What is Diabetes – Basics Overview

What is Diabetes – Basics Overview

Almost everyone knows someone who has diabetes. An estimated 23.6 million people in the United States—7.8 percent of the population—have diabetes, a serious, lifelong condition. Of those, 17.9 million have been diagnosed, and 5.7 million have not yet been diagnosed. About 1.6 million people ages 20 or older were diagnosed with diabetes.

Diabetes is a disease wherein the body fails to manufacture or properly use insulin. Insulin is a hormone  the body uses to convert starches, sugar, and other food products into energy for the body to use to allow it to function properly. The four major types of diabetes are Type 1 diabetes, Type 2 diabetes, gestational diabetes, and pre-diabetes.

World-wide, diabetes affects huge numbers of people. In the United States alone, over 6% of the population — roughly 18 million people — are diabetic. While the exact causes remain a mystery, researchers have discovered certain symptoms. These symptoms include extreme thirst and hunger, frequent urination, blurred vision, weight loss, fatigue, and irritability.

For people with Type 1 diabetes, insulin must be taken every day. A diabetic will generally administer the insulin shot using a syringe or have someone else administer the shot for him. This type is more common in Caucasians and in people who live in colder climates.

Type 2 diabetes can often be controlled by monitoring the food one eats and by partaking in regular physical exercise. Some Type 2 diabetics may also need to take insulin shots or pills to regulate their blood sugar levels. Obesity is a major factor in acquiring Type 2 diabetes. If a person has an unhealthy diet of fatty food and exercises infrequently, he may be walking a path that will lead directly to this disease.

Pregnant women who become diabetic during their pregnancy have what is called gestational diabetes. This form of the disease affects approximately 4% of all pregnant women in the United States. Women who become diabetics during their pregnancy are likely to have a family history of diabetes. Obesity again may play a factor.

Pre-diabetes is simply a term for an individual who has blood glucose levels higher than normal. People with this condition are not quite at diabetic levels, but are more likely to develop the disease.

Though children of diabetics will not necessarily inherit the disease from their parents, research has shown that these children are more likely to get the disease than children of non-diabetics. Type 1 is also less common in people who were breastfed as infants.

Diabetes is a serious disease which can lead to heart problems, strokes, loss of limbs due to poor circulation, and death. Research continues to indicate that regular exercise and a healthy diet are two factors which can help people avoid this condition, as well as allow diabetics to have functional lives. Anyone who experiences some of the symptoms of diabetes should seek a doctor’s advice. Unfortunately, millions of people across the globe have diabetes, but it goes undetected because they ignore the symptoms and do not seek medical attention.

Patting a Tiger

Patting a Tiger

Most zoos don’t allow visitors to see tigers eye to eye. But if you come to Thailand and visit a local tiger farm, you will be allowed not only to pat a tiger but also to hold this animal. Baby tigers look so sweet and innocent, and even grown tigers look tamed here.

Cool Wallpapers For Your Desktop

Cool Wallpapers For Your Desktop

 

 

Human-powered electrical racing vehicle spreads sustainable culture

Drawing inspiration from feathers, Mexican designer Ivan Vela  has designed a featherweight electric racing vehicle that harnesses human energy to provide a safe and sustainable ride. Developed for a TOUR competition, “which seeks to disseminate sustainable culture through the power-assisted pedaling through accumulators and stored kinetic energy to manage it through the race,” the Human-powered vehicle features a big sprocket measuring 40 cm in diameter to offer high torque at over 70kph. Accommodating the rider comfortably inside the cockpit, the single-seater allows a carving-type steering to enhance the driving experience of the rider.

Mitsubishi 75-inch 3D Full HD LaserVue 75-LT1 TV

Mitsubishi has confirmed the availability of the new 3D Full HD Laser TV for the Japanese market. The Mitsubishi 75-LT1 uses the company’s Laser technology, which is one of the most advanced technology so far. Mitsubishi’s laser technology a.k.a. LaserVue TV aims to provide a color range twice than found on a normal HDTV and reduces the power consumption. The new Mitsubishi 75-LT1 features a 75-inch Full HD panel (1920 x 1080) that can display 3D images using the side-by-side format, BS.110/CS Digital TV tuner, five HDMI inputs, an HDMI output, a D-Sub port, a trio of S-Video ports, a couple of 10W speakers and two pairs of active shutter 3D glasses. Priced at 750,000 Yens ($8,692), the Mitsubishi 75-LT1 will be released in Japan on August 21st, 2010

High Cholesterol Prevention Methods – Simple and Easy Ways

High Cholesterol Prevention Methods – Simple and Easy Ways

 Eating a diet low in saturated fat, trans fat, and cholesterol, getting plenty of exercise, managing your weight, and not smoking can help prevent high cholesterol.

Because cholesterol levels tend to increase with age, paying attention to diet and exercise is particularly important as you get older.

If you have high cholesterol, your doctor may prescribe one of the following drugs to lower LDL cholesterol levels.

Your physician or dietician will also probably suggest that you change your diet to one low in fat, maintain a healthy weight, get on a regular exercise program, and stop smoking.

High Blood Cholesterol Prevention

Adoption of a healthier lifestyle, including aerobic exercise and a low-fat diet should reduce the prevalence of obesity, high cholesterol, and, ultimately, the risk of coronary heart disease.

    * Knowing your cholesterol number is the first step in controlling your levels.
    * Set dietary goals based on the guidelines from the National Cholesterol Education Program.Strive for daily intake of less than 7% of your calories from saturated fat and less than 200 mg of cholesterol from the food you eat.
    * You may eat up to 30% of your calories from total fat, but most should be from unsaturated fat, which doesn’t raise cholesterol levels.
    * Add more soluble fiber (found in cereal grains, beans, peas, and many fruits and vegetables) and foods that contain plant stanols and sterols (included in certain margarines and salad dressings) to boost your LDL-lowering power. The best way to know what’s in the foods you eat is to read the nutrition label.
    * Lower cholesterol levels start at the grocery store. Read food labels, and buy foods low in saturated fat and low in cholesterol.
    * Work with your health care practitioner to determine whether medication is needed to control high cholesterol.

36 Foot Tall Meerkat Statue Made of Straw - England

36 Foot Tall Meerkat Statue Made of Straw - England


A 36-foot-tall meerkat statue made of straw has appeared on a field, in Chester, England, drawing the attention of drivers on the A51 motorway. The idea of a meerkat statue was inspired by a popular commercial in the UK, and since everyone loves these creatures, it seemed like a good idea. The public certainly loves the overgrown meerkat, and most people say they feel cheered up just looking at it.

World's Largest Fountain of Wealth in Singapore

World's Largest Fountain of Wealth in Singapore


This is the largest fountain in the world, with a base area of 1,683 sq. m. The fountain is a brilliant architecture’s work fused with modern concepts. It is anchored by a convention center – Suntec City that forms the wrist of the left hand. The five office buildings represent its thumb and fingers.


Four 13 m high bronze legs support a huge bronze ring measuring 21 m in diameter. It weighs a hefty 85 tones. The ring shoots water inwards into the reservoir below while at the heart of the fountain, water shoots up to 30 m into the air.

Cobalt Aircraft Co50 Concept Plane

Cobalt Aircraft Co50 Concept Plane


The French company, Cobalt Aircraft, has unveiled what comes out to be an answer to the wide selection of fast, personal airplanes from companies like Cirrus and Cessna: Cobalt Co50 Concept. Screaming through the sky with the next generation piston powered turbocharged engine, Co50 features TCM’s 350-hp twin-turbo-charged TSIOF-550-D2B that enables it to hit 245 KTAS at 8,000 feet with a range of more than 1150 miles.

Concept plane features clean sheet design, one of the widest cabins in its class at 1.34m, hand-stitched leather upholstery adding more to its elegance and style while ensuring safety at the same time. The concept plane was showed up at in Oshkosh isn’t quite done yet and lot more remains incomplete before it finally takes to the skies.

New Sanyo Xacti VPC-SH1 and VPC–CS1 Reviews

We continue with the renovation of compact camcorders, if you were teaching yesterday the new Sony and Kodak playsport Bloggies ZX3, water resistant, it is his turn now to two representatives of Sanyo Xacti family, for my historically a step above as the other chambers of small size.

Specifically you talk about the models VPC-SH1 and VPC-CS1, the first in the usual format of the Xacti pistol and the second with a more traditional ways. I remind us that Sanyo sells its cameras as dual driver with excellent capabilities in Full HD (1920 × 1980 60i) and striking results when you take pictures.


The Sanyo Xacti VPC-SH1 has a 35mm lens, wide angle, and a 30X optical zoom. If the size of last year’s model (higher end), the Sanyo Xacti FH1 was compact, the new one is even smaller.


The Sanyo Xacti VPC-CS1 has a 38mm lens, also wide angle and 10x optical zoom. In this case, size reduction is even more complicated, look at the comparison with the range-topping success and Sanyo Xacti HD2000.

Having noted the reduction in size, we can report that the specifications are still to high. They have also decided to change the native recording format MPEG-4 AVC/H.264, as previous models worked with older formats and complicated to manipulate.

In the case of the Xacti VPC-CS1 can capture images at 3 megapixels (8MP interpolated) and the more traditional model VPC-SH1 up to 4 megapixels (10MP interpolation). Both have flash support.

Other points to note are a new feature Gun Mode in which the microphone is in line with what we are targeting, image stabilization, face recognition, the ability to connect the camera through the mini-HDMI port, or the storage system chosen SDXC cards.

I do not know if during the ESC has more updates in the Xacti range, for now we are left with these two models in the U.S. market in February, at a price of 399.99 dollars for the Xacti VPC-SH1 (in red or black) and 299.99 dollars for the Xacti VPC-CS1 (in silver).

How Exercise Helps Your High Cholesterol Levels

How Exercise Helps Your High Cholesterol Levels

 Exercise has a number of benefits for your entire body, especially your heart. If you have high cholesterol, one good way to manage it is through a comprehensive, consistent exercise program that will help you lose weight and lower your cholesterol level.

High Cholesterol, known as hypercholesterolemia, is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease. In the United States, more than 105 million people (that’s almost 50% of adults over age 20) suffer from elevated cholesterol.

Individuals who are sedentary, overweight or obese, consume a diet high in saturated fat, have a family history of high cholesterol and/or are middle-aged or older are at particularly high risk of hypercholesterolemia and subsequent cardiovascular complications.

Research has shown a positive relationship between exercise and cholesterol – in fact, there are many exercises to lower cholesterol levels.

Whether you are trying to prevent high cholesterol, or have already been diagnosed with it, exercise can be an important weapon in the fight against high cholesterol and heart disease. According to recent studies, regular exercise has the ability to lower LDL levels (also known as “bad” cholesterol) and raise HDL cholesterol (also known as “good” cholesterol).

How low can your cholesterol levels go if you regularly exercise? Current studies suggest that LDL cholesterol can be lowered by 5 to 10%, whereas HDL cholesterol can be raised by between 3 and 6% with regular exercise.

While most of these studies involved aerobic exercises, such as swimming, running, and jogging, there are a handful of studies that have also looked at the healthy benefits of other forms of exercise, such as yoga and walking, in lowering cholesterol, too. Regardless of which type you select, exercise can be an important part of your cholesterol-lowering regimen.

Current guidelines suggest that you get at least 30 minutes of exercise a day for most days of the week. If you haven’t exercised in a while, it is important to start out gradually so that you don’t injure yourself or get burned out. For some people, just finding the time to exercise can be an issue. If this sounds like you, the 30-minute interval can be divided up. Additionally, there are shortcuts you can fit into the day that force you to get some exercise.

In any case, exercise has many benefits – besides lowering your cholesterol. Exercise can also strengthen your heart, bones, and other muscles of the body, in addition to helping you to lose weight.

Huge Wooden White Cyclone coaster - Japan

Huge Wooden White Cyclone coaster - Japan


White Cyclone is a wooden roller coaster at Nagashima Spa Land in Mie Prefecture, Japan. At 1,700 meters in length, White Cyclone is the fourth longest wooden roller coaster in the world, and is the longest wooden roller coaster outside of the United States. Despite its length, White Cyclone is still considerably shorter than the 2,479 meter Steel Dragon 2000, the world’s longest steel roller coaster, which is also at Nagashima Spa Land. In addition to being the fourth longest wooden roller coaster, White Cyclone is the ninth tallest wooden roller coaster in the world, and the third tallest wooden roller coaster outside the United States.A single ride on the White Cyclone costs 1,000 yen, and the ride is restricted to those individuals above 4 feet, 3 inches in height; and those individuals under 54 years of age.