Saturday, April 25, 2009

Diabetes and High Blood Pressure - Is Insulin Resistance the Culprit?

You may be heading for disaster. Diabetes and high blood pressure are by-products of bad eating habits. About 75% of diabetics have type 2 diabetes, and 50% of them will go on to develop high blood pressure and the implications are far reaching.

Symptoms to Watch Out For

Other symptoms that may occur before diabetes and high blood pressure surface are weight gain, elevated triglycerides, insulin resistance, and decreased HDL cholesterol. If a person has all of these symptoms together, they are said to be suffering from Metabolic Syndrome X. The reason for the name is that the organs and cells involved in this group of ailments, undergo a breakdown in metabolic processing linked to a common cause; the regular intake of high glycemic foods.

High glycemic foods include white bread and rolls, white rice, sugar, chips, baked potatoes, broad beans, many breakfast cereals, and the list goes on.
Insulin Resistance Symptoms

Your pancreas is an amazing organ and can normally function quite well even when we eat high glycemic food. The beta cells will release a hormone called insulin that will trigger receptors, the gateways into the body's cells, to receive glucose (sugar) from your food. It all works efficiently. When too much glucose is produced the insulin will then "signal" your muscle and liver cells to store the excess glucose as glycogen, and that store house will serve as a supply for when your body glucose levels drop, maintaining a regulated level of 70-110 mg per dl.

Problems will only begin to take root if you habitually eat a diet of glycemic foods. Your glucose levels will be constantly high. Your beta cells will produce more insulin to cope with the load which will result in the destruction of those little gateways into liver, fat, and muscle cells. When that happens the beta cells work even harder, producing more insulin to try and force insulin into the cells, destroying even more cell receptors. The vicious cycle continues.

At this stage your cells have become insulin resistant. Diabetes and high blood pressure will soon develop as well as the other metabolic syndrome X symptoms.

How
Insulin Resistance Rebounds

When fat cell receptors become insulin resistant, triglycerides are broken down and released into the blood, elevating the fat in the blood. When muscle cells become insulin resistant, uptake of glucose is reduced raising the glucose in the blood higher. And when liver cells become insulin resistant they can't store any excess glucose as glycogen, so again adding to the already high levels of glucose. You are now diabetic. Blood pressure is raised due to the faulty insulin metabolism.

You will probably develop -

Narrowed blood vessels Hardening of arteries Damage to artery walls Damage to the kidneys Vitamin and mineral deficiencies Fat burning mechanism switches off Weight gain
So your wonderful working pancreas is now overworked with producing so much insulin that the beta cells are beginning to burn out. Soon you will have to rely on insulin injections, on top of all the other serious health issues you will now have to deal with. But it hasn't happened yet. Or has it Don't self-harm. Change your diet now!

Jamesina Goulbourne is an article expert on the natural approach to alternative therapy for High Blood Pressure. She firmly believes in helping people take control of their own health by educating on how to work along with nature to help the healing process.

Discover more free, informative and highly relevant articles at her site http://www.highbloodpressureinfo.org to help lower your blood pressure and help you with other related illnesses.

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Diabetic Weekly Menus

Diabetes is the most common lifestyle disease which is widely prevalent in people all across the world these days. The disease is very dangerous and has very harmful repercussions for the patients. The most important aspect of controlling the disease is to have an effective diet plan for diabetics in place and to follow the intricacies of the plan with a lot of discipline. Diabetic weekly menus are devised by diet consultants or Doctors who treat patients suffering from diabetes.
These diabetic weekly food menus are a comprehensive guide for the patients to follow in order to control the disease from gaining alarming proportions. These menus advise patients on what kind of food intake is permitted and necessary to keep the disease within manageable limits. The basic aim of these menus is to provide options to the patients of intake of diabetic low car diet which will ensure a healthy and energetic body to combat the daily rigors without disturbing the nutritional balance of the body. These diabetic weekly food menus provide the body with supplement foods to lower the blood sugar levels of the body keeping the patient completely healthy to go about the daily chores of his life.

These diabetic weekly menus are an amalgamation of meal plans which are devised the by the consultant keeping in mind the requirements of the patients body based on his activity levels during a particular day. Since the level of physical activity varies between different patients, the diet plan for diabetics is also different depending upon the individual patient's physical needs and requirements. The catch of an effective diabetic low carb diet which will help in providing options for foods to lower the blood sugar levels of the patients is to ensure the right amount of calories intake. The individual diabetic weekly food menus provide those correct options which help the patients in maintaining a healthy lifestyle in spite of the disease.

With the help of these diabetic weekly food menus, the patients have the option of working on different diabetic low car diets every week. This will help the patients in getting rid of the monotony of eating similar food items for a long time. Consuming similar kind of food for a long time makes the patients vary and they tend to get disappointed and hassled with their physical condition which might lead to mental trauma and frustration. This kind of mental state is also not warranted for diabetic patients as increase in stress and tension levels also contributes in raising the blood sugar levels in the body.

The food intake options that are provided in these diabetic weekly menus should be complimented with a proper exercise regime as well. Food intake can to an extent just help in applying brakes on the harmful effects of diabetes in the body, but a combination of these diet plans for diabetics with an effective exercise schedule will act as potent tool in combating and controlling the disease. When following a disease control plan, it always helps to make a chart which should be regularly updated in order to keep track of the developments or benefits that the body in undergoing.

Controlling blood sugar levels is an art. If you want to be an expert in it, you should know the full details on what are the recommended fruits for diabetes and 6 tips on how to lower blood sugar naturally.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Murali_V

Diabetes Reversal - A Natural Cure For Diabetes

Diabetes reversal has been a very popular subject lately! Though there is no announced cure for both types of diabetes, there are many diabetes experts claiming that a natural cure for diabetes is possible. And it might be simpler than you think.

Unfortunately, pharmaceutical companies are still convinced that insulin is the best treatment for diabetes. However, thousands of sufferers cure themselves each year.

How are they doing it? By the end of this article, you will have learned 5 ways to naturally reverse diabetes and eventually cure it.

Why a Natural Cure is Right around the Corner?

Diabetes is quite possibly an epidemic! In America alone, almost 1 in 10 people have been diagnosed with type 1 or type 2 diabetes. Unfortunately, our 21st century westernized diet is not helping the cause.

However, if you travel north of the United States to a country called Greenland, you will find just the opposite. Researchers once found an Eskimo tribe which had almost no cases of developed diabetes. In fact, about 1 in every 2000 people would be considered 'borderline' or diagnosed.
And because our bodies are nothing shy of miraculous, you may be able to reverse diabetes with a healthier life and different diet. Here are some basic tips you need to try to wean yourself off of insulin.

Diabetes Reversal Tips

1. You should immediately start to drink plenty of water throughout the day. Water acts a flusher of the body and begins to make it run more effectively. Healthier cells are also a byproduct of always staying hydrated. Men should drink at least 12 cups a day and women should drink at least 9 cups.

2. You should also look at your diet differently. For instance, you obviously know that sugar is not healthy for your diet. Therefore, you should begin to wean yourself off of carbohydrates which will eliminate a lot of sugar content.

3. You should be trying to eat plenty of protein. Protein is necessary for cell membrane repair which can be responsible for the cells beginning to accept insulin again. Eating a diet that is high in protein is great for your body but even better for your diabetes. Foods rich in protein are meats, dairy, nuts, seafood and soy.

4. Exercising is extremely important because exercise helps create healthier cells that are not diabetic prone. Did you know that your body makes almost 100,000 new cells in a matter of seconds? The goal of your new lifestyle would be to create healthier cells!

5. Vegetables are a great snack which are low in carbohydrates (sugar) and high in fiber which also help flush the body. Vegetables are loaded with minerals and vitamins that are essential for making healthy cells. A good tip would be to buy plenty of fresh vegetable and clean them all up and cut them up for easy access.

Treat Diabetes at Home

These tips are only the tip of the iceberg. Imagine your doctor telling you that you no longer need to take insulin for your diabetes. This could be in 4 weeks with our 100% guaranteed Diabetes Reversal Remedy Report.

Joe Barton and Barton Publishing have helped thousands of diabetics cure their diabetes in less than 4 weeks. Find out why this Diabetes Reversal is guaranteed.

Diabetes Reversal


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Diabetes Reversal - A Natural Cure For Diabetes

How to Get Glucose Meters at Little Or No Cost

If you have diabetes, then you know that life without a glucose meter is not an option. Although most people associate insulin with being the number one thing that diabetes reply upon, the treatment for all diabetes is based on your blood sugar levels, and the only way to get sustained information about the levels of your blood sugar over a long term basis is to use a glucose monitoring system. This information determines how much insulin you get, if you are using the right type of glucose, if your diet and exercise regime is on point and more. For the best control of your diabetes, you simply must have one.

Of course, that is easy to say. What if you don't have health insurance, of if your insurance does not cover the kind of meter you need? These devices are expensive - often prohibitively so. What can you do?

Many diabetics who are on a tight budget try to get by without as meter because they simply do not think that they have any options. Do not make this mistake. There are many ways out there for you to get not only a cheap glucose monitor but a free monitor. The best sources of these free monitors are the manufacturers themselves. They often give away from monitors. Why would they do such a thing? Because if they give you the meter once, you have to purchase their testing strips for the life of the monitor - it allows them to ensure you are a customer for a long time. You can also often get free meters from your doctor or from diabetes research fundraising groups.

You don't have to risk your health by going without a meter. Investigate your options and cash in on a free meter offer.

By the way, by researching and comparing the free glucose monitors in the market, you will be able to determine the one that suits your specific health situation. However, it is advisable visiting your physician before making any decision, this way you will save time through specialized advise and money by getting better results with the glucose tester is perfect for you..
Hector Milla runs the Free Glucose Monitor website - where you can see his best rated free glucose meter provider and also you can get one in the brand and model you choose.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Hector_Milla

Friday, December 26, 2008

Staying on Top of Juvenile Diabetes

Many people are under the notion that diabetes is caused by obesity and eating sweets excessively. But such is not the case with juvenile diabetes. What exactly is juvenile diabetes and how is it different from other forms of diabetes? Juvenile diabetes is more apt to strike during the childhood, adolescent and young adult years. And it has rather a distinctive cause- due to an insult of the immune system. This insult can be an infection, or it may be toxic in nature. How does the disease go about with its workings? The immune system insult can alter pancreatic protein which in turn can have consequences on insulin production.

For children diagnosed with juvenile diabetes, regular insulin injections are needed to survive. It could be challenging having contracted the disease. For one thing, it might be difficult finding a private place to monitor one's blood glucose levels and give oneself the insulin shot. In settings like the school or other public places when the child or teenager is with their friends, this can happen. One's diet plays a crucial role in the management of the diseases as well. It's best that junk and fast food are then avoided, and so is pigging out in parties. The key is to eat right- the right foods at the right time.

Insulin injections are also given in time with the meals. Having a healthy routine is essential, too, especially when sleeping. Sleeping in late is much better done away with. Blood glucose levels can drop dangerously low during an extended snooze. There are other means of coping with juvenile diabetes, such as with the use of an insulin pump. This allows for more freedom all throughout the day when administering insulin to the body. Having to deal with the disease entails having several injections in a day. As for the diabetic pump, a small needle is inserted under the skin, often on the left side of the abdomen.

And all throughout the day, the bloodstream would absorb a small, steady dose of insulin. When a teenager has juvenile diabetes, it is still possible to stay on top of it. One can still enjoy having a normal life as a teenager, doing what most teenagers do. Provided of course one keeps to the appropriate measures in managing the disease. Having juvenile diabetes and living and coping with it is a team effort- that of the patient, the doctor, the dietitian and the family. They all compose the team which would help the patient enjoy a better quality of life despite being afflicted.

Certain factors can get in the way, though, such as peer pressure. When one has diabetes, they must take time and have the resolve to be disciplined. More so, they have to give more fore thought before making decisions. The key is to have the patient control the disease, and not the other way around. It takes more effort and some lifestyle modifications, but living can still be worthwhile. In fact, one can have more will and resolve to live better and healthier and have more discipline. One is compelled not to indulge in disobliging habits, and this is one good thing in a sense, looking on the brighter side.

The author of this article Rose Windale is a Health and Wellness Coach who has been successful with several natural health programs for many years. Rose decided to share her knowledge and tips through her website http://www.healthzine.org. You can sign up for her free newsletter and enjoy a healthy and happy life.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Rose_Windale

Friday, October 10, 2008

Can We Find a Cure For Diabetes?

Is There a Cure for Diabetes?

Chronic diseases are responsible for seventy percent of all deaths in the United States. According to information at the American Diabetes Association (ADA), because prevention may cause a loss of profits to doctors, surgical or other procedures are more common. But prevention would save a lot of lives and avoid much misery.

Of cancer, heart and artery problems and diabetes, diabetes scares me the most.

According to ADA, "Diabetes is a disease in which the body does not produce or properly use insulin. Insulin is a hormone that is needed to convert sugar, starches and other food into energy needed for daily life."

I'm afraid that I might lose a foot or a leg after suffering from horrible pain.

I don't have diabetes that I know of, but there is a question that I would like answered: Is there a cure for diabetes?

There is an answer to that question (and I don't like it). The answer is, NO.

Here is another question: Can diabetes be prevented?

That has a better answer: MAYBE.

You can lower your chances of getting diabetes through diet and exercise. A significant loss of weight is a very positive action against diabetes. Yes! Eat right and exercise routinely (not sporadically) and you can lose some weight and help prevent diabetes. Maybe you can't exercise because of certain problems, but you can always eat correctly.

Research

ADA conducts research in genetics, islet cell biology, immunology, diabetes education and behavioral research. Several genes are related to diabetes and that area of research is being conducted in several countries. That may be where the cure is found. We need to contribute to ADA to help eliminate this disease.

Some people think that there is already a cure for diabetes but that the pharmaceutical companies are hiding it so they can sell more drugs.

This kind of thinking occurs often. For example: There is an engine hid in a walk-in-safe at a big oil company that runs on water.

It doesn't help the situation.

Prevention and Treatment

According to ADA, "While diabetes and pre-diabetes occur in people of all ages and races, some groups have a higher risk for developing the disease than others. Diabetes is more common in African Americans, Latinos, Native Americans, and Asian Americans/Pacific Islanders, as well as the aged population. This means they are also at increased risk for developing pre-diabetes.

"There are two different tests your doctor can use to determine whether you have pre-diabetes: the fasting plasma glucose test (FPG) or the oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). The blood glucose levels measured after these tests determine whether you have a normal metabolism, or whether you have pre-diabetes or diabetes. If your blood glucose level is abnormal following the FPG, you have impaired fasting glucose (IFG); if your blood glucose level is abnormal following the OGTT, you have impaired glucose tolerance (IGT)."

Here is some additional information from ADA (http://www.diabetes.org/): "Pre-diabetes is a serious medical condition that can be treated. The good news is that the recently completed Diabetes Prevention Program study conclusively showed that people with pre-diabetes can prevent the development of type 2 diabetes by making changes in their diet and increasing their level of physical activity. They may even be able to return their blood glucose levels to the normal range.

"While the DPP also showed that some medications may delay the development of diabetes, diet and exercise worked better. Just 30 minutes a day of moderate physical activity, coupled with a 5-10% reduction in body weight, produced a 58% reduction in diabetes."

Conclusion

We have the information we need to prevent pre-diabetes and to lower the impact of diabetes.

Prevention is the way to go!

Fly Old Glory!

John T. Jones, Ph.D. (tjbooks@hotmail.com - a retired college professor and business executive, former editor of an international engineering magazine. Writer, novelist, painter of landscapes. Lots of grand-kids.

Keep Healthy. Strip That Fat will help you lose a few pounds quickly or 100 pounds more slowly. Find Both a Stop-Smoking-Programs Review and a Diet-Plans Review at: More info: http://www.magicwater.biz

Fly Old Glory! Do you need a modern flagpole with no lanyards, ropes, pulleys, etc., then get a TopFlight telescoping flagpole at: http://www.AAAFlagpoles.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=John_T_Jones,_Ph.D.

Help I Am Diabetic! Planning Your Meals, Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner - Ensuring You Eat Healthy

If you are diabetic then you do not suddenly need to go on a strict diet, cutting out different types of food and eating radically different types of meals. Rather, the important thing is to plan your meals and get used to good eating habits and balanced portions of the major food groups. Here are some tips about planning your meals effectively if you have diabetes.

When it comes to breakfast you usually do not have to do too much adapting, as all cereals are fine for diabetics to eat. There are some cereals that have added sugar so try to stick to the more natural brands, where you can always add fruit to make it a little sweeter. Apart from cereals you can also eat breakfast foods such as toast and crumpets, but try to use low-fat margarines and spreads.

Make sure that you have three meals a day, which means making time for a proper breakfast and lunch as well as dinner. It is important to spread food out over the day to control your appetite as well as your blood glucose levels. If you want snacks in between meals then low fat yoghurt or a piece of fruit is a good idea.

You should try to have one main meal each day and make sure that it is balanced, with larger amounts of foods such as rice, bread and potatoes, and lower amounts of meat, eggs and so on. In every meal the largest part of the meal should be made up from fruit or vegetables.

When planning your meals you will get the best nutrients following balanced, specially adapted diabetic recipes. This is especially true for your main meals. This advice will make planning your meals that little bit easier each day.

If you want easy to make tasty free diabetic recipes sent straight to your email inbox every week then you can by subscribing to my free diabetic newsletter here

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Will_Blears

Balancing Your Diet When Your Diabetic How to Cope With Diabetes by Using the Right Recipes

When you are diagnosed with diabetes you may think that your diet has to change completely. The truth is that you can still enjoy your favourite foods so long as they are part of a generally balanced and healthy diet. Here are some tips to make sure you have a balanced diet each day.

When cooking you should bear in mind the fact that foods are divided into five groups, which need to all be included in our daily eating habits. A diabetic diet is the same sort of balanced diet that everyone is recommended to eat, where it should be lower in fat, salt and sugar and higher in fruit and vegetables.

As part of maintaining a balanced diet you may have heard of 'portions' of the main food groups. It is recommended that we eat five portions of fruit and vegetables a day, and this usually means about a handful's amount of the food. Of course, each of us is different and as such will need different sized meals to keep us healthy. However, it is always a good rule to follow that excess fats should be cut out whenever possible, and this may include reducing the portion of one food in the meal (such as the meat) and increasing the size of the vegetables to make up for it.

You will also need to make sure that you eat regular meals, and don't skip meals such as breakfast. This will help diabetics to help control their blood glucose levels as well as maintaining a healthy appetite.

If you think that you may have a hard time remembering what foods you should eat, and keeping track of the main food groups, then it will be a good idea for you to use specially formulated diabetic recipes that will do most of the work for you. It can be extremely easy to maintain a balanced diet, and only takes a little thought and awareness.

You can receive free diabetic recipes each and every week via my free diabetic newsletter all you need to do is sign here. Its totally free and you will receive recipes each week as well as other bonuses.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Will_Blears

Diabetes in Children - A Wake-Up Call

We have been constantly made aware of the fact that people who are obese and overweight are putting themselves at high risk to a number of medical conditions. Among the two most cited conditions are cardiovascular or heart diseases and diabetes. As we view the numbers,the fact that the statistics include an increasing number of children, is indeed worrying.

It may not be surprising to learn that children are affected as many of them make poor food choices. Instead of healthy and nutritious choices, they prefer junk food and sweet fizzy drinks such as colas and sodas due to convenience,trend or to "hang around" their buddies. An unhealthy diet is one of the main reasons for them being obese or overweight.

It has been reported that globally,there are nearly half a million children under 15 with Type 1 diabetes. Sadly,it is estimated that 200 children develop Type 1 diabetes all over the world each day.

While Type 1 diabetes is increasing fastest in pre-school children,Type 2 diabetes has been reported in those as young as eight. According to experts,diabetes is one of the most chronic diseases affecting children of all ages even toddlers and babies. Those with diabetes will develop complications within 15 years. Such complications include heart and vascular disease,eye and kidney complications damage to nerve cells and high risk of infections.

In order to control diabetes,the recommendation is first,to deal with the issue of children being obese and overweight. Measures that have been suggested include food regulations such as better labelling and a curb on the marketing,advertising and promotion of junk food. Parents and guardians have a very important role in helping in this fight. They can do so by helping their children deal with the factors that make them obese and overweight. One crucial factor that they can influence is diet.

In planning a healthy weight loss diet, parents generally can promote a healthier lifestyle for the whole family. In fact,getting the whole family involved in a the diet is better than preparing a special diet for the child who is obese or overweight. In addition to a diet,exercise or physical activity is a must for weight loss which will help them manage the problem of being obese and overweight.

In helping their obese or overweight children win the battle with diabetes through weight loss,parents need help. Such help can be found in the top weight loss programs that are available. If the requirement is a diet system that incorporates exercises,they would be better able to help in learning more about a diet system which is a leader in the weight loss industry.

Help your children lose weight and prevent or manage diabetes with a diet system that has been proven to be suitable for everyone. Register for a your free guide that reveal the 5 secrets that weight loss companies do not want you to know. Use the potential weight loss calculator and enjoy many other benefits. Use a diet that allows you to create 40,000 variations for losing weight and keeping it off in the long term. Thousands all over the world have benefited. Choose the system and help your child be healthier and enjoy a better quality of life. Express your love in a meaningful way. Delay is your worst enemy.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Azhar_Victor

Diabetes - Can it Be Reversed?

Diabetes. It has an effect on most every part of your body, if you have it. A lot of people have diabetes and don't even know it. Even greater amounts of people have pre-diabetes, and don't even have a clue that they are at risk for diabetes! Want to prevent, reduce, or eliminate diabetes and its' horrible effects?

There is a way. It is not an overnight method, or a super pill that you take and diabetes just goes away. You will actually have to work at it, and take some serious action steps along with a shift in lifestyle. But, you probably secretly wanted that anyway. Who wouldn't like to feel better, look younger, have more energy, lose weight and gain vitality?

With knowledge, creating a plan, and taking action, you can turn this "beast" called diabetes, into a manageable puppy on a leash. This is a nutritional learning process combined with a dash of physical exercises. (Yes, you do have to exercise) The exercises can be fun. You don't have to do the same thing everyday. Make it fun, but be active.

Another key aspect is learning about supplements that will work in conjunction with your nutritional meals. There are many herbal, and natural products such as Bitter Melon, Cinnamon, Gymnena Sylvestre, Fenugreek, Ginseng, and several others that will help, but do your homework.

Other supplements are almost "required"; they are Chromium, Magnesium, Zinc, and Calcium. If you are diabetic, you probably are deficient in one or more of these. Check with your health practitioner if these will affect you and your medication schedule. Some of these can lower your blood sugar pretty fast.

Our eating habits are what got us here in the first place. So nutrition is probably the biggest change you will have to make. Eating the right carbohydrates, combined with proper amount of proteins and fats is so important. Once you learn how food affects the blood and how insulin works, it will make sense. When you make a change to proper nutritious food, you will notice an improvement in your overall well-being. More energy and concentration is what I noticed. And then the weight started dropping off!

I learned a lot from from a variety of sources. I took what away the best methods or techniques from each source and developed them into a very beneficial program for myself. It worked wonders for me and I am sure it can for you. I put all this information into an ebook that will be released Oct/Nov. 2008. Very good, step-by-step, (possibly lifesaving) information.

I truly suggest that you look into getting as much knowledge as you can on just what diabetes does to your body and what you can do to prevent it. Always make the decision yourself as to what is best for you.

Get your free PDF copy of "59 Tips on Eats, Meats, Treats, and Feets". And get on the list to receive notice of the release date of my ebook "Reverse Diabetes?". You will qualify for the early bird bonus.

Thomas Fouts is a former building inspector who decided to get out of the 8 to 5 rat race. Since working from home, starting an online business, and getting my health back, my wife has told others that she got the person she married back. It has been a wonderful change. Just start. Go here to get a free PDF "59 Tips on Eats, Meats, Treats and Feets" http://www.diabetespanicbutton.com

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Diabetes - A Disease You Can Fight

Diabetes has become one of the most wide-spread killers in the United States. The American Diabetic Association estimates that 23.6 million children and adults (or approximately 8% of the current U.S. population) has diabetes. And of that amount of people, approximately 25% are unaware they have the disease. Diabetes has been identified as one of the most common undiagnosed diseases.

How does this affect you? Well, it affects you in several ways.

First, if you currently are not diagnosed with diabetes, you may know of someone in your family who has the disease. It is also possible that you may be diagnosed with diabetes in the not too distant future. The number of diagnosed cases has increased about 14% since a study done in 2005-2007.

Second, the economic cost of someone diagnosed with diabetes is staggering. People diagnosed with this disease incur average medical expenses of over $11,700 dollars per year. This is approximately 2 ½ times higher than the medical expenses of someone without diabetes.

Third, your ethnicity may make you more susceptible to getting the disease. Diabetes is more common among African-Americans, Latinos, Native Americans, and Asian-American/Pacific Islanders. The National Diabetes Education Program, for instance, has stated that about 16.5% of the Native Americans seen by the Indian Health Service have been diagnosed to have diabetes.

Fourth, even if you do not fit into one of these ethnic groups, the older you get, the more likely you are to be diagnosed with diabetes. It has been said that 18% of those 60 and older have diabetes and an estimated 50% of all diabetes happens in those who are 55 and older.

However (and this is a big However), the news is not all bleak. There is good news. Recent studies have showed conclusively that individuals with pre-diabetes can make some simple changes in their lifestyle to prevent the development of type 2 diabetes. By making a few simple changes in your diet and increasing physical activity, you can knock out diabetes.

A Diabetes Prevention Program study showed that while some medicines delayed the development of diabetes, diet and exercise had a much more beneficial impact on diabetes. This study found that 30 minutes of moderate physical activity plus a 5 - 10% reduction in body weight produced a 58% reduction in diabetes. And when you factor in that it will cost you over $11,700 in medical expenses per year, getting up off the couch and losing some weight doesn't seem such a bad deal.

"Sure, physical activity probably would be good for me, but I don't want to spend all day at the gym."

It's really is not all that hard to get 30 minutes of moderate physical activity.

The Center for Disease Control states that moderate-intensity physical activity is an activity where a person would experience some increase in breathing or heart rate or any activity that burns 3.5 - 7 calories a minute.

Activities that fit this description would include walking briskly, playing golf while pulling a cart or carrying your clubs, recreational swimming, mowing your lawn with a power mower, playing doubles tennis or bicycling 5 - 9 mph on level terrain.

And you don't have to do these things 30 minutes straight. You can break up your daily physical activities into 3 sessions of 10 minutes each if that fits your lifestyle better.

Besides exercise and diet, another major factor in fighting diabetes is making your doctor a central part of your fight. Keep your doctor informed and make sure that you meet with your doctor on a regular basis.

Diabetes is a dreadful disease. It can sneak up on you without you even being aware of the damage it is doing to your body. But you can knock out diabetes. Exercise, diet, and conferring with your doctor are all methods for putting diabetes down for the count.

Feel free to distribute this article in any form as long as you include the resource box.

The author, Merle Zunigha, has a personal interest in diabetes having watched his father fight the disease and as a result of his currently fighting diabetes himself. For more information on fighting this devastating disease go to http://adea-diabetes.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Merle_Zunigha

Gestational Diabetes Baby Risks

Gestational diabetes is a form of diabetes that is characterized by insulin resistance that occurs primarily during the second and third trimester of a woman's pregnancy. It is believed to be caused by the rapid and excessive hormone production that women go through during their pregnancy. It is also thought that pancreas is unable to produce enough insulin to deal with rising blood sugar levels which leads to hyperglycemia. Left untreated a gestational diabetes baby is placed at a higher risk for a variety of health problems.

About 4 percent of all pregnant women will be afflicted with gestational diabetes but it usually goes away after the baby is born. Left untreated this form of diabetes can pose a dangerous risk to both the mother and unborn baby. The biggest risk is caused by excessive sugar that crosses the placenta to the baby. Insulin on the other hand does not cross this barrier.

High blood sugar levels in the mother means the same for the baby. The developing baby's pancreas compensates for this by producing more insulin to remove the excess sugar from its blood stream. The sugar is stored away as fat which leads to macrosomia, also known as fat baby syndrome.

Babies born with macrosomia can have a whole host of health issues, some of which can be life threatening. Because babies born with this condition tend to be larger then normal they are most often require a cesarean birth. If they are born naturally they can damage their shoulders because they are too large for the birth canal. They can also be born with extremely low blood sugar levels and their respiratory system may not be fully developed, causing breathing problems.

To prevent gestational diabetes baby risks every woman should be tested during the second trimester of their pregnancy. If they are found to be suffering from this condition treatment and control needs to be started quickly. In most cases it can be controlled through gestational diabetes meal planning and exercise but in more extreme cases medical intervention may be necessary including daily insulin injections.

For more information about the symptoms of gestational diabetes please visit the web site Diabetic Diet Plans by Clicking Here.

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Warning Signs of Diabetes? Ignore the First Signs of Diabetes at Your Own Peril

Any major ailment occurring in the human body can be diagnosed and detected in early stages in case one pays attention to its warning symptoms. The same is true for the warning signs of diabetes. Diabetes is a serious medical condition characterized by presence of excess glucose in the blood. Worldwide, millions of people tend to suffer with the symptoms of diabetes. Interestingly, a major percentage of these people could have diabetes for months or even years and not even aware about it. However, it is possible to gain complete relief from the disease by getting proper medical assistance at the right time only if people pay due attention to the warnings signs diabetes is associated with.

First Signs of Diabetes:
In most cases, early symptoms of diabetes are so minor that they go unnoticed or overlooked. Due to this reason, many people tend to suffer with some serious complications and find it extremely hard to lead a happy and healthy lifestyle. Some of these first signs of diabetes that appear during early stages of diabetes are listed below:

* Lifestyle changes characterized by noticeable alterations in the diet patterns such as excessive hunger and unquenchable thirst
* Unexplained weight loss even though one consumes excessive amounts of food
* Increased frequency in the occurrence of yeast or skin infections
* Frequent urination
* Behavioral changes such as fatigue, irritability and mood swings
* Finally, individuals with diabetes even suffer with eye problems like blurred vision.

Diabetes Complications:
Any person suffering with diabetes symptoms must have a test done on their blood sugar levels. Most importantly, all the warning signs diabetes is associated with must never be ignored or left untreated. Otherwise, they can lead to more serious medical complications that are broadly divided into different categories. Some of these are explained below.

* Complications of the Eye - Symptoms of diabetes are a leading cause of various eye-related problems that can even result in blindness. Some of these complications of eye include cataract, retinopathy and glaucoma. Reason for these complications is that excess concentration of glucose in the blood tends to imbalance the osmolarity of the body and affects the fluid levels inside the eye.

* Renal Complications - Kidney is the chief excretory organ of the body that filters any thing excess present in the blood, including glucose and removes it through the urine. Interestingly, persons with diabetes are highly prone to urinary tract infections that can cause various kidney problems. Another renal problem that is highly common in diabetics is nephropathy. In this, kidneys tend to deteriorate slowly and ultimately cease to function, thereby causing death.

* Cardiovascular problems - Diabetics suffer with double the risk of getting heart diseases such as cardiac stroke, atherosclerosis, myocardial infraction, and hypertension than normal individuals. This is because excess glucose results in increased cholesterol and fat deposits along the inner lining of blood vessels, thereby causing problems in blood circulation from the heart to body tissues.

* Neuronal Complications - The most common one in this category is neuropathy or nerve damage. Also, excess glucose concentrations can even harm the autonomous nervous system of the body, thereby causing problems in respiration and other bodily functions such as blood circulation, urination, sexual function and even body homeostasis.

By keeping these thoughts in mind, there is no reason why you should ignore the warning signs of diabetes. At the first signs of diabetes, you should get tested immediately and starting making changes to your diet and physical exercise level. Your goal should be to act quickly to prevent further harm. Doing so will significantly reduce the risk of full blown diabetes and allow you to keep the symptoms of diabetes in check.

For more information on Warning Signs Diabetes, try visiting http://www.curefordiabetes.org - it is a website offering solid tips and information on different diabetes treatments and diabetes in general.

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Thursday, September 25, 2008

10 Foods to Lower Blood Sugar

This is a short list of foods that lower blood sugar. Since controlling blood sugar is one of the most important things you can do to remain healthy and live a long life, you need to learn how to lower a high blood sugar level, and what kind of foods and diet can help you do that.

Nuts - Although these tend to be high in fat, it is the good kind of fats, which can actually lower insulin resistance, which means your cells will be more sensitive to the insulin your body produces which will more effectively lower your blood sugar.

Also, nuts because of their fat content help in controlling blood sugar by preventing you from becoming hungry between meals, and thus you avoid the sugary snacks that tend to raise your blood sugar.

Examples of healthy nuts are:

Peanuts
Walnuts
Almonds
Cashews
Pecans
Brazil Nuts
Macadamia Nuts

This of course is dependant on whether you have food sensitivities or allergies to certain nuts. If so, do not eat them. However if you do not have any allergies to nuts, make them a regular part of your daily diet.

Avocado - This is actually a fruit and contains the healthy fats that raise your insulin sensitivity and is thus another of the foods that lower blood sugar. It is can be used in dips, sauces, and spreads, or as a garnish. Avocados contain fiber to help slow down blood sugar increases when added to a meal. It's a convenient, tasty, and healthy food that will help in lowering a high blood sugar level.

Sweet Potatoes - These are much lower on the glycemic index than regular potatoes due to their higher fiber content. They contain carotenoids, which are powerful antioxidants and are thought to have a positive affect on insulin, and chlorogenic acid, which combats insulin resistance. Don't negate their value by using sugary sauces or toppings on them.

Cinnamon - this is a commonly used spice that contains natural compounds that mimic the effect of insulin, as well as reducing LDL cholesterol in people with diabetes. It is high in fiber and also a rich source of magnesium, which also helps in controlling blood sugar.

Onions - The high sulfur and flavonoid content of onions which when consumed at a level of 2 ounces per day by diabetics caused a significant reduction in blood sugar. Onions also raise HDL and are thought to help prevent cancer as well due to their high antioxidant levels.

Garlic - This beneficial herb is another of the foods that lower blood sugar. Garlic can raise insulin production and increase insulin sensitivity. Raw garlic has potent antioxidant properties and promotes a healthy cholesterol profile as well as protecting against certain types of cancer.

Flaxseed - ground flaxseeds are rich in lignans and magnesium, which helps lower blood sugar. It is also a potent source of omega-three fatty acids, which also help in controlling blood sugar. An added bonus is that flaxseed can also block some of the negative effects of natural estrogen and help prevent estrogen related cancers.

Barley - is a fiber packed and healthier alternative to rice for people trying to reduce a high blood sugar level. Barley has the same cholesterol lowering fiber found in oats and helps to significantly reduce the glycemic index of a meal it is added to. It will also tend to make you feel fuller while eating less calories.

Cherries - are a great choice among foods that lower blood sugar as they contain red-pigmented antioxidants, which can help raise your body's insulin output. Cherries are high in soluble fiber and low in calories, and their antioxidant levels help protect against cancer and heart disease as well as diabetes.

Lemons - round out our ten best foods for controlling blood sugar. They are rich in vitamin-c, contain potent health promoting compounds like rutin and limonene, and their acidity can lower the glycemic index of a meal considerably. They have cholesterol lowering and anti cancer properties as well.

One thing you may have noticed about these foods that lower blood sugar is that they also provide a lot of additional health benefits as well such as protecting against cancer and heart disease. One of the reasons is that reducing a high blood sugar level also reduces insulin levels, which correlate with a longer and healthier life.

In addition, the alkalizing effects of many of these foods also promote an environment in your body's cells, which is unfavorable to the development of cancers. Fresh, whole, raw, natural foods are nature's apothecary, and controlling blood sugar is but one of the many benefits these foods provide.

George Parigian Jr. is age 53 and has lived and worked in the Boston area all of his life. He is a 1978 graduate of Northeastern University, and a personal trainer, certified by the National Strength & Conditioning Association. He writes and consults on the topics of antiaging, health, and exercise.

Visit his new Wellness and Antiaging Website at: http://www.age-better.com

You can contact him at:

George Parigian Jr.
362a Highland Ave.
Somerville, MA 02144
617-666-0623
george44@rcn.com

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Why People Need to Know About Diabetes

Diabetes is a disease, which people often don't realize they have. It is even possible to have it, get rid of it and not know you had it. However, even though you're not aware of its presence, if you have diabetes it is working within your body to damage cells.

Diabetes occurs when your body's normal method of handling sugar encounters problems. Sugar in your blood is called glucose. It enters into your bloodstream through the foods you eat and from your liver. Your body needs this sugar as it provides energy for your muscle and tissue cells.

But in order to do its job, glucose needs the help of insulin. Insulin is present in certain cells of your pancreas known as beta cells. As you eat, your pancreas releases insulin into your bloodstream. The insulin circulates and allows sugar to enter your cells. This reduces the sugar in your bloodstream. When these levels begin to drop, the pancreas stops releasing insulin.

Glucose is also stored and manufactured in your liver. When insulin levels are high, your liver stores the extra sugar. When insulin levels are low, your liver converts this sugar into glucose and sends it into your bloodstream.

However, if this intricate balancing process malfunctions, the glucose does not enter the cells but builds up in the bloodstream until it is excreted in the urine. This condition has two causes. Either your pancreas is not producing enough insulin or your cells have become resistant to insulin. In either case, you have what is known in the medical profession as Type 2 Diabetes or Diabetes Mellitus.

There are also two other types of diabetes. Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disorder. Your immune system attacks the beta cells in your pancreas and prevents it from producing the insulin you need. This type is often called juvenile diabetes or insulin dependent diabetes. It does most often occur in children and they do need a daily intake of insulin. However, adults can develop Type 1 and people with Type 2 diabetes may also need insulin.

Sometimes diabetes develops temporarily during pregnancy. This is called gestational diabetes. It happens because the hormones you secrete during pregnancy sometimes increase your body's resistance to insulin. It is not common, occurring only in 2 to 5 percent of expectant mothers. It usually appears in the third trimester. Since most women are under a doctor's care during pregnancy, it is caught early. After the baby's birth, gestational diabetes goes away, however it leaves the mother at risk for type 2 diabetes later on.

Medical scientists do not know what causes diabetes but have identified certain risk factors. Your risk increases if someone in your family has had the disease.

Although scientists don't know why, some races are more vulnerable to diabetes. It is more prevalent among Blacks, Hispanics and American Indians, than among Caucasians.

Age, weight, and inactivity are also factors. As people age, they tend to be more sedentary and often gain weight.

While some of these risk factors are beyond your control, two are not. You can do something about your weight and you can certainly become more active. Addressing both issues goes a long way toward preventing diabetes.

And the most important measure to take is to be tested to see if you already have the disease. There are several blood tests available that are inexpensive and simple to perform. Some doctors do these as part of a routine physical but not all doctors. So you need to ask to be sure.

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Discover the Facts Surrounding The Causes of Diabetes

The truth about Diabetes information you must have. Obesity is reaching epidemic proportions, weight problems and lack of exercise now encountered by a large percentage of the population. In the USA 17 million people currently have Diabetes this equates to 6.2 per cent of the population and this number is increasing by 1 million new cases each year. The frightening part is that these numbers are under estimates for it is not uncommon for diabetes to go undetected for as long as 12 years before being properly diagnosed. Sadly many will lose friends and family before they are even diagnosed, why, because research shows that the consequences of this disease can lead to premature death from heart disease, amputation of the lower limbs, problems associated with kidney disease, loss of sight and blindness.

If this sounds like a dismal picture well it is! so what can we do, well you need to visit your physician and obtain the proper tests to determine your own risk factors, but before you do that you need to be informed. Knowledge is power and the more preparatory knowledge you are armed with before your visit, the greater the odds of understanding what you will be told by the medical profession, and the better the chance of having your concerns given more than just lip service. Let's face it the entire medical industry is in chaos, we read the headlines every day about people who slip through the system or are mis-diagnosed. You need to take control of your health and well being because no one else can do it for you. Diabetes is a real threat to you and those you hold dear the solution is knowledge. Learn the facts surrounding this disease and how you can protect yourself and your loved one's.

It is difficult to keep up with all the latest health news and information. Many of us do not have the time to make weekly stops at the book or health food store for the most up to date information on supplements, nutrition and strategies for treating or preventing diseases. Improving and maintaining your health can be a time consuming job. It is a constantly moving field that requires effort to stay on top of the latest breakthroughs. Fortunately, ebooks are improving the availability of this information.

Ebooks pertaining to health are some of the most popular ebooks on the Internet. They range from weight loss and treating specific diseases such as Diabetes to the newest superfoods available. It can be difficult to organise and store more than a few of your traditional books. They clutter up shelves and take up valuable space, not to mention are ridiculously heavy to move. Ebooks are quite the opposite; your computer conveniently stores all your ebooks for you. Plus you can buy them online from the comfort of your home and they tend to be cheaper than books from the high street. It is a simple way to take in a lot of important information and store it safely for future use.

Health ebooks are now available at a one stop shop, where you can find all the ebooks you need to educate yourself on multiple health topics. Hampshire Marketing offers their customers a place to purchase health related ebooks online without worry. It is an easy way to keep track of what's popular, what's new and what relates to you in the health world, with no risk when you buy. If you are serious about your health let Hampshire Marketing keep you healthy with their ebooks.

It is difficult to keep up with all the latest health news and information. Many of us do not have the time to make weekly stops at the book or health food store for the most up to date information on supplements, nutrition and strategies for treating or preventing diseases. Improving and maintaining your health can be a time consuming job. It is a constantly moving field that requires effort to stay on top of the latest breakthroughs. Fortunately, ebooks are improving the availability of this information.

Ebooks pertaining to health are some of the most popular ebooks on the Internet. They range from weight loss and treating specific diseases such as Diabetes to the newest superfoods available. It can be difficult to organise and store more than a few of your traditional books. They clutter up shelves and take up valuable space, not to mention are ridiculously heavy to move. Ebooks are quite the opposite; your computer conveniently stores all your ebooks for you. Plus you can buy them online from the comfort of your home and they tend to be cheaper than books from the high street. It is a simple way to take in a lot of important information and store it safely for future use.

Health ebooks are now available at a one stop shop, where you can find all the ebooks you need to educate yourself on multiple health topics. Hampshire Marketing offers their customers a place to purchase health related ebooks online without worry. It is an easy way to keep track of what's popular, what's new and what relates to you in the health world, with no risk when you buy. If you are serious about your health let Hampshire Marketing keep you healthy with their ebooks.

http://www.hampshiremarketing.ltd.uk

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=John_Almond

How Does Exercise Help Control Diabetes and What Types of Exercise Are Good?

The number of people diagnosed with some type of diabetes is growing every year. This is because people are eating more unhealthy foods and exercising less these days. These two factors are the major contributor in the increased number of people suffering diabetes. Therefore, healthy diets and exercise are keys to reducing the odds of getting diabetes.

There are two types of diabetes: Type I and Type II diabetes. In either case, the body is unable to regulate the level of blood glucose. Glucose is a kind of sugar that your body uses for energy. In the normal case, a hormone called insulin is responsible in keeping the glucose level in our blood steady. When you have diabetes, your body is not producing enough insulin, or the insulin is not functioning properly. This causes the glucose to build up in your blood and makes you sick.

In Type I diabetes, the body can't produce adequate insulin. The lack of insulin has to be made up via injection. This is the more serious type and usually supervised and controlled by a medical professional. On the other hand, in Type II diabetes your body cannot properly use insulin due to resistance to insulin. This type is more likely to occur as we age. The kidneys become less efficient and we tend to adopt a more unhealthy and sedentary lifestyle

If not treated, diabetes will destroy your blood vessels and put you at risk of serious diseases like heart attacks, stroke, kidneys problems, blood circulation problems, etc.

Type II diabetes can be controlled with healthy diet and regular exercise.

Exercise helps increase insulin sensitivity and efficiency of insulin. Physical activities have positive effects on the level of sugar in the blood. They reduce body fat, improve your blood pressure and make your heart effort harder. Physical activities can also decrease the risk of diabetes-related complications.

The best type of physical activity for diabetes is aerobic exercise such as jogging, brisk walking, swimming, cycling, badminton, tennis, dancing and yoga. Do exercise for at least 30 minutes 5 days a week. However, you should consult with your doctor first before starting any exercise program.

Weight or strength training is also good for diabetes. It helps build strong bones and muscles and increases the metabolic rate. At the same time, it increases the use of glucose by muscles and improves the ability of muscle tissue to store it.

Again, if you have been living a sedentary lifestyle for a while now, talk to your doctor first before starting any exercise program. Walking is a great way to get started. An hour daily is best.

Like anything worth doing, persistence and consistency are keys to conquering diabetes or controlling it. It requires permanent lifestyle changes.

Go to Fitness and Health Tips for more health and fitness related advice. You can also download a FREE exercise ebook worth $67 at our site: http://fitnesstips.healthbuzzone.com/

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Saturday, September 13, 2008

Signs of Diabetes - Frequent Urination

First of all how do we define frequent urination? It is urinating more than required. Frequent urination can be the symptom of many diseases including diabetes. But for defining frequent urination one must know the quantity of normal urination. The estimated amount of urine daily produced by an adult body is one and a half liters.

Excessive, less or frequent urination all these are a symptom of some serious dysfunction in the body.

The routine method used to examine urine to diagnose or to curtail ailments is urine analysis. If the test shows that there is glucose in the urine then it means that the said person is suffering from diabetes. If there are bacteria in the urine then the urinary system might have certain infections. If there are blood cells in the urine this can be the probable sign of cancer of the urinary tract.

Causes of frequent urination

Frequent urination may occur due to number of reasons.

--Enlargement of Prostrate Gland

Prostrate gland enlargement is one of the causes of frequent urination. The blown up prostrate gland tighten the urethra. Thus the bladder is temporarily obstructed. It actually happens because of the thickening of bladder wall. This prostrate enlargement may lead to a concentrated urge to urinate, problem in passing the urine, and night time urination.

--Prostrate disorder

There are several reasons of prostrate disorder. It may affect the men of all ages.

Other causes of frequent urination are

--Renal failure

--Chronic Renal Failure

--End-stage renal failure

--Urinary calculi

--Bacterial infections

--Polycystic renal disease

--Hypospadias

Frequent urination combined with increased thirst, excessive weight loss, and blurred vision is the symptoms of diabetes. If these conditions persist the person should consult the doctor.

In order to have some magical tips to control frequent urination - Diabetes Information. apply the tips and see the guaranteed results yourself

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What Causes Diabetes - Both Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes - The Causes and Symptoms of Diabetes

Have you been diagnosed with diabetes or are you in fear that you may also be diagnosed with diabetes, perhaps because it is an increasingly popular illness especially amongst the USA. Do you want to know what causes diabetes to ensure you don't receive it. Well read on.

Now the main cause of diabetes is currently obesity and with 30% of the USA clinically obese it is no wonder that 24 million people suffer from diabetes in the USA alone. As you can see diabetes is a growing illness and with more and more people being diagnosed with diabetes it is important that you know what the main causes of diabetes are.

A second important cause of diabetes is diabetes being inherited through the bloodlines. A major cause of diabetes which is brought down through generations, however it does not mean that if your father or gran father has diabetes that you will also be diagnosed with diabetes merely that you are at a higher risk. Therefore you should watch out more for the symptoms of diabetes.

To ensure that you are at a lower risk of being diagnosed with diabetes you need to have a healthy and balanced diet of protein, fibre, carbohydrates and a low percentage of fats. Exercise is another great way of not only staying healthy but decreasing the risk of being diagnosed with diabetes. Regular exercise 3-5 times a week will not only keep your heart rate and blood levels in the right places but also ensure you are maintaining your body and reducing the risk of diabetes.

Type 1 and type 2 diabetes can occur for various reasons. They differ from person to person and depending on your own specific situation there are different strategies you can impose for combating diabetes. However everyone who has diabetes needs a healthy and balanced diet and with this you need diabetic recipes.

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter to receive free diabetic recipes each and every week. These recipes are suited just for anyone with diabetes and you can sign up for free to receive diabetic recipes straight to your inbox.

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Will Blears - EzineArticles Expert Author