Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus
Type 1 diabetes mellitus is an endocrine-metabolic disease, which negatively affects the secretion of insulin by the pancreas.In subjects affected by this disease, the amount of insulin produced by the pancreas is insufficient to ensure the correct functioning of the organism; consequently, it is necessary to resort to daily injections of synthetic insulin.
The pancreas, which performs a promiscuous function (endocrine and exocrine), can undergo a reduction in its general or specific functionality for reasons: genetic, autoimmune, infectious, inflammatory, etc.
Insulin is an essential hormone for the body, because it regulates blood sugar by feeding the massive entry of glucose into some specific tissues (muscle, heart and adipose).
In the case of type 1 diabetes mellitus there is NO definitive cure, but rather a maintenance drug therapy. As mentioned, the reference drug is synthetic insulin based, intravenously injectable.
The dosage and duration of action of the injected insulin vary according to the subjective characteristics and the type of food consumed in the meal. For further information: Drugs to Treat Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus
Diet, Insulin and Diabetes 1
The diet for type 1 diabetes mellitus is a very important aspect for the prevention of chronic complications due to hyperglycemia.
In healthy subjects, the glycemic surge is only postprandial. However, if insulin is absent or insufficient, this hyperglycemic condition continues over time, causing various damage to: eyes, kidneys, nervous system, cardiovascular system and autonomic nervous system.
The insulin injection aims to prevent this circumstance by reducing the postprandial glycaemia. Nevertheless, the quantity of the drug must be chosen carefully, without exceeding (for the reasons mentioned above) or exceeding. In fact, too much insulin can lower blood sugar levels (hypoglycemia), causing serious reactions such as ketoacidosis and hypoglycemic shock (loss of consciousness, coma and death).
It is therefore understandable that the eating habits of the type 1 diabetic should be more or less standardized, in order to avoid complications in the short and long term.
On the other hand, if properly instructed, the subject is able to effectively manage his / her diet by modifying foods, portions and the level of physical activity.
When the parameters of glycaemia and glycated hemoglobin are within the normal range, the diet, physical activity and pharmacological doses can be defined as satisfactory.
Dietary Principles
The nutritional organization of a diabetic must take into account above all the glycemic impact of food. The greater the knowledge of this variable, the easier the choice of foods and portions will become.
Let's go into more detail:
