The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate that more than 34 million people in the United States live with diabetes and that approximately 90–95% of these individuals have Type 2 Diabetes. Over time, high blood sugar can damage blood vessels and the nerves that control your heart.
Type 2 Diabetes is characterized by peripheral resistance to insulin. This means that tissues such as the gut, liver, and muscles fail to respond to messages from insulin to take up glucose from the bloodstream.
It also means that the liver, which not only absorbs glucose but also produces it, does not respond to insulin to stop this production. In the early stages, the pancreas secretes additional insulin to overcome the problem, but this corrective process can eventually fail.
Insulin is a hormone that the pancreas produces. It regulates the transport of glucose into the cells of the body, where it serves as a source of energy. Blood glucose levels that remain too high for long periods can damage various organs and systems of the body.
By following our healthy living tips, you can take control of your modifiable risk factors. Taking proactive steps now can prevent or delay the development of diabetes and improve your quality of life.
No content on this site, regardless of date, should ever be used as a substitute as medical advice from your doctor or other qualified clinician.