Risk Factors and Dangers of Type 2 Diabetes and Insulin Resistance

• Main Causes
• Pregnancy & Medication Risks

Type 2 diabetes is a serious disease that significantly decreases life expectancy in both men and women. Unfortunately, even with drug treatment most people with diabetes have a hard time controlling the condition. ^(vii.85-86)

Studies suggest that the natural compounds in turmeric might make that easier to do. In fact, tests in diabetic animals showed it was more effective and safer than troglitazone, an antidiabetic drug that was found to cause hepatitis. ^(vii.87-88)

A Growing Epidemic?

There are growing numbers of people around the world developing diabetes and most of them are unable to control the condition: ^(vii.85-86)

• Almost 17 million people of all ages (over 7% of the population) in the United States currently have type 2 diabetes.
• Almost 6% of the worldwide population has diabetes.
• Mexican and African Americans (including children) have a greater risk of developing the disease.
• Rates of children of all races with type 2 diabetes have risen dramatically since 1992.
• Medical practitioners diagnose almost 800,000 new cases and there are about 180,000 deaths from diabetes or related conditions each year in the U.S. alone.

Diabetes Helps Cause Other Diseases

Diabetes is also a major contributor to cardiovascular disease, neuropathy, and metabolic syndrome. It's also the leading cause of kidney failure and blindness in adults. ^(vii.85-86)

What Are the Main Causes and Risk Factors?

Having close relatives with diabetes is linked to a higher risk of developing the condition. But medical experts say the main causes of diabetes are: ^{(vii.31, 85)}

• What you eat: Diets high in sugar, refined carbohydrates, and saturated fats overwhelm the body's ability to maintain normal blood glucose levels. ^(vii.1, 89)
• Central abdominal obesity ("belly fat"): One of the reasons obesity is a risk factor for developing type-2 diabetes is because high levels of body fat inhibit the secretion of adiponectin into the blood stream. According to 13 studies on type-2 diabetes involving over 14,500 participants, people with higher adiponectin levels consistently had a lower risk of developing type-2 diabetes. This held true regardless of ethnicity and gender. ^(vii.90)
• Increased age: Loss of muscle, reduced length of DNA strands, and accumulated cell damage are all associated with growing older. Unfortunately, all of these aging effects can also increase the risk of diabetes and insulin resistance. ^(vii.70)
• Lack of regular physical activity: Sedentary lifestyles promote obesity, which increases the risk of type 2 diabetes. Studies show exercise may also help lower your blood sugar levels. ^(vii.1)

Pregnancy May Increase the Risk of Diabetes

Women face an additional risk of developing diabetes during pregnancy. Though it typically disappears after childbirth, gestational diabetes is also linked to higher risk of type 2 diabetes later in life. For Hispanic women the risk may be as much as 70% higher than women who did not develop gestational diabetes. ^(vii.91)

Some Drugs Could Increase Insulin Resistance

Certain medicines can also make insulin resistance worse, including: ^{(vii.31, 86)}

• Antipsychotic drugs
• Estrogen hormones
• Isotretinoin
• Oral contraception
• Steroids
• Tranquilizers