Diabetes Facts You Need to Know

By Lee Wharton

Diabetes is a serious disease which can lead to heart problems, strokes, loss of limbs due to poor circulation, and death. Research continues to indicate that regular exercise and a healthy diet are two factors which can help people avoid diabetes, as well as allow diabetics to have functional lives. Diabetes is increasing faster in the world's developing economies than in developed countries. Seven out of ten countries with the highest number of people living with diabetes are in the developing world. Diabetes is the fifth deadliest disease in the United States. However, studies indicate that diabetes is generally under-reported on death certificates, particularly in the cases of older persons with multiple chronic conditions such as heart disease and hypertension.

Diabetes is emerging from the shadows because the United Nations led the global response and declared a Resolution on diabetes. Diabetes is divided into two subgroups: Type 1 and Type 2. The difference is based on whether the problem is caused by a lack of insulin (Type 1) or a resistance to insulin (Type 2). Diabetes is a disorder of the metabolism, which is a process that converts food into energy. Insulin is the main factor in this process, which starts when food is broken down during digestion to create glucose, the main source of fuel for the body.

Diabetes is a serious disease, which, if not controlled, can be life threatening. It is often associated with long-term complications that can affect every system and part of the body. Diabetes is diagnosed when the fasting blood glucose is above 126 mg/dl when tested at least twice. Diabetes is a major cause of heart disease and stroke, as well as the most common cause of blindness, kidney failure and amputations in U.S.

Diabetes is a disability when it substantially limits one or more of a person's major life activities. Life activities are normal activities that a person can do with little or no difficulty, such as eating and taking care for oneself. Diabetes is a major risk factor for heart disease-in fact, two-thirds of people with diabetes die of some form of heart or blood vessel disease. Diabetes is identified by constant levels of high blood sugar, it is dangerous because of its possible side effects and consequences.

Exercise and Diet Can Help

Exercise helps improve fitness, reduce body fat, burn calories and increase muscle tone. Physical activity is key to good health. Exercise has other benefits as well. Exercise and a Diabetic Diet. There is medical evidence that regular exercise can actually help prevent a person contracting diabetes as well as controlling it.

Carbohydrate foods that contain dietary fiber is important, as a high fiber diet has been associated with a lower risks of colon cancers. For people with high blood cholesterol levels, lower total fat and saturated fat contents may be recommended. Diabetics still need carbohydrates with every meal, even though carbs will raise blood-glucose levels. With no carbohydrates, the body can't produce energy. Carbohydrates are any food that can be broken down into sugar and the more of these you eat, the higher your blood sugar will rise. Therefore you must monitor the amount eaten at each meal to control blood sugar levels. Carbohydrates with high fiber content take longer to turn into sugar and are preferred.

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Lee Wharton is a freelance writer for http://www.diabetes1-diabetes2.com he has built this site around the best and most up to date information that is available on the internet about diabetes. So go and check out the free reports like "7 Startling Facts Every Diabetic Needs To Know".