Diabetes is a chronic disease that is widespread in our population today. In diabetes, sugar or glucose remains at high levels in the blood. Carbohydrates are the food group that release sugar into the blood once digestion is completed. This does not mean that carbohydrates are bad for us, it simply means that the amount we eat and the types of carbohydrates we choose are important. When we eat carbohydrates, sugar enters the blood and a hormone called insulin is released by an organ called the pancreas. Insulin helps to transport glucose from the blood stream into the body’s cells where it can be used for energy or stored as fat. This process helps keep the sugar in the bloodstream within a normal range.
In Type 1 diabetes, patients do not produce insulin and require insulin injections to help keep blood sugars normal. In type 2 diabetes the body doesn’t make enough insulin or the body becomes resistant to the function of insulin.
When insulin does not function properly, glucose builds up in the blood and results in hyperglycemia (high blood glucose). Initially, some people may feel no different with high blood sugars, however, this is the danger of diabetes. Having high blood sugars over the long-term can result in complications which can affect eyesight, kidney function, increase risks of nerve damage, increase risks of infection and amputation, and damage the heart.
It is thought that insulin resistance or type 2 diabetes may be caused by excess body weight which alters normal hormone function, physical inactivity, sleep problems, or smoking. Other risk factors include those of South Asian, African, Indian, Hispanic descent, having immediate family with diabetes, having high cholesterol or high blood pressure, having gestational diabetes, or having polycystic ovary syndrome.
Although we cannot control all risk factors, choosing to be physically active, including high fiber foods in your diet, limiting high sugar foods and fast food, not smoking and managing sleep and stress can delay the onset of diabetes or help prevent complications in those who already have diabetes.
For more information, view this detailed video by Diabetes UK
References
http://www.diabetes.ca/about-diabetes/what-is-diabetes
http://diabetes.niddk.nih.gov/dm/pubs/insulinresistance/#causes
http://www.diabetes.ca/research/research-funding/complications-research
http://www.idf.org/about-diabetes