ONESTEPDIABETES

The Balance of Glucose and Insulin:

Diabetes is a disorder that affects the way your body uses food for energy. Normally, the sugar you take in is digested and broken down to a simple sugar, known as glucose. The glucose then circulates in your blood where it waits to enter cells to be used as fuel. Insulin, a hormone produced by the pancreas, helps move the glucose into cells. A healthy pancreas adjusts the amount of insulin based on the level of glucose. But, if you have diabetes, this process breaks down, and blood sugar levels become too high.

There are two main types of full-blown diabetes. People with Type 1 diabetes are completely unable to produce insulin. People with Type 2 diabetes can produce insulin, but their cells don't respond to it. In either case, the glucose can't move into the cells and blood glucose levels can become high. Over time, these high glucose levels can cause serious complications.

Pre-Diabetes:

Pre-diabetes means that the cells in your body are becoming resistant to insulin or your pancreas is not producing as much insulin as required. Your blood glucose levels are higher than normal, but not high enough to be called diabetes. This is also known as "impaired fasting glucose" or "impaired glucose tolerance". A diagnosis of pre-diabetes is a warning sign that diabetes will develop later. The good news: You can prevent the development of Type 2 diabetes by losing weight, making changes in your diet and exercising.

• What is Pre-Diabetes?

Type 1 Diabetes:

A person with Type 1 diabetes can't make any insulin. Type 1 most often occurs before age 30, but may strike at any age. Type 1 can be caused by a genetic disorder. The origins of Type 1 are not fully understood, and there are several theories. But all of the possible causes still have the same end result: The pancreas produces very little or no insulin anymore. Frequent insulin injections are needed for Type 1.

• Type 1 Diabetes
• Insulin and Diabetes

Type 2 Diabetes:

A person with Type 2 diabetes has adequate insulin, but the cells have become resistant to it. Type 2 usually occurs in adults over 35 years old, but can affect anyone, including children. The National Institutes of Health state that 95 percent of all diabetes cases are Type 2. Why? It's a lifestyle disease, triggered by obesity, a lack of exercise, increased age and to some degree, genetic predisposition.

How Do Genetic Factors Influence Diabetes Risk?

Genes are what give us red hair, green eyes, mahogany skin or tall stature, among a host of other traits -- including a predisposition for diabetes.

Research has shown that certain gene variations raise the risk of developing diabetes. These genes can be associated with insulin sensitivity in the body's tissues, decreased insulin production and an increased risk of obesity. Research also indicates that women who develop gestational diabetes while pregnant, and who also have GAD antibodies, are at greater risk of developing type 1 diabetes later in life.

However, genes alone are not enough to cause the disease. For instance, consider identical twins, who also have identical genes. If one twin has type 1 diabetes, the other develops it only half of the time. If one has type 2 diabetes, the other develops it no more than 75% of the time.

In addition, researchers note that lifestyle modifications -- including exercise and a healthy diet -- can reduce the risk of developing prediabetes and type 2 diabetes, even for people who have a genetic predisposition.

What Diabetes Risk Factors Can Be Controlled?

Although genes and ethnicity are risk factors for diabetes, they are not the sole determinants of whether someone develops the disease. Environment plays a role, as does lifestyle. Staying active, maintaining a healthy weight and eating a balanced diet can help postpone or prevent type 2 diabetes.

The American Diabetes Association has a risk-assessment quiz on its website, which can help you get an idea of your potential for developing diabetes. People at high risk should talk with a health care professional to see what lifestyle changes can be made to stay free of diabetes.