Understanding Your Diabetes

What happens to food inside the body?

The food is broken down into smaller glucose molecules which is taken up by different body cells. Insulin receptors are present on these cells. When the level of glucose increases in the body, pancreatic cells receive signals for the release of insulin. This insulin is directly released in the blood circulation, and attaches to the insulin receptors present on various cells. This binding opens up the cells for the entry of glucose inside the cells.

Most of the glucose is stored in the liver in the form of glycogen, which is used between meals and at night. Rest of the glucose through circulation reaches all the other cells of the body.

Some glucose is also stored in muscles to be used only during exercise.

Glucose is converted to the vital energy in the cells with the help of oxygen which is necessary for proper functioning of the body.

A healthy cell

Sugar in the food is absorbed into the blood in the form of glucose and fructose. Glucose molecules are required to enter the cells to be metabolised in energy. Insulin binds to the receptors present on the cells and opens the doors for glucose to enter the cells.

Glucose is broken down into carbon dioxide, water and vital energy required for the proper functioning of the cell. Brain cannot store glucose and hence it requires a constant and steady supply of glucose. A urine test will show the presence of neither glucose, nor ketones.

A starved cell

When no food is available, there is shortage of glucose in the blood. In this case, even if insulin opens the door to the cell for glucose, it is of no use. When the blood glucose level is low in a non-diabetic person, the insulin production will completely stop. The α cells in the pancreas recognize low levels of glucose in the blood and release the glucagon hormone.

Glucagon hormone signals the liver cells to release glucose from reserve supply of glycogen. Continued starvation makes the body to utilize another source of glucose i.e. fat reserves. Adrenaline (a stress hormone)breaks down the fat into fatty acids and  glycerol. Fatty acids are further converted to ketones and glycerol to glucose. Ketones can be used as fuel for energy only by muscle, brain, kidney and heart. A urine test will show the presence of starvation ketones, but  not glucose.

A Diabetic cell

Type I Diabetes is a deficiency disease where the body stops the production of insulin and hence glucose cannot enter the cells. In this case, the body will perceive the situation as of starvation. Since, there is low level of glucose in the cells, α pancreatic cells will release glucagon hormone which will signal the breakdown of muscle glycogen to glucose, thus increasing the blood concentration of glucose even more.

Adrenaline, cortisol and growth hormone are also released and fat is converted to ketones and glucose.This glucose is easily absorbed by the brain, retina, nerve fibres and kidney as these cells do not require insulin for glucose absorption, and hence increased glucose shows toxic reactions in these cells. A urine test will show the presence  of glucose and diabetic ketones both.   

Blood glucose concentration

In a healthy cell, the levels of insulin increase with the increase of blood glucose levels, and then reach a basal level, once the blood glucose level has been normalized. The resulting blood glucose level is normally stable in a non-diabetic person about 70-120 mg/dl.

In a Diabetic cell, insulin levels are very low and unable to metabolize glucose. The glucose levels are therefore high most of the time and occasionally reach normal levels.

Check this website for  a plethora of information on Ayurveda, Siddha traditional medicine and other home remedies Spice flair