The triglyceride has been referred to as the “ugly fat” but that is more of an emotional response than one that is firmly anchored in scientific fact. Nonetheless its association with diabetes cannot be ignored. Cholesterol has already been identified as a risk factor for heart disease. There are countless adverts and information outlets which confirm the problems that are associated with an uncontrolled diet. Likewise there are pills and food choices which are promoted as part of the solution. Consumers get variable results depending on their genetic makeup and the stage at which the condition is arrested. Exercise programs are also recommended as part of a healthy living process. The question remains as to whether all these interventions have been effective or whether they are simply a way for the advertizing agencies to make even more money.

• Bundles of fat that can cause havoc: By consensus, triglycerides are small bundles of fat which are found in the blood stream. They increase in number after we consume food. The body will manufacture these fats from the foods which we eat especially if they are fatty in nature. It has been estimated that 90% of all the fat content in non-lean meat consists of triglyceride.  Therefore the shopping habits of the risk groups have to reflect this imminent danger.
• Triglycerides are not universally bad: A balanced diet should contain all the relevant elements. It has been estimated that triglyceride have a proportion of 99% of all the fat stored within the human body. You get long term energy sources from these fatty deposits. They are actually stored in a denser from than muscle protein or even starch.  Insulin is required in order to form fat. Between meals and overnight, the triglycerides are converted into energy. Fasting and low insulin levels will trigger this reaction. The fat cells have a very high storage capacity and this can lead to obesity in certain situations. If you are undergoing extensive fasting or there is absolutely no insulin in the body then the liver will convert the fat breakdown products into ketones.
• The health complications and their manifestations: It is often the case the low levels of HDL or good cholesterol is associated with high levels of triglyceride. This is then diagnosed as diabetic dyslipidemia.  This is a combination of factors that can place the life of the patient in danger. Patients in this situation will have small, dense and ultimately harmful clusters of LDL or harmful cholesterol. The latter format is undesirable by virtue of its atherogenic properties. Eventually the person will develop central obesity. This is one of the defining features of the metabolic syndrome. Around 80% of all the people with type 2 diabetes will have this condition. Eventually the person will die prematurely from heart disease.
• Setting the benchmarks for a healthy person: It is imperative that you have some goals on how much triglyceride which you are going to record on the standard scale. This is an indicator of underlying healthy conditions. Therefore you will be in a position to implement a preventative strategy when required to do so. The normal levels of triglycerides are 150 mg/dl. The borderline figure is between 150 and 199. The high level is between 200 and 499 while anything over 500 is a matter of urgency. The normal fasting state will have levels reading between 100 and 150 mg/dl. After a normal meal the figure will rise to 300. Patients with type 2 diabetes will have elevated levels in both the fasting and even state.  Prior to the lipid panel test, you should have some overnight fasting for at least 12 hours. Likewise it is not advisable to take alcohol at least 24 hours prior to the test.
• Managing the level of triglyceride in your body: It is to your advantage that you keep the levels of this substance relatively low. Patients with type 2 diabetes have high risk factors and need to work that bit extra to ensure that their levels are 150 mg/dl or even lower. This will help them reduce the possibility of developing cardiovascular diseases. Some people in this category have carried levels that are well over 400. Once you start hitting the 1000 mark then you will suffer skin lesions or xanthomas, memory loss, pancreatic and abdominal pain. Intervention is required at this stage in order to save your life.
• The clinical response: A combination of medication and diet management can have positive results. First of all you have to aim for glucose control. A typical prescription will include Statins such as Zocor, Lipitor, Pravachol, Zetia, Crestor and Vytorin. These medications are meant to lower your cholesterol levels in general. Type 2 diabetes patients may require combination therapy in order to reach the safe levels of triglycerides. You also have to think of ways of lowering your LDL levels. Sometimes the clinician will recommend a series of Fibrates such as Lopid gemfibrozil, Trico fenofibrate and Nicotinic acid or niacin. It is also advisable to include fish oil in your diet.

Having recognized the dangers that can arise from triglycerides in relation to diabetes, you should come up with practical lifestyle changes that will help you avoid the dangerous phases. In some instances you may have to restrict your fat intake completely. The problem is that this step can cause you to take even more carbohydrates and therefore increase the level of triglyceride in your bloodstream. Some books recommend substitution healthy fats such as olive oil and other monounsaturated fats. Do not increase your intake of sugar or white flour products.  Alcohol intake should be kept to a minimum. Take oily fish such as tuna, sardines, salmon, mackerel and anchovies. They contain omega-3 fatty acids which are known to reduce triglycerides. Genetic disorders such as hypothyroidism can combine with diseases in order to exacerbate the situation. Taking drugs such as steroids, birth control pills and Tamoxifen can also be problematic. You are at risk if you suffer from kidney disease, liver failure and high blood pressure.

The writer of this article is a blogger of ayurvedic health care tips. www.ayurvedichealthcaretips.com is very useful site for all kind natural treatment related imformation.

I got gestational diabetes the 3rd trimester of my 1st pregnancy which then turned into full blown Type 2 diabetes. I went to my 6 week post delivery appointment at my obgyn where they tested my blood sugar and took a urine sample. Within minutes they said I was dumping massive amounts of protein in my urine and that my blood sugar was in the upper 200′s. They scheduled an appointment for me to meet with an endocrinologist that day and a nutritionist to talk to them about my type 2 diabetes. I would like to say that I handled the news with a little sanity.. but it didn’t happen that way. First, I cried, had visions of my legs being cut off like Larry Miller or dying a slow miserable death by going blind, having my legs amputated and eventually dying from my type 2 diabetes diagnosis.

Then I got in the car, called my husband then then told him the news, which he wasn’t too surprised. I spent the day in a whirlwind of appointments with various doctors. It was very overwhelming, especially having to figure out what foods to eat, which ones to avoid, and how to make sure everything was balanced. Who ever really worries about the perfect balance of protein and carbs in their meal? After seeing a nutritionist, I decided having type 2 diabetes was going to ruin my life if I didn’t get it together.  I then went to meet an endocrinologist who had a radical way of scaring me when it came to type 2 diabetes and my health in general.

My endocrinologist is from Jordan, shes very direct and to the point. Instead of getting the ” honey it’s going to be okay” I got the doctor who introduced herself, said  type 2 diabetes kills more people than cancer. She then pointed out that the week I was diagnosed was the week after Larry H. Miller died from complications from Type 2 diabetes. She then turned everything on me and somehow related his situation to mine, which was a realty check. She then asked me about my family and about my mother who is diabetic. Talking to her about my mothers diabetes and what it did to her when she was first diagnosed.. was a bit traumatic. You see my mom got her type 2 diabetes diagnosis a little late in the game and she didn’t manage her sugars well. At one point her numbers were so high she almost went into a diabetic coma. Another complication of type 2 diabetes that they don’t really mention in the “how to handle a type 2 diabetes diagnosis” books. My mother is an insulin shot dependant type 2 diabetic who constantly struggles with the balance between food and insulin. 

Another person in my life who had type 2 diabetes was my girlfriend Deb who was rail thin and developed it after pregnancy just like myself. She struggled with her type 2 diabetes up until about 3 years ago. She would have high enough blood sugar numbers that she ended up in the hospital on various occasions. Diabetes is an expensive disease and I am not sure if at one point she just couldn’t afford the drugs to control type 2 diabetes or not but her numbers were always out of whack. Did you know if you show up at the hospital with blood sugar number in the high 100′s on multiple occasions they consider that a possible suicide attempt? The scary part is they can have you committed to a mental institution within the hospital against your will until you get your sugars under control and they think you are able to control your type 2 diabetes. My dear friend Debbie died of diabetes 3 years ago from complications with type 2 diabetes. So,  have had already lost someone I cared about to this disease. I was in shock about my diagnosis.

Once I got over the initial shock of the type 2 diabetes diagnosis, I got mad that I allowed myself to become another type 2 diabetes statistic.  That was when I decided to join weight watchers, start and exercise program and conquer my type 2 diabetes. After being on weight watchers and working hard for 4 -5 months, I lost about 30 pounds and became healthier. I got off my metformin and was able to monitor my type 2 diabetes just with diet. As a result when I got pregnant with my second son, I was in much better shape for the birth and was able to control my type 2 diabetes. I am currently working on losing the baby weight I put on in my 3rd trimester with my second son. I am walking and running on the treadmill, watching my caloric intake like a hawk and testing my blood 3 times a day. Type 2 diabetes is a very scary disease where the diagnosis can lead to greater health problems like heart, circulatory, and kidney complications.

My biggest complication with type 2 diabetes was a diagnosis of proteinuria which meant I had too much protein in my urine, which causes kidney problems. This was yet another reason I was so adamant about getting my type 2 diabetes under control.  In my opinion there’s nothing worse than the potential of losing a kidney to type 2 diabetes.  I had heard once that going to a chiropractor for type 2 diabetes could help with circulation issues and improve your over all health. So, I have been seeing a chiropractor for the last year trying to improve circulation and to help with kidney/stomach pain. So far this treatment has proven to be very helpful in  my personal battle against type 2 diabetes and I would highly recommend it to anyone.

Other scary complications of type 2 diabetes include loss of eye sight, limbs and your life! Some individuals have high blood pressure, high cholesterol, stroke, retinopathy, nephropathy, nerve problems, and feet or leg problems. Either way, if you are diagnosed with type 2 diabetes you need to take the diagnosis very seriously. Type 2 diabetes is a slow killer and will kill you if you do not get control of your diet and lifestyle.

About Type 2 Diabetes

Type 2 diabetes is a condition that develops in the body over a period of time. This condition is sometimes referred to as the non-insulin dependent diabetes. The cause of it is that your body becomes resistant to the effects of the insulin that it is producing and this increases your blood sugar levels. Two of the largest risk factors for developing type 2 diabetes are your family history and being overweight.

The definition of insulin is a hormone in your body that is produced by the pancreas. Typically, the insulin levels vary in relation to the amount of glucose in your body. When you consume food, the level will increase and if you are not eating, it will decrease. Insulin moves the glucose to different areas in your body. If you have more glucose then your body can handle, the excess amount will be stored in your liver and it will be released when it is needed. It is a difficult balance between the pancreas, liver, insulin and glucose.

If you develop type 2 diabetes, one of two things will take place. Either your pancreas will stop producing the proper amounts of insulin that your body requires or you will become resistant to insulin. No matter which way it will go, the results will be the same, high blood sugar levels.

When something is wrong with your body, it has ways of signaling you. It is extremely important that you familiarize yourself with the symptoms of type 2 diabetes because the sooner that you can catch it, the less damage that it will do to your body. Here are some things to look for in type 2 diabetes.

Type 2 Diabetes Symptoms

One of the most overlooked symptoms of type 2 diabetes is extreme fatigue. This is because people are so busy with their jobs and lifestyle and they have so much stress in their everyday lives that they automatically think that this is why they are so tired all the time. If you feel tired and sleepy all the time, even after a good nights sleep, then you should see your doctor for a checkup and make sure everything is all right.

Another sign is a drastic change in your weight. Maybe you feel hungry all of the time and this causes you to eat more and gain weight. The excess fat that you have in your body causes it to become more resistant to the effects of insulin that is produced. You may also eat more then normal and end up losing weight. This is caused by your muscles not getting enough glucose to function properly.

Effects of Type 2 Diabetes

Your eyes can also be effected by type 2 diabetes. You can have blurry vision as high blood sugar levels pulls fluid from tissues such as the lens of your eyes making it difficult for them to focus. Most of these vision problems will go away once diabetes is treated, but in some cases blindness can occur if left untreated.

Diabetes also effects healing in your body. You may have frequent infections or they may be slow healing infections and cuts. Increased yeast infections is also a warning sign for type 2 diabetes.

Your teeth and gums can also be effected by diabetes. If you notice that your gums are becoming red and swollen or inflamed, go and get checked by your doctor as diabetes increases your chances of developing these issues as well as problems with the bones that hold your teeth in place.

I hope that you found this information useful and if you would like more information on ways to live healthy, then please visit my healthy living web site where you will find great information to help you live a long and healthy life.

I am a 53 year old retired mill worker from Northern Maine. I am happily married with 3 wonderful boys. My main interests are my family and God. I own a healthy living web site with great information designed to help you live a healthier and longer life.

Type 2 Diabetes Article Source: Ezine Articles – Brent Cullen

State By State Stats for Diabetes

Very cool tool I found online that shows obesity and diabetes stats for the United States. It puts everything into perspective.

Ok, so I have been dealing with a mystery illness for months… been to an endocrinologist, oncologist, hematologist, rumatologist and my general doctor trying to figure out why I have neutrophila.  I had to wait 9 months because I was pregnant and you can’t have a bone marrow aspiration and biopsy while pregnant. Lucky me, I had 9 months to worry about the state of my health, which in my opinion didn’t help my mental health. Well, I finally had my bone marrow test done on a very cool ct scanner at IMC, which is the best hospital in Utah, I might add. Needless to say, the results were normal, and the oncologist determined my neutrophilia is most likely caused by of all things stress. Are you kidding me? I have been stressed out since 2006? He suggested I figure out how to distress and if my white blood cell count continues to go up in the future, well he was wrong and it wasn’t stress. As my Uncle Brendan says which frustrates me all the time ‘ some things are always a medical mystery”. So, I am lucky that stress is apparently the cause of my lack of energy. Hopefully working out and losing weight will help remedy this. So, I am putting this health issue to rest for the next several years unless my symptoms get worse… but it irritates me that I have put so much money and time into a diagnosis of  ” you must just be stressed out and that’s why your white blood cells are high”. This is my luck people.

So far for the week of August 30 to the September 3rd.. I have walked/ ran 8 miles.  I went walking this morning for 2 1/2 -3 miles with my girlfriend Steph which was a random thing to do since I was in a dress and had formal sandals on. Yay me! Planning on hitting the treadmill once my son gets down for his nap… hopefully that will be soon. So far the most difficult thing ironically isn’t the exercising that is so difficult but the sweet tea addiction I have… if sweet tea were cocaine.. well I wouldn’t be alive.

 It doesn’t help me that I have a husband who doesn’t exercise and his only idea of  a workout is the clicking of his computer mouse or walking to the fridge for a beer. I made the choice to marry him because he doesn’t exercise… think that’s because I have a narcissistic father who obsesses over weight and working out more than the vainest women I know. ( Sorry Dad but its true, you are a primadonna when it comes to your looks .. and when I say this.. I am referring to your back street boy hair days when you would get your hair highlighted blond)  However, kudos to my father who runs 100 mile marathons on a regular basis. I have the goal of just being able to run 5 miles right now.  Think I’ll stick to that goal.

I haven’t weighed myself thus far.. just trying to take it one day at a time… maybe next week will be the week to weigh in. Either way.. this week as a diabetic has been difficult because I made Charleston chocolate chip cheese cake, not good for the hips. I have to somehow stop my baking habit… anyone got any tips on that? Oh and has anyone else noticed how the Step Out and Walk people, automatically sign you up for their 5k every year after you have completed one walk? Hmmm.. like a message that comes in the mail to diabetics yearly to remind us to get off our assess and walk for once…. atleast for once a year. Here’s to walking our asses off in a few weeks!

You have diabetes because you have too much glucose, a type of sugar in your blood. Glocose is the bodies favorite source of energy. But in some people too much glucose can be a  multi organ, total body problem. One of the first signs of diabetes is being very tired which is due to abnormally high levels of glucose floating around in the body. Having too much glucose in the body can lead to very serious multi organ damage, like kidney disease, diabetic eye disease and serious nerve problems.  So, the goal is to keep your glucose levels in the healthy range.So, if you are like me, and went to the doctor because you just felt run down and tired, the doctor probably sent you home with a script for glyburide or metformin.

These oral drugs enable you to avoid insulin injections and keep the option open for reversing your type 2 diabetes. Hallelujah! Then the doctor most likely had the dreaded ” How much are you exercising” conversation where you had to fess up the last time you exercised was maybe 10-12 years ago. So, here’s the deal… in order to reverse type 2 diabetes you need to be walking at least 1-3 miles a day according to my doctor, Susan.

 Now if you are pregnant and found out you are borderline diabetic I can’t emphasize how important it is to walk while you are expecting your bundle of joy. Did you know it’s very rare to find out you have type 1 diabetes during pregnancy, most people are always at risk of type 2 diabetes when pregnant. So, careful meal planning, exercise, and in some cases insulin during the 3rd trimester can prevent you from developing full blown type 2 diabetes after you deliver your baby.

So, I am heavier than I have ever been in my life.. I am at 180 right now, amazed I just admitted that online. However, I unlike some people cannot blame my weight on kids. I gained all my weight during college when I would cook southern and Italian food for my college roomies. Yes, my name is Shannon and I am a lover of food, cooking food and cooking for others. I am sure I am the reason some of my college pals gained weight… I cooked a lot for them. Needless to say instead of the freshman 15, I gained the freshman 60. So, since being diagnosed as a type 2 diabetic, having the shit scared out of me by my endocrinologist about the side effects of the disease, I am embarking on a life change. There may be some other reason besides just loving to cook that has caused me to overeat and put my health at risk. So, through blogging daily or every other day about my crazy relationship with food, and about working out.. I hope to uncover the truth about how and why I chose to let myself go, so to speak, and share the struggle to regain my health with other people who are struggling with type 2 diabetes. I know that having type 2 diabetes can be a death sentence if I do not gain control over the disease sooner than later. So, here’s to a new way of life for me, a healthy one! I am going to post lots of pictures of what I look like now,  and along the way to getting fit and healthy. Also on this website you can calculate your body fat percentage. This is the website. http://www.fitwatch.com/qkcalc/body-fat-percentage-calculator.php  My results were pretty disturbing..

Your Body Fat Weight is: 40.59 lbs
Your Muscle Mass is: 144.41 lbs
Your Body Fat Percentage is: 21.94%

So, with the following results my first weight loss goal is to lose that 40 pounds.

8 pounds 14 oz

So, the rest of my pregnancy went well except for the 3rd trimester. My Obgyn was worried that baby Paul would be too big to deliver vaginally. One thing I think that insurance companies should do for high risk diabetic pregnancies is to allow for a 2nd ultrasound to be done in the 3rd trimester to determine the baby’s size. I was wishing the entire week before the delivery that they would do an ultrasound just to put my mind at ease as to how big the baby would be. I was more worried about if the baby would be delivered vaginally versus a c section. I was lucky that I have a doctor who is amazing and lets you try to deliver vaginally first and doesn’t make a quick decision to have c sections all the time.  Baby Paul was a whopping 8 pounds 14 ounces delivered naturally.  Delivering a baby that big naturally is not an easy task and made me realize for the next kids ( assuming I ever want to have kids again after that big of a baby)  I need to get rid of my diabetic status and work on losing more weight. The other frustrating thing about being a diabetic and going through delivery is they must have checked my blood sugar ( pricked my finger) more than 20 times. Ouch! I have no idea why they were so concerned with my blood sugar when you can’t eat while in labor… if anything my blood sugar was lower than normal.  Now that I have delivered a healthy baby boy, who is not diabetic himself, I can focus my blog on dealing with diabetes in general and how I am personally trying to defeat my disease and get healthy. So, heres to the next few months on becoming healthier and having the energy to keep up with my two sons. It’s going to be so worth it!

So, what is more fustrating than going to the doctor and getting your monthly blood work done, and finding out your ESR rate, which measures the rate of infection in your body, is 3 times the normal  rate and your white blood cell count is still just as high? She then tells you to go back to the hematologist oncologist… whose only plan for you is a bone marrow test. However, diabetes doesn’t seem to be a problem for my 2nd pregnancy, which is great. The baby is only one poundish and my odds for a vaginal delivery are going up up up!