Diabetes is a terrible condition. It frequently takes years before it is discovered because it usually begins slowly and invisibly. But once it starts, it affects almost all of the body’s organs and tissues. Diabetes is a major cause of heart disease, stroke, renal failure, blindness, amputation, and early death when uncontrolled or inadequately managed.
Additionally, it’s nasty on a personal level. It transforms a person’s relationship with food from an enjoyable daily activity to one that is characterised by relentless scrutiny and mistrust. I can speak from experience because I’ve been cohabitating with this intruder for a while. I was surprised by it. I’m not exactly the diabetes disease’s spokesperson because I’m a slim, fit, nonsmoker with no family history of the condition.
Blood sugar, also known as glucose, is a fuel that every body needs, and diabetes is an issue with it. Your digestive system converts carbs from foods like bagels, sandwiches, potatoes, and other carbohydrates into blood sugar when you eat them. Some of it is used right away. Muscles, the liver, and fat cells store the remainder for later use. To transport glucose into cells, the pancreas secretes the hormone insulin. Some individuals produce insulin insufficiently or not at all. In some cases, the “open up for sugar” signal from insulin is not fully received by the tissues. Chronically elevated blood glucose levels are the outcome. This can poison cells over time.
A healthy diet, exercise, and medications can all help control blood sugar. However, no treatment is in sight.
Diabetes develops when tissues become resistant to insulin as a result of being overweight and inactive. The CDC has issued new warnings about the elderly population’s continued rise in obesity and inactivity, as well as the increased risk of diabetes among minority populations who are populating quickly.
It sounds simple enough to avoid diabetes: just eat healthily and move more. But it’s not. Fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and other nutritious foods are inaccessible to millions of people. Billions of thousands’ worth of advertising constantly hammers us with messages to eat more. It can be difficult to exercise or be physically active due to poor building design, office job, hazardous neighbour hood, a lack of time (or money) for a gym in public schools, and other causes.
