Type 2 diabetes is a condition which body processing of sugar is faulty. Insulin production or its effect is erroneous. The result is that blood sugar rises and causes symptoms. Even when symptoms are not obvious, there is damage of this high blood sugar on various vital body organs including the brain and nervous system. A host of other problems ensue. Proper diet and lifestyle modifications, exercise, and drugs with or without insulin therapy can help deal with this condition.
What is type 2 diabetes? What causes it?
In a person suffering from type 2 diabetes mellitus, there is either lessened production of the hormone insulin or the body shows resistance to its action.
The islet of Langherhans are located at the tail end of the body organ called pancreas. They produce the vital chemical called insulin. It regulates body and blood sugar. Due to multiple reasons, its production might fall. Also, there is a condition called relative insulin deficiency. In this condition, the body manufactures normal amount of insulin. But it is unable to meet the demands of the body for it. Overweight and obese individuals with a sedentary life style exhibit this condition. Genes also play a role and family history positivity is a high risk factor in it.
There are certain bad food choices also with this condition. Thus the disease of altered blood regulation results from multiple factors acting on an individual. It is common in urban setups due to stressful lifestyle.
Symptoms of this type of diabetes
Most people with type 2 diabetes are elderly and routine blood checkup first diagnoses them. Some patients complain of increased urination and thirst. There is excessive hunger and tiredness. Besides, the diabetic complains of headache, giddiness, and blurring of vision. Doctors pick up some cases when they advise blood tests due to poor wound healing or formation of a deep ulcer in the back called carbuncle.
There can be history of repeated infections including that of skin and urinary tract in the patient. There is numbness and tingling or burning sensation in hands and feet. Darkening of skin of armpits and neck region occur.
Diet plan for a type 2 diabetic patient
One of the cornerstone of treatment of type 2 diabetes is diet changes. Additionally, it demands increased physical activity and change of lifestyle to lessen stress. Specific drugs to enhance insulin production and artificial insulin injections can help control blood sugar.
As regards diet, the diabetic patient should cut down on refined sugars and processed foods. He or she should decrease intake of carbohydrates. Protein intake has to be more and fat should be just enough for healthy need and should not increase on body weight. Avoid saturated fats, trans fat, and cholesterol. Increase in diet fiber.
Foods that can be easily and healthily incorporated into diet include complex carbohydrates such as brown rice, whole wheat, oats, quinoa, pulses, beans, fruits, and vegetables. The vegetables have less carbohydrates and are rich in vitamins, minerals and anti-oxidants. All of these are good for diabetics. Bottle gourd, lady’s fingers, carrots, dark, green leaves vegetables are all healthy. The diabetic can consume them in ample quantities without any fear.
Eggs, seafood, peas, tofu, legumes, lentils, and dairy foods are okay. But avoid red meat. Lean meat and poultry are less likely to cause issues. The diabetic superfoods are wild salmon, Chia seeds, cinnamon, white balsamic vinegar, and lentils. In certain countries, diabetics consume on a daily basis bitter gourd juice and aloe Vera juice for controlling diabetes naturally.
Therefore, healthy diet plans for diabetes of type 2 are limited processed sugars and red meat and plenty of vegetables. Going vegetarian or vegan is a good alternative in such patients.
