By Dr. BaruchActive body cells need energy and they get it from carbohydrate foods that are broken down into glucose. (The fuel that keeps our bodies running is sugar. Doctors call it glucose). Soon after we eat, glucose pours into the bloodstream and is carried to individual cells throughout the body. Before it can enter these cells, however, it requires the presence of a hormone called insulin. And therein lies the problem. Diabetes is essentially too much sugar in the blood. It happens
when your pancreas (most of the pancreas is engaged in producing enzymes needed by the digestive system, but dotted within the gland are thousands of small groups of cells. These are the islets of Langerhans, and it is here that the insulin is produced.) Produces no
insulin or insufficient or ineffective insulin, the hormone that stimulates cells to absorb and store glucose (sugar). If the insulin can’t handle glucose, blood sugar levels rise abnormally, causing much havoc, including excessive urination and thirst, weakness, fatigue and cardiovascular and kidney damage.
There are 2 main types of diabetes. The more severe, less common Type I diabetes strikes children and sometimes young adults, usually under age 35. Since cells of the pancreas that secret insulin R gradually destroyed, presumably by some sort of immune reaction, Type I diabetics must take insulin injections because their pancreas produces virtually no insulin. Type I is also known as insulin – dependent diabetes or juvenile diabetes. A far wider threat to most Americans is Type II diabetes, which almost develops after age 40. Ironically, people with this type diabetes often have lots of insulin, but it doesn’t perform well because cells are "resistant" to it. Such diabetes, also called non-insulin-dependent or adult-onset, accounts for 90% of all cases, afflicting some 20 million Americans, perhaps as many as ½ who do not know they have it. Since what U eat has a major impact on blood sugar and insulin, food is a prime player in triggering and controlling diabetes.
Here are some ways food can affect diabetes:
· Overloads of certain foods that cause sharp spurts of blood sugar put burdens on insulin; restricting such foods keeps blood sugar levels more even.
· Certain foods contain compounds that stimulate the activity and potency of insulin or act directly to regulate blood sugar.
· Antioxidants in food may ward off free radical attacks on beta cells that worsen inflammation and other damage. Such antioxidants also counteract oxidation of diabetes’ LDL cholesterol, which is more susceptible to harm than that of non-diabetic individuals. Type II diabetics R 2 to 3 times more vulnerable to heart disease than non-diabetics.
· Especially intriguing is the prospect that the onset of Type I diabetes may be fostered by very complex delayed "allergic reactions" to food constituents, such as proteins in milk. (" It’s incorrect to say that sugar causes diabetes. The real cause is insufficient or ineffective insulin – the hormone that controls how the body metabolizes sugar To blame sugar is to put the cart before the horse") Dr. Gerald Bernstein, American Diabetes Association)
Specific conditions can result:
Ø Retinopathy. Diabetic Retinopathy is a serious eye disease that can result in blindness. In fact, diabetic retinopathy is still the leading cause of blindness in the US. One in 20 Type 1 and one in 15 Type 2 diabetics develop retinopathy The development of laser therapy will probably reduce the prevalence of diabetes – induced blindness. However, laser therapy is milder forms of retinopathy since the occasional side effects (hemorrhage, retinal detachment, and visual field loss) may outweigh the benefits.
Ø Nephropathy. (Kidney Disease) Kidney disease due to diabetes is a common complication and a leading cause of death in diabetes. Like the other long – term complications, good blood glucose control goes a long way in reducing the risk of diabetic nephropathy. In addition to monitoring blood sugar levels, periodic monitoring of a diabetic patient’s kidney function (blood urea nitrogen, uric, creatinine, and creatinine clearance) is important.
Ø Atherosclerosis. This hardening of the arteries leads to damage and blockage in the vessels that supply blood it the heart, brain and legs. The result can be heart attacks, strokes and poor circulation. Many diabetics circulation is so poor that they have serial amputations of
feet, toes, knees and legs.
Ø Neuropathy. Nerve damage to the extremities can cause pain and numbness in the hands and feet. Many diabetics cannot feel their feet, and injuries as simple as a stubbed toe can lead to serious infections that are difficult to treat.
Ø Sexual dysfunction. Many male diabetics experience an inability to sustain an erection because of damage to the small vessels in the groin.
Ø Infections. Especially common are yeast infections and other fungal infections, including jock itch, ringworm and athlete’s foot.
When U look at the list of what diabetes can do to U over the long term, it makes sense to treat it if U have it. Some populations have a tendency toward diabetes: African Americans, Hispanics, Native Americans, Asians American and Pacific Islanders. Woman who develops diabetes during pregnancy is another article in which I don’t have at hand at present. - Doesn’t the above population affected list look suspicious?
WARNING SIGNS & SYMPTOMS
Insulin-dependent (Type I) diabetes can cause: Frequent urination Excessive thirst or hunger Sudden weight loss Weakness and fatigue Irritability Nausea and vomiting. Non insulin-Dependent (Type II) diabetes can cause: Any of the insulin-dependent symptoms or signs Blurred vision or changes in vision Tingling or numbness in the legs, feet or fingers Slow healing of cuts Frequent skin infections or itchy skin and drowsiness. Although the common theme is that there is no cure for diabetes, the other less popular theme and less financially rewarding for the medical establishment is that there is a path to total and complete recovery. With some very simple lifestyle changes you can control the disease and prevent further complications. Ultimately, you can completely recover.
