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Type 2 Diabetes Research Paper

Decent Essays

Diabetes is a disease that involves the hormone insulin. Although not every individual with type 2 diabetes is overweight, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that nearly 95 percent of diabetes cases in the U.S. are due to obesity and physical inactivity.
Glucose – A Simple Sugar Used for Energy
The body consists of millions of cells. In order to make energy, these cells need food. As you eat and drink, a lot of the food is turned into glucose, which is a simple form of sugar. Glucose is then transported via the bloodstream to the cells. Once glucose enters the cells, it provides the body with the energy it needs every day.
Insulin – The Hormone Responsible for Glucose Distribution
A properly working pancreas will …show more content…

When an individual has type 2 diabetes, his or her pancreas:
Still produces insulin, but very little.
Or
Stops producing insulin altogether.
Insulin Resistance
Insulin resistance is a condition that occurs when the body begins responding inappropriately to the insulin it makes. Once an individual has insulin resistance, the glucose is unable to enter the body’s cells; therefore, it builds up in the blood itself.
As the glucose increases in the bloodstream, damage occurs to various parts of the body, including the:
Heart
Eyes
Kidneys
Nerves
In addition, because cells do not receive the glucose they need for energy, they cannot function properly.
Common Causes of Type 2 Diabetes
It is believed that type 2 diabetes is genetic, which means it runs in families; nevertheless, even individuals who are genetically susceptible to type 2 diabetes may be able to prevent its onset through healthy lifestyle …show more content…

Physical inactivity – remaining active offers many health benefits, which include preventing the onset of type 2 diabetes.
Being overweight/obese – physical inactivity and eating unhealthy foods can cause an individual to become obese. Being overweight is a common factor in the development of type 2 diabetes.
Two Brothers with Different Lifestyle Choices
Consider that two brothers have inherited the genetic mutation that is responsible for type 2 diabetes. One brother is physically active, eats a healthy diet and watches his cholesterol; meanwhile, the other brother is overweight and physically inactive. Despite having the same genetic mutation, the brother who is inactive and overweight is much more likely to develop type 2 diabetes because his unhealthy lifestyle choices affect his body’s ability to use insulin properly.
Glucose – What the Numbers Mean
Individuals with diabetes must meet two of the following criteria.
He or she must have:
A fasting blood glucose level that is 126 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL) or higher. Fasting refers to not eating or drinking anything for at least

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