Avoiding diabetes?

Question

My father was recently diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes. We all knew this was bound to happen because of the history in our family (my dad, his brother, 3 of his sisters, his dad, his dad, and so on). My grandpa suffered immensily from diabetes in his old age. I don't want my father to do the same but as I don't live at home with him, I can't really follow up on his habits. However, I am pretty positive I will end up with diabetes as well. I really don't know what to avoid in my diet and I'm starting to work out. No one in my family is overweight. We actually are all tall and skinny in our family so I'm not sure what we are doing wrong. I guess any information to help me and my father avoid suffering the same way my grandpa did would be great.

One thing that might be a major problem is that I drink Makers Mark and coke on a regular basis....its my favorite drink! If this isn't good for diabetes is there a tasty alternative when hanging with my friends at the bar?

Answer 1

I am concerned that your father has Type 1 diabetes and no one in the family has been educated on it.

Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease and is NOT preventable as of yet. It is NOT related to poor diet, lack of exerise, or obesity. Type 1 diabetes usually affects thin people. In Type 1 diabetes, an environmental trigger like a virus sets of the disease in those whose genes put them at risk. No one fully understands how this happens yet. There is NOTHING your father did wrong, or anything your family could have done differently.

Recent studies support a gluten free and casein free diet to help decrease the chance of Type 1 diabetes in those with the genes for the disease. These food proteins are thought to increase autoimmune activity in certain people. Supplementing with Omega 3 fatty acid may also help. Autoimmune diseases need inflammation to develop, and Omega 3's decrease inflammation in the body. However, please note that there is NO known way to prevent Type 1 diabetes as of yet. These things may (or may not) help, but right now there are more questions than answers. It can't hurt to try them, and studies have shown they hold promise.

A good site for anyone with Type 1 diabetes (not just chilsdren) is:

http://www.childrenwithdiabetes.com.

Or, go to http://www.jdrf.org

Type 2 diabetes is the common form you hear about in the media. Type 2 diabetes is often related to obesity and poor diet. It is usually (but not always) preventable. Type 2 diabetes has nothing to do with Type 1 diabetes. The genes and causes are different, and having one type in your family doesn't increase the risk for the other any more than the general population.

Lastly, there are other very rare forms of non-preventable diabetes like MODY. MODY runs very strong in families and is different from both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes. Only your doctor can screen your family for MODY. MODY is currently being studied at Joslin Diabetes Centre.

That said, Coke will NOT give you Type 1 diabetes, but you should cut back to stay healthy in general. You may want to get tested by your doctor for the genes and antibodies known to be involved in Type 1 diabetes.

If positive, you will know to watch out for it and may want to be part of a prevention trial. In these trials, you would be given drugs to modify your immune system to see if the attack on your pancreas can be safely stopped. This may or may not work, and may or may not have side effects.

If negative, it may help to put your mind at ease to know you are not high risk.

Answer 2

1

Answer 3

2

Answer 4

For the most part everyone on here is right. type 1 diabetes is unavoidable. If you are going to get it you will, there is no preention. Type 2 can be prevented by good diet and exercise. However even with a big family history sometimes type 2 can be unavoidable. it sounds like your grandpa didnt take good care of his diabetes and suffered from complications. If your father keeps an eye on his blood sugars and listens to his diabetes Doctor he will live a long healthy life and have no problems from the diabetes. However if he has bad or uncontrolled blood sugars, doesnt take his meds, and doesnt listen to the Dr. then he will suffer later in life as well. Talk to a local Diabetes Endocrinologist for help, and check out the American Diabetes Association website: www.diabetes.org
Hope this helps

Answer 5

I am writing to tell you what an incredible impact these methods had on my life! I have had type 2 diabetes for 27 years. For me, the worst part of this horrible disease is the severe pain I constantly get in my feet. The pain is so bad that I avoid standing and walking as much as possible. I've got to tell you that within the first month, my feet stopped hurting altogether and I can now walk totally pain free.

Believe it or not, I even danced at my niece's wedding last month, something I have not done in a many years. I've been following the book for six months now and my blood sugar is well within normal range. I feel great!

I recommend you use the Type 2 Diabetes Destroyer to naturally reverse your diabetes.

Answer 6

There is no sure-fire way to avoid diabetes, especially if it's in the family. But there are ways to lessen the problems it causes.

I don't know the first thing about Maker's Mark. But I also come from a family of diabetics- and I can tell you that you'll want to cut down or cut out the sodas, such as Coke. Perhaps a sparkling water with a twist of lemon would be to your taste?

You will want to avoid processed sugars if you can: That seems to be a major trouble-maker for diabetics. Try Equal or Stevia instead. And try to add whole grains and fresh fruits and vegetables when you can. Overall, try to eat the healthiest diet you can, and keep an eye on things.

Good luck!

Answer 7

no. Consuming large amounts of water after eating sweets will not delay diabetes if you are destined to have it. water will not wash out the sugar that you eat. In fact, the water may help your intestines absorb the sugar faster. Also, it's not just a sweets issue. Rice, bread, pasta, potatoes and other high carb foods turn into a form of sugar during the digestive process. Eating candy or a potato is pretty much the same issue for a person with diabetes.

Answer 8

With the newer types of insulin these days, diabetic diets aren't necessarily as restrictive as they used to be. Read here https://tr.im/BupiZ
As with any medicine or diet change, you should discuss it with your doctor. Fruits, both fresh and dried, have a natural sugar in them that will raise blood sugar levels, so be careful about eating too much. Not sure about the nuts. Moderation is always the key. I've been diabetic for 18 years and just recently changed insulin types. I love it because it gives me more freedom in when and what I eat.

Answer 9

there is no way to prevent type 1. you can diet and exercise all you want but it wont help with preventing type 1. being overweight is simply a factor that increases the chances of developing type 2. someone who's skinny can develop both types. if you want to decrease the chances of developing type 2, cut out some carbs....not all carbs, you'll starve and have no energy if u cut out all carbs...and keep your weight at a healthy weight (exercise)

if you drink coke all day and sit around doing nothing then you will eventually become overweight increasing the chance of developing type 2. it is a myth that drinking/eating too much sugar causes diabetes

Answer 10

There is virtually nothing you can do to avoid Type I diabetes. When your beta cells are gone they are gone for good. A proper diet can ward off type II though. Just be smart and limit your sugar intake, that includes carbs, and get some good exercise.