Type 2 Diabetes: Most Effective Dietary Supplements

Type 2 diabetes is a chronic metabolic disease characterized by persistent hyperglycemia, resulting from a combination of insulin resistance and a defect in insulin secretion. Unlike type 1 diabetes, where there is autoimmune destruction of the pancreas's beta cells, type 2 diabetes is mainly related to genetic and environmental factors. This condition generally begins after the age of 40, although it can also affect younger individuals, especially in cases of obesity.

Pathophysiology

Type 2 diabetes results from a series of metabolic disturbances. Insulin resistance is one of the major causes, where muscle, liver, and adipose tissue cells no longer respond correctly to insulin, limiting glucose entry into cells. The pancreas compensates for this by secreting more insulin, leading to hyperinsulinemia. However, this overproduction is not enough to normalize blood glucose, and insulin resistance is accompanied by dysfunction of the pancreatic beta cells, which eventually become exhausted. This process is aggravated by increased glucose production by the liver and excessive secretion of glucagon, a hormone that raises blood glucose.

Etiology

Type 2 diabetes is the result of a complex interaction between genetic factors and lifestyle habits. A family history of diabetes increases the risk, as do epigenetic factors influenced by nutritional or environmental disturbances during gestation. Lifestyle plays a key role: an unbalanced diet high in calories and fast sugars, along with a sedentary lifestyle, promotes obesity, the main risk factor for type 2 diabetes.

Symptoms

People with type 2 diabetes may exhibit various symptoms, including excessive thirst, frequent urination, increased appetite, unexplained fatigue, and blurred vision. In some cases, unexplained weight loss can occur, as well as frequent infections, particularly of the skin and urinary tract.

Risk Factors

Obesity, especially abdominal obesity, is one of the main risk factors. Other factors include advanced age, family history of diabetes, sedentary lifestyle, diet high in sugars and saturated fats, and sleep disorders associated with sleep apnea. Exposure to certain environmental pollutants can also disrupt pancreatic cell function.

Complications

Poorly controlled type 2 diabetes can lead to serious long-term complications. Cardiovascular diseases are common (hypertension, strokes...), as well as nerve damage (neuropathy), kidney damage (nephropathy), and eye damage (retinopathy), which can lead to blindness. Another feared complication is diabetic foot, which can lead to ulcers, severe infections, and sometimes amputations.

Treatment

The management of type 2 diabetes is based on a comprehensive approach combining lifestyle changes and medication treatments. Diet plays a crucial role: adopting a balanced diet, rich in fiber and low glycemic index foods, while reducing simple sugars and saturated fats is recommended. Physical exercise is essential: 30 minutes of moderate activity per day can improve insulin sensitivity and help control weight. Pharmacologically, metformin is often the first-line treatment due to its effectiveness in improving insulin sensitivity and reducing liver glucose production. Other medications may be prescribed depending on disease progression, such as DPP-4 inhibitors, GLP-1 receptor agonists, or insulin in more advanced cases.