Diabetes CAN YOU REDUCE YOUR RISK?

THE incidence of diabetes mellitus is increasing so quickly  that it has become a global epidemic. There are two major types of diabetes. Type 1 starts mainly in childhood, and presently doctors do not know how to prevent it.  This article is about type 2, which accounts for about 90 percent of all diabetes.

While in the past it was seen as exclusive to adults, more recently type 2 diabetes has also been affecting children.  Experts claim, however, that the risk of   type 2 diabetes can be reduced. A little  knowledge of this insidious disease may prove helpful to you. 

What is Diabetes?

Diabetes is a condition that causes a person to have an excessive level of blood sugar. The disease upsets the normal process of transferring sugar from the bloodstream into cells that need it for energy.  The result is damage to vital organs and impairment of blood circulation, blindness, and kidney disease.  A large proportion of diabetes patients die of heart attacks or stroke. 

Excess body fat can be a major factor in type 2 diabetes. Experts believe that fat accumulated in the belly and waist may indicate a higher risk for diabetes. More specifically, fat in the pancreas and the liver appear to disrupt the body's regulation of sugar. What can you do to reduce your risk? 

Next time: Diabetes CAN YOU REDUCE YOUR RISK? -Three Steps That May Reduce the Risk of Diabetes

From the Awake! magazine