posted on 2010-03-12 by tobbysims
PART 1: Diabetes Mellitus

Diabetes Mellitus is a worldwide concern. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimated that there are almost 28.8 million of Americans have diabetes and one third of it was left undiagnosed. This is quite alarming. By 2030, the number of people affected with this condition is expected to increase up to 366 million worldwide.

This is a serious condition. Unknown to many, diabetes mellitus is a condition with extensive social, physical and economic consequences. The healthcare costs of people with diabetes are 2.4 times than to people without it. It may lead to further complications such as end-stage renal disease, non-traumatic amputations, nerve damage and blindness.

Diabetes Mellitus is a metabolic disorder in which the body produces little or no insulin at all. Insulin is the hormone responsible for transporting sugar into our cells to produce energy. Glucose or blood sugar is the main source of energy that is needed by the cells in our body. Unfortunately in diabetes mellitus, the lack of insulin results to elevated sugar levels in the blood stream. Sugar stays in the blood causing the lack of source of energy in the cells of our body.

Diet, physical inactivity, busier lives , increasing waistlines , heredity and obesity are the most common causes of Diabetes Mellitus. The devastating fact of diabetes mellitus is – once you were diagnosed with diabetes mellitus, you will have it for life. However, elevated blood sugar can be managed. And it lies in your hands.

Can we change our destiny even if diabetes mellitus is in our genes? Fortunately, yes.In medical terms, we have modifiable and non-modifiable factors which lead to this condiiton. Non-modifiable factors are things that we cannot change such as age, race, gender and heredity. Modifiable factors are things we can actually change if we are determined enough to stay away from diabetes. And these factors are our ways to combat diabetes mellitus affecting our lives, naturally.

Further reading: "Diabetic Diet Exchange List" - a guide to get a proper mix or proportion of carbohydrates, calories and other needed nutrients

PART 2: The Diet (to be continued...)