According to the Ministry of Health, the number of people with diabetes rose from 108 million in 1980 to 422 million in 2014. Prevalence has been rising more rapidly in low- and middle-income countries than in high-income countries. At the same time, experts believe that at least 20% of the population have prediabetes – the first degree of full-fledged diabetes.
What is the danger of this disease? How does diabetes affect the body and the brain, is it inherited, and can the disease disappear with proper nutrition?
Diabetes mellitus – what is it?
Diabetes mellitus is a group of diseases associated with disorders in the metabolism of glucose and insulin in the body. It occurs when the body loses the ability to properly use the hormone insulin, producing insufficient amounts or becoming insensitive to its action.
Type 1 diabetes means that the body cannot produce insulin. The cause is a violation of the immune system, as a result of which the cells of the pancreas that produce this hormone are destroyed. As a result, blood glucose levels become dangerously high.
In type 2 diabetes, body tissues lose sensitivity to insulin. Even though the hormone is present in the blood, it has no effect on glucose – causing blood sugar levels to rise again, creating many health risks.
Can diabetes come from sweets?
In most cases, type 1 diabetes is a genetic disease – if the mother or father has it, it can be inherited. Most often, it manifests itself in adolescence – in this case, a person will need regular injections of insulin for the rest of his life.
In turn, type 2 diabetes is acquired and usually develops in adulthood due to an unbalanced diet. An excess of simple carbohydrates and saturated fats leads to impaired insulin metabolism in the body, provoking its overproduction. Sweets are an example of simple carbohydrates.
Effect on the body
First of all, diabetes mellitus (and disorders of insulin metabolism) lead to a dangerous increase in blood glucose levels. Symptoms are dry mouth, constant thirst, frequent urination at night, chronic fatigue, and a constant feeling of hunger. The first consequence is weight gain.
In men, diabetes is often associated with a decrease in testosterone production and a decrease in potency. In the future, low testosterone provokes female-type obesity – on the abdomen, on the hips, and on the chest. Vision can be affected, as well as, due to problems with blood circulation, multiple organs, and even limbs.
Why are insulin injections needed?
Insulin injections can help treat both types of diabetes. In type 1 diabetes, the body is unable to produce this hormone, while in type 2 diabetes, insulin becomes a supplement to the body’s naturally produced insulin.
Note that with type 2 diabetes, injections can be avoided – however, a complete lifestyle change and proper nutrition will be required. Also, this type of diabetes can be corrected by taking oral medications (in simple terms, pills).
Diabetes – what can you eat?
Having a diagnosis of diabetes mellitus means constantly monitoring the level of glucose in the blood – both by measuring it with special devices, and by reducing the intake of carbohydrates. First of all, a ban is imposed on carbohydrates with a high glycemic index.
Sugar, jam, honey, and sweets should be completely excluded from the diet. In practice, it is also often recommended to count the insulin index or bread units of food consumed. The diet should contain more fiber and less saturated fat.
In addition, regular exercise helps with type 2 diabetes. Cardio provides not only weight loss and getting rid of body fat but also the normalization of blood glucose levels.
Diabetes mellitus is a group of diseases associated with impaired metabolism of the hormone insulin in the body. Type 1 diabetes is most often inherited, while type 2 diabetes occurs in adulthood – most often due to excessive consumption of simple carbohydrates, saturated fats, and a sedentary lifestyle.