Type 2 diabetes accounts for 90% of all diabetes cases, and it commonly develops after the age of 40, which is why it used to be called “adult-onset diabetes.” It is characterized by high levels of sugar in the blood.
Type 2 diabetes is much more frequent than type 1 diabetes and is really a totally different disease.
It is one of the fastest-growing public health problems in the increasingly obese western society.
In the United States, over 100 million adults are now living with diabetes or prediabetes. An estimated 1.5 million new cases of diabetes are diagnosed in the US per year. In the UK, there are an estimated 12.3 million people at increased risk of type 2 diabetes.
By the year 2020, more than 250 million people will be afflicted worldwide, resulting in a substantial financial burden, with more than $100 billion spent annually in the U.S. alone. Also, diabetes was the 7th leading cause of death in the United States in 2015.
Diabetes is diagnosed by testing the blood for sugar levels. Blood is tested in the morning after you have fasted overnight.
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Type 2 Diabetes Symptoms:
- frequent need to urinate;
- wounds that do not heal;
- being thirsty a lot of the time;
- increased susceptibility to infections, particularly yeast or fungal infections.
Diabetes Mellitus Causes and Risk factors:
When our food is digested, the glucose makes its way into our bloodstream.
Our cells use glucose for growth and energy. But glucose cannot enter our cells without insulin being present (insulin makes it possible for our cells to take in the glucose).
The glucose level in the blood rises after a meal and triggers the pancreas to make the hormone insulin and release it into the bloodstream.
But in individuals with this condition, the body either can’t produce or can’t respond to this hormone properly.
Without it, glucose can’t get into the cells, and so it stays in the bloodstream. Hence, the level of sugar in the blood remains higher than normal.
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The cause of insulin resistance
What’s preventing insulin from letting glucose in? It’s fat. Intramyocellular lipids, or the fat inside our muscle cells.
Fat in the bloodstream can build up inside the muscle cell and create toxic fatty breakdown products and free radicals that can block the insulin signaling process.
When that happens, no matter how much hormone insulin we have in our blood, it won’t be able to open the glucose gates. That causes blood sugar levels to build up in the blood.
Increased cellular fat is not just an innocent bystander but rather a principal factor in promoting this metabolic disease.
Abnormal high levels of cellular fat may activate a series of enzymes that in turn alters the molecular structure of key substrates involved in insulin action, affecting the transport and metabolism of glucose.
Spiritual Causes of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
The spiritual cause of the disease is emotional isolation and lack of sweetness in life. The bodies of diabetics cannot handle sugar because they cannot connect with life’s sweetness. So the best advice for diabetics is to “stop worrying and get happy.”
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Prevention
Nutrition
The first step is to completely avoid animal-derived products. Needless to say, this eliminates all animal proteins and fats.
The second step is to avoid added vegetable oils.
For example, diabetes prevalence is relatively low among individuals following a plant-based diet, and clinical trials using such a diet have shown improvements in glycemic control and cardiovascular health.
Physical Exercise
Exercise is one of the best and most effective ways to keep your blood glucose levels where they should be and lower them if they get too high.
Because of modern living, it is essential to think about being physically active each day.
Practicing more physical activity during your day is one of the most important things you can do to help manage your diabetes and improve your health.
Tip – both resistance and aerobic exercise are important for people living with diabetes.
Sleep
Sleep gives the body time to relax and repair and is now also understood to play a role in learning.
Studies have shown that sleep deprivation and insulin resistance may be connected.
Individuals who regularly lack sleep will feel more tired through the day and more likely to eat fattier foods.
Quit Smoking
Smokers are roughly 50% more likely to develop diabetes than nonsmokers, and heavy smokers have an even higher risk.
Additionally, the risk of developing type 2 diabetes mellitus increases with the number of cigarettes smoked a day.
Alcohol
Alcohol can cause blood glucose levels to rise or fall, depending on how much you drink.
Furthermore, alcohol impairs your liver’s ability to produce glucose and stimulates your appetite, which can cause you to overeat and may affect your blood sugar control.
Caffeine
Caffeine affects every individual differently.
If you have diabetes or you’re struggling to control your blood sugar levels, limiting the amount of caffeine in your diet may provide a benefit.
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Healing Affirmations
I am completely comfortable with my life.
My blood sugar is balanced.
Every cell in my body is healthy and radiates health.
I always make sure to eat the right foods.
I breathe deeply and every breath energizes me.
I am healed, whole, and healthy.
Images credit – Shutterstock & Getty Images
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References http://care.diabetesjournals.org/content/29/8/1777 http://care.diabetesjournals.org/content/29/6/1433 http://ajcn.nutrition.org/content/78/3/610S.full
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As a founder and chief author at InsightState.com, Bulgarea Candin helps readers on their spiritual journeys. His writings are designed to inspire creativity and personal growth, guiding readers on their journey to a more fulfilled and enlightened life.