A proper diet and a healthy lifestyle will help prevent diabetes, or help someone with diabetes live longer and healthier.
Diabetes is a serious condition that now affects literally millions in this country.
Diabetes is a serious condition that unfortunately is still on the rise. Especially with not only the older generation, but the younger generation because diabetes has shown an alarming increase in children and adolescents.
Diabetes occurs when our bodies are unable to process the foods we eat, resulting in a serious indication that there is something wrong with our metabolism.
The body, especially the brain needs glucose in order to function and to survive. When the process that produces this glucose is in some way interrupted or impaired, and our bodies can no longer produce the type of energy required, our bodies can no longer thrive.
Our bodies need fuel (glucose) to live. Glucose provides that fuel. Without proper food metabolism and without this glucose, the body eventually dies.
Glucose moves through the bloodstream, where it provides energy to cells. In order for the glucose to move into the bloodstream, a hormone known as insulin is required. This insulin is produced by the pancreas, which is situated behind the stomach. As insulin levels rise, more of the glucose is pushed into the cells, thereby providing adequate energy/fuel to the body.
When diabetes is present, this indicates the body is not properly metabolizing the foods we eat, such as fats, protein, and carbohydrates. Another indication that this is happening is an elevation of blood sugar or glucose in the bloodstream. This indicates the pancreas may not be producing enough insulin to move the blood sugar (glucose) into the cells. Or if the pancreas has been producing an over abundance of this insulin, after awhile the cells lose sensitivity to the insulin and become resistance, no long accepting the insulin. As a result the blood sugar (glucose) remains in the blood stream, and a dangerous condition develops (hyperinsulinism), which is high or elevated level of sugar in the blood.
There are several types of diabetes, the two more well known types are Type 1 and Type 2.
Type 1 Diabetes, also known as insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (DDM), here the pancreas no longer is able to produce the necessary insulin required to push the glucose into the cells.
This Type I Diabetes is caused by an autoimmune disease that occurs when "insulin-producing beta cells" in the pancreas are destroyed. This is a condition that mostly affects children and adolescents. Injections of insulin must be administered on a daily (lifetime) basis in order to control blood sugar levels.
Symptoms presented are great amount of thirst, weight loss, great fatigue, even blurred vision. If no insulin is given or an injection of insulin is not given in time, what is called a "diabetic coma" occurs, which results in a life-threatening situation. This type of diabetes, also known a "˜juvenile diabetes' affects approximately 10% of the diabetic population.
Type 2 Diabetes, known as noninsulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) is more common among diagnosed diabetics. Non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) is a serious condition that develops in later years, after 40.
Basically, what occurs is insulin becomes elevated, which can be an indication that the cells have lost their sensitivity to receiving this insulin. Blood sugar (glucose) levels rise in the bloodstream, resulting in a serious condition. The major cause of this particular type of diabetes is usually weight gain, specifically obesity. The majority of those suffering with this type diabetes are in fact obese.
Type 2 diabetes can be successfully treated with proper diet, i.e. diet restrictions. It is often recommended by doctors to take the diet approach before putting a patient on a regimen of drugs that can lose effectiveness after a certain amount of time.
A diet high in refined sugars and refined carbohydrates is a strong contributing factor in the development of this type of diabetes. Refined foods are quickly absorbed into the bloodstream and consequently as quickly raise the level of blood sugar in the bloodstream. The pancreas then is forced to continue to produce enough insulin to counteract this rising level of blood sugar. At times what can happen is this excess of insulin can drive blood sugar levels down to dangerously low levels, and this results in a serious condition known as hypoglycemia, specifically reactive or spontaneous hypoglycemia. The pancreas may eventually become exhausted as it tries to provide the insulin, and may even shut down. As a result Type 2 diabetes may develop into Type 1 or "insulin-dependent diabetes."
Symptoms of type 2 diabetes are tiredness, frequent urination, great thirst, weight loss, frequent occurrence of infections, and also blurred vision.
How It Is Diagnosed:
An Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (GTT) is given to determine if someone has this disorder.
After fasting for approximately 12 hours, what is called a baseline blood glucose test is done. A sweet liquid containing glucose is given. Blood sugar levels is checked, and rechecked at 30 minutes, then one hour, and hourly intervals up to six hours. A rise in blood sugar levels to 200 milligrams per deciliter indicates diabetes. Below 50 milligrams per deciliter, indicates reactionary hypoglycemia.
Glucose-Insulin Tolerance Test G-ITT:
Also a six-hour test that measures insulin levels.
What to Eat:
Avoid simple carbohydrates. Avoid simple sugars. Again, these are too quickly absorbed by the body, elevating blood sugar levels and overworking the pancreas which must continue to produce enough insulin to lower these levels.
Become a detective and read all ingredient labels, which will help avoid any foods that contain sugar which can be labeled as sucrose, glucose, maltose, lactose, corn syrup, etc.
Strive to eat more complex carbohydrates. These would include legumes, whole grains, and certain vegetables.
Strive to eat more foods that contain a good amount of fiber, preferably water-soluble fiber.
Fiber essentially slows down the way sugars are broken down in the body. This in turn also slows down the rise in blood sugar levels, and also promotes cell sensitivity to insulin.
Legumes, nuts, seeds, fruits, vegetables are good sources of water-soluble fiber. Some examples are apples, bananas, oranges, prunes, strawberries, celery, mushrooms, spinach, tomatoes, dried peas, kidney beans, lentils, bran muffins, brown rice, whole wheat bread, peanuts.
Exercise:
Exercise in moderate amounts, three to five times a week (aerobic, weight-training) is highly recommended for any diabetic maintenance program as it will help the body to maintain safe blood sugar levels, as well as keep the weight off. This may be one reason the increase in diabetes in children today. Children who eat too much refined over-processed foods and do not get enough exercise each day are at risk for developing this condition.
Supplements:
A good multiple vitamin containing most of the necessary vitamins is recommended. Minerals recommended also are supplements of boron, calcium, chromium, copper, iodine, iron, magnesium, manganese, molybedenum, potassium, selenium, silica, vanadium, and zinc.
Whether one has type 1 or 2 diabetes, incorporating a lifestyle that promotes overall good health and well being is essential. The eliminating of caffeine, alcohol, smoking, all refined sugars, refined carbohydrates that aggravate this condition will help to promote this overall objective. Plus educating oneself on what is a proper diet will help a diabetic live a relatively long, happy, and healthy life.
