World Diabetes Day: A Closer Look at a Global Health Challenge
Today marks World Diabetes Day, highlighting a health condition that impacts millions worldwide. Over 37 million adults in the U.S. have diabetes, with 20% unaware of their condition. With the ever-evolving research, how well do we understand diabetes today? Let's explore.
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Understanding Diabetes
To grasp the nature of diabetes, we first have to understand how the body processes food. 100% of carbohydrates and 40% of protein are converted to blood glucose, the primary energy source for the muscles and brain. When we eat, the rise in the blood glucose level signals the release of insulin, a hormone produced by the pancreas. Insulin binds with the glucose and transports it from the bloodstream into the trillions of cells where it is used for energy. Disruptions in this intricate process can lead to diabetes. Beta cells on the pancreas can begin to make less insulin, and receptors on each cell can begin to open up less widely.
Essential Terms to Know:
Insulin: Hormone that transfers glucose from blood to cells for energy.
Carbohydrate: A nutrient in foods that naturally increases blood sugar levels and provides energy to the body and brain.
Blood glucose: A measure of the glucose in our blood, which can be affected by food intake, hydration, movement, stress, gut hormones, and medications.
Hemoglobin A1c: A laboratory marker used to show a three-month average of blood sugar levels.
>6.5% or above = Type 2 diabetes
5.7-6.4% = prediabetes
<5.6% or less = normal
Types of Diabetes:
Type 1: An autoimmune disorder causing halted insulin production.
Type 2: The pancreas produces inadequate amounts of insulin, and the cells do not react sufficiently to the glucose carried by insulin into the cells.
Gestational diabetes: Occurs in 2-10% of pregnancies, often related to hormonal changes. Up to 50% of women who have gestational diabetes may go on to develop type 2 diabetes.
Recognizing Diabetes Symptoms
Both excessively high and low blood sugar levels manifest distinct symptoms, warranting careful dietary or medicinal intervention:
Hyperglycemia: Symptoms include increased thirst, hunger, frequent urination, blurry vision, sluggish wound healing, and heightened fatigue.
Hypoglycemia (below 70 mg/dL): Signs encompass weakness, sweating, dizziness, shivering, anxiety, mood swings, hunger pangs, confusion
Immediate measures, like adjusting medication or consuming sugar, might be necessary to prevent a medical emergency in case of hyperglycemia or hypoglycemia, respectively.
Risk Factors
Type 1 Diabetes: Some known risk factors for Type-1 Diabetes include family history, such as having a parent or sibling with type 1 diabetes, and age, often being diagnosed in young individuals.
Type 2 Diabetes: There are several risk factors for Type-2 Diabetes, including having prediabetes or gestational diabetes,
Age - Specifically, being 45 years old or older puts those at higher risk for diabetes.
Ethnicity - Those at a higher risk include African Americans, Hispanics or Latinos, American Indians, Alaska Native, and some Pacific Islanders and Asian Americans also have an increased risk (stigma/stress from stigma increase cortisol levels, thus increasing the risk for disease).
Family history - Having a grandparent, parent, or sibling with type 2 diabetes increases risk.
Cigarette smoking - Because of the increase in oxidative stress caused by smoking, this behavior increases the cortisol levels (stress hormone) in the body and directly impacts blood sugar levels (when cortisol increases, so do blood sugar levels).
Experiencing Weight stigma - Folks who are born in larger bodies are more likely to experience weight stigma and are thus more likely to…
Have higher stress: higher cortisol levels increase the risk of diabetes
Diet: Dieting is the number one predictor of future weight gain. This is a term known as weight cycling (Click here to read our post all on weight cycling).
Notably, research links weight cycling with increased diabetes risk. Weight cycling may pose a stronger risk of diabetes than non-cycling during net weight gain.
Other health conditions - Those who are diagnosed with fatty liver disease, heart disease, PCOS, thyroid conditions, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol are more at risk of developing Type 2 Diabetes.
Correlations to Behaviors
Smoking
Smoking increases inflammation and oxidative stress, both linked to diabetes risk. Oxidative stress occurs as chemicals from cigarette smoke combine with oxygen in the body. This causes injury to cells, and the body responds by increasing inflammation. Evidence strongly suggests that both inflammation and oxidative stress may be related to an increased risk of diabetes. The evidence also shows that smoking is associated with a higher risk of diabetes because it encourages the production of cortisol, a hormone that increases blood sugar. Smokers tend to have higher concentrations of cortisol than nonsmokers.
- The CDC reports that smokers have a 30-40% higher risk of developing diabetes than a nonsmoker.
Excessive Alcohol
Excessive alcohol intake can lead to chronic pancreatitis, a known risk factor for diabetes. The pancreas is essential for insulin production, and damage to it can impair its function.
Take a step towards managing your diabetes in a way that enhances your life, not restricts it. Our team at CV Wellbeing, comprised of compassionate and knowledgeable registered dietitians, is dedicated to guiding you through a journey of health that doesn't involve stringent diets or overwhelming changes. Embrace a balanced, fulfilling approach to diabetes management. Connect with us today and discover how to live well with diabetes, enjoying the foods you love while maintaining your health. Click here to get scheduled today.