Pharmacist: A health care professional who is qualified to
dispense medication. A pharmacist can advise about insulin,
oral antihyperglycemic agents and other medications, and
diabetes supplies such as glucose metres, syringes and lancets.
Polyunsaturated Fat: ‘Good’ fat found in grain products,
fish (such as herring, salmon, mackerel, halibut), seafood,
soybeans, and fish oil.
Prediabetes: A condition in which a person’s blood glucose
level is above normal but not high enough to be considered
diabetes. Prediabetes has no symptoms and can only be
diagnosed with a blood test. It is also called impaired glucose
tolerance or impaired fasting glucose. People with prediabetes
are at high risk of developing type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular
disease and should take steps to lower these risks.
Protein: One of the major sources of calories in a diet. Found
in meats, eggs, milk and some vegetables and starches, protein
provides the body with material for building body tissue, blood
cells and hormones.
Resistance Exercise: Exercise such as weightlifting that
increases muscle strength and mass, leading to increased
metabolism and reduced insulin resistance.
Saturated Fat: The ‘bad’ fat found in foods such as butter,
lard, coconut oil, dairy products (especially cream and cheese)
and meat. A diet that is too high in these fats increases a
person’s risk of cardiovascular disease.
Self-Monitoring of Blood Glucose (SMBG): Blood testing
done by a person with diabetes with a blood glucose metre/
monitor to determine how much glucose is in the blood. SMBG
helps people with diabetes and their health care professionals
make decisions about their medications, diet and exercise in
order to achieve good blood glucose control.
Stroke: The sudden interruption in the flow of blood to the
brain. Depending on the severity of the stroke and the brain
area it affects, it can cause paralysis, weakness, vision and
speech problems. People with diabetes are at high risk of stroke.
Sucralose: An artificial sweetener. Unlike aspartame, it is not
destroyed when heated, so it can be used for cooking and baking.
97