The main goal of these testers is to keep your blood sugar level within the non-diabetic levels. Keeping a regular track of your blood sugar levels can prove to be lifesaving especially when you have a tendency to consume irregular amounts of sugar. Patients who are suffering from diabetes type 2 can benefit the most from blood sugar testers. Type 2 diabetes is actually a metabolic syndrome where the body is no longer able to control the amount of blood sugar with the amount of Insulin that is produced by the beta cells because of a strong resistance that is developed to Insulin. This resistance causes the liver and the muscle cells to release an uncontrolled amount of glucose into the blood.

These blood sugar testers test the amount of glucose that has not made it your cells and is still there in your blood stream. People who are over the age of 40 and have sedentary lifestyles are more prone to develop the diabetes type 2. Moreover, this disease’s symptoms are not very visible during the early years and are often confused with the normal symptoms of aging. It is very necessary for the people suffering from this type of affliction to regularly control their blood sugar levels because symptoms are not sufficient to tell whether a person is suffering from diabetes. To maintain your blood sugar, it is very necessary that you adhere to a balanced diet and regular exercise. Eating junk food can make your blood sugar levels shoot up. Try to have a food intake, which is high on carbohydrates, are digested slowly like beans, vegetables, and fruits.

You should also try to regulate the amount of sucrose that you take by avoiding the intake of fabricated foods like bread, processed meats, candies, pastries, and soft drinks. Blood sugar testers are easily available in the market these days. The Ascencia glucose monitors are considered to be very effective and they only take a very little amount of blood from your finger causing very less pain. Due to this fact, you are also prepared for frequent tests with these monitors. Most blood sugar testers take a drop of blood from your finger and then place it on a card to get the blood sugar levels.

You must try to follow the instructions provided on the test by the manufacturer like washing your hands before the test, collecting the required amount of blood, and reconducting the test if the reading seems inaccurate. You should also try to keep your meter clean so as to obtain the most accurate results.

In 1996 a colon therapist who I met mentioned to me that O blood types were mucous producers (I am O positive), and that there were great differences in blood types. She mentioned that there was a book or two around on the subject. I searched long and hard to find one, and the book I came across was by Dr. James D’Adamo. The book was called One Man’s Food is Another Man’s Poison. Dr. D’Adamo was a Naturopathic physician who practiced in Canada for decades. In the pages of his book I learned about his observations that there is a direct correlation to human blood and diet! Each of his chapters was followed by an anecdotal story describing people from all walks of life who followed his suggestions and rid themselves of some of the worst health problems known to humans. I was excited to learn about his observations to apply them in my life and in my practice.

In January 1997, a patient and friend of mine (whom I told about blood type and diet) told me that they had seen a book about just such a subject at a local department store. I was sure they were mistaken, as Dr. D’Adamo’s original book was printed in 1981, was long since out of print and it took 3 months to find a copy through a used book store search! I asked the patient to pick me up a copy, and sure enough a few days later, I was holding a copy of Peter D’Adamo’s (son of James) book Eat Right For Your Type.

The book was full of new information about how and why blood type and diet are correlated. It also contained detailed information about each of the four blood types A, B, AB and O. There were easy to use guides to remember which foods were best for your blood type. The book blew me away. I was obvious to me that Peter had taken his fathers decades of observations and positive patient results and did the scientific research to back it up. He expanded the content and produced a book that I think in time will outshine most of the thousands of other health books that come and go every year.

A Brief Summary of the Concept of Blood Type and Diet:

Each blood cell has encoded proteins on its outer shell . These proteins are immune defense mechanisms called antigens. These blood antigens are used by the body to determine “friend or foe” when floating about the body. If the antigens come in contact with other proteins seen as foreign (such as on bacteria), the antigens create antibodies to fight off the intruder(s). Each blood type has a specific type of antigen unique to its own chemical structure. Your blood type is named for the antigen found on your red blood cells (A, B, O, AB).

The red blood cells not only interact with foreign organisms such as bacteria and viruses, but they also come in contact with proteins found on all foods. The foods that we eat also contain proteins called Lectins. When broken down and absorbed by the small intestine, these proteins are collected by red blood cells for distribution throughout the body. A chemical reaction takes place between your blood and the food you eat. Simply put, some lectins will interact positively with your blood, some will have a neutral effect and some will have a negative effect. What foods react in what way depends on ….you’ve got it! Your blood type!

Foods that have a negative effect in your body are the ones that have lectins that interact with your blood and create an immune response. The immune response leads to thickening of the blood and ultimately lowered health and immunity. Some of the symptoms experienced by people who regularly eat foods that are not within the suggested list for their type are: fatigue, allergies, joint pain and headaches.

There are many other important facts in Dr. D’Adamo’s book. One of the one’s that stood out the most was his statements about grains, particularly wheat and corn and how too much of them can destroy insulin sufficiency and thyroid production in the body. How many millions of Americans are considered diabetic, pre-diabetic or hypothyroid? How many people are fatigued or overweight?