Type-2 diabetes affects a whopping 3.3 million people in the UK.
The life-long condition develops when the body struggles to regulate insulin levels, which can cause a person’s blood sugar to rise.
In response to the epidemic, doctors have urged Brits to think carefully about what foods they are putting
Diabetes patients are advised to cut back on their intake of sugar.
This helps to prevent glucose spikes in the body, which can alleviate symptoms such as tiredness and insatiable hunger.
Many people living with type-2 know to monitor how much processed and sweetened food they are eating.
But these patients are also urged to think about what natural sugars they are putting into their bodies.
According to Healthline, you should be mindful of honey, agave and maple syrups.
While these products are often natural, they are still carb and sugar heavy.
For this reason, they should only be eaten in moderation.
The health website explains: “Although these sweeteners aren’t highly processed, they contain at least as many carbs as white sugar. In fact, most contain even more.
“Your best strategy is to avoid all forms of sugar and use natural low-carb sweeteners instead.”
Diabetes UK adds that while sugar is fine when consumed in a healthy and balanced diet, patients shouldn’t go too wild for the sweet stuff.
The charity website explains: “Sugar is found naturally in fruit, vegetables, milk and milk products – all important foods for a healthy, balanced diet.
“What we do need to cut down on, though, is the ‘free sugars’ in food and drink – this includes any added or ‘hidden’ sugar as well as the ‘natural’ sugars in honey, syrups and fruit juices.”
If you’re worried about type-2 diabetes, you should contact your local GP for advice.
It’s also advisable to look out for the following symptoms:
1. Excessive thirst: Feeling constantly thirsty is one of the most common symptoms of diabetes. It’s usually coupled with dryness in the mouth and can be one of the first signs to develop.
2. Slow healing: The disease makes healing more difficult due to high blood glucose levels.
3. Insatiable hunger: A sudden increase in appetite, particularly sweet cravings, can also be a symptom of the condition. This is because of the really high or really low blood sugar levels.
4. Sleep issues: People with diabetes often experience problems getting to sleep and remaining asleep. This can be caused by pain, discomfort, the need to urinate, Restless Leg Syndrome, and sleep apnea.
5. Skin issues: You might experience skin dryness and itchiness or darkening of the skin (acanthosis nigricans). This is due to circulation problems.
Source: Read Full Article
