Diabetes, often referred by doctor as diabetes mellitus, describes a group of metabolic diseases in which the person has high blood glucose (blood sugar), either because insulin production is inadequate, or because the body’s cells do not respond properly to insulin, or both. Patients with high blood sugar will typically experience polyuria (frequent urination), they will become increasingly thirsty (polydipsia) and hungry (polyphagia).
When poorly controlled diabetes causes blood glucose levels that are too high or too low, you may not feel well. Diabetes that is poorly controlled over time can lead to complications that affect the body from head to toe. Issues can occur with everything from one’s eyes, kidneys, and nerves to reproductive organs, blood vessels, and gums. But the most serious problems are heart diseases and risk of stroke.
Food can either promote diabetes or help prevent it, depending on how it affects the body’s ability to process glucose. People should avoid foods that increase blood sugar and those that raise cholesterol, such as processed foods, foods high in saturated fats or with trans fats, and foods with added sugars and syrups.
Processed foods as well as items high in fat or sugar not only can disrupt the balance between glucose and insulin, resulting in inflammation, but can also contribute to risk factors such as being overweight.
Carbohydrates, too, need to be watched. While they are necessary to fuel the body, some carbohydrates raise blood glucose levels more than others. According to WHO, the glycemic index (GI) measures how a carbohydrate containing food raises blood glucose. Foods are ranked based on how they compare to a reference food such as white bread. Dry beans and legumes, all non-starchy vegetables, and many whole-grain breads and cereals all have a low GI.
We must always remember that the word “DIET” is always present in the word “DIabETes” to notify us for what food we must eat and avoid.
By: Rosario O. Lazarte | Teacher 1 | Jose C. Payumo Jr. Memorial High School
