Diabetes Diet

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Diabetes

Diet

http://www.well-connected.com/rreports/doc42full.html

December

2001

WHAT IS DIABETES?

The two major forms of diabetes are type 1 (previously called

insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) or juvenile-onset diabetes) and type

2 (previously called noninsulin-dependent diabetes

mellitus (NIDDM) or maturity-onset diabetes). [For more details, see the Well Connected Report #9, Diabetes Type 1 and Report #60, Diabetes Type 2 .]

Insulin

Both diabetes type 1 and

type 2 share one central feature: elevated blood sugar ( glucose) levels due to absolute or

relative insufficiencies of insulin,

a hormone produced by the pancreas. Insulin is a key regulator of the body's

metabolism. It normally works in the following way:

 

During and

immediately after a meal the process of digestion breaks carbohydrates

down into sugar molecules (of which glucose

is one) and proteins into amino acids.

Right after the

meal, glucose and amino acids are absorbed directly into the bloodstream,

and blood glucose levels rise sharply. (Glucose levels after a meal are called postprandial

levels.)

The rise in blood

glucose levels signals important cells in the pancreas, called beta cells , to secrete insulin,

which pours into the bloodstream. Within ten minutes after a meal insulin

rises to its peak level.

Insulin then enables

glucose and amino acids to enter cells in the body, particularly muscle

and liver cells. Here, insulin and other hormones direct whether these

nutrients will be burned for energy or stored for future use. (It should

be noted that the brain and nervous system are not dependent on insulin;

they regulate their glucose needs through other mechanisms.)

When insulin levels

are high, the liver stops producing glucose and stores it in other forms

until the body needs it again.

As blood glucose

levels reach their peak, the pancreas reduces the production of insulin.

About two to four

hours after a meal both blood glucose and insulin are at low levels, with

insulin being slightly higher. The blood glucose levels are then referred

to as fasting blood glucose concentrations .

 

 

Type

1 Diabetes

In type 1 diabetes, the

disease process is more severe that type 2 diabetes and onset is usually in

childhood:

 

Beta cells in the

pancreas that produce insulin are gradually destroyed. Eventually insulin

deficiency is absolute.

Without insulin to

move glucose into cells, blood glucose levels become excessively high, a

condition known as hyperglycemia.

Because the body

cannot utilize the sugar, it spills over into the urine and is lost.

Weakness, weight

loss, and excessive hunger and thirst are among the consequences of this

" starvation in the midst of plenty. "

Patients become

dependent on administered insulin for survival.

 

Dietary control in type 1

diabetes is very important and must focus on balancing food intake with insulin

intake and energy expenditure from physical exertion. [ See Well-Connected Report #9 ,

Diabetes: Type 1. ]

Type

2 Diabetes

 

Type 2 diabetes is most common form of diabetes, accounting

for 90% of cases. An estimated 16 million Americans have type 2 diabetes

and half are unaware they have it. The disease mechanisms in type 2

diabetes are not wholly known, but some experts suggest that it may

involve the following three stages in most patients: first stage in type 2

diabetes is the condition called insulin resistance; although insulin can

attach normally to receptors on liver and muscle cells, certain mechanisms

prevent insulin from moving glucose (blood sugar) into these cells where

it can be used. Most type 2 diabetics produce variable, even normal or

high, amounts of insulin, and in the beginning this amount is usually

sufficient to overcome such resistance.

Over time, the

pancreas becomes unable to produce enough insulin to overcome resistance.

In type 2 diabetes, the initial effect of this stage is usually an

abnormal rise in blood sugar right after a meal (called postprandial

hyperglycemia). This effect is now believed to be particularly damaging to

the body.

Eventually, the

cycle of elevated glucose further impairs and possibly destroys beta

cells, thereby stopping insulin production completely and causing

full-blown diabetes. This is made evident by fasting hyperglycemia, in

which elevated glucose levels are present most of the time.

 

Obesity is common in type 2 diabetics and this condition appears to be

related to insulin resistance. The primary dietary goal for overweight type 2

patients is weight loss and maintenance. Studies indicate that when people with

type 2 diabetes can maintain intensive exercise and diet modification programs,

many can minimize or even avoid medications. [ See Well-Connected Report # 60 ,

Diabetes: Type 2. ]

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Happy Fall Y'all !

NorthernDoe

..~*#((|))#*~*#((|))#*~*#((|))#*~*#((|))#*~((|))~*#((|))#*~*#((|))#*~*#((|))#*~*#((|))#*~.

A tangerine and russet cascade of kaleidoscopicleaves creates a tapestry of autumn magic uponthe emerald carpet of fading summer.

~Judith A. Lindberg