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"Do you know, I rarely eat even fruits, why do I still get diabetes?" said Li Na, a 43-year-old businesswoman, sitting in a hospital ward, her face full of confusion and anxiety.
Li Na has a well-proportioned figure, and in addition to managing her furniture manufacturing company, she also insists on running every day, and is an out-and-out health expert.
On this day, she was diagnosed with diabetes after a normal physical examination. It was a bolt from the blue for her, because in her mind, diabetes was always associated with eating too many sweets and not exercising. Her doctor, Zhang Wei, an experienced endocrinologist, sighed, ready to explain the complex reasons behind this.
"Actually, Ms. Li Na, the formation of diabetes is not just a matter of diet and exercise. There are many other factors, such as genetics, age, and even long-term mental stress, that can be triggers. Zhang Wei began to explain in detail, hoping to make Li Na understand the multifaceted nature of her condition.
In fact, while Li avoided direct high-sugar intake, she made a common mistake in her diet – a high-carb diet. The seemingly ordinary foods she often eats, such as white rice, noodles and steamed buns, are actually high GI (glycemic index) foods that can quickly raise blood sugar levels.
"Many people think it's safe to avoid sweets, but in fact, foods rich in fine carbohydrates, such as rice and bread, are quickly converted into sugar in the body, which is a challenge for blood sugar control," explains Zhang. Especially if you're at risk of diabetes, you should be more concerned about your total carbohydrate intake. ”
Long-term high-carbohydrate diet is one of the important reasons for the dysfunction of pancreatic islet β cells, and then the development of type 2 diabetes. Reducing carbohydrate intake, especially fine carbohydrates, has a significant effect in treating diabetes.
"So, how do you adjust your diet?" asked Li Na, realizing that her daily habits need to be well planned.
"You can try cutting back on white rice and pasta and increasing whole grains and high-fiber foods like oats, brown rice and legumes," Zhang advises. These foods have less of an effect on blood sugar and help stabilize blood sugar. ”
In the days that followed, Li Na changed her diet as Zhang Wei suggested. She also began to learn more about diabetes, such as how to choose healthier ingredients based on the GI value of food. As her life plan adjusted, her blood sugar gradually came under control. This change not only made her feel a physical change, but also strengthened her sense of control over her healthy life.
While Li did her best to follow her doctor's advice, she found it difficult to find a balance between coping with work stress and managing her diet. Whenever the pressure at work increased, she found it difficult to stick to a low-carb diet. Due to the tension and busyness of work, she often has no time to take care of the carefully prepared meals, and sometimes she unconsciously chooses some fast food to save time.
During the follow-up, Zhang Wei noticed Li Na's distress and suggested adjustments: "Ms. Li Na, I understand that you are under a lot of pressure at work, and this pressure itself may affect blood sugar control. ”
"Not only do we need to adjust our diet, but we also need to think about how to manage your stress. Some simple relaxation techniques, such as deep breathing, a short walk, or even a few minutes of meditation, may help relieve stress. ”
Constant psychological stress can lead to abnormal blood sugar. This is not an empty idea, such as an increase in cortisol, which directly causes the action of insulin, causing an increase in blood sugar.
A few weeks later, with the help of Zhang Wei, Li Na slowly learned how to plan her work. She began to focus more on planning and preparing food, and she tried a variety of stress-relieving methods, which allowed her to maintain good blood sugar control even in the midst of her busy schedule.
Li Na's situation has improved to some extent, but she is still curious about some questions. "Dr. Zhang, I would like to know why my blood sugar levels occasionally rise even though I am now strictly controlling my diet and lifestyle, and does this mean that my diabetes is not cured?"
"Managing diabetes is a long-term process, and everyone's body reacts differently. Your occasional spike in blood sugar can be caused by a variety of factors, including unpredictable physiological reactions or other temporary stress. Depending on your specific situation, we can adjust your medication or further optimize your diet and lifestyle. ”
After Li Na heard this, she felt some comfort. She understands that diabetes management is an ongoing process that needs to be adjusted to suit her physical condition. With Zhang Wei's professional guidance and support, she is full of confidence in her future health management.
What do you think about diabetes prevention?