Diabetes Mellitus

Diabetes mellitus is a chronic condition in which the body does not use insulin effectively. Insulin is a hormone produced by the beta cells of the pancreas that regulates blood sugar levels by moving glucose from the blood into the cells for energy. By facilitating the transport of glucose into the cells, insulin reduces blood sugar. Diabetes is a disease in which the body does not use insulin effectively and causes glucose levels to rise. There are two types of diabetes mellitus: Type 1 (formerly known as IDDM, insulin dependent diabetes mellitus or juvenile onset) or Type 2 (formerly known as NIDDM, non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus, or adult onset). Over 90% of the poplulation diagnosed with diabetes have Type 2 diabetes mellitus. A diagnosis of diabetes is made when fasting plasma glucose is greater than 126 mg/dl, or a 2-hour plasma glucose from an oral glucose tolerance test is greater than 200 mg/dl.

In type 2 - non-insulin-dependent adult-onset diabetes, insulin is still produced by the pancreas but the cells become resistant to insulin and glucose cannot move into the cells. This resistance results in high blood sugar. Insulin resistance seems to be the first stage of the disease and obesity seems to be the most important predictor of the disease. Type 2 diabetes mellitus can occur at any age, but is usually seen in adults. Individuals with type 2 diabetes can frequently control their disease with diet and weight loss alone. Insulin may or may not be required.

Diabetes mellitus increases the risk of many chronic, debilitating diseases, including heart disease, peripheral neuropathies, retinopathy and blindness, kidney disease, vascular insufficiencies and amputation, and skin ulcerations. In the United States, diabetes is one of the leading causes of death and affects over fifteen million people.

Signs and Symptoms

Possible Causes or Contributing Factors

1. Genetic predisposition - insulin resistance can be the result of genetic defects that cause an inadequate number of insulin receptors and/or an inefficient glucose transport system.
2. Obesity - it has been suggested that a person 30% or more overweight for over 30 years will develop diabetes. Individuals with increased upper body fat (apple-shaped obesity) seem to be at a greater risk for developing diabetes.
3. Poor diet - refined, processed foods including sugar, saturated fats and refined carbohydrates, greatly contribute to diabetes. Refined carbohydrates are probably the most important contributing factor in diabetes.
4. Viral infections - may trigger an autoimmune response
5. Food allergies
6. Stress - increases adrenaline production, which increases blood sugar levels
7. Chromium deficiency is a contributing factor in Type 2 diabetes. Chromium is a critical component in the "glucose-tolerance factor", a co-factor in all insulin-regulating activities
8. Overconsumption of calories during pregancy may increase the risk of the unborn fetus developing diabetes later in life.
9. Pregnancy can increase the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes.

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