In a nutshell, diabetes is a growing health concern affecting millions of Canadians. There are two types of Diabetes: Type 1 and Type 2. Type 1 is often recognizable and can be diagnosed from childhood. It is an autoimmune response in which the body’s defence system attacks insulin-producing cells, damaging them and resulting in little to no insulin production. Type 2 is much more common and can be developed over time; the cells either do not produce enough insulin for the body to use, or the body does not respond to the insulin. This is characterized as insulin resistance.

In a non-diabetic body, insulin causes cells to take up sugars from the blood for energy. Without enough insulin this does not happen. The coupling of too much sugar in the bloodstream with not enough sugar to be used by the body can lead to many problems.

The risk for university students of getting Type 2 diabetes is plausible. There are certainly factors involved that are not controllable, such as age and family history, but there are also other factors that can reduce the risk, such as staying fit and eating healthy. Of course, eating sugars and fats are fine, too, as long as it is spent instead of being left on the body.

There is a common misconception that eating too much sugar will lead to diabetes. What the extra fat actually does is influence how well insulin is used in the body, and that is what can contribute to diabetes.

Bottom line: stay healthy. Not only can you reduce the risk of diabetes, you can reduce the risk of getting other diseases or disorders too.

Diabetes Care Guelph is a free program designed to assist and support people diagnosed with diabetes. They will be hosting an Insulin Pump Forum event on Feb. 15 and is open to anyone who is interested.

For more information check out the website www.diabetescareguelph.com for more information on the clinic.

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