Get Active for Diabetes Prevention
Article written by Gloria Cabrera.
On November 6th the 2010 Cape Town Global Diabetes Run/Walk was held. This is a yearly event organised to help raise awareness of need for worldwide action.1 Awareness of what you may ask? Awareness of the global diabetes epidemic.
Did you know?
- Every 10 seconds a person dies of diabetes and 2 people develop this condition.1
- In South Africa about 1 in 5 people over 35 years have type 2 diabetes and over 50% don’t even know they have it.1
Diabetes Simplified
When we consume carbohydrate foods such as bread, our body breaks it down to glucose (a simple sugar). This goes into our blood stream raising our blood glucose levels (more glucose in the blood). In response, our pancreas release the hormone insulin; insulin takes the glucose to our cells to be used for fuel.2 Insulin behaves like a type of key that opens the cells door allowing glucose to go in and be used for energy. Excess glucose is stored as fat.2
In people with diabetes, cells become resistant to insulin or the pancreas does not produce sufficient insulin.2 This results in high blood glucose levels but the type of diabetes you have will depict how your body deals with this situation.
People with type 1 diabetes require insulin injections to lower blood glucose levels by getting glucose into cells.2 People with type 2 diabetes can have one of several treatments depending on how severe their condition is. These include diet and lifestyle modification, diabetic tablets e.g. Metformin or tablets and insulin.2
Diabetes Management
Although type 1 diabetes is not preventable, type 2 diabetes in most cases can be prevented or the onset prolonged. The best way to prevent type 2 diabetes is through a healthy diet and lifestyle. Keeping physically active can help manage weight and control blood glucose levels. So if you missed the 2010 Global Diabetes Run/Walk, it’s not too late to get more active, so why not take your spouse, friend or dog for a walk or jog around your neighbourhood.
References
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Diabetes South Africa, 2010. The Global Diabetes Run/Walk [Online]. Available at http://www.diabetessa.co.za/events.aspx [Accessed 4th November, 2010].
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State Government of Victoria – Better Health Channel, 2010. Diabetes http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/bhcv2/bhcarticles.nsf/pages/Diabetes_Type_2?OpenDocument [Accessed 4th November, 2010].
Last updated 11/8/2010 4:29:10 PM
