Why do healthy people get Type 2 diabetes? How is this caused?
I’ve seen a few type 2′s that have a healthy diet, are fine in weight etc. How did they get Type 2 diabetes?
Well there are some theories about it.
For most type 2′s, there is usually a genetic tendency in their family to be predisposed to diabetes. However, you can also have pancreatic damage through viruses, surgery and other events.
Type 2 diabetes is NOT caused by weight gain. Its caused by increased insulin resistance. In most type 2′s, insulin resistance itself contributes to weight gain and rising blood sugar, which in turn aggravates the insulin resistance. This leads to a viscous cycle of weight gain, and increasing blood sugar and worsening insulin resistance. This is why most type 2′s are overweight.
They can diet and exercise and still not be able to lose much weight, because their insulin, pancreas and cells just don’t work together optimally. And they put the weight back on very quickly, and more besides.
Eventually, this leads to the pancreas burning out and being unable to produce enough insulin, and in fact can eventually stop producing insulin altogether. This is called insulin dependent type 2. If your body can’t make enough insulin for its needs, (even if it can still make some), it still isn’t enough for good blood sugar control. At this point you have to start injecting insulin, just like a type 1 does.
Some type 2′s are lucky and don’t have the weight gain, but start making less insulin than their body needs, and their blood sugar rises. This is more similar to type 1 diabetes but it happens slowly, not quickly, like type 1. (Sometimes this is called type 1.5, but its not a correct medical term). It can be caused by a virus attacking the pancreas, or some other trauma to the pancreas, such as surgery, or it can even be induced by medications such as beta blockers, etc.
Another reason some type 2s do not gain weight is because they "spill sugar". Their blood sugar is too high and the kidney’s spill the excess sugar in the urine. This is very unhealthy, and damages the kidneys. It also leads to nerve damage and circulation problems.
Type 2 diabetes is usually about insulin resistance and the subsequent weight gain, but can also be caused by reduced insulin production.
Sometimes type 2 comes on because an older person’s pancreas just gets worn out as they age, (usually in their 70′s, 80′s, or even their 90′s.
Another possible factor is faulty insulin. You might produce enough insulin, but it may not work very well, leading to overproduction, insulin resistance, weight gain (or not, if you spill enough sugar) and rising blood sugar.
Type 2 diabetes is not studied nearly as much as type 1, even though type 2 makes up around 80% of the cases. Its not a popular topic, and doesn’t seem to be as well understood.
There are a lot of misconceptions about type 2 being caused by weight gain, but we now know that insulin resistance and faulty insulin production are responsible for rising blood sugar AND weight gain.
October 21st, 2009 at 9:24 pm
Well there are some theories about it.
For most type 2′s, there is usually a genetic tendency in their family to be predisposed to diabetes. However, you can also have pancreatic damage through viruses, surgery and other events.
Type 2 diabetes is NOT caused by weight gain. Its caused by increased insulin resistance. In most type 2′s, insulin resistance itself contributes to weight gain and rising blood sugar, which in turn aggravates the insulin resistance. This leads to a viscous cycle of weight gain, and increasing blood sugar and worsening insulin resistance. This is why most type 2′s are overweight.
They can diet and exercise and still not be able to lose much weight, because their insulin, pancreas and cells just don’t work together optimally. And they put the weight back on very quickly, and more besides.
Eventually, this leads to the pancreas burning out and being unable to produce enough insulin, and in fact can eventually stop producing insulin altogether. This is called insulin dependent type 2. If your body can’t make enough insulin for its needs, (even if it can still make some), it still isn’t enough for good blood sugar control. At this point you have to start injecting insulin, just like a type 1 does.
Some type 2′s are lucky and don’t have the weight gain, but start making less insulin than their body needs, and their blood sugar rises. This is more similar to type 1 diabetes but it happens slowly, not quickly, like type 1. (Sometimes this is called type 1.5, but its not a correct medical term). It can be caused by a virus attacking the pancreas, or some other trauma to the pancreas, such as surgery, or it can even be induced by medications such as beta blockers, etc.
Another reason some type 2s do not gain weight is because they "spill sugar". Their blood sugar is too high and the kidney’s spill the excess sugar in the urine. This is very unhealthy, and damages the kidneys. It also leads to nerve damage and circulation problems.
Type 2 diabetes is usually about insulin resistance and the subsequent weight gain, but can also be caused by reduced insulin production.
Sometimes type 2 comes on because an older person’s pancreas just gets worn out as they age, (usually in their 70′s, 80′s, or even their 90′s.
Another possible factor is faulty insulin. You might produce enough insulin, but it may not work very well, leading to overproduction, insulin resistance, weight gain (or not, if you spill enough sugar) and rising blood sugar.
Type 2 diabetes is not studied nearly as much as type 1, even though type 2 makes up around 80% of the cases. Its not a popular topic, and doesn’t seem to be as well understood.
There are a lot of misconceptions about type 2 being caused by weight gain, but we now know that insulin resistance and faulty insulin production are responsible for rising blood sugar AND weight gain.
References :
The First Year: Type 2 Diabetes: An Essential Guide for the Newly Diagnosed by Gretchen Becker
Personal experience, my family’s medical history, and constant internet research.
October 21st, 2009 at 10:05 pm
They could have inherited it from their family, or it could have been caused by diseases like hemochromatosis and polycysitic ovary syndrome. It can also be because they have been on a certain type of medication.
Type 2 Diabetes is when body cells don’t make enough insulin and or the body doensn’t take in glucose as they should. People with type 2 diabetes can live a long and healthy life.
This is a good site for meds from Canada that is much more affordable than in the US. Check it out if you have Type 2 Diabetes and don’t want to pay twice the price! http://www.doctorsolve.com/index.asp
References :
October 21st, 2009 at 10:33 pm
It’s funny you asked this because I was thinking the same thing the other day!
My guess would be that while their weight was fine, their diet may not be. If it’s too high in the "good stuff" like whole grains and fruit and too low in fat it might still pose significant blood sugar issues resulting in pancreatic beta cell burnout but yet still be low calorie enough to not cause the weight gain associated with type 2.
Interesting question!
References :