Sci 162 Week 5 Assignment Diabetes Risks

DIABETES RISKS

There are two types of diabetes, type 1 and type 2 diabetes. They have in common that the level of sugar in the blood is abnormally high. Type 1 diabetes is characterized by a deficiency of the hormone insulin that regulates blood sugar levels. Basically it means that the body is not producing its own insulin. Type 2 diabetes is when the level of insulin can be low, normal or high. In this case it means that the body is not responding properly to insulin and it becomes partially resistant to the effects of insulin. Some risk factors to be known for causing diabetes are lack of physical activity, excess body fat and low fiber diets, as well as genetics and family history. Also, large amounts consumption of alcohol can substantially increase the risk of diabetes. There are many complications of diabetes and the elevated levels of blood sugar and insulin, which includes heart attacks, strokes, kidney failure, blindness, and loss of limbs.

Life can be challenging and overwhelming, but there are some things that can be done to decrease our risks for developing diabetes. I personally would start by adopting additional healthy behaviors. First, I need to go and get a fasting done whenever possible to make sure my sugar levels are ok. Second, I would try to lose weight by dieting and getting exercise every day, like taking the stairs instead of the elevator, park at the end of the parking lot instead of looking for the spot nearest the door, replace high fat food with lower fat alternatives, pay attention to portion sizes, read nutrition labels to learn how many calories are in a portion. Also, starting a program of regular weight lifting or other muscle-building exercise can help me lower my risk of developing diabetes because more muscle mass means less body fat and thus increased sensitivity to insulin. Third, I would incorporate more fruits and vegetables into my diet; this would not only lower my risk of diabetes but also risks of...