FRIENDS EVER

Cinnamon for Diabetes

2007-11-12T09:09:00.000-08:00

Cinnamon, it turns out, has long been used to cure everything from athlete’s foot to indigestion. Early civilizations recognized its ability to stop bacterial growth. The Egyptians used it in embalming. During the Middle Ages, it was mixed with cloves and warm water, and placed in the sick rooms of victims of the Bubonic Plague.

Recent research indicates that cinnamon can have favorable effects on brain function. Participants in a study chewed cinnamon gum or smelled the sweet spice. Cognitive tests revealed that subjects who used cinnamon had better memory functions and could process information more quickly. Encouraged by these findings, scientists will now conduct studies to see if cinnamon will improve mental skills in the elderly and those prone to anxiety before testing.

That antiseptic power of the spice could also account for a couple of other medical applications for cinnamon. A Japanese study suggests it can not only soothe the stomach, it may even help prevent ulcers. German research claims cinnamon “suppresses completely” the bacteria that causes urinary tract infections and the fungus associated with yeast infections as well.

But few could have predicted its current high profile. Recent headlines about cinnamon are the result of an accidental finding in a Maryland USDA research center. Incredibly, the catalyst was as American as good old apple pie, flavored with -- what else -- cinnamon. Scientists were testing the effects of various foods on blood sugar (glucose) levels. They expected the classic pie to have an adverse effect, but instead they found it actually helped lower blood glucose levels.

The researchers then took their surprising discovery and tested it in a small 60 patient study conducted in Pakistan, reporting in the journal Diabetes Care. All the patients had been treated for type 2, adult onset diabetes for several years and were taking anti-diabetic drugs to increase their insulin output. But they were not yet taking insulin to help process their blood glucose. The subjects were given small doses of cinnamon ranging from as little as a quarter teaspoon to less than 2 teaspoons a day for 40 days.

The results: Not only did the cinnamon reduce their blood sugar levels and increase their natural production of insulin, it lowered their blood cholesterol as well. Even 20 days after the cinnamon treatment had ended, the patients continued to see beneficial effects.

This is good news for the more than 50 million Americans who suffer from diabetes and/or heart disease. All the patients in the study showed better glucose metabolism and natural insulin production when they took cinnamon capsules that delivered less than two teaspoons a day of the spice.

Specifically, their blood cholesterol levels were lowered in the range of 10 to 26 percent, affecting overall cholesterol levels and reducing the LDL (known as the “bad” cholesterol) but not reducing levels of HDL, the “good” cholesterol.

This is also potentially good news for the many millions more of us who suffer from insulin resistance, sometimes known as “pre-diabetes,” or the “Metabolic Syndrome.” Lowering blood sugar levels, and improving cholesterol ratios can help reverse pre-diabetes and Metabolic Syndrome, and in fact may actually prevent the worsening of health to full diabetes.

In addition, addressing elevated blood sugar levels and helping to combat insulin resistance may be a successful factor in helping you lose weight. The fat cells in your abdomen are particularly sensitive to high insulin levels, and are very effective at storing energy – far more so that fat cells you’d find in other areas such as the lower body (i.e. hips, rear end, thighs). Because abdominal fat cells are so close to your digestive organs, and there is an extensive network of blood vessels circulating in the abdominal area, it’s even easier for fat cells to store excess glucose there. So tactics that help to reduce.

If you suffer from elevated cholesterol or diabetes you will want to consult your physician before beginning to use cinnamon in large quantities. And if you are already taking a diabetes medication, you should talk to your physician before trying cinnamon for medicinal uses, because cinnamon may have an impact on your blood sugar.

Using Cinnamon : Some people prefer to use cinnamon as a supplement, and this is certainly a safe and effective way to incorporate cinnamon into your diet. Be sure you pick a quality supplement. Others would rather get their ½ to 2 teaspoons of cinnamon a day using the spice in their foods. The cinnamon you can pick up off any grocery shelf comes from the bark of the evergreen cinnamon tree, and was probably grown in China. You’ll find it in stick or ground form at most markets and health food stores. For patients who want to try cinnamon, there are many tasty and simple ways you can enjoy this aromatic spice. Steep your favorite herbal tea with a cinnamon stick adds flavor to the tea Add one-half teaspoon of cinnamon to unsweetened applesauce Add cinnamon to your breakfast cereal or oatmeal Sprinkle on toast Adding cinnamon to butter or cream cheese Sprinkle cinnamon on your morning cup of coffee, cocoa or cappuccino Cinnamon also combines very favorably with many baked fruits like peaches and apples as well as fruit juices and ciders. For more ideas, check out this wonderful selection of Cinnamon Recipes from About’s Homecooking Site. To get the most out of the cinnamon you add to your recipes, make sure it is fresh. The best test is to open the jar in your kitchen and sniff. If the smell is strong and sweet your cinnamon is fresh. If the aroma is weak or non-existent, it’s time to throw it away and restock your spice rack. To keep cinnamon, seal the container tightly and store it away from the light.

Failure means . . . . . .

2007-11-10T00:43:00.000-08:00

Failure doesn't mean I'm a failure.
It does mean I haven't yet succeeded.
Failure doesn't mean I have accomplished nothing.
It does mean I have learned something.
Failure doesn't mean I have been a fool.
It does mean I had enough faith to experiment.
Failure doesn't mean I have been disgraced.
It does mean I dared to try.
Failure doesn't mean I don't have it.
It does mean I have to do something a different way.
Failure doesn't mean I am inferior.
It does mean I am not perfect.
Failure doesn't mean I should give up.
It does mean I should try harder.

Diabetes Foot Care

2007-11-06T07:16:00.000-08:00

Your feet deserve the very best care you can give them, even when you are in the best of health. However, if you suffer from diabetes, your feet need extra care and attention for several important reasons. Unfortunately, patients with diabetes and their family members are often unaware of how critical it is to maintain a high level awareness about the health of their feet. Ignorance of special foot care procedures can ultimately result in loss of the toes, the entire foot, or leg, if unhealthy conditions are allowed to persist. High blood sugar levels from diabetes can have several negative effects on your feet, starting with damage to the nerve endings. This lack of sensation can prevent you from realizing that you have injured your feet, or that your shoes do not fit correctly. A simple blister when not noticed, can progress rapidly, to become a devastating infection. Diabetes can also damage the blood vessels throughout your body. When it affects the vessels that carry blood to your feet and legs, this decreases the blood flow to your feet. As a result, small cuts, sores, and ingrown toenails take longer to heal and are more likely to become infected. Finally, diabetes decreases your body’s ability to fight infection. Even a small cut can become seriously infected because your immune system has been compromised by diabetes. The best way to avoid these problems is to take care of your feet in a very specific and thorough manner.

The first step is to inspect your feet at least once a day. For those with diabetes, this should not be a quick once over before stepping in the shower, but rather a careful examination using a handheld mirror or magnifying mirror. If you do not have the ability to check yourself, ask someone else to help. There is a specific way in which your feet should be washed. Wearing shoes and socks that fit well seems like an obvious recommendation. However, anyone that has visited a shoe store knows that the racks are full of styles that just are not appropriate for certain people. Does the shoe have a shape that matches your foot? In all cases, soft shoes that have good support and fit well, are best for your feet. You should break in new shoes slowly, wearing them for a few hours a day and increasing that time each week. You must protect your feet from injury, that due to a lack of sensation may not be evident. Before you put on your shoes, check for objects like pebbles, rough spots on the inside, or sharp objects pushing up through the soles. Inspect your feet for blisters, cuts or scrapes after physical activities like walking for exercise, shopping, and gardening. Ask your primary care doctor to check your feet during each visit. Your doctor may notice a foot problem you have missed. If you identify foot problems, do not wait to see if they get better on their own. Early treatment is key to healing foot problems and ultimately, saving your feet or toes from amputation. Call your doctor for even minor foot irritations. He may refer you to a podiatrist if special treatment is needed. The conditions that you should immediately seek treatment for include changes in skin color or temperature, swelling in the foot or ankle, pain in the legs, blisters or open sores on the feet, ingrown toenails or toenails infected with fungus, corns or calluses, dry cracks in the skin, especially around the heel and unusual and/or persistent foot odor. The longer foot problems exist, the more involved, long-term, and potentially limb-threatening the treatment plan. When properly cared for, feet can last a lifetime.

2007-11-01T08:20:00.001-07:00

Hair

Dressers'

Nightmare

But

Delight

for

Children

Get Inspired, Stay Motivated

2007-11-01T06:55:00.000-07:00

There are times when you feel like you are on a roll, and nothing can get you down. And then there are times when it seems that the road to success is filled with nothing but boulders and gaping potholes. It is on this rutted road that you need motivation the most.

Try these tips on how to be self-motivated to get your work life back on track or to keep going top speed on your career path!

1। Be confident. If you don't believe in yourself, why would anyone else? We all have something we are good at. Have faith in yourself and try to work on your niche skills. Drive the fear of failure far away from you. Remember, what doesn't kill you, only makes you stronger!

2. Be clear. Fuzzy, undefined goals are difficult to focus on. How will you proceed when the path seems all foggy? Request your manager for defined, measurable objectives and tasks.
If your manager is not very forthcoming, take some initiative and work with him until you have clarity about your role and what you will be appraised on, at the end of the year. Self-motivated people work best with clearly defined objectives in life. Even if the targets seem a little hazy, house-bred motivation can come in real handy!

3. Work on yourself. Nothing works better as a power shot of motivation than the knowledge that you are good at what you do! Be on top of things at work. Identify your weak areas and get them out of the way. Enroll in courses that will raise your market value and also your motivation levels. Getting a few certifications and qualifications in your functional skills will definitely instill a great deal of confidence.

4. Take criticism positively. Even though the other person has no such intentions, turn all negative criticism into a positive driving force. Failure is a state a mind. If you think you can succeed, you will. Always think positive. That way, instead of brooding over past disappointments, you will route your frustration into positive energy required for working harder. It works like magic. "My boss was always running me down. Even when I did a good job, he never praised me. Initially I used to feel terrible and slowly started to look for excuses to avoid official meetings when he would once again find reasons to discourage me. I contemplated resigning and finding a new job where I did not have to prove myself over and over again," recounts Mohit Sethi*. "But then, there were no guarantees that my next boss would be better to work with. So, I took it up as a challenge. I started reporting to work early and always finished my tasks before time. My team members started to respect me more because I helped them when my work was done. Gradually, my boss took a back step when he realised that I was now a highly productive member of the team. If I had not been self motivated to prove a point, thoughts of having failed and run away would have chased me forever."

5. Look out for challenges. If the current job demotivates you, not to worry. Be open to try out new things if your present role has become too boring to continue even a day more. Talk to your seniors to redefine your role to optimise your capabilities. Establish your reputation as somebody who is not scared to take on new challenges in life.

6। Be persistent. Most things may not work out right the first time. This just means that you need to try harder. However, ensure that you set your heart on goals that are really important to you and will help you progress in life. Save your efforts for things that matter. Do not waste your energies on peripheral things.

7. Keep the company of successful people. Try to surround yourself with confident people who are driven and high on life. Read books that fill you with optimism. Put up motivating posters and quotes on your workstation that will spread positive energy and drive away any depressing thoughts. Look around for successful people and try to emulate them. Find out what makes them tick and include that in your working style.

8. Celebrate life. If something doesn't shape up like you thought it would, it does not mean everything else is doomed as well. Do not feel stressed; high stress leads to low motivation. Take active interest in things happening around you. Live your life well. Continue to have faith in yourself and get involved in things that give you happiness. That itself will generate enough motivation for you to glide over waves of setbacks.

9. Start today. List all that is important for you to achieve your goals. Divide long-term goals into smaller milestones and celebrate each accomplished goal. Procrastination is a killer so keep it at bay.

10. Keep dreaming. Lastly, do not forget to keep dreaming. Dream big! Let your dreams fuel your desire to get closer to your goals. Write your dreams for yourself in a diary or a journal and constantly refer to them so that you do not forget or lose sight of the objective.

courtesy : rediff .com

RULES FOR MEN

2007-10-28T19:10:00.000-07:00

1. Only the Female can make the RULES.
2. The RULES are subject to change without notice.
3. No Male can possibly know all her RULES.
4. If the Female suspects that the Male knows all the
RULES, she must immediately change some or all of
the RULES
5. The Female is never wrong.
6. If it appears that the Female is wrong, it is because
of a flagrant misunderstanding caused by omething
the Male did or said wrong.
7. If Rule # 6 applies, the Male must apologize
immediately for causing the misunderstanding.
8. The Female can change her mind at any time.
9. The Male must never change his mind without the
express, written consent of the Female.
10. The Female has every right to be angry or upset at
any time.
11. The Male must remain calm at all times, unless the
Female wants him to be angry or upset.
12. The Female must, under no circumstances, let the Male know whether she
wants him to be angry or upset.
13. The Male is expected to read the mind of the Female at all times.
14. At all times, what is important is what the Female meant, not what she said.
15. If the Male doesn't abide by the RULES, it is because he can't take the heat,
lacks backbone, and is a wimp.
16. If the Female has PMS, all THE RULES are null and void and the Male must
cater to her every whim.
17. Any attempt to document the RULES could result in bodily harm.
18. If the Male at any time believes that he is right, he must refer to Rule # 5

BRAIN DAMAGING HABITS

2007-10-21T23:24:00.000-07:00

1. No Breakfast : Those who do not take breakfast are going to have a lower blood sugar level. This can lead to an insufficient supply of nutrients to the brain causing brain degeneration.
2. Overeating : It causes hardening of the brain arteries, leading to a decrease in mental power.

3. Smoking : It causes multiple brain shrinkage and may lead to Alzheimer disease.

4. High Sugar consumption : Too much sugar will interrupt the absorption of proteins and nutrients causing malnutrition and may interfere with brain development.

5. Air Pollution : The brain is the largest oxygen consumer in our body. Inhaling polluted air decreases the supply of oxygen to the brain, bringing about a decrease in brain efficiency.

6. Sleep Deprivation : Sleep allows our brain to rest. Long term deprivation from sleep will accelerate the death of brain cells.

7. Head covered while sleeping : Sleeping with the head covered, increases the concentration of carbon dioxide and decreases concentration of oxygen that may lead to brain damaging effects.

8. Brain working during illness : Working hard or studying during illness may lead to a decrease in the effectiveness of the brain, and may also damage the brain.

9. Lacking in stimulating thoughts : Thinking is the best way to train our brain, lacking in brain stimulation thoughts may cause brain shrinkage.

10. Talking Rarely : Intellectual conversations will promote the efficiency of the brain.

DO YOU PREFER COLD WATER AFTER MEAL?

2007-10-21T23:14:00.000-07:00

This advice is for those who like to drink cold water after meals. It is nice to have a cup of cold drink after a meal. However, the cold water will solidify the oily stuff that you have just consumed. It will slow down the digestion. Once this "sludge" reacts with the acid, it will break down and get absorbed by the intestine faster than the solid food. It will line the intestine. Very soon, this will turn into fats and lead to cancer. It is best to drink hot soup or warm water after meal. A serious note about heart attacks - You should know that not every heart attack symptom is going to be the left arm hurting. Be aware of intense pain in the jaw line. You may never have the first chest pain in the course of a heart attack. Nausea and intense sweating are also common symptoms. 60% of people who have a heart attack while they are asleep do not wake up. Pain in the jaw can wake you from a sound sleep. Let's be careful and be aware. The more we know the better chance to survive.