Type II diabetes is thought to be a milder form of diabetes because of its slow onset, sometimes taking years to fully develop. Most likely known as adult-onset or non-insulin dependent. This can often be misleading because even though it can be controlled with diet, exercise and oral medications. If the oral medications are not sufficient then insulin injections may be needed for treatment. Type II diabetes happens when your body becomes resistant to effects of insulin or it produces very little insulin that the body does not recognize it, to regulate the glucose levels in the blood.
Unlike Type I diabetes, Type II diabetes can be prevented by having a controlled diet and exercising. Eating healthy foods and maintaining a balanced diet including whole grains, lean meats and vegetables. Limit saturated fats and alcohol. Limit calories in order to maintain a healthy weight. Reduce the intake of soft drinks, foods with a lot of sugar, and junk food. Eating smaller meals and snaking more frequently can help maintain normal sugar levels. As a result eating more whole grains, nuts, lean meats, vegetables and exercising can help lower your risk of Type II diabetes. Eating a lot of sugary foods, fast food, red meat and drinking a lot of soft drinks can increase your risk for Type II diabetes.
People who are overweight and obese are most likely to develop Type II diabetes, however thin people can also develop it as well as the elderly. Low activity levels, poor diet, and excess body weight (especially around the belly area). The excess fat around your midsection tends to restrain key organs that play a role in regulating blood glucose. The fat works to block the action of insulin, which has to lower the blood sugar. The insulin causes the liver to take up the extra blood glucose and store that energy for future use. But when the liver is surrounded by fat tissue the insulin cannot get the liver to store the extra blood glucose and store the extra energy. The sugar begins to accumulate in the blood stream and therefore can cause damage to organs all over the body. Exercise helps, even if no weight loss occurs. Regular exercise causes the cells to become more sensitive to insulin; therefore they tend to absorb more blood sugar. If weight loss occurs it is a plus. This can prevent or delay the disease.
Both Type I and Type II diabetes are partly inherited. Type I can be provoked by viral infections, stress, or environmental exposure to certain chemicals or drugs.