by C.M. Tucker

Created on: April 14, 2009   Last Updated: April 20, 2011

Two main types of diabetes exists.  Type 1 is where the body no longer produces insulin at all.  Type 2 is a malfunction in the production, transportation or use of insulin.

Some of the diet and exercise advice applies to both types.  However, type 2 diabetes is my specialty.  So, I can't speak to the Type 1 issues with any authority. 

Non-insulin dependant type 2 diabetes is also known as Diabetes Mellitus.  Basically, this illness is a digestive disorder that envolves multiple organs. The body just can't process effectively the sugar (glucose) from the foods we eat. The stomach turns everything into glucose because that's what the body uses to fuel itself.

There are 3 possible factors that may contribute individually or in combination. Poor quality or quantity of insulin produced by the pancreas, poor delivery (too much fat to navigate around, sluggish heart function or not enough exercise), cell resistance.

Hereditary factors are often like a poster for a play in a theatre. The more genetic contributions there are, the more posters go up. These 'posters' are like an invitation for diabetes. The actual onset of type 2 diabetes is more like setting up the chairs and making the props and then ushering in the spectators. If one doesn't want the play to happen, one has to not set up the chairs. Setting up the chairs etc is represented by our food and exercise habits.

CELL RESISTANCE:

Imagine putting gas into your diesel powered vehicle. A diesel automobile can't process this form of fuel (gas). Both gas and diesel are fuels made from the same base. Both forms of fuel are like glucose with no real difference between them. Yet, something in the diesel car won't accept gas as fuel. This is somewhat like cell resistance.

Glucose must enter cells in order to be used by the body as fuel. On the surface of those cells are little receptors which the insulin unlocks like a key. When these receptors are unlocked, glucose enters. In cell resistance, either the insulin isn't good enough or it requires something more to open them. This is a malfunction that is often caused by poor diet and exercise habits.

When glucose is locked out of the house (cell), it lingers around in the bloodstream until the other organs can flush it out. This makes those organs work harder. Too much glucose in the blood too often is a little like wood ashes that get wet. Wood ashes that get wet become acidic and will rust any metal that its in. Lye soap is made using

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