Diabetes Mellitus: An Education

Once you’re over the initial shock of learning that you have diabetes mellitus, you realize that there is very little that you know about the disease. You probably know someone with the disease, but never took the time to learn how it impacted their lives. Like most people that have just been given this news, you’ve probably decided that it’s time to learn as much about the disease as possible. It’s now time to get educated, to put your fears and anxieties aside and learn the facts.

There are two forms of diabetes mellitus. The first – diabetes mellitus Type 1 – is often referred to as childhood or juvenile onset diabetes because it is most commonly discovered during childhood. Type I occurs when the pancreas no longer produces the required insulin the body needs to function properly. This is generally discovered early in life and must be addressed with medication. It is often referred to as “Insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus” (IDDM).

The second and more common form of diabetes is diabetes mellitus Type 2. This form is largely attributed to lifestyle choices – lack of exercise; starchy, fried fast-food diets; poor vitamin/mineral supplementation. Type II is also referred to as “Non-Insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus” (NIDDM).

An increasing number of people are being diagnosed with this form of the disease. Many believe it is reaching epidemic proportions in our country and around the world. And most disturbing? More and more children are being diagnosed with the disease.

It shouldn’t be surprising. Society has changed over the last few decades. In the 60s 70s and even 80s, kids spent a majority of their free time outdoors exploring and playing games. Nowadays, most kids spend their time indoors – watching television, playing on the computer and playing video games. With less physical activity, plus today’s fast-food diets and poor vitamin/mineral supplement intake – is it any wonder we are seeing more problems with diabetes?

As the body takes in more sugars, it produces an increasing amount of insulin. Eventually, the body decides it has been producing too much insulin and it goes back to “normal” production. When that occurs, the level of glucose (sugar) in the blood becomes too great, resulting in Type 2 diabetes.

The Insulin Connection

Insulin is a hormone created in the pancreas. As we eat, our stomach begins the process of breaking down the foods with digestive enzymes. One of the key ingredients in most every food we eat is sugar, which is broken down to glucose in the stomach. Once broken down, glucose is absorbed into the bloodstream, where it is then carried throughout the body to be absorbed by different cells where it can be used as energy. However, glucose cannot enter the cells without the help of a very important hormone – insulin.

Once the digestive process begins, the pancreas releases insulin to aid in the absorption of glucose. As the glucose is absorbed by different areas of the body for use, the levels in the bloodstream decrease. This decrease is sensed by the pancreas, which then stops the release of insulin. This process is critical to overall health and is very closely monitored by the body.

Unlike Type 1 diabetes with its reliance on medication, Type 2 requires a commitment to diet changes to maintain a balance in the body’s insulin/glucose connection. Remember – diabetes does not have to control you. With proper exercise, diet, and nutritional supplements, Type 2 diabetics can lead active, healthy, normal lives.

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