Type 2 Diabetes

Diabetes describes a number of diseases, all of which are brought about by problems regulating the hormone insulin. Insulin plays a vital role in controlling blood sugar levels. Most Americans who are diagnosed with diabetes have type 2 diabetes. It is hard to pinpoint one factor as the cause of type 2 diabetes; however, excess body fat, from a combination of eating too many calories while not burning enough, appears to be a major contributor. This extra fat becomes a factory, producing abnormally high amounts of insulin and other hormones. Cells throughout the body quickly lose their sensitivity to these hormones, a condition referred to as insulin resistance. Abnormally high insulin and blood-sugar levels then act as inflammatory toxins, damaging the kidneys, heart, arteries, and nerves. People with pre diabetes have insulin and blood glucose levels that are higher than normal but are not yet high enough to meet the criteria for type 2 diabetes.