Nutrition and Chronic Diseases: Type II Diabetes
Introduction
Inefficient production or use of insulin in the body causes diabetes. There are two
types of diabetes; type 1 diabetes, which is a result of the body's incapability to produce
insulin, and type 2 diabetes (inefficient or incorrect use of produced insulin). According to
IDF( International Diabetes Federation, 2020), 463 million adults were diagnosed with
diabetes in 2019, with the number expected to rise to 700 million people by 2045 with type 2
diabetes diagnosis significantly rising. In America, approximately 1.5 million people are
diagnosed with diabetes annually; in 2017, among 83, 564 deaths, diabetes was mentioned as
an underlying cause, and it was also the seventh leading cause of death in the country
( American Diabetes Association, 2017). Age, ethnicity, genetics, high blood pressure are
some key attributes of type 2 diabetes, with obesity outweighing them. Though not the only
factor, obesity ( BMI: Body Mass Index of 30 and above) is the most common attribute with
patients diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. This type of diabetes can easily be curbed by
adequate nutritional knowledge and minimized unhealthy eating trends.
The Link between Nutrition and Type II Diabetes
Food choices are made daily; however, unhealthy foods seem to be the more
accessible 'go-to' choices for a majority of people; the intake and type of food determine the
amount of sugar levels in the blood. Ineffective or delayed treatment of type 2 diabetes can
lead to cardiovascular disease (which in severe cases leads to death), kidney failure, blindness
as a result of retinal damage (the blockage of blood vessels nourishing the retina due excess
blood sugar levels) and limb amputation ( Sami, W. et al, 2017). Healthy nutrition aims to
decrease or curb the effects of the condition; there is however, no diabetes-friendly food, the
key is to regulate the intake of certain foods such as sugar, fats and carbohydrates. Notably, a
proper diet varies in individuals; it is, therefore, vital to put into consideration a person's
Introduction
Inefficient production or use of insulin in the body causes diabetes. There are two
types of diabetes; type 1 diabetes, which is a result of the body's incapability to produce
insulin, and type 2 diabetes (inefficient or incorrect use of produced insulin). According to
IDF( International Diabetes Federation, 2020), 463 million adults were diagnosed with
diabetes in 2019, with the number expected to rise to 700 million people by 2045 with type 2
diabetes diagnosis significantly rising. In America, approximately 1.5 million people are
diagnosed with diabetes annually; in 2017, among 83, 564 deaths, diabetes was mentioned as
an underlying cause, and it was also the seventh leading cause of death in the country
( American Diabetes Association, 2017). Age, ethnicity, genetics, high blood pressure are
some key attributes of type 2 diabetes, with obesity outweighing them. Though not the only
factor, obesity ( BMI: Body Mass Index of 30 and above) is the most common attribute with
patients diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. This type of diabetes can easily be curbed by
adequate nutritional knowledge and minimized unhealthy eating trends.
The Link between Nutrition and Type II Diabetes
Food choices are made daily; however, unhealthy foods seem to be the more
accessible 'go-to' choices for a majority of people; the intake and type of food determine the
amount of sugar levels in the blood. Ineffective or delayed treatment of type 2 diabetes can
lead to cardiovascular disease (which in severe cases leads to death), kidney failure, blindness
as a result of retinal damage (the blockage of blood vessels nourishing the retina due excess
blood sugar levels) and limb amputation ( Sami, W. et al, 2017). Healthy nutrition aims to
decrease or curb the effects of the condition; there is however, no diabetes-friendly food, the
key is to regulate the intake of certain foods such as sugar, fats and carbohydrates. Notably, a
proper diet varies in individuals; it is, therefore, vital to put into consideration a person's
