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What is Diabetes?
by Hana Jacovado
http://www.facediabetes.com
Diabetes is a common disease - In the US for example, it is
estimated that over eighteen million Americans are suffers,
and that almost a third of them are unaware they are
diabetic. Diabetes is associated with a lack of insulin or
with problems that the body has in using insulin. Insulin
is what our body uses to turn our food into the energy we
need, so any problems here can clearly have serious
consequences. Anyone who thinks they might be diabetic
should go talk to their physician. Below are a few
important facts about the disease.
Diabetes is categorized in two ways, as Type 1 and
Type 2. The types have some similarities, but they
are different in terms of cause and treatment.
So how do we recognise Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes?
Type 1 diabetes is genetic in nature and results from a
failure of the pancreas to create insulin. It often affects
children or young adults. In these people, the immune
system actually works against the body, killing
off beta cells that produce insulin. This causes glucose
to stay in the blood rather than getting turned into the
essential fuel our body needs. Treatment is required in
order to prevent diabetic coma, which is when the levels
of glucose in the blood get dangerously high. Treatment
generally consists of regular insulin injections.
Type 2 diabetes, on the other hand, is something we can
develop in later life. This is the most common form of
the disease. The causes are not precisely known, but
certain ethnic groups seem to be at a greater risk.
Lifestyle is also a significant factor. Old age, being
overweight and lack of exercise all contribute to onset.
In this form, the body does not do a good enough job of
taking up the insulin that is created in the pancreas.
There is good news: you can prevent type 2 diabetes by
living a healthy lifestyle, exercises regularly, eating
healthy and keeping your weight down.
Why is exercise so important? It actually helps to keep
blood glucose low and enables the body to react
appropriately to the insulin that is generated. Other
benefits include elimination of stress, improved
circulation and lower cholesterol levels. In fact,
proper diet and exercise alone are sometimes treatment
enough for Type 2 diabetes.
Diets rich is complex carbohydrates such as fruits,
vegetables and whole grains are believed in help in the
prevention of diabetes. For people with diabetes however,
it is important to be aware of the effect of all foods on
the disease, as some carbohydrates are broken down
differently and effect glucose levels in different ways. If
in doubt diabetics can refer to the glycemic index (usually
called GI index) which provides information on all foods
and their likely effect.
Most diets that promote a healthy regime will urge people
to eat more fibre. This also applies to people with
diabetes where it has the added benefit of helping to
control glucose levels, keeping them at a lower level.
Whilst fats and oils are very important to a healthy diet
most people would do better to avoid saturated fats (animal
fats) because of problems with high cholesterol and to
stick to olive oils and fish oils for their essential fat
intake. This is very important to those with diabetes as
they are often predisposed to developing cardiovascular
diseases.
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