Type 2 diabetes: About 37 million Americans have diabetes, 90-95 have Type 2 diabetes. Mostly in people over 45 years and noticed recently more on children and teenagers.
Causes: Cells don’t respond normally to insulin (a hormone produced by the pancreas and controls blood sugar) causing insulin resistance resulting in high blood sugar.
Symptoms: Can take several years to develop and are hard to detect.
Risk factors: Having pre-diabetes/over the age of 45/having a family member with Type 2 diabetes/had gestational diabetes before/physically inactive/overweight/race (African American, Hispanic/Latino American/American Indian/Alaska Native).
Complications: Heart disease/chronic kidney disease/nerve damage/foot problem/oral problems/hearing loss/vision loss, mental issues.
Diagnosis: A1C test (6.5% or above)/fasting blood sugar test (126 mg/dl or above)/glucose tolerance test (200 mg/dl or above)/random blood sugar test (200 mg/dl or above).
Managing Type 2 diabetes: Checking blood sugar regularly/eating healthy/being physically active/using medications if there is any/keeping blood sugar and cholesterol under control/contacting health care team regularly (primary doctor, foot doctor, eye doctor, dentist, dietitian, diabetes educator, pharmacist).
Foods good for Type 2 diabetes: Beans (kidney/pinto/navy/black beans)/dark green leafy vegetables (spinach/kale/collards)/citrus fruit (grapefruits/oranges/lemons/limes)/berries (blueberries/strawberries)/tomatoes/fatty fish (salmon/herring/sardines/mackerel/trout and albacore tuna)/nuts (walnuts/flax seeds)/whole grains (whole oats/quinoa)/milk and yogurt (low fat and added sugar).
Reference:
American Diabetes Association. (2022). What superstar foods are good for diabetes? retrieved on 3/17/2022 from: https://www.diabetes.org/healthy-living/recipes-nutrition/eating-well/diabetes-superstar-foods.
Center for Disease Control and Prevention. (2021). Type 2 diabetes. Retrieved on 3/17/2022 from: https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/basics/type2.html.
Created by Selma Yassin