Diabetes and obesity are deadly disorders of the human body.
The symptoms of the first is chronic high blood glucose levels (hyperglycemia) which is caused by the failure of the human body to produce any or enough insulin to regulate its glucose levels.
The other is shown by excess weight gain and is caused by the inability of leptin hormones to send signals to the brain or the blocking of leptin signals in the brain by insulin hormones.
Insulin hormone in the body controls diabetes by regulating the level of glucose in the blood, but it also causes obesity by blocking leptin hormone signals from the brain.
Leptin is secreted by fat cells. It is responsible for telling the brain that we have enough energy stored and that we do not need to eat. Because of this, extremely high levels of insulin may be one of the reasons that people become leptin resistant and grow obese.
Excess insulin may be created in the body when the body cells do not see the insulin signals and the pancreas thinks it needs to produce more. This is known as insulin resistance.
According to Dr. Robert Lustig, a pediatric endocrinologist and an expert on child obesity, ‘excess dietary fructose from added sugars’ is one of the main drivers of insulin resistance. And, insulin resistance leads to critically high insulin levels.
Classification of diabetes
Diabetes is classified ‘type 1’ or ‘type 2’. Type 1 is about the body’s inability to make insulin and type 2 is about the body’s inability to react properly to insulin. Type 2 diabetes is the most common though. It makes roughly 90% of all diabetes cases reported.
Obesity Society, in the post ‘Your weight and diabetes’, explains that, ‘the single best predictor of type 2 diabetes is overweight or obesity.’ It says, ‘Almost 90% of people living with type 2 diabetes are overweight or have obesity.’
The body of overweight or obese people have added difficulty using insulin properly to control blood sugar levels, so overweight and obese people are more likely to get diabetes.
Insulin also sends signals to the fat cells, telling them to store fat and to hold on to the fat that they are carrying.
There are many other factors linked to type 2 diabetes. These include age, race, genetics, pregnancy, stress, family history, high cholestrol and some kinds of medications.
It is good news that type 2 diabetes is preventable. Diet, physical activity and weight management are among ways to prevent the development of diabetes.
A study that lasted three to six years found that lifestyle changes and small amounts of weightloss in the range of 5-10% can prevent or delay the development of type 2 diabetes among high-risk adults, according to Obesity Society.
More good news
You do not have to get confused on how to modify your lifestyle or lose weight in order to avoid obesity, and diabetes altogether. Attend SlimFitU’s Health Seminar themed:
Diabetes and Obesity: The Link
Join certified health practitioners and weightloss coaches on Saturday November 19, 2016 at our health seminar where we will discuss the link between diabetes and obesity, debunk weightloss myths, simplify healthy living jargon and share workable tips on avoiding obesity.
Register to attend for free here.