Diabetes
Make Prevention a Priority!
Getting diabetes under control is like a three-way balancing act. We want to get medication, nutrition, and exercise all in sync. We know better control during the first year can reduce the future risk for complications, including kidney disease, eye disease, stroke, coronary heart disease and poor circulation to the limbs.
Make prevention a priority. This is especially important if you are at increased risk of developing diabetes, which is the case for people who have a family history of the disease, are overweight or have been diagnosed as pre-diabetic.
Diabetes prevention is as basic as eating more healthfully, becoming more physically active and losing a few extra pounds. It's never too late to start. Making a few simple changes in your lifestyle now may help you avoid the serious health complications of diabetes in the future, such as nerve, kidney, and heart damage.
The Puzzle Pieces of Type 2 Diabetes
There are eight different core “defects” that affect blood sugar levels in people with Type 2 Diabetes. They are like pieces to a puzzle because they all fit together to keep blood sugar under control. When one piece is missing, or is not working well, the other pieces are affected.
The Gut
A hormone called glucagon-like peptide (GLP-1) is released in the gut which helps slow down the movement of sugar into your blood.
The Pancreas
This is where the hormone insulin is made. The pancreas also makes the hormone glucagon. Glucagon tells the liver to release sugar into the blood to help balance blood sugar.
The Muscles
Your muscles get their energy from sugar. But with type 2 diabetes, insulin has trouble moving sugar into muscle cells. This is called insulin resistance.
The Liver
If you have type 2 diabetes, your pancreas can release too much glucagon which causes the liver to release more sugar, leading to higher blood sugar levels. The liver can also be insulin resistant in people who have type 2 diabetes.
The Brain
The brain is also affected by glucagon-like peptide (GLP-1). It helps your body understand when it is full, and GLP-1 decreases.
Fat
Fat cells can be insulin resistant in people who are overweight or have Type 2 Diabetes which can lead to higher blood sugar levels. It is important to maintain a healthy weight by staying active and eating nutritious meals and snacks.
The Kidneys
The kidneys reabsorb blood sugar to help keep energy from being lost. When someone has Type 2 Diabetes, the kidneys reabsorb too much sugar back into the blood, rather than get rid of it.