Type 2 Diabetes

[MindyKay]

Well, I've had the diabetes bulls-eye on my back for some time - my grandparents had it, and my mother is a Type 2.  Friday, I was diagnosed with Type 2.

I'm going to fight it with exercise and diet.  My doctor says if I can lose about 10 pounds, the blood sugar will drop significantly.  He would like to see my morning readings around the 120 mark.

I've been walking over 2 miles a day - we are allowed to walk the halls at work, so I walk in the morning and in the afternoon.  I am going to visit a health club tonight that has an indoor pool with the idea of getting back into swimming laps.  I'm also on a 1,500-calorie diet.

I don't like sticking my fingers for the drop of blood, but I've at least gotten the stick-depth level to where it is almost painless.  Before I got my Blood-glucose meter, I used Roger's and forgot that his "finger-poker" was set to high.  My finger hurt for 2 days!

I'm also adding some herbal remedies to my "arsenal."  I tried fenugreek tea, but I refuse to drink anything that smells like it would taste like liquid you-know-what!!!  Oh well, there are other herbal/spice remedies that I can try.

I've only been on the diet a couple of days, but my clothers are already starting to feel loose, and the old tummy that never recovered after childbirth, is starting to flatten.  Maybe this will be the first summer that I will look forward to putting on that bathing suit!!!

[Jeri]

Okay, this sounds a little nutty, but have you tried peanut butter?  My grandfather developed type 2, and was on insulin for a short time until his wife heard that peanut butter helps.  He ate a spoonful a day and never had to take insulin again.  I felt funnt passing this along to you, but I did a google search and saw several medical articles that show peanut butter really helps, especially for women.

Jeri

[Krista]

Sorry to hear that Mindy.  I hope you get it controlled now and without too much trouble.

A free diet site that I find really, really helpful is http://www.sparkpeople.com
- there you can track your food intake for the day and it will sum up your calories, carbs, protein, fat....etc.  I'm registered on there as rudylover.  I've not been using their bulliten boards, but I really like the goal setting and nutrition tools.

[April]

I've never heard of using fenugreek that way.  I've only heard it used to help with milk production in breastfeeding women.  I've drunk tea made out of it and it tastes like black licorice to me.  (If you drink a couple of cups a day you'll smell like maple syrup!)  I know it can affect your heart if you eat/drink too much of it though.  I'd be interested in reading the info you have about the link with diabetes.  It's all over my family (on both sides).

[MindyKay]

The book I use for herbal remedies is called, "The Green Pharmacy," by James A. Duke.  I've used his suggestions to help with everything from bad breath to hives.  Some work, some don't.

Jeri, loved your pun!!  Peanuts are listed as a blood-sugar stabilizer, so I'm trying a little bit of reduced-fat crunchy peanut butter on a rice cake for breakfast.

According to Duke, fenugreek is full of soluble fiber (mucilage) and contains six compounds that can regulate blood sugar.  It also increases blood levels of the "good" cholesterol.  Duke's "line-up" of remedies include: Neurolaena lobata ("Jack_ss bitters" - sorry for the bad word!), Fenugreek, Onion, Beans, Bitter gourd, Garlic, Macadamia nuts, Marsh mallows, Peanuts, Black tea, and an assortment of spices.  I plan on going to Iowa City, to a pretty good herbal shop, to see if they carry some of these herbs.

I did sign up at a health club with an indoor pool, so I think I've got the exercise part covered.  It's only 10 minutes from home.

My doctor said the diabetes must have formed within the past year.  My blood sugars were normal a year ago.  According to him, it was nothing I did wrong, just heredity.  I'll have to look more into the heredity theory.  He also gave me a book on fast-food nutrition - Scarey!!!  I could not believe the caloric content of what used to be my favorites!

It's a lifestyle change, but living with Roger, who has had Type I for over 25 years, has made it easier.  I was afraid he would be overbearing and telling me what I should do and not do, but he has been very supportive.

Thanks for everyone's support and suggestions!

[April]

That's interesting.  I'll have to check it out.  I have been trying to eat whole grains/whole foods rather than processed ones (they almost always have sweeteners added if you read the labels).  I have diabetes all over my family and it most definitely is genetic so I stand a pretty good chance of developing it at some point.

[Roberta]

To put it delicately, most families have diabetes type 2 in them, it is linked to age and life style factors
ie weight, surgery , panceatitis to name a few.  There is a lot of the population walking about with it unbeknown to them. Diet and exercise is the greatest tool, and look after you feet adn get your eyes regularly checked, making sure the optomistrist knows you have diabetes.

My father had it for the last 10 yrs of his life after gastic surgery, plus I had Emma.

Roberta