A Deeper Understanding of Diabetes

The Importance of Knowledge About Diabetes

As I sat down to write this newsletter, a question crossed my mind: How many of us truly grasp what diabetes is, beyond just recognizing the name? Even among those living with the condition, I wonder how deeply we understand what's actually happening in our bodies. This curiosity led me on my own journey to learn more about the intricate processes taking place beneath the surface when diabetes develops.

Even if you are a diabetes patient, how much knowledge do you really have about this disease?

When we're sick, understanding exactly what's happening inside our bodies helps us grasp the situation more realistically. There's a saying that "knowledge is power." As I study and research each week, I've come to understand more about diabetes. Although I still have much to learn, I deeply hope that diabetes patients, including my mother, will properly understand their condition and actively manage it.

The Importance of Active Health Management

When any disease affects our body, it's necessary to understand the condition and find what we can do through sufficient study and research. Rather than passively following doctor's orders without any knowledge, I believe it's important to take an active approach: finding the right doctor for you, studying some medical knowledge, and understanding what treatments and medications you truly need through thorough consultation with your doctor.

That's why in this newsletter, I want to discuss the pathological aspects of Type 2 diabetes for a deeper understanding.

Scientific Understanding of Type 2 Diabetes

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a chronic metabolic disorder that occurs when defects in insulin secretion combine with insulin resistance (IR). Normally, insulin is secreted by beta (β) cells in the pancreas to regulate blood glucose and acts on insulin-sensitive organs such as the liver, muscles, and fat tissue to move glucose into cells.

However, in Type 2 diabetes, abnormalities in the insulin signaling system prevent tissues from responding properly to insulin, resulting in elevated blood glucose. Initially, the pancreas tries to compensate by secreting excessive insulin, but over time, beta cell function deteriorates and insulin secretion capacity decreases, worsening the disease.

Mechanisms of Diabetes Development

Various pathological mechanisms are involved in the development of Type 2 diabetes:

• Mitochondrial dysfunction

• Increased oxidative stress (reactive oxygen species, ROS)

• Inflammatory responses

• Endoplasmic reticulum stress in beta cells

The main risk factors for this condition involve a combination of genetic predisposition and environmental factors, with obesity and sedentary lifestyle playing key roles. As visceral fat increases, inflammatory substances (cytokines, TNF-α, IL-6, etc.) are secreted from adipose tissue, which interfere with insulin receptor signaling and induce insulin resistance.

Latest Research: The Role of Gut Microbiota

Recent studies have revealed important connections between Type 2 diabetes and gut microbiota. It's becoming increasingly clear that gut dysbiosis (imbalance of gut bacteria) can cause insulin resistance and metabolic dysfunction.

When gut microbiota is unhealthy, gut permeability (also known as "leaky gut") increases, allowing harmful substances like lipopolysaccharides (LPS) to enter the bloodstream. This promotes chronic inflammation, which interferes with insulin signaling.

Conversely, beneficial gut bacteria such as Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium promote short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) production, strengthen gut barrier function, and regulate the immune system, positively affecting blood glucose control. Several clinical studies have confirmed that probiotic consumption can improve insulin sensitivity, reduce inflammation, and help control blood glucose.

In my mother's case, probiotics are currently the only supplement she can take. Her hospital also emphasizes the benefits of probiotics and the importance of consistent consumption. If you're not taking probiotics yet, how about trying yogurt daily? Personally, I consume both probiotic supplements and probiotic-containing foods every day. It's a small change, but starting tomorrow could benefit you in the long run.

Diabetes Progression and Complications

Many of you likely know that diabetes is an insulin-related problem. It's certainly a common disease and prevalent in society. However, it's important to understand the progression process and effects of this disease in more detail.

Persistent hyperglycemia damages beta cell function, increases oxidative stress in mitochondria, and causes protein aggregation, leading to beta cell apoptosis (cell death). Without effective blood glucose control, it can cause various complications including cardiovascular disease, fatty liver, chronic kidney disease, and vision problems.

Personal Experience

Recently, my mother's eye inflammation worsened, and she received a new prescription from the hospital. What's frightening about diabetes is that even a moment of neglect can impact our bodies rapidly in ways we can't see.

Two years ago, when my mother's primary physician retired, she unintentionally had to change doctors, and her prescriptions began to change as well. Unlike before, her blood glucose has not been well controlled, and she's been going through difficult times.

A Message of Hope

Although diabetes requires lifelong management, today's medical advances and better understanding offer greater possibilities than ever for living a healthy and active life. The latest research shows hope that diabetes can be effectively managed and complications prevented through dietary control, exercise, stress management, and new treatments.

A diabetes diagnosis doesn't have to reduce your quality of life. Rather, it can be an opportunity to pay more attention to your health, actively manage it, and develop healthy lifestyle habits.

Message to Our Readers

To those of you who have been diagnosed with diabetes or have family members with diabetes, I want to say this: Knowledge truly is power. Actively learn about your health condition, have open conversations with medical professionals, and stay informed about the latest research and treatments.

Health management is not a one-sided process but a collaborative journey. You know your body best, and it's important to be an active participant in finding the best management method for yourself.

Every day is a new beginning, and small changes can make big differences. One small action you take today creates your health tomorrow. I hope we can share this journey together and support each other.

If you have experiences, questions, or topics you'd like to know more about in the future, please let us know in the comments. We can learn and grow together, creating a healthier future.

Love,

Autumn

DISCLAIMER: This article is based on personal experiences and is for informational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.

Reference:

​Galicia-Garcia, U., Benito-Vicente, A., Jebari, S., Larrea-Sebal, A., Siddiqi, H., Uribe, K. B., Ostolaza, H., & Martín, C. (2020). Pathophysiology of type 2 diabetes mellitus. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 21(17), 6275. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms21176275