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. However, for the cells to convert the glucose, the pancreas releases insulin as required. The insulin directs itself to the cells and there it helps convert glucose into energy the cells require. 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 blood sugar. This 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 glucose levels begin 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 research may have uncovered one reason why obese people have such a high prevalence of the disease. In studies with mice, researchers found a new hormone produced by fat cells. They have assigned this new hormone, resistin. In mice that were obese, the amount of resistin in the blood rose dramatically. In mice that were not, the amounts 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. The children of parents that have it are very likely to develop it themselves. With the right diet and exercise, most can avoid the consequences of the disease even if they have a genetic predisposition towards the disease. What are some of the other causes? Aging is yet another risk factor for developing the condition. Those over 45 have an increasing risk. Those over 65 years of age have a substantially higher probability of the condition. Other links to those developing this form of diabetes include a history of gestational Diabetes, polycystic ovary disease, or cardiovascular disease. Having knowledge is the first step to successfully managing and treating this disease.
Tags: Causes, Genetics, over 45, Type 2 Diabetes
