What is Diabetes Mellitus?
There are three major forms of diabetes Mellitus : type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes and gestational diabetes.

Type 2 diabetes is the most common form due in part of rising rates of obesity. Although most often diagnosed in people over the age 40. Type 2 diabetes is becoming increasingly common in children and adolescents. Type 1 and 2 diabetes are diagnosed when fasting levels of blood glucose are 7.0mmol/L and higher.

Complications of Diabetes Mellitus
In the short run, untreated or poorly controlled diabetes produces blurred vision, frequent urination, weight loss, increased susceptibility to inflection, delayed wound healing and extreme hunger and thirst. In the long run, diabetes may contribute to heart diasease, hypertension, blindness, kindney failure, stroke and loss of limbs due to poor circulation. The number one causes of death among people with diabetes is heart disease.

Nutrition for Diabetes
In general, diets developed for diabetes emphasize:
*Whole grain breads and cereals and other high fiber foods, vegetables,fruits,nonfat and low fat milk,lean meats and fish.
*Unsaturated fats
*Regular meals and snacks
*Chromium supplements(500-1000micrograms per day) are recommended.It appears that the essential mineral chromium improves blood glucose and lipid levels in many people with type 2 diabetes.
*Fiber helps to stabilize blood glucose, blood cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Daily intake of 40g fiber is beneficial to a good control of diabetes.
*Antioxidants neutralize free radicals againts blood lipid oxidation.
*Friendly bacteria promote absorption of vitamin and minerals and helps to inhibit bacterial of fungal overgrowth, which is often seen in diabetes.
*Ginkgo improves blood circulation and beneficial for retinopathy and other diabetes complications.

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