Safe Diabetes Diet for Diabetics

Type 2 Diabetes

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  • Type 2 Diabetes Symptoms

    Symptoms of Type 2 Diabetes

    Type 2 diabetes is much more widespread than type 1.About three million people in the USA are believed to be affected by this chronic metabolic disorder. It forms part of the CHAOS  disorder, along with hypertension and coronary artery disease and is also related to obesity and syndrome X. Since it is such a widespread disorder, it becomes imperative to be well acquainted with its symptoms, so that early detection and management is possible.

    Pre diabetes is a recognized condition in which the blood glucose levels of the affected individual are on the higher side of the normal spectrum, but lower than the levels for clinical disease. Also, the specific tests for diabetes like glycosylated haemoglobin show good control values. However, it is important to identify certain susceptible groups. They include the obese, people with a strong hereditary history of diabetes, and people with poor eating habits.Women with polycystic ovarian syndrome, and with a history of gestational diabetes also have a greater tendency to develop this condition.

    The peculiarity of type 2 diabetes is that people can have it for years without being aware of it. The classic triad of increased thirst, urination and hunger may not be as overtly present as in type 1 diabetes. The rapid weight loss, again so prominently manifest in type 1 may also not be present. Read our previous guide for more information on Type 1 diabetes symptoms.

    However, this does not mean that  these symptoms are never present and any individual who arouses even the remotest clinical suspicion should be thoroughly investigated. Thus, while looking for the symptoms of  type 2 diabetes, in addition to looking for increased thirst, urination and hunger, it is important to remember that these patients may have a history of either weight gain  or rapid weight loss in the recent past.

    Other significant symptoms include a history of slow healing of cuts and sores, especially of the feet, repeated yeast infections of the skin and vagina, repeated itching of the groin and vulval areas, erectile dysfunction, blurring of vision and extreme fatigue.

    Like in type1 diabetes, the manifestations of complications may be seen in the form of dehydration with extremely high blood glucose levels, called hyperglycaemic hyperketotic syndrome, which presents as nausea, vomiting, headaches and loss of consciousness. In individuals with poor control of blood sugar levels, sometimes called `brittle diabetes`, the  blood sugar levels may dip dangerously low, causing hypoglycaemic coma.

    Type 2 diabetes also affects various end organs resulting in their malfunction. In the eyes, this is seen as diabetic retinopathy, causing gradual blurring of vision and sometimes blindness. In addition, the incidence of cataract is also increased. The hearing and sense of balance is also affected earlier than non-diabetics. Fungal infections of the nose and paranasal sinuses may occur and the external ear is affected by a particularly virulent bacterial infection called ‘malignant otitis externa’.

    There is greater chance of developing atherosclerosis, which results in heart  attacks. Also due to nerve damage, these individuals are subject to ‘painless heart-attacks’, putting them at a higher risk of sudden death. Type 2 diabetes also complicates strokes and is also a risk factor for the development of hypertension.

    Nervous damage results in loss of sensations, especially in the lower extremities, causing diabetic foot with slow or non- healing ulcers. These may lead to gangrene  which may require amputation of the limb. In male patients, damage to the nerves can cause erectile dysfunction

    As can be deduced from the above discussion, type 2 diabetes can make slow inroads on a person, sometimes resulting in fatal complications. Hence, it is important to maintain a healthy weight and lifestyle to keep this disorder at bay.

  • Type 2 Diabetes and Diet

    One of the components of syndromeX, Diabetes Mellitus or commonly called as Type 2 Diabetes now occurs in epidemic proportions in the world. Although this condition was traditionally called Adult Onset Diabetes, a disturbing trend towards occurrence in younger and younger age groups has been noticed in recent times. As always, a sedentary lifestyle with bad dietary habits seems to be the chief culprit.

    A little of the aetiological and pathological background of the condition helps to understand the specific changes to be made in the diet for its prevention and control. Diabetes Mellitus or Type 2 diabetes is a condition in which the body is unable to utilize glucose(the primary energy giving sugar) properly at a cellular level, resulting in a high concentration in the blood and excretion in urine.

    This excess glucose may also be concentrated in inappropriate end organs, causing symptoms. The proper use of glucose at the cellular level is controlled by insulin, a hormone secreted by the endocrine part of the pancreas. Any pathology in either the secretion or the utilization of this hormone results in diabetes mellitus. In addition, diabetics have a higher blood sugar level, which shows a tendency to slow reduction, following a meal, indicating that there is impaired storage of excess sugar as well.

    Since the primary pathology of Diabetes Mellitus lies in an abnormally high blood sugar level, the importance of diet control in this disease has been recognized since ancient times. It is now a generally recognized fact that a proper diet is not only the first line of management but also the surest way to prevent its occurrence.

    The debate of the proportion of carbohydrate in a diabetic diet is still raging. However, it has now been recognized that it is not only the quantity, but also the quality of carbohydrates in the diet that count. Since diabetics have impaired storage of excess sugar, they have to protect themselves against rapid spiking as well as rapid fall of blood sugar, the latter being mainly true in patients who are on insulin therapy as a rapid fall in blood sugar levels is life- threatening. Hence, a switch from three big meals to five or six spaced out ones helps in maintaining sugar levels at a constant.In addition, consumption of foods with low glycemic indices like whole grains, legumes, vegetables and fruits also ensures against rapid spiking of blood sugar levels, in contrast to consumption of high index foods like refined flours and simple sugars. Amongst the simple sugars, fructose, which has the highest index is the one to be avoided.

    Turning to fats, contrary to popular conception, all fat need not be avoided, but the cutting down of saturated fats definitely has a place in an ideal diabetic diet. Consumption of mono-and poly-unsaturated fat in moderate amounts is advocated to prevent deficiency of the fat soluble vitamins, mainly A and D.Saturated fats found mainly in whole dairy as well as hydrogenated fats definitely need to be pruned, ditto with animal fats. Hence, vegetable oils like canola, olive and flax seed have a definite place in a diabetic diet, unlike full fat milk, cream and hydrogenated and re-fried oils. It is also imperative to remember that most diabetics may have hypercholesterolemia and the above mentioned pattern of fat consumption benefits this condition as well, in addition to preventing ischemic heart disease.

    Initially the replacement diet, in which carbohydrate in a diabetic diet was replaced by protein, calorie for calorie was advocated, but now it has been observed that excess energy derived from protein invites the onset of ketosis in diabetes. In addition, excess consumption of animal protein also causes the development of insulin resistance. Hence, protein consumption in diabetes should be moderate, and it should be derived mainly from lean meat, fish or should be of vegetable origin, like pulses, nuts or low fat dairy products like cheeses.

    Specific diets for diabetes include the following:

    • Pritkin Diet
    • Low calorie diet
    • High fiber diet
    • Paleolithic diet
    • Vegan diet

    Like the rest of the population, diabetics should maintain an ideal weight, have a minimum of 5 servings of fruit and vegetables a day, plenty of fiber and several small meals to maintain a constant sugar level.

    An  important point to remember is to also control the intake of salt and preserved food as most diabetics tend to be concomitant hypertensives. Adequate hydration by drinking plenty of water as well as a diet sufficient in micro nutrients goes a long way in maintaining a healthy blood sugar level.

    Diabetes need not spell doom as far a tasty diet is concerned. Simple changes in the diet and keeping things in perspective go a long way in not only preventing but managing this condition as well.