The Truth About Diabetes

What is diabetes?
It's a fairly common disease, afflicting over eighteen million people in the United States alone.

Almost a third of these people don't even know that they have the disease. Diabetes is characterized by a lack of insulin or the inability of the body to use insulin properly. And what is insulin? It's the substance we need to convert food into energy. The consequences can be dire, so if you suspect that you are at risk, consult your doctor. Here are some key facts to know:

You will hear reference to two categories of diabetes:
Type 1 and Type 2. They are similar in some ways, but very different in others. Treatments also vary between the two types.

So how do we recognise Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes?
Type 1 diabetes is the type of diabetes that can be developed by children or young people. This type is often genetic and it occurs when the pancreas does not produce insulin. This failing happens when the immune system has created antibodies that attack and wipe out the beta cells that produce insulin. Without insulin, glucose remains in the blood and is not transferred to the cells where it is needed to provides the fuel our bodies need. It is important to treat this type of diabetes - without treatment the high levels of glucose remaining in the body would cause a diabetic coma. Therefore a person suffering from Type 1 diabetes needs to inject insulin regularly to avoid serious problems.

By contrast, Type 2 diabetes usually develops later in life and is often related to lifestyle. This type is the more common of the two. While doctors can't say exactly what causes it, some ethnicities seem to be at a greater risk, as are people who are overweight or who do not exercise regularly. Age is also a factor, with this type of diabetes being more common in older folks.

In Type 2 diabetes, the body is failing to take up the insulin generated by the pancreas. You can try to stave off your risk for developing Type 2 diabetes by eating a healthy diet high in fiber, fruits, veggies and whole grains, and exercising on a regular basis.

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.

Eating fruits, vegetables and whole grains may improve the condition of individuals who are afflicted with the disease. But remember that all foods, no matter how seemingly healthy, can have an impact on the overall levels of glucose in the body. Consult the glycemic index, or GI index, for more information on the potential effects of various foods.

Finally, consume fiber, which has been shown to keep down glucose levels and is healthy for just about everyone.

Opt for healthy oils and fats like olive oil rather than saturated fats, such as animal fat. Eating healthy will help to prevent cardiovascular disease, for which diabetes patients are at increased risk.