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There appears to be more diabetes these days being diagnosed and it has a whole heap of health implications.  Hearing of one such diagnosis inspired me to do a series specificially about what diabetes is, implications of having it, what one may do to manage this and control it, and information from a variety of sources around some causes of this.  On the same day I heard news of this diagnosis, I received an eNews from Rodale which discussed the affects of pesticides – so I will repost and link to information sources like that too.   And in my locavore I will start a section for recipes suitable for diabetics, but also gluten free.  For those coming from other sources I will credit the source 🙂

Diabetes is a common condition affecting glucose levels in the blood.  Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas and has the job of controlling glucose in the blood.  In people who have diabetes, insulin is either not enough or is ineffective.  Without dietary, drug or insulin therapy, blood glucose levels will be too high.

TYPE 1 DIABETES –   The body does not produce insulin so this is usually treated by taking insulin injections.  This type develops in young people and 100 years ago this diagnosis was a death sentence.  A little known fact is that5-10% of people diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes often have coeliac disease which goes undiagnosed because the diabetes is diagnosed first.

Type 2 Diabetes occurs when the insulin the body produces does not adequately control blood glucose levels.  In this case diet is important to control blood glucose levels, but many often require medication as well.   This comprises 85 to 90% of all diabetes.

Diabetes can be managed using diet.  The recipes I link to will provide tasty options to help anyone struggling with diagnosis of diabetes.  This does NOT mean you have to go without great tasting food!

EATING PRINCIPLES

  • Eat regular meals and snacks.  Keep meal size moderate; try NOT to overeat.
  • Learn about the GI ( glycemic index) component of food.  Note that if you eat TOO MUCH even of low GI food this will have a significant impact on blood glucose levels.
  • Eat a wide variety of nutritious food every day, based on a good balance of whole grains, brightly coloured fruits and vegetables, lean proteins, antioxidants, fibre and food low in saturated fat and salt.  Include carbohydrate ( limit refined processed food, include wholegrain low GI bread/cereal/pasta/low GI rice-Doongara or Basmati), protein(lean red meat/fish/chicken/eggs/avoid sausages and processed meats/1 or 2 grilled fish meals a week or legumes, lentils, chickpeas) and plenty of fruit and vegetables in every meal.
  • Limit foods high in staurated fats, such as skin on chicken, fat on meat, butter, full fat dairy(cheese/yoghurt/milk) cream, coconut cream, copha or white fats, takeaway foods and processed meats
  • Limit alcohol ( 2 standard drinks for men, 1 for women with a minimum of two alcohol free days per week.
  • Choose foods high in dietary fibre which helps reduce blood cholesterol levels and may lower risk of heart disease.  This is important for proper bowel function and helps reduce constipation and diverticular disease.  (wholegraines/legumes/nuts/seeds-linseeds, chia, poppy,pumpkin seeds, sunflower and sesame seeds)fruits and vegetables – do notpeel, as fibre is asscoiated with the skin or peel-, rice bran and psyllium
  • Consume only moderate amounts of sugars and foods containing sugars.
  • Choose foods low in salt.  Use herbs and spices to flavour.

Good nutrition is the cornerstone of good health.

Here are 7 health problems associated with pesticide-based agrochemicals.

Diabetes
Scientists have been noticing a link between pesticides and diabetes for years. The latest evidence comes out of the Endocrine Society’s 94th Annual Meeting, where Robert Sargis, MD, PhD, released the results of a study that suggest tolyfluanid, a fungicide used on farm crops, creates insulin resistance in fat cells. A 2011 study published in Diabetes Care found that overweight people with higher levels of organochlorine pesticides in their bodies also faced a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

Prevent it: To save money on organic fare raised without pesticides, cook with organic dried beans. In the home, avoid using chemical air fresheners and artificially scented products—these things are also blamed for inducing type 2 diabetes.