Diabetes is a chronic disease that affects your ability to metabolize glucose, the main fuel for your body. People with type 1 diabetes do not make insulin, the hormone that transports glucose from the blood into the cells of your body. People with type 2 diabetes may make insulin, but their cells are resistant to insulin. Both types of diabetes are characterized by high blood glucose levels that can be managed through diet.
Significance
Diabetes is one of the fastest growing epidemics in America, affecting an estimated 23.6 million adults, children and adolescents, according to the National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse. The CDC projects rates of diabetes will triple by 2050, primarily due to the aging population and increase in childhood obesity. More than 90 percent of diabetics today have type 2 diabetes, also called non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus. Diabetes is a costly condition to treat, a leading cause of disability and blindness and is among the leading causes of death. The good news is that diet and exercise can reduce your risk of type 2 diabetes.
Medical Complications
The progression of high blood sugar among people with diabetes increases your risk of medical complications that include cardiovascular disease, vision problems and neuropathy, which can affect your nerves, feet and kidneys. People with diabetes have high risks for high blood pressure and elevated blood cholesterol and fat, risk factors for hypertension, stroke and heart disease and death. Diabetics are 40 percent more likely to develop glaucoma, a condition of nerve damage and vision loss and 60 percent more likely to develop cataracts, a condition that clouds the lens of your eyes, according to the American Diabetes Association. Diabetic neuropathy is a condition of nerve damage that causes pain and deterioration of nerve cells and tissues, leading to amputations of your feet.
Nutritional Management
Diabetes is best managed through diet. Eating a healthy diet that includes fresh, whole fruits, vegetables, legumes, grains, nuts, seeds, low-fat dairy, fish and lean meat can help you manage your blood sugar and reduce your risk of medical complications. Planning meals that include low glycemic foods can help you prevent extreme fluctuations in your blood sugar and insulin levels. Low glycemic foods include grapefruits, pears, peanuts, whole bran, low-fat fruit yogurt, carrots, green peas, soy beans, lentils, whole wheat spaghetti and barley. Consuming healthy fats, particularly monounsaturated fat from olive oil and omega-3 fatty acids from nuts and fish, can help you reduce your risk of heart disease.
Myths
A common myth is that eating too much sugar can cause diabetes. The truth is that genetics and other unknown factors may cause type 1 diabetes and genetics and lifestyle factors, such as being overweight and a diet high in calories, may cause type 2 diabetes. Another myth is that diabetics should not consume chocolate. The truth is that you can eat chocolate as part of a healthy meal plan.
References
- National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse: Diabetes
- National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases: National Diabetes Statistics, 2007
- Centers For Disease Control and Prevention: Number of Americans with Diabetes Projected to Double or Triple by 2050
- PubMed.gov: Epidemiology of Childhood Type 2 Diabetes and Obesity
- American Diabetes Association: Complications
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