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Author:
Renee Kennedy

Diabetes is a disease where the body cannot properly
produce or use insulin. Insulin is a hormone that turns
the foods you eat into energy. If your body cannot turn
food into energy, not only will your cells be starved for
energy, you will also build up glucose (sugar) in your
blood. This will lead you to have "high blood glucose
levels." Over years, the high blood glucose level can
damage major organs like your heart, eyes, and kidneys.

Types of Diabetes:

Type 1 Diabetes is caused by a total lack of insulin that,
in turn, produces high blood glucose levels. Type 1 is
most often is seen in children, but can develop in adults.
If you have Type 1, your health care provider might
recommend scheduled, nutritious meals, exercise,
medication, and frequent blood sugar level tests.

Type 2 Diabetes occurs when the body does not
produce enough insulin or cannot properly use insulin.
This is the most common type. The treatment may be
similar to Type 1.

Pre Diabetes or Borderline Diabetes may occur
before a Type 2 diagnosis. Blood glucose levels will
be higher than normal. Good nutrition and exercise
may be recommended by your health care provider as
treatment for pre diabetes. Even a slightly high blood
sugar level is insidious and could affect major organs
over time.

Gestational Diabetes occurs in pregnant women that have
high blood glucose levels. This type of Diabetes can harm
both Mother and baby. If you have Gestational Diabetes,
your health care provider may prescribe meal plans,
exercise, daily testing and medicine.

Risk Factors:

The exact causes of Diabetes are still unknown. However,
heredity, obesity and lack of exercise may play a role.
Here are some general risk factors:

1. Your siblings or parents have diabetes.
2. You are more than 20% overweight.
3. You do not exercise.
4. You have had gestational diabetes or you have had a
baby over 9 lbs.
5. You have high blood pressure.
6. Your cholesterol level is not normal.

How to care for you Diabetes:

According to the American Diabetes Association, people
with Diabetes have the same nutritional needs as everyone
else. In addition to prescribed medications, well-balanced
meals may help you keep your blood glucose level as normal
as possible.

Also, just like everyone else, exercise is an important part
of staying healthy. Exercising with diabetes does require a few
extra safety steps that your health care professional can make
you aware of.

Nutritious meals, an exercise routine, and using your
NutriCounter along with the help of your doctor may aid you
in controlling your Diabetes. Diabetes will never truly go away,
but with proper nutrition, exercise and prescribed medications,
it can be controlled.

For more information on specific exercise and eating advice
for diabetics, see the following web sites:

American Diabetes Association
http://www.diabetes.org

Canadian Diabetes Association
http://www.diabetes.ca/Section_Main/welcome.asp

Online Risk Test
http://www.diabetes.org/main/info/risk/risktest.jsp

Excellent article about Borderline Diabetes
http://www.diabetes.ca/Section_About/borderline.asp

Am I at risk for Type 2 Diabetes?
http://www.niddk.nih.gov/health/diabetes/pubs/risk/risk.htm

Safety Tips for Exercising with Diabetes
http://www.diabetes.org/main/health/exercise/safety/25ways.jsp

About the Author
Come and visit the NutriCounter web site for more information on how nutrition influences weight loss, diabetes, pregnancy, heart disease and more! http://www.nutricounter.com

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A Quick Note From The Publisher... If you like the article above, you may be interested in the following article which is also related to Diabetes Guides... Diabetes Awareness: Wake Up Call When traveling on out-of-town business, its common to have the hotel front desk give you a wake-up call in the morning. You want to avoid the embarrassment and repercussions of being late for your business appointments. Here is an important wake-up call for your life and the lives of the people you most care about. If you want to avoid the life damaging effects of diabetes, take 3 minutes to read the remainder of this article right now. The new buzz in the medical community calls it- "Pre-Diabetes". Today, roughly 41 million Americans have pre-diabetes which left undetected and untreated, progresses into full-blown diabetes. The challenge with pre-diabetes is the fact that the condition doesn't like to reveal itself with noticeable symptoms. Because there are few, if any symptoms, most people will not bother having screening tests performed. With pre-diabetes, noticeable symptoms like frequent thirst and urination may not occur until the disease has progressed and is already causing considerable damage to your body. Most Type 2 diabetics don't have symptoms because the onset of diabetes is so slow. Don't wait for "someday" to have your blood tested. Call your doctor today and make the appointment. The goal with identifying pre-diabetes is to prevent the onset of diabetes from ever happening. Your physician can determine if you have pre-diabetes with two common tests. The fasting plasma glucose test (FPG) and the oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). Both require an overnight fast. The good news is that you can greatly improve your odds and likely prevent diabetes with early detection and proper care. Don't wait 'til it hurts. Ask your doctor about diabetes and have your blood sugar checked several times a year. For more information about diabetes,...