Diabetes and Metabolic Syndrome
Diabetes is a metabolic disorder characterized by problems producing or responding to insulin. In Type I Diabetes, the pancreas cannot make enough insulin; in Type II Diabetes, the cells cannot respond. Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas that helps our cells bring in energy from the food we eat. If we stop making insulin or our cells become insulin resistant, the energy (aka glucose) stays in our bloodstream leading to high blood sugar. If left untreated, this can lead to major problems in our blood vessels, nerves, and organs like our kidneys and our eyes.
Insulin
All individuals with Type I Diabetes, and some individuals with Type II Diabetes, will need insulin to treat their blood sugar. Other people with Type II Diabetes may need other types of medications; over time some people with Type II Diabetes may be able to address their blood sugar through diet, exercise, and lifestyle changes alone.
Metabolic Syndrome
Metabolic syndrome, insulin resistance, and Prediabetes are all terms you’ve likely heard, and all of them increase the risk of developing Type II Diabetes. Prediabetes is diagnosed when blood sugar is elevated above the normal range but below the Diabetes range. Metabolic syndrome is diagnosed when a person has a combination of elevated blood sugar, blood pressure, triglycerides or cholesterol, and more adipose tissue, or fat, around the abdomen compared to the rest of the body. A person does not need to have all of these signs to be diagnosed with metabolic syndrome.
If you have prediabetes or metabolic syndrome, the time to act is now! Changes like increasing dietary fiber, exercising regularly and finding ways to manage stress can have a huge impact on our metabolic health. Whether you have diabetes, prediabetes, metabolic syndrome, or are just a little concerned about blood sugar, it's important to have a doctor on board. Making diet and lifestyle changes can be tough and everyone can benefit from support.
