Diabetes is a major public health problem, with a high prevalence in Romania and a considerable number of people with pre-diabetes who are at increased risk of developing diabetes in the coming years. Regular blood glucose control is the key to successfully managing diabetes and reducing the risk of developing diabetes.
How diabetes develops and the role of insulin
Insulin is a vital hormone for the body, produced naturally by the pancreas and released into the bloodstream. After eating carbohydrates, the level of glucose (sugar from the food you eat) in the blood rises and insulin’s role is to help glucose get into the cells. Subsequently, blood glucose levels fall and the glucose taken up by the cells, in the form of glycogen stores, is used to produce the energy needed for metabolic processes in the body.
It is important to know that when blood sugar levels increase, the pancreas releases more insulin to decrease excess glucose.
But when the pancreas produces too little insulin produces more than the maximum amount needed to lower blood sugar, or does not synthesise it at all, diabetes develops.
It is classified into:
– type 1 or insulin – dependent diabetes. It is an autoimmune disease in which insulin is not synthesised at all or in insufficient quantities
– type 2 diabetes, in which insulin is produced in smaller quantities than necessary for blood sugar. It is a condition closely linked to lifestyle, diet
– Gestational diabetes is a type of diabetes that can occur during pregnancy and typically goes away after childbirth. In both type 1 and type 2 diabetes, the body requires additional insulin beyond what is naturally produced by the pancreas. This insulin is administered via injections.
What are normal blood glucose values?
According to the World Health Organization, the blood glucose concentration should normally be between 70-100 mg/dl on an empty stomach, with lifestyle changes recommended for values between 100 and 125 mg/dl, and hyperglycemia above 125 mg/dl. This is diabetes. Below 65 mg/dl blood, we speak of hypoglycemia.
Blood glucose levels vary over 24 hours and are influenced by diet, health, physical activity, stress, fatigue, medication, age, and genetic factors.
The secret to blood sugar control
When you are diagnosed with diabetes, it is important to understand that the food you eat and the intensity and frequency of exercise can negatively or positively influence your blood glucose levels – exercise and blood sugar work together.
Carbohydrates – fibre, starch – found in wholemeal bread, flour, potatoes, porridge, peas, quinoa, nuts, rice, dried beans, or pulses are broken down into sugars, which are absorbed more slowly throughout the day, helping to maintain blood sugar levels
Foods containing added sugars such as juice and sweets are absorbed quickly. This causes blood sugar to rise faster.
– Include five servings of fruit and vegetables a day with meals or snacks rich in fibre and vitamins.
– Eat a variety of meat, fish, and protein alternatives such as tofu. Choose low-fat foods whenever possible.
– Drink low-fat milk and consume dairy products such as yogurt, which contains calcium for healthy bones and teeth.
– Limit your intake of fat, sugars, and salt. Don’t eliminate fats, but keep them to a minimum. Use herbs instead of salt to add flavor to dishes. Excess salt leads to high blood pressure.
Eat fewer foods that are high in saturated fat. These have been linked to increased cholesterol levels, which can increase the risk of heart disease and cause weight gain.
If a carefully planned and correct diet is essential for diabetes management, so is exercise. The heavier a person is, the more insulin they will need. That’s why regular exercise is essential in addition to eating well. Benefits include:
- muscle toning, the better the body is physically trained and the more muscle mass there is. the less insulin needed
- energy is consumed and blood glucose levels are reduced
- maintain a healthy weight
- stress is reduced
- increases the lung’s ability to absorb more oxygen
- lowers the risk of developing heart disease by reducing cholesterol levels and blood pressure
- improves blood circulation, reducing the risk of developing arterial disease, including angina, myocardial infarction, and stroke.
It is important to know that if you have diabetes, if your blood sugar is too high and you don’t have enough insulin with you, you should not do exercise that raises your blood sugar. Consider monitoring your blood glucose before, during, and after exercise. Keep glucose tablets, a sugary drink, or a snack handy while exercising.
In any patient with type 2 diabetes, there is a risk of developing cardiovascular disease. High blood glucose levels damage blood vessels, both large and small, which causes atherosclerosis even ten years earlier than in people without diabetes. Using HRI-Vitalion Plus tablets, a natural formula enriched with three ingredients – ginger, cinnamon, and turmeric – protects blood vessels. The three ingredients work together to support normal blood flow and improve blood vessel health by regenerating the vascular walls.
Mental health problems in diabetes
Depressive symptoms, anxiety, and eating disorders are conditions that people with diabetes are at increased risk of developing. In people with type 1 diabetes, the effect of stress is to lower glucose levels, while in people with type 2 diabetes, it is to increase blood glucose levels. Physical exercise, breathing exercises, relaxation therapy, and positive thinking can be valuable allies in combating stress and depressive moods in people with diabetes. It is perfectly normal for every person to feel overwhelmed, most of the time, by some situations that arise due to diabetes, and therapies are helpful.
Oxidative stress and its role in diabetes
Oxidative stress is an imbalance between free radicals and antioxidants, with more free radicals having destructive potential on the human body by damaging cells and tissues. In diabetes, high levels of glucose in the blood result in the overproduction of free radicals. It is crucial to maintain strict control over diabetes and combat oxidative stress by taking HRI-Vitalion Plus tablets, which consist of a combination of vital vitamins and minerals that protect cell health.
Prevention, early detection of people at risk of developing diabetes, and correct management of diabetes are the main pillars to reduce the prevalence of the condition and its complications.