• This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Diabetes Explained

When we eat, our body turns carbohydrates into glucose (or sugar) that our cells need for energy. However, the cells are “locked” and they need a key to open them before they can use glucose. Insulin acts as that key. It unlocks the cells, glucose enters, and the cells turn the glucose into energy.

In Type 1 Diabetes (T1D), the body’s immune system attacks the insulin-producing cells (called islet cells) in the pancreas. Insulin production stops, and there is no insulin to unlock the cells. The result is that glucose builds up in the blood (high blood sugar) and the cells don’t get the glucose they need to function. To manage type 1 diabetes, insulin must be given from outside of the body via injection or through an insulin pump.

In Type 2 Diabetes (T2D), the pancreas still produces insulin, but the body’s cells have become “resistant” to it. The pancreas must produce more and more insulin because it is not used effectively. T2D is more common in people who are overweight and do not exercise regularly. People with T2D can often manage the disease through lifestyle changes, including proper diet and exercise. This helps the body use its own insulin more efficiently. However, some require diabetes medications including pills and insulin injections.