Type 2 diabetes remission possible with 'achievable' weight loss

Diabetes affects and is regulated by the brain. 

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People who achieve weight loss of 10% or more in the first five years following diagnosis with type 2 diabetes have the greatest chance of seeing their disease go into remission, according to a study led by the University of Cambridge.

The findings suggest that it is possible to recover from the disease without intensive lifestyle interventions or extreme calorie restrictions.

Type 2 diabetes affects 400 million people worldwide and increases the risk of heart disease, stroke, blindness and amputations. While the disease can be managed through a combination of positive lifestyle changes and medication, it is also possible for the high blood glucose levels that define diabetes to return to normal -- through significant calorie restriction and weight loss. An intensive low-calorie diet involving a total daily intake of 700 calories (less than one cheeseburger) for 8 weeks has been associated with remission in almost nine out of ten people with recently diagnosed diabetes and in half of people with longstanding disease.

However, there is little evidence to show whether the same effect can be achieved by people undergoing less intensive interventions, which are more feasible and potentially scalable to the wider population. To answer this question, a team led by researchers at the University of Cambridge studied data from the ADDITION-Cambridge trial, a prospective cohort study of 867 people with newly diagnosed diabetes aged 40 and 69 years recruited from general practices in the eastern region.

The research was funded by Wellcome, the Medical Research Council and the National Institute for Health Research.

The researchers found that 257 participants (30%) participants were in remission at five-year follow-up. People who achieved weight loss of 10% or more within the first five years after diagnosis were more than twice as likely to go into remission compared to people who maintained the same weight.

"We've known for some time now that it's possible to send diabetes into remission using fairly drastic measures such as intensive weight loss programmes and extreme calorie restriction," says Dr Hajira Dambha-Miller from the Department of Public Health and Primary Care.

"These interventions can be very challenging to individuals and difficult to achieve. But, our results suggest that it may be possible to get rid of diabetes, for at least five years, with a more modest weight loss of 10%. This will be more motivating and hence more achievable for many people."

Senior author Professor Simon Griffin of the MRC Epidemiology Unit added: "This reinforces the importance of managing one's weight, which can be achieved through changes in diet and increasing physical activity. Type 2 diabetes, while a chronic disease, can lead to significant complications, but as our study shows, can be controlled and even reversed."

Diabetes affects and is regulated by the brain. 

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Foods to prevent obesity, Alzheimer's, stroke

Source: Penn State

Summary:

The reason why some people find it so hard to resist finishing an entire bag of chips or bowl of candy may lie with how their brain responds to food rewards, according to researchers who found that when certain regions of the brain reacted more strongly to being rewarded with food than being rewarded with money, those people were more likely to overeat.

 Learn about your brain and food.    

FULL STORY

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The reason why some people find it so hard to resist finishing an entire bag of chips or bowl of candy may lie with how their brain responds to food rewards, leaving them more vulnerable to overeating.

In a study with children, researchers found that when certain regions of the brain reacted more strongly to being rewarded with food than being rewarded with money, those children were more likely to overeat, even when the child wasn't hungry and regardless of if they were overweight or not.

Shana Adise, a postdoctoral fellow at the University of Vermont who led the study while earning her doctorate at Penn State, said the results give insight into why some people may be more prone to overeating than others. The findings may also give clues on how to help prevent obesity at a younger age.

"If we can learn more about how the brain responds to food and how that relates to what you eat, maybe we can learn how to change those responses and behavior," Adise said. "This also makes children an interesting population to work with, because if we can stop overeating and obesity at an earlier age, that could be really beneficial."

"Until we know the root cause of overeating and other food-related behaviors, it's hard to give good advice on fixing those behaviors," Keller said. "Once patterns take over and you overeat for a long time, it becomes more difficult to break those habits. Ideally, we'd like to prevent them from becoming habits in the first place."

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Story Source:

Materials provided by Penn State

Shame and Blame: Fast Food and Diabetes

It's horrible not to be able to eat what you want.

And nothing frustrates a newly diagnosed insulin-dependent Type-2 diabetic than well-meant, but confusing advice from everyone and every place about what to consume. Apple cider vinegar? Lemon juice and water in the morning? Strict low-carbohydrate intake? Fruits and vegetables only? 

And then there's fast food. 

Confusion easily leads to shame, depression, misunderstandings...and stress-eating.

Try living with a pernicious disease in a culture that
promotes the very diet that got you here and could keep you here.

On every corner, there they are: McDonald's, Wendy's, Burger King, Arby's, Taco Bell, Kentucky Fried Chicken. A constant marketing campaign lures us to these stores. Time-pressures of life today makes it impossible to resist the convenience. 

There's got to be a reasonable answer.

1. Eating junk food can contribute to weight gain. This makes it more difficult for people with diabetes to regulate blood sugar levels.
2. Saturated and trans fats raise your cholesterol level. This puts you at a greater risk for heart disease, heart attack, and stroke.
3. People with diabetes can control their intake of harmful fats and sugars by becoming educated consumers.

Junk foods are everywhere. You see them in vending machines, rest stops, stadiums, and hotels. They’re sold at movie theaters, gas stations, and bookstores. And if that wasn’t enough, incessant advertising promotes junk food on television.

Junk foods are high in calories but low in nutritional value. In general, these foods include processed and prepared snack foods with long, often unpronounceable ingredient lists.

Consuming excess sugars and fats found in these foods can contribute to weight gain. This excess weight is associated with diabetes.

One of the top risk factors for developing type 2 diabetes is being overweight. When you carry too much fat tissue, especially around your midsection, your body’s cells can become resistant to insulin. Insulin is a hormone that moves sugar out of your blood and into your cells.

When your cells are unable to use insulin properly, your pancreas mistakes this as a need for more insulin, so it pumps out more. Eventually your pancreas will wear out and stop producing enough insulin to keep your blood sugars under control. This causes you to develop diabetes, a condition characterized by high blood sugar levels.

Junk foods are highly processed and high in calories. They tend to have few vitamins and minerals, and are usually low in fiber. Junk foods also often contain large amounts of added sugar and are high in saturated fats and trans fats. This can cause them to digest more quickly, which can spike blood sugar levels and increase bad cholesterol levels.

Saturated and trans fats

According to the American Diabetes Association (ADA), saturated fat raises your cholesterol level. This puts you at a greater risk for heart disease, heart attack, and stroke. The ADA recommends people get less than 10 percent of their calories from saturated fats.

Trans fat also increases your cholesterol level. It’s even worse than saturated fat because it raises bad cholesterol levels and lowers good cholesterol levels. Trans fat is liquid oil that has solidified, also called hydrogenated fat. It can be tricky to spot because food producers can list 0 grams of trans fat on labels if there is less than 0.5 grams in the product.

Avoiding junk food

For people with diabetes, it’s important to limit sugars and fats found in junk food. This helps keep your weight and blood sugar levels under control. The ADA recommends limiting these foods because they usually take the place of other more nutritious foods in your body.

It can be as hard to break a junk food habit as many other bad habits. Even if you avoid foods obviously laden with sugars and fats, such as cakes and fried dishes, fats and sugars can lurk in foods where you least expect them. Tortilla chips, noodles, muffins, croissants, and the cream you splash in your coffee may be high in simple sugars and contain harmful fats. Sugar also shows up in flavored yogurt and condiments like salad dressings, mayonnaise, and ketchup. It’s also found in high quantities in some fat free foods, as it’s used to substitute for fat.

Education

Many people with diabetes find that the best way to control their intake of harmful fats and sugars is to become an educated consumer. This includes learning how to read nutrition labels to spot harmful fats and sugars. It also includes cooking more often at home to control ingredients.

Learn about the brain-body health connection. Click here.

You can also control your blood sugar level and diabetes by eating:

• foods that are low in sodium
• foods that are low in saturated and trans fat
• whole unprocessed carbs such as vegetables, fruits, and whole high fiber grains
• a managed amount of carbohydrates
• an adequate amount of protein

Also, eating smaller meals instead of three large meals a day can help you manage your hunger better. Getting plenty of exercise will help you lower your blood sugar too.

You can also keep a food journal to note when you eat and how much. This will help you see:

• if you’re overeating or stress-eating
• if you have any other bad eating habits
• if you eat a particular junk food often

Try to swap out junk foods with healthy alternatives. If you enjoy eating out, it’s best to avoid fast food restaurants. If you do occasionally indulge, the ADA has these tips for making your fast food dining healthier:

• Don’t fall into the trap of ordering a deluxe or super-sized food option because it’s a good money value. It may save you money, but it doesn’t save on calories, sugar, or fat consumption.
• Avoid fried foods and go for grilled or broiled instead. Choose lean meats such as turkey or chicken breast.
• Watch the condiments. Mustard is healthier than mayonnaise, ketchup, or rich sauces.
• In the morning, stick with whole-grain high fiber buns, bread, or English muffins, which are lower in calories and fat.
• Order your burger without cheese, which has additional calories and fat.
• Salad bars are good, but limit toppings such as bacon and cheese. Choose healthier fat options such as nuts, seeds, and avocado. Load up on carrots, peppers, onions, broccoli, cauliflower, and celery as well as greens.
• If eating pizza, choose whole-wheat thin crust and veggie toppings.

Outlook

Considering how pervasive junk food is in the United States, it can be hard to resist. People with diabetes have to pay special attention to their diets to control their weight and ultimately their blood sugar level. Resisting the urge to overeat junk food may be even more challenging. You should limit junk food and choose healthy alternatives whenever possible. This is ideal not just for diabetes, but also for overall health.

Source: www.healthline.com

Diabetes: Good sleep really, really matters

From the National Institutes of Health

Recent scientific evidence suggests that sleep disorders may contribute to the development of diabetes; conversely, diabetes itself may contribute to sleep disorders.

Sleep appears to moderate the brain hormones that regulate blood sugar. Sleep deprivation and sleep disorders contribute to changes associated with the development of type 2 diabetes. In people who already have diabetes, sleep deprivation contributes to elevations of hemoglobin A1c. 

Symptoms that occur as a result of diabetes, such as neuropathic pain, may in turn contribute to sleep disturbance and exacerbate sleep deprivation. Researchers are exploring the scientific basis for the associations between diabetes and sleep, identifying gaps in the understanding of the empirical underpinnings of these relationships, and proposing directions for future research.

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Diabetes: The lonely disease

Diabetes is the elusive, frustrating, invisible, lonely disease. It does't appear overnight, but rather builds over years and decades. It's causes are complex and patients are left to self-manage this potentially deadly disease. And it is becoming more prevalent in a fast-moving stressful world, churned by coffee, the Internet, fast food and constant advice and suggestions by well-meaning but confusing friends, partners, doctors, and pharmacists. It is a disease that demands constant attention among people in lower incomes or socio-economic groups least able to afford it. A disease that demands fast decisions at a time when, because of the abnormal blood sugar levels, the brain cannot discern clear answers.


Source: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases

Know Your Blood Sugar Numbers: Use Them to Manage Your Diabetes

Checking your blood sugar, also called blood glucose, is an important part of diabetes care. This tip sheet tells you:

• why it helps you to know your blood sugar numbers
• how to check your blood sugar levels
• what are target blood sugar levels
• what to do if your levels are too low or too high
• how to pay for these tests


Why do I need to know my blood sugar numbers?

Your blood sugar numbers show how well your diabetes is managed. And managing your diabetes means that you have less chance of having serious health problems, such as kidney disease and vision loss.
As you check your blood sugar, you can see what makes your numbers go up and down. For example, you may see that when you are stressed or eat certain foods, your numbers go up. And, you may see that when you take your medicine and are active, your numbers go down. This information lets you know what is working for you and what needs to change.

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How is blood sugar measured?

There are two ways to measure blood sugar.

• Blood sugar checks that you do yourself. These tell you what your blood sugar level is at the time you test.
• The A1C (A-one-C) is a test done in a lab or at your provider’s office. This test tells you your average blood sugar level over the past 2 to 3 months.

How do I check my blood sugar?

You use a blood glucose meter to check your blood sugar. This device uses a small drop of blood from your finger to measure your blood sugar level. You can get the meter and supplies in a drug store or by mail.
Read the directions that come with your meter to learn how to check your blood sugar. Your health care team also can show you how to use your meter. Write the date, time, and result of the test in your blood sugar record. Take your blood sugar record and meter to each visit and talk about your results with your health care team.

What are target blood sugar levels for people with diabetes?

A target is something that you aim for or try to reach. Your health care team may also use the term goal. People with diabetes have blood sugar targets that they try to reach at different times of the day. These targets are:

• Right before your meal: 80 to 130
• Two hours after the start of the meal: Below 180

Talk with your health care team about what blood sugar numbers are right for you.

How often should I check my blood sugar?

The number of times that you check your blood sugar will depend on the type of diabetes that you have and the type of medicine you take to treat your diabetes. For example, people who take insulin may need to check more often than people who do not take insulin. Talk with your health care team about how often to check your blood sugar.
The common times for checking your blood sugar are when you first wake up (fasting), before a meal, 2 hours after a meal, and at bedtime. Talk with your health care team about what times are best for you to check your blood sugar.

What should I do if my blood sugar gets too high?

High blood sugar is also called hyperglycemia (pronounced hye-per-gly-see-mee-uh). It means that your blood sugar level is higher than your target level or over 180. Having high blood sugar levels over time can lead to long-term, serious health problems.

If you feel very tired, thirsty, have blurry vision, or need to pee more often, your blood sugar may be high.

Check your blood sugar and see if it is above your target level or over 180. If it is too high, one way to lower it is to drink a large glass of water and exercise by taking a brisk walk. Call your health care team if your blood sugar is high more than 3 times in 2 weeks and you don’t know why.

What should I do if my blood sugar gets too low?

Low blood sugar is also called hypoglycemia (pronounced hye-poh-gly-see-mee-uh). It means your blood sugar level drops below 70. Having low blood sugar is dangerous and needs to be treated right away. Anyone with diabetes can have low blood sugar. You have a greater chance of having low blood sugar if you take insulin or certain pills for diabetes.

Carry supplies for treating low blood sugar with you. If you feel shaky, sweaty, or very hungry, check your blood sugar. Even if you feel none of these things, but think you may have low blood sugar, check it.

If your meter shows that your blood sugar is lower than 70, do one of the following things right away:

• chew 4 glucose tablets
• drink 4 ounces of fruit juice
• drink 4 ounces of regular soda, not diet soda or
• chew 4 pieces of hard candy


After taking one of these treatments, wait for 15 minutes, then check your blood sugar again. Repeat these steps until your blood sugar is 70 or above. After your blood sugar gets back up to 70 or more, eat a snack if your next meal is 1 hour or more away.

If you often have low blood sugar, check your blood sugar before driving and treat it if it is low.

What do I need to know about the A1C test?

The A1C test tells you and your health care team your average blood sugar level over the past 2 to 3 months. It also helps you and your team decide the type and amount of diabetes medicine you need.

What is a good A1C goal for me?

For many people with diabetes, the A1C goal is below 7. This number is different from the blood sugar numbers that you check each day. You and your health care team will decide on an A1C goal that is right for you.

How often do I need an A1C test?

You need to get an A1C test at least 2 times a year. You need it more often if:

• your number is higher than your goal number
• your diabetes treatment changes

How do I pay for these tests and supplies?

Medicare, Medicaid and most private insurance plans pay for the A1C test and some of the cost of supplies for checking your blood sugar. Check your plan or ask your health care team for help finding low cost or free supplies. Ask your health care team what to do if you run out of test strips. For more information about Medicare and diabetes, go to https://www.medicare.gov/ .

What if I have trouble getting to my blood sugar goals?

There may be times when you have trouble reaching your blood sugar goals. This does not mean that you have failed. It means that you and your health care team should see if changes are needed. Call your health care team if your blood sugar is often too high or too low. Taking action will help you be healthy today and in the future.

John's Story

At each visit, John and his health care team look at his A1C test results, his blood glucose meter and his blood sugar record to see if his treatment is working. At today’s visit, John’s A1C and blood sugar numbers are too high. John and his health care team talk about what he can do to get closer to his A1C and blood sugar goals. John decides he will be more active. He will:


• increase his walking time to 30 minutes every day after dinner.
• check his fasting blood sugar in the morning to see if being more active improves his blood sugar.
• call his doctor in 1 month for a change in medicine if his blood sugar levels are still too high.
• have his A1C tested again in 3 months to see if his new plan is working.


Things to remember

• Check your blood sugar as many times a day as your health care team suggests.
• Have your A1C checked at least 2 times a year.
• Keep a record of your blood sugar and A1C numbers.
• Take your blood glucose meter and blood sugar record to your visit and show them to your health care team. Tell your health care team how you think you are doing.
• Call your health care team if your blood sugar is often too high or too low.

Work with your health care team and decide what changes you need to make to reach your blood sugar goals.


Can type 2 diabetes be reversed? A researcher says yes.

Exercise and cutting calories can lead to curing type 2 diabetes within months.

From the Web site of Professor Roy Taylor at Newcastle University, UK 

Further information on the research on Reversing Type 2 Diabetes  

Thank you for contacting me about the studies on reversing type 2 diabetes. These have caused great interest amongst people with diabetes, and as of 2016, I have received over 3,000 enquiries and messages. Although I have replied to most of these personally, I am sorry to say that it is no longer feasible to do this. The research continues. I hope the following items will provide some useful information, but bear in mind that this is only factual information and only your doctor can provide personal medical advice.   

Get "in the know" about your health. It starts in the brain. Click here!

What are the main research findings?   

1. The initial study was in people who had type 2 diabetes of up to 4 years. The CounterBalance study now shows that longer duration type 2 diabetes can be reversed. However, after more than 10 years of diabetes a return to normal glucose control, even with major weight loss, is much less likely.  

2. It is certainly possible to wake up the insulin producing cells of the pancreas by losing a substantial amount of weight.  

3. This happens at the same time as the fat content in the pancreas decreases. Previous studies have shown that fat stops insulin release, so it is reasonable to deduce that the removal of fat from the pancreas allowed insulin release to normalise.  

Could it work for me?   

 This research is in “type 2 diabetes”, the usual common form of diabetes. There are some rare forms of diabetes which may appear to be type 2 diabetes:  

a) Diabetes occurring after several attacks of pancreatitis is likely to be due to direct damage to the pancreas (known as “pancreatic diabetes”)  

b) Secondly, people who are slim and are diagnosed with diabetes in their teens and twenties, with a very strong family history of diabetes, may have a genetic form (known as “monogenic diabetes”)  

c) Thirdly, type 1 diabetes sometimes comes on slowly in adults, and these people usually require insulin therapy within a few years of diagnosis (“slow onset type 1”)  

None of these will respond in the same way as the common, true type 2 diabetes.  

 So, if you have the common form of type 2 diabetes, this could work for you. However, you should not underestimate just how much change in your day-to-day life will be necessary to bring this about. It requires motivation and persistence. 

   

Could it work for people with a normal BMI?   

 Yes, most certainly, provided that the diagnosis of type 2 diabetes is correct. Some people are unable to cope with even moderate amounts of fat in their liver and pancreas. Type 2 diabetes only happens when a Personal Fat Threshold is exceeded. Losing weight from a level, which is “normal” for the general population, is then essential for health. See the online article by Richard Doughty.  

Practical advice   

 The particular diet used in the 2011 study was designed to mimic the sudden reduction of calorie intake that occurs after gastric bypass surgery. By using such a vigorous approach, we were testing whether we could reverse diabetes in a similar short time period to that observed after surgery.   

 The essential point is that substantial weight loss must be achieved. The time course of weight loss is much less important.  

 It is a simple fact that the fat stored in the wrong parts of the body (inside the liver and pancreas) is used up first when the body has to rely upon its own stores of fat to burn. Any pattern of eating which brings about substantial weight loss over a period of time will be effective. Different approaches suit different individuals best.  

 It is also very important to emphasise that sustainability of weight loss is the most important thing to ensure that diabetes stays away after the initial weight loss. Ordinary steady weight loss, by cutting back on the amount eaten each day, may be preferable. However, if you are not able to lose around 2½ stone over, say, six months by this approach, then the very low calorie diet may be best for you. We now know that the very low calorie approach can be followed by very steady weight control.  

A. The standard approach would involve:  

a) Decreasing total food (and alcohol) intake by about one half b) Using smaller plates c) Eating more slowly d) Recognising that the sensation of hunger is sign of success, not a signal to eat e) Enjoy that hunger.  Celebrate with a glass of water; maybe fizzy water 

However, if a person finds this difficult, the liquid meal approach could be used. 

More details about steady, sustainable weight loss are available on the Diabetes UK website.  

B. The research diet   

To carry out the Newcastle research study, the following diet was used:   

 One sachet of a liquid formula diet (~ 200 calories) three times per day. The study used Optifast, but there are many other brands.  

     

 Three portions of non-starchy vegetables per day. Lack of variety was a big problem of the diet, so we devised a few recipes to make the vegetables more interesting. The range of possibilities is infinite, but you can find the recipes we used on the website - http://www.ncl.ac.uk/magres/research/diabetes/reversal.htm.  

 No alcohol (merely because alcohol itself is so calorific – 7 calories in every gram).  

 You should consult your doctor before embarking upon any very low calorie diet. In particular, any medication you are taking may need to be adjusted.  Some general information about this is also on the website. None of this information is a substitute for proper, individual medical advice.   

 Our research subjects found the diet challenging to stick to especially in the first 36 hours. Motivated people were selected to take part in the research and support from the team was given frequently. Support from the families of the research volunteers was very important in helping them comply with the diet. Hunger was not a particular problem after the first few days, but the complete change in social activities (not going to the pub, not joining in the family meals etc.) was a challenge over the eight weeks. Careful planning in advance is essential.  

Optifast  

Although Optifast was used in the study, this is not readily available in the UK. An alternative liquid food supplement of similar calorific content is equally suitable. These are available from most local supermarkets; you should try several brands to find one most suited to your taste. One brand available on the internet is Exante. Do not be concerned by the high sugar content, as after the first day of very low calorie diet your body is able to handle this reasonably well. The product may need to be made up in water or skimmed milk. Always read the advice upon the particular product.  

After achieving your target weight - how do you keep your weight down in the long term?   

1. Once you are at your personal target weight, the critical thing now is to become accustomed to eating approximately 2/3 of the total amount you used to eat. Plan a gradual transition to normal eating over 2 -4 weeks. There need be no restriction upon any particular foodstuffs, although naturally foods that are very calorie-dense are best avoided. The goal is keeping the weight down [you may find your weight increases 1 – 2 kg over a few days on returning to a higher calorie intake; this is because your glycogen stores return to normal and glycogen is stored in the water inside your body].  

2. If you are increasing your exercise, do not eat more. It is so easy to over- compensate for exercise.  

3. Most people maintain a consistent healthy weight in the long term; most successfully by:  

a) Weigh weekly - write it down b) Watch portion size carefully and don’t eat between meals c) Walk, cycle, stairs.  Maintain a high level of everyday physical activity d) Party but payback. Enjoy life and especially occasions to celebrate, but there is a price. You must eat only about half your current intake for a few days  

  

How about exercise?   

 Do not increase your usual daily activity whilst losing weight. However, a sustainable increase during long term weight maintenance is wise, along with keeping food portion size under control.  

What research is going on?   

 Diabetes UK have funded a major 5 year study (DiRECT) to find out how many people can reverse or improve their diabetes by a low calorie liquid diet. This is being carried out entirely in Primary Care. Further details are available on the Diabetes UK website.  

 Further information will be posted on the website www.ncl.ac.uk/magres/research/diabetes.  

 Already available are the links to the full scientific paper describing the reversibility of diabetes study and also the scientific review of the existing knowledge in 2008, which described the “twin cycle hypothesis” which we have now tested. An up-to-date review of how weight loss works was added in 2013. In 2016, a review of what is happening to the insulin producing cells (beta cells) provides further explanation.  

 Also available is a paper, w hi ch describes what happened to diabetes when weight loss was achieved at home. This information was provided by many people around the world using email.  

 In the Information for Doctors, other research papers are available.  

 Also, all information will be added to the website, which is updated from time to time.  

 Please remember that this website and its links provide information and not personal medical advice. Do consult your Doctor for personal advice.  

Thank you for your interest in this work. 

Just What Is Diabetes, Anyway?

What is Diabetes?

Diabetes is a disease that occurs when your blood glucose, also called blood sugar, is too high. Blood glucose is your main source of energy and comes from the food you eat. Insulin, ahormone made by the pancreas, helps glucose from food get into your cells to be used for energy. Sometimes your body doesn’t make enough—or any—insulin or doesn’t use insulin well. Glucose then stays in your blood and doesn’t reach your cells.

The brain controls our health. Learn more here.

Over time, having too much glucose in your blood can cause health problems. Although diabetes has no cure, you can take steps to manage your diabetes and stay healthy.

Sometimes people call diabetes “a touch of sugar” or “borderline diabetes.” These terms suggest that someone doesn’t really have diabetes or has a less serious case, but every case of diabetes is serious.

What are the different types of diabetes?

The most common types of diabetes are type 1, type 2, and gestational diabetes.

Type 1 diabetes

If you have type 1 diabetes, your body does not make insulin. Your immune system attacks and destroys the cells in your pancreas that make insulin. Type 1 diabetes is usually diagnosed in children and young adults, although it can appear at any age. People with type 1 diabetes need to take insulin every day to stay alive.

Type 2 diabetes

If you have type 2 diabetes, your body does not make or use insulin well. You can develop type 2 diabetes at any age, even during childhood. However, this type of diabetes occurs most often in middle-aged and older people. Type 2 is the most common type of diabetes.

Gestational diabetes

Gestational diabetes develops in some women when they are pregnant. Most of the time, this type of diabetes goes away after the baby is born. However, if you’ve had gestational diabetes, you have a greater chance of developing type 2 diabetes later in life. Sometimes diabetes diagnosed during pregnancy is actually type 2 diabetes.

Other types of diabetes

Less common types include monogenic diabetes, which is an inherited form of diabetes, andcystic fibrosis-related diabetes .

How common is diabetes?

As of 2015, 30.3 million people in the United States, or 9.4 percent of the population, had diabetes. More than 1 in 4 of them didn’t know they had the disease. Diabetes affects 1 in 4 people over the age of 65. About 90-95 percent of cases in adults are type 2 diabetes.¹

Who is more likely to develop type 2 diabetes?

You are more likely to develop type 2 diabetes if you are age 45 or older, have a family history of diabetes, or are overweight. Physical inactivity, race, and certain health problems such as high blood pressure also affect your chance of developing type 2 diabetes. You are also more likely to develop type 2 diabetes if you have prediabetes or had gestational diabetes when you were pregnant. Learn more about risk factors for type 2 diabetes.

What health problems can people with diabetes develop?

Over time, high blood glucose leads to problems such as

• heart disease
• stroke
• kidney disease
• eye problems
• dental disease
• nerve damage
• foot problems

You can take steps to lower your chances of developing these diabetes-related health problems.

References

[1] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. National diabetes statistics report, 2017. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. www.cdc.gov/diabetes/pdfs/data/statistics/national-diabetes-statistics-report.pdf  (PDF, 1.3 MB) . Updated July, 18 2017. Accessed August 1, 2017.