FAQ - Diabetes

What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a severe, life-threatening condition in which the body loses its ability to turn glucose (sugar) from food into useable energy. The muscle cells and other tissues in the body require specific levels of glucose and carbohydrates to maintain their function. The level of glucose absorbed into the bloodstream by the intestines, and the method by which glucose enters the body’s cells, is regulated by a hormone called Insulin. This is produced in the pancreas, a gland located behind the stomach. Diabetes usually develops later in life, after 45 years of age and which used to be known as “Adult Onset Diabetes’ or “Non-Insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus (NIDDM)- is known today as Type II Diabetes.

Fact

• Approximately 18 million American men, women and children have diabetes.
• Each year, about 1.3 million people age 20 or older are diagnosed with diabetes.
• The disease has ravaged the country becoming the 5th major cause of death in the United States.

What causes diabetes?
People with diabetes either produce too little insulin or their cells do not respond to its action, resulting in abnormally high levels of blood sugar. When sugars are above the normal range (between 80 – 140 mg/dL), the condition is called hyperglycemia.

What are the types of diabetes?
Type 1 - A disease in which the body does not produce any insulin, most often occurring in children and young adults. People with Type 1 diabetes must take daily insulin injections to stay alive. Type 1 diabetes accounts for 5 to 10 percent of diabetes. The tendency to develop diabetes may be inherited.

Type 2 -Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes, with 90-95% most affected. However, this form is most often associated with older age, obesity, family history, physical inactivity, and ethnicity. About 80% of the people with Type 2 diabetes are overweight! Symptoms for Type 2 diabetes tend to develop gradually and their onset is not as sudden as in Type 1 diabetes.

Is diabetes curable?
No, but it is manageable. In people with Type 2 diabetes, glucose (sugar) builds up in the blood. But with treatment, your blood sugar levels may go down to normal again. But this does not mean you are cured. Instead, a blood sugar level in your target range shows that your treatment plan is working and that you are taking care of your diabetes.

How is diabetes treated?
The aim of treatment is to keep blood glucose levels as close to normal levels as safely as possible without causing low blood sugar (hypoglycemia). Such low blood sugar levels may result from a change in the content or timing of meals, or from increased physical activity, or from over-treatment.

Type 1 - Daily injections of insulin, together with dietary control and regular blood glucose testing, form the basis of an effective treatment program. Insulin mimics the body’s own production of the natural hormone. Delivery by injection and careful storage in cooled conditions are required to retain purity.

Type 2 – Dietary control is often sufficient in treating this condition. Weight reduction in the overweight person, an exercise program, and regular blood glucose testing, combined with oral medications, may be required to lower sugar levels. In some cases, insulin may be required to lower blood sugar levels.

Can I do your program if I'm diabetic?
If you are a Type II diabetic (adult onset), you should be able to do Hi-Energy just fine. We suggest you monitor your blood sugar readings once or twice a day as well as stay in close contact with your physician for instructions on making changes in your medications.

Our products have been specially formulated for Diabetics.
This product contains less than 6 grams of sugar per serving and 9 total carbohydrates per serving. Our products for Diabetics have been certified by the Glycemic Research Institute to make the claim “LOW GLYCEMIC” and is authorized to use the Glycemic Research Institute’s Seal of Approval.

How do I use the specifically formulated Diabetic products for Weight Loss?
Hi-Energy recommends that you consult with your primary care physician or diabetes specialist before beginning a program using our Diabetic products. You should discuss blood sugar monitoring, oral diabetes agents and changes to your insulin regimen with your physician before starting the program. We suggest using our Diabetic products as a program that includes 5-6 supplements and one meal per day. Our Diabetic products are recommended as a physician supervised weight loss program for Type II diabetics only.

Should I continue my oral diabetes medication?
It is advised to check your blood sugar at least 2 – 3 times daily, especially at the beginning of your program. If your blood sugar levels fall below the range specified by your doctor, you should seek the advice of your physician. Your products provide a lower intake of calories and carbohydrates than your current diet.