Once diabetes develops, it is difficult to completely cure it. Patients must continue oral and injection treatment for the rest of their lives, which places a heavy burden on the body, mind, and finances
Complications can include the risk of blindness and kidney failure, which can be life-threatening, so prevention is important
There are various characteristics that make people more susceptible to diabetes. Here we will explain the causes and countermeasures
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Causes of diabetes
The causes of diabetes can be broadly divided into two categories: congenital factors (those due to a person's constitution at birth) and acquired factors (those due to genetics and lifestyle habits)
Congenital factors
This refers to type 1 diabetes, which is often present at birth and develops during childhood. The exact cause is currently unknown
acquired factors
It is caused by genetic factors and lifestyle habits. It is called type 2 diabetes. There are many different lifestyle factors that can lead to this condition
- Genetics
If your father, mother, or direct relative has diabetes, you may inherit the gene that makes it difficult to secrete insulin. It has been found that people with relatives with diabetes are 2.0 times more likely to develop diabetes in men and 2.7 times more likely in women than those without
- obesity
The increased fat cells caused by obesity secrete large amounts of substances known as "bad substances." These bad substances make insulin less effective. BMI is an index that indicates body size, calculated by dividing one's weight (kg) by the square of one's height (m), and a value of 25 or higher is considered obese. Furthermore, it has been found that for every 1 point increase in BMI, the risk of developing diabetes increases by 17% for both men and women
- lack of exercise
Lack of exercise leads to obesity, as mentioned above. In addition, a decline in muscle strength and metabolism makes it difficult for the body to secrete insulin, leading to persistent hyperglycemia. As a result, people are more susceptible to diabetes
- smoking
It is known that smoking stimulates the sympathetic nervous system, causing blood sugar levels to rise. It also inhibits the secretion of "good substances" that lower blood sugar. It has been found that men who smoke 20 or more cigarettes a day are 1.4 times more likely to develop diabetes than non-smokers, and women are 3.0 times more likely①
- Excessive alcohol consumption
Excessive alcohol consumption causes inflammation in the hypothalamus, a part of the brain that makes it difficult for the pancreas to secrete insulin.Also, since alcohol is often high in calories, it can lead to obesity④It has been found that men who drink more than one cup of alcohol per day are 1.3 times more likely to develop diabetes than those who do not drink alcohol
- stress
When you are under too much stress, your sympathetic nervous system is stimulated, causing your blood sugar to rise. In addition, the hormone cortisol, which is secreted due to stress, increases your appetite, leading to overeating and drinking. As a result, your blood sugar level will remain high, making you more susceptible to diabetes
- Irregular lifestyle
An irregular lifestyle means that meal times and food contents are unbalanced, and sleep hours are different from normal
Humans have an internal clock called the circadian rhythm, and if it goes out of sync, various bodily functions will also decline
Even if you eat the same diet as someone who leads a regular lifestyle, your blood sugar will not drop as easily after eating. If your diet is unbalanced, the nutrients that lower blood sugar will not be absorbed, and your blood sugar will remain high. Furthermore, sleep disturbances increase the secretion of cortisol, which increases your appetite. It is also known that you become more susceptible to stress. These factors can make you more susceptible to diabetes
reference)
①If you are diagnosed with prediabetes | Diabetes Information Center (ncgm.go.jp)
②What is Metabolic Syndrome? | Diabetes Information Center (ncgm.go.jp)
Measures to prevent diabetes
Diabetes caused by acquired factors can potentially be prevented through lifestyle changes
- Proper diet
A proper diet means eating three balanced meals a day. Be aware of how much carbohydrate, protein, fat, vitamins, and minerals you usually consume, as well as your total daily calorie intake, and improve your diet
- Regular exercise
The benchmark for regular exercise to prevent diabetes and other diseases is "at least 30 minutes a day" and "at least twice a week." Walking is recommended, as it's easy and anyone can start right away. Other effective methods include moving more than usual while doing housework and using the stairs when out and about
- Quit or limit smoking and alcohol
Smoking is truly harmful and has no benefits, and even if you cut down on the number of cigarettes you smoke, it will not significantly reduce your risk of diabetes. Try to quit smoking with the support of those around you, such as by visiting a smoking cessation clinic
Alcohol is not directly linked to diabetes if consumed in moderation, but it can be a cause of obesity due to its high calorie content, so it is recommended that you drink in moderation
- Live a regular life
Taking the measures mentioned above will help you lead a regular life. Another important thing is to improve the quality of your sleep. Some good practices include going to bed between 10 PM and 1 AM, getting at least seven hours of sleep, avoiding exposure to blue light before bed, and not drinking before bed
- Don't accumulate stress
A regular routine will help you cope with stress. Also, know what causes you stress and find ways to relieve it
summary
This time, we talked about the causes of diabetes and how to prevent it. Diabetes is a disease that does not cause noticeable symptoms. Let's take a look at our lifestyle habits and start taking measures now to prevent it
In order to avoid diabetes, which causes serious complications, we recommend that you first see a doctor early to learn more about your physical condition.
Omotesando Helene Clinic specializes in regenerative medicine that does not place a burden on the body, and provides pre-counseling for those who cannot immediately start treatment.
Diabetes is also related to lifestyle habits such as obesity, excessive drinking and smoking, but it is generally said that it is difficult to improve lifestyle habits.
Therefore, if you use "regenerative medicine" that utilizes autologous stem cells, you can use your own cells to repair weakened cells in the body and prevent diabetes and complications.
"I'm curious, but I can't decide if prevention is really necessary now." You may be at risk of wandering life and death without realizing it, so Please feel free to contact us.
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