Diabetic Diet

Diabetes Mellitus Type I or Insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus (IDDM) is a genetic disease.  It appears that people with this genetic pre-disposition develop an auto-immune disorder in which the immune system attacks the beta cells within the pancreas that are responsible for making insulin.  The exact reason that the cells attack is not known but certain viral infections such as mumps, congenital rubella, and the coxsackie-virus have been shown to trigger the autoimmune response.  Only 10% of people have Diabetes Mellitus Type I.

Diabetes Mellitus Type II or Non-Insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus (NIDDM) occurs when there is a decreased ability of your body’s cells to respond to the insulin produced by the pancreas; when there is liver damage leading to poor control of glucose output by the liver; or when decreased beta cell function leads to failure.  Heredity plays a major role in this type of diabetes, with an even higher rate of incidence within family members than with DM Type I.  90% of diabetics have Type II diabetes.  Other risk factors that you cannot change are age (greater than 45) and race (African-American, Hispanic, Native American or Asian-American).

Risk factors for Type II diabetes that you can do something about include obesity, lack of exercise and a diet high in fats.  Research has shown that weight reduction through diet changes and exercise can actually prevent diabetes.

More Diabetic Diet Information:

• Atkins and Diabetes
  After years of using a high-carbohydrate diet, you will finally become fully diabetic. Insulin is the body’s primary fat creator and extra pounds usually accompany late onset diabetes. Pre-diabetic conditions, if not treated effectively, will lead to diabetes indefinitely.
  
  
• Diabetes Nutrition
  Learning the essential task of diabetes nutrition in the fight against diabetes.
  
  
• Good And Bad Diets For Diabetics
  Having diabetes does not mean the end of eating tasty food. You do, however, have to learn what is good and bad for your body, in order to create a balanced diet that will sustain your life while helping you to keep health problems like heart disease at bay.
  
  
• South Beach Diet and Diabetes
  Today, many people often question the connection between the South Beach Diet and diabetes. Perhaps it is for the fact that the South Beach Diet is originally developed for the purpose of lowering the levels of cholesterol for heart patients and those with diabetes. With this fact, the connection between the South Beach Diet and diabetes intensifies.