Diabetes

Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of the disease. Millions of Americans have been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, and there are many more that are unaware they may be pre-diabetic. Some populations have been shown to have a higher risk for developing type 2 diabetes than others, such as African Americans, Latinos, Native Americans, Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians and other Pacific Islanders, as well as the aging population.

In type 2 diabetes, either the body does not produce enough insulin or the cells ignore the insulin. Insulin is necessary for the body to be able to use glucose for energy. Glucose is the basic fuel for the cells in the body; when you eat food, the body breaks down all of the sugars and starches into glucose. Insulin takes the sugar from the blood into the cells. When glucose builds up in the blood instead of going into cells, it can lead to diabetes complications. 

Diabetes increases your risk for many serious health problems, however, with the correct treatment and a healthy lifestyle, many people with diabetes are able to prevent or delay the onset of complications.

Know Your ABCs

To reduce your risk for diabetes related health issues such as blindness, amputation risk, heart attack or stroke and kidney disease, you and the members of your health team need to monitor your “ABCs” on a regular basis: 

  • A1C Test: a measure of your average blood glucose control over the last 3 months. You should have this test a minimum of two times every year
  • Blood pressure: If your pressure is high, it means your heart may be working too hard. This can result in strokes and other health issues, such as kidney disease. Your blood pressure should be checked at every visit with your doctor. Target blood pressure for most people with diabetes is less than 130/80.
  • Cholesterol: LDL is the “bad” cholesterol; it can build up in your blood vessels, causing them to narrow and harden, which can lead to a heart attack. Be sure to have your doctor check your LDL at least once each year. The target LDL level for most people with diabetes is less than 100.
Seek Out Specialists

It is important to see your health care team regularly. In addition to your doctor, this team should include a diabetes educator, podiatrist, pharmacist, mental health worker, eye and foot specialist, dentist, social worker and dietitian. These specialists will assist you with these important steps that must be taken to manage your diabetes, such as:

  • Following a healthy meal plan
  • Checking your feet everyday
  • Taking your prescribed medications
  • Checking your blood glucose levels: target glucose range for most people using whole blood glucose values is 80 to 120 mg/dL before meals and 100 to 140 mg/dL at bedtime. Target range for people using plasma glucose levels is 90 to 130 mg/dL before meals and 110 to 150 mg/dL at bedtime.

Control Diabetes With Diet

For many people with diabetes, their condition can be controlled by eating the right foods and staying physically active. Learning how to control your diabetes can help you stay healthy.

With both type 1 and type 2 diabetes, monitoring carbohydrates is essential because they strongly affect your blood sugar. The best diet includes a variety of vegetables, fruits, and meats, as well as nuts, dairy, and grains. 

Research shows that a high-fiber diet -- 25 to 35 grams a day -- can help reduce your risk of type 2 diabetes by controlling blood sugar. Make sure you exercise, take your medicine, and test your blood sugar regularly.

When you have diabetes, it's even more important to eat right every day to keep your blood sugar levels even and stay healthy:

  • Be sure to eat a wide variety of foods. Having a colorful plate is the best way to ensure that you are eating plenty of fruits, vegetables, meats, and other forms of protein such as nuts, dairy products, and grains/cereals.
  • Eat the right amount of calories to maintain a healthy weight.
  • Choose foods high in fiber such as whole grain breads, fruit, and cereal. They contain important vitamins and minerals. You need 25 to 35 grams of fiber per day. Studies suggest that people with type 2 diabetes who eat a high fiber diet can improve their blood sugar and cholesterol levels.
  • People often find it difficult to consume the daily required amount of fiber through their diet. That’s when a sugar free psyllium fiber supplement, such as Konsyl Original Formula or Konsyl Orange Sugar Free can help. Konsyl Original provides 6 grams of psyllium fiber per teaspoon dose.  See all of Konsyl's Diabetic Friendly Fiber Supplements.

It is important to understand what causes blood sugar levels after meals to soar too high in people with diabetes. Possible explanations include excessive amounts of sugar, carbohydrates, and starches, among other foods. The glycemic index is a ranking that attempts to measure the impact that each particular food has on blood sugar levels. It takes into account the type of carbohydrates in a meal and its effect on blood sugar.

  • Foods that are low on the glycemic index appear to have less of an impact on blood sugar levels after meals. People who eat a lot of low glycemic index foods tend to have lower total body fat levels.
  • High glycemic index foods generally make blood sugar levels higher. People who eat a lot of high glycemic index foods often have higher levels of body fat, as measured by the body mass index (BMI).
  • The glycemic load takes into account the effect of the amount of carbohydrates in a meal. Both the type of carbohydrate and the amount have an effect on blood sugar.

For more information on how the glycemic index impacts your blood sugar levels, visit www.diabetes.org.

Diabetes and Exercise

Regular, moderate exercise can have a positive impact on blood sugar, especially with type 2 diabetes. Exercise improves your body's sensitivity to insulin and stimulates your liver and muscles to use glucose. One study found improvement in blood sugar levels after strength training, which usually involves lifting weights to build muscle.

You should be aware that while regular exercise can help control blood sugar levels, it may cause your sugar to drop. To help keep your levels where they need to be, your doctor may recommend you test your blood sugar before and after exercise. If exercise makes your blood sugar drop, don’t avoid exercise. Instead, be sure to have healthy snacks -- like fruit -- with you when you work out, in order to avoid a serious drop. For more information on the best way to exercise when living with diabetes, visit diabetes.webmd.com.

Many other things can affect your diabetes, including stress and unhealthy habits like smoking. Stress can significantly increase your blood sugar level. Try yoga or meditation or find time to de-stress with any relaxing hobby that appeals to you – some people find knitting very soothing. Smoking increases your chances of developing diabetes-related complications like foot problems, nerve damage, and eye, heart, vascular, and kidney disease.

With the proper care from your health care professionals, and more importantly, when you take a pro-active role in managing your diabetes, you can and will lead the happy, healthy productive life you deserve.

For more information, visit www.diabetes.org.