Diabetes and blood glucose concentration

• diabetes mellitus is a condition where blood glucose concentration can't be controlled properly
• Type 1:

  • the immune system attacks the beta cells in the islets of Langerhans so they cannot produce any insulin
  • after eating, the blood glucose level rises and stays high - hyperglycaemia and can result in death if left untreated
  • the kidneys cannot reabsorb all the glucose so some is excreted in the urine
• Type 1 treatment:

  • treated with insulin therapy
  • most people with type 1 diabetes need regular insulin injections throughout the day
  • but some people use an insulin pump to deliver insulin continuously instead
  • insulin therapy has to be carefully controlled - too much can produce a dangerous drop in blood glucose levels - hypoglycaemia
  • eating regularly and controlling simple carbohydrate intake (sugars) helps to avoid a sudden rise in glucose
• No one knows exactly what causes the immune system to attack the b cells and cause Type 1 diabetes

  Scientists have found that some people have a genetic predisposition to developing Type 1 diabetes

  also think it may be triggered by a viral infection
• Type II:

  • usually acquired later in life than type 1
  • often linked with obesity - more likely in people with a family history of the condition
  • other risk factors include: lack of exercise, age and poor diet
• Type II occurs when:

  • the beta cells don't produce enough insulin or when the body's cells don't respond properly to insulin
  • cells don't respond properly bc the insulin receptors on their membranes don't work properly so the cells don't take up enough glucose
  • this means that the blood glucose concentration is higher than normal
• Type II treatment:

  • treated by eating a healthy, balanced diet
  • losing weight if necessary
  • regular exercise
  • glucose-lowering medication can be taken if diet and exercise can't control it
  • eventually insulin injections may be needed
• Responses to Type II diabetes:

  • it is becoming increasingly common in the UK
  • been linked to increasing levels of obesity, move towards unhealthy diets and low levels of physical activity
• Type II can cause additional health problems:

  • visual impairment
  • kidney failure
  • so health advisors are understandably keen to educate people about the risks and reduce the incidence of the disease
  • some people also think the food industry has a role to play in tackling the problem
• Response of health advisors:

  • to reduce the risk of developing type II, health advisors recommend that people eat a diet that is low in fat, sugar and salt
  • plenty of whole grains, fruit and vegetables
  • take regular exercise
  • lose weight if necessary
• Campaigns:

  • NHS - 'Change4Life' - aim to educate people on how to have a healthier diet and lifestyle and so reduce their risk of developing conditions like Type II
• Health advisors have also challenged the food industry:

  • to reduce the advertising of junk food (particularly to children)
  • to improve the nutritional value of their products
  • to use clearer labelling on products - allowing consumers to make healthier choices about what time buy
• Response of food companies:

  • in response to criticism, some food companies have attempted to make their products more healthy
  • e.g. by using sugar alternatives to sweeten food and drinks
  • by reducing the sugar, fat and salt content of products
  • however - pressure on companies to increase profits
  • reluctant to spend money developing new, healthier alternatives if the more unhealthy products are still popular and generate lots of profit
  • say the industry will only respond fully in the long term, as public perception of healthy eating changes
• some people believe that diet varieties are not good for health as they claim to be

  e.g. there is some evidence to suggest that artificial sweeteners are linked to weight gain