Are you confused about diabetes and wondering how you ended up with it? And what are you supposed to do about it? There is so much different information given to you, your head is spinning. Firstly, let’s look at the main differences between type 1 and type 2 diabetes and the effect of type 2 on both the lean and obese person.

1. Type 1 Diabetes:

• is an auto-immune condition
• the beta cells of the pancreas are destroyed by the body’s own immune system
• very little or no insulin is available and daily insulin-injections are required for life
• onset is usually rapid

2. Type 2 Diabetes:

• it is understood to be brought on by lifestyle choices

in the lean person:

• the pancreas secretes less than normal amounts of insulin
• then fewer doors are opened for glucose to enter the muscle cells
• this results in blood sugar levels being higher than normal
• glycogen stores in the liver are mobilized then raising blood-sugars even further
• blood-sugars are elevated because the pancreas slowly and gradually stops producing insulin

in the obese or overweight person:

• even more than normal amounts of insulin could be secreted into the blood stream to compensate for increased resistance caused by extra fat around the waistline
• this causes the keyholes (insulin-receptors) to change their shape so that the keys (insulin-molecules) do not fit as well and fewer doors are then opened to allow blood glucose to pass through
• these high blood-sugars cause even more insulin to be secreted into the blood stream by the pancreas
• this build-up is known as insulin-resistance
• in time the pancreas becomes overworked and gradually becomes tired and fails to produce insulin
• glycogen stores in the liver may be mobilized to raise blood sugar levels even further
• blood-sugars are raised mostly because the pancreas tires and/or insulin-resistance

Signs and Symptoms:

• slow onset
• can vary from none to mild

Treatment:

• First stage: … diet and exercise; if obese weight loss
• Second stage: … diet and exercise plus insulin-stimulating medications. There is no real way of knowing when or if this stage will definitely occur
• Third stage: … diet and exercise plus tablets and/or insulin-injections

The biggest difference is in the treatment:

People in the type 1 category require insulin as their body is no longer producing it. Lean or obese people with type 2 diabetes need to find their particular food, exercise, or medication plan so that it translates into normal blood sugar levels in his or her body.

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