Glycemic Index 101

The Glycemic Index and Diabetes Connection

Chapter 7:

As we have learned so far in Glycemic Index 101 it isn’t only cakes, cookies and candy desserts that contain sugars and raise our blood sugar to dangerous levels. Any food that is considered a carbohydrate is made up of starches and sugars.

Foods that you would never imagine being “sweet” are full of glucose, dextrose or sucrose. Foods like baked potatoes, pretzels, beets and even some lean meats can raise your blood sugar levels very high, which then forces your body’s insulin levels to spike, as well.

When the body’s insulin becomes over worked and no longer responds to high blood sugar levels, it will begin to show symptoms of the disorder. The symptoms of diabetes include being extremely thirsty all of the time, which leads to drinking a lot of fluid and in turn, excessive urination. When the insulin levels are barely there anymore, people also complain of blurry vision, leg cramps and open sores.

There are two types of diabetes, simply called “Type 1” and “Type 2”. Type 1 is the more serious of the two. People who are diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes no longer have any insulin response to counteract their sugar levels. The body cannot survive for long without insulin, because it is impossible to avoid foods that raise our blood sugar.

Mainly because sugar and starch are our body’s main sources of energy and it is found in nearly every food. But insulin is required to direct the cells and tell them how to deal with the fuel they are receiving. Without insulin, the body malfunctions and cannot handle the incoming energy.

Therefore, people who have Type 1 Diabetes must be supplied with artificial insulin on a daily basis through injections and also they must constantly be aware of what they are eating and in addition, they must monitor their blood sugar levels several times throughout the day. It is not an easy life.

Type 2 Diabetes is also very serious and means that there are some levels of insulin present, but it doesn’t do the job it was meant to do as effectively anymore. People with Type 2 Diabetes can usually control their disease with diet, exercise and medication, and also may have to continuously monitor their sugar levels. Unfortunately, many people do not take it seriously enough and many times the condition deteriorates.

Excessive eating of High Glycemic and High Insulin Index foods is a major cause that leads to the failure of the insulin response. It is vitally important not to overwork the intricate workings of our bodies.

If you are not a diabetic, it is not necessary or even recommended that you avoid all carbohydrates and sweets forever, but moderation must be the key. Try to limit yourself to foods that are categorized as Low Glycemic Index foods. Eat less of foods that are listed as Medium on the Glycemic Index. And finally, of course you may eat of any food that finds itself listed as High on the Glycemic Index, but only have one of those choices every once in a while – not every day.

Once the damage has been done and you have been diagnosed with diabetes, it is too late to reverse it with a proper diet. Diabetes is a chronic condition and once insulin is no longer being produced, it does not heal itself. It is so much easier to eat properly now rather than have to confront the complications that diabetes can throw at you.

Some of the scary complications and risks that come along with diabetes are hypoglycemia, which is an inadequate supply of glucose that can create neurological problems. (Isn’t it ironic that eating too much glucose can result in diabetes, which in turn can result in complications from too little glucose!)

Other complications from diabetes are blindness, heart disease, impotence, and nerve damage. The other major complication from diabetes is how slowly wounds take to heal. Because of this, injuries can become infected and it is quite common for diabetics to have to have amputations of limbs because of this.

As you can see, even though many people suffer from diabetes and it is something that can be treated and lived with, it is a very serious condition that requires daily vigilance to keep it under control and even then many complications can still arise.

Following the Glycemic Index now will lower your risk of ever developing diabetes. More of how to do this will be covered in the upcoming chapters.

Go to the Top of The Glycemic Index and Diabetes Connection

Go to Glycemic Index 101 Chapter Index

Go to the Home Page