UNDERSTANDING TYPE 2 DIABETES

What is Type 2 Diabetes about? Why all the talk about eating more fruits and vegetables? This blog post provides basic information that you need in your pursuit for healthy living towards preventing or managing T2DM.

Type 2 Diabetes or Diabetes mellitus is a chronic lifestyle disease characterized by elevated blood glucose levels because the body cannot produce adequate insulin or cannot effectively use the insulin it

produces. Poorly managed blood sugar levels can lead to kidney damage, loss of eyesight, circulatory and nervous disorders.

Prevalence of T2DM in Kenya

Proper management of type 2 Diabetes involves Dietary modifications, physical activity and adherence to pharmacological management .

I am willing to bet you 1000$ that you either know someone personally or have heard of someone with Type 2 Diabetes. It is among the leading diet-related non communicable diseases both locally and globally. According to DMRC 2020, Prevalence in Kenya is highest in the Mt. Kenya Region at 12.6% in Nyeri County, 10% in Nyandarua &Muranga and 5.6% in

Kirinyaga County followed closely by the Jumuiya ya Kaunti za Pwani (JKP) counties.

Management of Type 2 Diabetes

Management involves watching your diet; minimizing intake of oily foods, having more whole grains and fruits and vegetables compared to simple carbohydrates that instantly raise your blood sugars. Lastly, if you forget all else, do not fail to watch your portions and get active in any form that works for you. Take a walk, avoid the elevator, go to the gym.

Diabetes management requires self-discipline

Diabetes is no longer a disease of the elderly, prevalence among the youth is fast rising.

Skip the second portion, have the green smoothie, snack on some fruits, frequently include vegetables in your meals. Did you know that the recommended daily intake for fruits and vegetables is 5-6 servings/ day but only 5% of people in Kenya consume this much.

What you chose to eat is a personal decision that translates into a healthy weight, a positive body image, mental health and lower risk of preventable lifestyle diseases. Choose to do better, and of course Good Luck!!

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