Diabetes is a metabolic disease that is increasing at an alarming rate among Malayalis today and that adversely affects most of the body’s organs. When the food we eat is digested and converted into glucose, the pancreas gland in the brain produces a hormone called insulin to transport it to the cells. Diabetes is caused by defects in the functioning of this insulin. The most common of these is type-2 diabetes. Here are the 5 main scientific reasons behind diabetes:
Insulin Resistance of Cells: The most important scientific reason for type-2 diabetes is insulin resistance. In this condition, the pancreas produces enough insulin, but the cells in the body are unable to use it properly. When carbohydrates such as rice and flour desserts are consumed in excess, glucose in the blood rises and the cells do not accept insulin. Due to this, glucose does not enter the cells and remains in the blood.
Genetics & Family History: Family history plays a major role in the development of diabetes. If one or both parents have diabetes, the risk of developing diabetes in children is 40 to 80 percent higher. When people with this genetic predisposition also adopt a bad lifestyle, diabetes develops at a very young age.
Obesity & Visceral Fat: Weight gain, especially visceral fat, doubles the risk of diabetes. Excess fat cells release certain chemicals and fatty acids into the blood. These interfere with the natural function of the insulin hormone and lead to insulin resistance.
Sedentary Lifestyle: Sitting in front of the computer for long periods of time and a sedentary lifestyle with little exercise slow down the digestion of glucose in the cells. When we exercise, the muscles can take up glucose directly from the blood without the help of insulin. When exercise is stopped, this process is interrupted and blood sugar levels rise.
Beta Cell Dysfunction / Autoimmune: Type-1 Diabetes, which is seen in children and young adults, is caused by the body’s immune system attacking and destroying the insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas, seeing them as an enemy. Due to this, insulin production in the body stops completely. In addition, in the elderly, the increase in the hormone ‘cortisol’ due to chronic stress also affects insulin function.
