Theresa (Tracy) Garrett, Registered Dietitian and Certified Diabetes Educator is the featured speaker for the Kare Bears Monthly Meeting on June 17!
Editor’s Note: “2 Your Health” is a new column in the PebbleCreek Post dedicated to health issues. Each month different doctors and or medical associations, from varying specialties, will be writing on issues of importance. Articles are based on experiences and independent research conducted by the doctors or medical associations. We encourage anyone considering changing medications and or altering medical therapy, as a result of information contained in these articles, to consult your doctor first. Robson Publishing, a division of Robson Communities, Inc. is not liable for information contained in these articles.
Tracy Garrett
I love the adage “knowledge is power” because I’ve seen it proven many times. When individuals learn about diabetes and how to manage it they are more likely to put that knowledge into healthy action.
Take for example Lee, a 70-something who dramatically improved her health after learning about the importance of diet and exercise in managing type 2 diabetes. Lee attended numerous health education classes at the Sun Health Center for Health & Wellbeing in Surprise, which motivated her to change her diet and exercise routines. She lost weight, gained new energy and her triglycerides and cholesterol levels dropped dramatically. Today, Lee’s diabetes is in check and she’s feeling great.
“I’m still diabetic, but living with it has become manageable,” Lee says. “It comes down to a lot of eating right and exercising. And I swear I really do feel like I could run with the teenagers.”
Wouldn’t it be great to be able to run with teenagers? Diabetes or not, it is possible if we learn more and take action.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a group of metabolic diseases characterized by high levels of blood glucose (also called blood sugar) resulting from problems in how insulin is produced, how insulin works, or both. There are several types with type 2 being the most common. It’s caused by inadequate production of insulin or the body’s inability to properly use the insulin it makes. Type 1 diabetes is caused by an inability of the body to make insulin.
Uncontrolled, diabetes can wreak havoc on the body, raising the risk for stroke, heart disease, hypertension, peripheral vascular disease, foot problems, eye disease, kidney disease, nerve pain and premature death; however, diabetes is manageable. A healthy diet, regular exercise, weight management, close monitoring of glucose and blood pressure, stress reduction and prescribed medications all are powerful tools that can be used to prevent or delay complications of diabetes.
Two of the main tools are proper nutrition and exercise.
Nutrition
Diabetes hinders the body’s ability to use the carbohydrates in food for energy. The result is elevated blood sugar (not good). Therefore, controlling carbohydrate intake is crucial. Choose carbohydrates high in fiber and nutrients. Limit your intake of unhealthy fat (saturated and trans). Control your portion sizes and learn to read food labels so you know what’s healthiest.
Exercise
The body uses blood sugar as a source of energy needed for exercise. Exercise improves the body’s ability to use insulin and helps control other risk factors.
Check with your physician before starting an exercise routine. Once approved for exercising 30 minutes daily, five days a week. Start slow and work your way up. The key is to get started and keep going.
Learn More
At the Center for Health & Wellbeing at La Loma Village Health & Rehabilitation in Litchfield Park we offer group classes and individual consultations focused on diabetes self-management, diabetes prevention and weight management. Many of our classes are free; some have a fee but this may be covered by insurance or a special scholarship available at this location.
Tracy Garrett is a registered dietitian and certified diabetes educator at the Sun Health Center for Health & Wellbeing in Surprise, Arizona. For information call 623-832-WELL (9355) or visit www.sunhealthwellbeing.org.