Causes of DiabetesHere we will explain the main causes of diabetes (risk factors), and what you can do to reduce your risk of becoming a diabetic. The three main causes are:
Why is Diabetes becoming so Prevalent?The main (and controllable) causes of diabetes is diet and obesity. Today we are in the middle of a diabetes epidemic. New cases are running at 6-7% per year. America is becoming an unhealthy, overweight nation. Our children are learning extremely poor eating habits. We are now seeing a large increase in the number of Type 2 Diabetes patients who are children and young adults.
The implications for quality of life and health care costs are staggering. Risk Factors1. GeneticsDiabetes has a genetic predisposition, so if you have it in your immediate family your risk is higher. However, it also has a strong lifestyle influence, both positive and negative. As we discussed in the section on epigenetics, your lifestyle (diet, weight, exercise, and smoking) can turn on "bad" genes or turn them off. You are not a prisoner of your genes. 2. Diet and Insulin SpikesDiets high in processed carbohydrates such as sugar, high fructose corn syrup and fruit juices will increase stress on your pancreas to release insulin.
Fat cells and insulin have a symbiotic relationship, and unfortunately it's one that will lead you to an early grave. Insulin damages vessels and builds fat cells. Fat cells release unhealthy hormones and make insulin less effective. This makes the pancreas work harder to release greater amounts of insulin. The cycle continues, snowballing, and damaging every organ in the body. These sugary foods that cause blood sugar spikes are known as high-glycemic index foods.
3. High Body Mass Index (BMI)The above discussion on insulin and fat cells should shed light on the third risk factor, high Body Mass Index (being overweight). High BMI makes you more likely to become diabetic and means you will likely have a worse case when you get it. I'm always happily amazed to see diabetic patients whose blood sugar stabilizes and who get off all their medications when they lose weight. A Cautionary Note...As a final note, smoking cigarettes when you have diabetes is a ticket to losing one or both legs due to collapsed circulation, as well as going blind from proliferative retinopathy and spending your remaining years on a kidney dialysis machine.
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