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Diabetes Tips

Diabetes or Diabetes Mellitus (m?li't?s), is a chronic disorderof glucose (sugar) metabolismcaused by inadequate production or use of insulin, a hormoneproduced in specialized cells (beta cells in the islets of Langerhans)in the pancreas that allows the body to use and store glucose.

It is a leading cause of death in the United States and is especiallyprevalent among African Americans. The treatment of diabetes wasrevolutionized when F. G. Banting and C. H. Best isolated insulin in1921.

Last Updated - 2nd November 2005

The Disorder

The lack of insulin results in an inability to metabolize glucose,and the capacity to store glycogen (a form of glucose) in the liverand the active transport of glucose across cell membranes are impaired.The symptoms are elevated sugar levels in the urine and blood, increasedurination, thirst, hunger, weakness, weight loss, and itching. Prolongedhyperglycemia (excess blood glucose) leads to increased protein andfat catabolism, a condition that can cause premature vascular degenerationand atherosclerosis. Uncontrolled diabetes leads to diabetic acidosis,in which ketones build up in the blood. Patients have sweet-smellingbreath, and may suffer confusion, unconsciousness, and death. Thereare two distinct types of diabetes mellitus: insulin-dependent and noninsulin-dependent.

Insulin-dependent Diabetes

Insulin-dependent diabetes (Type I), also called juvenile-onset diabetes,is the more serious form of the disease; about 10% of diabetics havethis form. It is caused by destruction of pancreatic cells that makeinsulin and usually develops before age 30. Type I diabetics have agenetic predisposition to the disease. There is some evidence that itis triggered by a virus that changes the pancreatic cells in a way thatprompts the immune system to attack them. The symptoms are the sameas in the non-insulin-dependent variant, but they develop more rapidlyand with more severity. Treatment includes a diet limited in carbohydratesand saturated fat, exercise to burn glucose, and regular insulin injections,sometimes administered via a portable insulin pump. Transplantationof islet cells has also proved successful since 1999, after new transplantprocedures were developed, but the number of pancreases available forextraction of the islet cells is far smaller than the number of TypeI diabetics. Patients receiving a transplant must take immunosuppressivedrugs to prevent rejection of the cells.

Noninsulin-dependent diabetes

Noninsulin-dependent diabetes (Type 2), also called adult-onset diabetes,results from the inability of the cells in the body to respond to insulin.About 90% of diabetics have this form, which is more prevalent in minoritiesand usually occurs after age 40. Although the cause is not completelyunderstood, there is a genetic factor and 90% of those affected areobese. As in Type I diabetes, treatment includes exercise and weightloss and a diet low in total carbohydrates and saturated fat. Some individualsrequire insulin injections; many rely on oral drugs, such as sulphonylureas,metformin, or acarbose.

Complications

Diabetes affects the way the body handles fats, leading to fat accumulationin the arteries and potential damage to the kidneys, eyes, heart, andbrain, and statins (cholesterol-lowering drugs) may be prescribed toprevent heart disease. It is the leading cause of kidney disease. Manypatients require dialysis or kidney transplants. Most cases of acquiredblindness in the United States are caused by diabetes. Diabetes canalso affect the nerves, causing numbness or pain in the face and extremities.A complication of insulin therapy is insulin shock, a hypoglycemic conditionthat results from an oversupply of insulin in relation to the glucoselevel in the blood.

RISK FACTORS for TYPE2 DIABETES

Family history

Being age 40 or over

Being overweight (20 percent more than idealweight)

Inactive lifestyle

African-American, Hispanic, Pacific Island orNative American descent

Having a history of gestational diabetes (diabetesduring pregnancy)

SYMPTOMS

Dry mouth.

Increased thirst

Frequent urination

Increased appetite (Type 1 only)

Unexplained weight loss (Type 1 only)

Feeling week, tired and dizzy

Frequent skin infections

Slow healing wounds

Recurrent vaginal infections

Blurry vision

Tingling or numbness in the hands or feet

Fast, shallow breathing

Fruity-smelling breath

TREATMENT

Take insulin or medications as prescribed

Eat a healthy diet to keep your blood sugarin control and pay special attention to eating low-fat foods

Exercise regularly to help regulate your bloodsugar level, reduce your risk for heart disease and control weight

Track the food you eat and the kind and amountof exercise you get

Take good care of your feet as diabetes maydamage nerves and reduce the blood flow to your feet

Get regular eye exams. Diabetic retinopathycan cause blindness. Early detection and treatment can slow the processand save your sight

Have regular medical checkups. If you are diabeticor know someone who is, call a health professional if signs of lowblood sugar last more than 15 minutes

SIGNS of LOW BLOOD SUGAR

Confusion, irritability

Slurred speech

Sweating

Nausea

Fatigue, weakness

Extreme hunger

Rapid heartbeat

Anxiousness

Blurry vision

Dizziness, headache.

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How to Prevent Diabetes

Pre-diabetes is a serious medical condition that can be treated. DiabetesPrevention studies conclusively showed that people with pre-diabetescan prevent the development of type 2 diabetes by making changes intheir diet and increasing their level of physical activity. They mayeven be able to return their blood glucose levels to the normal range.

While studies also showed that some medications may delay the developmentof diabetes, diet and exercise worked better. Just 30 minutes a dayof moderate physical activity, coupled with a 5-10% reduction in bodyweight, produced a 58% reduction in diabetes.

Diabetes and Diet

How Does Diabetes Affect Diet?

Normally, the body produces a hormone called insulin. With diabetes,the ability to make or utilize insulin is impaired. Without insulin,the body can't properly use glucose, the simple sugar the body producesfrom the food we eat. Insulin is the key that unlocks cells and letsthe glucose enter, thus providing energy for critical cell metabolism.

The regulation of blood sugar in the non-diabetic is automatic, adjustingto whatever foods are eaten. For the diabetic, however, extra care mustbe taken to balance food intake (and the resultant impact on blood sugarlevels) with insulin injections, exercise and any other glucose alteringactivity.

Type 1 or Type 2 Diabetes?

Some recommendations for a diabetic diet depend on the type of diabetesyou have. In Type 1 diabetes the focus is mostly on matching foodintake to insulin. You'll need to know when your insulin peaks andhow quickly you metabolize different foods. In Type 2 diabetes theconcern may be more oriented to weight loss in order to improve thebody's ability to utilize the insulin it does produce.

In both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes, as well as in gestational diabetes,the overall goal is to gather enough nutritional information to maintaina healthful diet and avoid large fluctuations in your blood sugarlevels.

What Is the Glycemic Index?

Not all carbohydrates are created equal, nor will they all affect yourblood sugar in the same way. Researchers have created a glycemic indexthat ranks foods according to their ability to raise blood sugar.

The glycemic index is a ranking of carbohydrates based on their immediateeffect on blood glucose (blood sugar) levels. It compares foods gramfor gram of carbohydrate. Carbohydrates that breakdown quickly duringdigestion have the highest glycemic indexes. The blood glucose responseis fast and high. Carbohydrates that break down slowly, releasing glucosegradually into the blood stream, have low glycemic indexes.

Lowering insulin levels is not only a key ingredient in weight loss,but also the secret to long-term health. Low GI Diet makes weightlossachievable and sustainable.

What is the Significance of Glycemic Index?

Low GI means a smaller rise in blood glucose levels after meals

Low GI diets can help people lose weight

Low GI diets can improve the body's sensitivity to insulin

High GI foods help re-fuel carbohydrate stores after exercise

Low GI can improve diabetes control

Low GI foods keep you fuller for longer

Low GI can prolong physical endurance

What is Glycemic Load?

Glycemic load builds on the GI to provide a measure of total glycemicresponse to a food or meal

Glycemic load = GI (%) x grams of carbohydrate per serving

One unit of GL ~ glycemic effect of 1 gram glucose

You can sum the GL of all the foods in a meal, for the whole dayor even longer

A typical diet has ~ 100 GL units per day (range 60 - 180)

The GI database gives both GI & GL values

How to Switch to a Low GI Diet

Use breakfast cereals based on oats, barley and bran

Use "grainy" breads made with whole seeds

Reduce the amount of potatoes you eat

Enjoy all types of fruit and vegetables (except potatoes)

Eat plenty of salad vegetables with vinaigrette dressing

Disclaimer: The Diabetes Tips / Information presentedand opinions expressed herein are those of the authors and do not necessarilyrepresent the views of TipsAndTreats.com and/or its partners.

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