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What to Avoid on the Paleo Diet

Now that you know what foods you can eat we should discuss those that aren’t recommended and why.

Cutting out dairy products may seem strange but it is one of the principles of the Paleo diet. This includes foods like ice cream, butter, milk, yoghurt and cheese. Now some people on the Paleo Diet do eat diary but on a very limited basis.

The reasoning behind not eating these sources of dairy is that they were not available 500 generations ago. The majority of these products are processed and therefore not a ‘natural’ food. Again some dieters will drink raw milk occasionally.

Another more technical explanation is to do with the way your body treats the calcium in these foods. This is to do with alkaline and acid levels in your body. All food is processed through your kidneys and excessive amounts of calcium are excreted by your body.

There is no need to worry about becoming calcium deficient on the Paleo diet, you won’t. Plus many of the leafy green vegetables contain high amounts of calcium!

A little sea salt added to your foods will not affect your dieting attempts. On the other hand salt found in processed foods can. Too much salt makes your body retain water and when this happens you will feel bloated and puffy. Unfortunately food manufacturers put high amounts of salt in foods as a preservative. This is not natural and can have adverse results on your health.

Potatoes are other starchy vegetables should also be avoided on the Paleo diet. The thinking behind this is that they are supposed to be cooked and not a true raw food. There is lots of debate over this.

Another level of thinking behind starchy vegetables is the effect they have on your blood sugar levels. Potatoes are known to cause high spikes in your blood sugar level and this is why they should be avoided. High spikes are what causes you to have sudden and acute hunger pangs along with feelings of weakness.

No processed foods should be consumed at all on the Paleo diet. This includes grains, crackers, cookies, breads and canned foods. They all contain huge amounts of bad fats and sugars. These products can be linked to being a cause of heart attacks, stroke and diabetes.

Processed foods like ketchup, sauces, sugars, oils, margarines, hot dogs, bacon, soft drinks, muffins and fruit juices are to be avoided at all costs. They are chock full of chemicals, fats and other ingredients that you cannot pronounce.

All types of legumes and grains should be avoided as well. The reasoning behind eliminating these foods is that they must be cooked to become edible.

When you take a look at the foods you can eat and compare it to those on this page you will see that the difference is in the state of the food. Allowable foods on the Paleo Diet are in a natural form while the others are all artificial and have been manipulated in some way by humans. When you honestly think about it which would you prefer to eat?

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Diabetes Symptoms in Women

Diabetes affects both men and women, and diabetes symptoms in women are often the same as those in men. In the United States, more than 10% of women 20 years old and over have diabetes. This chronic condition affects the body’s ability to absorb and utilize glucose or blood sugar. If left untreated, diabetes can lead to health complications such as cardiovascular disease, kidney damage, nerve damage, blindness, and skin infections. Knowing the different diabetes symptoms in women is your first line of defense when it comes to managing the condition.

Diabetes Symptoms in Women and Men

A number of diabetes symptoms affect both men and women. These symptoms include:

  • Excessive thirst. This is a very common diabetes symptom in women and can happen despite drinking plenty of water.
  • Increased frequency of urination, especially at night. Although women often urinate more than men do, this can also be a diabetes symptom and is very common in women.
  • Frequent hunger. Women who have diabetes can experience extreme hunger and an increase in appetite.
  • Unwanted or unexplained weight loss. This diabetes symptom in men and women is caused by the body’s inability to utilize glucose for energy.
  • Constant fatigue. Lack of energy makes men and women feel tired all the time.
  • Blurred vision. High levels of glucose in the blood can accumulate in the lens of the eye, causing it to change in shape. This results in blurred vision.
  • Tingling or numbness in the hands and feet. Failure to manage blood sugar levels can damage the nerves in the body’s extremities.
  • Recurring infections and wounds that heal slowly. This diabetes symptom in women and men may be the result of a weakened immune system.

Diabetes Symptoms in Women

One of the symptoms that women with diabetes have is recurring vaginal infections. Vaginal yeast infections may occur frequently especially if the blood sugar level is poorly controlled. If you get frequent vaginal or skin infections, it may be a good idea to ask your doctor if you may have diabetes.

Other Challenges for Women with Diabetes

Women who have diabetes often face additional challenges on top of the diabetes symptoms they may be experiencing. They often have a higher risk for depression compared to women without diabetes. Blood sugar levels in women may also be affected by the menstrual cycle, birth control pills, and pregnancy.

Gestational diabetes is also a cause for concern in pregnant women. This special type of diabetes occurs only in women and affects approximately 4% of pregnant women who have no previous symptoms of diabetes. Gestational diabetes can develop during the late stages of pregnancy. It is treatable and has no permanent effects on the mother or child.

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Borderline Diabetes Symptoms

Diabetes is a chronic disease wherein blood sugar levels are elevated. This can happen when the body does not produce sufficient insulin, or if cells in the body do not respond to insulin. If you have not been officially diagnosed with diabetes but your blood sugar levels are chronically slightly high, you may have pre-diabetes or borderline diabetes. Pre-diabetes or borderline diabetes is cause for concern. If you are experiencing any of the borderline diabetes symptoms listed below, it’s best to consult a doctor for proper diagnosis and treatment.

Symptoms of Borderline Diabetes

* Frequent need to urinate. Frequent urination, especially at night, can be a borderline diabetes symptom.

* Constant fatigue. If you feel constantly tired all day, you may have pre-diabetes.

* Constantly being thirsty. One of the common borderline diabetes symptoms is excessive thirst, even after drinking plenty of water.

* Unexplained weight loss. If you are losing weight without any change in your diet or lifestyle, you may be experiencing one of the main symptoms of borderline diabetes.

* Slow healing of wounds. Abnormally elevated blood sugar levels can impair the immune system. If wounds or scratches heal slowly, you may be displaying a borderline diabetes symptom. Frequent infections of the urinary bladder, skin, or gums and vaginal yeast infections in women are also symptoms of borderline diabetes.

Diagnosing Borderline Diabetes

If you suspect that you have diabetes or borderline diabetes because of the symptoms you have, consult a doctor as soon as possible. A simple test for blood sugar levels will show if you have pre-diabetes,which is the proper medical term for borderline diabetes. Individuals with fasting blood sugar level of 100-125 mg/dL and 140-199 mg/dL for postprandial blood glucose may manifest borderline diabetes.

Borderline diabetes may be diabetes in its early stages and should be considered a cause for concern. Failure to obtain the right diagnosis and treatment can lead to damage to the nerves, cardiovascular system, kidneys, and vision.

It is estimated that over 79 million people in the USA suffer from pre-diabetes.

What to Do

If you are diagnosed with pre-diabetes, your doctor will probably advise you to make lifestyle changes to stop diabetes in its tracks. Diabetes is often caused by lack of exercise, being overweight, a diet high in carbohydrates, and a family history of diabetes. Regular exercise and a healthy diet can help prevent pre-diabetes from getting worse.

People with borderline diabetes symptoms should not self-diagnose or self-medicate. Only a doctor can tell you if you do have pre-diabetes, and prescribe the right treatment for your condition.

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