Insulin Changes Occur Years Before Diabetes
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Both insulin resistance and blood sugar changes tied to type 2 diabetes have been shown to occur at least a decade or more before the disease actually starts to set in. In a recent study, three separate distinct phases were found to occur in the evolution of type 2 diabetes.
In the first level, glucose levels are likely to remain stable, but the insulin resistance and secretion increase within the body. Insulin sensitivity also begins to decrease during this phase.
This tends to occur between six and ten years before the onset of the disease. In the second phase, there is an increase in beta cell activity, which is a measure of insulin production. This occurs because the pancreas is trying to compensate for the glucose increase in the blood by producing more insulin.
During this time, blood glucose levels tend to increase quickly after eating, which elicits the beta cell reaction. This second phase usually occurs within three to four years of the onset of type 2 diabetes. In the final phase, the insulin levels will drop, and the glucose levels will rise very quickly and drastically.
Once someone reaches the final phase, they are considered to be pre-diabetic, with type 2 diabetes possibly occurring within a couple years. The results of this study show that starting preventive activities three or four years before the potential onset of type 2 diabetes will probably not be enough to counteract the disease. |
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