Understanding Diabetes and Glycemic Index: Endocrine Health Issues

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Understanding Diabetes and Glycemic Index

Contents

Nutrition And The Glycemic Index..............................................................................9

The Glycemic Index: Preventing Diabetes Through Diet.........................................10

The Glycemic Index: Lifestyle Changes....................................................................11

The Glycemic Index: Is It Worth The Effort?.............................................................12

The Glycemic Index: It Seems More Difficult Than It Is...........................................13

Depression And Diabetes.........................................................................................14

Diabetic Diet.............................................................................................................16

Gestational Diabetes................................................................................................18

Glycemic Index..........................................................................................................20

High Glycemic Foods................................................................................................22

How To Prevent Diabetes.........................................................................................24

Insulin To Treat Diabetes.........................................................................................26

Kidney Disease And Diabetes...................................................................................28

Link Between Diabetes, Heart Attacks And Strokes................................................30

Medications That Treat Diabetes.............................................................................32

Pre Diabetes.............................................................................................................34

Symptoms Of Diabetes.............................................................................................36

The Effect Of The Glycemic Index On The Body.......................................................38

Weight Control In Diabetes Management................................................................40

You Can Control Diabetes.........................................................................................42

Purpose Of The Glycemic Index................................................................................44

The Importance Of Knowing The Glycemic Index.....................................................45

Benefits Of The Glycemic Index................................................................................46

Making The Switch To A Low Glycemic Index Diet...................................................48

Preventing Diabetes With A Low Glycemic Index Diet.............................................49

The Glycemic Index And Pregnancy.........................................................................50

The Glycemic Index And Your Health.......................................................................51

The Glycemic Index And Heart Disease....................................................................52

The Glycemic Index: Changing Your Eating Habits..................................................53

The Nutritional Value Of Low Glycemic Index Diet Foods........................................54

African Americans And Diabetes..............................................................................55

Can A Good Diet Keep Diabetes At Bay....................................................................57

Diabetes And Sexual Problems.................................................................................59

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Understanding Diabetes and Glycemic Index

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Eye Complications Of Diabetes.................................................................................61

Foot Complications Of Diabetes...............................................................................63

Good Gylcemic Foods................................................................................................65

How To Use The Glycemic Index...............................................................................67

Type I and Type II Diabetes......................................................................................69

What Is Hypoglycemia?............................................................................................71

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Understanding Diabetes and Glycemic Index

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Nutrition And The Glycemic Index

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Eating healthy means knowing the nutritional value of the foods we eat. Although once that only meant vitamins and minerals, we now have a new area: the glycemic index of carbohydrates. What this does is give us an indication of how the sugar is being used in the body, and which carbohydrates have higher sugar content and should be restricted. Certain carbohydrates turn to sugar more so than others, and thus create the potential for high blood sugar. Some of these products are easy to identify such as cakes, candies, and other sweets, but it also includes other products such as potatoes, refined white flour, white rice, and even white bread.

Learning to eat carbohydrates that have a lower glycemic index is one step toward having a more nutritionally balanced diet. In addition, these products are more likely to keep your energy level to be at its height of performance, thus preventing mid-morning or mid-afternoon sluggishness that often results from skipping breakfast or consuming foods that are too rich in quick sugars. The carbohydrates that have a lower glycemic index create slow burning energy that keeps a person going longer in addition to maintaining that full feeling that prevents overeating.

For the person who has had trouble with weight in the past, the switch to low glycemic index carbohydrates will be a welcome change. Often people eat either because they need energy or because they feel they are hungry, but the way these carbohydrates work in the body will help with both of those issues and thus a person can eat less, maintain a high energy level, and feel full longer between meals. It will take a little time to become used to the transition, but once you learn new eating habits, you will not want to return to your old way of eating.

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The Glycemic Index: Preventing Diabetes Through Diet

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For those who are prone to diabetes, a change in diet is the best way to prevent or slow its onset. That means the consumption of carbohydrates that have a low glycemic index so that less sugar is being stored in the bloodstream. This, of course, will not help those who already have diabetes, though it will certainly help keep the blood sugar level under reasonable control

– that does not mean you will be able to stop taking your medication, as that is something that is contingent upon your personal case history and your doctor’s recommendations.

Aside from those who have diabetes in their families, another risk factor is a woman who develops diabetes during pregnancy. Even if no one in your family has ever had the disease, if you develop it during pregnancy, chances are higher than normal that you will develop it later in life. The transition to a healthier way of eating and a switch to low glycemic index carbohydrates can either prevent or delay the onset. After all, you will be gaining more energy and losing sugar from your bloodstream, so it is reasonable to assume that diabetes will be delayed and even prevented.

If you already have diabetes and are on medication for it, the switch to low glycemic index carbohydrates may alleviate some of your symptoms and keep your blood sugar level under better control. This is especially helpful for those who have found it difficult to keep it under control with medication and diet – perhaps you are eating foods that are actually turning to sugar in the bloodstream, which is what happens with carbohydrates that have a high glycemic index. Reducing the amount of high glycemic index carbohydrates will definitely make a difference in your blood sugar level and help alleviate some of the symptoms that are connected to your diabetes.

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The Glycemic Index: Lifestyle Changes

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In order to remain healthy in our later years, lifestyle changes are needed that include changing the way we eat. Even if you think you are eating healthy foods, look at what you are eating in the way or carbohydrates. If you are eating white bread, white flour, white rice, potatoes, and cereals that are not in the oat, bran, or barley group, you are eating