Diabetes
mellitus (sometimes called "sugar diabetes") is a condition that
occurs when the body can't use glucose (a type of sugar) normally. Glucose is
the main source of energy for the body's cells. The levels of glucose in the
blood are controlled by a hormone called insulin, which is made by the
pancreas. Insulin helps glucose enter the cells.
In
diabetes, the pancreas does not make enough insulin (type 1 diabetes) or the
body can't respond normally to the insulin that is made (type 2 diabetes). This
causes glucose levels in the blood to rise, leading to symptoms such as
increased urination, extreme thirst, and unexplained weight loss.
Types
of Diabetes
Type 1 diabetes
(previously known as insulin-dependent diabetes)
Type
1 diabetes is an auto-immune disease where the body's immune system destroys
the insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas. This type of diabetes, also
known as juvenile-onset diabetes, accounts for 10-15% of all people with the
disease. It can appear at any age, although commonly under 40, and is triggered
by environmental factors such as viruses, diet or chemicals in people genetically
predisposed. People with type 1 diabetes must inject themselves with insulin
several times a day and follow a careful diet and exercise plan.
Type 2 diabetes
(previously known as non-insulin dependent diabetes)
Type
2 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes, affecting 85-90% of all people
with the disease. This type of diabetes, also known as late-onset diabetes, is
characterised by insulin resistance and relative insulin deficiency. The
disease is strongly genetic in origin but lifestyle factors such as excess
weight, inactivity, high blood pressure and poor diet are major risk factors
for its development. Symptoms may not show for many years and, by the time they
appear, significant problems may have developed. People with type 2 diabetes
are twice as likely to suffer cardiovascular disease. Type 2 diabetes may be
treated by dietary changes, exercise and/or tablets. Insulin injections may
later be required.
Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM)
GDM,
or carbohydrate intolerance, is first diagnosed during pregnancy through an
oral glucose tolerance test. Between 5.5 and 8.8% of pregnant women develop GDM
in Australia. Risk factors for GDM include a family history of diabetes,
increasing maternal age, obesity and being a member of a community or ethnic group
with a high risk of developing type 2 diabetes. While the carbohydrate
intolerance usually returns to normal after the birth, the mother has a
significant risk of developing permanent diabetes while the baby is more likely
to develop obesity and impaired glucose tolerance and/or diabetes later in
life. Self-care and dietary changes are essential in treatment.
Causes Of Diabetes
Diabetes
can be caused by too little insulin (a hormone produced by the pancreas to
control blood sugar), resistance to insulin, or both.
To
understand diabetes, it is important to first understand the normal process of
food metabolism. Several things happen when food is digested:
A sugar called glucose enters the bloodstream. Glucose is a source of fuel for the body.
An organ called the pancreas makes insulin. The role of insulin is to move glucose from the bloodstream into muscle, fat, and liver cells, where it can be used as fuel.
A sugar called glucose enters the bloodstream. Glucose is a source of fuel for the body.
An organ called the pancreas makes insulin. The role of insulin is to move glucose from the bloodstream into muscle, fat, and liver cells, where it can be used as fuel.
People
with diabetes have high blood sugar. This is because their pancreas does not
make enough insulin or their muscle, fat, and liver cells do not respond to
insulin normally, or both.
There are three major types of
diabetes:
Type
1 diabetes is usually diagnosed in childhood. The body makes little or no
insulin, and daily injections of insulin are needed to sustain life.
Type
2 diabetes is far more common than type 1 and makes up most of all cases of
diabetes. It usually occurs in adulthood. The pancreas does not make enough
insulin to keep blood glucose levels normal, often because the body does not
respond well to the insulin. Many people with type 2 diabetes do not know they
have it, although it is a serious condition. Type 2 diabetes is becoming more
common due to the growing number of older Americans, increasing obesity, and
failure to exercise.
Gestational
diabetes is high blood glucose that develops at any time during pregnancy in a
woman who does not have diabetes.
Diabetes
affects more than 20 million Americans. About 54 million Americans have
prediabetes. There are many risk factors for diabetes, including:
1.
A parent, brother, or sister with diabetes
2.
Obesity
3.
Age greater than 45 years
3.
Some ethnic groups (particularly African Americans, Native Americans, Asians,
Pacific Islanders, and Hispanic Americans)
4.
Gestational diabetes or delivering a baby weighing more than 9 pounds
5.
High blood pressure
6.
High blood levels of triglycerides (a type of fat molecule)
7.
High blood cholesterol level
8.
Not getting enough exercise
The
American Diabetes Association recommends that all adults over age 45 be
screened for diabetes at least every 3 years. A person at high risk should be
screened more often.
How To Prevent Or Control Diabetes
Diabetes
prevention is proven, possible, and powerful. Studies show that people at high
risk for type 2 diabetes can prevent or delay the onset of the disease by
losing 5 to 7 percent of their body weight. You can do it by eating healthier
and getting 30 minutes of physical activity 5 days a week. In other words: you
don't have to knock yourself out to prevent diabetes. The key is: small steps
that lead to big rewards. Learn more about your risk for developing type 2
diabetes and the small steps you can take to delay or prevent the disease and
live a long, healthy life.
Small
Steps. Big Rewards. Your GAME PLAN to Prevent
Watch Your Diet
There
is no one magic diet that works for everyone. Nor is there a single diet that
works best for one individual over a long time. Pay attention to your genetics,
and to your ethnic group's traditional foods. If you are African American, that
does not mean overcooked vegetables or pork rinds. Such garbage came on the
nutritional scene only recently, and is not a true ethnic food. The same is
true for Italians who overdose on pepperoni pizza. Being Italian myself as,
well as having enjoyed fantastic African cuisine, I can tell you there is a lot
more to these diets than the recent introductions often associated with these
cultural groups.
Except
for Eskimos and a few other highly specialized ethnic groups, all diets must
adhere to the same few macronutrient rules. For example:
Eliminate
as many processed carbohydrates as possible.
Don't
eat carbohydrates 2 hours before bedtime.
Balance
your fat/carbos/protein in a roughly 30-40-30 ratio (this is a guideline, not a
hard and fast rule--it doesn't work for everyone).
Eat
at least 5 or 6 small meals a day.
Always
eat a high-protein breakfast.
Did
you know that the peanuts offered on airlines are LESS fattening than the
fat-free pretzels?
It's true. Stay away from fat-free foods--they make your insulin levels do a yo-yo, and that makes you put on fat. Yuck. Worse, it sets the stage for adult-onset diabetes.
It's true. Stay away from fat-free foods--they make your insulin levels do a yo-yo, and that makes you put on fat. Yuck. Worse, it sets the stage for adult-onset diabetes.
Do
NOT eat white flour, bleached flour, enriched flour, or any other kind of wheat
flour that is not whole wheat. The glycemic effects of such flours will work
against you. Eat whole grain flours, and try to get a variety. Amaranth and soy
are two good flours. Eat oat groats instead of oatmeal. In short, get your
grains in the least-processed form you can. This holds true for everyone, regardless
of genetics (unless you have a malabsorption problem). This one
"trick" will help you keep your insulin level on an even keel, and
that is paramount to diabetes prevention and management.
What
also holds true for everyone is: drink lots of water! Fill a gallon jug twice a
day, and make sure you drink all of it. Once you get as lean as you want to be,
cut back to a single gallon if you want to. For added fat loss, drink chilled
(but not super cold) water. Sodas do not count. Such beverages are extremely
unhealthy, for reasons I won't cover here. However, I will say that if you want
to get osteoporosis, soft drinks are for you. Soft drinks make for soft bones.
Make
sure to eat at least 5 or 6 small meals a day, rather than one big one. Doing
so levels out your insulin and your blood sugar. Forget about that full
feeling. If you find yourself overeating out of anxiety or boredom, fix the
underlying problem -- don't add to it by poor eating!
Stay
Healthy.
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