Type I And Type II Diabetes There are two variations of diabetes, which are unoriginally called Type I and Type II diabetes. Type I diabetes is the sort of diabetes that one gets very early in life because of a weakness or genetic inheritance. In fact, Type I used to be called 'Juvenile Diabetes'. However, Type II diabetes is usually acquired later on in life either because of a bad lifestyle or bad luck. It is normally a reflection of over indulgence and a deficiency of exercise - a sedentary lifestyle. Type I frequently, but not always. involves having to take insulin for life, but Type II may often be treated with lifestyle and dietary changes. If the diabetic is duly diligent, this could mean that they can avoid having to take insulin or any medication at all. They are both diabetes, but the types suggest why you have the illness. The symptoms of both variations are identical: abnormal thirst, and so frequent urination and a desire to keep on snacking. The big difference comes in treatment. Those with Type I diabetes have a (relatively) completely defective pancreas, but those with Type II only have one that requires help. This help can be given by diet and exercise. Around 60% of Type II diabetics will not require insulin injections for sometime, but might require them in later life, if the pancreas deteriorates any further. However, there are continuous medical advances in the treatment and understanding of diabetes and dietitians as well as medical doctors are finding ways of avoiding or at least decreasing the reliance on injections of insulin. Foodstuffs that are beneficial to diabetics are those that are digested slowly by the body, because this assists to maintain a steady blood sugar level. Diabetics need to avoid wildly fluctuating sugar or glucose levels, because insulin is the body's means of countering sugar and insulin is the problem with diabetes. There is much more help for diabetics nowadays. There are the Glycaemic Index and the Insulin Index which help the diabetic decide whether a foodstuff is good or not so good for him. These indices bear a lot of similarity to the Atkin's diet of low carbs and high protein, but they are not exactly the same. Sticking to a diabetic diet is not difficult and it does not mean that you have to deny yourself all the foods that you like. However, it might mean that they have to be prepared in another way. The first thing to do is follow your doctor's advice. Then start exercising. Walk as frequently and as far as you are able every day. Finally, get yourself a diabetic cookbook and use the recipes to modify your style of cooking.
It may appear strange at first, but after a couple of weeks or a couple of months, it will become second nature to you to query what is in a meal or to pick something from a menu that you know will not cause your body difficulties. Owen Jones, the writer of this article, writes on a variety of subjects, and is now concerned with 500 Delicious Diabetic Recipes. If you would like to know more, please visit our website at Cookbooks For Diabetics