As we stated in part one of this series, diabetes is one of several degenerative diseases many of which travel together. But just what are degenerative diseases? Why are they called degenerative? In the case of insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes, it is due to metabolic dysfunction or metabolic syndrome. For reasons to be explained later, the body’s metabolism can no longer properly, produce, store, and use energy.
These diseases are said to be degenerative because the organs and tissues affected worsen, and worsen until they can no longer function. For diabetes, some affected organs could be kidneys, eyes, heart, and blood vessels. It could also be lower limbs such as toes, feet, or legs. This, of course, could result in amputation of the affected limbs.
Oftentimes, the nerves, especially in the lower part of the body, the glutes, genitals, legs, and feet, become damaged and the person experiences what is called neuropathy. This is where the nerves feel like needles, bees stinging, prickly, and often cold.
So, let’s get started on the discussion of just what insulin resistance is, what causes it and it’s impact on type 2 diabetes as well as sugar and fats: how they impact type 2 diabetes.
First of all, type 2 diabetes is just the extreme manifestation of insulin resistance. It is the upper echelon of insulin resistance. You might say insulin resistance has reached its pinnacle with the manifestation of type 2 diabetes.
Type 2 diabetes is not, however, like so many health professionals will tell you: “a progressive and incurable disease that can be managed with the right medication.” It can be reversed and you can do it all at home with no medication or doctors involved.
The above statement is not meant to be medical advice or to encurage you to not see your medical doctor. Your choice of taking or not taking medication lies souly between you and your doctor. I am not a medical person of any kind. I am, however, a double certified nutritionist, certified biology instructor, anatomy instructor, college and highschool levels, general science instructor, and a health educator.
Sugar and Insulin Resistance:
Insulin resistance can’t be properly discussed without understanding how it relates to Hyperinsulinemia. Which is a condition of excess insulin in the blood.
Here is how Clevland Clinic defines it: “Hyperinsulinemia happens when you have a higher amount of insulin in your blood than what’s considered normal due to insulin resistance. Your pancreas has to work harder to manage your blood sugar levels by releasing extra insulin.”
This condition is caused by a vicious cycle of the body receiving too much dietary sugar either in the form of sucrose–table sugar, fructose–from fruit or high fructose corn syrup–or starch–mainly from wheat flour and the consequential release of more insulin. Let us take this opportunity to explain that starch is just a many branch sugar that turns into glucose when exposed to the enzyme amylase in the mouth.
Starch can be found in foods such as: wheat flour, potatoes, pasta, and products made from wheat flour. Sugar–glucose–has to be cleared from the blood before it does damage to various cells, tissues, and organs.
The more processed carbs eaten, the more insulin released, the more insulin released the more insulin resistant the cells become. The more insulin resistant the cells are the more insulin builds up. And, so around and around this vicious cycle turns.
The body’s natural response to glucose in the blood is to secrete the hormone, insulin, to escort the glucose into muscle cells or whatever cell needs it. If this happens, all is well.
But, with insulin resistance or diabetes this fails to happen. Every cell with the exception of red blood cells have insulin receptors. The insulin–under healthy conditions–settles on the receptor: the cell opens a protein channel allowing the glucose molecule into the cell.
Through a series of many steps– one being the electron transport chain–the energy currency adenosintriphosphat (ATP) is formed in the mitochondria, a microscopic organ or organelle (mitochondria for plural mi·to·chon·dri·on for singular).
All energy for the body is made in these microscopic organelles, the mitochondria. ATP can be produced by only two types of fuel, ketone bodies, or glucose. The body can use only two sources of energy: glucose, or ketone bodies. This will be discussed later. But, keep that in the back of your mind.
Being the massive energy producers they are, it is no surprise that mitochondria are also a source of copous waste products, unbalanced molecules called free radicals. These are harmful byproducts of normal metabolism–energy production.
Remember: metabolism is the production, use, and storage of energy. Knowing this, it should come as no surprise that mitochondria often become dysfunctional because they are exposed to the very waste products they produce. We call this oxidative stress.
Oxidative stress is due to the over abundance of oxygen species free radicals. This can cause mitochondrial dysfunction and this can result in degenerative diseases such as insulin resistance and diabetes. When continued over extended periods of time, this can produce chronic inflammation and chronic inflammation can produce degenerative diseases.
Future issues will further explain how this dreded disease can be fueled or how it can be stopped in its tracks.
Again, the staff at “Listen for the Trumpet” wishes you wellness and a continued close walk with our maker, Jesus Christ.
Know that our faith in our Lord Jesus Christ as our creator, is bolstered with each step we take in learning how this awesome creation, the human body, functions.
