21/06/2023
Sugar and Diabetes
The question of whether sugar directly causes type 2 diabetes is a bit complicated this is because diabetes is a condition where the blood sugar ( glucose ) level is too high. It is all too easy to think eating too much sugar is the cause. But what’s the truth about sugar and how does it affect diabetes?
Sugar is found naturally in fruit, vegetables (fructose), and dairy foods (lactose). It’s also added to food and drink by food manufacturers, or by ourselves at home. These types of added sugars are called "free sugars" and they are also present in pure fruit juices, smoothies, syrups, and honey.
The debate about sugar and health is mainly centered around free sugars.
This includes:
* table sugar that we add to our hot drinks or breakfast cereal
* caster sugar, used in baking
* sugars are hidden in sauces, ready meals, cakes, and drinks.
* honey and syrups, like golden syrup or agave syrup
* pure fruit juice.
* smoothies.
Is sugar the direct cause of diabetes?
It's important to understand that there are two types of diabetes – type 1 and type 2 diabetes.
Type 1 diabetes, occurs when the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas are destroyed by the immune system. A chronic condition in which the pancreas produces little or no insulin. It is also known as juvenile diabetes or insulin-dependent diabetes. So sugar is not the culprit in type 1 diabetes.
Type 2 diabetes, on the other hand, is a chronic condition that affects the way the body processes blood sugar (glucose).
With type 2 diabetes, the body either doesn't produce enough insulin or resists insulin ( insulin resistance diabetes ).
Type 2 diabetes is mainly the result of two problems:
* Cells in muscle, fat, and the liver become resistant to insulin. As a result, the cells don't take in enough sugar.
* The pancreas can't make enough insulin to keep blood sugar levels within a healthy range
Type 2 diabetes, is a little more complex because sugar doesn’t directly cause type 2 diabetes, you are more likely to get it if you are overweight. You gain weight when you take in more calories than your body needs, and sugary foods and drinks contain a lot of calories.
How insulin works
Insulin is a hormone that comes from the pancreas — a gland located behind and below the stomach. Insulin controls how the body uses sugar in the following ways:
* Sugar in the bloodstream triggers the pancreas to release insulin.
* Insulin circulates in the bloodstream, enabling sugar to enter the cells.
* The amount of sugar in the bloodstream drops.
* In response to this drop, the pancreas releases less insulin.
The Role of Glucose in the Body
Glucose (sugar) is the main source of energy for the cells that make up muscles and other tissues. The use and regulation of glucose include the following:
* Glucose comes from two major sources: food and the liver.
* Glucose is absorbed into the bloodstream, where it enters cells with the help of insulin.
* The liver stores and makes glucose.
* When glucose levels are low, the liver breaks down stored glycogen into glucose to keep the body's glucose level within a healthy range.
In type 2 diabetes, this process doesn't work well. Instead of moving into the cells, sugar builds up in the blood. As blood sugar levels rise, the pancreas releases more insulin. Eventually, the cells in the pancreas that make insulin become damaged and can't make enough insulin to meet the body's needs.
Symptoms of type 2 diabetes include:
* Increased thirst.
* Frequent urination.
* Increased hunger.
* Unintended weight loss.
* Fatigue.
* Blurred vision.
* Slow-healing sores.
* Frequent infections.Numbness or tingling in the hands or feet.
* Areas of darkened skin, usually in the armpits and neck.
When to see a doctor
See your healthcare provider if you notice any symptoms of type 2 diabetes.
What are the factors that can increase the risk of getting type 2 diabetes
* Over storage of fat
* Weight gain
* Inactivity
* Family history of type 2 diabetes
* Race and Ethnicity
* Blood lipids levels
* Age
* Prediabetes
* Pregnancy-related risk
What are the Complications associated with type 2 diabetes
Type 2 diabetes affects major organs in the body including the heart, blood vessels, nerves, eyes, and kidneys. Managing diabetes and controlling blood sugar can lower the risk of these complications and other medical conditions, including
* Heart and blood vessel disease
* Nerve damage
* Kidney disease
* Eye damage
* Skin conditions
* Slow healing
* Hearing impairment
* Sleep apnea
* Dementia
Prevention
Healthy lifestyle choices can help prevent type 2 diabetes. If you've received a diagnosis of prediabetes, lifestyle changes may slow or stop the progression of diabetes.
A healthy lifestyle includes:
* Eating healthy foods. Choose foods lower in fat and calories and higher in fiber. Focus on fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.
* Getting active. Aim for 150 or more minutes a week of moderate to vigorous aerobic activity, such as brisk walking, bicycling, running, or swimming.
* Losing weight. If you are overweight, losing a modest amount of weight and keeping it off may delay the progression from prediabetes to type 2 diabetes. If you have prediabetes, losing 7% to 10% of your body weight may reduce the risk of diabetes.
* Avoiding long stretches of inactivity. Sitting still for long periods can increase the risk of type 2 diabetes. Try to get up every 30 minutes and move around for at least a few minutes.
For people with type prediabetes, medication may be prescribed to reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes. This is usually prescribed for older adults who are obese and unable to lower blood sugar levels with lifestyle changes.
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