Insulin resistance is a precursor for type 2 diabetes. When the body becomes resistant to insulin, it is more difficult for insulin to signal to the cells when fuel is available in the bloodstream. If insulin resistance goes untreated, it may lead to chronically high levels of blood sugar. This is the condition called "type 2 diabetes." A diet low in easily digestible carbohydrates can control.type 2 diabetes.
Insulin Resistance
Insulin is the main hormone responsible for communicating to cells when glucose or other nutrients are present in the bloodstream. When nutrients enter the bloodstream, insulin binds to insulin receptors on the surfaces of cells. This causes the cells to absorb the nutrients. If you are constantly overeating or continuously eating refined carbohydrates, such as candy or white bread, insulin receptors are at work nonstop. This can cause them to be less responsive to insulin. This condition is called "insulin resistance."
Type 2 Diabetes
When insulin resistance goes untreated, the insulin receptors on the cell surfaces slowly become less and less responsive to insulin. Eventually, the receptor signals will be so slow that glucose levels become chronically elevated. This condition is different from type 1 diabetes, in which the immune system destroys cells in the pancreas that produce insulin. The result of type 1 diabetes is a partial or complete lack of insulin. In type 2 diabetes, the pancreas produces insulin but the insulin cannot get its message across to the cells.
Health Consequences
In type 2 diabetes, blood sugar is excreted in the urine via the kidneys. This can lead to kidney failure. Remaining high levels of blood sugar constrict blood vessels by sticking to their inner lining. When blood vessels are constricted, there is a risk of blood clots. If sugar completely blocks a blood vessel, blood cannot pass through the clot, which then cuts off blood supply to vital organs. When sugar restricts blood supply to the brain, a stroke occurs. Even if blood clots and strokes do not occur, the constriction of blood vessels can limit the oxygen supply to the neurological system, which can cause nerve damage.
Diet for Type 2 Diabetes
Keeping insulin levels at a constant low level can control insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes. Refined carbohydrates, such as white bread, sugary breakfast cereal, potato chips, French fries, soda and candy, give rise to an abrupt increase in blood sugar. Because the body is resistant to insulin, it cannot deal with the excess glucose. To avoid flooding the bloodstream with sugars, it is important to keep refined carbohydrates to a minimum. Sources of good carbohydrates include brown rice, whole-grain bread and pasta, legumes and vegetables.
