Did you know that diabetes is not only dangerous because of the disease itself, but what is more dangerous is that this disease acts as a starting point that opens the door for many other diseases to attack, such as cardiovascular disease, eye disease, kidney disease, and many other unexpected illnesses. To prevent elderly family members from facing these dangers, we have some advice on risky behaviors to avoid.
- Enjoying strong-flavored foods
Eating strong-flavored foods, whether very sweet, very fatty, or very salty, does not benefit the body at all. For those who like fatty foods, doctors say it’s not just diabetes to watch out for, but also coronary artery disease. Especially for those who like very sweet foods or foods high in carbohydrates such as flour and sugar, it can lead to the accumulation of unnecessary nutrients, which in turn causes a buildup of blood sugar levels.
- Obesity, overweight, high fat
People with abnormally high cholesterol who like fried foods, fatty foods, cream, butter, cheese, or sweet foods all increase the risk of diabetes. When body weight increases and fat accumulates, the pancreas has to work harder. The harder it works, the faster it deteriorates, resulting in less insulin production and higher blood sugar levels. If the body does not use the sugar, it leads to high blood sugar levels, increasing the risk of many other complications.
- Stress
Did you know that stress is a risk factor for many diseases, including diabetes? When we are stressed, the body releases the hormone cortisol, which stimulates the body to release energy in the form of sugar. Simply put, the more stressed you are, the higher your blood sugar levels will be.
- Heavy alcohol consumption and smoking
According to an online news publication by Dr. Geb Miakin titled “Why Excess Alcohol Increases Diabetes Risk,” a study of over 5,100 Swedes aged 35-61 found that drinking more than 2 drinks (48 grams of alcohol) for a person weighing about 70 kg increases the risk of diabetes. This is because the liver, the main organ responsible for breaking down alcohol in the bloodstream, takes about 1 hour to break down 1 drink. This means that drinking more than 2 drinks causes the liver to work beyond its capacity, leading to triglyceride fat accumulation in the liver, resulting in fatty liver disease, which causes insulin resistance. Additionally, smoking worsens insulin function, causing blood sugar levels to rise.
- Refusing to exercise
Diabetes occurs because the body cannot use sugar efficiently as energy, leading to high blood sugar levels and complications. Moderate exercise helps the body respond better to insulin, which controls blood sugar levels, helping to reduce blood sugar by burning it as energy. However, excessive exercise is also not beneficial because when the body releases too much adrenaline, it can also raise blood sugar levels.
Although one of the factors causing diabetes may be genetics, which we cannot change, don’t forget that our lifestyle behaviors also play a significant role in increasing the risk of diabetes. Changing your habits today is better than having to undergo treatment for life.
