Two Herbal Teas That Can Help Lower Blood Sugar

And they taste pretty good too!

In an age of pharmaceuticals we tend to forget that there are things like herbal teas that can help improve our diabetes.

Herbal teas are gaining popularity in the United States and this could be due to the infusion of Western and Eastern Medicine techniques being blended together more often.

So what type of herbs are in herbal teas for diabetes control? There are a few but I’m going to give you the two most popularly utilized herbal teas for diabetes control.

Bilberry Tea – Never heard of it? Well maybe you know the Bilberry by it’s more popular American name of the Huckleberry.

Bilberry herbal tea is known as the most effective herbal tea in aiding diabetes for those who are not insulin dependent. So mainly we’re talking about those with type 2 diabetes benefiting from Bilberry tea.

The reason why Bilberry tea is so effective in lowering blood sugar levels is because it contains something called glucoquinine which is a compound known for it’s ability to lower blood glucose levels.

Another reason why Bilberry tea is such a good herbal tea for those with type 2 diabetes is because Bilberry is often used to treat eye issues such as diabetic neuropathy.

Sage Tea – There are many medicinal uses for Sage tea and one of them happens to be it’s positive effect on how your body uses insulin.

Studies have shown that Sage has the ability to boost insulin activity in diabetics. Those with type 2 diabetes found Sage to be the most effective.

Along with being an effective aid in Diabetes control, Sage tea is also known for it’s positive effect on liver function. A liver that is not functioning at it’s best can lead to headaches, fatigue, and reduced immunity. So Sage’s positive effect on the liver is one of it’s greatest medicinal effects.

Some Things To Remember About Herbal Teas

It is really important that you check with your doctor before starting to use herbal teas as an aid to control your blood sugar. It could be that your current medical plan is sufficient enough and adding an herbal tea for lowering blood sugar could throw you into an unhealthy low range.

It’s also really important to check out any negative side effects that the herbscontained in the herbal teas may have. You might find that you have another medical condition that the herbal tea would be harmful to. An example of this would be Sage and Epilepsy. Sage is known to actually cause seizures in Epileptics and so they are advised to steer clear of Sage.

Remember, you are not going to drink an herbal tea and suddenly be cured of all that ales you. Don’t give up after trying an herbal tea once and not seeing an immediate effect. Incorporating herbal teas into your daily schedule is just another way of improving your overall health.

Drinking a cup of herbal tea can be a really relaxing…or energizing…or comforting experience that you will look forward to each day.

 

Diabetes care: 10 ways to avoid diabetes complications

Diabetes care: 10 ways to avoid diabetes complications

Diabetes care is a lifelong responsibility. Consider 10 strategies to prevent diabetes complications.

Here are 10 ways to take an active role in diabetes care and enjoy a healthier future.Diabetes is a serious disease. Following your diabetes treatment plan takes round-the-clock commitment. But your efforts are worthwhile. Careful diabetes care can reduce your risk of serious — even life-threatening — complications.

1. Make a commitment to managing your diabetes.

Members of your diabetes care team — doctor, diabetes nurse educator and dietitian, for example — will help you learn the basics of diabetes care and offer support and encouragement along the way. But it's up to you to manage your condition. After all, no one has a greater stake in your health than you.

Learn all you can about diabetes. Make healthy eating and physical activity part of your daily routine. Maintain a healthy weight. Monitor your blood sugar level, and follow your doctor's instructions for keeping your blood sugar level within your target range. Don't be afraid to ask your diabetes treatment team for help when you need it.

2. Don't smoke.

If you smoke or use other types of tobacco, ask your doctor to help you quit. Smoking increases your risk of various diabetes complications, including heart attack, stroke, nerve damage and kidney disease. In fact, smokers who have diabetes are three times more likely to die of cardiovascular disease than are nonsmokers who have diabetes, according to the American Diabetes Association. Talk to your doctor about ways to stop smoking or to stop using other types of tobacco.

3. Keep your blood pressure and cholesterol under control.

Like diabetes, high blood pressure can damage your blood vessels. High cholesterol is a concern, too, since the damage is often worse and more rapid when you have diabetes. When these conditions team up, they can lead to a heart attack, stroke or other life-threatening conditions.

Eating healthy foods and exercising regularly can go a long way toward controlling high blood pressure and cholesterol. Sometimes medication is needed, too.

4. Schedule yearly physicals and regular eye exams.

Your regular diabetes checkups aren't meant to replace yearly physicals or routine eye exams. During the physical, your doctor will look for any diabetes-related complications — including signs of kidney damage, nerve damage and heart disease — as well as screen for other medical problems. Your eye care specialist will check for signs of retinal damage, cataracts and glaucoma.

5. Keep your vaccines up to date.

High blood sugar can weaken your immune system, which makes routine vaccines more important than ever. Ask your doctor about:

• Flu vaccine. A yearly flu vaccine can help you stay healthy during flu season as well as prevent serious complications from the flu.
• Pneumonia vaccine. Sometimes the pneumonia vaccine requires only one shot. If you have diabetes complications or you're age 65 or older, you may need a five-year booster shot.
• Hepatitis B vaccine. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) currently recommends hepatitis B vaccination if you haven't previously been vaccinated against hepatitis B and you're an adult aged 19 to 59 with type 1 or type 2 diabetes. The most recent CDC guidelines advise vaccination as soon as possible after diagnosis with type 1 or type 2 diabetes. If you're age 60 or older and have diabetes and haven't previously received the vaccine, talk to your doctor about the whether it's right for you.
• Other vaccines. Stay up to date with your tetanus shot and its 10-year boosters. Depending on the circumstances, your doctor may recommend other vaccines as well.

6. Take care of your teeth.

Diabetes may leave you prone to gum infections. Brush your teeth at least twice a day, floss your teeth once a day, and schedule dental exams at least twice a year. Consult your dentist right away if your gums bleed or look red or swollen.

7. Pay attention to your feet.

High blood sugar can damage the nerves in your feet and reduce blood flow to your feet. Left untreated, cuts and blisters can lead to serious infections. To prevent foot problems:
• Wash your feet daily in lukewarm water.
• Dry your feet gently, especially between the toes.
• Moisturize your feet and ankles with lotion.
• Check your feet every day for blisters, cuts, sores, redness or swelling.
• Consult your doctor if you have a sore or other foot problem that doesn't start to heal within a few days.

8. Consider a daily aspirin.

Aspirin reduces your blood's ability to clot. Taking a daily aspirin can reduce your risk of heart attack and stroke — major concerns when you have diabetes. Ask your doctor whether daily aspirin therapy is appropriate for you, including which strength of aspirin would be best.

9. If you drink alcohol, do so responsibly.

Alcohol can cause low blood sugar, depending on how much you drink and whether you eat at the same time. If you choose to drink, do so only in moderation and always with a meal. Remember to include the calories from any alcohol you drink in your daily calorie count.

10. Take stress seriously.

If you're stressed, it's easy to neglect your usual diabetes care routine. The hormones your body may produce in response to prolonged stress may prevent insulin from working properly, which only makes matters worse. To take control, set limits. Prioritize your tasks. Learn relaxation techniques. Get plenty of sleep.
Above all, stay positive. Diabetes care is within your control. If you're willing to do your part, diabetes won't stand in the way of an active, healthy life.

How to take care of your hair

How to Take Care of Your Hair

Maintaining your hair is relatively easy with the right kind of steps. Hair is made of protein, so keeping a healthy diet and good hygiene is an essential part of maintaining luscious locks. At the same time, here are some other tips about hair care, and what you can do at home to get unbelievably beautiful hair.

StepsTips and Warnings

1.
Wash hair sparingly with a good-quality shampoo. Many people insist that washing hair too often can leave hair dried out, leeched of its natural oils, and damage your hair. Shoot to shampoo your hair at most every other day. Some people wash their hair only twice a week.

Try shampoos that do not contain sulfates or parabens. Sulfates are the chemicals that make shampoos lather up. Parabens are preservatives that cause irritation and eye problems after prolonged use. Both of these chemicals aren't healthy for you or the environment so try to use shampoos with natural cleansers.

Choose a shampoo that suits your hair type. Don't just go for any old shampoo; go for the shampoo that works for you!

Curly or coarse hair probably wants frizz-minimizing and softening shampoo.

Straight or oily hair probably wants a gentle shampoo designed for daily washing.

Colored or treated hair probably needs a shampoo that's fortified with extracts or amino acids, because treating your hair is essentially damaging it.

Dry hair probably needs shampoos with glycerin and collagen to help restore some moisture into the hair.

2.
Use conditioner depending on your hair type, length, and treatment damage. A good rule of thumb is to condition every time you shampoo your hair, although very processed or dyed hair probably needs a little more love than natural hair.

Deep condition once a week. Use a store-bought product, or venture out on your own and try a homemade solution.

Follow these steps for conditioning your hair properly based on hair type:

For fine hair: If you have very limp hair, try a botanical oil treatment before you shampoo. Use lavender or tea-tree oil, for example, and work it under your cuticles before shampooing. Wash shampoo away and apply conditioner from the mid-shaft down to the end. Leave in for a minute before washing.

For medium to thick hair, use a moisturizer with natural hydrators. Keep your conditioner light. Apply conditioner all over your head and let stay for 2-3 minutes.

Be careful about using products with too much protein. Too much protein can leave your hair feeling desiccated and brittle. While protein is the building block of healthy hair, use conditioners that come with balanced ingredients.

Frizz-control serum can be used in small quantities to tame frizzes. Make sure you do not use too much, and wash once a week with a deep-cleanse shampoo to avoid build-up, which will leave hair looking dull and flaky.

3.
Don't brush your hair too much. Brushing your hair stimulates the follicles which promotes growth, but brushing too much too often, will cause damage to your hair strands that results in frizz and split ends.

4.
Let hair dry naturally. After you get out of the shower, wrap your hair in a cotton T-Shirt. Towls are made of fabric that is very rough and damaging to your hair, causing frizziness and split ends. Avoid brushing hair while wet, as it makes the hair brittle and weak. Only use a wide tooth comb to brush out tangles while hair is wet. '.

Try not to use a blow-drier. Healthy hair does not respond well to heat. Hair can sustain heat damage easily, especially from blow-driers. If you have to use a blow-drier, dry your hair using the lowest-temperature setting and limit usage to once a week.

If you shower before you sleep overnight, put your hair up in a bun and let it air-dry overnight. Your hair should be dry in the morning.
5
Trim your hair regularly. The best way to get rid of split ends is to...do it yourself! Take some hair shears and attack the split ends about 1/4 inch above the splitting. Many women with perfect hair never have split ends because they make it a priority to get their hair trimmed, or trim it themselves, every.

10 Foods to Eat Every Day for Perfect Skin

Are you tired of using different expensive and ineffective beauty products? It’s time to throw away all those ineffective products and start eating foods for perfect skin. I went from terrible acne five months ago to not having acne now. It was hard, but it was possible, and less expensive than turning to pricey products. While some foods can aggravate your skin, others can enhance it. Check out a list of 10 foods to eat every day for perfect skin.

1. Red bell peppers

Red bell peppers are a tasty vegetable that can be enjoyed either cooked or raw. One red bell pepper contains more than 100% of your daily vitamin C needs. It also contains significant amounts of dietary fiber and vitamin B6. Moreover, it is rich in carotenoids that can help prevent wrinkles and increase blood circulation to your skin, helping it look more youthful. Due to their carotenoids, red bell peppers are also great to fight acne.

A red bell pepper is a perfect, low calorie snack that contains about 30 calories and has a really satisfying crunchy bite. Keep slices of red bell peppers in the fridge, so you will always have something healthy and tasty to reach for when you are having a snack attack. The fiber that a bell pepper contains will help you to feel full longer with very little calories. Plus, you will have a flawless skin!

2. Dark chocolate

This is one of my favorite foods to eat every day for perfect skin! Dark chocolate is rich in antioxidants, fatty acids and flavanols that promote glowing skin. The antioxidants in dark chocolate will help reduce roughness in your skin and protect it against sun damage. Moreover, cocoa relaxes arteries, increasing blood circulation that leads to healthier skin.

I usually buy cocoa powder or raw cacao for less fat. And if you like dark chocolate, eat your ounce of dark chocolate every day and make sure you choose at least 80% cacao content in order to avoid milk and added sugars found in a traditional chocolate bar.

3. Salmon

Salmon is an excellent food to fight stress, anxiety, and depression. Salmon also provides most of your daily vitamin D needs. And as you may already know, Vitamin D is responsible for keeping your heart, bones, colon and brain healthy. It also helps prevent colon cancer, anxiety, depression, heart disease and bone disease.

Salmon is also rich in omega-3 fatty acids that are excellent for fighting inflammation, wrinkles and acne. Its high omega-3 content also helps hydrate your skin from the inside out. Moreover, eating salmon keeps your scalp hydrated and promotes strong, healthy hair.

4. Coconut oil

Coconut oil is one of the richest sources of saturated fat with about 90 percent of calories as saturated fat. It contains lauric acid, a powerful antibacterial and antiviral agent that keeps away viruses, infections, inflammation and acne. Coconut oil is also rich in essential fatty acids and Vitamin E, which are perfect for keeping your skin moist, soft, and wrinkle-free.

I use coconut oil as a body cream and consume 1 tbsp. of raw coconut oil every day. Coconut oil is especially good for your thyroid. Plus, there’s considerable evidence that this oil can help lose weight. So many health benefits, don’t you think?

5. Green tea

Well, so I know green tea is actually a beverage, but tea leaves come from a plant! Even though I love black tea, I drink green tea every day because I know that it is a great source of antioxidants and a unique amino acid, L-theanine that helps relax your body and lower stress.

When the tea is hot, the bionic brew releases catechins, a kind of antioxidant with proven anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory properties. Green tea may also reduce your risk of developing high blood pressure. Drink 3 or more cups of tea every day for better results.

6. Spinach

Spinach is a healthy and nutrient-rich food you should certainly include in your everyday diet. You may hate spinach, but it is a wonderful source of iron, folate, chlorophyll, Vitamin E, magnesium, Vitamin A, fiber, plant protein, and Vitamin C. Due to their antioxidant abilities, Vitamins C, E, and A are especially great for your skin.

Spinach contains antioxidants that fight against all types of skin problems. Add it to your everyday diet and see what happens. By eating spinach, you’re just cleaning your skin from the inside out!

7. Seeds

Chia seeds, hemp seeds, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, and flax seeds are all great for your skin. Pumpkin seeds and sunflower seeds are both rich in selenium, Vitamin E, magnesium and protein. Selenium and protein keep all wrinkles away, Vitamin E enhances moisture in your skin and magnesium lowers your stress levels. The healthy Omega 3 fatty acids in flax, chia and hemp seeds are perfect for fighting wrinkles and acne. Plus, these seeds are rich in protein.

Just sprinkle seeds right on top of your salad or oatmeal and enjoy the great taste as well as perfect skin. I like to add seeds to a fruit yogurt, I think it tastes even better. I also add raw pumpkin seeds in my oh-so delicious smoothies. And what are your favorite seeds? How do you eat them?

8. Celery

Another food to eat daily for perfect skin is celery. Many of us underestimate this veggie, but celery contains Vitamin K that keeps the blood circulation healthy and helps to reduce high blood pressure. This can reduce your stress level, and as you know stress can cause bad skin, migraines and even cancer.

Celery also contains natural sodium, potassium and water, and can help to prevent dehydration. I hope you know that dehydrated skin means dryness, flaking, wrinkles, and even breakouts. Make sure you consume celery every day or at least every other day. If you are counting calories, don’t worry, celery is very low in calories!

9. Papaya

Papaya is a wonderful fruit which has a rich history and numerous nutritional benefits. It is very low in calories (only 39 calories per 100 g!) and also contains no cholesterol. So if you are trying to lose weight, consider eating papaya every day to maximize its health benefits.

A great beauty food, papaya is low in fructose and is excellent for digestion! The antioxidant nutrients found in it, including Vitamins C and E and beta-carotene, are great at reducing inflammation and acne. Moreover, Vitamin C may also protect your skin against sun damage.

10. Carrots

Carrots are good not only for your eyes, but also for your skin. They are especially good for clearing up breakouts. Carrots are rich in vitamin A and they help prevent the overproduction of cells in the outer layer of the skin. That’s where excess sebum combines with dead cells and clogs pores.

Another great reason to snack on some carrots is because Vitamin A reduces the development of skin-cancer cells. So make sure you nibble on a half-cup of baby carrots every day for perfect skin. I love carrots and I think they make a great snack.

You don’t have to eat all these foods every day, but even some of them would be great! Be sure to avoid junk foods, too much sugar, trans fats and refined carbs for the best skin possible. Which of these foods do you eat every day? Share your thoughts, please, and thanks for reading!

How many eggs can you eat a week?

This reputedly protein rich food is also surprisingly high in cholesterol. So how many should you eat in a week?

 

New guidelines from the Heart Foundation have confirmed that all Australians, including those with type 2 diabetes, can enjoy up to six eggs a week as part of a healthy, balanced diet. James Kellaway, managing director of the Australian Egg Corporation, says the research disproves the long-standing, inaccurate belief that there is a link between blood cholesterol and eggs.

How to help an itchy bottom

An itchy bottom or 'pruritus ani' is a surpringly common condition. But there are treatments available.

 

(Q) I have a very itchy bottom, mainly at night, but sometimes during the day. What could be causing this? Is it a candidal infection or something more?

(A) The formal medical term for itchy bum is 'pruritus ani' which is a surprisingly common condition that is often described as being worse at night just before falling asleep. The underlying causes can be many and varied and may include fungal infections such as candida as you mentioned, as well as skin conditions like eczema or psoriasis, worm infestation or irritation from abrasive toilet paper. Other possible causes include excessive moisture in the area from sweating, excessive wiping and washing with harsh soaps or inadequate washing and wiping, diarrhoea, faecal incontinence, irritating underwear or clothing, allergy to chemicals or irritation from laundry detergents, body sprays or deodorants, certain hot or spicy foods, hemorrhoids, anal abrasions or fissures (such as from passing large dry bowel motions). In rare circumstances, even tumours (benign or malignant) in the anal region may cause anal itch. Sometimes no underlying cause can be found.

The condition is more common in people aged over 40 and is four times more common in men than women. It can range from mild to an intense itch; it can be paroxysmal or constant; short-lived or persistent.

Ideally if the doctor is able to examine you and determine the underlying cause then this should help alleviate the problem.

Generally speaking it is a good idea to keep the area clean and dry. Wash with water and dry carefully but without excessive abrasion after each bowel motion and before bed. Be gentle and avoid rubbing or scrubbing too vigorously as this can exacerbate irritation. Avoid perfumed soaps, washes and detergents and always take care to rinse away all residues.

Try to identify the foods that trigger your symptoms. Commonly recognised triggers include chocolate, citrus fruits, spicy foods, tomatoes, coffee, dairy foods and nuts. You won't need to avoid any of these foods unless you discover they actually affect you adversely.

Wearing loose cotton underwear, showering daily (especially in hot weather), using plain colourless toilet paper, keeping the fingernails clean and short and obviously trying to avoid scratching can also help.
In some cases your doctor may prescribe steroid creams, ointments or antihistamine tablets to relieve itch and help you sleep.

It is a good idea to address the problem early. If the anus is scratched too often and too hard the skin can become damaged and torn, excoriated and infected. Chronic scratching can lead to lichenification (where the skin becomes thickened, tough and leathery) and ulceration (broken skin and deep craters which can become infected) as well as psychological and social issues.

10 Small Steps for big weight loss

Small steps for big weight loss

Sometimes little things can help you lose a lot of weight.

Losing weight doesn't require strict dieting, steely willpower and deprivation. The small-steps approach to weight loss can be the secret to long-term success. Accredited practising dietitian Dr Clare Collins spills the beans on how to make small changes that have a big impact.

1. Re-introduce yourself to your hunger
Dr Collins says: "It's not abnormal to have hunger pains before you eat. It's super important and it's tragic if you don't experience it. The best way to work out if you're truly hungry or just hungry with your eyes is to have a glass of water. If the twinges go away, you're not really hungry."

2. Breakfast is your weight-loss weapon
Dr Collins says: "There is more evidence reconfirming that breakfast improves concentration, memory, test performance and long-term weight loss. Some people have a busy life; they don't get home till late and won't have dinner till 9pm, so they're not hungry when they wake up. The key to learning to eat breakfast is to move the chaos back to earlier in the evening so you can wake up hungry."

3. Don't drink your kilojoules
Dr Collins says: "Some of our appetite regulators rely on chewing, stomach distention and feedback from your stomach to let you know when you're satisfied. When you drink kilojoules they can slip past the radar: a slice of bread at 70 calories takes a few minutes to eat, but 70 calories of a drink slips down in seconds."

4. Get real on portion size
Dr Collins says: "Bring out those measuring cups and kitchen scales, and spend one day weighing and measuring to understand portion control. Or simply divide your plate into quarters and fill half with salad or veg, a quarter carbs and a quarter protein."

5. Smart ways to eat out
Dr Collins says: "If you only eat out once a month, have what you like, but if you're eating out regularly, eat smart. Skip the entree and only have a main with a side of vegetables."

6. Prioritise healthy eating
Dr Collins says: "Plan ahead and get in the habit of knowing what's for dinner for the week. Cook a casserole on Sunday night so you're zapping it in the microwave when you get home from work during the week. Or pack a zip-lock bag with cherry tomatoes, some mixed lettuce and baby carrots to go with a chicken roll at lunchtime."

7. Lighten the foods you love
Dr Collins says: "Add heaps of vegies to your meal. Vegies are your secret weapon to diluting kilojoules in your food - you can save between 25 and 50 per cent of your kilojoules. For example, add onion, finely diced carrot and zucchini, half a cup of red lentils, crushed tomatoes and garlic to your spaghetti bolognaise. You're maximising nutrients and minimising kilojoules."

8. Get the right advice
Researchers at the University of Minnesota concluded that dietary instruction from a registered dietitian was very beneficial when it came to long-term weight-loss success. A long-term study by researchers at the Harvard School of Public Health also found that dieters who attended counselling sessions with a health professional lost more weight than those who didn't. "An accredited practising dietitian has the skills to help you develop a personalised weight-loss plan," Dr Collins says.

9. Go for wholegrains
Dr Collins says: "When you choose a wholegrain product you actually get a higher vitamin, mineral and fibre intake. They contain more vitamin E, zinc and iron, and more of the B vitamins, which are the ones you need when you burn up energy. From a weight-loss standpoint, wholegrains take more effort to chew, therefore your brain is more likely to receive signals letting you know that you're full."

10. Invest in your health
Dr Collins says: "The small steps really do make a difference. If you can invest and commit to those small steps you're much more likely to live your life in the healthy weight range."