The metabolic disorder that does not allow processed food to be converted into energy or growth properly is called diabetes. To maintain our energy levels glucose is moved around the blood stream to the cells and muscles etc. This glucose is our primary source of fuel but the condition of diabetes means that the glucose does not travel around the body properly. If this glucose remains in the blood and is not absorbed in to the body as it needs to, abnormally high levels of blood glucose or high blood sugar levels as it is also known as, occur.
Information in this article is regarding the two major types of the condition. In type 1, which is also called juvenile onset diabetes or insulin-dependent where the body completely stops producing any insulin; this means insulin must be given to the diabetic on a daily basis for them to live. Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas that enables the body to use glucose to produce energy as it gets sugar into the cells. Type two affects adults and is sometimes called late onset diabetes; this type happens when not enough insulin is being produced or it isn’t being used properly, but it can normally be treated through diet.
Those energy foods which we all need to live are pasta, rice, potatoes, bread and fruit of course. Prolonged periods of high blood glucose levels can lead to problems like heart disease, kidney complaints, blindness and even limb amputations.
Specialists in diabetes will tell you that provided you do exactly what your care and management program tells you to do, your condition will start to improve; these conditions will vary form person to person but most should see improvements with some complaints halted altogether. Managing your condition means you must take control of certain areas of your life by ensuring you take your medication regularly; this means maintaining the correct level of blood sugar, cholesterol and blood fat along with giving up cigarettes.
Stable weight is also a requirement that will help ensure your blood pressure is maintained at a health level. Diabetes cannot be cured and once diagnosed it is a lifelong complaint; in the United States there are reports of it affecting over two and a half percent of the population.
The frightening thing is that it is estimated that at least the same number of people has this condition but just don’t know it yet; around 600,000 US citizens contract this condition each year so you can see the problem is serious. It is believed that as many as 320,000 diabetics die each year in America whilst only 34,000 of those actually die directly from the condition itself.
Better Health offers more information, visit this link: Glycemic Index.