The study assigned a group of long-standing type 2 diabetics to a very low calorie liquid diet that consisted of only 600 calories per day for 7-days. Remarkably, blood sugar levels returned to normal by the end of the 7-day bout. The researchers note that the mini-fast allows the pancreas and liver to clear out excess accumulated fat –which pushes the reset button on carbohydrate metabolism.

More natural ways to fight type 2 diabetes (and win)…

All the Best,

Shelly Manning

The researchers found that those that regularly took statin drugs had a significantly higher chance of developing type 2 diabetes when compared to a similar group that treated their cholesterol with lifestyle changes. They found that statins upped diabetes risk by approximately 8 percent. Importantly, the individuals taking the highest doses of cholesterol-lowering meds were also at the highest risk of diabetes –a finding that confirms the connection.

Here are simple and natural alternatives to reduce cholesterol…

To Your Health,

Scott Davis

The researchers investigated the connection between folic acid levels in the blood and rates of depression in a group of 58 type 2 diabetics. They found that low folate levels doubled depression risk. The researchers also note that folic acid may help prescription antidepressants work better. Sources of folic acid in the diet include whole grains, fresh vegetables and beans.

More ways to make managing diabetes simple and easy here…

To Your Health,

Jodi Knapp

This isn’t uncommon, since there are a wide variety of symptoms that are present across a huge spectrum of diseases.

While there are a lot of clinical tests that can be run for different diseases, sometimes it can be difficult to know which tests to run if a person doesn’t exhibit enough symptoms for a particular disease.

This was exactly the case for this man, who had spent a great deal of time suffering from a few key symptoms that could have been attributes to a number of conditions. It took several months apparently, for his doctor to finally be able to diagnose the right problem.

It started out as just one symptom- frequency. This is what is referred to as multiple trips to drain the bladder.

He attributed it to age, since it is not uncommon for those over 50 to start seeing a frequent urination problem.

After a few months of that, he started noticing that he was experiencing random pain in his lower back.

To this, he again figured age was an appropriate excuse. And his increasing erectile problems…this, he thought, was the natural progression of age.

He did bring it up with his doctor, who grilled him about other symptoms…any rash, fever, increased thirst, and so on.

During that visit his doctor noted that his blood pressure was elevated compared to what it had always been, so he considered all the history as it was reported and the logical conclusion was prostatitis, since his history also included the fact that he had needed a surgical procedure in his 30s to relieve an inflamed prostate.

So what were the symptoms so far…were you keeping track? He had reported, over a number of many months, frequency with urination, pain in the lower back, erectile problems, and elevated blood pressure.

Yet his blood tests all came back relatively normal. His fasting glucose was a little high but not enough to trip anyone’s triggers.

So on and on these frustrating nuisance symptoms went, and slowly more were added. He said the fatigue and feeling of always having the flu was starting to interfere with work, and he was getting a little depressed about how his health seemed to be deteriorating despite being treated for an inflammation of the prostate.

That seems to be how it happens. Slowly, a little at a time, and you barely even notice it. Sometimes certain symptoms appear so subtly and gradually over time that you don’t even know they are there till a loved one points it out.

It was the case for this reader, since his wife noticed he had started to lose weight and his “cheaters” (reading glasses) no longer did the job for him. He had started using hers because she had stronger lenses than he did.

By now, a year had gone by and his annual physical was due again, so his wife accompanied him this time. She had been keeping notes and he seemed amused at how she took her “tattle sheet” along to the appointment.

More blood tests were ordered and finally…the real culprit. It was diabetes after all. He didn’t experience the increased thirst because he had always been big on making sure he drank a lot every day, anyway. He didn’t have the tingling in the extremities or other diabetes red flags.

It turns out also that the pain in his lower back that he thought was age-related arthritis and sore muscles was actually kidneys struggling to do their job despite the insult of protein overload and excess keytones.

The common symptoms between the two diseases:

- Frequent urination
- Pain in the lower back
- Fatigue or flu-like symptoms
- Erectile problems
- Elevated blood pressure

Since he didn’t show the weight loss and vision issues till months after the urgency, frequency, and other symptoms started, it wasn’t enough of the right combinations of symptoms to automatically point to diabetes.

The lesson in this isn’t that doctors are frequently wrong. It is simply that you just have to pay attention to your body. If you have new symptoms cropping up, don’t just attribute them to age. Keep a journal of what you are experiencing and what seems to set you off or trigger your problems.

And finally, talk openly with your provider about what you are noticing. Let your spouse contribute to the conversation, too. You may find that he or she is a better scribe of your issues that you are.

For more information on treating type 2 diabetes and other natural health programs for blood pressure, erectile problems and other conditions, click the links here or see the full list to the right hand side of the page.

All the Best,

Jodi Knapp

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There are examples everywhere as to how a miracle pill started out as a plant…most notably with Digitalis. This plant-based drug is used to treat heart failure.

However, it is also known to be horrendously toxic, especially to children, pets, pregnant women, and animals.

So careful control over its use is required. But not all plant-based formulations are as readily obvious in their toxicity and contra-indications as foxglove.

Take Emulin, for example.

This brand new food additive is a compound that emulates insulin, thus the trademarked name, Emulin.

It is being branded as the biggest, most important find of the 21st century, and is being billed all over the Internet and news media as an astonishing, life-changing miracle that is poised to reverse the trend of Type II diabetes completely.

Wow! That sounds amazing. And it might even be true. But I have to say, that any food additive, supplement, or drug that claims there are no side effects or negative consequences to its use makes me very nervous (Olestra, anyone?)

This also what the producers of saccharin used to tell people back in the 50’s, and did for many years even after it was discovered to be a carcinogen.

I do believe, though, that this incredible finding is very much worth exploring, since it is completely plant-based. I wouldn’t go so far as to call it natural, though, because it’s not like they zested and dehydrated the grapefruit peel. The fruits they use are processed, refined and concentrated (just like corn is to make cornstarch).

So how does it work?

It is derived from the peels of citrus fruits. Its inspiration comes from the effects of grapefruit on health, most notably in weight loss, Type II diabetes, High LDL cholesterol, and metabolic syndrome.

The marketers of the product claim that it has been shown to inhibit the conversion of complex carbs to simple sugars, increase insulin sensitivity, and acts as a buffer so its sugar isn’t converted as quickly to glucose.

The theory, one ATM Metabolics claims has scientific evidence to support, is that the compounds found in these very sugary citrus foods can be isolated, refined, and mass-produced.

They are also showing on news reports, etc that adding the compound to colas, brownie mix…even Twinkies will help reverse the trend of metabolic Syndrome, Obesity, and Type II diabetes…IF they can get it added to every food product on the market.

The byline that caught my attention in the first place was something to the effect of Type II diabetics not having to control their blood sugar or what they eat. Of course my reaction was…oh yes they do…and 80% have not been doing a good job of it at all because of the sugared soda, brownies and Twinkies.

The actual “out loud” premise of the news stories is that you can still eat what you want if this product is added to it, and you will see your condition improve because of the purported effects mentioned earlier.

What isn’t reported, and that I haven’t found studies on, is its effect on statin drug interaction, namely the “grapefruit effect” whereby an enzyme in grapefruit destroys the enzyme that is needed to break down the statin drug components for absorption. Does this occur with this additive? Too early to tell.

But I wouldn’t want to gamble with it if I were ever to need that kind of medicine.

As far as a food additive, I think I will have to say that it’s probably a good one and generally safe. However, the idea that it should go in all boxed, canned, and jarred foods as a workaround to changing the diet and exercise mistakes is really deeply disturbing.

The best way to helping to permanently and effectively change the relationship your body has with food is to change the relationship your MOUTH has with food. The best way to change exercise habits is to just start exercising.

I appreciate much of what food scientists have done for us, but I am truly hoping this doesn’t turn out to be one of those highly revenue-generating band-aids. Fixing the problem where it starts is better than sprinkling miracle powder on it.

For more information on an effective, safe, and natural method to reverse Type II diabetes that explains the inflammation relationship, click here.

To Your Best Health,

Jodi Knapp

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In this research study, 11 people with type 2 diabetes were asked to cut their calories to approximately 600 calories per day for 8-weeks. They found that just one week of this low-calorie diet brought blood sugar levels back to normal. By the end of the study their pancreas were able to produce insulin relatively normally –nearly to that of non-diabetics.

More natural ways to reverse type 2 diabetes…

To the Best of Health,

Jodi Knapp

It means days spent exerting muscles with yard chores and swimming, along with the added lactic acid buildup that comes from water skiing and hiking, among other sports and summer fun activities.

Add to that the other muscle issues that might be keeping you up at night as well and you’ve got a perfect storm brewing for sleep-wrecking muscle pain, twitching, and other nuisances.

Halting, or at least reducing, the ache that comes with exercise or general nighttime leg cramps doesn’t have to mean eating 5 bananas before bed. You can still absolutely do that if you want, but you might want to also consider one other little fruit.

The black cherry is another amazing food that does double-and sometimes triple-duty in regarding its arsenal of health efforts.

For such a small fruit, they have a very high concentration of two compounds: phenolics and flavinoids. This anti-oxidant one-two punch boosts nerve function and metabolism like you wouldn’t believe.

Researchers from Kyung Hee University in Korea found phenolics to be extremely effective at protecting nerve tissue from free radicals that would normally have severely disrupted nerve function.

When we don’t sleep, we are already stressing out nerves and nerve endings all over the body. Add to that the cramp-inducing assault that dehydration plays, and it’s little wonder that so many people suffer from this frustrating and painful dilemma.

People who are diabetic are more than twice as likely to suffer from nighttime leg cramping than people who don’t have diabetes, and given that sour black cherries have fewer calories than their sweet cherry counterparts, they are a good choice for diabetics anyway.

But consider this also…

Researchers from Michigan State University found that rats who were given a high fat diet and showing signs of insulin resistance were given purified anthocyanin extracts and found to have reversed their insulin resistance completely by the 8th week of the study.

The benefits just keep on rolling for this wonder-fruit.

Cherries are also a natural source of melatonin, the sleepy compound that helps the body feel drowsy and eases a person into sleep.

Not convinced? If you’ve been told you need more calcium, iron, vitamin A, vitamin C, beta-carotene, or fiber, this is definitely your fruit.

Black cherries can be really sour and have a bit of a biting aftertaste. But that comes in pretty handy when cooking, and I have had some great soups, desserts, and main dinner courses that feature black cherries as a key ingredient.

Or, you can try them dried and mixed in with granola mix, salads, and cereal.

However, if you’re not the cherry-chomping kind of person, then you can actually find black cherry capsules at your local health food store.

Generally, you will want to take the caps at night since not only do they have the melatonin benefit, but they also will work during sleep in tandem with your body’s own restoration process to rid the muscles of the lactic acid buildup and anti-oxidants that serve to harm the muscles’ nerves.

In case you are having a difficult time with getting to sleep or staying to sleep, the Natural Insomnia program will be very helpful to you.

For more information on the Beat Diabetes program from Jodi Knapp, try the guide today.

Warm regards,

Christian Goodman

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Ginger is one of my all-time favorite foods, because it can be used in SO many ways. It is used in cuisine all over the world in almost every culture where it grows…which is all over the place since it’s so hearty.

So I thought in honor of Independence Day coning up, and to celebrate a staple of 4th of July picnics, we would look at a great recipe that combines both ginger and watermelon.

I want to note, though, that even if you don’t like yogurt, you’ll still like this smoothie. It’s absolutely yummy and all of the ingredients are packed with nutritive benefits.

You’ll need (amounts listed below in the recipe):

Watermelon- This incredible summer fruit is delicious in its seedless form but if you prefer the seeded, un-tinkered with organic form make sure to take out at least the black seeds.

What are you getting with watermelon? Vitamins A and C (immunity booster), lycopene (great for your heart), and beta-carotene (great for your eyes).

Limes- Move over, lemons. This little sister is not only a tremendous source of Vitamin C, but also has Vitamins A and D, along with calcium, phosphorus, magnesium and fiber.

Honey- I prefer the locally grown stuff myself. Not only will this support your local growers, but you will also be receiving the benefit of nature’s antihistamines. This is especially helpful if you have seasonal allergies or asthma.

Yogurt- Greek yogurt is all the rage right now, but if you are watching calories and trying to increase your pro-biotic intake to regulate your digestion, there are a bunch of them out there that will fill all your needs.

Ginger juice- to get this, I peeled and chopped fresh ginger root and ran it through our juicer. This takes out the pulpy part and leaves the smoothie very…smooth!

Ice- To make it easy on your blender, use crushed ice. Or, at least grab the cocktail ice from the local market freezer.

Once you are done whipping up this yummy treat, you can store the leftovers in the freezer and it comes out as a bit of a sherbet later.

Watermelon Ginger Smoothie:

4 Cups ice
½ medium watermelon (no rind)
1 4-oz container of yogurt (I used Activia 70- cal vanilla)
2 Tablespoons honey
1 Tablespoon ginger juice (you can use ginger puree from the spice aisle, just might need to cut back the amount)
Juice of 1 lime (I peeled and chopped up my lime…I like the pulp)

Cut 1 watermelon in half lengthwise. Scoop out the pink fruit from one of the halves into a blender. Add the honey, lime, and ginger juice. Blend until the fruit mixture is pureed and spins freely. Pour the mixture back into the “bowl” you made scooping out the fruit.

This is the part where you can go healthy and make a meal out of it, or go “party” and make summer cocktails.

For summer cocktails, pour 1 cup the puree you just made over a glass of crushed ice and add 1 shot of clear liquor of your choice. Garnish with lime wedge and you’ve made a unique drink.

For a healthy meal replacement, grab that yogurt.

Place 2 cups of the crushed (or small cubed) ice into the blender. Add the yogurt and 1 cup of the watermelon puree combination. Blend till it’s smooth and creamy.

This will make 3, 1C servings. If you use the rest of just the one half watermelon mixture, you should have enough to make 2 more batches. Half a watermelon could make 6 small smoothies.

It won’t take much to fill you up, which is why I recommend a small serving. But even aside from its filling characteristics, it is really refreshing after being outside in the morning watering plants or mowing.

The ginger is tangy and stays with you, but the whole combination of flavors is really mellow yet invigorating at the same time.

This has a little more sugar in it than what we would normally recommend for a diabetic diet, but it’s still coming in at under 15 grams of carbohydrates and 90 calories total (if prepared without alcohol and using the fat free, reduced calorie yogurt.)

For more recipes and recommended foods for Type 2 diabetics, see Shelly Manning’s guide published by Blue Heron Health News. For more information on other ways to naturally treat your Irritable Bowel Syndrome or High Blood Pressure, see our full library on the right side of the page.

Cheers,

Julissa Clay

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The study team asked a group of volunteers to wear a pedometer –a portable device that tracks the number of steps that you take in a day—for 5-years. They found that just 10.000 steps per day reduced the risk of elevated blood sugar by 13 percent. They note that current type 2 diabetics and pre-diabetics could benefit greatly by including 10.000 steps per day as part of their healthy lifestyle.

More natural methods do fight type 2 diabetes…

To Your Health,

Jodi Knapp

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A reader wrote in recently asking this very thing because her husband’s physical turned up some disquieting results. His triglyceride levels are beginning to creep toward the high side and he is now in a borderline area, as his result was about 190 mg/dL.

The doctor told them he was likely pre-diabetic and more testing should be done and close monitoring of his diet would be necessary.

The reason she wrote in is because even though he thinks he is eating very healthily, his triglyceride number continues to climb.

She reports his typical daily diet is mostly vegetables, since he doesn’t like fruit, and he eats only whole grains so he gets all his fiber. He’s not much on processed foods, and only indulges maybe once every couple months in a sugary treat like ice cream.

So I also wondered what could account for the change in numbers, and asked her to use the IBS diary to track his diet for a few days.

The results were a little eye-opening, for all of us. He did have a tremendously healthy diet overall, but was eating at least 10 to 15 whole carrots a day…either juiced or raw, in salads and alone as a snack.

Carrots are great for you. They are packed with beta carotene, as well as the fat-soluble vitamins A, E and K.

They are an excellent source of fiber, potassium, manganese, and B vitamins.

However…

I asked her if his hands were orange or if his skin was yellow at all, which she reports actually as positive. He thinks it is a healthy “glow” and comments he doesn’t need to tan. This condition is actually called carotoderma, which is the excess carotene collecting in the skin.

The long-term effects of this have not been extensively studied, but who really wants to be orange?

The fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E and K tend to collect in the liver and will cause problems if over-consumed. While it is rare to overload on them from food sources, it is quite common to see this happen if an overload from food sources is combined with overdoing it in the supplement aisle.

As a healthy eater, he always made sure to take his vitamins, which ended up having over-lapping ingredients with each other. He was taking 10 to 12 capsules a day of one item or another, and there was a tremendous duplication of supplementation going on.

With the amount of carrots he was already eating, there was really no need to add in extra A, E or K at all.

The other thing 15 carrots a day was getting him was a lot of calories, since they are also fairly sugary. Native Americans called them “honey from the earth” because of their sweet character, and anyone who has eaten them cooked knows this to be true.

He was eating over a thousand calories a day just in carrots. He always ran 3 to 4 apples through the juicer as well to sweeten the bitter juice and that was adding a few hundred as well.

He wouldn’t have noticed too much of the added calorie burden since he is reportedly an exercise fan, and runs 3 to 4 times a week, but the pancreas and liver definitely notice the extra work needed to process this root eaten in over-abundance.

The place we ended up was to try and modify his diet to head off any problems he might be traveling toward with his one-sided vegetable love.

While carrots are a wonderful super-food, they are definitely one of those foods that should be eaten in moderation, especially for diabetics, since overdoing it can cause some problems. They are reversible problems for the most part, but still…why go there if you don’t have to?

My parting advice for them was this: picky eaters like to settle on one thing and eat a whole lot of it, and their spouses, parents, friends or what have you are generally left shaking their heads wishing their loved one would open up a little and try new things.

For a while, you can be picky. Eventually, though, you are going to have to start coming up with a broader palette of acceptable food…with all the colors represented and not just one.

The best way to do that is to find recipes and other sources for ideas of complimentary foods to add to the one you like.

For example, our carrot-loving friend may want to reduce his serving at dinner time to 2 carrots mixed with fresh spinach greens and chopped broccoli. Running the whole thing through a food processor for a couple seconds with a little salt and balsamic vinegar makes a colorful and extremely heart-healthy side dish.

For more ideas on how to get control of your diet if type II diabetes is a concern, see the Blue Heron Guide to Beat Diabetes. You can also check out Julissa Clay’s guide to naturally treating Irritable Bowel Syndome here.

To Your Health,

Jodi Knapp

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