Diabetes describes a chronic metabolic condition characterized by a decreased level of insulin--a hormone produced by the pancreas necessary for the use and storage of energy. The National Diabetes Information Service reports that 23.6 million people in the U.S. suffer from diabetes and 90 to 95 percent of those cases involve type II diabetes. Type II diabetes can usually be controlled through your diet, therefore nutrition plays a vital role in the course of the disease.
Food and Fuel
The foods you eat provide fuel for your body. During the process of digestion, enzymes in your digestive tract break down the foods into particles small enough to absorb. Carbohydrates, molecules made up of sugars, become glucose--the main source of energy. Glucose travels through the bloodstream to the cells in the body.
Role of Insulin
The increase in blood glucose levels triggers the pancreas to produce and secrete insulin. The presence of insulin facilitates the uptake of glucose by the cells. The cells can then use and store the glucose. Insulin also stimulates liver cells to store glucose in the form known as glycogen for the body to use for energy later.
Diabetes Types
Diabetes occurs in three main forms: type I, type II and gestational diabetes, which only affects pregnant women. Type I diabetes, classified as an autoimmune disease, occurs when the immune system destroys the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. Patients with this form must receive insulin treatments to maintain their blood sugar levels. Type II diabetes occurs when your pancreas produces insulin but your body cannot use it, which eventually leads to decreased insulin production. Eating healthy remains important for both types of diabetes to not only manage blood glucose levels but also to decrease the risk of developing additional complications.
High Blood Glucose
Without sufficient insulin, or without insulin that works effectively, glucose remains in the bloodstream and is then excreted from the body in the urine. High levels of glucose in the blood, generated from high carbohydrate consumption, can cause damage to the blood vessels and the organs, leading to other medical conditions such as kidney disease, heart disease and stroke.
Control Your Carbohydrates
Since carbohydrates increase blood glucose levels, you must pay close attention to the type and amount you consume. Carbohydrates include three classifications of foods: starches, sugars and fiber. Starches include vegetables such as peas, corn and potatoes, dried beans and grains such as oats. Sugars include both naturally occurring sugars such as those found in milk or fruit and added sugars. Plant-based foods such as fruits, vegetables and whole grains contain fiber.
Additional Concerns
Because diabetes can affect the health of your blood vessels and heart, it is important to maintain healthy blood pressure and cholesterol levels. Nutrition plays a major role in these factors as well. To keep blood cholesterol levels down, monitor your consumption of saturated and trans fats, both known to increase cholesterol levels, according to the American Heart Association. Reducing your sodium, or salt, intake helps to maintain a healthy blood pressure.
Member Comments