Type 2 Diabetes is the end stage of insulin resistance. When you have Type 2 Diabetes your pancreas does not produce enough insulin, the cells of your body do not use that insulin properly, or both.

Glucose (sugar) is not able to enter the cells of the body to refuel the cells (provide energy) because insulin (one of the body’s major hormones) is the key that opens a “doorway” into the cell and allows glucose to enter.

Glucose that is unable to enter the cells of the body remains in the bloodstream or may be stored as glycogen in the liver or muscles.

Glucose that remains in the blood is a serious problem, leading to damage of the nerves and small blood vessels in the heart, kidneys, eyes, and other parts of the body.

This damage can cause heart disease, kidney disease, stroke, nerve problems, amputations, and blindness. In addition, without glucose, the body’s cells cannot function properly.

When you have diabetes, your blood glucose (also called blood sugar) levels are too high because your body is not converting all the food you eat to energy. Simply put, here’s how it works:

* Food is converted to glucose by the stomach.

* That glucose then enters the blood stream.

* This signals the pancreas to make some insulin.

* The insulin then enters the blood stream.

* Due to insulin resistance, the glucose cannot enter the cells of the body.

* Glucose builds up in the blood stream.

Your pancreas will produce more insulin in an attempt to keep up with the demand. But eventually, it is not able to deliver enough insulin in response to the need for it. Because of insulin resistance, some of the insulin produced will not be used, resulting in excessive insulin in the blood.  Too much insulin in the body leads to weight gain.

Type 2 Diabetes is the most common form of diabetes. It is also called diabetes mellitus, adult onset diabetes, or non-insulin dependent diabetes. It is one of the Syndrome X conditions that is causing pain and suffering in millions of people and costing billions of dollars every year. In fact, in 2007, Americans spent 12.5 billion dollars on diabetes medications alone! The total cost for doctor visits, hospital visits, lab tests and other related costs is a huge number. Estimates by the American Diabetes Association (ADA) for the cost of diabetes in 2007 are $174 billion. That does not include costs for the care of undiagnosed diabetics or unpaid care given by non-paid caregivers.

And this problem continues to escalate. In 1900 the U.S. population was just over 76 million. About 1% of those people had diabetes. That’s around 760,000 people. In 2000 the population was more than 281 million and 7% had diabetes, nearly twenty million people. Today (2009) the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) in Atlanta estimate that 24 million Americans have diabetes, with 95% of that number having Type 2 Diabetes. With a current population of over 301 million, that’s about 8% of the population. And it gets worse. The CDC also estimates that 57 million Americans have pre-diabetes. This means that 81 million Americans have diabetes or are pre-diabetic. That’s an astounding 27% of the total population! This is an epidemic of massive proportions!

Contrary to what you may have previously learned, Type 2 Diabetes is NOT a disease; it is a condition that is brought about by poor diet and nutrition and lack of exercise. So when you read that there is no cure for Type 2 Diabetes that is correct, because it is not a disease and no cure is needed.  What is needed to beat Type 2 Diabetes or pre-diabetes is a change in lifestyle.

If you have been diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes or pre-diabetes, don’t panic.  Your life is not over!  With the right plan, Type 2 Diabetes can be controlled, managed and eventually eliminated from your life.