In recent times, diabetes has increased exponentially, triggering fear among many people on how to prevent or how to manage it by the people suffering from it.
Diabetes mellitus is a lifestyle disease. In medical terms, it is referred to as diabetes mellitus.
This describes a group of metabolic diseases where a person suffering from diabetes has high blood sugar caused by inadequate production of insulin or failure by the body’s cells to respond as required to insulin.
In some cases though, both instances could occur making glucose – which provides energy to the cells in the body - build up in your blood stream.
A buildup of glucose in your blood is fatal because it could potentially damage your sight, heart and the kidneys.
The importance of glucose cannot be underscored as it fuels body cells and the brain as well. There are three types of diabetes namely:
Type 1 diabetes
This one begins at a very early age. This condition comes about as a result of the body attacking the pancreas with antibodies making it difficult of the pancreas to produce insulin. This is why those who suffer from Type 1 diabetes are fully-reliant on artificial insulin doses.
Type 2 diabetes
Statistics put this as the most common type of diabetes with 95 per cent of adults suffering from it. However, Type 2 diabetes is now common in teenagers especially those who are obese.
In this condition, the pancreas produces little amounts if insulin or the body ‘s cells simply do not take it up (insulin resistance).
Gestational diabetes
This type of diabetes is most common in women during pregnancy. In some cases though, it disappears after delivery which is fueled by proper nutritional management.
Worth to note is that besides the above factors, diabetes can also be caused by a sedentary lifestyle, family history, senescence (age) and obesity.
Common symptoms for diabetes are frequent thirst and urination, excessive hunger, drastic weight loss, fatigue, blurred vision, a slow-healing process in case of a wound and infections of the skin and gum.
Though there is no absolute cure for diabetes, it can be managed through nutritional interventions as follows:
1.Consumption of small but frequent portions
Small but frequent meals ensure that there is adequate energy for the cells which energise the brain and the nervous tissues. Big portions will contribute to a spike in blood sugar levels.
2.Consuming more dietary fibre
A high dietary fibre allows one to consume a relatively adequate portion of food while limiting a spike in glucose levels.
3. Low fats diet
A low-fat diet increases the utilisation of carbohydrates in your bloodstream thereby, ensuring that the blood sugar level is optimal.
4. Be well hydrated
A lot of fluid intake is advised because it helps your kidneys to get rid of excess glucose and other unwanted products in your body.
5. Routine physical exercise
Engaging in physical activity ensures glucose in your body is utilised to the maximum and that your body cells absorb more insulin.
With all said and done, it is worthwhile to note that “When the diet is wrong, medicine is of no use. When diet is correct, medicine is of no need”.
Nduta Muniu is the Lead Nutritionist at Demarks Nutritional Consultancy in Thika. (demarksnutritionists@gmail.com)