Diabetes or Diabetes Mellitus is a chronic lifestyle disease that is most common in the world today, especially in Malayali families. When the food we eat is digested and converted into glucose, a hormone called Insulin is needed to transport it to the cells of the body and convert it into energy. Insulin is produced by the pancreas gland in our stomach. Due to the malfunctioning of this insulin, the condition in which glucose does not enter the cells and remains in the blood is called ‘sugar’. Here are the 5 main scientific reasons behind this:
Insulin Resistance: The most important scientific cause of type-2 diabetes seen in adults is insulin resistance. In this condition, although the pancreas produces enough insulin, the body’s cells (especially the muscle and liver cells) are unable to respond properly to that insulin. This is a condition where the key is temporarily locked but not turned. As a result, glucose accumulates in the blood.
Obesity & Belly Fat: Excessive weight gain due to lack of physical activity and poor diet is the main cause of insulin resistance. Especially in those with visceral fat, these fat cells release certain chemicals that interfere with the natural function of insulin.
Destruction of pancreatic cells (Type-1 Diabetes): Type-1 diabetes, which is seen in children and young adults, is completely an autoimmune disease. Due to false messages, our body’s immune system completely destroys the insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas, considering them as enemies. With this, the body’s insulin production stops at 100% and causes severe diabetes.
Changed diet and extreme sweets: Rice, flour, gourd, bakery sweets, and fast food contain high amounts of simple carbohydrates. When these are consumed, the blood glucose level rises rapidly (High Glycemic Index). To control this, the pancreas has to continuously produce more insulin. Over the years, due to this overwork, the pancreatic cells become tired and insulin production decreases.
Genetics & Stress: Genetic factors play a major role in diabetes. If one of the parents has diabetes, the risk of children also developing it is 40 to 80 percent higher. In addition, people with chronic severe stress release large amounts of the hormones cortisol and adrenaline into their bodies. These hormones work in the opposite direction to the action of insulin, causing blood sugar levels to rise rapidly.
