Isorhamnetin – A Natural Way To Prevent Cancer and Diabetes
By: Tom Parker
Isorhamnetin is a flavonol and phytonutrient (a group of chemical compounds that are found in plant based foods but not considered essential to human health) that has been linked with cancer and diabetes prevention. In this article I will be discussing isorhamnetin in greater detail and providing you with a summary of its main functions, the best food sources, the recommended daily allowances (RDAs) and the potentially adverse effects of consuming too much or too little.
1) DISCOVERY:
Isorhamnetin was discovered by the Hungarian biochemist Albert Szent-Gyorgyi in 1938 as part of the flavonoid family. Gyorgyi initially believed that he had discovered a new vitamin and so named the flavonoids vitamin P. However, it was later discovered that unlike vitamins, the flavonoids are not essential to human health.
2) FUNCTION:
Like many of the flavonols, isorhamnetin is a powerful antioxidant which protects your body’s cells from damaging free radicals (harmful by-products of oxygen related reactions). It can also prevent multiple types of cancer (including esophageal cancer, liver cancer and lung cancer) and reduce the complications associated with diabetes (which include diabetic cataracts and high blood glucose levels). In addition to this, isorhamnetin can help keep your heart healthy by preventing arteriosclerosis (hardening and loss of elasticity within the arteries), preventing high blood pressure and protecting the heart’s cells against oxidative damage.
3) RDA:
Isorhamnetin is not believed to be essential in humans so no RDA has been established for this flavonol.
4) FOOD SOURCES:
Isorhamnetin can be found in numerous plant based foods. Some of the best sources include almonds (7.05 milligrams (mg) per 100 grams (g)), chives (6.75mg per 100g), dill weed (43.5g per 100g), fennel leaves (9.3mg per 100g), red onion (4.25mg per 100g) and turnip greens (between 5mg and 10mg per 100g).
5) OVERDOSE SYMPTOMS:
At the time of writing no overdose symptoms have been linked with isorhamnetin consumption.
6) DEFICIENCY SYMPTOMS:
At the time of writing no deficiency symptoms have been linked with isorhamnetin consumption.
7) SUMMARY:
Whilst there is still a lot more research to be done on isorhamnetin, the early signs are very promising. Not only can it help you fight a number of nasty health conditions (including cancer and diabetes) but it also keeps your heart healthy. Furthermore, isorhamnetin rich foods contain high levels of other health boosting nutrients which means eating these foods allows you to unlock many more health benefits. So make sure you eat almonds, add chives to your dishes and cook with red onions to enjoy all the health benefits listed in this article and more.
Article Source: http://www.articlesnatch.com
About the Author:
Tom Parker owns Free Fitness Tips – a fantastic source of free, impartial fitness advice. You can learn more about isorhamnetin and the other flavonols by visiting his website.
4 Top Tests for Diabetes
By Tom Parker
Tom Parker owns and operates a number of useful fitness resources and websites. For more detailed information on diabetes tests please visit http://blog.freefitnesstips.co.uk/testing-for-diabetes.html
Diabetes is a disease caused by a lack of insulin (a hormone that your body relies upon to convert blood sugar into energy) in the body. But how can you test for diabetes and see whether you have contracted the disease yourself? The best way is to go and see your doctor and ask them to test you. They will then be able to give you an accurate diagnosis. In this article I will discuss four of the most popular diabetes tests that your doctor is likely to use.
1) FASTING PLASMA GLUCOSE (FPG) TEST:- The FPG test has become one of the most popular diabetes tests. The main drawback with the FPG test is that it is not suitable to test for gestational diabetes (a form of diabetes which develops during pregnancy). However, if you are not pregnant the chances are that your doctor will use this test to make their diagnosis.
To begin you will be scheduled in for a FPG test. Your doctor will require you to eat nothing for at least eight hours prior to the test. During the test they will take a blood sample and measure your blood glucose levels. They will then analyse the blood sample and diagnose you based on the following rules:
- A blood sugar level of 99 milligrams per decilitre (mg/dL) or less = Normal.
- A blood sugar level of between 100 mg/dL and 125 mg/dL = Impaired Fasting Glucose (a form of pre-diabetes which if left untreated can develop into type 2 diabetes).
- A blood sugar level of 126 mg/dL or greater = Type 1 or type 2 diabetes. In this instance you will be given another FPG for accuracy. If both FPGs suggest that you have diabetes your doctor will investigate further and diagnose you with type 1 or type 2 diabetes
2) ORAL GLUCOSE TOLERANCE TEST (OGTT):- This test is similar to the FPG but it can be used to diagnose all types of diabetes. If you are a man or non-pregnant woman your doctor will book you in for an FPG test. Following the FPG test they will then give you a drink containing glucose and take regular blood samples after you have drank it. If you are pregnant you will be given the glucose drink without an FPG test and regular blood samples will be taken following consumption. In both variations the final blood sample will be used to make a diagnosis based on the following rules:
- A blood sugar level of 140 mg/dL or less = Normal.
- A blood sugar level of between 140 mg/dL and 199 mg/dL = Impaired Fasting Glucose (a form of pre-diabetes which if left untreated can develop into type 2 diabetes).
- A blood sugar reading of 200 mg/dL or greater = Type 1, type 2 or gestational diabetes. If you are a pregnant woman then you
will be diagnosed with gestational diabetes. Otherwise your doctor will investigate further and diagnose you with type 1 or type 2 diabetes.
3) RANDOM BLOOD GLUCOSE (RBG) TEST:- The RBG does exactly what it says and involves a random blood test being taken. RBG tests can be performed without the assistance of your doctor using a glucose meter (a piece of medical equipment that calculates the approximate level of glucose in your blood). The test involves pricking your finger with a lancing device (a device which draws a small amount of blood from your finger), placing the blood on a test strip and then inserting this test strip into your glucose meter to get a reading. If multiple RBG tests show that you have blood sugar levels higher than 200 mg/dL then you may have diabetes.
Although RBG tests are easy to perform they should NOT be used as the only test when diagnosing diabetes. They are approximately 10% as accurate as laboratory tests and therefore any concerns you may have as the result of multiple RBG tests should be followed up with your doctor. Only your doctor will be able to give you a full and accurate diagnosis.
4) GLYCOSYLATED HAEMOGLOBIN TEST:- Glycosylated haemoglobin is the term used to describe haemoglobin that has bound with glucose. Glycosylated haemoglobin cells usually last for between two to four months. If you have diabetes or you are not managing your diabetes effectively the level of glycosylated haemoglobin in your blood will increase. To begin the gylcosylated haemoglobin test your doctor will take a blood sample and analyse the glycosylated haemoglobin levels based on the following results:
- Glycosylated haemoglobin levels of between 4% and 6% = Normal.
- Glycosylated haemoglobin levels below 7% = Diabetes that is under control.
- Glycosylated haemoglobin levels greater than 7% = Diabetes that is not under control.
I hope this article has shown you that there are multiple tests available to determine whether or not you have diabetes. However, you must remember that these tests are useless unless performed under the supervision of a doctor or other qualified medical professional. Many factors can affect your test results and your doctor will be able to look at all the relevant factors and then make an accurate diagnosis. If you think you may have diabetes and want a solid answer then go see your doctor and get yourself tested today.
Every intention has been made to make this article accurate and informative but it is intended for general information only. Diabetes is a medical condition and this article is not intended as a substitute for the advice of your doctor or a qualified medical practitioner. If you have any concerns regarding any form of diabetes you should seek the advice of your doctor immediately
Source: Tom Parker
5 Ways to Formulate a Diabetes Diet
Simple Ways to Formulate a Diabetes Diet
By Tom Parker
Tom Parker owns and operates a number of useful fitness resources and websites. For more detailed information on how to formulate a healthy diabetes diet please visit; http://blog.freefitnesstips.co.uk/diabetes-healthy-diet.html
Since the food we eat is very closely linked with our blood sugar levels, it is not surprising that diet is one of the most effective tools we have available when combating diabetes. In this article I discuss five simple dietary changes that can help keep your diabetes under control.
Main Article:
One of the main symptoms of diabetes is higher than normal blood sugar levels which is brought on by the lack of insulin in a diabetic person’s body. The food you eat has a direct impact on your blood sugar levels and because of this diet is one of your best tools in the fight against diabetes. In this article I will be discussing five ways your diet can be modified to keep your blood sugar levels normal and keep your diabetes under control.
1) EAT 5 OR 6 SMALL MEALS PER DAY:
- Most people eat 3 main meals per day; breakfast, lunch and dinner. Whilst blood sugar levels to rise to some extent following meals, eating large amounts of food in one sitting can cause them to increase significantly and then drop a few hours later. This is why you may experience a sudden burst of energy immediately after a large meal but then feel tired and sleepy a few hours later. By breaking your meals down into 5 or 6 smaller meals you can minimise these blood sugar surges and spread them more evenly throughout the day, meaning that your blood sugar levels will fluctuate less and be much more stable.
2) LIMIT YOUR DAILY CALORIES:
-Developing a general understanding of how many calories are in the foods that you eat and how many calories you need to maintain a healthy body weight is a great way to keep your weight under control. But why is this important for diabetics? Well, fat cells have a number of characteristics that can aggravate diabetes one of which is that they have a lower number of insulin receptors than muscle cells. Therefore, by reducing your body fat levels you can increase your body’s receptiveness to insulin making it easier for your body to control your blood sugar levels.
3) INCREASE YOUR SOLUBLEFIBRE CONSUMPTION:
- One of the benefits of soluble fibre is that it holds food in the digestive tract for longer. This in turn means that sugars are released into the blood in a slower and more controlled way. Therefore, consuming more soluble fibre can help keep your blood sugar levels under control and minimise any rapid changes in your blood sugar levels. Fruits and vegetables are great sources of soluble fibre with apples, oranges and mushrooms being particularly rich in the substance.
4) REDUCE YOUR SALT INTAKE:
- Although salt does not directly affect your blood sugar levels it can affect your blood pressure and with high blood pressure comes further complications such as heart disease. People with diabetes have a greater chance of developing high blood pressure than people without the condition. Therefore, combining the two is a recipe for disaster (excuse the pun). The recommended daily intake for salt is 6g so you should try and make sure that your maximum daily intake does not exceed this.
5) REDUCE YOUR ALCOHOL CONSUMPTION:
- Moderate alcohol consumption does not pose a significant to most people’s health. However, excessive alcohol intake can have a negative impact on your diabetes with the complications including hyperglycaemia (extremely low blood sugar levels). Therefore, you need to moderate when it comes to alcohol intake. Men should try to stick to 3-4 units per day whilst women should try to stick with 1 or 2 units per day.
Since diet is so closely linked with blood sugar levels it comes as no surprise that it must be closely managed in order to keep your diabetes under control. However, this does not mean that it has to be restrictive or boring. I hope this article has shown you how some simple dietary changes can significantly improve your diabetes.
Every intention has been made to make this article accurate and informative but it is intended for general information only. Diabetes is a medical condition and this article is not intended as a substitute for the advice of your doctor or a qualified medical practitioner. If you have any concerns regarding any form of diabetes you should seek the advice of your doctor immediately.
By Tom Parker
4 Major Organs That Diabetes Can Damage
By Tom Parker
Posted July 23, 2009
Tom Parker owns and operates a number of useful fitness resources and websites. To learn more about the damage caused by diabetes and how it can be prevented through proper diabetes treatment head over to http://blog.freefitnesstips.co.uk/diabetes-damage.html
Diabetes is a condition that develops when the body can no longer produce enough insulin to moderate blood sugar levels. As a result diabetics suffer from extremely high blood sugar levels. Over time these high levels of sugar in the blood start to affect the blood vessels and other areas of the body. In this article I will be discussing four of the major organs that can be affected by diabetes damage.
1) THE HEART:- As already discussed, high blood sugar levels can damage your blood vessels. When these vessels become damaged the flow of blood to your heart becomes restricted. Your heart needs a good flow of blood to function properly and without this your risk for heart attacks and other heart diseases increases. There are a number of symptoms that could indicate heart disease which include; breathlessness, chest pains and irregular heartbeats.
2) THE EYES:- When the blood vessels and tissues of the eyes become damaged this can lead to a condition called diabetic retinopathy. Sufferers of diabetic retinopathy often experience blurred vision and in the worst cases temporary blindness. Diabetes also increases your risk of developing cataracts (clouding of the eyes lenses) and glaucoma (damage to the optic nerves).
3) THE FEET:- Diabetes can also cause damage to your nerves. If the nerves in your feet become damaged, then some feeling is often lost, meaning that cuts and sores can quite easily go unnoticed. This means that they can become infected without you realising which brings further complications. Therefore, to reduce your risk of infection it is very important to wash your feet daily and inspect them regularly if you are diabetic.
4) THE KIDNEYS:- If the blood vessels of the kidneys become damaged they cannot remove waste from the blood effectively. In the worst cases this can lead to kidney failure which will mean you will then require kidney dialysis or a kidney transplant.
As you can see, diabetes is not a condition to be taken lightly. This article has discussed just some of the damage that diabetes can cause. However, it can also weaken many of your other organs too. Fortunately, a lot of this damage can be avoided by following a sensible diabetes treatment plan, eating a healthy diet and exercising regularly. Many people do not realise how serious contracting diabetes is. I hope this article has shown you just how important proper treatment can be.
Every intention has been made to make this article accurate and informative but it is intended for general information only. Diabetes is a medical condition and this article is not intended as a substitute for the advice of your doctor or a qualified medical practitioner. If you have any concerns regarding any form of diabetes you should seek the advice of your doctor immediately.
Source: Tom Parker
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