Does Sugar really cause Diabetes?

Too often, I hear people warn others about sugar consumption in relation to diabetes (and pile, if you are a Nigerian), which can be a bit annoying. I mean, how can one totally exclude sugar in their lives when sugar is present in almost every food item available to us, especially the ready-to-eat items?. If you are like me, you would like to know if sugar truly has something to do with diabetes.

There is no doubt that diabetes has become a worldwide epidemic. Globally, it is estimated that over 422 million people are battling diabetes. The abnormality has been fingered as a leading cause of blindness, kidney failure, and even death in both developed and developing countries. The majority of diabetes patients are overweight, implying that cholesterol levels may be one factor contributing to the disease. The reality is that diabetes has no specific cause. However, it has been found to have some correlations with a number of factors such as ethnicity, health, family history, environmental factors, and genetic make-up.

Diabetes is caused by the body's inability to produce insulin, a biological enzyme that converts excess sugar to glycogen for future reconversion to sugar when there is a shortage (glycogen is converted back to sugar by glucagon enzyme). So, while sugar contributes to the problems associated with this disease, it is not a primary cause. In type 1 diabetes, the body destroys cells in the pancreas that are responsible for insulin production; this can be self-inflicted in the body's attempt to fight viruses or bacteria.

When a person is diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, there are many factors to consider, but a family history of diabetes is often a major factor in the development of this disease. Other risk factors include age, obesity, sedentary lifestyle, and poor diet.

Diabetes, known as gestational diabetes, can develop in pregnant women. Its exact causes are unknown, but it usually resolves after delivery.

While it is very easy to believe that sugar causes diabetes because you are advised to limit your intake when diagnosed, this is a myth. Bodyweight plays an important role, and since weight gain has been linked to sugar and carbohydrate consumption, it is a good idea to watch what one eats, especially the carbs.

Limiting your chances of being diabetic

Regular Exercise
Those who are at risk of being diabetic might not be totally able to control their fate. However, one way that has been proven to limit the chances of becoming diabetic is to get more physical activity in order to keep fit and limit body weight. This method is is particularly important and has been known to work for someone with a family history of type 2 diabetes.

Another thing that can be done to reduce the chances of being diabetic is for one to keep a watch on their carbs. Carbs generally increase body weight and put individuals at more risk of developing diabetes. A carefully planned diet consisting of the necessary nutrients in the recommended proportion will go a long way. However, if you live in Nigeria like me where you can hardly do without taking excess carbohydrates in your diet (well, you can, if you are rich, maybe), then, regular exercise will go a long way in burning the carbs.

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Regular Medical Checks

I know this can be quite tasking especially when you feel you are healthy, but hey, you can't feel when your sugar level is shooting up! You will only get symptoms when it has skyrocketed and there is little you can do. Regular monitoring of your blood pressure and sugar level helps you to make better choices depending on the results.

Cut Down the Alcohol
Limit alcohol intake. If you drink alcohol, have no more than two standard drinks per day, alcohol has been observed to interfere with blood sugar metabolism. Research has found that a small intake of alcohol in the body is capable of limiting the activities of insulin, thereby causing an increase in the sugar level in the body. On the other hand, excessive alcohol has been established to lower the sugar level in the body in type 1 diabetes patients.

Put Off The Cigar

The most significant single risk factor for developing diabetes complications has been found to be smoking. Smoking can negate all of the advantages of weight loss, healthy eating, and good blood glucose and blood pressure control. If you are prediabetic, staying away from smoking comes highly recommended.

Generally, smoking is known to have an effect on blood circulation by increasing heart rate and blood pressure, as well as narrowing small blood vessels. Smoking also causes blood cells and blood vessel walls to become sticky, allowing dangerous fatty material to accumulate. This can result in a heart attack, stroke, or another type of blood vessel disease.

People with diabetes who smoke have higher blood glucose levels and less control over their diabetes than people with diabetes who do not smoke.

Read The Label!

One thing that most people ignore is reading the labels on packaged foods. It is extremely important to do so not just to know the number of calories and sugar, but also the saturated, trans fat, and cholesterol levels. This will help in making better food choices for a healthier lifestyle. Some studies indicate that consumption of caffeinated beverages can reduce your risk of developing type 2 diabetes, so a cup of hot coffee or tea daily will do you good.

Living With Diabetes

Do you know that some children have diabetes? It can be a struggle for these children to maintain a healthy lifestyle from such an early age. There is currently no cure for diabetes, so If your child or teen has been diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, he or she will need treatment for the rest of their lives. To achieve a stabilized health goals, creating a diabetes management plan for such children to stay healthy and active will go a long way. The main aim would be to keep the blood sugar level within the normal range as much as possible.

In general, if you have a child with type 1 diabetes your child should take insulin as prescribed, consult with your doctor to know the insulin dosage because there is no one-size-fits-all prescription. Eat a healthy, balanced diet with accurate carbohydrate counts, check blood sugar levels as prescribed, and get regular physical activity. The same goes for adults with diabetes.

When diabetes is not properly managed, it results in long-term effects that are detrimental. Some of them are damage to your body organs like the eyes, feet, kidneys, and nerves. It could also damage your teeth and gums, digestive system, and immune system

When managed properly, diabetes rarely causes health problems and people lead normal lives like every other person.

Thank you all for reading.