Entries Tagged 'Diabetes' ↓

Diabetes Diet: An Overview

You will need to adopt a special diabetes diet once you are diagnosed with this condition. Basically, this is just one of the changes that you must make, to improve your health.

A diabetes diet is based on the food pyramid designed for diabetics. The food pyramid is a great foundation for you to use to begin learning how to eat correctly to keep your blood sugar level in the right range. A diabetic has to watch their carbohydrate intake, too, because these turn to sugars in the body. Eating the same types of foods at the same time each day can keep your blood glucose levels more stable.

If you have diabetes, you need to learn about the benefits of adding soluble fibers to your diet. These can be found in many different vegetables and fruits. The reason why they work so well for diabetics is that they slow down glucose absorption in the intestine. This decreased absorption can help keep your blood glucose level from getting too elevated, which can cause a hyperglycemic reaction. Continue reading →

A Brief Overview of Diabetes

Chances are, you or someone you know has diabetes, a condition in which the body is unable to regulate blood sugar on its own. According to the American Diabetes Association, there are 20.8 million children and adults in the U.S. or 7 percent of the population, who have diabetes. While an estimated 14.6 million have been diagnosed with diabetes, unfortunately, 6.2 million people (or nearly one-third) are unaware that they have the disease.

Diabetes is a disease in which the body does not produce or properly use insulin, which is a hormone that is needed to convert sugar, starches and other food into energy needed for daily life. Although both genetics and environmental factors such as obesity and lack of exercise appear to play a role, the actual cause of diabetes remains a mystery.

In most cases, diabetes does not strike until adulthood. People who get little exercise and are overweight are at an increased risk of developing what is known as Type 2 diabetes (Type 1 diabetes is detected on childbirth). The good news is that due to science research and developments in treatment, it is easier than ever to live with it. Continue reading →