Your Nutrition Solution to Type 2 Diabetes: A Meal-Based Plan to Help Manage Diabetes
224
Your Nutrition Solution to Type 2 Diabetes: A Meal-Based Plan to Help Manage Diabetes
224Paperback(First Edition)
-
PICK UP IN STORECheck Availability at Nearby Stores
Available within 2 business hours
Related collections and offers
Overview
Product Details
| ISBN-13: | 9781601633255 |
|---|---|
| Publisher: | Red Wheel/Weiser |
| Publication date: | 08/25/2014 |
| Series: | Your Nutrition Solution |
| Edition description: | First Edition |
| Pages: | 224 |
| Sales rank: | 324,652 |
| Product dimensions: | 5.20(w) x 8.20(h) x 0.50(d) |
About the Author
Read an Excerpt
CHAPTER 1
your questions about type 2 diabetes — answered
You just heard the news from your doctor: you have type 2 diabetes. Now what? What does that mean? Naturally you have loads of important questions swirling around in your head. Here are some common questions and their answers to help you sort through all of the information surrounding type 2 diabetes. Once you have a better understanding of the hows, whats, and whys of diabetes, you will be ready to dive right into the nutrition and lifestyle changes you need to make to feel better and lower your risk for serious health complications in the future. This is your perfect starting point!
What is diabetes?
Diabetes, or diabetes mellitus, is a group of metabolic disorders in which the body is unable to produce any or enough insulin and/or to use it properly. This results in levels of blood glucose (sugar) rising higher than normal levels. Glucose in your blood comes from the digestion of carbohydrates and is an essential form of sugar that your body uses for energy. In addition, the liver both stores and produces glucose depending on your body's needs. However, sometimes too much of a good thing can be harmful; too much glucose or blood sugar over time can do plenty of damage to your body.
What is insulin?
Insulin is a hormone produced by beta cells in the pancreas and released into the bloodstream. It plays a major role in metabolism, or the way the body uses digested foods for energy. Insulin helps cells in the body to absorb glucose and use it and/or store it as energy for future use. In a healthy person, the actions of insulin helps blood glucose levels to remain in the normal range.
What is insulin resistance?
Insulin resistance happens when the body has a problem using insulin effectively. With insulin resistance, cells within the muscles, fat, and liver do not respond properly to insulin and therefore are not able to absorb glucose from the bloodstream. This results in the body needing higher levels of insulin for the glucose to enter the cells. The pancreas tries to keep up with the increased demand by producing more, but in time fails to do so, and that increases the risk for prediabetes and type 2 diabetes. Although insulin resistance is never the sole cause of type 2 diabetes, it often increases the risk by placing a high demand on the beta cells in the pancreas that produce insulin. Most people don't even know they have insulin resistance until they end up with prediabetes and/or type 2 diabetes. If a person is aware he has insulin resistance he is often able to prevent or delay type 2 diabetes by making the necessary diet and lifestyle changes.
What does it mean if you have prediabetes?
Prediabetes simply means that your blood sugar levels are higher than normal but not high enough to yet be diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. Once the beta cells can no longer produce enough insulin to conquer the condition of insulin resistance, blood glucose levels rise to an abnormal level. Before people develop type 2 diabetes they almost always have prediabetes. Prediabetes is also referred to as impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) or impaired fasting glucose (IFG). People with prediabetes are at higher risk for many serious health issues, including heart disease and stroke. A whopping 35 percent of U.S. adults over 20 years of age and 50 percent of those over 65 years of age have prediabetes, which often occurs in people who already have insulin resistance. Once a person has prediabetes, the continuing failure of the beta cells to produce insulin can lead to type 2 diabetes, especially if diet and lifestyle changes are not made. Because there aren't many clear-cut symptoms, few of these people even know they have prediabetes.
Test results that indicate prediabetes include:
* An A1C level of 5.7 to 6.4 percent
* A fasting blood glucose level of 100 to 125 mg/dL (milligrams per deciliter)
* A 2-hour oral glucose tolerance test level of 140 to 199 mg/dL
Even if you are diagnosed with prediabetes, that in no way means you will automatically end up with type 2 diabetes. In fact, being diagnosed with prediabetes can be a blessing in disguise in that it gives you the chance to make eating and lifestyle changes now so that you do not end up with type 2 diabetes. Prediabetes is your warning sign that changes need to be made. If you have risk factors related to prediabetes you should be tested on a regular basis. The American Diabetes Association recommends blood glucose screening if you have any of the following risk factors for prediabetes:
* Are 45 years or older
* Are overweight, with a body mass index (BMI) above 25
* Are inactive (especially if you are also overweight)
* Have a parent or sibling with diabetes
* Have a family history of type 2 diabetes
* Are African American, Hispanic, American Indian, Asian American, or a Pacific Islander
* Have had gestational diabetes with a pregnancy or have given birth to a baby weighing more than 9 pounds
* Have a history of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) Have high blood pressure
* Have high blood cholesterol levels, including a high-density lipoprotein (HDL), or "good" cholesterol, below 35 mg/dL, or triglyceride level above 250 mg/dL
Any of these risk factors will increase your risk for prediabetes. If you are screened and have normal blood sugar levels you will still need to be screened on a regular basis at your doctor's discretion. If you test positive for prediabetes, further testing may need to be done. Treatment will normally include eating a healthier diet, becoming more physically active, weight loss if needed, and medication if needed.
Your Nutrition Solution Tidbit: The American Diabetes
Association states that you can cut your risk of moving from prediabetes to type 2 diabetes by 58 percent by losing just 7 percent of your body weight and exercising moderately 30 minutes a day, five days a week.
What is the difference between type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes?
There are several forms of diabetes, and they differ dramatically.
In type 1 diabetes (formerly known as insulin-dependent diabetes or juvenile diabetes), the body's immune system destroys the insulin-producing beta cells, resulting in a complete deficiency of insulin. In other words, in people with type 1 diabetes, the body produces absolutely no insulin. Normally when we eat food, the sugar (or glucose) stimulates our pancreas to release the right amount of insulin for whatever we ate. In people with type 1 diabetes, whose pancreas does not produce insulin, glucose does not move into the cells as it normally should because there is no insulin to do the job. What results is a buildup of blood glucose and high blood sugar levels. This can cause dehydration, weight loss, diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), and damage to nerves, eyes, kidneys, and heart. Despite ongoing and active research, there currently is no cure for type 1 diabetes. It is a life-long disease. The treatment for type 1 diabetes includes intensive insulin therapy and continuous monitoring of blood sugar levels along with thorough meal planning and exercise. The key to good health and a long life is keeping blood sugar at proper levels. All people with type 1 diabetes must use insulin as a life-saving method to control their blood sugar. If type 1 diabetes is not properly controlled a host of serious and life-threatening health issues can occur.
Type 1 diabetes normally occurs in people under the age of 20, but it can occur in older people as well. This form of diabetes is relatively uncommon and accounts for only about 5 percent of all people with diabetes. Although researchers are not completely sure what causes type 1 diabetes they do know that the condition can be genetic and can possibly be caused by exposure to certain viruses. Because type 1 diabetes is an auto-immune disease, it can occur along with other autoimmune disorders.
Your Nutrition Solution Tidbit:Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) occurs when the deficiency of insulin causes the energy-starved cells to break down fat cells. The breakdown of fat cells produces acidic chemicals called ketones, which can then be used for energy. Eventually these ketones begin to build up in the blood causing an increase in acidity. In the meantime, the liver continues to release sugar it has stored to help out but since the body cannot use this sugar without insulin, blood sugar levels continue to rise. This combination of high blood sugar, dehydration, and the buildup of acid is known as ketoacidosis, and it can be life-threatening if not treated immediately.
Type 2 diabetes is much different from type 1 diabetes and is the most common form of diabetes, affecting 90 to 95 percent of the almost 26 million people with diabetes. The big difference between type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes is that people with type 2 diabetes do make insulin in their bodies. The trouble in people with type 2 diabetes is that the pancreas either does not make enough insulin or the body does not use the insulin effectively. As we discussed, when there is not enough insulin or the body is not using insulin as it should, the glucose we get from the foods we eat cannot enter into the body's cells, and therefore these cells cannot perform their normal duties. High blood sugar is the outcome, which can do serious damage to the body in time. Another big difference between type 1 and type 2 diabetes is that a significant majority of people with type 2 diabetes can treat their condition with diet and exercise alone, though some may require oral medications or insulin in addition. Type 2 diabetes can be reversed in some with the right type of treatment and lifestyle changes and does not always have to be a life-long disease as type 1 diabetes is.
What is gestational diabetes?
One more form of diabetes to mention is gestational diabetes. This form of diabetes only affects pregnant women and is found in approximately 18 percent of all pregnancies. As with type 2 diabetes, insulin resistance and high blood sugar levels characterize gestational diabetes. Most pregnant women experience somewhat higher blood sugar levels, resulting from the hormonal changes that occur during pregnancy. During the last trimester of pregnancy these hormonal changes put women at the highest risk for gestational diabetes.
You have a higher risk of gestational diabetes if you:
* Had gestational diabetes with a previous pregnancy
* Previously gave birth to a baby weighing more than 9 pounds
* Are older than 25 years of age
* Are overweight before becoming pregnant
* Have been diagnosed with prediabetes
Women who are at higher risk for gestational diabetes are usually screened as early as possible during their pregnancy and then again later in their pregnancy to confirm the diagnosis. For all other women, initial screening normally takes place between the 24th and 28th weeks of pregnancy. If not properly diagnosed and treated, this form of diabetes can affect the pregnancy and the baby's health. The good news is that gestational diabetes can be treated with the proper diet and exercise along with blood glucose monitoring and medication if needed. With gestational diabetes, blood sugar levels usually return to normal soon after the baby is born. However, if you develop gestational diabetes during your pregnancy it does put you at greater risk for developing type 2 diabetes in the future. If you experience gestational diabetes, the American Diabetes Association recommends getting screened for diabetes every three years.
What are normal blood sugar levels, and how are they tested?
Blood sugar is also known as blood glucose. Glucose comes from the foods we eat, specifically carbohydrates, and is our body's main source of energy. Normally, your blood glucose or blood sugar increases slightly after you eat. When blood sugar increases, your pancreas automatically releases insulin to keep levels from getting too high.
Before we can discuss what levels are normal, we have to introduce the tests used to determine those levels. There are several types of tests used to measure the level of blood sugar in the body:
* Fasting Blood Sugar (FBS): This test measures blood sugar after not eating for at least eight hours. FBS is often used as part of the diagnostic tool for prediabetes and diabetes.
* 2-hour Postprandial Blood Sugar: This test measures blood sugar exactly two hours after eating a meal. This is usually not used as a diagnostic tool.
* Random Blood Sugar (RBS): This test measures blood sugar regardless of the timing of eating. RBS can be helpful because blood sugar levels in healthy people do not vary much throughout the day, so measurements that vary widely throughout the day can indicate a problem.
* Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT): This test is a series of blood sugar measurements that are taken at certain intervals after drinking a liquid that contains glucose. OGTT is commonly used to diagnose gestational diabetes in pregnant women as well as prediabetes and diabetes in other individuals.
The "normal" value ranges given for each test in the following list are considered only a guide. Ranges can vary from lab to lab, and your doctor will need to evaluate your results based on your health, age, and other factors to make a proper diagnosis.
* Fasting Blood Sugar: A normal range is between 70 and 100 mg/dL
* 2-hour Postprandial Blood Sugar: A normal range is less than 140 mg/dL for people age 50 and younger, less than 150 mg/dL for people ages 50 to 60, and less than 160 mg/dL for people older than 60 years.
* Random Blood Sugar: Levels will vary depending on when you ate and how much you ate. A normal level is usually below 140 mg/dl.
* Oral Glucose Tolerance Test: Using the 75-gram oral glucose tolerance test, a normal value for fasting is 70 to 100 mg/dl; after 1 hour it's less than 200 mg/dl, and after two hours it's less than 140 mg/dl.
Your Nutrition Solution Tidbit: Some people with type 2 diabetes need to not only be concerned about high blood sugar levels but low blood sugar, or hypoglycemia, as well. The American Diabetes Association states that there is a strong correlation between severe hypoglycemia and an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, including heart attack and stroke — another essential reason to closely monitor your blood sugar levels. Speak with your doctor if low blood sugar levels are a concern for you.
What is the A1C test?
The hemoglobin A1C test, also known as HbA1C, glycated hemoglobin test, or glycohemoglobin, is used to diagnose prediabetes, type 1 diabetes, and type 2 diabetes, as well as measure how well your diabetes or blood sugar is being controlled. The test provides an average of your blood sugar levels throughout a two- to three-month period, as opposed to your blood sugar level at one point in time, so it is a good indicator of whether changes to medication and/or lifestyle need to be made.
Hemoglobin is a protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen throughout our body. Glucose enters red blood cells and links up, or glycates, with hemoglobin. The more glucose there is in the blood the more hemoglobin becomes glycated. The A1C test measures what percentage of your hemoglobin is coated with glucose (glycated). The higher your A1C level, the higher your risk for diabetes and diabetic complications. A higher level also indicates poor blood sugar control.
The results of the A1C test are reported as a percentage, and the normal range for someone without diabetes is 4 to 5.6 percent. A1C levels of 5.7 to 6.4 percent indicate increased risk for diabetes or that someone already has prediabetes. For someone with diabetes, the American Diabetes Association recommends a goal of keeping A1C levels at less than 7 percent for adults. Levels at or near 8 percent indicate poor blood sugar control. People with type 2 diabetes should have the A1C test done every three months until it is determined that blood sugar levels are under control. Once sugar levels are under good control it will be up to your doctor to determine how often you should receive this test. In general it is recommended twice per year. It is important to note that people with conditions affecting hemoglobin, such as anemia, may get abnormal test results. In addition, taking supplements such as vitamin C and E can also affect test results, as can other health conditions such as high blood cholesterol levels, kidney disease, and liver disease.
Are there complications of type 2 diabetes that I need to worry about?
Type 2 diabetes is nothing to take lightly. There are plenty of serious health complications related to type 2 diabetes, especially if blood sugars are not properly managed. Some of these complications are:
* Retinopathy:Retinopathy is the term used to describe damage to the blood vessels of the retina in the eye. Prolonged periods of high blood sugar can damage the tiny blood vessels of the retina. This can cause the retina to become detached from the back of the eye, causing double or blurry vision, seeing floaters, or experiencing dark spots over part of your vision. Detached retinas need immediate medical attention. Retinopathy is not always noticeable in the early stages and can develop for years without symptoms. It is not only important to control blood sugar but also blood pressure and cholesterol levels to help prevent this type of damage to your eyes. If you notice any changes in your vision, contact your eye doctor immediately. Diabetes can also increase the risk for other eye conditions such as glaucoma and cataracts.
(Continues…)
Excerpted from "Your Nutrition Solution to Type 2 Diabetes"
by .
Copyright © 2014 Kimberly A. Tessmer.
Excerpted by permission of Red Wheel/Weiser, LLC.
All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
Excerpts are provided by Dial-A-Book Inc. solely for the personal use of visitors to this web site.
Table of Contents
Introduction 11
Chapter 1 Your Questions About Type 2 Diabetes-Answered 15
What is diabetes?
What is insulin?
What is insulin resistance?
What does it mean if you have prediabetes?
What is the difference between type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes?
What is gestational diabetes?
What are normal blood sugar levels, and how are they tested?
What is the A1C test?
Are there complications of type 2 diabetes that I need to worry about?
What does metabolic syndrome have to do with type 2 diabetes?
Who is most at risk for type 2 diabetes?
Can type 2 diabetes be reversed or cured?
What are the signs and symptoms of type 2 diabetes?
How is type 2 diabetes diagnosed?
What types of healthcare professionals will I need to see?
What are my options for treatment? Will I need to take medication?
Chapter 2 The Nutrition Connection and Beyond 41
The Macronutrients
The Micronutrients
Other Significant Nutrients
Alcohol
A Word on Herbs and Supplements
Chapter 3 Your 5-Step Nutrition and Lifestyle Solution 81
Step 1 Reach and/or Maintain a Healthy Weight
Step 2 Control Your Carbohydrate Intake
Step 3 Follow a Healthy Plate
Step 4 Eat Smaller Meals More Often
Step 5 Exercise Regularly
Chapter 4 10 Foods to Avoid and 10 Foods to Include for Type 2 Diabetes 131
10 Common Culprits
10 Potential Helpers
A Guide to Sugar Substitutes
Chapter 5 Menu Planning and Shopping Guide 149
Menu Planning Tips
Navigating the Supermarket
Using Food Labels to Help Manage Type 2 Diabetes
Chapter 6 14-Day Menu Guide and Stocking Your Kitchen 179
14-Day Menu Guide
Stocking Your Kitchen
Appendix: Ask the Dietitian 203
Notes 209
Bibliography and Resources 213
Index 219
About the Author 223