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The data clearly indicate a strong interest in youth/family summer camps geared towards diabetes education. Eight out of 14 youth expressed an interest in meeting other youth with type 2 diabetes and attending youth/family camps. Currently, summer camps and prevention programs specifically targeting Latino and African-American youth do not exist within many states and counties in the United States including Santa Clara County, despite these being the populations that comprise most of the newly diagnosed cases of type 2 diabetes mellitus among youth.
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The characteristics described in the present study are consistent with previous studies that have examined the demographics, physical characteristics, and family history of type 2 diabetes in North American children and adolescents. While some of the environmental factors that contribute to type 2 diabetes are both recognized and preventable, the rates of type 2 diabetes among youth, specifically in certain ethnic groups, are on the rise. Additionally, a family history of diabetes does not necessarily equate to increased knowledge of the associated diabetes risk factors that may minimize early-onset of this disease.

As the characteristics and diabetes risk factors of type 2 diabetes among youth continue to be identified, prevention programs will need to be designed and implemented. Summer camps and school-based education programs are available for children with type 2 diabetes in certain parts of the United States and Canada. These camps and school-based education and prevention programs have been established because type 2 diabetes has been recognized in Native American youth for over 15 years (Rosenbloom, Joe, Young & Winter, 1999). It has been shown that a child who attends a summer camp for two consecutive years is more likely to adopt lifestyle changes that lead to improved diabetes management (Cook, & Hurley, 1998). Diabetes education programs for this population will need to be culturally appropriate and focus on family involvement to increase the quality of life and decrease some of the preventable health risks associated with this disease.

The youth diagnosed with type 2 diabetes are reported to be a challenging population to work with due to poor blood sugar control, missed appointments with physicians and diabetes educators, and the pressure to conform to the lifestyle behaviors of their peers. As more youth are diagnosed with type 2 diabetes at increasingly younger ages, they will be living with the disease for much longer periods of time than their adult counterparts, potentially facing higher medical costs and more diabetes complications including cardiovascular disease and hypertension at younger ages. Due to the recent increase of cases of type 2 diabetes among youth, support programs and services have yet to be developed and implemented to address the needs of this unique population.
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It is also clear that family involvement and positive role models will be integral in the success of the self-care required of youth who are diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. Finally, the community programs developed for this population will need to focus on the diverse cultural needs since the majority of youth cases with type 2 diabetes are found in the Latino, Native- American, and African- American populations.

Consistent with the literature, the majority of subjects (11 of 14) had at least one first-or second-degree relative with type 2 diabetes, and quite strikingly, 9 of the 14 subjects’ mothers had been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. Previous studies have suggested that a positive family history of type 2 diabetes, specifically within Mexican-American populations, is a genetic factor that may be a contributor to the early onset of type 2 diabetes within youth (Glaser, 1997; Treviño et al., 1999). One of the reported risk factors associated with type 2 diabetes among youth includes a positive family history of diabetes in a first- or second-degree relative including being an infant of a mother with gestational diabetes (Beck et al., 2001). Among other risk factors, a positive family history of type 2 diabetes is also used at the Pediatric Endocrine Clinic to differentiate between a diagnosis of type 1 and type 2 diabetes.

Even with evidence of a strong family history of type 2 diabetes, only half of the subjects indicated that they were familiar with the disease before they were diagnosed. In regards to diabetes management, 11 of the 14 subjects reported that they tested their blood sugar at least once per day. Blood sugar control is an important aspect of diabetes management and may help to minimize or reduce diabetes-related complications such as blindness, nephropathy, neuropathy, and cardiovascular complications later in life. Previous studies have suggested that Hispanic populations, as compared to non-Hispanic populations, develop diabetes-related complications within the first five- to 10 years of initial diagnosis (Neufeld, et al. 1998). Individuals who are diagnosed with diabetes during childhood or adolescence may be exposed to hyperglycemia for much longer periods than their adult counterparts thereby increasing their chances of developing diabetes-related complication earlier in life.

Lifestyle, Exercise, and Nutrition Behaviors
Lifestyle behaviors, such as TV/computer viewing and exercise habits revealed that most subjects spent an average of 4.1 (± 2.0) hours per day in front of the television or computer and had not made any efforts to increase their level of physical activity. It has been reported that Mexican-American children spend significantly more time in front of the television set than non-Hispanic white children (Treviño et al., 1999). Perhaps these youth had little interest in organized sports participation or found it challenging to participate in sports activities. Interestingly, eight out of 14 subjects claimed that they enjoyed exercise and 36 percent of subjects would recommend an increase in physical activity to other youth diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. One the other hand, only four subjects reported exercise changes, and three participants increased their activity level through individual exercise activities such as running, walking, and weight lifting.

Dietary changes proved much more common than exercise changes as 11 of the 14 subjects claimed that they had made some significant dietary changes after their diagnosis. Soda and fast-food consumption were listed as foods that most subjects consumed less than three times per week despite an obvious interest in fast-food items such as pizza and hamburgers. The decrease in fast-food and soda consumption may have been related to the changes in dietary behaviors since diagnosis. While vegetable consumption was low among most subjects, vegetables and salad were listed as a favorite food among 5 of the 14 subjects. Participants were more likely to consume fruit and 9 of the 14 subjects reported eating fruit seven days per week. Latino children in general, are reported to eat fewer servings of fruits and vegetables as compared to Caucasian and African-American children (Treviño et al., 1999).

Type 2 diabetes in children and adolescents appears to be the result of a combination of factors such as genetic predisposition, obesity, the presence of secondary hyperinsulinemic conditions, physical inactivity, and poor dietary behaviors. While this study is based on a small sample size, the findings are consistent with previous studies that have examined the characteristics of these youth. In regards to ethnicity, studies that have examined the prevalence of type 2 diabetes have also shown higher rates of type 2 diabetes among Hispanic youth compared to other ethnic groups (Fagot-Campagna, et al. 2000). In California, it is reported that Mexican-American children have higher rates of type 2 diabetes than do Caucasian children (Libman & Arslanian, 1999). The present study also demonstrates high rates of type 2 diabetes among Latino youth. In comparison, the youth treated at the Kaiser Santa Teresa pediatric endocrine clinic with type 1 diabetes are predominantly Caucasian.

Since puberty marks a brief period of insulin resistance as compared to prepubertal children or adults, it is not surprising that the mean age at diagnosis for these youth was 12.7 years (± 2.3). Most children who are diagnosed with type 2 diabetes are between 10 to 19 years old, with the majority of diagnoses occurring at 13 years of age or during mid-puberty (Libman & Arslanian, 1999). While pubertal children represent most of the diagnoses for type 2 diabetes among youth, children as young as 10-years-old have been identified with this disease (Fagot-Campagna et al., 2000). In the present study, three children had been diagnosed at age 10 or younger with the youngest diagnosis occurring at age eight-and-one half. Currently, the youngest child diagnosed with type 2 diabetes has been reported as a four-year-old Pima Indian child (Fagot-Campagna et al., 2000).

Physical characteristics such as BMI, revealed that 12 out of 14 subjects (86%) had a BMI greater than 27 kg/m2, indicating a high incidence of overweight and obesity. In comparison, an estimated 13 percent of children between six to 11 years and 14 percent of adolescents ages 12-19 years within the United States are overweight (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2002).

Mexican-American children, in particular, are reported to be susceptible to the development of obesity due to factors such as genetic predisposition, cultural factors, and dietary behaviors (Neufeld, Raffel, Landon, Chen, & Vadheim, 1998). Previous studies have also shown that in Mexican Americans, diabetes incidence increases significantly when combined with an increase in BMI (Haffner, Hazuda, Mitchell, Patterson & Stern, 1991). It is also known that a high BMI in childhood is associated with insulin resistance and that obesity, inactivity, and diets comprised of high-calorie low nutrient dense foods can contribute to the early onset of type 2 diabetes (Cook & Hurley, 1998).

Perhaps as significant as the high incidence of overweight and obesity within these youth with type 2 diabetes was the finding that 10 of the 14 subjects were noted to have acanthosis nigricans, a cutaneous manifestation of hyperinsulinemia resulting in excessive pigmentation and thickening of the skin into soft irregular folds (Glaser, 1997; Stuart, Pate & Peters, 1989). As many as 60 percent to 70 percent of all children diagnosed with type 2 diabetes have acanthosis nigricans (Glaser, 1997). This condition is found in seven percent of school-aged children and is most prevalent among children who are overweight, or from African-American or Hispanic populations (Libman, & Arslanian, 1999). An estimated sixty to seventy percent of children of Hispanic or African-American ethnicity are reported to have acanthosis nigricans (Glaser, 1997). In this study, three of the subjects with acanthosis nigricans also presented with another hyperinsulinemic condition, either PCOS or hirsutism.

Dietary changes were more evident. Eleven subjects reported that they had made changes in their food choices since they were diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. Subjects reported that they no longer ate “junk food,” reduced fat intake, ate smaller portions, started counting carbohydrates, cut down on sweets and sodas, ate more vegetables, started reading food labels, and consumed more water. Five of the 14 subjects did not know if they had experienced any recent weight fluctuations and three subjects reported that they had lost weight only to re-gain it. Three subjects reported that they had recently lost weight and two subjects claimed that they had recently gained weight. Only one subject reported no recent changes in body weight.

Youth Nutrition Behaviors
When asked to list three favorite foods, the most frequent responses from participants included: 1) burgers and meat; 2) pizza; and 3) vegetables and salad. Other fast-foods that were listed with less frequency included French fries, hot dogs, fried rice, and ice cream. Only one subject reported eating his/her favorite foods seven days per week. Most of the youth (8 of 14, 57%) consumed his/her favorite food less than three times per week. In addition, 8 out of 14 subjects reported that they consumed soda less than three times per week. The majority of youth (11 of 14) consumed fast food less than three times per week while only one youth claimed to eat fast-food everyday. Vegetable consumption was not as common as fruit consumption as eight subjects ate vegetables less than three times per week. In contrast, nine subjects reported that they consumed fruit on a daily basis. Finally, the most common foods believed to cause an increase in blood sugar included: 1) candy and sweets; 2) carbohydrates such as bread, pasta, potatoes, and rice; 3) fast-food; and 4) soda.

Four out of 14 subjects reported that the greatest challenge of living with type 2 diabetes was testing blood sugar and giving themselves insulin injections. An equal number of subjects reported that making dietary changes was a hardship. One subject revealed that the fear of death was the hardest part of living with diabetes. When asked what kind of advice to give other youth diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, six out of 14 subjects suggested dietary changes and five subjects recommended an increase in exercise. Six subjects reported weight loss as the most “positive experience” since diagnosis.

Four subjects either couldn’t think of any positive experiences or believed there hadn’t been any positive experiences since being diagnosed with diabetes. Eight youth expressed some interest in meeting other children or adolescents with type 2 diabetes. The same number of subjects expressed interest in attending either a summer camp specifically for youth with type 2 diabetes or a family camp. Six subjects reported an interest in meeting other youth with type 2 diabetes at their community center. Four subjects preferred to meet these youth at school.

The emerging population of youth diagnosed with type 2 diabetes in the United States, particularly among certain ethnic groups, will require intervention programs on a community level to address the specific needs of this growing population. At present, educational programs and youth/family camps for children and adolescents diagnosed with type 2 diabetes are extremely limited or unavailable. Prevention programs for this population will need to be culturally appropriate, focus on family involvement, and examine existing lifestyle and nutrition behaviors to increase quality of life and decrease some of the preventable health risks associated with this disease. This exploratory study was designed to ascertain the characteristics and perceived needs of youths with type 2 diabetes so that future programs could be developed and implemented.

Qualitative research methods were utilized to gather information on the characteristics and perceived needs of children and adolescents diagnosed with type 2 diabetes in Santa Clara County. Fourteen youth between the ages of 10 and 18 years diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and their parents/guardians were surveyed at the Kaiser Santa Teresa Pediatric Endocrine Clinic in San Jose, California. Following the survey questionnaire, which assessed demographics, anthropometrics, lifestyle behaviors, and nutrition and exercise behaviors, each youth participated in a follow-up interview to obtain qualitative information related to his/her diabetes knowledge, perceptions, and management.
The criteria used at the Pediatric Endocrine Clinic to distinguish the diagnosis of a child or adolescent with type 2 diabetes versus type 1 diabetes included: 1) presence of overweight (BMI ≥ 25.0 < 30.0 kg/m2) or obesity (BMI ≥ 30.0 kg/m2), 2) family history of type 2 diabetes, 3) negative antibody markers for type 1 diabetes including anti-insulin, anti-islet cell, and anti-GAD antibodies, 4) the eventual cessation of exogenous insulin.

The principal investigator, as well as the endocrinologists and nursing staff of the Kaiser Santa Teresa Pediatric Endocrine Clinic, conducted recruitment for the study. Subjects and their parents/guardians were invited to participate in the study during medical check-ups with the endocrinologists or via phone calls by the principal investigator.

Informed written consent was obtained from both parents and youth. Subjects were asked to complete a twenty-minute survey containing questions on demographics, family history, diabetes management, lifestyle behaviors, nutrition behaviors, and diabetes risk factors. Upon completion of the questionnaires, subjects were asked if they would participate in a short 15-minute follow-up interview to answer additional questions about their diabetes management. Both the survey questionnaires and follow-up interviews took place in a private office at the Kaiser Santa Teresa Pediatric Endocrine Clinic. To ensure confidentiality of subjects, the questionnaires and follow-up interviews were not associated with any personally identifying information and were identified only by study code. Approval for the study was obtained from the Kaiser Permanente Institutional Review Board, the Kaiser Permanente Central Research Committee, and the San Jose State University Human Subjects Institutional Review Board.

Type 2 diabetes has been traditionally considered a disease that affects adults over age 40, however, it is now becoming more prevalent among children and teenagers. Until recently, type 2 diabetes accounted for two percent to three percent of all children diagnosed with diabetes mellitus in North America (Glaser, 1997). Over the past five years there has been a ten-fold increase in children under age 18 diagnosed with type 2 diabetes (Buck, 1999).

Currently, of all newly diagnosed cases of type 2 diabetes within the United States, between eight to 46 percent are children under age 18. This wide range of youth diagnosed with type 2 diabetes reflects the unequal distribution among the various ethnic groups who exhibit this condition (Libman & Arslanian, 1999). In addition, current percentage estimates of newly diagnosed children and adolescents with type 2 diabetes have been extrapolated from existing studies examining specific populations with this disease (Sones, 2001). For example, the Pima Indian youth of Arizona reportedly have the highest rates of type 2 diabetes in the world. The current prevalence of type 2 diabetes among Pima Indian youth within the 15-to-19-year age group is 51 per 1,000 compared to a prevalence of 4.5 per 1,000 for all U.S. American Indian populations. The prevalence of type 2 diabetes among youth from other ethnic groups within the U.S. has not been extensively researched and population-based prevalence estimates are currently unavailable (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2002). Recent studies, however, indicate that the populations most at risk for type 2 diabetes include American and Canadian Indians, African-Americans, Pacific Islanders, Hispanics, Japanese, and Asian Indians (Ehtisham, Barrett, & Shaw, 2000). State and county statistics documenting the prevalence of type 2 diabetes in youth within California are also unavailable.

While the epidemiology, pathophysiology, and medical management of type 2 diabetes in adults has been extensively studied, very little is known about the disease in children. In adulthood, type 2 diabetes is associated with genetic, environmental and lifestyle risk factors such as obesity, high energy consumption, and low levels of physical activity (Pinhas-Hamiel et al., 1999). In childhood, however, the particular risk factors and characteristics associated with type 2 diabetes are just beginning to be identified.

The majority of children diagnosed with type 2 diabetes display certain traits and characteristics that differ from a diagnosis of type 1 diabetes. Children diagnosed with type 1 diabetes are typically of normal weight, do not have a family history of diabetes, rarely present with acanthosis nigricans, are dependent on insulin for survival, and are predominantly Caucasian (Libman & Arslanian, 1999). Current literature suggests that most youth diagnosed with type 2 diabetes are in middle to late puberty, are overweight or obese, have a strong family history of type 2 diabetes, and demonstrate signs of insulin resistance and hyperinsulinemia manifested either as acanthosis nigricans (AN), a cutaneous skin condition, polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), or hirsutism (Beck et al., 2001; Glaser, 1997; Libman & Arslanian, 1999; Scott, Smith, Cradock, & Pihoker, 1997; Treviño, Marshall Jr, & Hale, 1999). Early identification of the characteristics and diabetes risk factors among children and adolescents may lead to early detection of diabetes and help delay the onset of this life-long disease.

While health-care professionals differ in their views on whether cinnamon can help persons with diabetes achieve normal blood sugar levels, there are many supporting opinions to suggest that its use could be beneficial to type-2 diabetics. A reference to opposing views is given below.

For some, it is a daily struggle to reach even close to normal blood sugar levels and any reasonable recommendation by a qualified health authority will usually be considered carefully. In the case of cinnamon, An amount suggested for use in diabetes is small, available from many grocery stores and is an inexpensive product already found in many kitchens where it is used as spice for flavoring food.

Cinnamon appears to have a property similar to insulin that can increase the effectiveness of the insulin that is produced by the body but which finds resistance by cells of the body of a person with diabetes.

Diabetes is a serious disease in which insulin resistance leads to the accumulation of glucose in the bloodstream. The normal function of insulin in relation to glucose is that it acts as an essential mediator with the cells of the body to allow them to take in the glucose that is then used by the cells to fuel other metabolic processes that sustain life. When the process is impaired in that way, both above normal blood glucose levels and insulin levels result. High blood sugar levels, defined as diabetes, if left untreated can lead to serious health complications and excess insulin can lead to increased body fat, also an unhealthy condition.

Recommended Dosage

A commonly recommended amount to take is one quarter, or one half, of a teaspoonful daily. This recommendation is based on a study, undertaken in 2003, reported in the journal “Diabetes Care”, where 60 type-2 diabetic men and women participated by taking either a quantity of cassia cinnamon or a placebo. The results indicated that the cinnamon takers were able to lower their blood sugars by 18 to 29 percent whereas there was no change in blood sugar levels for those taking the placebo.

Other beneficial blood chemistry effects were obtained through the cinnamon use, lower triglycerides, a blood fat, and lower levels of LDL, often referred to as the “bad” cholesterol.

Other similar studies have been undertaken, some support the above finding but others do not, so there is as yet no conclusive evidence of its effectiveness in helping to achieve normal blood sugar levels.

Other opinions: Cinnamon is not recommended

Based on a number of such studies that cannot confirm the benefits claimed for cinnamon, the opinion of many in the healthcare field, some of whom are concerned with other safety factors, is that cinnamon should not be recommended for use under current available evidence.
As a long time type-2 diabetic, I understand the desire of my fellow diabetics to know about possible beneficial food items that may help deal with their diabetic condition.

Stress is tied to many health conditions including Type 2 diabetes. We are told stress not managed can lead to medical illnesses: it can even contribute to physical illnesses such as high blood pressure and heart disease. Stress is often ignored as a factor in being overweight, prediabetes and Type 2 diabetes.

Firstly, just what is stress? It is the way your body responds to a demand no matter what kind. It can be caused by either a good or bad experience and at this time your body reacts by releasing chemicals into your bloodstream. Stress usually occurs when the demands being made on a person are greater than their ability to cope.

What is the stress-Type 2 diabetes connection? Stress increases the secretion of insulin and cortisol, your body’s main long-acting stress hormone. Both these hormones work together to promote the formation of belly fat or visceral fat… contributing to both overweight and Type 2 diabetes. Stress hormones may also alter blood sugar levels directly.

The connection between stress, Type 2 diabetes and weight loss (or not)! Think about your own eating habits when you are stressed… you are likely to delay or even skip meals. This leads to eating foods or snacks full of sugar as well as beverages loaded with caffeine and sugar. These foods then create a blood sugar roller coaster.

Food behavior is one of the most common responses to stress, frequently leading to ongoing bad eating habits. Stress usually leads to high calorie/kilojoule comfort foods.

It is not unusual to find when people become stressed they increase both drinking and smoking. These often take the place of exercise, so instead of having lower blood sugar levels, your blood sugar levels are increased along with your weight. Time is not found to check blood sugar levels or to even prepare healthy meals.

What are signs that you are feeling stressed? If you are experiencing any of these symptoms your response to stress is undercutting your ability to cope with them.

Symptoms include:

Why Type 2 diabetics should control stress. People with Type 2 diabetes should think of stress as an enemy to be dealt with. As well as the normal stressors Type 2 diabetes adds the stresses of coping with:

When you are stressed it’s the way you behave; then you are unlikely to exercise, make healthy food choices, check your blood sugar levels, take your medications on time and do anything else necessary for good diabetes care.

Type 2 diabetics with a personal support system find that a great strength, especially through the first days and weeks of managing their diabetes, and in dealing with or managing any complications. A recently completed 5-year study led by Dr. Paul Ciechanowski of the University of Washington at Seattle, found people with type 2 diabetes who lead lives of suspicion and mistrust of their fellow human beings, who have no personal support system, tend to die earlier. Diabetics who have difficulty reaching out to others tend to have earlier and more serious complications leading to shorter lives.

Dr. Ciechanowski and his colleagues, 3,535 adult patients with type 1 and type 2 diabetes, enrolled as Group Health Cooperative patients in the Puget Sound area of Washington state. Because depression is known to shorten the life span of type 2 diabetics, people who had already been diagnosed with depression were excluded from the study.

These diabetics were given psychological testing that divided them into two groups, interactive and independent. Diabetics with an interactive style found it easier to establish relationships with others and to rely on them. In turn, they themselves were dependable friends and colleagues.

Diabetics with an independent style tend to be fearful or dismissive of close relationships. These were people who had been found to have been “burned” in relationships and who tended to want to go it alone.

The diabetics in both groups had received their diagnosis in America and all described their medical care as hurried, uncaring, and inadequate. Diabetics with an interactive style tended to give their health care providers the benefit of the doubt, while diabetics in the independent group tended to enter health care with an expectation of poor results.

And that expectation of poor results led to the reality of poor results! Over the five years of the study, these diabetics with the “negative” attitude were 33% more likely to have died. This translates to an increased longevity of 8 to 16 years for diabetics with the can-do attitude in a can’t-do system.

You can’t and shouldn’t need to try to change your personality, but you can look for positive developments wherever you can find them. If you are dissatisfied with the treatment you are receiving to help you deal with and reverse type 2 diabetes, don’t waste time knocking the system… start following proven natural protocols that work. Add to this better communication skills… this would soothe many wounds.

You may not always get the emotional or social support that you need… but hang onto your hat! You may feel like you have climbed onto an emotional roller coaster, but stop and realize this is happening and give yourself permission to deal with these up and down emotions. They will pass… hold on to your sense of humor.

Decide who you are going to share your diagnosis with and talk as honestly and open about it as you can. How you present your type 2 diabetes to those people, will help shape how they view it and help you feel less isolated and guilty, as if you are hiding a secret. You can control your condition, not type 2 diabetes control you!

Diabetic symptoms of both types of diabetes are almost the same. The main difference is in the speed of appearance of these symptoms.

Type 1 Diabetes: This type of diabetes is the result of an autoimmune response. The immunity system of the body attacks the precious beta cell located in the pancreas. This condition so far cannot be controlled. The sufferer of such type of autoimmune disorder requires the insulin supplement for the rest of their lives.

The insulin is not being produced in the body in case of diabetes type 1 so the symptoms not only develop but also worsen instantly. If the signs of diabetes type 1 are ignored the sufferer may end into diabetic coma.

Type 2 Diabetes: The picture of type 2 diabetes is entirely different. In this case pancreas is producing insulin but it may be insufficient. Sometimes the pancreas is producing the needed amount of insulin but the body cells become resistant to insulin and become unable to use it. There is some amount of insulin in the body so the symptoms of diabetes type 2 become obvious slowly aver a period of time. Sometimes it takes even few years before the diabetes is properly diagnosed.

The symptoms of both types of diabetes are almost the same. It is important to consult a health care professional if any of the given sign of diabetes is seen.

Unquenchable Thirst: This is a classic sign of diabetes. It depicts that everything is not going fine. No matter unquenchable thirst could be because of some other factors but it is good to visit a doctor if the symptom persists.

Recurrent Urination: This is obvious that if excessive fluid is going in, that fluid has to come out. However if recurrent urination is because of diabetes there could be a sweet smell in the urine. This smell indicates the elevated level of sugar in urine. Again there could be some other medical conditions that cause frequent urination.

Change In Vision: Any sudden change in vision must never be ignored. Elevated blood glucose level can injure the blood vessels in the eye retina. These damaged blood vessels then cause damage to the structure of eye.

Sweet Smelling Breath: Diabetics may notice a sweet or fruity smell in their breath. It is good to investigate the underlying cause.

Hunger Soon After Eating: Sudden increase in appetite must be checked, especially if it is soon after eating. It becomes more important to check if the increased appetite is accompanied by sudden weight loss.

Lethargy and Tired Feelings: Lethargy is the most ignored symptom as everyone is leading a busy life nowadays. However even after going to the bed early if the symptoms are not cleared, it should be consulted with the doctor.

Difficulty in Breathing: This can be because of pregnancy, respiratory problem or because of diabetes. It is good to diagnose the cause whatever it is.

Other than the genes you inherited, there are two primary causes of insulin resistance:

• A long-term diet that has been high in carbohydrates
• Nutritional deficiencies

When you eat, your body breaks the food down into sugar (glucose), which then enters your blood stream. When the glucose in the blood increases, the body produces insulin to push the sugar out of your bloodstream and into the cells where it can be used. When insulin is doing its job, it will keep your blood sugar in normal range.

The human body evolved eating meat, fat and high fiber vegetables, with some roots and tubers.

Eight thousand years ago the “agricultural revolution” took place, with man learning how to domesticate grain. Virtually overnight, man became dependant upon carbohydrates as the main source of food. Archeologists point to that exact time period that the average height of man drops by two inches and all of the degenerative diseases we have today became prevalent in the society of that time.

Carbohydrates are simply long chains of sugar molecules hooked end-to-end. When a person eats carbohydrates their normal digestive process breaks up these chains into the individual sugar molecules, and they pass right through the intestinal wall into the bloodstream, and load up the bloodstream with sugar.

If this happened every once in a while it would not be a problem. But as diets today are so high in carbohydrates, people have a constant high level of sugar pouring into their bloodstream year after year.
This requires the body to continuously produce high levels of insulin to keep that sugar level down. (Remember, Insulin’s job is to push sugar out of the bloodstream into the cells where it is used for energy.)

Eventually the cells in the body become insensitive to the effects of the insulin. There are little doors to the cell (called “cell receptors”) where insulin pushes the glucose into the cell. When these cell receptors become insensitive to the insulin, insulin cannot open these doors. This is called insulin resistance.

To handle this problem the body begins to produce even higher levels of insulin. This continues until their pancreas (where insulin is made) reaches the maximum amount of insulin it can produce, and when the insulin resistance of the cells increases again, the blood sugar begins to rise out of control.

The result is type 2 diabetes. Type 2 diabetes is actually an extreme case of insulin resistance.

When the body has become insulin resistant, the body needs a low carb pre diabetes diet to maintain normal bloods sugars and needs specific nutrients supplements to re-sensitize the cell receptors of the body to the insulin the body is making.