Diabetes

Ebony, March, 2007 by James R. Gavin, III

Remember the last time your read an alarming media headline announcing, "Growing Health Epidemic Plagues the African-American Community"? Do the statistics scare you? Or do they motivate you to make changes and develop a healthier lifestyle? How many of us have actually continued with our New Year's resolutions to eat healthier, lose a few pounds, walk and exercise more?

It seems that many of us in the Black community are still saddened--or paralyzed--by grim news about the health status of our community and the growing challenges faced when it comes to developing a healthier lifestyle. Especially when it comes to the diabetes epidemic.

Let's face the facts. When a person doesn't get much exercise and consumes more calories than needed, that's going to add up to weight gain. Being overweight and physically inactive are major lifestyle factors that are contributing to the rise of diabetes in our country. Being overweight or obese can lead to type 2 diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, kidney disease, and cancer. Being overweight and obese can trigger something called insulin resistance, which happens when the body doesn't use insulin like it should. Individuals who are insulin-resistant can really benefit from being physically active and losing a modest amount of weight (or maintaining a healthy weight).

Our health community recommends that people with diabetes--and people at risk for diabetes--strive to get more active each day and try to lose weight if you are overweight (or stay at a healthy weight goal).

Lack of accurate health information is also a culprit in this epidemic. There are many common myths associated with diabetes and, unfortunately, these myths are confusing people and may lead many people to make the wrong choices when it comes to preventing diabetes and the complications associated with diabetes. There are swirls of bad health information floating in our neighborhoods, particularly these top two myths: 1. Is there a "diabetic diet"? 2. Taking a pill or insulin for diabetes is a cure.

MYTH 1: People with diabetes have to follow a boring, strict diabetic diet, which often includes very expensive, specially prepared diabetic foods. "I can't afford to buy these special foods, so I might as well just eat what I can," they say.

FACT: There's no "one size fits all" diabetic diet that can be applied to all people with diabetes. A person with diabetes can eat the same healthy foods as someone without diabetes. Healthy eating includes eating a wide variety of foods including vegetables, whole grains, fruits, non-fat dairy products, beans, and lean meats, poultry and fish. It is important to eat meals low in fat, especially saturated and trans fat, moderate salt and sugar intake. Portion control is key. The optimal proportions of carbohydrates, protein and fat are different for each person with diabetes to reach their blood glucose, cholesterol, blood pressure and weight-management goals. Diabetic and "dietetic" versions of sugar-containing foods offer no special benefit. They still raise blood glucose levels, and are usually more expensive and can also have a laxative effect if they contain sugar alcohols.

MYTH 2: "If I take my diabetes pills, I don't have to worry about what I eat anymore, or whether I exercise. The pills or insulin will control my diabetes."

FACT: All three ways--medication, meal planning, and regular physical activity--work together to treat diabetes. You can use the results of your blood glucose (blood sugar) checks to make decisions about food, physical activity, and medication. There are two very important ways to keep track of your blood glucose levels--using a blood glucose meter and getting an A-1-C blood test a least twice a year to find out your average blood glucose for the past 2 to 3 months.

A Message from Dr. James R. Gavin III, M.D, Ph.D.

Past Chair of the National Diabetes Education Program and Past President of the American Diabetes Association, Dr. Gavin is currently president and CEO of Micro-islet, Inc. and Clinical Professor of Medicine at Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta.