Dealing with Type 2 diabetes means you need to understand the underlying causes. With a healthy system, the body turns food into glucose and sends it to the body’s cells. The body’s cells use this glucose as energy. But, for the cells to convert the glucose, the pancreas releases insulin as required. The insulin travels to the cells and helps convert glucose into energy the cells can then use. That is how everything should work.
In those that have Type 2 diabetes, something is not working properly. The cells of the body begin needing more and more insulin to convert the same amount of glucose. It is a scientifically accepted fact that this unfortunate condition goes by the name of insulin resistance. For a short while, the pancreas increase production to keep up with the increased demand. However, at some point, the pancreas cannot keep up the pace. That is when the sugar levels start to rise in the blood stream. After awhile, the body cannot deal with the elevated glucose levels.
Now, what causes the insulin resistance that leads to Type 2 diabetes? The most prevalent causes in society are obesity and lack of exercise. In fact, it is the reason for over 90% of new cases diagnosed every year. Recent studies may have uncovered a reason why obese people have such a high prevalence of the disease. In scientific studies with mice, researchers found a new hormone outputted by fat cells. They named this new hormone, resistin. In mice that were obese, the amount of resistin in the blood rose dramatically. In mice that were not, the levels were far lower. Resistin possibly increases the body’s cells resistance to insulin. Why or how this happens is presently unknown. Research is ongoing at this point.
Genetics definitely play a role in Type 2 diabetes, however. Children with parents that have it are very likely to get it themselves. It is accepted that with the right diet and exercise, most people with Diabetes 2 can avoid the terrible consequences of this disease even if they have a genetic predisposition towards the condition. What are some of the other causes? Aging is also another risk factor for developing the disease. Those over 45 have an increasing risk. Anybody over 65 have a greater likelihood of the disease. Other links to those developing this form of diabetes include a history of gestational Diabetes, polycystic ovary disease, or cardio-vascular disease. Patients with Diabetes 2 should know having Diabetes 2 knowledge is the first step to successfully controlling this disease.
Tags: Causes, Genetics, over 45, Type 2 diabetes
