Nutrition in Diabetes

Diabetes mellitus refers to a group of diseases that affect how the body uses blood sugar (glucose). Glucose is crucial for a healthy metabolism because it is an important source of energy for the cells that form muscles and tissues. It is also the brain's main fuel source. The underlying cause of diabetes varies depending on the type. However, no matter what type of diabetes you have, it can cause excessive elevation of glucose in the blood. Too much sugar in the blood can cause serious health problems.

Diabetes is basically divided into 3 main classes:

Type 1 diabetes

Type 2 diabetes

Gestational diabetes (pregnancy diabetes)

Type 1 Diabetes:

The function of insulin in the body is practical is to ensure that rising blood sugar levels decrease. In this way, it can be said that the metabolism maintains a certain balance. Insulin hormone, which plays a very important role, is distributed to the body from an organ called pancreas. The main reason that causes diabetes is a problem in the release of the insulin hormone.

In type 1 diabetes, the body thinks of the insulin-secreting cells of the pancreas as a foreign cell and attacks them. As a result of these constant attacks, insulin-producing cells no longer function. As a result, permanent damage occurs. This type of diabetes is called type 1 diabetes. In these individuals, insulin is not released at all, or the insulin released is never sufficient for the body.

    People with type 1 diabetes must use insulin throughout their lives from the moment they are diagnosed. In addition to medical treatment, close attention should be paid to their nutrition and it is recommended that they receive support from a nutritionist.

Type 2 Diabetes:

    Type 2 diabetes, which is completely different from type 1 diabetes, usually develops in the first stage. is accompanied by insulin resistance. In fact, insulin is produced, but not enough is supplied to the body, or there is insensitivity in insulin-sensitive receptors. In these individuals, the use of insulin for a while, as well as sugar-lowering drugs taken as pills, is also recommended by physicians.

Gestational Diabetes

    It is a type of diabetes that affects expectant mothers during pregnancy. It usually occurs in the second half of pregnancy and can disappear after birth if the patient is guided by medication support under the supervision of a physician and a nutritional program prepared under the supervision of a nutritionist.

    Diabetes symptoms vary depending on how high blood sugar rises. Some people, especially those with type 2 diabetes, may not experience symptoms initially. In type 1 diabetes, symptoms tend to appear quickly and be more severe. Some of the signs and symptoms of type 1 and type 2 diabetes include:

• Constant feeling of thirst

• Frequent urination

• Excessive hunger

• Unexplained weight loss

• Presence of ketones in the urine (ketones, inadequate insulin It is a by-product of the breakdown of muscle and fat that occurs when

• Occasionally blurred vision

• Slow-healing wounds

• Common infections, such as gum or skin infections and vaginal infections contracting infections

Type 1 diabetes can develop at any age, but it often occurs in childhood or adolescence. Type 2 diabetes is the more common type, it can develop at any age, but is more common in people over 40.

Why do we get diabetes?

    The exact cause of type 1 diabetes is unknown. What is known is that your immune system, which normally fights harmful bacteria or viruses, attacks and destroys the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. In this case, little or no insulin is released. Instead of being transported to cells, sugar continually builds up in the bloodstream. Type 1 is thought to result from a combination of genetic susceptibility and environmental factors, but it is still unclear exactly what these factors are. Excess weight is also not believed to be a factor in type 1 diabetes.

    In prediabetes (the stage before diabetes occurs) and type 2 diabetes, which can lead to type 2 diabetes, cells become resistant to the action of insulin and the pancreas AS begins to fail to produce enough insulin to overcome this resistance. Instead of going to the cells where it is needed for energy, sugar accumulates in the bloodstream. It is not clear why this happens, but genetic and environmental factors are also believed to play a role in the development of type 2 diabetes. Being overweight is strongly linked to the development of type 2 diabetes, but not everyone with type 2 diabetes is overweight.

    During pregnancy, the placenta produces hormones to maintain the pregnancy. These hormones make cells more resistant to insulin. Normally, the pancreas responds by producing enough insulin to overcome this resistance. But sometimes the pancreas has a hard time resisting. When this happens, too little glucose enters the cells and too much accumulates in the blood, resulting in gestational diabetes.

Risk factors for type 1 diabetes

    Although the exact cause of type 1 diabetes is unknown, factors that increase the risk can be listed as follows:

• Family history : The risk increases if a parent or sibling has type 1 diabetes.

• Environmental factors: Situations such as exposure to a viral disease may possibly play a role in type 1 diabetes.

• Presence of harmful immune system cells (autoantibodies): Sometimes family members of people with type 1 diabetes are tested for the presence of diabetes autoantibodies. If you have these autoantibodies, your risk of developing type 1 diabetes increases. However, not everyone with these autoantibodies develops diabetes.

• Geography: Some countries, such as Finland and Sweden, have higher rates of type 1 diabetes.

 

Risk factors for type 2 diabetes 

Although there is no clear reason why people develop type 2 diabetes, it is clear that some factors increase the risk, including:

• Weight: The more fatty tissue one has, the more resistant the cells are to insulin, and this prevents insulin from fulfilling its duty.

• Inactivity: The less active you are, the greater the risk. It also increases as much. Physical activity helps control weight. During physical activity, metabolism uses glucose as energy and makes cells more sensitive to insulin.

• Family history: If a parent or sibling has type 2 diabetes, the risk is

• Race: Although it is not clear, people of certain races, including black people, Hispanics, Native Americans, and Asian Americans, are more likely to be are at high risk.

• Age: Your risk increases as you get older. This may be because you tend to exercise less, lose muscle mass, and gain weight as you get older. But type 2 diabetes is also increasing among children, adolescents, and young adults.

• Gestational diabetes: If you developed gestational diabetes while you were pregnant, you may later develop prediabetes and type 2 diabetes. The risk of developing it increases. If you have given birth to a baby weighing more than 4 kilograms, there is also a risk of type 2 diabetes.

• Polycystic ovary syndrome: With irregular menstrual periods, excessive hair growth and obesity The risk of diabetes also increases for women with polycystic ovary syndrome, a common condition characterized by high blood pressure.

• High blood pressure: Above 140/90 millimeters of mercury (mm Hg). Having high blood pressure is linked to an increased risk of type 2 diabetes.

• Abnormal cholesterol and triglyceride levels: Low HDL, called good cholesterol, and high LDL, called bad cholesterol, means the risk of type 2 diabetes is high. Triglycerides are another type of fat carried in the blood. The risk of type 2 diabetes increases in people with high triglyceride levels.

Risk factors for gestational diabetes

    Any pregnant woman can develop gestational diabetes, but some women are more at risk than others. Risk factors for gestational diabetes include:

• Age: Women older than 25 are at increased risk.

• Family or personal history:  If you have prediabetes (a precursor to type 2 diabetes) or a parent The risk increases if a close family member, such as a sibling, has type 2 diabetes. Additionally, the risk is further increased if there was gestational diabetes during a previous pregnancy, a very large baby was born, or an unexplained stillbirth.

• Weight: Before pregnancy Being overweight increases the risk.

• Race:  For reasons that are unclear, women who are black, Hispanic, Native American, or Asian are more likely to develop gestational diabetes .

How should nutrition be in diabetes?

• Studies conducted on healthy people and individuals at risk of type 2 diabetes have shown that the diet of people with diabetes should be adjusted accordingly. It emphasizes the importance of including carbohydrate-containing foods, especially from whole grains, fruits, vegetables and low-fat dairy. The so-called simple carbohydrates are absolutely ADVANTAGED for diabetics. Examples of these are:

• Honey (even if organic / natural)

• Brown sugar

• All kinds of packaged snacks

• Jams (even homemade)

• All products containing corn syrup

• Sodas

• Confectionery

• Individuals should prefer complex carbohydrates that do not cause sudden fluctuations in blood sugar instead of simple carbohydrates. Bread (brown bread), legumes, bulgur pilaf instead of rice pilaf.

• The main disorder in diabetes is the lack of insulin response to the food eaten. For this reason, it is never recommended for diabetics to eat too much at one meal. In case of excessive food consumption in one meal, this problem becomes more serious and aggravates the course of the disease by causing sudden fluctuations in blood sugar.

• Foods recommended by the dietitian should be consumed on time and in recommended amounts.

• It is important to have a uniform diet at meals. As much diversity as possible should be provided.

• There must be a balance between the foods eaten and physical activity. The person is always

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