Is it possible that an “invisible” disease could be a dangerous threat for human vision? Diabetes, since it’s hard to detect (due to there is no clear symptom and people seem don’t pay attention to much on it until patients are diagnosed suffering this disease), has some complication that might appear when it doesn’t get proper medication; it’s started from blindness and vision loss (diabetic retinopathy), nerve and blood vessel damage (diabetic neuropathy), heart disease, and kidney disease (diabetic nephropathy). To prevent and reduce the possibility to get effects from it, diabetes sufferers need to know on what diabetics need NOT to consume, what diabetics need to consume, and what additional activities that could help.

Diabetes sufferers usually face a condition when patients need to avoid meals they might adore. It is due to the level of their blood glucose needed to keep low. Knowing what patients should avoid is one step forth from the deadly complication. High glucose food (carbohydrate and sugar) is one of the foods patients need to avoid; since diabetes sufferers can’t produce enough insulin, a hormone produced by pancreas that changes glucose into energy, glucose level increases and becomes the main reason of this disease. Fats (animal fats) also interferes absorption of sugar into cells, causing sugar levels to rise above normal levels. Avoiding alcohol and smoking is the best way to prevent this disease complication; since alcohol contains calories, keeping it to a minimum level will help patients to lose weight. People with diabetes are at an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Stopping smoking will help to decrease risk of it and minimize the chance of developing other complication.

So what do diabetics need to consume, then? Starting to manage diabetes by helping to control blood glucose levels, blood fats, and blood pressure is the best way to do. It also helps to regulate weight. Finding the balance between the amount of carbohydrates and fats is important. Cutting down the fats (saturated fats) and choosing monounsaturated ones (olive oil) are the best decision. High fiber diet provides roughage to the body and keeps the digestive system in good shape. It prevents the accumulation of glucose in the blood. It can be found on starchy carbohydrate foods such as bread, pasta, potatoes, noodles, and cereals. Foods in small size are worth to be in consideration. Small in size, if taken at regular or short intervals of times, helps in proper digest and doesn’t overload the metabolic system.

Last but not least are additional activities. Since glucose and sugar need to be burned and turned into energy, exercise looks prospering. Being fit and active reduce risk of diabetes. Physical activity, when combined with a healthy balanced diet, will help to manage diabetic’s disease and prevent long term complications. Diabetes sufferers may need additional treatments to work along side with their healthy lifestyle to control their disease. This can be in the form of tablets and pills. Consistency is the key point of all those above activities. It is hard for people to be consistent, especially when it requires a lot of thing to do, yet being consistent is the only way for those above activities could be done.

Knowledge is the power of life. Knowing it better will increase the possibility to avoid complications. Though it looks require a lot of preparation and sacrifices, all those above activities need to be done for the sake of healthy. People often say the letter D in diabetes means devastation of the body, but it also means devotion, devotion diabetics need to do to live longer.