Type 2 Diabetes Patients Making Informed Choices About Their Dietary Menu - Case Study Example

Running Head: Type 2 Diabetes Type 2 Diabetes [Institute's Type 2 Diabetes Patients Making Informed Choices About Their Dietary Menu. What is type 2 diabetes Type 2 diabetes occurs over a time of weeks or months, and although your body still makes insulin, the reason for developing diabetes is either your body is not making enough insulin or does not use it properly (sometimes its both). When the body does not use the insulin properly, it is called insulin resistance, which is when the cells are resistant to the normal insulin levels, and more insulin is need to keep the glucose level of the blood down. The insulin in your pancreas doesn't connect to the fat so the glucose cannot produce energy, causing hyperglycemia (high blood glucose). This cause the pancreas to produce more insulin and then the cells become more resistant causing a cycle of high glucose levels and often high insulin levels. Insulin resistance cause high blood glucose, coronary heart disease, raises the blood pressure and increases the chances of gout development. Type 2 diabetes developed in people over 40, but in rare cases younger people get it.3 in every 100 people over the ages of 40 have it and 10 in 100 people over 65, and this is only in the UK. Type 2 diabetes is common in over weight or obese people. Genetic also cause this type of diabetes as well as low activity level, poor diet, and excess body weight (especially around the waist). Other causes are: ethnicity (mostly in African-Americans, Hispanic-Americans, and Native Americans) Previous signs of impaired glucose tolerance High blood pressure HDL cholesterol of less than 35 or triglyceride level of greater than 250 The first treatment is diet and exercise, but if the glucose level still remains high then tablet are advised and sometime injection are needed. What are the symptoms of Type 2 diabetes There are 4 common symptoms: Increasing thirst Increase in urination, caused by the glucose that leaks to you urine that takes the water out of the kidneys fatigue Weight loss. The symptoms occur gradually that thirst and fatigue are almost unnoticeable; some people also experience blurred vision. Some Type 2 diabetes patients don't experience and symptoms if their blood glucose level is not too high. The Food for People with Type Two Diabetes During the last century the diet for diabetic people has changed drastically, earlier people were indirectly told to basically starve them selves, the later told to omit sugar from their diet. These cause diabetics to buy special food to replace the sugar, now the diet is to just eat healthy by eating starchy foods and plenty of fruit and vegetables. This consumes and small amount of sugar making it a healthy meal. Weight controls help prevent (and manage) type 2 diabetes; when patients lose weight their glucose control, blood pressure, and cholesterol improve. A change in eating habits and exercise are essential to weight control, but many people that lose weight have a hard time maintaining it. Life long changes in eating habits, physical activity, and attitudes about food and weight are essential to weight management. Unfortunately, although many people can lose weight initially, it is very difficult to maintain weight loss. Type 2 diabetic people are also prone to cardiovascular disease. Their diet should take in to consideration that complex carbohydrates, such as that found in whole-grain foods, is absorbed at a slow rate, and it decrease the rate of blood glucose level. Along with food, many Europeans drink a lot of alcoholic drinks. Alcohol has both hypo- and hyperglycemic effects, but studies show that alcohol has no noticeable effect on blood glucose or insulin levels, given that the amount consumed is 3 units a day for women and up to 4 for men Cases of People Case 1 A 75 year old over-weight woman with diabetes and high blood pressure had a low-fat diet and was send a book called Eat Fat, Get Thin, which outlined a high-fat diet. Her comments on it were: 'When your book arrived I read it immediately and gave myself permission to think it might, just might, work for me, despite the diabetes factor which I had said to you could possibly complicate blood sugar results. You assured me that it was more possible that these would improve. I changed my diet in February and in that and the following month my weight dropped by eight pounds. It was such a luxury to be eating all the hitherto "naughty" things that had been such a "no-no" and being rewarded for my sins. I felt better in all ways and my blood sugars became far more stable, and lower than they had been for years. My first major surprise was the pressure behind my eyes which had for many years been border-line glaucoma, had reduced - "excellent" result. Cholesterol (total), HDL cholesterol and triglycerides had all improved, my glycosated hemoglobin was down by 1.5 and blood pressure was down from 160/90 in June last year to 130/74 - the lowest I can ever remember having." (http://www.second-opinions.co.uk/diabetes.html) Case 2 A man, at the age of 37 had Type 2 diabetes. He lived on a standard low-fat high carbohydrate diet sheet. Checking his blood glucose meter, after his meals the blood sugar was registered 13+. In short these healthy meals were not working, and he also felt tired and ill. Then wanting a change, he researched and came across the low carbohydrate approach, which he used for 6 months and had 5 blood tests a day during that time. He said: "At the end of the 6 months, I returned to my local Diabetic Clinic at Edinburgh Royal Infirmary for my checkup. Tests revealed that my BP had dropped to 123/74, my HbA1c was 5.5 and I had lost 2 stone. More importantly, I felt fantastic, had loads of energy, and had lost count of the number of people who commented on how well I looked. My consultant was amazed, but not particularly interested in my methods. I was astonished that he didn't want to know more - so that he could pass on the information to others. (Naive of me, I know!) Instead he informed me that Diabetes is a progressive disease, and that I'd need to start a drugs regime within the next couple of years, perhaps even insulin. It is my intention to prove him wrong. My next HbA1c, 6 months later, was under 6, with BP and cholesterol well within normal limits. At this point, my consultant announced that I would only be required to attend the Clinic on a yearly basis. So, in summary, I am very happy with my results, and with the way I feel physically. Incidentally, my father was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes 6 months ago, and he has followed my advice as opposed to his doctor's, which is unlike him. His HbA1c has also reduced from over 8% to 5.7 in the space of 6 months. His doctors are astonished, as at diagnosis, a random blood sugar test revealed a reading of 24." (http://www.second-opinions.co.uk/diabetes.html) An experiment was conducted on people with type 2 diabetes. It had several diet plans A high-carbohydrate/high-fiber diet A low-fat diet A weight management diet. After a year and a half all groups had 18 months all groups had improved glycolated hemoglobin and cholesterol levels, but the researchers based it on the people not the regimens. Some Treatments To fix the blood glucose level people with type 2 diabetes that take insulin have to coordinate their intake of calories and exercise. This will do the following: It will protect the heart and aim for a healthy cholesterol and triglyceride level Control of blood pressure. Reach a reasonable weight. Overweight type 2 diabetics need to use a diet that controls both weight and glucose. To prevent medical complications, especially heart and kidney disease. Food that contains carbohydrates should be eaten most, for example whole grains, nuts, fruits, vegetables, and low- or non-fat milk Carbohydrates and monounsaturated fat should have a higher intake, but it depends on the need of either weight loss or maintenance. Saturated fats (animal products) and trans fatty acids (hard margarines, commercial products, fast foods) should be avoided. Oils with monounsaturated or poly-saturated fats should be used for example virgin olive oil, canola oil, sunflower and rapeseed Protein should be limited to 15% to 20% of the total calories. This should include fish or soy protein to poultry or meat. An incredibly common method for controlling blood sugar is The Diabetic Exchange Lists, but other methods are to keep track of carbohydrate grams and determining the effect of carbohydrates on blood sugar An experiment was tried to determine is patients with type 2 diabetes know how to include sugar or sweets into their daily life and to see if it concludes in a higher consumption rate of calories and if it weaken their glycemic or lipid profiles. This resulted in having no negative effect; most of the patients knew how to handle themselves. Some Guidelines: To prevent and /or treat diabetes, medical research recommends: Maintaining a healthy body weight To stay physically active To eat a well-balanced diet. Have more starchy foods (potatoes, rice, pasta, bread and breakfast cereals) as well as high fiber, whole meal products. Consume more fruits and vegetables Have 5 portions a day. Eat fewer fatty foods (chips, candies or pastries). Consume lean meat, poultry, fish, and beans instead of fatty meat or meat products. Have low-fat dairy foods, like skimmed or semi-skimmed milk or low-fat yoghurt. Use vegetable oil in cooking but only in small amounts Choose products lower in salt and use less salt in cooking. Do NOT use the so-called Western diet (which consumes red meat, processed meat, French fries, high-fat dairy products, refined grains, and sweets and desserts) Some Points to Keep in Mind when trying to control diabetes are: Diabetes is not caused by obesity; both conditions are caused by the same thing Dietary carbohydrates cause obesity Dietary carbohydrates cause diabetes Obesity is merely evident before diabetes To reduce disease, reduce carbohydrates. Research proves that it is possible to improve blood glucose control in people with type 2 diabetes without weight loss, instead with simple adjustments in the diet. An example of an intake of such a diet is: 10% - 15% carbohydrate 20% - 25% protein 60% - 70% fat Conclusion I think that hospitals should have a little faith in patients with type 2 diabetes because not only would they take care in their food consumed, they would also want to get better, therefore resulting in taking care of themselves. As proved in the medical reports that suggestions are not right, so people considering that would make few suggestions as how to improve their diabetic diet, but overall the result is that no person diabetic or not would harm their health if it is already in some type of danger. As a diabetic, one ways to improve you health is to stop doing what caused the disease. Diabetes is caused by a chronic high intake of carbohydrates - sugars and starches. References Why do DiabetesUK and the ADA Recommend a High Carbohydrate Diet for Diabetics http://www.second-opinions.co.uk/diabetes.html Accessed: July 3, 2006 Type 2 Diabetes - Patient UK http://www.patient.co.uk/showdoc/23068721/ Accessed: July 3, 2006 Type 2 diabetes http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/diseases/facts/diabetesnoninsulindependent.htm Accessed: July 3, 2006 British Nutrition Foundation http://www.nutrition.org.uk/home.aspsiteId=43§ionId=405&subSectionId=321&parentSection Accessed: July 3, 2006 Teaching Subjects With Type 2 Diabetes How to Incorporate Sugar Choices Into Their Daily Meal Plan Promotes Dietary Compliance and Does Not Deteriorate Metabolic Profile -- Nadeau et al. 24 (2): 222 -- Diabetes Care http://care.diabetesjournals.org/cgi/content/abstract/24/2/222 Accessed: July 3, 2006 Diabetes Diet - UMMC Http://www.umm.edu/patiented/articles/what_general_guidelines_a_diabetes_diet_000042_2.htm Accessed: July 3, 2006 Diabetes Diet - UMMC http://www.umm.edu/patiented/articles/what_weight_control_dietary_approaches_type_2_diabetes_000042_4.htm Accessed: July 3, 2006 Henry Ford Hospital - A Best Ranked Hospital in Detroit, Michigan http://www.henryfordhealth.org/body.cfmid=39639&action=articleDetail&AEProductID=Adam2004_1&AEArticleID=000313 Accessed: July 3, 2006 Nutrition & Metabolism | Full text | Control of blood glucose in type 2 diabetes without weight loss by modification of diet composition http://www.nutritionandmetabolism.com/content/3/1/16 Accessed: July 3, 2006 Diabetes, Part 6: The correct diet for a Type-2 diabetic, (or treatment without drugs) http://www.second-opinions.co.uk/diabetes-6.html Accessed: July 3, 2006 Read More