Knowing about Diabetes  

This month is national diabetes month where currently there are 20.8 million people in the United States , or 7% of the population, who have diabetes. While an estimated 14.6 million have been diagnosed with diabetes, unfortunately, 6.2 million people (or nearly one-third) are unaware that they have the disease. (1)

With these statistics you probably know someone such as a family member, friend, a coworker or your self who has just been diagnosis with diabetes or have had it for a very long time. It is important to learn about what diabetes is and how you can lower the risk.

Diabetes is a disease in which the body does not produce or properly use insulin. Insulin is a hormone, made in the pancreas organ, in your body that is needed to convert sugar, starches and other food into energy needed for daily life. The cause of diabetes continues to be a mystery, although both genetics and environmental factors such as obesity and lack of exercise appear to major play roles.  

There are many people who have blood sugar levels that are a little higher than normal, but are not diagnosis as being a diabetic. They are called Pre-diabetics otherwise know as (Impaired Fasting Glucose). Many of these people will go on to develop diabetes in a few years. A healthy diet, exercise, and weigh loss can prevent or delay diabetes from developing. It is important that people at high risk for diabetes learn what they can do to lower their risk. Even a little bit of high blood sugar can do damage to the body. Talk to your doctor or diabetes educator in finding out what is a safe range for your blood sugar levels.  

There are three types of diabetes. In both types, there are problems with insulin and blood sugar.  

Type 1  

Usually seen in children, this is where the pancreas does not produce insulin therefore the insulin must be given from an external source.  

Type 2  

Middle age adults usually age 40+ and older adults usually age 60+ are seen with Type 2 diabetes. This is where the insulin doesn't work properly the way it should and that the pancreas is making less insulin than it used to. Some of these diabetics have to take pills, insulin, or are place on both, and some are on diet/exercise alone.

 Gestational diabetes

 This glucose intolerance occurs in some women during pregnancy. Women who have had this kind of diabetes have a 20% to 50% chance of developing diabetes in the next 5-10 years. This is more common among obese women and women with a family history of diabetes. During pregnancy, gestational diabetes requires treatment to normalize maternal blood glucose levels to avoid complications in the infant.

Diet  

The American Diabetes Association sets nutritional guidelines for people with diabetes. Nutrition means getting the proper nutrients such as protein, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins, and minerals from what you eat and drink. What you eat and drink will affect your blood glucose level and your weight.(2) It is important to use portion sizes when you have diabetes. The registered and licensed dietitian will help explain to you about how many servings to have at each meal or snack. When you eat the right amounts of food this will keep your blood sugar level in control and to help you lose weight.  

Make sure you space your meals evenly, about four to six hours apart and eat your meals on time. It is not good to ever skip meals because your body does need carbohydrates to use for the cells.

 Ask your dietitian to show you how to limit your carbohydrate grams and what meal plan is best for you.

Exercise

 This is a very important part of your treatment of Diabetes. Exercise will help:  

•  Your insulin work better

•  Keep blood sugar levels more stable

•  You lose weight (along with healthy eating)

•  Give you more energy

•  Increases your metabolism

•  Lower cholesterol level

•  Lower blood pressure

•  Improves your strength and muscle tone

•  Reduce stress

The first thing you must do before starting an exercise plan you must consult with your doctor on what kind of exercise you can do and how much. Get an exercise prescription from your doctor or diabetes educator.  

Then think about what kind of exercise you would like to do and find a friend, family member or a four-legged furry friend to keep company with you in exercising.  

Since you will be on your feet then find the correct footwear for your exercise plan.

As a diabetic it is important to always make sure you carry or wear diabetes identification, such as a wallet card, bracelet, or necklace. Also carry something in case of blood sugar getting low (low blood sugar range is 70 below), such as glucose tablets or hard candies.

Drink extra water before and after exercise and check your blood sugar just before and after you exercise. Start off slow if you have not been active in a long while and slowly work up to longer (and maybe harder) exercise.

 Try to exercise five to six times per week every day and do it about the same time every day. A good amount of time to start to exercise is approximately 10 – 15 minutes if you have not exercise in a long time. Little by little build up to about 30 minutes or more each day or break the exercise in shorter sessions during the day such as 10 minutes three times a day.

Supplements  

There are many vitamins; minerals and other supplements that state it will make them healthier and helpful. But, other times they may actually can be harmful.  

Diabetics may hear or read that taking certain vitamins and minerals can lower their blood sugar or help prevent diabetes complications.  

Youngevity nutritional products such as the Pig Pak plus which consist of Majestic Earth Minerals, Majestic Earth Ultimate Tandy Tangerine, Ultimate EFA, and Ultimate Gluco-Gel Caps has promote and maintain healthy immune system function, optimal health and well-being*. These products will assist with healthy diabetes control by having chromium, zinc, and other essential minerals.  

 * The FDA has not evaluated these statements. This not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

•  National Diabetes Fact Sheet, 2005, Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Atlanta , GA : U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2005

 •  American Diabetes Association Diabetes A to Z : What You Need to Know About Diabetes –Simply Put 4 th edition 2000.

Denine Rogers is a Director and Founder of Living Healthy Enterprises with an extensive educational and practical background in the healthcare field. Her background consists of a Diabetes Nutritional Specialist, Ethnic Cultural Nutritional Consultant, Nutritional Informational Researcher and Clinical Dietitian. Ms. Rogers's educational background consists of a bachelor's degree from Howard University in Clinical Nutrition. She is a Registered Dietitian with the Commission on Dietetic Registration and in the State of Georgia a Licensed Dietitian. She has been a food and nutrition lifestyle management consultant for the past 15 years to food service management companies, hospital, federal government programs, educational institutions, corporations and healthcare facilities. She is a member of the Greater Atlanta Dietetic Association, American Association of Diabetes Educa tors, Associate-Southern Pediatric Endocrine Society and the Greater Atlanta Association of Diabetes Educator. Denine Rogers is a published and accomplished writer. You can contact her at livinghealthyonline@yahoo.com and her website is www.livinghealthyonline.org .