Queries about diabetes

TO AVOID being a victim of any disease, one must know as much about it as possible. Diabetes is no exception, since there is a 20 percent chance anyone of us may acquire it during our lifetime. The odds are, indeed, too high for comfort.

Out of a global population of 6.97 billion plus, there are about 285 million who have diabetes, increasing more than twice in the last few decades, and expected to reach 439 million in 19 years, by 2030. In the United States (population: 312.5 million), there are about 18.2 million who have diabetes.

In a small country like the Philippines, with a population of about 98 million, “one out of five adults (20 percent) are diabetic,” according to the 2007 Philippine Cardiovascular Outcome Study on Diabetes, and as many “as three out of five,” are on their way to developing diabetes unless they adopt a healthier lifestyle, basically consisting of proper diet (quality: low-carb, low-fat, and quantity: calorie-control) and daily exercise.

The incidence of obesity and diabetes are on a similar course. Annually, three million people around the world die from this disease and its complications. The exploding pandemic of obesity and diabetes (diabesity) must be contained.

What are the risk factors for diabetes?

The risk factors for Type 2 diabetes include: age (usually 45 and older), lack of physical exercise, high-carbohydrate diet, excess calorie-intake, overweight, high blood pressure, family history of diabetes, having diabetes during pregnancy or giving birth to a baby heavier than 9 pounds, ethnicity (diabetes is more common among Non-Hispanic Blacks, Hispanics, Latino-Americans, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, American Indians and Alaska Natives.

Can I still get diabetes at age 60?

Yes, one can develop diabetes at any age. Late onset diabetes is not rare, and so with diabetes among teenagers and younger children. However, those who are more self-disciplined, more health conscious, and more aware of the type and amount of calories they consume per day, especially those who exercise at least 30 minutes a day, are much less prone to develop diabetes, the role of genetics considered.

Is skipping breakfast good for a diabetic?

Breaking the fast from the night before with a meal called breakfast is healthy for everyone, diabetic or not, overweight or not. Of course, the calorie count and quality of food eaten are important. Studies have shown that the glucose (sugar) metabolism and insulin responses to lunch among those who ate breakfast were much better, more efficient, than among those who did not have breakfast. It is best to evenly portion the food eaten in a day into 3 or 4 or 5 times a day, as long as the target total calories is maintained. The more even keel the blood glucose level, the healthier for the body for everyone, with or without diabetes. Erratic food intake is not healthy for anyone.

How does exercise help in the treatment of diabetes?

Daily physical exercise enhances the utilization of glucose by the cells of the muscles and other tissues of the body. It also reduces insulin resistance among those with diabetes and those with the so called-borderline or pre-diabetes. Exercise and dieting have been found to totally “abort the onset of diabetes” among those who are prone to develop diabetes, eliminating the need for anti-diabetic medications.

Are soft drinks and desserts enemies of diabetics?

Soft drinks, or what I call “liquid candy,” is bad for all of us, young and old, diabetic or not. They are loaded with sugar, roughly 12 spoonfuls of sugar (about 150 calories) per 12-oz can. Besides the carbohydrate (sugar) and calories in them, soft drinks, including the diet variety, cola or uncola, increase the risk for the development of metabolic syndrome (characterized by abdominal obesity, high blood pressure, high triglyceride level, low level of HDL, the good cholesterol, and high fasting blood sugar level), which predisposes the person to twice the risk for heart disease and five times the risk for diabetes.

What do blood sugar levels mean?

The normal fasting blood sugar level is less than 100 mg/dl. A level of 100 to 125 mg/dl means the individual is a pre-diabetic (popularly known as “borderline diabetic”). A fasting blood sugar level of 126 mg/dl and higher makes for a diagnosis of diabetes mellitus. The blood test that shows the average blood sugar level in the preceding 6-12 weeks is called Hemoglobin A1C. While the fasting blood sugar test shows the level of glucose at that instant, the AIC provides a historical panorama of the daily level of the previous 1 1/2 to 3 months. Normal AIC is less than 5.7 percent; pre-diabetes, 5.7 percent to 6.4 percent; and diabetes, 6.5 percent or higher. This test helps confirm the diagnosis of diabetes for new patients and also aids in the evaluation of the effectiveness of the treatment of persons with diabetes.

Why is smoking doubly bad for diabetics?

Diabetes is a metabolic disease but is also considered clinically as a cardiovascular illness, one which is adversely affected by smoking. Tobacco use depletes the body of ascorbic acid (Vitamin C), a major antioxidant that protects body cells. Smoking also induces deposit of lead and other harsh chemicals into the fat tissues of the body. All this negatively impacts the metabolism of sugar of the person. Smoking, active or passive, also facilitates and speeds up cholesterol plaque deposits in the wall of the arteries, causing blockages in the circulation to the heart, leading to heart attack, and to the brain, causing stroke.

Is diabetes preventable?

As I have pointed out in my new health guide, diseases like diabetes, heart diseases, and even cancer are preventable, to a great extent. Most of these illnesses are self-induced, consciously or otherwise, through self-abuse. With diabetes, once it sets in, it is usually for keeps, and will need constant management. However, clinical studies have revealed that a significant number of those with borderline diabetes or mild diabetes were able to ward off the disease permanently through personal discipline, low-carbohydrate, low-cholesterol diet, strict calorie-control, and regular physical exercise (even as simple as brisk walking) of at least 30 minutes a day. All the sacrifices and hard work necessary in living a healthy lifestyle are, without any question, worth all the golden health benefits they bring with it.

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