Top 10 Research Facts on Diabetes Foods

Diabetic people are always in the look out of foods which can keep their blood sugar levels under control and yet provide the essential nutrients to the body. This article enlists certain fruits, vegetables and herbs beneficial to them along with research facts to substantiate their uses

Top 10 Research Facts on Diabetes Foods:
Fenugreek: According to the Indian Council of Medical Research, intake of 25-50 grams of these seeds is useful. A component Pectin present in these seeds keeps the glucose level in check.
Spinach: A study was carried out by the Department of Nutrition, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts in 2004. The study found that one cup of boiled spinach has 156 mg of magnesium. Intake of this leafy vegetable has inverse effect on the blood sugar level.
Azadirachta Indica: The leaves of the tree, according to ayurveda, have the quality of stimulating the beta cells in the pancreas responsible for producing insulin.
Onion: A research study carried out way back in 1977 revealed that lower levels of chromium mineral increases insulin production. A cup of onion daily fulfils 20 percent of the requirement of this mineral.
Garlic: Research study carried out in November 2008 at the Suzuka University of Medical Science, Japan, found that garlic contains two substances Allixin and Vanadium. They are found to influence the genes in the diabetic patients in such a way that the pancreas starts producing insulin in high levels.
Rinds of Citrus Fruits: A component called d- Limonene present in 51.24 percent in rinds of citrus fruit. The research was carried out in October 2009 at the Institute of Biotechnology, Hungkuang University, Taiwan.
Carrots: This vegetable gets its natural color because of the component Carotenoid. This component is found to be a power antioxidant fighting with the complications of free radicals in diabetic people. Researchers at the University of Minnesota School of public health found that it reduces the risk of diabetes to half as well.
Apple: Research study has found that eating this fruit decreases the need of insulin hormone by 35 percent. A natural healing component of this fruit beneficial to the diabetic people is pectin. The Glycemic rating index of apple is 38. Its glycemic load for 120 gms of consumption is only 6.
Capsicum: A substance Capsaicin separated from this vegetable and given to diabetic people reduced the blood sugar level by 23 percent. Results of the findings were published in the journal Phytotherapy Research, in March 2004.
Drumsticks: Researchers at the Department of Nutritional Science, Faculty of Applied Bioscience, Tokyo University of Agriculture, Sakuragaoka, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo, Japan, have found that leaves of this vegetable contains a component Quercetin-3-glucoside which can bring down the blood sugar level under control gradually.

Dangers of Oral Contraceptives

For some women, the benefits outweigh the dangers of oral contraceptives, but women with certain medical conditions or those who experience adverse side effects while using oral contraceptives may need to choose an alternative contraceptive method. Health care providers screen for major contraindications, but many women are not informed about dangers of oral contraceptives, such as vitamin deficiency and post-pill amenorrhea.

1. Types

   • There are two types of oral contraceptives--pills that contain only progestin and pills that contain both estrogen and progestin. Progestin oral contraceptives are less likely to produce serious side effects but are also slightly less effective in preventing pregnancy. Other hormonal contraceptives, such as birth control patches and injections, produce side effects and dangers similar to oral contraceptives.

   Side Effects

   • Common side effects of oral contraceptives include irregular spotting or bleeding, nausea and vomiting, breast tenderness, weight gain and mood changes. These side effects usually subside after three cycles. More serious side effects may include stroke, blood clot and jaundice. The risk of side effects is increased in women who smoke or are over 35. Medical disorders such as blood clotting disorders, obesity, diabetes or high cholesterol also increase the risk of serious oral contraceptive side effects. Some women experience abnormal hair loss or excessive hair growth when taking oral contraceptives.

   Contraindications

   • Women who have a history of blood clots, high blood pressure, jaundice during pregnancy or severe migraines should not take oral contraceptives. Certain heart diseases and hepatitis also increase the risks associated with oral contraceptives. Women with a family history of breast, cervical or liver cancer should discuss the risks with a knowledgeable health care provider since oral contraceptives have been linked to an increased instance of these cancers.

   Amenorrhea

   • Approximately 3% of women who stop taking oral contraceptives experience post-pill amenorrhea, an absence of menstruation for six months or longer. High levels of estrogen and progestin in oral contraceptives send feedback to the pituitary gland that indicate sufficient hormone levels in the body. With prolonged usage, the pituitary gland stops producing estrogen and progesterone, even after oral contraceptive use has ceased, so that neither ovulation nor menstruation occurs. If menstruation does not spontaneously return, estrogen blockers may be prescribed to stimulate estrogen production by the pituitary gland.

   Vitamin Deficiency

   • Oral contraceptives interfere with the body's absorption of folic acid, vitamin B6, selenium and vitamin C. Folic acid prevents anemia and cell changes that can lead to cancer. Long-term folic acid deficiency can lead to anemia, digestive disorders and increased cardiovascular risk. Vitamin B6 deficiency is linked to depression. Selenium and vitamin C are both important for maintaining a healthy immune system. Women taking oral contraceptives should consider supplements or increase consumption of vitamin-rich foods to prevent such vitamin deficiencies. source : http://www.ehow.com