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Effects Of Aging On The Body Essay

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Aging is the process of growing older, one communal progression that all individuals experience. Aging, as all know, causes numerous changes to the human body. One of the leading shifts the body undergoes is an overall decrease in muscle mass. This loss can result from either a sedentary lifestyle (secondary aging) or by following a natural body course (primary aging). By maintaining an active lifestyle, individuals are able to delay the effects of aging on the body. They are able to maintain their independence and improve their quality of life. For elderly individuals diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus, preserving and increasing muscles mass is a crucial part of controlling the disease. During active observations, research, and personal interviews, I was able to fully understand the effects exercise had on individuals with Type 2 Diabetes. Studies have found that one out of every four individuals 65 years and older will be diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes. Also known as “adult-onset or noninsulin-dependent”, Type 2 Diabetes is a disease that “affects the way your body metabolizes sugar (glucose).” (Mayo Clinic Staff, 2016) Glucose metabolism is affected in one of two ways, either resisting or undersupplying insulin within the bloodstream. Individuals with Type 2 Diabetes may have symptoms of “increased thirst, frequent urination, increased hunger, weight loss, fatigue, blurred vision, slow-healing sores or frequent infections, and areas of darkened skin”

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