Diabetics often have additional health issues caused by high blood glucose levels. High glucose levels damage blood vessels, which can lead to atherosclerosis, which starts with damage to the insides of arteries, as well as high blood pressure. As many as 44 percent of people with end-stage renal disease also have diabetes, according to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disorders. All these disorders require dietary modifications.
Decreasing Blood Sugars
Blood glucose levels stay high in diabetics when insulin, a hormone produced by the pancreas, no longer removed glucose from the bloodstream into the cells in adequate amounts. While there's considerable debate over exactly what type of diet diabetics should eat, most experts agree that cutting down refined sugar, which stimulates the pancreas to overproduce insulin, which leads to burnout of the cells over time, is prudent. If you have diabetes, eat more whole grains and fewer processed or refined foods to help control your blood sugars. Working with a dietitian or your doctor can help you create a diet that works for your lifestyle and current weight.
Lowering Cholesterol
Most people with diabetes die from complications of atherosclerosis, according to a report published in the October 2002 issue of "The Journal of the American Medical Association" by physicians from the Leducq Center for Cardiovascular Research in Boston. Eating saturated fats can raise cholesterol levels, which increases atherosclerosis. Only a small part of cholesterol in your blood comes from eating cholesterol, around 25 percent. Your liver produces the rest. Other dietary factors that help lower cholesterol include adding 5 g to10 g of soluble fiber to your diet in the form of oatmeal, apples, kidney beans, barley or other foods high in soluble fiber. Increasing your omega-3 fatty acids by eating fatty fish such as salmon or albacore tuna twice a week also helps lower cholesterol.
Decreasing Sodium
Between 20 percent and 60 percent of diabetics have high blood pressure, according to registered dietitian Lara Rondinelli. Sodium can cause a rise in blood pressure, which plays a major part in the development of kidney disease in diabetes. The 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend restricting sodium intake to 1,500 mg per day if you have diabetes. Lowering sodium intake will help both your blood pressure and your kidneys. Following the DASH diet, which emphasizes whole grains, fruits, vegetables, poultry, fish and nuts, also helps control hypertension.
Considerations
Keeping your blood glucose level under control is the best way to avoid the complications of diabetes. Watching what you eat not only controls blood sugar levels, but can also help you lose excess weight that may be increasing your chances of developing complications. If you develop complications, keeping your blood sugars low by dietary means, along with medical treatment, helps prevent complications from worsening.
References
- MayoClinic.com; How to Tame Your Salt Habit Now; March 2010
- dLife; Sodium, Diabetes and Blood Pressure; Lara Rondinelli, R.D.; February 2011
- MayoClinic.com; Cholesterol: Top Five Foods to Lower Cholesterol; May 2010
- "JAMA"; Diabetes and Atherosclerosis; J. Beckman, M.D., et al.; 2002
- MedlinePlus: Diabetic Diet
- National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases; Kidney Disease of Diabetes; September 2008
