Have you been tested for diabetes? This week is Diabetes Awareness Week. Diabetes is Australia’s fastest growing chronic disease.  More than 3 million or one in four Australian adults over the age of 25 have either diabetes or impaired glucose tolerance (pre-diabetes).

What is Diabetes?

Diabetes is a chronic disease, if undetected or poorly controlled, diabetes can lead to blindness, kidney failure, lower limb amputation, heart attack, stroke and impotence.

Our bodies need to convert glucose (sugar) from food into energy. A hormone called insulin is essential for the conversion of glucose into energy. In people with diabetes, insulin is no longer produced or not produced in sufficient amounts by the body.

So when people with diabetes eat glucose, which is in carbohydrate foods such as breads, cereals, fruit and starchy vegetables, legumes, milk, yoghurt and sweets, it can’t be converted into energy.  Instead of being turned into energy the glucose stays in the blood. This is why blood glucose levels are higher in people with diabetes.

In type 1 diabetes, the pancreas stops making insulin. Without insulin, the body’s cells cannot turn glucose (sugar), into energy. Unless treated with daily injections of insulin, people with type 1 diabetes accumulate dangerous chemical substances in their blood. This can cause a condition known as ketoacidosis. This condition is potentially life threatening if not treated.

Type 2 is the most common form of diabetes, while it usually affects older adults, more young people, even children, are getting type 2 diabetes. In type 2 diabetes, the pancreas makes some insulin but it is not produced in the amount your body needs and it does not work effectively.

Type 2 diabetes results from a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Although there is a strong genetic predisposition, the risk is greatly increased when associated with lifestyle factors such as high blood pressure, being overweight or obesity, insufficient physical activity, poor diet and the classic ‘apple shape’ body where extra weight is carried around the waist.

Type 2 diabetes can often initially be managed with healthy eating and regular physical activity. Unfortunately, many people with type 2 diabetes also end up taking medication or requiring insulin. Good management of diabetes can help prevent this from happening in many cases.

It is estimated that up to 60% of type 2 diabetes can be prevented. People at risk of type 2 diabetes can delay and even prevent this disease by following a healthy lifestyle. This includes:

• Maintaining a healthy weight
• Regular physical activity
• Making healthy food choices
• Managing blood pressure
• Managing cholesterol levels
• Not smoking.

If you would like to know more about preventing and managing diabetes, make an appointment to to see a qualified Nutritionist or your health professional. Go here for more information about symptoms, if you are unsure if you may have diabetes, seek advice from your doctor.