Diabetes...
Diabetes is a chronic, metabolic health condition related to high blood sugar levels which affect how your body processes it. In this article, we will dig deeper about what it is, its types, and how to prevent it.
Diabetes: Introduction
Diabetes is caused by higher-than-normal blood sugar levels. Another term for this is glucose. Glucose is a sugar found in all living organisms on Earth. Glucose comes from the food we eat, and insulin helps our cells convert this sugar to energy. Insulin moves glucose from our blood into the cells for energy and storage. People with diabetes are either insulin resistant, (their bodies don't respond well to insulin) or their pancreas is not producing enough insulin. Some symptoms of diabetes are fatigue, weight loss, and blurry vision.
Glucose mainly comes from foods rich in carbohydrates. (bread, potatoes, fruits). When food travels to your stomach via the esophagus, enzymes and acid break down the food into super tiny pieces. Glucose is then released from the liver, and insulin moves it into the cells. Usually, diabetes is a buildup of glucose in the bloodstream, usually caused by a high intake of carbohydrates over a long period of time.
Other than the symptoms, what else is bad about diabetes? Having a high blood sugar levels for a long period of time can damage vessels that carry oxygen-rich blood to the organs. Diabetes can also increase the risk of heart disease, kidney disease, nerve damage, and eye damage.
Pre-diabetes is before diabetes where your blood sugar levels are high, but not in the diabetic range. This is also called Non-Diabetic Hyperglycemia.
Types:
Type 1 Diabetes
Type 1 Diabetes is a chronic condition that usually occurs in children, teens, and young adults, but can also happen for anyone at any time.
Type 1 Diabetes occurs when there is little to no insulin, being produced in the pancreas. This is due to destroyed or weak pancreatic cells that are not able to execute the functions they are supposed to. Type 1 diabetes is usually genetic, however can also happen from other environmental factors such as viruses and infectious bacteria.
Type 2 Diabetes
Type 2 diabetes is another chronic condition closely similar to Type 1. The chance of getting Type 2 is more closely related to one's lifestyle.
Type 2 diabetes is a problem in the way the body regulates and uses glucose as fuel. Type 2 diabetes is where the body either does not create enough insulin, or the body is resisting it. Normally, insulin moves glucose into cells. However, your body can resist the hormone insulin, causing a buildup of glucose in your bloodstream.
Gestational Diabetes
Gestational Diabetes is when a form of high blood sugar that develops in pregnant women. Hormones such as the Placental hormone can cause high blood sugar. This type of diabetes can cause health problems for the mother and the baby. Gestational can happen due to a hormone, or the mother´s body does not create enough insulin needed for pregnancy. Luckily, some people with this type of diabetes have a healthy preganancy and baby. Only 2-10% of pregnancies every year in the United States are affected by this type of diabetes.
Prevention/Reduction...
Being physically active. Adding at least 30 minutes of exercise every day can make your body more sensitive to insulin. This means that people that are sensitive to insulin will require lower amounts of insulin to lower blood sugar than someone with low sensitivity.
Staying Active
Consuming healthy plant foods. Plants provide protein, vitamins, minerals, and carbohydrates to your daily diet. Red meat has been proven to increase a person's risk to Type 2 diabetes.
Eating Healthy
Gaining too much weight than normal for your age and height around your waist can cause fat to build up in your organs which can cause insulin resistance. Losing weight can increase production of insulin, preventing diabetes.