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Diabetes is typified as the condition in which the glucose levels in the blood rise to dangerous levels on account of the body's inability to utilize this glucose as a source of energy. The reason for this anomaly can be either because the amount of insulin produced in the body is disproportionate to the glucose which needs to be metabolized, or if the cells of the body fail to respond to the production of insulin completely, in spite of adequate mounts being produced by the pancreas. Glucose is produced when the body breaks down the carbohydrate content of the food, and is then further processed by the cells of your organs and muscles to replenish themselves. And so, when confronted with the issue of soaring glucose levels in the blood, most diabetics tend to perceive carbohydrates as the dreaded enemy, which they need to stay away from. This is one of the most widespread and also the most harmful of all the misconceptions that shroud diabetes. Carbohydrates, which are simple organic compounds, play an integral role as a part of a well-balanced nutritional program, as they are the richest and most easily available energy powerhouses which the body subsists on. When you deprive your body of carbohydrates, it begins to look for other sources of energy which it can break down and use. It then turns to proteins and lipids and spurs the liver into action, breaking them down, just like in a state of famine or starvation. As your body metabolizes proteins and lipids, it first breaks them down into Ketones, which are then converted into energy. However, the production of Ketones is a lot faster than the rate at which they are used, and hence the surplus Ketones produced begin to clog up your bloodstream. Once the bloodstream is satiated with these Ketones, your body attempts to eliminate them along with your urine. Thus large amounts of water are excreted by your body to rid itself of these Ketones which, over a period of time leads to severe and dehydration and even death. This condition is termed as Ketoacidosis and is one of the most grave of all the symptoms battled by diabetics of all ages. diabetics are further addled with the concern of maintaining their weight at appropriate levels as failure to do so will not only make it a lot harder for them to control their blood glucose levels, but also render them susceptible to the secondary stages of diabetes, which is characterized by a host of severe ailments. Several modern day dietary programs, or fad diets as they are better known, propagate denouncing carbohydrates altogether and consuming only proteins-rich foods instead. The reasoning behind this practice is that carbohydrates are high inn calories and hence contribute to weight-gain. However, what these diets fail to consider is the fact that most protein-rich foods are very rich sources of saturated fats, which are co-conspirators of heart disease. Also, even though the individual may have lost a large amount of weight by eliminating carbohydrates, the weight comes right back on once he re-introduces them into his diet sometimes even more rapidly than the rate at which the weight was lost! An excessively stringent diet also clamps down the individual with overwhelming restrictions, which leads him to abandon the thought of monitoring his diet altogether and gorge mindlessly on even the unhealthiest foods. This leads his blood glucose levels even further astray, bogging him down with a gamut of disorders which make his condition even more complicated and tough-to-handle than before. Carbohydrates are an essential component of almost every diet - diabetic or otherwise. Always ensure that at least 60% of all the calories you consume in a day are sourced from carbohydrates to make sure you are not depriving your body of what it needs in order to subsist. Restrictions with carbohydrates are in terms of the quality of carbohydrates which you consume. In that, refined and processed foods are the main cause for weight gain and poor nutrition as opposed to the complex forms of carbohydrates, like whole grains, which contain a variety of vitamins and minerals. When dealing with diabetes, ensure that all the information you have is factually accurate and not mere rumors you have picked up from not-so-reliable sources. This one precaution can very well ensure that every step you take is directed towards a long and healthy life!
Article Source: http://www.itempad.com
Julia Hanf author of the book How To Play the Diabetes Diet Game and Win Through a real life crisis Julia figured out how to live diabetes free. Visit www.yourdiabetescure.com and learn more about your solution for diabetes.
