It was in 1981 when the University of Toronto professor, Dr. David Jenkins, completed a pioneering work that invaluably enriched the medical profession. He developed what is popularly known as Glycemic Index. The Glycemic Index established a ranking system for foods rich in carbohydrates on the basis of the length of time it takes for the digestive system to break these foods down.

On the one hand, there are carbohydrates that break down very slowly. They release sugar, or glucose, slowly to the bloodstream. This kind of foods rates low in the Glycemic Index. People with diabetes, especially those who are using insulin, are better off eating foods with low glycemic ratings or scores. Low glycemic foods allow medication or insulin to respond more effectively to blood sugar and make it possible for sugars or glucose to break down normally.

On the other hand, there are carbohydrates that rate high on the Glycemic Index. They allow blood sugar levels to rise rapidly. Although these foods help people to recover quickly from energy-sapping activities or those experiencing hypoglycemia, they are harmful for Type 1 and Type 2 diabetics. They render medication or insulin ineffective.

People should familiarize themselves with foods that rate high on the Glycemic Index. They include white rice like jasmine rice, corn flakes, baked potatoes and white breads. Diabetics, either of the 1 or 2 types, should avoid these foods.

Other foods that diabetics should avoid include white bread, pasta or anything mixed heavily with refined white sugar or white flour. Doctor often advise diabetics that avoiding foods that rate high on the Glycemic Index is avoiding anything white.

High glycemic foods normally take a much longer time to digest. Sugar, or glucose, remains in the bloodstream of diabetics for a long time because their systems are unable to process and absorb the amounts of flour and refined sugar taken in. These unprocessed compounds stay in the blood and urine, which lead to symptoms like frequent urination, feelings of thirst and hunger, along with profuse sweating.

These abnormalities are bound to put pressure on the normal functioning of a diabetic's sytems. Kidneys get to work overtime and may start to malfunction. Blood sometimes mixes with urine. In dire cases, patients may faint and lose consciousness. A far worse condition is falling into diabetic coma.

Both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetics must always remember that foods with high glycemic ratings are harmful to them and should therefore be avoided. With a proper and healthy diet, regular monitoring of blood glucose levels, along with medication and insulin for more serious cases, diabetics can live full and happy lives.

Diabetes does not have to be a killer. It simply is an abnormal condition, which unfortunately afflicts many, that makes it difficult for human bodies to break starches and sugars down. Body systems have problems digesting these compounds normally. Thus diabetes can become dangerous to those who ignore what their physicians prescribe, eat harmful foods, and fail to monitor their blood sugar levels. Otherwise they should be able to contain the disease and lead long and normal lives.