Diabetes, Weight Loss and Insulin

Diabetes or diabetes mellitus, as it is more commonly known, is a medical condition which is characterized by high levels of glucose in the bloodstream. There has been an alarming increase in the number of people with diabetes worldwide in the last two decades. During this century it will become one of the biggest health problems in the world.

Types 1 Diabetes

• Type 1, or insulin dependent diabetes, is caused by the decrease in the level of insulin, a hormone which controls the amount of sugar in the blood. Insulin deficiency happens when the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas are destroyed by the body's immune system.

Type 2 Diabetes

• Type 2, or non-insulin dependent diabetes, is due to insulin resistance; that is, the body fails to respond to the insulin that is circulating in the body. The two key factors that increase the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes are age and obesity caused by an unhealthy diet and reduced physical activity.

Serious Complications

• There is a wide range of complications associated with diabetes. These complications are generally related to damaged blood vessels and nerve cells which are caused by consistently having high blood glucose concentrations. They include retinopathy or eye problems, nephropathy or kidney disease, neuropathy or nerve disease, heart attack, stroke, infections and impotence.

Treatment

• Early detection of the disease is essential to prevent the development of complications. Overweight people are advised to reduce their weight and increase their physical activity. Patients should adopt a proper diet and exercise program.

Curbing Diabetes

• Diabetes can be prevented by adopting lifestyle modifications, including proper diet and increased physical activity and eventual weight reduction. Furthermore, promoting awareness and knowledge about the disease will reduce the number of people who will develop diabetes.