Diabetes Advice And Assistance

The Diabetes epidemic within Australia continues to grow each day, with data from Diabetes Australia estimating that 275 new diagnoses are made each day. That’s nearly enough to fill two Suncorp Stadiums each year!

What is Diabetes?
Diabetes means higher than normal blood glucose levels. This is caused by either the body not producing enough insulin or the insulin that is being produced is not working correctly. Insulin is needed by the body to transport glucose from the bloodstream into our muscles and cells so that it can be used as energy.

There are 3 different types of Diabetes, Type 1, Type 2 and Gestational Diabetes.

Type 1 Diabetes

• The pancreas no longer produces insulin because the body’s own immune system has destroyed the cells in the pancreas responsible for making insulin
  
• Treatment is lifelong replacement of insulin
  
• This affects approximately 10-15% of all people in Australia with Diabetes
  
• Usually a person develops type 1 diabetes during childhood or adolescence, however it can occur at any age. 
  
• The exact cause for this auto-immune disease is still unknown however it is known that it is NOT linked to a poor diet or lack of physical activity
  

Do you have Type 1 Diabetes? A Simply Nutrition Dietitian can offer advice and assistance on the following.

• Healthy eating for diabetes to promote good health and prevent complications
  
• Carbohydrate counting
  
• Weight monitoring
  

Type 2 Diabetes

• The pancreas still makes insulin however not enough insulin is being produced or the insulin being produced is not working correctly
  
• This affects approximately 85-90% of people with Diabetes in Australia
  
• Type 2 Diabetes has both genetic and environmental causes such as a poor diet and a lack of physical activity
  
• By adopting a healthy lifestyle, Type 2 Diabetes can be delayed or prevented by up to 60%!!!
  

Do you have Type 2 Diabetes?  A Simply Nutrition Dietitian can offer advice and assistance on the following.

• Healthy eating for diabetes to promote good health and prevent complications
  
• Carbohydrate counting (if insulin requiring)
  
• Weight loss and weight monitoring
  
• Healthy eating for the heart
  

Gestational Diabetes

• Diagnosed by high blood glucose levels during pregnancy, with levels returning to normal following birth
  
• Affects approximately 5% of all pregnancies in Australia
  
• There is an increased of developing Type 2 Diabetes in the future for both mother and baby
  

Do you have Gestational Diabetes?  A Simply Nutrition Dietitian can offer advice and assistance on the following.

• Tips on how to control blood glucose levels during pregnancy
  
• Carbohydrate counting (if insulin requiring)
  
• Healthy eating during pregnancy
  
• Healthy eating following pregnancy 
  
• Expected weight gain
  
• Weight loss and weight monitoring
  

Are YOU at risk of developing Type 2 Diabetes……? To find out print and fill out this risk assessment tool. 

If you score 12 or more you are at a high risk of developing Type 2 Diabetes. Now what should you do? Visit your GP then....

• If Type 2 Diabetes is diagnosed by your GP– get treated and ask for an EPC referral to a Simply Nutrition Dietitian.
• If you are at high risk – your GP can refer you to Simply Nutrition Dietitians for assistance and advice.  
  

What are some of the complications associated with poorly managed Diabetes?
Someone with Diabetes is…

• 4 times more likely to develop cardiovascular disease
  
• 3 times  more likely to develop impaired kidney function
  
• 15 times more likely to have a limb amputated due to blood vessel damage and neuropathy (nerve damage) 
  
• More likely to die sooner- approximately someone with Diabetes is predicted to reduce their life expectancy by 12-14 years.