Diabetes has been recognized as an epidemic that affects millions of people, especially in developed countries.
Many risk factors have been identified, and although it does seem to have a genetic component, lifestyle and habits seem to play a major role in the development of this disease. So far, no cure has been found for diabetes; however, there is medication available to help control the symptoms and regulate sugar levels in our blood. With proper medical care and a healthy lifestyle, people can live with diabetes and minimize its negative impact on themselves.
High blood sugar levels associated with all types of diabetes – including type 1, type 2 and Mellitus – are associated with a number of health problems including high blood pressure, increased cardiovascular risk and circulatory problems among others
Also, the sociological and psychological impact of diabetes in a person’s daily life might increase the risk of emotional disorders such as anxiety and depression. Therefore, even if diabetes isn’t a lethal disease, people with diabetes must take precautions and make the right decisions so they can keep enjoying a happy and functional life.
Here are some major changes you can make so you can improve your lifestyle and decrease your risk of health problems due to your diabetes.
1. Moderate your carb intake.
This is fundamental for any person with diabetes and will top any list of recommendations on the subject. Keeping an eye on what you eat is almost intuitive since the major problem in diabetes is the person’s inability to control their own blood sugar levels. What you need to bear in mind is that diabetes doesn’t mean you can’t eat any sugars at all, you still need them to be healthy.
So don’t quit carbs or fat altogether, but instead keep track of your carb intake as well as your fat intake. Eat at regular times, try not to take too much sugar at once, and always keep a high carb food like a glucose tablet at hand in case you experience hypoglycemia.
