The most recent fact sheet from the Centers For Disease Control estimates that 24 million people have diabetes; unfortunately these statistics are from 2007 so the number has likely changed. The complications of diabetes are numerous — heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, blindness, nervous system complications, circulation complications, greater susceptibility to illness and gum disease.
Fortunately, type 2 diabetes is preventable. Studies have shown that weight loss, achieved through a healthy diet and an increase in physical activity can PREVENT diabetes.
What normally happens when you eat?
The carbohydrates that you eat are broken down into small sugar molecules called glucose. The glucose is absorbed into your blood where it is used by the body for energy or put into storage for later use. Sometimes, if your storage is full, the glucose will convert to fat.
A hormone called insulin is responsible for moving the glucose from the blood into the cells – sometimes insulin is described as the “key” that unlocks the door to allow the glucose into the cell.
Type 2 Diabetes
In type 2 diabetes, the body is not able to use the insulin correctly and the glucose has a difficult time moving into the cell. If the glucose can not move into the cell it accumulates in the blood, resulting in high blood sugar. Chronic high levels of sugar in the blood is dangerous and damaging to the body, which is one of the reasons there are so many complications of diabetes.
The classic symptoms of diabetes include increased thirst, urination, and fatigue. Diagnosis of type 2 diabetes may be made if you have a fasting blood glucose over 126 mg/dl on two or more occasions and a HgA1c of 6.5% or higher but this is to be determined by a doctor. Check with your doctor if you have any symptoms of diabetes. It is also good to have regular physicals so your doctor can monitor your lab work.
Prevention
You can prevent chronic diseases like diabetes by living a healthy lifestyle that includes a healthy diet and an increase in physical activity.
Check out this article on 10 key steps for weight loss. Make an appointment with a dietitian if you need help planning a healthy diet.
Even if you have been diagnosed with diabetes, you can delay or even prevent complications from diabetes by controlling your blood sugar, following a healthy diet, being physically active and achieving a healthy weight. The best treatment plan for you will be determined by your doctor and dietitian.
The bottom line is that you can take steps to get healthy and prevent chronic diseases like type 2 diabetes.
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Lisa
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Reference
CDC; National Diabetes Fact Sheet, 2007; http://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/pubs/factsheet07.htm
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Tags: diabetes, health, healthy diet, heart disease, weight loss
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