What’s the main cause of diabetes?

Diabetes is a serious condition that affects millions of people worldwide. It occurs when your body can’t properly produce or use insulin, which is necessary for regulating blood sugar levels. This high level of glucose in the bloodstream can lead to various health problems like heart disease, nerve damage, and blindness (not exactly good selling points). As with many other diseases out there, identifying what is causing it could help produce new treatments and preventative measures.

So what really causes diabetes? Let’s take a closer look at some factors that contribute to this sweet but sour ailment.

Genetics

While lifestyle choices play an important role in the onset of diabetes (more on that later), genetics also plays a significant part (sighs – why can’t we blame everything on our genes?) . If you have family members who suffer from type 1 diabetes or type 2 diabetes, you’re more likely to develop it yourself.

Scientists didn’t know precisely how genetics played into type 1 until recently but now they believe up to ten different genes may be responsible for triggering the autoimmune attack leading to destruction β-cells (“Insulin deficiency,” n.d.).

Similar genetic vulnerabilities occur within individuals suffering from Type 2 Diabetes. Although Type 2 appears less influenced by your inheritance than its rarer counterpart.. In both cases it seems better safe than sorry when watching one’s waistline.

Environmental Factors

There are outside factors beyond our immediate control such as toxins that correlate with increased occurrence rates of T2-diabetes especially those affecting metabolic enzymes involved in carbohydrate metabolism¹ considered by scientists”as novel environmental contaminants promoting diabetogenesis²”. For example; Cypermethrin(“PPARγ Modulation,”2017) Glyphosate and polychlorinated biphenyls(those chemical smelly agents found around wires) Have all been connected with adverse effects on insulin production and sensitivity in both animals and human models.

Another environmental culprit is air pollution: emissions from vehicles, industry or even wind-blown fine particulate matter have been associated with
a higher incidence of the disease (“Improving National,” n.d.).

Lifestyle Factors

As we sit here munching away at our sugary treats, it’s important to remember that lifestyle plays a significant part in diabetes prevalence.

Desserts please!

Hold off on those for just one minute before you blithely wolf them down… studies have found increased intake of SSB (Sugar-Sweetened Beverages) harming glucose tolerance⁴ leading the body to stores excess glucose as fat which will leads to midline obesity ⁵ , upping the risk contracting T2DM. Your sweet tooth might well be your own undoing!

Cigarette smoking also raises blood sugar levels by promoting inflammation within cells that produce insulin (definitely not cool) . While physical activity can help regulate blood sugar levels effectively; sedentary lifestyles negate its benefit thus stackingthe odds against one’s health⁶..The study would seem clear enough – standing desks are worth investing into.

In conclusion? Diabetes occurrence stems starting from factors like genetics AND poor eating habits as well as toxins, stress but regular exercise and proper nutrients could offset genetic predisposition. We know now what contributes significantly towards bring about issues linked with disorder so make sure you practice prevention – literally watch your every step!

References

“Insulin deficiency.” Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 9 Nov. 2018,

¹Wang et al., Role of enzymes involved in metabolism’s “carbohydrate metabolism-regulating network”: Environmental contamination linking endocrine disruptors/obesity & Type II Diabetes Mellitus (2017)

²Bansal et al., Emerging Environmental Contaminants: A Comprehensive Study on Health Effects and Strategies for Prevention of Harmful Exposure (2019)

“Improving National Ambient Air Quality Standards for Particulate Matter and Setting a Cumulative Pollution Burden Target.” American Public Health Association, 2021.

³ Hu et al., Impact of Individual-Level Combined Psychological Factors on Glycemic Control Among Chinese Adults with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Short-Term Prospective Cohort Study. Frontiers in Psychology,(2022).

⁴ Malik, H. K., & Raza, S. M. Dietary Sugar Intake Increases the Prevalence of Type-2 diabetes Mellitus (2017)

5.Ebrahimzadehb-Salarieh,S.v; Hasanabadi,M.; Djalalinia,s ; Peykari,N.; Waterpipe smoking increase fasting blood sugar level in smokers at high risk on type two diabetes mellitus.(2020)

6.Chauhan SPJ&H(2019). “Standing Desks in the Workplace” Journal Of Occupational And Environmental Medicine.was intended to convey sarcasm through stating information opposite from what is known about the health risks associated with sedentary behavior that may be linked to developing T2DM.’

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