What Causes Diabetes?

What Causes Diabetes? Many people would say, lack of insulin- the pancreas isn't producing enough insulin. And they would be partly right. Scroll down to learn about some of the causes and key risk factors for type 1 and type 2 diabetes.

Type 1 Diabetes:

• is an autoimmune disease that affects 0.3% of the population on average.
• It is caused by the body's immune system attacking and destroying the beta cells which produce insulin in the pancreas.
• This causes diabetes because the body no longer produces enough insulin to function normally.
• Environmental and hereditary factors may play a role, but it's unclear at the moment.

Type 2 Diabetes:

• Type 2 Diabetes is also called adult-onset diabetes. It occurs when the body produces enough insulin but the body's muscle, fat, and liver cells do not use insulin effectively.
• Type 2 Diabetes is more common among people who are older, are obese or have a family history of diabetes. If you have had gestational diabetes, this is also seen as a risk factor.
• Risk factors for Type 2 Diabetes include:
• Hereditary or Inherited Traits : It is strongly believed that a person can inherit diabetes.
• Age : 80% of cases occur after 50 years, and incidences of Diabetes type 2 increase with age.
• Poor Diet including low protein and fiber intake, and a high intake of refined products or junk foods.
• Obesity: Being overweight means increased insulin resistance, especially in those with abdominal or belly fat.
• Inactive Lifestyle : People with a sedentary lifestyle are more prone to diabetes. Exercise is important to keep diabetes type 2 and other illnesses at bay.
• Stress : Either physical injury or emotional disturbance is frequently pointed to as the initial cause of diabetes type 2.
• Gender : Diabetes is most commonly seen in women.
• Hypertension : It had been reported in many studies that there is a direct correlation between hypertension and diabetes.

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