Diabetes Backgrounder

Diabetes is a metabolic disease in which the body does not produce or properly use insulin. As food is digested, it is broken down into glucose, which is passed into the bloodstream as the body's primary fuel source. Insulin, a hormone produced by the pancreas, is necessary for this process to occur. Through its production of insulin, the pancreas automatically regulates the amount of glucose that passes from the bloodstream to the body's cells.

In diabetics, the pancreas either produces no insulin or insufficient amounts, or the cells do not respond appropriately to the insulin that is produced. Glucose then builds up in the bloodstream and passes out of the body instead of being converted into the energy needed for daily life.

There are three types of diabetes: Type 1, sometimes referred to as juvenile diabetes, is an autoimmune disease in which the immune system attacks the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas and destroys them. Type 2, or adult-onset diabetes is generally associated with age, obesity and a sedentary lifestyle with symptoms generally not appearing for a number of years. Type 2 diabetics typically produce insulin, but are unable to effectively use it resulting in what is referred to as insulin-resistance. Over time, however, the pancreas of a Type 2 diabetic may also stop producing insulin. The third type of diabetes is gestational, and occurs only during pregnancy.

The concerns about diabetes as an epidemic relate to Type 2, which accounts for 90–95% of the diabetic population worldwide. The prevalence of diabetes is higher in developed countries, but is increasing at a significant rate as developing countries around the world become more urbanized and adopt more Westernized diets and lifestyles.

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