Type 1 Versus Type 2 Diabetes

Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes are actually two different diseases. Your Pancreas contains clusters of hormone producing cells called islets (pronounced "EYE-lets"). Islets contain several types of cells, including the hormone producing cells called beta cells. In the case of Type 1 Diabetes, the body's immune system mistakenly destroys the beta cells. This causes the pancreas to lose the ability to produce insulin.

In the case of Type 2 Diabetes, there is no defect in the function of the islets. Basically, your body has become insulin resistant. Your Pancreas still produces insulin but does not use the insulin properly. Insulin allows your body to use sugar from carbohydrates in the food you eat for energy or to store glucose for future use. Insulin helps regulate blood sugar levels. When we over consume carbohydrates, we are basically making our Pancreas work harder to produce the insulin needed. Over time, your Pancreas will not be able to keep up.

Type 2 Diabetes is extremely preventable. Carbohydrates turns into sugar (glucose) in our bodies. Just image how many sugars we are putting in our bodies with a hamburger (on a bun), and order of fries, and a sugar drink. The bun (23g carbs), the fries (29g carbs), and the drink (37g carbs + 37g sugars). These are just the totals of small sizes.

Making better eating choices can help slow the growing epidemic of this disease. It only takes one person to begin a movement. Let's start this movement towards better health.