Does cholesterol really matter in Diabetes?

Nancy, because diabetics very often suffer from heart disease (as well as other ailments), doctors are very concerned about our cholesterol levels and try to keep the levels in a normal range.  This is why many diabetics are on cholesterol-lowering medication.  Diet is also a factor in diabetes, and carbohydrates drive blood sugar up, so a diabetic would do well to stay away from them.  According to what I've read in several articles, carbohydrates play a major role in driving cholesterol up; they also make us gain weight.  So, one way to help keep the cholesterol and weight down would be to limit carbs, especially food with sugar or flour.  (I took your link to another online forum out.  Please contact [email protected] to get permission to include it.  Thanks.)

I sincerely hope this is true.  But, then, you can eat those eggs because they're not supposed to cause high cholesterol anyway.  It's been a year since I cut out carbs (more or less because there are still carbs in some vegetables) and my cholesterol is still lower than it was before that, so all the red meat, eggs, cheese and butter I've used has not raised it at all.  :)

Some of the newest research is pointing to inflammation as one of the causes of hear attacks.

There is another study that points to the plaque-forming bacteria found on our teeth that enter the blood stream through gingivitis and cause plaque build-up in the arteries.

Just one more good reason to use an anti-plaque toothpaste, floss and use a good plaque-killing mouthwash.

I have switched to a spin type electric toothbrush because of my fibro and arthritis. This makes brushing much easier. I use colgate total tooth paste because it has all the antibacterial, anti-plaque stuff I need. Also, once a week I use baking soda and a capful of hydrogen peroxide along with my toothpaste to do a deep polish and an inflammation check. After brushing with the peroxide, any white spots on the gums mean gingivitis and should be treated or at least seen by the dentist.

Just had a cleaning yesterday and it only took about 20 minutes. Used to take 45 to an hour! The toothpaste and spin brush and flossing are really working!