Type 2 Diabetes
Type 2 Diabetes is a condition of insulin resistance - the body’s cells stop responding to the messages of insulin, due to prolonged exposure to insulin and glucose over time. This is usually caused by poor diet, stressful lifestyles and inactivity – that is why Type 2 Diabetes is known as a lifestyle disease. Insulin’s main role is to clear glucose from the blood, and if the cells stop responding to insulin, glucose builds up in the blood. Consistently high blood glucose levels over time cause vascular damage and nerve damage, leading to many health complications. Diabetes leads to almost 9600 leg amputations per year, and is one of the leading causes of preventable sight loss in the UK. Because type 2 diabetes affects the blood flow, it also raises people’s risk of cardiovascular disease, and other vascular conditions such as dementia and stroke. It is estimated that the NHS spends approximately 10% of its annual budget on diabetes and its related health complications.
What are the symptoms?
Many people have Type 2 Diabetes without realising. This is because symptoms do not necessarily make you feel unwell.
Symptoms include:
Peeing more than usual, particularly at night
Feeling thirsty all the time
Feeling very tired
Losing weight without trying to
Itching around your penis or vagina, or repeatedly getting thrush
Cuts or wounds taking longer to heal
Blurred vision
Causes
According to Diabetes UK, more people than ever have diabetes, and it is estimated that around 5m people have type 2 diabetes – that’s about 8% of the UK population – with another 13.6 million people at increased risk of developing the condition. 90% of people with diabetes have type 2 diabetes.
There seems to be a genetic component to type 2 diabetes, and a link with ethnicity as well, with certain ethnic backgrounds at higher risk of developing the disease. However, the biggest contributor and risk factor seems to be lifestyle. Diet, weight, waist circumference, activity levels, even stress and sleep levels are all risk factors for developing the disease. Type 2 diabetes rarely develops overnight – usually it takes years of glucose levels slowly building up. The early stages can be symptom free, so many people are taken by surprise when they are first told they are pre-diabetic or even diabetic, as it is frequently only discovered via a routine blood test.
You're more at risk of developing type 2 diabetes if you:
are over 40 (or 25 for south Asian people)
have a close relative with diabetes (such as a parent, brother or sister)
are overweight or obese
are of Asian, African-Caribbean or black African origin (even if you were born in the UK)
Diagnosis
If you belive you may have Type 2 Diabetes, you will need a blood test to confirm. The earlier diabetes is diagnosed and treated, the better. Early detection and treatment reduced your risk of other health concerns.
How it is treated conventionally?
Management of type 2 diabetes includes:
Healthy eating
Regular exercise
Weight loss
Possibly, diabetes medication or insulin therapy
Blood sugar monitoring
These steps will help keep your blood sugar level closer to normal, which can delay or prevent complications.
How does Surrey Centre for Nutrition work with Type 2 Diabetes?
The good news is that insulin resistance is highly responsive to lifestyle changes. Diet is by far the biggest contributor, and we work with our clients on identifying what parts of their diets can be improved. We may suggest the use of glucose monitoring systems, perhaps a continuous glucose monitor, to help identify how different foods affect blood and the client’s glucose levels – as this is highly personal and depends on genetics and other factors. There are many strategies we can work on to help improve insulin sensitivity, and we will look at dietary changes, meal frequency and timings, using culinary herbs and spices, perhaps supplements if appropriate and acceptable to the client, and also look at physical activity levels, and stress and sleep. All these can affect insulin sensitivity. Weight loss, if required, will be addressed. Being overweight and obese are risk factors for type 2 diabetes, but not all type 2 diabetics are overweight – many are within a healthy BMI, and some may even need to gain weight. Each client is an individual, and there is no one-size-fits-all approach. Each plan is thoughtfully and carefully put together to meet the individual client’s needs, abilities and lifestyle.
Are you ready to work with us to reach your health goals?
If you or someone you know is suffering from the symptoms or conditions listed above, Surrey Centre for Nutrition may be able to help. We typically work with clients for 3-6 months depending on your health concerns. Are you interested in working with us?
Book a discovery call to see how the Surrey Centre for Nutrition can help
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