Type 2 Diabetes Causes
What causes Type 2 diabetes?
Type 2 diabetes usually develops even though the pancreas can still produce insulin but for some reason the cells in the body have developed a resistance to that insulin. It is also known as “insulin resistant” diabetes as well as “adult-onset” diabetes. Exactly why this happens is not known but inactivity and excess weight both seem to play a role. Type 2 diabetes is the form of diabetes that is most common.
Insulin is the hormone produced in the pancreas which metabolizes glucose in the blood system so that the cells in the body can use it for energy. When the cells are unable to use this sugar or glucose it will build up in the bloodstream causing most of the symptoms and complications connected with this condition.
It seems that those people who or overweight or obese are at a considerable risk for developing Type 2 diabetes. It is believed that when a person is obese, the excess fat causes low-grade, rather mild inflammation throughout the human body which contributes to diabetes as well as heart disease and other conditions.
Eating excessively the wrong types of foods can certainly be a cause for developing Type 2 diabetes.
It is also believed that another cause of Type 2 diabetes is a sedentary life style which many in our culture of TV and video games have developed. Many people have become “couch potatoes” watching more TV than being outside taking a brisk walk in the evening. Increased exercise as well as some strength training can lessen the effects of Type-2 diabetes.
Recently researchers have shown that sleep disturbances may have a role in developing Type 2 diabetes by affecting the body’s balance of blood glucose and insulin by increasing the requirements on the pancreas. It is believed that those who sleep less than 5 hours every night or sleep more than 9 hours a night are at a greater increase risk of developing this condition.
Other researchers are working on identifying a genetic link to Type 2 diabetes. There have been at least 10 variations of genes which have been linked to increasing the risk for the development of this type of diabetes. But genes alone do not cause this disease without the added components of lack of exercise and poor diets.
There are also several ethnic groups that seem to be more prone to developing Type 2 diabetes. Included in this risk group are:
- African American
- Alaskan Native
- American Indian
- Asian American
- Latino American
- Pacific Islanders
It is also believed that worldwide, people who live in Asia and the India sub-continent are also predisposed to developing Type-2 diabetes.
Other risk factors include those who have a history of gestational diabetes as well as a diagnosis of pre-diabetes.
The good news about Type 2 diabetes is that in many cases this condition can be controlled by diet changes, and exercise alone, often with no medication needed. And by committing to close management of the symptoms of this condition, it is possible to avert or control the complications that can develop. Type 2 diabetes is a very manageable disease.
