Diabetes

Diabetes is an illness that affects the pancreas. This organ is responsible for producing insulin, a hormone that communicates our cells of the presence of sugar in the blood. The objective of sugar is to enter the cell, and give us energy. 

In the early stages of diabetes, there are no significant signs or symptoms. Diabetes can remain quiet for many years, while blood sugars are high.  

Prevention.

Annual blood check ups are important in the prevention and early detection of diabetes. Two significant tests to know are glucose and A1c. Glucose tests will reflect the levels the constant, daily blood sugars, which are affected by what we ate before getting a blood test done. The A1c is a test that measures the protein hemoglobin's levels. This protein lives for three months in the blood stream. In a way, it holds the memory of the consistent blood glucose levels for the past three months. This test is not impacted by the fasting states when we go to the lab to get our blood drawn. It will take three months to check the A1c again to notice any significant changes in the numbers. 

Symptoms

Kidneys

In advanced diabetes, a person can experience changes in frequency of urination and thirst. This is most common if glucose levels are high. At this stage, the kidney are attempting to lower blood sugar levels by getting rid of it through urine. 

Nervous system

Other common symptoms of high blood glucose levels are tingling sensation of hands and feet. This is happening because the sugar in the blood, as it circulates the entire body, it must pass through the nerves as well. As a result, nerves of the hands and feet begin to deteriorate. This symptom can be stopped and prevent further damage if glucose levels are managed. This also happens to the nerves in the eyes. The delicate nerve vessels can start to deteriorate, and overtime, will cause a rupture on the blood vessels. When healed, they can re-grow with deformation. This can cause a condition called glaucoma. Yearly eye exams are important for early detection and prevention of this condition. 

Heart Disease

The state of high blood sugar can cause damage to the walls of arteries, responsible for carrying blood to the heart and brain. Think of it when we get a paper cut. The blood coagulates and forms a scab. This happens exactly the same inside the artery walls. Because there is a scab where blood is passing through, blood can start to form clots, ultimately causing blockage of blood to the heart or brain. Many people with diabetes suffer from strokes or heart attacks due to the high blood sugar levels. This can be prevented if diabetes is managed with diet and exercise. 

How to Improve Diabetes and Maintain a Healthy Life

Did you know that you can live a normal life with diabetes?

Many people that get diagnosed with diabetes feel that their lives are over. Some have grown to see their own families with diabetes and even had lost their parents over this disease. Many people I see in my practice are very concerned and stressed over what to do with this condition. I ensure we address all concerns that patients may have by reassuring that diabetes can be managed and one can live a normal life. 

One of the most important ways to manage diabetes is with nutrition. I will not call it diet, because this means, to many people, to eat specific foods, or restrict foods they love. 

Why is Nutrition Important?

The key to being healthy is controlling portions of foods and exercise. Even when diagnosed with diabetes, a person can still have carbohydrates-foods that convert to glucose in the blood. These are vital to our day to day, because they give us the energy to perform simple tasks like walking, being awake, or exercise. If we restrict carbohydrates from the diet, there is a risk of having hypoglycemia-very low blood glucose. With diabetes, a person can feel very sick. It is important to avoid diets like intermittent or complete fasting. Yes, they will lower blood sugar, but it can be a risk where too low blood sugar can cause uncomfortable symptoms such as shaking, excessive sweating, or fainting. It is also not sustainable, meaning, we cannot do these types of diets for the rest of our lives, nor do we want to do them. The key with diabetes is to eat healthy, balanced meals, exercise consistently, and manage stress. 

The Food Groups

There are three food groups that we get our nutrients from: carbohydrates, proteins, fats. These are the major contributors to energy. Carbohydrates will raise blood sugar as soon as they get in our body. Proteins and fats, not so much. Fats still need to be processed by our liver, converting them into a more useful form. 

Fiber and Vitamins

All plants will have fiber. This gives them structure. A trick to remember what has fiber; think of anything that grows out of the ground. Fiber is especially useful for help in managing blood sugars, because fiber forms a filter in the intestines, that when eaten in combination with carbohydrates, it prevents a lot of the sugar from entering the blood. 

Vitamins

Plants also give us the vitamins we need to replenish daily. Most of these vitamins are water soluble, meaning we lose them through urine, and these are the B vitamins. Some of these vitamins help break down sugar inside the cell so we can have energy to perform simple functions. So having 3 servings of vegetables and 2 servings of fruits per day will definitely replenish those vitamins.