Diabetes is a condition in which the amount of sugar in the blood is above the normal. This is because insulin in not working as it would in someone that does not have the condition. Insulin is hormone in our body that is produced by the pancreas and has two main functions:
- Help sugar from the blood supply enter into our cells so that we can use it for energy or for storage
- Signal the liver to switch off producing more sugar once the level of sugar in the blood is high enough.
For people that have Diabetes, the pancreas either cannot make enough insulin or the body cannot use the insulin properly. As a result, accumulation of glucose (sugar) in the blood occurs in abnormally high levels. Glucose in the bloodstream comes from the digestion of starchy foods (carbohydrates). Glucose also comes from the liver. In order for the body to be healthy, we need glucose as it is the primary source of energy for our body and our brain to function. However, glucose cannot stay in the blood stream and in order for it to go into our cells, insulin needs to work properly which is the key missing factor in Diabetes!