The Common Denominator in Diabetes

December 9, 2012

Diabetes Definition

Diabetes is caused by a disorder of the endocrine system. It’s a serious disease that has no cure. A person is diagnosed with diabetes when the body no longer uses insulin properly or doesn’t produce insulin at all. Insulin is produced by the pancreas and is what is needed to properly send glucose into the cells of the body to turn them into energy. When the insulin is low or is not functioning properly, it causes high amounts of glucose to stay in the bloodstream.

There are three types of diabetes: Type 1 diabetes (adult onset) is diagnosed in people who either do not produce insulin or produce it in amounts too low to be effective. These people are insulin dependent for life. In people diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes, insulin is produced but is either not used properly or is not produced enough. Diet and exercise can sometimes control glucose levels in Type 2 diabetics, but medications are available. The last type is gestational diabetes, which occurs in pregnant women and sometimes disappears after birth. This type can be controlled with diet and recommended exercise. Insulin can also be prescribed.

Why People Develop Diabetes

Pinpointing a specific reason for diabetes in certain people is difficult because there are so many causes.Heredity plays a big part in whether or not a person will develop diabetes, with the most incidences occurring when either the mother or father has it. Another cause of diabetes is age. The risk of developing diabetes increases as a person gets older. With age, it’s a matter of the pancreas slowing down on the production of insulin just as other organs begin to slow. Minority groups such as Hispanics, tend to develop diabetes at a higher rate. Also among the at-risk are people who are obese. Diabetes is never a certainty in anyone, but certain people can be at a higher risk for it.

One of the greatest common denominators in diabetes (prevention that is) is exercise. It is the best preventative medicine … so get FIT!

In good health,

Bob

With all of the holiday cheer in the air, it’s easy to overlook the ingredients in the foods. Ingredients such as salt, sugar, and fat – all of which leads to diseases such as high blood pressure, diabetes, strokes, heart disease, and cancer.  -Lee Haney