Diabetes at a Glance - The Facts You Need to Know
Diabetes is a chronic disease that affects the way the body handles sugar. It is a metabolic disorder which, if not managed properly, can lead to other health complications such as cardiovascular disease, blindness and kidney failure.
In 2020, 34 million people in the United States reported having diabetes. Even though diabetes has reached an epidemic level, more than 90% of adults with diabetes don’t know they have it. Diabetes can be controlled by following a healthy diet and being physically active every day.
Tips for Managing Diabetes and the Diet that Can Help You With it
The most important thing about managing diabetes is to keep a close eye on your glucose levels. You should check in with your doctor every three months for at least two years. You need to be aware of the symptoms of low blood sugar and high blood sugar as well. If you experience any, then make sure to eat or drink something sweet or take an oral medication quickly.
One way that you can help manage your diabetes is through a ketogenic diet, which emphasizes fats instead of sugars for energy and avoids high-carbohydrate food like breads and sodas. This diet avoids some diabetic triggers like wheat, potatoes, grains, and many fruits.
The ketogenic diet is a high-fat, low-carbohydrate diet. It has been proven to be a healthy way to lose weight for people living with type 2 diabetes.
The ketogenic diet has been researched and found to reduce the symptoms of type 2 diabetes. This is because of the low carbohydrate intake, which forces cells in the body to use fat as an energy source instead of carbs.
This diet can help many people with type 2 diabetes control their blood sugar levels better while also reducing their risk for cardiovascular disease.
These are the foods you should have in your kitchen at all times - avocados, sweet potatoes, bananas
A kitchen without a few staple ingredients is incomplete. What are the foods you should have in your kitchen at all times? We compiled a list of the foods that fit into one of four categories: healthy fat, healthy sugar, healthy starch, and antioxidants.
1. Healthy Fat
- Avocados: The king of fats! Avocados contain potassium, which can lower blood pressure and reduce cardiovascular risk. They can also help regulate blood sugar levels and promote skin health.
- Coconut Oil: A great alternative to butter for frying chicken or veggies. Coconut oil is high in lauric acid, which aids in weight loss by suppressing hunger and promoting the burning of fat cells for energy
2. Healthy Sugar
- Dates: Dates have been a staple in many cultures for centuries. They are one of the most nutritious foods on the planet and can be eaten raw, baked, or cooked. In addition to their nutritional benefits, dates have a unique flavor that can be used in both sweet and savory dishes.
3. Healthy Starch
- Healthy starches such as quinoa and sweet potatoes are recommended to boost your metabolism and provide you with sustainable energy.
Research has shown that people who eat healthy starches are less likely to feel fatigued, which means that they can stay on top of their work more easily.
4. Antioxidants
- Antioxidants help to combat the oxidative stress in the body by protecting cells against free radicals.
There are many antioxidants that are recommended for people with diabetes, but only a few that have been shown to be helpful. Vitamin C and Vitamin E are often recommended for people with diabetes because they have been found to help lower blood sugar level.
What snacks should diabetics avoid?
Diabetics should avoid consuming snacks with a higher glycemic index because they can cause a spike in blood sugar levels.
Some diabetics don't even always know what snacks they should avoid since there is no one-size-fits-all list. To be on the safe side, those on the diet can opt for healthier snacks such as fruit and vegetables, nuts, or protein bars with low sugar content.
It is important to get enough protein from whole foods and not just snacks. Protein is an important building block for the body, so you want to make sure you are getting enough in your diet. Protein provides energy, helps repair muscles, and makes your immune system stronger.
Some of the best sources of protein are meat, dairy products, and eggs. Some good sources of plant-based protein include beans, nuts, seeds and tofu. So make sure that when you snack on a dried fruit or nut that you also eat a source of protein as well (or vice versa).
Treatment Options for Diabetes
Diabetes is a chronic and progressive disease. It is caused by the pancreas not producing enough insulin, or the body's cells not responding to insulin. In order to manage diabetes, it is vital for patients to closely monitor how much food they eat and get regular exercise.
The treatment options for diabetes are available in different forms - oral medications, insulin injections, and others. However, if you have type 1 diabetes or type 2 diabetes that cannot be controlled with diet and exercise alone, your doctor will most likely prescribe medication as one of your treatment options.
The different types of medication can be classified under four major categories - oral medications (such as metformin), insulin medicines (such as sulfonylurea), insulin injections (such as rapid-acting analogues).
An Overview of the 6 Types of Diabetics (& Their Treatment Needs)
This overview will discuss the six different types of diabetes, as well as the treatments available for each type. The six types of diabetes are Type 1, Type 2, gestational diabetes, LADA (Latent Autoimmune Diabetes in Adults), MODY (Maturity Onset Diabetes in Youth), and Dr. Atkins’ New Diet Revolution. The first three are by far the most common with Type 1 being more prevalent than Type 2.
Type 1 Diabetes is an autoimmune disease that affects children and young adults. It occurs when the immune system destroys the cells in the pancreas that produce insulin.
The most common treatment for type 1 diabetes is insulin injections or wearing an insulin pump to provide a continuous supply of insulin. Most people with type 1 diabetes need to monitor their blood sugar levels to control it, which includes testing blood either with a needle and syringe or through using a continuous glucose monitoring system. Those who are prone to low blood sugar levels should also consume food when they have had too little carbohydrate in their diet, such as after strenuous exercise.
Type 2 Diabetes can be managed with diet and exercise, but sometimes insulin is also needed.
The word “type 2” in type 2 diabetes refers to the chemical reactions within the body that lead to a buildup of sugar in the blood. Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition, which requires insulin injections to prevent glucose from building up in the bloodstream.
Type 2 diabetes is a bit more complicated because it’s not caused by one thing alone. It can be caused by genetics, lifestyle choices like diet and exercise, or even family history. There are three main treatments for type 2 diabetes: diet modifications (eating foods with less carbs), physical exercise and weight loss, and medication (mostly metformin).
Type 3 Diabetes is a type of diabetes that causes the pancreas to produce insulin. It is also known as diabulimia. The word "diabulimia" was coined in 1994 at a meeting of the International Society for Eating Disorders.
Type 3 diabetes can be caused by eating disorders, such as anorexia and bulimia. Anorexics and bulimics will often use insulin to control their weight, which can lead to long-term complications, like nerve damage or blindness.
It should not be confused with Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes because it is not caused by a lack of insulin production in the pancreas, but rather by excessive insulin production.
Type 4 Diabetes is a rare form of diabetes that's caused by an auto-immune disorder. It's also considered a type of adult-onset diabetes.
Type 4 diabetes is a form of type I diabetes that occurs in adults who are genetically predisposed to type 1 diabetes but have no insulin-producing cells due to an autoimmune attack.
The treatment for Type 4 Diabetes is similar to the treatment for Type 2 Diabetes with lifestyle changes, medication, and insulin therapy.
Type 5 Diabetes is a relatively rare form of diabetes because it doesn't involve the same type of insulin deficiency as other types. Instead, the autoimmune response associated with Type 5 Diabetes destroys the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. There are many treatments available for people with this condition but they vary depending on what triggers your body's immune system to destroy these cells.
Type 6 Diabetes is the form of diabetes that is the most difficult to control and treat. It is caused by a combination of obesity, a sedentary lifestyle, and genetics. The difficulty in treating Type 6 diabetes stems from the fact that it cannot be diagnosed by blood tests alone.
There are two types of treatments for Type 6 diabetes: oral medications and insulin therapy. Insulin therapy for Type 6 diabetes requires special expertise, as well as close monitoring by a medical professional or educator to ensure safety and success for patients.
How to Prevent and Treat Chronic Complications of Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition where the immune system destroys the cells producing insulin. Type 2 diabetes is a chronic condition where the body does not produce enough insulin or cannot use it properly.
Diabetes complications can lead to blindness, cardiovascular disease, and kidney disease among other conditions. The risk of developing these complications increases as the duration of diabetes increases. This article will give you a step-by-step guide on how to prevent and treat chronic complications of type 1 and type 2 diabetes.
1) Monitor your glucose levels:
2) Maintain a healthy diet:
3) Exercise regularly:
4) Manage stress:
5) Use medications as prescribed by your doctor:
6) Keep in touch with your doctors and nurses for routine checkups:
Best exercise routines for diabetics
Exercise is an important part of managing diabetes. It helps to keep blood sugar levels balanced, improve the body’s response to insulin, and reduce the risk of developing complications associated with diabetes.
Exercise can be broken down into three categories: aerobic exercises, strength exercises, and flexibility exercises. Each category has its own benefits for people with diabetes. For example, aerobic exercise can help those with diabetes lower their blood sugar levels and prevent weight gain. Strength exercise can help those with diabetes increase muscle mass and improve insulin sensitivity in the muscles of the legs and abdomen. And flexibility exercise can help those who have trouble bending over or lowering their limbs due to arthritis or nephropathy.
At Superior Compounding Pharmacy we provide diabetes medication for men, women and children in Plymouth Michigan and the surrounding areas. Call us today at 866-862-7520 for a complimentary medication consultation.
Sources:
https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/library/features/diabetes-stat-report.html
https://dtc.ucsf.edu/types-of-diabetes/
https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/the-importance-of-exercise-when-you-have-diabetes
https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/diabetes/overview/insulin-medicines-treatments