Igembe – At Nyambene Level 4 hospital, nutritionist Grace Safari has called on residents of Igembe to adopt diet changes and lifestyle modifications to address the rising prevalence of diabetes. Speaking to Kenya News Agency (KNA), Safari highlighted the significance of diabetes prevention due to its long-term effects, including financial burdens.
According to Kenya News Agency, understanding the types of diabetes is crucial for prevention and management. She described type 1 diabetes as a chronic illness where the pancreas produces little or no insulin. In contrast, type 2 diabetes results from impaired insulin secretion and insulin resistance, conditions that can be reversed or prevented with dietary and lifestyle changes. Key factors contributing to type 2 diabetes include physical inactivity, overweight, and genetics.
Safari emphasized that managing type 2 diabetes involves a healthy, balanced diet and an active lifestyle. She pointed out that nutrition and physical activities are vital for a healthy lifestyle, with or without diabetes. Safari explained the mechanism by which exercise helps reduce diabetes risk, as muscle cells use insulin and glucose more efficiently for energy during physical activities.
Diet, a major factor associated with various diseases including diabetes, plays a fundamental role in health. A healthy eating plan, Safari noted, should include fruits, vegetables, low-fat dairy products, whole grains, and limited consumption of red meat and fats from foods high in unsaturated fatty acids. She also warned that unmanaged high blood glucose levels could lead to nerve damage, kidney problems, heart diseases, and blood vessel complications.
Safari urged the public to regularly check blood sugar levels and seek medical help if symptoms like excessive thirst, frequent urination, fatigue, and blurred vision are observed.