Female Diabetes & Obesity

Diabetes has become a significant health issues especially in teenagers and young adults.  Characterize by abnormally high levels of glucose in the blood, there are 2 main types of diabetes: Type 1 diabetes, often known as insulin-dependent diabetes, generally a flex young people it is a condition where the pancreas produces insufficient or no insulin (the hormone that lowers blood sugar).  The more common form of diabetes his: Type 2 diabetes, where the pancreas produces insulin, often at higher than normal levels, but the cells of the body did not respond properly.  This is often referred to as insulin resistance.  Chronic elevations of blood sugar can damage small blood vessels resulting in cardiovascular disease, visual problems (diabetic retinopathy) and kidney disease, diabetic nephropathy). 

When the cells on the body become insulin resistant, blood sugar begins to rise in the body compensates by secreting more insulin.  This extra insulin takes the extra blood sugar and stores it in the body fat as a triglyceride, attaches the extra blood sugar to a red blood cell (HgbA1c) are stores it in the liver as glycogen.

Signs and symptoms of diabetes include frequent thirst, frequent urination, unusual hunger, fatigue, irritability, frequent infections particularly yeast infections or poor healing.  It is important to seek medical attention as soon as possible to correct the insulin resistance and avoid the complications of chronic diabetes.

We are seeing alarming increase in the number of young people who have diabetes and this is directly related to diet and obesity.  In women, not only his diabetes associated with increased risk of heart disease, but there is also at increased risk in the incidence of breast cancer.  The good news is that adult onset or type 2 diabetes is a preventable disease.  While genetics may increase one's risk of developing this disease, nutrition is really the key.

There are many nutritional supplements which can help improve insulin resistance, lower blood sugar and help with weight loss.  There is quite a bit of literature which demonstrates the beneficial effects of these nutritional supplements.  If you're currently taking medication to control diabetes, the supplements may improve the function of your insulin.  You may need less medication or you may be able to stop taking the medication altogether.  However, this decision should be made by your healthcare provider.  A skilled Anti-Aging physician or compounding pharmacist will be able to help you with a nutritional program.