Diabetes is a chronic disease characterized by metabolic disorders resulting from absolute or relative insulin deficiency. The pancreas is the only organ weighing 70-100 grams in the abdominal cavity in the duodenum arch. It plays a key role in the digestion of proteins, fats and carbohydrates. It also produces insulin that regulates carbohydrate metabolism in the body. In the article we will talk about what diet should occur in diabetes mellitus.
Types of diabetes
Doctors distinguish between various types of diabetes because of the cause and course of the disease:
- type I diabetes, insulin dependent;
- type II diabetes usually occurs later in life, especially in obese patients.
Type I diabetes is often the result of pancreatic damage. That is, primary damage to beta cells (those that produce insulin in the pancreas) and an absolute deficiency in insulin secretion.
The first symptoms of Type I diabetes are intense thirst and hunger, unexplained weight loss, frequent urination, blurred vision, fatigue, chronic infections. In some cases, the onset is accompanied by convulsions, confusion, slurred speech, loss of consciousness. Type I diabetes mellitus is considered an immunological disease.
Type II diabetes is more common in obese people. The disease can be congenital or acquired and is characterized by insulin resistance as well as a decrease in insulin secretion by the pancreas. This means that even the right amount of insulin in the body cannot do the job.
The disease is accompanied by excessive thirst and profuse urination, blood sugar levels rise slowly. The patient feels weak and sleepy. The disease usually begins in middle-aged and elderly people. However, in recent years, there has been a dramatic increase in the number of young patients with type II diabetes. And an alarmingly large number of children and adolescents with this condition who are overweight and obese.
What is hyperglycemia
Hyperglycemia - blood glucose level above normal. Symptoms of hyperglycemia include excessive thirst, dry mouth, frequent urination, weight loss, excessive daytime sleepiness.
The most common cause of hyperglycemia is undiagnosed or poorly controlled diabetes. In people with diabetes, this may occur as a result of insufficient insulin.
Less frequently, hyperglycemia is the result of infectious and endocrine diseases (acromegaly, Cushing's syndrome). Especially in the cardiovascular system, the risk of developing late complications is high.
Chronic hyperglycemia is associated with dysfunction and dysfunction of various organs such as eyes, kidneys, nerves, heart and blood vessels.
Proper nutrition for diabetes
Diet in preventing diabetes is a very important part of treatment. It is necessary to maintain proper blood sugar and lipid levels and optimal blood pressure. A well-chosen diet reduces the risk of developing diabetes complications and minimizes the risk of developing vascular disease. A proper diet for diabetes plays an important role in preventing and treating the chronic complications of diabetes. Including microvascular complications, retinopathy, nephropathy, diabetic neuropathy and others.
Diabetes mellitus eating is one of the main factors affecting diabetes outcomes.
Sugar is very important to life, but in this case it's better to pull out the sugar bowl! Metabolism of carbohydrates is predominantly impaired in diabetes. People diagnosed with diabetes should limit their sugar or carbohydrate intake.
Candy:
- monosaccharides - glucose and fructose, found in fruits and honey;
- sucrose disaccharide is sugar from a sugar bowl;
- polysaccharides - flour products, cakes, cookies and breads, potatoes, bananas, noodles, dumplings, pasta, pancakes, and more.
Carbohydrates for diabetes
Carbohydrates are part of our diet. Consumption should meet 55-60% of the total demand. Much depends on the shape and structure of carbohydrate origin. Carbohydrates in the gastrointestinal tract are digested and broken down into simple sugars, especially glucose.
Please note that excess carbohydrates cause the beta cells in the pancreas to constantly produce and secrete insulin.
As our sugar level rises, our pancreas releases insulin. Insulin is a hormone that allows glucose to enter cells. Simple sugar like glucose is quickly transported into cells in about an hour.
Unfortunately, insulin is a hormone that takes a few hours and doesn't like being "out of work". Therefore, high insulin levels cause fluctuations in blood sugar levels and carbohydrate starvation.
A hungry person opens the refrigerator and starts eating to quench this hunger. The adrenal glands receive information: fluctuations in blood sugar. All these reactions are signals for the adrenal glands to release adrenaline. This creates a vicious circle that leads to stress, depression, and autonomic neurosis (neurasthenia).
Therefore, it is recommended that you minimize your carbohydrate intake. In such a situation, fluctuations in blood sugar levels and excessive production of insulin and adrenaline hormones do not occur.
Glucose passes through the walls of the digestive system and enters various organs with blood, where it is converted and becomes a source of energy. Without adequate exercise, the need for energy decreases, and glucose is stored as glycogen in the muscles and liver.
In excess, glycogen turns into fat, which leads to fatty liver as well as the accumulation of excess body fat. The metabolic process of glucose is controlled by insulin, a hormone produced in the pancreas.
Carbohydrates, the main energy substance, can only enter the cell with the help of insulin that distributes simple sugar to the body. However, insulin deficiency, for example, causes an increase in blood sugar levels followed by severe cellular metabolism. A general lack of insulin leads to diabetes in children and teenagers - type I diabetes.
Protein in diabetes mellitus
Protein should meet 10-15% of the energy needs. A larger amount is needed for children during the growth period for pregnant women. The most valuable animal protein is found in lean meat, cottage cheese, eggs, and sour milk.
It is also important to limit protein intake, as our bodies can produce 56 grams of sugar per 100 grams of protein. In order not to harm the body, you should eat high-quality protein (egg yolk, offal). Vegetable protein sources are soybeans, legumes, dark breads made from wholemeal flour.
Dos and don'ts for Diabetes mellitus
Diabetes mellitus diet should include foods such as egg yolk, butter, sour cream, milk and unsweetened vegetables in the first stage of treatment.
At this time, you should significantly reduce or eliminate your diet: egg white, lean meat, fish, poultry and nuts.
Diabetics should not eat meals or foods with high protein content in the evening. At night, the body cannot use it. Since the pancreas does not release enough insulin, blood sugar levels rise in the morning. In this case, a dinner consisting mainly of carbohydrates and fats is recommended.
Fat contains the most energy. They can only meet 30% of daily energy consumption. They contribute greatly to the development of obesity.
Spices such as cinnamon, garlic, cloves, turmeric and laurel lower cholesterol and blood sugar levels.
Can Diabetics Eat Fruits and Vegetables? Yes, because they are a rich source of vitamins and minerals. Fresh vegetables, including broccoli, are a great source of chromium and are ideal for diabetics. An insulin-secreting onion. Skinned potatoes (boiled potatoes raise blood sugar very quickly), asparagus, raw carrots, fresh cucumber, sauerkraut, elderberry leaf and sap tea, and garlic.
Vegetables you can eat without significant restrictions:
- tomatoes;
- fresh and pickled cucumbers;
- raw and sauerkraut;
- chicory;
- kohlrabi;
- radish;
- red pepper;
- lettuce
- mushrooms;
- pumpkin.
An excellent anti-diabetic agent - fresh blueberry leaves harvested before the fruit ripens. Blueberries May Prevent Diabetic Retinopathy - Studies have shown significant improvements in vision in people suffering from eye diseases during diabetes. This disease leads to changes in the fundus that significantly impair blood flow to the eye.
It is recommended that overweight diabetics (BMI over 25) limit their calorie intake to lose weight.
Food Glycemic Index
Blood sugar is affected not only by the amount of carbohydrates, but also by their types. Therefore, the amount and quality of carbohydrates in the diet should be controlled, but it is also desirable to calculate the glycemic index of the product.
Low GI foods are slow to digest and absorb, do not raise blood sugar rapidly and do not stimulate insulin secretion. A low-GI diet reduces the risk of developing insulin dependent diabetes.
The higher the GI of a food, the higher the blood glucose level after consuming that food. Foods with high GI spikes such as blood sugar. Slow absorption and gradual increase and decrease in blood sugar after eating low-GI foods help control blood sugar in diabetics. It is best to eat foods with a GI below 60.
The GI of foods is significantly lower when consumed in its natural state, ie raw and unprocessed.
Diabetics are also recommended to avoid alcohol.