Wales

Diabetes in Wales it seems is at pandemic levels with 7,358 more cases diagnosed in a year of type 1 and type 2.  That is an incredible 20 new cases every day.  20 more people struggling with a condition that for type 2 is preventable.  It is not only Wales that is struggling with this growing epidemic but Scotland too has a high rate of people who are Diabetic.

Interesting read!

I recently read the book 'The Diabetes Diet' by Dr Bernstein who is a diabetic himself.  It was very interest.  The book promotes a low-carbohydrate diet that according to Dr Bernstein is the answer to minimising the affects of diabetes and in some cases returning blood sugars to normal.  It is a promising premise.  On his website there is comments from people who have tried this and have successful lost weight and brought their blood glucose back to normal.

It's worth a read!

Shocking news '24,000 diabetes sufferers dying every year unneccessarily'

The news report yesterday ' Wednesday 14 December' in the Daily Express highlighted how many people with diabetes die from the condition and its complications.  24,000 is a shocking amount of people and not all of them would be older people.  This reasons given are mixed with some not receiving the full amount of care by the NHS and others simple not managing their diabetes.  Women according to the report are more likely to not manage their diabetes were men are better than this. Has this something to do with the life responsibilities that some women have i.e. house, children, self etc?  Or is it simply because managing diabetes is not on the top of their priority list.  I would be interested to hear what you have to say about this.

Two important statistics to leave you with.

1. The Express states ' up to 75,000 diabetes die in England every year'

2. The National Diabetes Audit found almost  '450,000 children and younger adults with diabetes have high risk blood sugar levels that could lead to severe complications'

According to various reports this is only going to get worse.

Can cinnamon help to control blood sugar?

According to Jeff O'Connell in his book Sugar Nation he came across this, little know to me anyway, gem of research which  indicates that cinnamon may help reduce blood glucose levels.  He writes 'A pair of studies found promising results, reductions in blood glucose levels of 20 percent or so'  Other studies have also looked at cinnamon for reduction of blood glucose levels but not with the same results. 

Cinnamon has an active ingredient called hydroxychalcone, which seems to improve insulin sensitivity.  Whether it is the cheap  or the expensive version of the spice it does not seem to matter.  Like O'Connell I will be adding it to everything that I can.  Whether proven or not it is a lovely tasting spice and will not do my any harm.  It could even help with my blood glucose levels.

The Diabetes Information Jigsaw

During my research in the last few days I came across a report called The Diabetes information Jigsaw.  Has anyone heard about this?  It was conducted in 2006 so the information is a little out of date but I wondered if anything that it reported on had changed.  It mentions that the 'government has made patient-centred care for diabetes a priority' but key deadlines had been missed.

From the three reports that I read: 'The Diabetes Information Jigsaw', 'DAWN' and 'Implications of the United Kingdom Prospective Diabetes Study' diabetes is estimated to affect 370 million by 2030!  That is a shocking amount of people and it is not only in the older generation but more young people are being diagnosed with Type 2.  At least half of us do not 'achieve glycemic control', self-management is poor, just as many suffer from depression and we want better information and support.

I would like to hear what you think.  Drop me a line with your views on how you are managing your diabetes or if you are a carer how it is going for you both.

This is my second day of having one juice a day and already I have noticed a difference in my sugars.  Yesterday before eating was 9.4 mols, I juiced a lunch with a refreshing juice made with three greens: celery, cucumber and broccali.  Although I was not hungry my stomach flet empty so I had few crackers and cheese.  Reading before tea was 9.8 mols. 

This morning before breakfast was 8.3 and I had a wonderful juice that was made of: 1 apple,1 pear, 1/2 lemon, 1/2, deseeded red and yellow peppers and 1 small beetroot.  When juiced it looks like the picture.  It is a wonderful refreshing drink that has an earthy smell and taste.  Some people might find it hard to take a first because of the earthy taste.  I found it too sweet so I will try it next time with only 1 apple.  My readiings tonight was 9.8 mols. 

Juicing makes me feel light and not heavy which I feel after eating carbs.  It is a wonderful feeling.

New Lease of Life!

It has been a little while since I last posted to the site.  My apologies you all of you who are following my blog.  The thing that I find the most difficult to deal with is the mood swings that I get when my sugar is either too high or lower than normal.  I don't intend to feel down, there is nothing in my life to make me feel down, but my tendancy with my sugars bouncing about is that I get down.  And when I am feeling down I find it hard to motivate myself.

However I seem to have a new lease of life and back into looking at ways that I can manage my diabetes and keep the downs at bay.

Speak to you all soon.