PRO
6 min read
Diabetes – Etiology, classification, symptoms, dietary guidelines
Julia Wójcik
✓
Diets Premium Expert • 23.10.2026
✓
Scientifically reviewed by a clinical dietitian:
This article has been peer-reviewed for adherence to IŻŻ, WHO, and PTGiP clinical nutritional standards.
| Diets Premium Expert Julia Wójcik | min read 6 min | Scientifically reviewed by a clinical dietitian 23.10.2026 |
Smart Voice
•Listen to the article content live
0:00
/
0:00
Key Takeaways
Diabetes mellitus, as a metabolic disorder, has been documented since ancient times. The earliest records of this condition date back to the 16th century B. C. E. The term mellitus derives from Latin, meaning "honey-sweetened," referring to the presence of sugar in urine, a hallmark sign of carbohydrate metabolism disturbances.
Meal Plan
Want to apply these guidelines in your daily diet?
Our smart diet generator creates a tailored meal plan in 3 minutes based on the recommendations in this article.
PRO Content
PRO
This article is professional premium content (PRO) provided in its entirety.
Blood glucose levels are normal
Laboratory diagnostics and self-control allow constant monitoring of blood sugar levels. In addition, they are intended to diagnose the disease and implement appropriate treatment. The basic test used in the diagnosis of diabetes is to determine fasting blood plasma glucose. According to the literature, the correct glucose level (fasting blood glucose) should be 7099 mg/dl (3.95.5 mmol/l).
Diabetes and other diseases of the digestive system
Diabetes mellitus is a group of metabolic diseases with a variety of etiologies characterized by hyperglycaemia caused by defects in insulin secretion and/ or action.
Causes of diabetes
In a healthy, well-functioning body, the carbohydrate economy is regulated by the hormones secreted by the endocrine cells of the pancreas: insulin/glucagon. In the case of pancreatic β cell disorders or increased insulin resistance, the availability of glucose to the peripheral tissues decreases, resulting in an increase in the blood level of this monosaccharide (hyperglycaemia).
Types of diabetes
The clinical classification recognized by the WHO and ADA comprises four primary categories: 1. Type 1 diabetes (autoimmune beta-cell destruction causing absolute insulin deficiency). 2. Type 2 diabetes (progressive loss of adequate beta-cell insulin secretion frequently on the background of insulin resistance). 3. Specific types of diabetes due to other causes: including monogenic diabetes syndromes (such as MODY), diseases of the exocrine pancreas (cystic fibrosis, pancreatitis), and drug-induced diabetes (e.g., systemic glucocorticoids). 4. Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), diagnosed during the second or third trimester of pregnancy.
Symptoms of diabetes
Subject-specific symptoms of diabetes are varied and varied because they depend largely on the type and dynamics of the disease. As a result of impaired glucose transport to cells, coupled with hyperglycemia detected in subsequent laboratory studies, other characteristic symptoms that indicate the disease are also observed, such as obesity, increased appetite. In addition, weight loss and, consequently, weakness and drowsiness due to dehydration of the body are observed.
Diet for diabetes
The diet of people with diabetes mellitus should be balanced in terms of energy and other nutritional needs, i. e. a number of essential ingredients, and tailored to each individual patient. The correctly composed and differentiated diet should play an important role in the prevention and treatment of complications of micro- and macro-diabetes mellitus. The important COMA PGA and COMA SCOMA SKODZI, which are some of the most important ingredients in the diet of diabetic dieters, should also be taken into account. The proper diet of many diabetic patients should also reduce their blood glucose intake, reduce their fat intake levels, maintain their blood sugar intakes, and reduce the intake of dietary protein products in their daily diet.
Tags
Julia Wójcik
✓Diets Premium Expert
Diets Premium team expert. Specializes in nutrition plans, strength sports, and training plans.
View Profile →
