Diabetes – A Growing Epidemic

What is it ?
Diabetes is raised blood sugars (glucose).  There are two types of Diabetes;
Type I - which is where the pancreas can’t produce enough insulin to control blood sugars.  Type I Diabetes is also known as insulin controlled diabetes as the patient has to use medication to introduce insulin to the body, to perform its role.  
Type 2 - the body’s cells can’t react to the insulin produced.

What does insulin do ?
Insulin is a vital hormone produced by the pancreas gland.  It acts as a vehicle, transporting glucose into our cells which in turn give us energy.   If we do not produce insulin the glucose (fuel) can’t be transported so we lack energy, and also the glucose will then remain in the blood stream to be reprocessed by the kidneys.
Interestingly, the high glucose in the urine will leach water from the bloodstream, hence the increased urination in diabetics, and the associated thirst.
The failure to assimilate glucose will lead to the body using other sources of energy eg. Fat cells, which produces Ketones.  These Ketones and the raised blood glucose will make an individual feel very unwell.
Blood glucose level stays between 3.5 mmol/L and 7 mmol/L.

What are the symptoms ?
Fatigue, extreme thirst, weight loss, muzzy headed, sweating, low mood, dizziness, tingling in the hands, increased urination.

So why do Diabetics gain weight, if the symptoms are weight loss ?
It’s all about balancing the books ………
We eat some food so our blood sugars, a Type I Diabetic injects insulin to do the job of the pancreas, and allow the body to use the glucose for energy.
BUT the patient has over-eaten and does not exercise.
The excess glucose will be converted and stored, leading to weight gain, which balances off the blood sugars again.
Also, the more body fat we produce, the more resistant to insulin we are, so it has to be tailored as we gain weight, which many patients don’t do, or health professionals overlook.
This weight gain and increased insulin resistant as a result causes a vicious circle, and as the weight goes up, so other health conditions evolve, for example:

Less exercise due to weight gain = increased insulin resistant = weight gain.
Joint problems = increased insulin resistant = weight gain.
Heart Disease = increased insulin resistant = weight gain.

Some patients manipulate their insulin to suit their food, so they can over-indulge, so the excess glucose is then stored as explained above.

Seems bleak doesn’t it, but it is all about choices really and balancing the books.  If you choose to be a victim of diabetes you could fall into the weight gain trap, or you can master the disease and manage your lifestyle and diet, to help prevent the above problems.
So, how do I keep healthy with diabetes and avoid the weight gain ?


http://euro-wabb.org/en/diabetes-information-all/hypoglycaemia
http://www.mayoclinic.org
http://www.diabetesselfmanagement.com

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BLOATED ?  What could be to blame ?

I see lots of patients complaining of stomach ache, bloating, feeling tired, and some have bowel problems ranging from constipation to severe diarhoea.  If we look at our heritage, our food's evolution has raced ahead of our own development, and this has effected our ability to digest our food.  Also, wider imports of tropical fruit and vegetables from far flung continents means we are at times eating foods outside our own culture.

An example of this is mango, a wonderful juicy fruit which can be used raw or cooked, and also dried.  It has gradually become more and more widely used, and is seen on many menus now.  The problem is it is high in fructose, and some individuals have difficulty digesting this type of sugar. 

We are naturally designed to better digest glucose.  Our bodies do not have the dedicted means of absorption for fructose that glucose has, so this digestive difficulty means some fructose remains undigested in the large intestine, where it ferments.  This fermentation leads to the production of gas, bloating and for some people diarrhoea. 

Professor Whorwell from the University of Manchester says 'our bodies are not terribly good at digesting fructose, especially in the quantities we eat these days, with year-round access as well'.

Fructose malabsoroption can go hand in hand with IBS, Crohn's disease and IBD (inflammatory Bowel Disease), and 'approximately 1/3rd of IBS sufferers will have fructose intolerance' (quoted Julie Thompson, Specialist Gastroenterology Dietician.)

Fructose malabsorption can also be linked too depression or low mood, as fructose has been associated with blocking the production of serotonin !  It's interesting to note that children's behaviour has been effected by fructose intake.   Fructose is used to sweeten many foods, and marketing and manufacture has made these very appealing and available to children, and behaviour changes have matched this increase.

Some fruit and vegetables are better tolerated than others, so random exclusion is not a good idea.  Exclusion should be properly managed in order to prevent further mal-absorption and mal-nutrition.

Written By Victoria Shorland, Consultant Nutritionist, Faversham, Kent, www.eattolive.org.uk, [email protected] or Telephone. 01795 534627 / 07789512825.

Could the Foods You Eat Be Making You Feel Unwell ?

‘Excluding Suspect Foods Can Cause Other Health Problems if Not Properly Managed.’

Eat To Live, run by Consultant Nutritionist Victoria Shorland, offers the opportunity to see a professional for advice relating to all sorts of health conditions, including gastric / bowel disorders, which are an area they specialise in.   Through correct management and simple changes an individual can see their symptoms subside, and health improve considerably.

Food Intolerance Testing and Allergy Clinics are also available. 

So let’s take a look at the difference between allergy and intolerance:
 
Allergy

An allergy is an extreme, sudden immune response such as swelling of the face, tongue, other limbs, hives, itching, difficulty breathing, palpitations and even organ failure.  This response is caused by IgE Anti-bodies being produced to fight off a particular ‘allergen’ which in some cases could be a food.  This is also known as anaphylaxis.   IgE (Immunoglobulin E) is the most common allergy form.  This is a sudden onset allergic reaction.

A very tiny amount of ‘trigger’ food or substance is needed to promote a reaction.

Food Intolerance

This is not the same as a food allergy.

Symptoms can be stomach cramps, dull aching in the lower abdomen, low mood, hyperactivity, lethargy, diarrhoea, constipation, diverticulitis, excessive gas, burping, acid reflux, rashes.  The causes vary from person to person and can be difficult to identify, which is why a Nutritionist should be consulted, and in some cases a food intolerance test carried out.

‘Foods should not be excluded without supervision from a Professional specialsing in diet, in order to prevent malnourishment, vitamin deficiencies, and other health problems.’

FODMAP is proving to be a very successful process for alleviating the range of IBS symptoms suffered by so many people.  Where patients are being left to deal with their symptoms by themselves, where GPs are simply not equiped to help, Nutrition Assistants are prescribing the FODMAP system, with incredible results.
It must always be implemented by a practitioner, to avoid malnutrition or other health complications.