Types of diabetes

Diabetes Mellitus
Diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic disease. Approximately 600,000 people In England have diabetes, of which about 85% type 2 diabetes.
In people with diabetes can the body's carbohydrates (glucose) from the power supply does not handle well. That's because there is too little or no insulin is created. Or the insulin cannot do more good. The hormone insulin is necessary for the transport of glucose from the blood to the body tissues. If there is too little insulin, or when the insulin does not work properly, the glucose levels in the blood, the so-called glucose levels, much too high. Besides those problems with glucose metabolism is often also the fat metabolism out of balance. These metabolic disorders are unhealthy and even dangerous. Therefore, always be treated diabetes.


Types of diabetes
There are different types of diabetes. The most common are type 1 and type 2.

Type 1
Normally, insulin is created by groups of cells in the pancreas called islets of Langerhans. In people with type 1 diabetes these cells are destroyed by the immune system. The pancreas makes insulin so no more. Because insulin is necessary for glucose from the blood to the body cells, you need with this form of diabetes inject insulin every day. Otherwise, the glucose level in the blood is too high. Type 1 diabetes occurs in short time and usually in people under 30 years. Therefore it was called type 1 diabetes once called ' juvenile diabetes '. About 15% of people with diabetes has this form.

Type 2
In type 2 diabetes the insulin works less well and makes the body increasingly less insulin. There is then insufficient glucose from the blood. In addition, the fat metabolism and blood pressure often disrupted. Type 2 diabetes is usually treated with medications, plus nutritional and exercise advice. Sometimes it's over time also needed to inject insulin to go. Especially people who were older than sixty got used to type 2 diabetes. Therefore, one spoke of "aging sugar". But that term is obsolete, because type 2 diabetes is nowadays also often in younger people. Even in children. About 85% of people with diabetes has this form.

Vitamins and diabetes
The recommendations for vitamins and minerals are in principle similar to that of healthy persons. The basis for this is a healthy and varied diet. There is, however, a number of concerns.

Vitamin B12
The absorption of vitamin B12 can be disrupted in patients who use the drug metformin. This medication is frequently prescribed to people with type 2 diabetes. If there is inadequate absorption of vitamin B12, can be decided until the use of supplements. The use must take place in consultation with the attending physician.

Folic acid (vitamin B11)
Cardiovascular diseases are a complication of diabetes. Homocysteine, a substance that occurs in the metabolism of protein, is a predictor of heart disease. An increased homocysteine levels in the blood is a risk factor for heart disease and stroke. At the same time is well known: the higher the folic acid levels in the body, the lower homocysteine levels. Or the use of folic acid supplements also reduces the risk of heart disease is not proven. For the time being is therefore no additional folic acid for the prevention of heart disease is recommended. Because the folic acid dietary intake in Netherlands on the tight side, is a supplement according to the vitamin information Office worth consideration.

Magnesium
There is evidence that in people with diabetes are more likely to have a magnesium deficiency than in healthy people. Symptoms of this are lethargy, muscle weakness and pain, heart function disorder. A magnesium deficiency is related to diabetes complications such as heart disease and eye disorders. If a magnesium deficiency has been detected, is a magnesium supplement desirable. The use must take place in consultation with the attending physician.

Chrome
Chromium plays a role in the action of insulin in the body. It improves insulin sensitivity. More and more studies indicate a beneficial effect of the use of chromium supplements in diabetes (both type 1 and type 2). People with poorly controlled diabetes may, in consultation with the attending physician, passing on the use of chromium supplements.

General starting point when giving advice to diabetic patients is a healthy and varied diet, which contains enough vitamins and minerals. If the power supply for long periods of time to be desired, then the use of a multivitamin worth considering.