Diabetes Mellitus is a very serious and potentially life threatening disease that affects thousands of people. The complications of the disease, including blindness, nerve damage, circulatory disorders and ulcerations of the skin, along with many others, are responsible for a decrease in quality of life for many.
Understanding Carbohydrate Metabolism Is A First Step In Controlling Diabetes Mellitus
Carbohydrates are mainly made up of simple and complex sugars. These sugars must be broken down into the simplest from in order to be used by the body for energy. Some sugars are utilized immediately by the body, some are stored in the liver or muscles, and others are stored away for later use in the form of fat. This process is referred to as carbohydrate metabolism.
Carbohydrates are metabolized much more quickly than proteins. Proteins are more complex and go through many changes before the body is able to convert them into the simplest forms of energy.
Planning A Menu According To Carbohydrate Metabolism
Once carbohydrate metabolism is understood, this information can be invaluable to help an individual plan an appropriate, diabetes-friendly diet. Most dieticians have changed the way in which diet control is taught to diabetic patients.
Long gone are the days when a diabetic could never touch sweets such as birthday cake and ice cream. Current teaching methods center around the net carbs that are contained in each food. Portion control is stressed and calorie counting is a thing of the past. Many physicians are even teaching patients to adjust their insulin dosages according to their carbohydrate intake.
Menu planning strives to balance portions of carbohydrates with portions of protein. A portion should be no larger than your clenched fist. Diabetics are taught to divide their dinner plate into sections and fill them with appropriate sized portions balanced with fruits and vegetables. Foods that contain highly concentrated sugars are to be consumed only in limited quantities. Low fat selections are encouraged to help with weight control and regular exercise is a must.
Overindulging in carbohydrates will result in a sudden rise in blood sugar levels since the diabetic pancreas cannot secrete insulin properly to compensate for higher levels of glucose. Adjusting insulin coverage can bring these glucose levels back into normal ranges but the patient must consume protein to sustain these normal levels of blood glucose as the endogenous insulin continues to lower the blood sugar levels. Frequent blood sugar monitoring is a must during these times of crises to keep your carbohydrate metabolism in check.
Prolonged periods of higher than normal glucose levels put stress on the already weakened internal organs of the diabetic patient and should be avoided at all times. Understanding the importance of dietary control and glucose monitoring can improve the patient’s chances of proper control of their diabetes.
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