Data Diabetes Atlas indicate that the number of diabetics in the world could reach 578 million by 2030. This estimate represents an increase of 115 million people with diabetes in the next ten years. Celebrated this Saturday, June 27, International Diabetes Day seeks to raise awareness in society about the disease and the need for prevention.
Characterized by insufficient production or poor absorption of insulin, diabetes can raise blood glucose levels (blood sugar concentration), causing inflammation in the body's blood vessels and problems in organs such as the heart and kidneys. People with diabetes may also be at greater risk of complications in the event of contamination by Covid-19, since the inflammatory storm caused by the virus can be intensified by diabetes. “High glucose is toxic to cells, which release more inflammatory cytokines and interleukins. This situation is very bad during an infectious or inflammatory process, such as that caused by the new coronavirus. A patient with decompensated diabetes may have an extremely serious evolution of Covid-19”, explains the endocrinologist and specialist in Internal Medicine. Patricia Santafe, doctor of the PUCRS St. Luke's Hospital (HSL).
Second research do Ministry of Health, between 2006 and 2019 there was a 34,5% increase in diabetes cases in the country. The disease affected 7,4% of the Brazilian population last year, being one of the most common chronic diseases. According to the nutritionist Carla Piovesan, professor of the course of Nutrition da School of Health and Life Sciences, eating habits directly interfere in both the prevention, development and treatment of diabetes. “The food consumption characteristic of a busy and sedentary lifestyle has contributed to the increase in the number of people with diabetes, including young people and children. Excess sugar, resulting from a poor diet, overloads and reduces the action of insulin (the hormone responsible for maintaining normal glucose levels), accelerating the development of diabetes in those with a genetic predisposition”, highlights the nutritionist.
Although proper treatment allows diabetics to live with the disease in a controlled manner, there is no cure for diabetes. Dr. Patrícia explains that the mechanisms of glucose balance are extremely complex and that even before we eat something, there is already a tendency for the production of some hormones in the brain, such as insulin. She also highlights that when we eat, there is a greater pulse of insulin and the maintenance of the hormone in the periods between meals. “This entire process involves the brain, pancreas, secretion of substances in the intestine and the balance of the need for consumption and energy reserves. This system is related not only to insulin, but to all the other mechanisms and counter-reporting hormones that will control glucose levels, according to our diet and sleep. That is why it is so difficult to find a specific cure for diabetes”, points out the endocrinologist at HSL.
The doctor also emphasizes that the context caused by the Covid-19 pandemic requires increased attention to health and dietary care. “If we stop worrying about maintaining an adequate routine during this pandemic period, with a healthy diet and exercising, this time could represent an increased risk of developing metabolic diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease and bone diseases in the future for each of us,” says Patrícia.
Professor Carla Piovesan also states that paying attention to what we eat and how we eat is an essential pillar for our health, whether to treat diabetes, prevent it or ensure health during this pandemic. The professor also points out that the current context is prone to the emergence of actions that disrupt eating, such as emotional eating. “We are living in a unique moment, we were not prepared to deal with such a stressful and anxiety-producing situation. The stress response related to food is a very primitive brain mechanism. It is expected that 'emotional eating' or 'emotional hunger' will appear during the pandemic. That is, not seeking food out of hunger, but seeking it out driven by some emotion. Fear, anxiety, sadness, anger, boredom are the most common,” she comments.
the e-book Interprofessional health strategies to deal with the quarantine period, developed by Lifestyle and Health Research Group (Pevs) brings together information on topics such as nutrition, physical exercise, Mindfulness and strategies aimed at the health of children and adolescents. The material also addresses ways to deal with emotional eating and emotional drinking. The e-book can be accessed for free at this link.
