Diabetes encompasses a group of metabolic disorders that result in chronically elevated blood sugar levels. If untreated, these diseases can result in serious complications such as ketoacidosis, heart disease, kidney failure, and stroke. The most common type of diabetes is type II diabetes, which accounts for 90-95% of cases (a recent Philadelphia study helped us gain further insight into why type II diabetes occurs). The incidence of type I diabetes is much lower, accounting for just 5-10% of cases. However, while type II diabetes can resolve on its own with changes in diet and exercise habits, type I is considered incurable. Now, a new study from the University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus has identified a new class of antigens that may be a factor in the development of the disease.Read More
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Insulin is a vital hormone that plays a major role in the metabolism: without insulin, humans would not be able to break down carbohydrates or digest food for energy. Insulin lowers blood glucose levels, stores excess glucose as glycogen and reduces glucose production in the liver. Many people, however, have trouble using insulin effectively. Forms of insulin resistance can lead to pre-diabetes or type 2 diabetes, as well as other serious health problems.