In the U.S., there are currently 30.3 million people in the U.S. with diabetes. If we also count Americans that are prediabetic, that number jumps to 100 million people just in the U.S. This is a serious reflection of our overall health and lifestyle. This is also a condition that makes billions of dollars each year for the pharmaceutical industry. Diabetes is a chronic condition that has to do with how your body manufactures and uses insulin. Insulin is a hormone made by the pancreas and helps glucose in your blood enter cells in your muscles, fat and liver. Insulin is counterbalanced by another hormone, glucagon, so that one’s blood glucose levels are just right. All forms of diabetes are characterized by higher than normal glucose levels. This could be because our pancreas isn’t making enough insulin or we are insulin-resistant and the insulin receptors in our body are not working properly. This means that your muscles, fat and liver cannot use the glucose from your blood. This can be due to excess weight gain, increased belly fat, lack of exercise, smoking and lack of sleep. The pancreas tries to make increased amounts of insulin, but eventually it just cannot keep up and gets “worn out”.
Diabetes: Are You At Risk?
