Diabetes – The Silent Killer

Diabetes is a metabolic disease characterized by insulin failure. Insulin, a hormone produced by special cells within the pancreas, is essential for metabolism, especially of glucose (blood sugar), the body’s major fuel.

There are two major types of diabetes:

1.       Juvenile-onset or Type I, in which the body fails to produce insulin, also called Diabetes Mellitus.

2.       Adult-onset, Type II, in which the body is unable to fully utilize insulin. Without adequate insulin, body cells cannot properly utilize glucose, which then accumulates in the blood and is also excreted in the urine. The most common form of diabetes is Type II. This form of diabetes accounts for 90 to 95 percent of all cases of diagnosed diabetes in the United States. Every year, about 650,000 people learn they have the disease. The onset of Type II diabetes usually happens after the age of 40, and most often after the age of 55. Because symptoms develop slowly, most people with the disease may not immediately recognize that they are sick. Scientists believe that in some persons weight gain or obesity triggers diabetes—about 80 percent of diabetics with this form of the disease are overweight.

Importance of Diet

One of the most important factors in controlling diabetes is a sensible diet. Follow a very healthy and balanced diet. Dietary goals are directed to control blood sugar, as well as preventing heart and kidney diseases, major complication of diabetes. Some guidelines that you want to stick with are as follows:

Limit intake of simple sugar.

·         Reduce intake of fat, cholesterol, and sodium

·         Increase intake of complex carbohydrates

·         Increase fiber intake

·         Provide sufficient protein for growth, development, and maintenance of body tissue.  http://healthcareatm.com/