Diabetes and Impaired Glucose Tolerance

Diabetes is a serious but treatable disease in which the bodies ability to either produce or secrete insulin becomes diminished. According to Diabetes Australia, it is estimated that 275 new Australians develop diabetes each day. Despite this alarming figure, up to 60% of diabetes cases are preventable through healthy diet and lifestyle choices.

There are three common forms of diabetes:

· Type I

· Type II

· Gestational

Type I diabetes is primarily genetic, caused by the body being unable to adequately produce insulin, leading to deficiency.

Type II diabetes is the most common form of diabetes and is developed due to the body forming either an insulin resistance or a decrease in insulin sensitivity.

Gestational diabetes is similar to Type II diabetes and occurs in a small percentage of women during pregnancy. Although completely treatable, the onset of Gestational diabetes commonly leads to the development of Type II diabetes later in life.