Monday, October 31, 2011

Diabetes and Diet

Diabetes Mellitus is a chronic disease,that has affected people throughout the world.Diabetes Mellitus means "honey like urine" It is the majour cause of premature illness and death worldwide.According to World Diabetic Foundation , about 285 million people are living with diabetes and it will increase upto 438 million by 2030.Eighty percentage of type-2 diabetes can be preventable by changing diet and increasing physical activity.WHO predicted the net loss in national income of ID336.6 billion in India between 2005 and 2011.
                                         Food and  Nutrition play an important role in prevention and management of diabetes.The diet prescription may vary according to patients and their activity.In the early stages of diabetes ,diet alone can help to manage insulin level.Proteins and fiber play a great role.In general the dietary management includes-maintaining the ideal body weight,improving the overall health of patient,to maintain the plasma glucose level near normal,preventing the delay of chronic complications of diabetes and to make the diet prescription attractive and realistic as possible with the help of food exchange list.About 50-55% of carbohydrates ,12-15% of proteins,20-25% of fat can be included.Small meals at regular intervals,is recommended,since it helps to improve and maintain the blood glucose level.It also help to reduce the risk of hypoglycemia.Fiber helps to delay the digestion of food ,thus helps in maintaining the blood glucose level and soluble fiber is recommended.Oats and fenugreek contain soluble fibers and studies conducted by College of Agriculture,Vellayani proved that fenugreek helps a lot in maintaining the bloog glucose level.Any one fruit like robusta,apple,guava or mussambi can be included.Guar-gum,the fiber present in beans is also good.A good amount of vegetables,especially green leafy vegetables must be included.

                                     According to my view,there should not be over restriction of food or it may leads to eating more sweets by the patients, like 'what we resist will persists'.Its better to take a milk based sweet with honey ,but select only with the help of an experienced Nutritionist.Even if we know everything about the importance of diet,it is sad that nobody is giving importance to diet and more awareness must be needed to improve the health status .