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Diabetes Type 2
Diabetes Type 2 is the most common form of
diabetes. Although it can occur at any age, it is
more common in people who are overweight,
sedentary, and over middle age.
Glucose is the main source of energy for body
cells.
When blood sugar levels rise, as is normal after a
meal, the pancreas gland located behind the
stomach secretes the hormone insulin.
Insulin enters and circulates in the blood and
acts on the insulin receptors present in muscle,
fat cells and other tissues of the body.
Binding of insulin to these receptors causes the
glucose transporters to come to the cell surface.
This facilitates the entry of glucose into these
cells.
In Diabetes Type 2 the production of insulin is
low and sometimes there may be resistance to
Insulin.
The circulating insulin fails to facilitate the
absorption of glucose into the cells and to keep
the blood glucose level at optimum levels.
This results in the rise of blood glucose levels.
The excess in blood glucose reacts with proteins
in tissues to form what are known as advanced
glycation end products, or AGE's. AGE's create an
inflammatory condition in the vasculature, which
causes heart disease and damage to other organs
such as the kidneys.
Diabetes can eventually cause damage to the heart,
arteries, kidneys, nerves, eyes and skin.
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