6 Tips For Better Sleep With Diabetes

When you have diabetes, poor sleep can disrupt your blood sugar, your mood and your health.

An estimated 40 to 50 percent of people with diabetes say they don't sleep well, according to Dr. Kingman Strohl, director of the Sleep Disorders Program at the Louis Stokes Cleveland VA Medical Center.



Since quality sleep is so important to well-controlled blood sugar, making adjustments to get better shut-eye should be a top priority if you have diabetes.

Here are six ways you can improve your nighttime routine and get better sleep:

1. Lose the extra weight

Carrying too much extra weight can lead to sleep apnea - a condition that causes disruptions in sleep patterns and drowsiness during the day.

One study in 2009 found that 86 percent of people with diabetes experience sleep apnea, yet the condition can usually be quickly reversed once a person loses weight.

Shedding extra pounds will also correspond with better nutrition and exercise habits, which will both help to improve your sleep.

2. Have a routine

Having a routine for your blood sugar management is important for diabetes control, but it's just as important to have a regular sleeping routine.

Humans are habitual creatures that have set biological rhythms. Oversleeping, lack of sleep or an erratic sleep schedule are all factors that can disrupt your biological clock and affect the ongoing quality of your sleep.

3. Get tested for neuropathy

Diabetic neuropathy - a condition characterized by numbness, tingling, or pain in the hands or feet - could also be disrupting your sleep quality.

Restless leg syndrome, which may have similar symptoms to neuropathy, can also be caused by high blood sugar.

Ask your doctor to be tested for diabetic neuropathy and alert him or her of any symptoms.

4. Manage stress

Stress can directly interfere with quality and duration of sleep (as well as blood sugar management).

In addition to creating a routine for sleep, aim to make bedtime a relaxing experience. Shut off electronics a few hours before bed, sleep in a dark room, and unwind with a relaxing activity before you sleep, like a hot bath or a cup of tea.

5. Avoid alcohol

While drinking a glass of wine may seem like a good way to induce drowsiness, drinking too close to bedtime can disrupt your sleep - and also your blood sugar levels.

Avoid alcohol unless it's several hours before you sleep, and try to have no more than one to two drinks.

6. Quit smoking

In addition to the stimulating properties of nicotine that can disturb your sleep patterns, smoking can lead to all sorts of health complications that prevent a restful night, including poor glucose control, headaches and restless leg syndrome.

Smoking cessation can help you not only better manage your health, but also drastically improve your sleep quality.
source:http://www.informationaboutdiabetes.com/

Sugar Free Strawberry Jam Recipe

Ingredients
1 lb fresh strawberries
3/4 cup water
1 (1.75 oz) package pectin 1
2 cups sweetener of choice (or to taste)
1/2 tbsp lemon juice

Preparation

Wash strawberries and remove stems. Mash them in a large bowl.


In a saucepan, bring the water and pectin to a boil and let stand for 1 minute. Add the mashed strawberries and stir for 1 minute on high heat. Turn off heat and stir in sweetener.
Spoon the jam into a sealable container and let cool to room temp. Cover and place in the refrigerator overnight to let it set. Will remain fresh in refrigerator for 3 weeks or in the freezer for up to 1 year.

Nutritional Information per Serving
6 Calories
0 g Fat
1.5 g Carbohydrates
0.5 g Fiber
1 g Sugar
source:http://www.informationaboutdiabetes.com/

5 Herbs and Spices that Fight Diabetes

Diabetes is a rising health concern in the Western world. For those who have been diagnosed with either type 1 or type 2 diabetes, maintaining normal blood sugar levels is both important and an ongoing struggle. But it is possible, so long as one keeps close tabs on their diet.

Thankfully, there are a number of herbs and spices that can help a diabetic keep their blood sugar levels normal while maintaining a healthy body weight…



1. Cinnamon

Cinnamon is one of the world’s most popular spices. This widely available spice makes an excellent addition to many common dishes, from pancakes to oatmeal to toast.

But cinnamon also contains bio active components that help diabetics lower their blood sugar levels. In fact, research has shown that consuming just a few grams of cinnamon each day can both normalize blood sugar and lower LDL (or bad) cholesterol. It can even help to raise HDL (or good) cholesterol levels.

2. Fenugreek

If you’re a diabetic, you should consider adding fenugreek, a relatively unknown herb, to your diet as soon as possible. That’s because fenugreek—which can be acquired in flour form—can help improve glucose tolerance, lower blood sugar levels, and improve one’s cholesterol.

Although fenugreek is often consumed in its flour form, it can also be acquired as seeds. If this is the case, soak the seeds in water and then drink the water on an empty stomach. Of course, consult a doctor beforehand.

3. Ginger

Ginger makes an excellent and flavorful addition to many popular dishes, like stir fry. But it’s also helpful to diabetics looking to control their blood sugar levels. In fact, research has shown that daily consumption of just three grams of ginger (in capsule form) can help people with type 2 diabetes lower their cholesterol, maintain blood sugar levels, and keep a healthy body weight.

If you’re not interested in taking ginger capsules, try adding two to three cups of ginger tea to your diet. Ginger also adds a unique flavor to many vegetable-heavy dishes.

4. Turmeric

Turmeric, the bright yellow spice that can often be found in Indian food, offers an excellent way to lower blood sugar levels. It’s also a proven anti-inflammatory and antioxidant that’s good for the heart and can even assist in weight loss. As if that isn’t enough, studies have shown that turmeric can help patients suffering from kidney-related issues.

Turmeric makes an excellent addition to justabout any savoury dish but it can also be taken as a supplement. Just talk to your doctor beforehand.

5. Garlic

Where would the cooking world be without garlic? This incredibly flavourful herb makes an excellent addition to many dishes from all around the world, including spaghetti, stir fry, even hamburgers.

But eating garlic is also an excellent way to lower blood sugar levels. That’s because garlic is a roven anti-diabetic that contains sulfur components capable of helping defend against oxidative damage. When consumed regularly, it can help people with diabetes maintain healthy blood sugar levels and even lower their cholesterol.

source:http://www.activebeat.com/

2 Simple Homemade Body Scrubs for Gorgeous, Glowing Skin

Most of us swear by our daily skin care regime. From moisturisation to toning to cleansing, we do it all. Following basic care routines is great, as it keeps your skin clean and free from blemishes and breakouts.

In most cases, this skin care stays restricted to the face. Most women completely forget to look after the skin on the rest of the body. This leads to dull and lifeless skin and the signs of ageing are soon to follow.

Having beautiful and healthy skin means taking care of your entire body, and not just the face. Using homemade body scrubs is a great way to make sure that your body skin is taken care of.

Benefits of using homemade body scrubs:

    These are easy to prepare and inexpensive.
    Also, these scrubs are extremely effective in helping to rejuvenate the skin while making it smooth.
    In addition to all this, they also help to remove dead cells, leaving the pores clean.

Homemade body scrubs can be made using various ingredients. Choose any of the following homemade body scrubs to exfoliate your skin once or twice weekly.



2 brilliant body scrubs
1. Coffee body scrub:

This will scrub away all your dead skin cells, revealing softer and healthier looking skin. It will add moisture to your skin and is especially great for winters, as it will help prepare the skin to meet the harsh weather.

What you need:

    ¼th cup ground coffee

(Coffee is a great scrub for our skin as it helps fight cellulite.)

    ¼th cup sugar

(Sugar works as an exfoliator. It helps to remove the surface layer of dead skin cells. You can also use brown sugar instead of the regular white sugar.)

    2 tablespoons of Extra Virgin Olive Oil

(Olive oil penetrates deep into the skin and protects the skin from ageing. It makes the skin supple and endows it with a youthful glow.)

    3 Vitamin E capsules

(Vitamin E has antioxidant properties that protect and repair the skin cells. It helps make the skin soft and supple.)


How to prepare:

    Mix sugar with ground coffee, olive oil and the extracted oil from the slit Vitamin E capsule
    Turn it to a paste.

How to use:

    Use this mixture to scrub your entire body.
    Scrub away gently for 10 to 15 seconds until you feel your skin has turned soft and silky.
    Rinse it off with lukewarm water
    Make sure you use a body wash to experience the softness of your skin.
    Once done, apply a moisturizer of your choice to retain the moisture.

2. Lemon and sugar body scrub:

This is one of the best forms of exfoliation that helps to get rid of rough skin. It helps you get soft and smooth skin.

What you need:

    1 cup of granulated sugar
    1 teaspoon of lemon juice
    6 tablespoons of Olive Oil or Sweet Almond oil

How to prepare:

    Mix all the ingredients well.
    Your scrub is ready

How to use:

    Moisten your skin when you go for a shower
    Next, massage and scrub all over your body.
    Rinse it off and pat dry
    You will immediately feel the difference in your skin!
    Those who have very dry skin can apply a moisturizer of their choice to help retain the moisture. The olive oil or almond oil in the scrub will also act as a natural moisturizer for the skin.

These entirely natural body scrubs will help renew your skin’s surface to reveal smoother skin that glows with good health. As these are natural, there is no risk of any reaction or allergies.
source:http://www.stylecraze.com

The Recipe Of The Famous Russian Herbalist Is A Hit All Around The World: You Can Reduce 10 Centimeters In The Waist In Only 10 Days -

The famous Russian phytotherapeutist, Dr. Irina Stefanovska, was a guest in a TV program, and explained that her revolutionary remedy can help women melt a centimeter in the waist in a day!the-recipe-of-the-famous-russian-herbalist-is-a-hit-all-around-the-world-you-can-reduce-10-centimeters-in-the-waist-in-only-10-days

The best thing is that this recipe is very simple and you do not need any expensive ingredients.

The secret of this miraculous balm is horseradish, which she claims that encourages losing weight and this is only one of its properties that are useful for your body.

We most often use it as an additive in the food, but given the fact that it contains vitamins C, B1, B6, B12, iron, calcium, magnesium and phosphorus, this herb is not only a tasty addition to our meals, but a real cure.

1,500 years ago in ancient Greece, the horseradish has been used as a remedy for back pain, and today it can help you get rid of excess fluids and accumulated weight for good.



Ingredients:
– 125 g of horseradish

– 3 raw lemons

– 3 tablespoons honey

Preparation:

Slice the horseradish and grind it well in a blender. Wash the lemons well, cut them into cubes, remove the seeds, and then add them in the blender. Then, add the honey and stir well. Place the mixture in a glass jar and store it in the refrigerator.

Consume a tablespoon of this balm twice a day with a meal. The results will be visible within three weeks.
Apart from improving the physical appearance, this balm improves the brain function, memory, hearing and vision.

How to keep your horseradish fresh?

The horseradish can be used throughout the year, but you need to put it in wet sand or in the cellar on time. You can wrap larger roots in aluminum foil, and then store them in the refrigerator.
source:http://www.naturalcuresandhomeremedies.com/