Diabetes Mellitus (DM) is a disease that results in an inability to utilize insulin or an inability to create insulin at an adequate level, with the former being type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and the latter type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM), according to the CDC in 2021.
For T1DM, insulin must be consumed daily. However, one can slow the onset of or even stop oneself from getting T2DM entirely by altering one’s habits (e.g., habitually exercising and consuming hearty food).
To prevent issues resulting from DM, one should consume foods high in fiber and hearty carbohydrates, fish and healthy fats, as stated by the Mayo Clinic Staff in 2021.
However, the Mayo Clinic Staff also advises against cholesterol, saturated fat and sodium that is at a daily consumption of above 2,300mg and trans fat.
According to the CDC in 2021, apart from T1DM and T2DM, over 33% of adults in the United States have prediabetes, which is an abnormally increased amount of sugar in the blood that is not quite at the threshold of T2DM. The National Diabetes Statistics Report revealed that the number of individuals with diabetes is equivalent to 11% of the U.S. population.
According to the National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion in 2021, a total of 116 million adults in the U.S. suffer from high blood pressure.
By altering one’s diet, one can decrease their consumption of medications for high blood pressure. More specifically, one can be aware of their dietary habits, steer clear of sodium intake, opt for healthy consumption, utilize the DASH diet and steer clear of the following: nitrates, such as bacon preservatives, sugar and trans fats.
Sources
Bruce, Debra Fulghum. “High Blood Pressure Diet.” WebMD, WebMD LLC, 17 Sept. 2021, www.webmd.com/hypertension-high-blood-pressure/guide/high-blood-pressure-diet.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “What Is Diabetes?” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 16 Dec. 2021, www.cdc.gov/diabetes/basics/diabetes.html.
Mayo Clinic Staff. “Diabetes Diet: Create Your Healthy-Eating Plan.” Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER), 25 Mar. 2021, www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/diabetes/in-depth/diabetes-diet/art-20044295.
National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Division for Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention. “Facts About Hypertension.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 27 Sept. 2021, www.cdc.gov/bloodpressure/facts.htm#:~:text=Nearly%20half%20of%20adults%20in,are%20taking%20medication%20for%20hypertension.