Facts about type 2 diabetes…
What is insulin, and how does it act to regulate blood glucose levels?
- Animal hormone produced within the pancreas
- When insulin is triggered, it “unlocks” the cells in the body which allows glucose to
enter and therefore can regulate blood glucose levels
- Presence/lack of insulin has an effect on:
o Metabolism
o Body systems
o Cells (muscles and adipose tissue cells)
o Liver
o Dictates the level of energy in the body
§ Presence of insulin = body uses glucose as energy
§ Lack of insulin = saves glucose and resorts to using fat for energy
What is type II diabetes?
- There are two types of diabetes, type one and type two.
- Type 2 diabetes is more common than type 1
- Makes up of 90-95% of the total cases of diabetes
- Type 2 diabetics’ can either be insulin resistant or not able to make enough
insulin
- “Insulin Resistant” is when the body does not respond to insulin properly
which can cause the body to produce even more insulin which can wear out the pancreas (where insulin is made).
- Obesity being a key factor of type 2 diabetes
- show how about 80% of all type 2 cases are overweight
- Even if obesity is the biggest factor, genetics (runs in families), environmental,
age, and physical inactivity are also influential.
What are the warning signs of diabetes?
- Pre-diabetes (look above to “Symptoms” for more information)
- Metabolic Syndrome (look above to “Symptoms” for more information)
What are the long-term complications of diabetes?
- It can possibly shorten and complicate one’s life
o Increases the amount of substances flowing in one’s blood
o Glycosylation (when glucose changes the shape of a protein which ultimately alters
the function of the protein)
o Blood can become thick which can harm capillaries
*These main complications can lead to:
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Heart Disease
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Blindness
§
Stroke
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Kidney problems/disease
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Obesity
§
Amputations
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Atherosclerosis
§
Nerve Damage
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Lack of nutrients to tissues
§
Blindness
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Cardiovascular disease
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Amputations
§
Changes in skin appearance
How can diabetics maintain optimum health?
- Watching their sugar levels – Because the levels are vary from high to low but normally
for type 2 diabetics its higher than normal. To maintain optimum levels, watch one’s habits.
- Healthy/balanced diet (fruits, vegetables, balanced amount of carbs, protein, water, vitamins,
fiber, phytochemicals, minerals) – Because one’s body needs all these elements to keep the body as healthy as
possible.
- Keeping away from bad foods (saturated fats, Trans fat, LDL Cholesterol, etc) – Foods
with fatty acids block the insulin receptors which do not allow glucose to flow into the muscles which can worsen diabetes.
- Exercise daily (at least 30 minutes of moderate exercise) – This is important because
it allows the glucose in the blood to flow into the muscles, which can also help insulin do its job correctly.
- Weight loss – Which prevents one from becoming obese which is found as a common factor
of type 2 diabetes (9 out of 10 type 2 diabetics are obese).
- Stress management – Stress hormones that are involved mess up fuel metabolism by elevating
one’s glucose level and make one resort to bad habits.
- Proper usage of insulin medication (if necessary)
- REGULARLY EVALUATE SUGAR LEVELS!
Habits…
Habits to break:
- Smoking
- Alcohol
- Caffeine
- Excessive eating
- Extreme dieting
