DIABETES
- There are over 2.5 million people with diabetes in the United Kingdom.
- There are more than half a million people with diabetes who have the condition and do not know it.
- The rates of type 2 diabetes are increasing at an alarming rate.
- Type 2 diabetes is related to the country's expanding waistline.
- Type 2 diabetes usually appears in middle age or elderly people, however, the condition is being diagnosed more at an earlier age.
The main causes of the condition are that the body no longer responds to its own insulin, and/or that the body does not produce enough insulin. Insulin is the hormone produced by the pancreas that helps the glucose (sugar) enter the cells, where it is used as fuel by the body. Glucose comes from the digestion of starchy foods such as bread, rice, potatoes,chipatis, yams and plantain, as well as from sugar and sweet foods and the liver which also makes glucose.
There is no such thing as mild diabetes - all diabetes should be taken seriously and treated properly.
It is unnecessary to buy special foods labelled "diabetic" as a healthy diet for adults with diabetes is the same balanced diet recommended for everyone. For most people achieving a healthy diet means eating the following:-
- meals based on starchy foods
- plenty of fruit and vegetables
- less fat, sugar and salt
If you are overweight, a slow steady weight loss i.e. 1-2lbs per week would be beneficial in helping control your blood glucose levels and perhaps reduce the need to take tablets or have injections.
Local Support
Diabetes UK City of Portsmouth Voluntary Group
Meetings - 10am on the third Monday of the month at Eastney Community Centre
Contact - Christine Edwards 023 9259 2067 or Lorraine Hughs 023 9238 7655
Diabetes UK Drayton and Farlington Voluntary Group
Meetings - 2pm on the first Wednesday in each month at Drayton and Farlington Institute
Contact- Mary White 02392 372346
Diabetes UK Portchester Voluntary Group
Meetings - 10am on the first Monday in the month at Portchester Methodist Hall
Contact- Gay Pounds-Cornish 02392 382104