By Nicole K. Smith
Diabetes is a fairly common metabolic disorder characterized by increased glucose in the blood. Our body has the ability to convert almost every food we eat into glucose. Glucose is the main energy source of our cells. However, to get glucose into the cells we need an essential hormone called insulin that is secreted by the pancreas. When the pancreas does not produce enough insulin or the insulin produced does not work properly, the glucose we get from food does not enter the cells and thus remains in the blood.
There are two main types of the condition. Type 1 occurs, when the pancreas does not produce any insulin. In type 2, the pancreas either produces less insulin than it needs or the insulin produced does not work effectively. Type 2 diabetes is a disease that primarily affects the developed world. According to medical studies, about 6% of the population suffers from this disease and the percentage is rising. Many people may not even know that they are diabetics, because the condition often has no symptoms.
There are several factors that play a role in whether or not someone will develop type 2 diabetes. Some of these factors, such as heredity can not be controlled, while others, such as obesity can be reversed.
The things you can't change:
* Heredity: If your parents, siblings or grandparents suffered from the disease, then there is an increased likelihood that you will develop this condition at some point of your life. However, there is no hereditary link between diabetes type 1 and type 2. This means that if one of your parents has diabetes type 1, you don't have an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
* Age: Type 2 diabetes usually occurs after 45 to 50 years of age, but it can sometimes occur at 30 or much later, at 70 or 75.
* The presence of other diseases: Specific diseases, such as hyperthyroidism and Cushing Syndrome may create insulin resistance.
The things you can change:
* Lack of exercise: A sedentary lifestyle can increase the chances of developing the disorder. According to experts, walking just 2 hours per week can significantly reduce the chances of developing this condition. 30-40 minutes of exercise 3-5 times a week are an even better way to protect your health and minimize your risk factors.
* Obesity: If your body mass index is greater than 25, you are more likely to become a diabetic. When your BMI exceeds 30, then you stop being overweight and are considered obese. In this case, the chances of developing diabetes will be 4 to 5 times greater compared to people with a BMI of less than 25. What needs to be emphasized is that male or central obesity is more associated with the development of the disease.
Diabetes is a fairly common metabolic disorder characterized by increased glucose in the blood. Our body has the ability to convert almost every food we eat into glucose. Glucose is the main energy source of our cells. However, to get glucose into the cells we need an essential hormone called insulin that is secreted by the pancreas. When the pancreas does not produce enough insulin or the insulin produced does not work properly, the glucose we get from food does not enter the cells and thus remains in the blood.
There are two main types of the condition. Type 1 occurs, when the pancreas does not produce any insulin. In type 2, the pancreas either produces less insulin than it needs or the insulin produced does not work effectively. Type 2 diabetes is a disease that primarily affects the developed world. According to medical studies, about 6% of the population suffers from this disease and the percentage is rising. Many people may not even know that they are diabetics, because the condition often has no symptoms.
There are several factors that play a role in whether or not someone will develop type 2 diabetes. Some of these factors, such as heredity can not be controlled, while others, such as obesity can be reversed.
The things you can't change:
* Heredity: If your parents, siblings or grandparents suffered from the disease, then there is an increased likelihood that you will develop this condition at some point of your life. However, there is no hereditary link between diabetes type 1 and type 2. This means that if one of your parents has diabetes type 1, you don't have an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
* Age: Type 2 diabetes usually occurs after 45 to 50 years of age, but it can sometimes occur at 30 or much later, at 70 or 75.
* The presence of other diseases: Specific diseases, such as hyperthyroidism and Cushing Syndrome may create insulin resistance.
The things you can change:
* Lack of exercise: A sedentary lifestyle can increase the chances of developing the disorder. According to experts, walking just 2 hours per week can significantly reduce the chances of developing this condition. 30-40 minutes of exercise 3-5 times a week are an even better way to protect your health and minimize your risk factors.
* Obesity: If your body mass index is greater than 25, you are more likely to become a diabetic. When your BMI exceeds 30, then you stop being overweight and are considered obese. In this case, the chances of developing diabetes will be 4 to 5 times greater compared to people with a BMI of less than 25. What needs to be emphasized is that male or central obesity is more associated with the development of the disease.
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