How type 2 diabetes develops

Animation to show how type 2 diabetes develops.

The content is intended for general information only and does not replace the need for personal advice from a qualified health professional.

For more information visit our health information site http://www.bupa.co.uk/health

Category:

Education

Tags:

• Bupa
• health
• diabetes
• type 2
• blood
• glucose
• body
• pancreas
• insulin

[thoreric86]

@DrSpooglemon Indeed. If i'm not mistaken, obese-type2 is called type 2b, non-obese type2 is called type 2a. For the non-obese case, it's due to beta cells dysfunction (deposition of amyloid peptide), which is also seen in obese type in the later stage.

As to obese without diabetes, I would say it is a matter of time. the cause of death in the obese case mostly reported to be due to CVD. But, if they survive long enough, they will definitely encounter diabetes. ^^

[DrSpooglemon]

@bilbo317 You got that a bit muddled. If insulin levels are high the insulin receptors will downregulate. This is true of any hormone. Heroin stimulates the mu-opioid receptors and heroin addiction is caused by the downregulation of these receptors.

Once the receptors downregulate more is needed and so insulin levels keep increasing in a viscous cirlce of receptor downregulation until the body cannot sufficiently respond to any amount of insulin. Then you have diabetes...

[thoreric86]

@bilbo317 adipocyte show distinct gene expression. this results in a change in the insulin signalling system and hence insulin resistance is seen. In the one that u heard, my very first question is why is there so much glucose in the blood? it is because its disposal mechanism failed to function. why cant function? because the insulin is not working properly. why not properly? becoz of insulin resistance.

[thoreric86]

@bilbo317 The competition between glucose and FFA in muscle cells (randle's cycle) is proven to be one of the reason of insulin resistance. Note that it is happening in the muscles. you have to differentiate between insulin-sensitive and insensitive tissues. those that are insensitive (e.g. brain) will still use glucose as primary fuel. the other insulin-sensitive tissues is adipose (fat). adipocytes appear to be enlarge (hypertrophy) in obese ppl, it is proven that hypertrophic

[bilbo317]

@thoreric86 oh, that's a different way I have heard it being explained. All I've really heard was... because there is so much glucose in the blood (obesity), but the receptors can't handle the amount and down grade because of the stress on the body. ... but I thought that the body always wants to use glucose first because it's easier to process... and not compete with fatty acids, but the body has no choice to use fatty acids once the receptors down grade. Are there different theories?

[thoreric86]

@ghostly573 that's hypoglycemia... diabetes is hyperglycemia :P

[thoreric86]

@bilbo317 development of insulin resistance is very complex... basically it is associated with obesity. there's a theory called randle's cycle. It states that fatty acid competes with glucose to be used as the fuel in the skeletal muscle. obesity increases lipolysis and thus free fatty acid level. This spares the glucose from being used, the high glucose level continues to stimulate pancreas to release insulin to stimulate the uptake of glucose. this will downregulate insulin receptors

[bilbo317]

@porcelaincougar thx :) but I meant more on a physiological level... I was trying to look for visuals to help out with my test

[porcelaincougar]

@bilbo317 Look at the processed foods you are eating, and STOP and READ!

The chips, the cereal, and just about anything PROCESSED is made from high fructose corn syrup, our bodies don't know how to break down this chemical nightmare! Look around you, type 2 is out of control.

Keep eating your "Little Debbie's" etc, see where it gets you...

Yes! have something sweet once in awhile, make it yourself, relearn the word "treat"

Not everyday,

[GinjaNinjaHD]

great happy