Diabetics - What’s really behind it
Many individuals believe that consuming highly nutritious food automatically leads to a healthy life. However, this is not always the case. Overeating—even nutrient-rich foods—can strain the digestive system, potentially causing issues such as bloating, gastric discomfort, obesity, and even undernutrition in some cases.
One increasingly common health condition today is diabetes:
What is diabetes?
It is a metabolic disorder characterized by impaired insulin production or function.
What causes this?
One contributing factor is the overexertion of the pancreas, which results in excessive insulin secretion.
Why does this happen?
Because we often consume more food—particularly nutrient-dense food—than our bodies actually require.
What happens when we eat?
Insulin plays a critical role in helping the body utilize and store glucose (sugar) derived from the food we consume. Regardless of whether the food is high in protein, fat, or carbohydrates, it is ultimately broken down into glucose. This glucose provides energy for our body's daily functions.
However, if we are not physically active and continue to consume food in excess, the body cannot utilize all the glucose. The surplus glucose is stored as glycogen in the liver and muscles, a process that requires insulin. If glucose continues to accumulate, it is eventually converted into fat for long-term storage—also dependent on insulin.
In summary, insulin has three primary functions:
- Assisting body cells in using glucose for energy
- Facilitating the storage of excess glucose as glycogen which required extra Insulin from pancreas
- Converting surplus glucose into fat for future energy use also required extra Insulin
When we consistently overeat, the pancreas must work harder to produce more insulin. Over time, this excessive demand can lead to pancreatic fatigue or dysfunction, contributing to the development of diabetes.
Therefore, the key to maintaining good health is simple: "Eat only when you are truly hungry and stay physically active."