Diabetes

Glycemic disorders are metabolic conditions resulting from high blood glucose levels (hyperglycemia). Glycemic disorders include impaired fasting glucose, impaired glucose tolerance, pre-diabetes, type 1 diabetes (insulin-dependent), and type 2 diabetes.

Western lifestyles have seen glycemic disorders become more common over the years.

What is type 2 diabetes?

Type 2 diabetes is the most widespread form of diabetes, comprising 90% of people with diabetes around the world1. It is due to insufficient production of insulin or inadequate insulin use by the cells.

Insulin is necessary to make blood glucose enter into cells and be used as a source of energy. In type 2 diabetes, glucose accumulates in blood, causing various complications such as ocular, renal, nervous and digestive disorders. People with diabetes are also at higher risk of high blood pressure, heart disease and strokes, as well as other serious conditions.

Diabetes is one of the major causes of premature illness and death in most countries, largely through the increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). In 2011, 347 million people worldwide had diabetes1.  The World Health Organisation (WHO) projects that diabetes will be the 7th leading cause of death in 20302.

Risk factors of type 2 diabetes

  • Unbalanced diet (poor in fibre, fruit and vegetables, and rich in saturated fat and sugar)
  • Excess body weight
  • Sedentarism / physical inactivity
  • Genetics and ethnic origin

Recommendations to manage type 2 diabetes2

  • Nutritional intervention :
    • Increase the intake of fibre
    • Eat at least 5 servings of fruit and vegetables a day
    • Reduce sugar and high fasting blood sugar carbohydrates
    • Reduce saturated fat intakes
  • Maintain normal body weight (body mass index between 18.5 and 25)
  • Do at least 30 min of physical activity / day
  • Avoid tobacco use

Oral medication to manage the blood glucose level can also be required.

Laboratoires Grand Fontaine offers a complete range of nutritional options adapted to the patient’s condition:

References
1 Danaei G, Finucane MM, Lu Y, Singh GM, Cowan MJ, Paciorek CJ et al. National, regional, and global trends in fasting plasma glucose and diabetes prevalence since 1980: systematic analysis of health examination surveys and epidemiological studies with 370 country-years and 2.7 million participants. Lancet. 2011, 378(9785):31–40.
2 World Health Organization. Global status report on noncommunicable diseases 2010. Geneva, 2011.