Diabetes Resources
& Information
& Information
How does diabetes affect your blood sugar? Your body uses glucose for energy, which requires insulin, a hormone produced by your pancreas, in order to metabolize glucose. When you have diabetes, your body either can't produce enough insulin or it can't use insulin properly. During digestion, carbohydrates break down into glucose, which is absorbed into your bloodstream. The pancreas responds to the glucose by releasing insulin (it's responsible for allowing glucose into your body's cells). When the glucose enters your cells, the amount of glucose in your bloodstream falls. However, with both types of diabetes, glucose cannot be used for energy, and it builds up in your bloodstream — causing potentially serious health complications. There are two main types: type 1 is believed to be an autoimmune disease in which the cells in the pancreas that make insulin are destroyed. Type 2 is generally preventable and involves a decrease in insulin sensitivity and/or a lack of insulin production. Source: The Mayo Clinic |
Without weight loss and moderate physical activity, 15-30% who are prediabetic with develop type 2 within 5 years.
Diabetes
This educational video from the World Health Organization is a great primer on diabetes. It explains both main types of diabetes and how they occur. It talks about common complications and shows just how widespread the condition is. Click here or watch below to watch and learn!
Download file above to review a comprehensive list of carbohydrate foods and serving sizes.
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