliver the glucose into the bloodstream at a slower but steady rate.

ü           Although it is not recommended to use fructose as a sweetener, fruit should not be avoided because of its fructose content. Benefits may be obtained by consumption of dietary fibre in conjunction with carbohydrate; as Francis (1987) points out, evidence suggests that carbohydrate consumed with dietary fibre will have a less major impact on glycemic rise than the same amount of carbohydrate consumed alone.

ü          Prior to hypoglycemic agents, diabetics used vinegar teas to control their symptoms. Small amounts of vinegar (approximately 20 ml or two tablespoons of domestic vinegar) added to food, or taken along with a meal, have been shown by a number of medical trials to reduce the glycemic index of carbohydrate food for people with and without diabetes. This also has been expressed as lower glycemic index ratings in the region of 30%.

ü              The American Diabetes Association explains: "saturated fat raises blood cholesterol. High blood cholesterol is a risk factor for heart disease. People with diabetes have more frequent heart disease.

ü                Research has shown the Maitake mushroom (Grifola frondosa) has a hypoglycemic effect, and may be beneficial for the management of diabetes. The reason Maitake lowers blood sugar is because the mushroom naturally acts as an alpha glucosidase inhibitor. Other mushrooms like Reishi, Agaricus blazei, Agrocybe cylindracea and Cordyceps have been noted to lower blood sugar levels to a certain extent, although the mechanism is currently unknown.

ü              Exercise decreases insulin requirements as exercise increases glucose uptake by body cells whose glucose uptake is controlled by insulin, and vice versa

ü               Weight reduction and exercise improve tissue sensitivity to insulin and allow its proper use by target tissues.

ü                  Tooth decay and cavities are some of the first oral problems that individuals with diabetes are at risk for. Increased blood sugar levels translate into greater sugars and acids that attack the teeth and lead to gum diseases.

ü             Diabetic people tend to experience more severe periodontitis because diabetes lowers the ability to resist infection and also slows healing.

ü           To prevent further diabetic complications as well as serious oral problems, diabetic persons must keep their blood sugar levels under control and have a proper oral hygiene. A study in the Journal of Periodontology found that poorly controlled type 2 diabetic patients are more likely to develop periodontal disease than well-controlled diabetics are. At the same time, diabetic patients are recommended to have regular checkups with a dental care provider at least once in three to four months. Diabetics who receive good dental care and have good insulin control typically have a better chance at avoiding gum disease to help prevent tooth loss

ü                  HbA1c test

A useful test that has usually been done in a laboratory is the measurement of blood HbA1c levels. This is the ratio of glycosylated hemoglobin in relation to the total hemoglobin. Persistent raised plasma glucose levels cause the proportion of these molecules to go up. This is a test that measures the average amount of diabetic control over a period originally thought to be about 3 months (the average red blood cell lifetime), but more recently thought to be more strongly weighted to the most recent 2 to 4 weeks. In the non-diabetic, the HbA1C level ranges from 4.0-6.0%; patients with diabetes mellitus who manage to keep their HbA1C level below 6.5% are considered to have good glycemic control. The HbA1c test is not appropriate if there has been changes to diet or treatment within shorter time periods than 6 weeks or there is disturbance of red cell aging (e.g. recent bleeding or hemolytic anemia) or a hemoglobinopathy (e.g. sickle cell disease). In such cases the alternative Fructosamine test is used to indicate average control in the preceding 2 to 3 weeks.

ü                  Other non-invasive methods like radio waves, ultrasound and energy waves are also being tested for checking blood sugars

ü              Small, portable insulin infusion pumps are available from several manufacturers. They allow a continuous infusion of small amounts of insulin to be delivered through the skin around the clock, plus the ability to give bolus doses when a person eats or has elevated blood glucose levels. This is very similar to how the pancreas works, but these pumps lack a continuous "feed-back" mechanism. Thus, the user is still at risk of giving too much or too little insulin unless blood glucose measurements are made.

ü                 There are several insulin application mechanisms under experimental development as of 2004, including a capsule that passes to the liver and delivers insulin into the bloodstream.

ü       There are indications that intensive efforts to normalize blood glucose levels may worsen cardiovascular and cause diabetic mortality

ü          Recently it has been suggested that a type of gastric bypass surgery may normalize blood glucose levels in 80-100% of severely obese patients with diabetes.

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