The Simplified Foundation

The Main Players

The foundation of understanding diabetes starts with getting to know the main players. I’ll introduce four of those players now.

The Cells

Our bodies are made up of cells, each of which has a job to do.

In order to do that work, they need fuel. Their preferred fuel is the sugar molecule glucose.

Glucose 

Glucose comes from our diets, primarily from the digestion of carbohydrates. Glucose is so important to the functioning of our cells, that the body has ways to provide glucose from various storage depots when we aren’t able to eat.

Insulin

Insulin is a chemical secreted by the beta cells in the pancreas when glucose is present in the blood. Once secreted, the insulin circulates along with the glucose.

Circulatory System

The bloodstream delivers glucose, oxygen, and other necessities to the cells. The insulin will only travel to the “front porch” of the cell where it “unlocks the door” for the glucose to enter.

This is how things work when all goes as it should. The cells are nourished and the bloodstream has off-loaded the glucose it was carrying.

When things go amiss, the result can be diabetes.

 What often goes amiss in type 2 diabetes is the following:

1. The pancreas can not make enough insulin or 

1. The cells resist the insulin when it tries to let the glucose into the cell (insulin resistance) or

1. Both of the above occur

The result of these problems is that

• Cells do not get their fuel.

• Glucose stays in the bloodstream, causing high blood sugar.

All the frightening long term complications that can occur with unmanaged diabetes get their start from this build up of excess glucose in the bloodstream.

This is the most important thing to remember about caring for your diabetes. The reason you and your team work so hard to keep your blood sugars in target range is to lower your risk of long term complications.