Nutrition for Diabetic
More than 23 million people in the United States alone have
diabetes, a disease that happens when the body is unable to make enough insulin
or is not able to properly use insulin. Instead of moving into the cells, sugar
build up in the body, which can lead to a number of serious health issues,
including kidney disease, and hearth disease. After being diagnosed with
diabetes, patients may think that life as they know it is over. Actually,
diabetics can live long, healthy lives, as long as they take their medications,
exercise, eat healthy and keep their weight down. There are two main types of
diabetes - juvenile diabetes and Type 2 diabetes. A third type of diabetes is
known as gestational diabetes.
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Types of Dianetes
Juvenile Diabetes
(Type 1)
In most cases, juvenile or Type 1 diabetes is diagnosed when
patients are children or young adults. This is a form of diabetes that,
according to the American Diabetes Association, is only seen in five to ten
percent of those with diabetes. When a person has juvenile diabetes, their body
is unable to produce insulin, a hormone that converts starches, sugars and more
into energy. Those with juvenile diabetes usually have to take insulin therapy,
and they must closely monitor their blood sugars.
Type 2 Diabetes
Of the different types of diabetes, Type 2 is the most
common, with millions of people in the US having it, and many more are at a
high risk for the disease. Many people do not experience any symptoms of Type 2
diabetes, so they do not even realize that they have it. Again, with Type 2
diabetes, the body is unable to produce enough insulin, and without a proper
diet and health care, there can be many complications. There are certain groups
of people who have more instances of Type 2 diabetes, including Native
Americans, African Americans, Asian Americans, Hawaiians, and other Pacific
Islanders. Type 2 diabetes can be controlled through blood glucose monitoring,
a healthy diet and, in some cases, medication.
Gestational Diabetes
It is not uncommon for many pregnant women to develop gestational
diabetes, usually in the third trimester of their pregnancy. Often, women who
have gestational diabetes did not previously have diabetes, and most do not
have diabetes once their babies are born. Regular blood glucose monitoring
should be done to ensure that mother and baby are both healthy, with no risk of
diabetes in the future, for mother or child.
Symptoms of Diabetes
There are many symptoms of diabetes, and some are so simple
that they often go unnoticed, especially by those who are not at a high risk
for diabetes. Those who are experiencing any of these symptoms should have
tests for diabetes done by their physician. Even if they do not have the
disease, it is worth it to find out for sure because the sooner the condition
is diagnosed, and the sooner treatment can begin.
Juvenile Diabetes Symptoms - Some of the symptoms of
juvenile diabetes include frequent urination, strange weight loss, extreme
tiredness, irritability and unusual hunger and thirst.
Type 2 Diabetes Symptoms - Patients with Type 2 diabetes may
experience no symptoms, or they can have any or all of the same symptoms as
those with juvenile diabetes. Other symptoms of Type 2 diabetes include blurred
vision, cuts and bruises that take a long time to heal, tingling or numbness in
the feet and/or hands and infections that keep coming back.
Being Active Can Help You Prevent Type 2 Diabetes
It doesn't matter whether a person has any type of diabetes.
It is important for everyone to be active, which helps to keep the body
healthy. Having an active lifestyle can be a terrific part of the diabetes
treatment, and can even keep some people from developing Type 2 diabetes. Being
active doesn't mean that people need to go out and join a sports team or take
aerobics classes every day. Being active can be as simple as going for a half
hour walk each day. As part of diabetes treatment, this is certainly the
simplest.
Diabetes Care Should Begin with a Healthy Diet
When a person is diagnosed with diabetes, it means that
there are going to have to be a lot of changes made in their lifestyle,
particularly when it comes to diets. Eating a healthy, well-balanced diet
doesn't have to be boring, as many would think. In fact, there are all kinds of
delicious foods that are absolutely fine for diabetic diets. Those who are
diagnosed with diabetes need to learn how to eat the right foods, in the right
portions. And, having diabetes does not mean that one can't enjoy a sweet treat
now and again. You just need to plan your diet accordingly, and when you do,
you can add a treat. Or, try making your own sweets at home, using artificial
sweetener.
Fad diets do not work, and many are actually quite
unhealthy. A healthy diet will consist of fats, carbohydrates, and proteins.
Some of the foods that are recommended for diabetic diets include whole grains,
non-starchy vegetables, fish, lean meats, liquid oils, fruits, and non-fat
dairy products. And, with so many delicious foods to choose from, it should be
no problem at all to follow a healthy diet.
When Diet Isn't Enough
There are times when diet alone just isn't enough to get all
of the protein and other nutrients that are needed by the body. Sometimes,
diabetics need to turn to dietary supplements, which can provide many of the
nutrients they need. There are three macronutrients that we all need to survive
- fats, carbohydrates, and proteins - but it is not always easy to get them in
the right amounts. There are many different types of dietary supplements that
will provide protein and other nutrients, and which ones are best depends on
the individual's tastes and needs. Protein powders are very popular because
they are so versatile and can be used to make meal replacements or added to
dishes to increase the protein. Diabetes weightloss nutrition
About Protica Research
Founded in 2001, Protica, Inc. is a nutritional research
firm specializing in the development of protein-rich, capsulized foods (dense
nutrition in compact liquid and food forms). Protica manufactures Profect
protein beverage, IsoMetric, Fruitasia and more than 100 other brands in its
GMP-certified, 250,000 square foot facility.
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