Type 2 diabetes, along with other modern lifestyle diseases such as coronary artery disease, stroke, and different cancers, is at epidemic levels. The reasons behind the increase are …
- changing lifestyles,
- unhealthy diets,
- obesity, and
- sedentary lifestyles.
Type 2 diabetes is a disease afflicting millions around the world with numerous symptoms and effects, along with lethal complications. Although some aspects of the disease are hard to predict, others are certain. It is this fact that makes managing the disease a feasible task, contrary to the opinion of many who believe there is no way to be rid of this form of diabetes.
First, those who believe it can not be treated successfully either have not tried as they should or have lacked instruction. Second, managing Type 2 diabetes involves an examination of specific facts surrounding the disease. These are many, but let us focus on two …
- obesity, and
- carbohydrate intake.
While being obese does not directly cause diabetes, it facilitates its development for a host of reasons. Notably, a higher body fat percentage means the body's insulin loses effectiveness …
- the more obese one becomes, the more insulin is required to have the same effect as before. Since insulin is having a fat-storage impact, it becomes a negative cycle.
- the higher a person's weight, the more likely the individual adds weight over time, due to poor processing of carbohydrates.
Also, it is absolutely the carbohydrate intake that fuels the development of diabetes. Mainly, this has to do with …
- overconsumption,
- eating low-quality or processed carbs, or a
- combination of both.
If we had to decide on the major risk factor for Type 2 diabetes, it would not be the carbohydrate intake because carbs are not inherently harmful. Provided the individual leads an active lifestyle, his or her body will more often than not find a use for the extra carbs.
And, even though Type 2 diabetes is present in individuals who do not consume carbohydrates appropriately, it is still not enough to make carbs the significant risk factor. Obesity and all of its various degrees is number one on the list.
Many adults consume carbohydrates: only some are diabetics. The association between Type 2 diabetes and obesity is strong: statistics show at least 80% are afflicted. Not to mention obesity is linked to many of the issues resulting from diabetes as well. This means obesity especially fuels the disease; it facilitates its sunset and drives its development. Moreover, this also means managing body weight is the number one tool for managing Type 2 diabetes. Weight loss, while not the solution on its own, can make a significant difference.
Unfortunately, obesity along with Type 2 diabetes is still on the rise in many places around the world. So this does not bode well for general society, but that does not have any effect on you, does it?