Diabetes is a lifelong condition characterized by elevated blood sugar levels, often stemming from insufficient insulin production or cells not responding adequately to insulin. Insulin, produced in the pancreas, regulates blood sugar levels. Factors such as pancreatitis, reduced insulin production, or cellular resistance to insulin can lead to high blood sugar.
The initial three symptoms of diabetes, known as the “3 Poly’s,” include:
- Polyuria: Frequent urination.
- Polydipsia: Excessive thirst.
- Polyphagia: Increased hunger.
If you experience these symptoms, it’s advisable to undergo blood sugar testing for early diagnosis and prevention. Early-stage diabetes can often be managed through dietary changes. In later stages, medications and strict diet plans may be recommended by healthcare professionals. As of 2012, it was estimated that globally, 346 million people had type 2 diabetes .
Diabetes is classified into different types based on insulin requirements:
1.Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus: Occurs in early life and requires lifelong external insulin administration. Also known as “Juvenile diabetes” or “Early onset Diabetes.”
2. Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: Typically manifests in adulthood and involves insulin resistance. Medications to enhance insulin sensitivity are initially prescribed, but in chronic cases, external insulin may be required. Also called “Adult onset Diabetes” or “Non-Insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus (NIDDM).”
Approximately 90% of all cases of diabetes worldwide are of type 2 diabetes mellitus. Overweight and obese people are at higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes as compared to the ones who have a healthy body weight. People with central obesity, abdominal obesity are especially at high risk because it affects the stability of the body’s metabolic functions which can l lead to diabetes and other health related issues.
3. Gestational Diabetes: Occurs during pregnancy, usually in the third trimester. Resolves post-delivery but may persist or develop into type 2 diabetes.
Ways to deal Diabetes with diet:
As we read in the above section, it is understood that diabetes is nothing but high sugars in blood. So it’s simple, if body has high blood sugars than stop the external supply of sugar.
“Where do we get sugar from?” is the question of importance here. It is very important to understand that whatever we eat carbohydrates, proteins or fats it is utilized by the body in the form of sugars. So everything you eat becomes sugar.
Selection of right food is important. Here we recommend patients with diabetes to consume small frequent meals which include lentil pulses and grains with low glycemic Index (GI- Effect of food on blood sugar).
“Say No to simple sugars”. Try and stay away from candies, cakes, pastries, bars, chocolates, bakery products, refined flour, sugar, honey, and jaggery. And it’s not only sugars but also the amount of fat intake matters. As fat increases the insulin resistance in the body so moderate amount of fat is recommended.
RD Neha Kava
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