Of the 29 million people suffering with diabetes, 90% are diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes. Unlike type 1, type 2 comes on gradually and is a result of insulin resistance and deficiency. Insulin resistance happens when the muscles, liver and fat tissues do not properly use the insulin produced by the pancreas. Insulin deficiency is a result of the insulin resistance, because the insulin is not used properly, the pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin to deliver to the above mentioned organs.
The combination of the insulin resistance and deficiency result in the development of type 2 diabetes. With a whole host of risk factors, T2D is extremely common among certain groups. These risk factors include:
– Age
– Obesity
– Genetics (or family history)
– Previous diagnosis of gestational diabetes
– Inactive
– Race/ethnicity
African Americans, Hispanics/Latinos, American Indians, some Asians and Native Hawaiians or Pacific Islanders are more likely to develop T2D than other races or ethnicities.*
Unlike Type 1 Diabetes, people with Type 2 Diabetes are able (depending on prognosis) to reverse the diagnosis and/or be completely cleared of T2D. This is done by sticking to a strict diet and living an active lifestyle. However, in some extreme cases T2D can lead to insulin dependency and will not be reversible. This doesn’t mean you can’t do everything to make living with diabetes an easy adjustment.
Type 1 of a Kind is a place to help assist you in stopping the progression of your diabetes. Learn to eat low-carb and how to maximize your time working out and most importantly, find SUPPORT! Visit the discussion page to ask questions or learn from others. Just remember, it’s a marathon not a sprint. Take in each day as it comes and what matters most is what you do NOW.
xo – Allie
*According to http://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/pubs/statsreport14/national-diabetes-report-web.pdf