Diabetes Support Group~~~Part 1

I am lucky, I do not have diabetes, yet. I am the only member of my entire family without the disease, and thank god I have better habits than the rest of them - I think its whats kept me safe. Not getting diabetes is one of the primary driving factors behind my weightloss. However, I still feel like I have an axe hanging over my head. I need to get my blood tested to verify that I do not have it, however, to be honest, I'm scared. I have been since my brother and father were diagnosed... originally it was just my mother.

I’m sorry about my long absence! I would love to answer a question posed by K2T4e2n6 asking about preventing diabetes.



As I alluded to in an earlier post, diabetes is a problem with the hormone insulin. In Diabetes Mellitus Type I the pancreas loses the cells that produce insulin, and therefore requires insulin injections to replace the missing insulin. In Diabetes Mellitus Type II, which is much more common, the peripheral tissues that use insulin start to become resistant or less sensitive to insulin. While no one knows exactly why this happens, it appears to be due to a decreased number of insulin receptors on tissues and/or they do not work as well as they should. We do know that there seems to be 2 main components that play a part in this phenomenon.



1. Genetics—We know that there is a strong genetic component to developing diabetes. If you have a family member with diabetes, it significantly increases the chance that you can develop diabetes. Unfortunately, there is not a lot we can do about this factor.

2. Obesity—In particular, central obesity, meaning the fat that is around your organs in your abdomen, secrets a group of hormones called adipokines (adipo meaning fat and kine meaning cytokine or cell hormone signal). Some studies have found that certain adipokines can contribute to insulin resistance. Therefore, we can deduce that the less fat we have, the less adipokines and consequently less insulin resistance. This is very good news! This means that if we can limit how much fat we have, then it should very significantly decrease the chance of developing diabetes. In fact, people who have developed Type II Diabetes and then lose weight, can actually ‘cure’ their diabetes. Meaning that they do not have to take any medications for it!



So the best way to prevent the development of Type II Diabetes is just as Calliecat stated—to keep a healthy weight, exercise & eat well. That combination will not only prevent diabetes, but a whole multitude of other diseases as well!

I was diagnosed April 24, 2007 with type 2 diabetes, and I thought this really sucks! My whole family on my mom's side is diabetic. I told myself I not going to live with it. So, I got on meds early, started walking with my dog ALOT and really watching what I ate, how much, and when. I was able to to lose 22 lbs. in 9 months and got off the meds. Another 12 pounds later I got my A1C test and they told me I beat it. I finally was able to meet a goal. One year and a day later, (April 25, 2008) I was finally not diabetic. The doctor said I still have to check my sugars 3 days a week, keep up with my diet and walking, and I could beat for life. I was lucky I caught soon, and really did something about it.

I just wanted to tell my success story.:happy:

What a wonderful success story. And I have been told thruout the years there was no cure. If only we had your doctor and your determation to beat this monster. and do keep in touch with us.
Caliecat

You can't beat type 1- but you can beat type 2 by losing weight and watching what you eat- Diabetes is very strong in my family and My uncle was considered diabetic he dropped 15-20lbs and he was in the clear--

I have another uncle who didn't care and didn't change his eating habits nor did he even consider losing weight- and lets just say Diabetes won that fight.--
Don't think you have to settle because you have diabetes eat complex carbs rather than simple carbs- If you like french fries eat sweet potatoe fries- just an example- Carbs turn into sugar and sugar isn't what you need- Oatmeal is good too Plain though--
Ok I will leave your thread just wanted to add my two sense

Good morning all,

Had a good night last night. So wonderful to see the new posts. Mrsyac and Chowhound, good luck to both of you on your weight. Mrsyac Has already beat the diabetic 11 and if she can do that she can do anything, and now lost th e weight and now improving her body. The best of luck, I' pullin for you. and Chowhound, Has a friend who has it and is detmined to lose the weight. Best of luck to her. be back Later ---Marie

I don't have nor have I ever had Diabetes I was just talking about my families experience with it- Thats why I chimed in.Sorry for the confusion