If you’re an avid coffee drinker, chances are you’ve thought about whether that morning cup has any effect on your blood glucose levels. If so, you’re not alone. Some studiesshow that drinking coffee might cause some people to experience blood glucose spikes or crashes. Still, the effects of caffeine on your blood sugar are a little more complex than that.
TEAM NUTRISENSE
https://www.nutrisense.io/blog/how-coffee-affects-blood-glucose-levels
When you eat or drink things that have carbohydrate, your body breaks those carbs down into glucose (a type of sugar), which then raises the level of glucose in your blood. Your body uses that glucose, or sugar, for fuel to keep you going throughout the day.
Knowing what kind and how many carbs to eat is important for managing diabetes. Eating too many carbs can raise your blood glucose too high. This can cause trouble if you do not have enough insulin in your body to help deliver the glucose to the cells in your body. Eating too little carbohydrate can also be harmful because your blood glucose may drop too low, especially if you take medicines to help manage your blood sugar. Balance is key!
There are three main types of carbohydrates in food—starches, sugar and fiber. As you’ll see on the nutrition labels for the food you buy, the term “total carbohydrate” refers to all three of these types. And as you begin counting carbohydrates, you’ll want to stay away from food that has high carbs and instead choose a more balanced nutrient mix of carbs, protein, and fat.
The goal is to choose carbs that are nutrient-dense, which means they are rich in fiber, vitamins, and minerals, and low in added sugars, sodium, and unhealthy fats.
When choosing carbohydrate…
Eat the most of these: whole, unprocessed non-starchy vegetables.
Eat more of these: whole, minimally processed carbohydrate foods.
Eat less of these: refined, highly processed carbohydrate foods and those with added sugar.
On the nutrition facts label, the number of sugar grams includes both added and natural sugars.
Remember that it comes from plant-based foods, so there’s no fiber in milk, eggs, meat, poultry, and fish. Healthy adults need between 25 and 30 grams of fiber a day.
If you or someone you love has been diagnosed with high blood pressure, you know that you need to stay on top of it in order to decrease your risk of developing stroke, heart failure, kidney disease and vision loss.
High blood pressure, also called hypertension, is typically the result of lifestyle factors (eating too much sugar, being obese and smoking), though some people may have a genetic predisposition to it.
According to the CDC, roughly 75 million America adults have high blood pressure. That’s one in three people living with the disease. Only about half of people with hypertension have their condition under control. And sadly, millions of Americans are unaware they are living with high blood pressure in the first place.
The truth is, high blood pressure is a condition that does not come with any distinct symptoms in itself, which is why it is usually called ‘the silent killer’. But there are quite a few associated signs that illustrate your body is dealing with the stress of high blood pressure.
If you or someone you know is dealing with any of the following, please make an appointment with your doctor to get checked out. Remember, if left unchecked, high blood pressure can significantly increase your chance of developing vision problems, stroke, and both heart and kidney disease.
1. Headache
It’s normal for most people to get a tension headache every once in a while. But what’s not normal is to get regular headaches. This is often one of the biggest signs there may be an issue going on.
Headaches due to high blood pressure can be a dull throbbing pain or can feel like a debilitating migraine. The pain is linked to the blood vessels in the brain, which swell from the high volume of blood and the greater pumping force. While an over-the-counter pain reliever will generally alleviate the pain (except for in the case of a very bad migraine), no one should rely on these meds for the long-term.
2. Vision Problems
The pressure in the brain I just mentioned due to swelling blood vessels? Well, this can begin to mess with your vision as the blood vessels in the back of the eye retina also swell. People with a sudden sensitivity to light, seeing auras or blurry vision should get checked out. In the most severe cases, high blood pressure can cause a related eye disease called hypertensive retinopathy.
3. Irregular Heartbeat
One of the most alarming signs of high blood pressure is experiencing an irregular heartbeat. Also called hypertensive heart disease, the condition is caused by the heart working under increased pressure and eventual weakening of the heart muscle. If left unchecked, the condition can lead to heart failure and other conditions that can potentially lead to death.
4. Chest Pain
High blood pressure often leads to chest pains, but these pains can be caused from something going on with the heart itself or with the respiratory system. As the pressure increases in the large arteries from the heart to the lungs, the arteries eventually harden and narrow, forcing your body to work harder. This leads to increased pressure in your circulatory system AND a lack of oxygen that reaches your heart and lungs, resulting in pain.
5. Confusion
As your arteries harden and tighten, constricting the flow of blood, the result is a lack of oxygen to the brain. This can lead to dizziness as well as general confusion and fatigue. If you or a loved one are starting to experience some real cognitive difficulties, it’s definitely time to make an appointment with your doctor.
6. Trouble Breathing
When your heart and circulatory system have a hard tome pumping blood, it means the oxygen can’t get to all of the tissues that require this oxygen to live. This most certainly includes the lungs. When this happens, a signal is sent to the brain that you are not getting enough oxygen into your lungs, and so the lungs are kicked into overdrive, which usually leads to hyperventilation, more shortness of breath and dizziness.
7. Nosebleeds
Nosebleeds can occur when the small blood vessels in the nose burst from added pressure, leaking blood. Not every nosebleed is a result of high blood pressure. Sometimes they are caused by allergies, sinusitis, dry air or blowing your nose too frequently.
Again, it is vitally important to not ignore any of these warning signs. The sooner you know if you have high blood pressure, the sooner you can do something to get those numbers down.
And speaking of getting your hypertension under control, you essentially have two options:
OPTION 1: Take a prescribed medication that comes with nasty side effects (Many hypertension medications on the market have been recalled because of known carcinogens) or…
OPTION 2: Take care of the lifestyle factors that most likely caused your numbers to go up in the first place.
So many modern diseases develop as a result of the choices we make on a daily basis – our choice to not eat right, not exercise, not get enough sleep, smoke, drink too much, etc.
Why take a prescription medication that could actually make you ill, when making some basic lifestyle changes can help you to get your numbers under control for good?
Do you want to take control of your own health (and not need to rely on an expensive medication that may cause cancer or other serious injury) but could use a little help getting started?
With the help of Dr. Marlene, who has assisted many of her patients in completely reversing their chronic diseases like hypertension and diabetes through common sense lifestyle changes, we have created The Blood Pressure Solution. This guide will take you by the hand and tell you exactly what you need to do to get your numbers down once and for all.
Darwin Malicdem 1 day ago
Have you been feeling pain in your legs while walking? Do not ignore it since it might indicate a condition that could put you at risk of serious heart and brain problems.
Leg pain while walking can be a sign of peripheral artery disease (PAD). The people with this condition are known for higher chances of cardiovascular problems, such as heart attack and a stroke.
PAD affects both men and women. It commonly occurs due to aging, high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol and long term exposure to cigarette smoke, according to Harvard Medical School.
The people with PAD feel pain because of the fatty deposits in arteries of the leg. These deposits block blood flow to muscles as well as the arteries supporting the heart and brain.
Symptoms of PAD include cramping and pain in the calves, thighs, hips or buttocks. But PAD only affects muscles and not joints.
It also appears different from muscle soreness caused by exercise. A PAD-related leg pain only occurs during movement and stops after a short rest unlike soreness caused by exercise that could last for hours or days.
“It might happen when you are walking up a flight of stairs or up a hill, and you might find yourself frequently stopping for breaks,” Aruna Pradhan, a cardiologist and assistant professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School, said.
But in some cases, PAD might cause leg pain even while sitting or lying down. Some people might also experience a change in color on the feet, slow-healing sores on the feet, coldness in one or both feet and slow growth of leg hair or toenails.
PAD Treatments
Doctors commonly recommend lifestyle changes to treat PAD. Regular exercise, following a healthy diet and avoiding smoking should help reduce the condition’s symptoms.
“Once PAD is diagnosed and you know why you are having symptoms, doctors encourage people to do more physical activity to help keep them functional,” Pradhan said.
There are also medications available for the condition. Doctors may prescribe statins, which could help prevent the formation of fatty deposits, drugs for blood pressure management and aspirin to prevent clots. A surgery could be an option when the blood flow blockage worsens.
Not only are apples extremely alkalizing, but they have anti-inflammatory and immune-boosting properties as well. This abundant fruit is readily available in the fall and can be added to just about every meal. Add them to your breakfast juice, cut up into a salad for lunch, or dip into nut butter for a delicious snack!
High in A, C, K, & B-complex vitamins, this fall food is packed with many minerals and phytonutrients! Calcium, magnesium, iron, selenium, and zinc — to name a few. These nutrients can help arm our immune systems to combat viruses, bacteria, and help us with our psoriatic disease. Try eating it raw and cooked to ensure your body receives all the wonderful benefits of this green veggie!
Did you know that brussels sprouts are a great source of omega-3 fatty acids? Omega-3’s are extremely helpful when it comes to fighting autoimmune conditions. These small green powerhouses also include phytonutrients, vitamins C, A, E, and K, and minerals such as calcium, iron, and manganese. Try roasting at 400 degrees, with a little extra virgin olive oil, pink Himalayan salt, pepper, and garlic, until browned and crunchy!
High in vitamins C, K, and B-complex, this cruciferous vegetable is excellent for supporting our immune system. High in protein, it’s also a great source of omega-3s. Cauliflower can be used in numerous ways. In addition to being steamed, sautéed, grilled, or roasted, you can chop up raw cauliflower into a rice-like texture to use in nori rolls or as a rice substitute in recipes!
A well-known diuretic, celery is wonderful at flushing out toxins from our body. It is high in vitamin A, magnesium, and iron and has strong anti-inflammatory properties. It helps calm our nervous systems and allows our immune systems to do their jobs efficiently. Eat it raw or start your day with fresh celery juice.
Not only is cabbage inexpensive, but it’s also a great source of vitamins K, C, and B6. Calcium, choline, phosphorus, selenium, iron, pantothenic acid, protein, niacin, folate, copper — this food is chocked full of nutrients and minerals! Roast it, throw it in a nice fall stew, or eat it raw.
Did you know that figs are one of the highest sources of calcium easily digested, assimilated, and absorbed into our bodies? Figs are wonderful at providing our bodies with energy to keep them going. They also help repair and restore many of our bodies’ systems — including the immune system!
When we think of healthy food, we tend to think of kale. And it’s no secret why! It’s a nutrient-packed powerhouse containing omega-3 fatty acids, chlorophyll, amino acids, vitamins A, C, E, K, B-complex, and minerals such as iron, magnesium, copper, and potassium. It has incredible healing and rejuvenating properties. Try to eat it raw to obtain the most nutrients, but it’s also delicious sautéed in vegetable broth, lightly seasoned with your favorite herbs and spices!
This anti-inflammatory fruit is called the “gift of the gods” for good reason! Pears contain several anti-cancer properties, the ability to improve insulin sensitivity and contain a great source of iodine, which helps maintain a balanced metabolism. They’re rich in vitamins A, C, E, and alkaline minerals folic acid, niacin, copper, and boron. Bite right into one, add them to your salads, or cook them in your favorite fall dish.
Pumpkins are packed with vitamins A, C, E, B — vitamins such as folates, niacin, thiamin, and pantothenic acid and minerals like calcium, copper, potassium, and phosphorus. This fruit (yes, it’s a fruit!) not only has immune-boosting properties, but also contains several anti-aging benefits as well. Next time you need to replenish and balance your electrolytes, reach for some pumpkin. Roast your pumpkin and add it to a salad, puree it and make a smoothie, or add it to a warming stew.
Varieties of winter squash include butternut, acorn, delicata, kabocha, kuri, buttercup, spaghetti, hubbard, golden nugget, and sweet dumpling. Each can be used differently but all are very easy to digest. These are also high in vitamins (A, E, C, B-complex, and beta carotene, iron, zinc, copper, calcium, and potassium) which are beneficial to immune and nervous systems. Instead of pasta, roast a spaghetti squash and use as “noodles.” Roast butternut squash to make an alternative to mashed potatoes, or make a sweet dessert by sweetening with maple syrup and cinnamon!
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