Diabetes – Do You Know Your Blood Glucose Levels?

Recent studies have suggested that an unhealthy diet may be one of the leading causes of diabetes. In the past, diabetes was thought to be primarily genetic, but it now appears that lifestyle choices may be the primary cause. There are many types of diabetes, but the two most common types are Type I and Type II. This article will discuss Type I and Type II diabetes, focusing on how changes in diet and activity can affect the health of individuals who have this condition.

The energy power of food has been proven in a recent study of over 20,000 individuals from the Netherlands, who were examined after about two years. It was found that a diet very high in fatty snacks and foods that were high in simple carbohydrates, such as white bread, caused low blood glucose levels. It also was found that those with a high consumption of sweets had higher insulin resistance than those with a low consumption. Another study from Sweden also found that high dietary glycaemic index was associated with progression of diabetes. The glycaemic index, which measures the effect a food has on blood sugar levels, was found to be worse for patients with diabetes than for healthy people. When it comes to obesity and diabetes, the key is to keep your weight under control and avoid eating high-glycemic food.

In addition to being overweight or underweight, those with diabetes are also at greater risk for inflammation and certain types of cancer. These include breast, intestinal, esophageal, and prostrate cancer. Obesity also increases the chance of developing Type II diabetes. Those with Type I have very low or no insulin resistance, which means their bodies cannot produce insulin. People with type II diabetes have lost most of their insulin ability, so their bodies do not respond to insulin in the same way as other cells in the body.

Scientists believe these changes in cells are what set off the diabetes. There are also some genes that appear to be directly related to the amount of glucose manufactured by the pancreas and these genes have been linked to Type II diabetes. Of course, there is no cure for diabetes, but there are many things you can do to help manage your blood sugar levels and help keep them stable. If you have Type II diabetes, it is especially important to pay attention to weight and exercise.

For most people, even with Type II diabetes, diet and exercise are still important. Exercise helps make cells more efficient at processing glucose so it is released from the pancreas less quickly. Exercise also makes the body use blood sugar more efficiently, so blood sugar levels are always at an optimum level. Excess sugar in the cells is converted to energy and sent to the liver, where it is stored until needed again. People with Type I don’t have this mechanism, so their body does not use the glucose to create energy.

If a person has Type I or Type II diabetes, they need to watch their weight loss. They also should watch their intake of carbohydrates, fats and protein, particularly food rich in refined sugars. They should make sure to get plenty of exercise and they should try to eat foods that are not processed. They should get plenty of sleep and try to avoid stressful situations as much as possible.