The #1 Root of Diabetes, According to Science

Experts explain the cause of diabetes how to prevent it.

BY
HEATHER NEWGEN
JANUARY 8, 2022
FACT CHECKED BY
ALEK KORAB
The number of people living with diabetes is staggering. According to the Centers
for Diseases Control and Prevention, "34.2 million people, or 10.5% of the U.S.
population, have diabetes. An estimated 26.8 million people – or 10.2% of the
population – had diagnosed diabetes. Approximately 7.3 million people have
diabetes but have not yet been diagnosed." Eat This, Not That! Health talked to
experts who explained what diabetes is, what causes it and how to help prevent
it. Read on—and to ensure your health and the health of others, don't miss these
Sure Signs You've Already Had COVID.

1 Diabetes and Causes

Vikaas's Story Type 1 Diabetes: Type 1 Diabetes Think Tank Network
feet on scale
Dr. Ani Rostomyan, a Doctor of Pharmacy, Holistic Pharmacist and Functional
Medicine Practitioner who specializes in Pharmacogenomics and Nutrigenomic
says, "Type 2 diabetes is a chronic disease which has multifactorial pathogenesis,
which means many factors are involved in disease formation, the root cause of
type 2 diabetes is only partially understood even in current day's medicine. It is a
heterogeneous disease and both genetic and environmental components are
involved. The combination of these factors, such as obesity, genetics, some
ethnicities, certain unhealthy lifestyles, affect insulin release and responsiveness,
causing type 2 diabetes. Type 2 diabetes is accompanied with hyperglycemia (high
blood sugar), insulin resistance, and impaired insulin secretion, and it is clear that
Western lifestyle and diets attribute greatly to vastly growing numbers in the
United States as well. Diabetes is getting younger, affecting more and more teens
and young adults as well, which again correlates that lifestyle has a tremendous
impact on management and prevention of it."

2 Insulin Resistance
insulin resistance
Dr. Pri Hennis, M.D. Family Physician and Functional Nutrition Coach explains,
"Type 2 diabetes is a progressive disease caused by a dysregulation of cell
response to insulin. Insulin is endogenous to our body and is created in the
pancreas. Insulin helps break down the sugar we eat into energy. In type 2
diabetes cells in the body do not respond normally to insulin over time. This
causes a rise in blood sugar in the body leading to blockages of small and large
blood vessels and nerves. Although type 2 develops typically as an adult, the rise
in obesity in America is causing a rise of type 2 diabetes in the young adults, teens
and even children. When getting a new diagnosis of diabetes to prediabetes it is
important to start some type of lifestyle change in addition to medications if your
doctor suggests. Why, you ask? Diabetes is a progressive disease, and the
symptoms and damage of the high blood sugars go on much before the actual
diagnosis. For most people, without any other risk factors, it can take 10 years to
go from normal blood sugars to prediabetes and then to full blown diabetes. So,
what can you do to prevent this? Talk to your doctor about your labs checking for
diabetes at least annually, if not sooner. If the numbers are not abnormal yet, put
in the work with lifestyle changes, ask for support from your doctor sooner than
later. Everyone's journey before and after getting the diagnosis of diabetes or
prediabetes is different, so it's important to ask for help if you are not seeing
results in three months."
RELATED: Lose Abdominal Fat Using These Proven Methods

3 Environmental and Genetic Factors

Woman saying no to chocolate cake dessert
"It comes naturally to blame someone or something when it comes to a new
diagnosis," Dr. Hennis says. "But remember our current state is the result of our
past actions whether self-inflicted, environmental, or genetic. The effects of some
of these factors are not always reversible, but if you don't change your habits
today you create more problems. Medications help some but cannot stop you
from having the highs and lows of blood sugar if you continue to eat high glycemic
index foods. Exercise helps the cells of your body become more efficient with
managing insulin. So, walk past the donut in the lunchroom; opt to go for a walk
instead. Sugar is addictive and requires a lot of support, so get the help you need
from your doctor."

RELATED: The #1 Cause of COVID-19, According to Science

4 Poor Nutritional and Lack of Physical Activity

woman is chewing pizza, while laying on the white sofa. She is watching TV shows,
being on blurred background.
Dr. Hennis states, "It is important to incorporate a healthy lifestyle with both the
right foods and right activity to help you. You might have heard your doctor say,
"eat better, move more." But how do you do this, each new habit feels like it
needs some drastic changes in your lifestyle. You make a goal and stop after a
week because it becomes unsustainable. I can start by sharing some important
tips to get you started. Let's talk about specifics:
When purchasing foods, review the glycemic index of foods. Glycemic index is the
load of sugar each food delivers when it enters your body. There are foods that
deliver high, medium, and low glycemic index. The goal for diabetes and pre-
diabetics is to eat more of the low glycemic index and over time cut out the high
glycemic index. The habit is starting to understand what those low glycemic index
foods are and switching them slowly. For example, if you eat a cookie (high
glycemic index) after lunch every day, you might want to switch to eating a melon
(medium glycemic index) for a few weeks instead, and then switch to berries (low
glycemic index). The more you learn about this, the easier decisions will be when
you shop. By eliminating the high glycemic index foods from your vicinity such as
lunchrooms, fridges, pantries, you are making a big shift in your mind and your
gut to help with healthier habits.
When incorporating exercise, start with committing to 15 minutes of something
doable for 1 week. We call these SMART goals (Specific, Measurable, Attainable,
Relevant, Time Based). You don't need to start doing 1 hour of a workout if you
have never done one before, start with something small, commit to it for one
week or two. For the following week, you can choose to increase the time by 5
minutes or switch up the activity, pick one for a few days in a row. The point is,
you want the habit to stick and become a part of your life."
RELATED: Think You Have COVID? Here's the First Thing You Should Do

5 Prevention
woman doing ab exercises at home
Dr. Rostomyan explains, "There is a great body of evidence showing that by the
time people are diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, 50% of beta cell function is
already impaired so reversal oftentimes refers to managing Diabetes to a degree
where major micro and macro vascular complications are prevented, we cannot
fully reverse diabetes or cure it, since it's a metabolic disease and prevention here
is the key. Although in some instances it is possible to partially regain insulin
sensitivity through weight loss, exercise, healthy Mediterranean Diet, and certain
Diabetes medications as well."

RELATED: I'm a Virus Expert and Here's How to Escape COVID

6 Ways to Put Diabetes in Remission

"Prevention and diabetes awareness is the only proven way to avoid type 2
diabetes complications and living and breathing a healthy lifestyle and making
core life changing habits is the way to go," says Dr. Rostomyan. "I suggest the
Mediterranean Diet. Adopting diets that exclude refined carbs, sugars, a variety of
added sugars and adding foods that don't increase insulin levels, such as healthy
fats and lean protein is the key to keeping the insulin levels low and preventing
carbohydrate overload. High insulin levels promote weight gain and more insulin
resistance, which is the mechanism of progressing type 2 diabetes to a higher
degree."

Dr. Hennis recommends other methods of prevention. "One habit is drinking one
8-ounce cup of water before putting any food in your mouth. This helps you stay
fuller, so you don't overeat. Another habit is not shopping for processed or
complex sugars which include: white flour, candy or juice. If you don't keep it in
your home, you are less likely to consume it. You can buy almond or coconut
flour, sugar free gum or real fruit to replace those foods. Another habit is setting
aside 15-mins at least three times a week to do some sort of moderate physical
activity. This can include doing jumping jacks when your kids are playing, or using
a skipping rope. Remember, you don't have to complicate how to exercise, the
important thing is getting it done. Your doctor is always a good support system,
and can refer you to a dietician if you need more direction!"
7 The Difference Between Prediabetes and Diabetes
Healthcare worker at home visit
"If your body is starting to become insulin resistant, your blood sugar after an 8
hour fast will show numbers between 100mg/dl – 125mg/dl. If you are diabetic
these numbers will be greater than 126mg/dl. For a non-diabetic numbers are
below 100mg/dL upon fasting," Dr. Hennis explains. "You have three options
when you are diagnosed with prediabetes: lifestyle change, medication + lifestyle,
or medication only. Your doctor can talk to you about what medication options
you might be eligible for; however, I cannot stress the importance of
incorporating lifestyle changes. As humans we don't like change, but choosing one
item you could incorporate in your daily habits can make a big impact. If you
change one habit per week, that's at least 52 habits you can change in one year!"
And to get through this pandemic at your healthiest, don't miss these 35 Places
You're Most Likely to Catch COVID.