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Information from Ed Stephens,
Co-founder of Type Free, LLC
A web community for diabetes care and nutrition
www.ImTypeFree.com

The Diabetes Epidemic in the Black Community
Blacks have the second highest incidence of Type 2 diabetes in the U.S. Unfortunately, one out of every three black diabetics is unaware that they have the disease.

This is due to:

• Poor public health policy


• Insufficient health care insurance benefits


• The lack of screening for diabetes


• Poor access to helpful information


• Poor lifestyle choices.

What Is Diabetes?
The normal digestive process is as follows: After eating, glucose and other nutrients circulate in the bloodstream. The pancreas then produces and releases insulin into the blood to help transport glucose into the cells. Insulin is created by beta cells located in the pancreas. Insulin works like a unique key that contacts each cell, unlocking a doorway for glucose to enter. Glucose feeds virtually all cells in the body, especially the brain and muscle.

• Type 1 diabetes (T-1) occurs when most or all of the beta cells inside the pancreas have been destroyed by a person’s immune system. Consequently, these patients need insulin from outside sources.


• Type 2 diabetes (T-2) occurs when some of the body’s cells cannot recognize the insulin molecules. Consequently, these cells do not allow insulin to unlock the doorway for glucose to enter. This allows the glucose to accumulate in the blood and continue to circulate, damaging the body.


• Gestational diabetes is diagnosed as elevated blood glucose levels during the 24th and the 28th weeks of pregnancy. However, blood glucose levels return to normal after delivery. These women have a much higher chance of developing diabetes in later years.

Do You Have Diabetes But Don’t Know It?
Early symptoms of Type 2 diabetes include the following:

• Increased urination – The kidneys are trying to reduce the amount of glucose in the bloodstream.


• Increased thirst – The body is trying to replace the water loss due to increased urination.


• Increased appetite – The cells of the body are starving.


• Fatigue – Reduced amount of absorbed glucose equals reduced energy.


• Weight loss – Cellular starvation forces the body to use up its stored fat.


• Blurred vision – Small capillaries in the eyes begin to multiply and/or rupture.


• Slow-healing wounds and infections – Poor circulation inhibits the healing process.

Type 2 diabetes can be prevented through early screening, good nutrition and ongoing physical activity.

• Early screening helps. The simplest means for early detection is a blood sugar test, measured after a person has fasted for at least eight hours. About 54 million Americans are “pre-diabetic.”


• Good nutrition means eating balanced meals at all times. This involves eating a combination of high fiber carbohydrates, low fat protein, polyunsaturated fats, and flat water. For more information on nutrition go to www.ImTypeFree.com.


• Increased daily activity means more than walking and strength training. It means playing with the kids in the park, running with the dog, parking your car a little farther from the store, taking the stairs instead of the elevator, etc.

Diabetes is a leading cause of:

• Strokes


• Kidney failure


• Adult blindness


• Non-trauma lower limb amputation


• Nerve damage


• Pain in the feet and legs


• Loss of feeling in the feet


• Erectile dysfunction


• Lost control of bladder, bowels, stomach


• Cardiovascular disease.

Stroke and heart attacks are the leading cause of death in people with diabetes.

How to Avoid Type 2 Diabetes

• Good nutrition – snack on and eat more nutritious foods.


• Increased physical activity – at least 30 minutes a day of moderate exercise/activity.


• Visit your physician at least once per year.


• Take your prescribed medication.


• Get helpful information from websites, books, your medical team, etc.

For more information go to www.ImTypeFree.com, a web community for diabetes care and nutrition, and consult your physician.

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