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Islets of Hope for persons newly diagnosed with diabetes |
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Article by Lahle Wolfe. For reprint information e-mail: Editor@isletsofhope.com Rick Mendosa - "Advice for Newbies" JDRF - Life with Diabetes for the Newly Diagnosed
Defeating Diabetes: This books has detailed dietary and nutrition information to empower readers. Because diet and lifestyle factors are the primary causes of Type 2 diabetes, most Type 2's can control their diabetes completely.
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What is type 2 diabetes?
Mini Site Index What is type 2 diabetes? Type 2 diabetes occurs when the pancreas cannot make enough insulin or the person becomes resistant to the insulin that is produced. Not all persons with type 2 diabetes are insulin resistant, but many are. Some can manage this disease with healthy lifestyle changes and oral medications but some with type 2 may also require insulin. A combination of genetic factors and environmental triggers contribute to the onset of type 2 diabetes. Type 2 diabetes has a more significant genetic basis than type 1, but it too also depends more on environmental factors than genes. A familial history of type 2 is a strong risk factor indicator for other family members but this seems to only really matter to Americans and Europeans. Lifestyle, the biggest environmental trigger for type 2, plays a large role in which genetically predispositioned individuals will eventually become diabetic. Those most affected in the United States are African Americans, Mexican Americans, and Pima Indians. A sedentary lifestyle, coupled with a diet high in fat, processed carbohydrates, and low in fiber are a recipe for developing type 2 diabetes. Obesity is also a risk factor for developing type 2 and insulin resistance often seen in obese persons can be a pre-cursor to developing type 2. The younger an obese person is (i.e., children), and the length of time a person has been obese increase the risk factor for developing type 2. Persons in other cultures, who have not adopted a “Westernized” lifestyle, do not seem to develop type 2 diabetes even when a genetic predisposition to diabetes is present. Treatment Options for Type 2 Diabetes Type 2 is initially treated by changes in diet and through weight loss in obese patients. Weight loss can restore insulin sensitivity, and may even restore ovulation in annovulatory women. Even modest weight lost (e.g. around 5 kg (10 to 15 lb).) insulin resistance may be markedly improved. Persons with insulin resistance or type 2 diabetes may find a need to control or reduce their carbohydrate intake. Low-fat, high carbohydrate diets are contraindicated in many type 2 patients. (See our comparison of diets, and lifestyle plans along with recipes, and tips in our "Diet Section." In addition to weight loss from dietary changes, regular exercise may also increase insulin sensitivity by as much as 15% (the same percentage that oral anti-diabetic agents accomplish). It has also been noted in some studies that excessive daily caffeine intake can worse insulin resistance, while low to moderate amounts of caffeine may help improve insulin sensitivity. Type 2 diabetes may also be treated with oral medications, and, in some cases, with insulin. Click on any link for more information about type 2 diabetes:
What
is Type 2 Diabetes? |
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