Type 1 diabetes is a devastating condition that can potentially lead to serious complications. And yet it is also a condition that can be managed effectively so that you can still enjoy life. Type 1 diabetes needn't cause you to miss out on all that life has to offer - famous faces with type 1 diabetes such as Sir Steve Redgrave and Halle Berry prove this. So what limitations do people with type 1 diabetes have?
The fact of the matter is that insulin is vital to the body if you are to live a healthy life. Because the bodies of people with type 1 diabetes lack the insulin needed to keep blood glucose at a healthy level, biosynthetic insulin has to be administered. This is usually done through injections and can take some getting used to when you are first diagnosed, but it will ultimately allow you to lead a more 'normal' lifestyle.
And taking part in sporting activities or exercising is definitely part of a 'normal' lifestyle. There's no reason why having type 1 diabetes should be a hurdle to competing at the very top level of sport. The fact that the only British person to ever win Olympic gold medals at five successive Olympics, Sir Steve Redgrave, has type 1 diabetes demonstrates this perfectly. While you might not be aiming to match his record, it should be a comfort to know that type 1 diabetes won't stop you from making the most out of life.
A healthy diet for type 1 diabetes is much like a healthy diet for someone without the condition. That means meals that are low in fat, with low levels of salt and sugar with plenty of whole grain foods and fruit and vegetables. Sweets and chocolate can still be eaten as part of a healthy diet - in fact, most foods are perfectly fine if eaten sensibly and at the correct times.
There's no disguising the fact that being diagnosed with type 1 diabetes will change your life forever unless the cure is found. However, that is no reason for type 1 diabetes to limit your life. With a little bit of extra planning and preparation much, much more can be possible than you'd ever dreamed of.
The fact of the matter is that insulin is vital to the body if you are to live a healthy life. Because the bodies of people with type 1 diabetes lack the insulin needed to keep blood glucose at a healthy level, biosynthetic insulin has to be administered. This is usually done through injections and can take some getting used to when you are first diagnosed, but it will ultimately allow you to lead a more 'normal' lifestyle.
And taking part in sporting activities or exercising is definitely part of a 'normal' lifestyle. There's no reason why having type 1 diabetes should be a hurdle to competing at the very top level of sport. The fact that the only British person to ever win Olympic gold medals at five successive Olympics, Sir Steve Redgrave, has type 1 diabetes demonstrates this perfectly. While you might not be aiming to match his record, it should be a comfort to know that type 1 diabetes won't stop you from making the most out of life.
A healthy diet for type 1 diabetes is much like a healthy diet for someone without the condition. That means meals that are low in fat, with low levels of salt and sugar with plenty of whole grain foods and fruit and vegetables. Sweets and chocolate can still be eaten as part of a healthy diet - in fact, most foods are perfectly fine if eaten sensibly and at the correct times.
There's no disguising the fact that being diagnosed with type 1 diabetes will change your life forever unless the cure is found. However, that is no reason for type 1 diabetes to limit your life. With a little bit of extra planning and preparation much, much more can be possible than you'd ever dreamed of.
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