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 of the brain, making it difficult for the pancreas to send signals to secrete insulin. Furthermore, alcohol is often high in calories, contributing to obesity.④Studies have shown that men who drink more than one go (approximately 180ml) of alcohol per day are 1.3 times more likely to develop diabetes than those who do not drink.
- 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 eating
means eating three balanced meals a day. Be mindful of how much carbohydrates, protein, fat, vitamins, and minerals you normally consume, and your total daily calorie intake, and improve your eating habits.
- Regular exercise
helps reduce the risk of diseases such as diabetes. A good guideline for regular exercise is "30 minutes or more per day" and "at least twice a week." Walking is a recommended and easy activity that anyone can start right away. Other effective methods include moving your body more than usual while doing housework and actively using the stairs when you're out and about.
- Quitting or limiting smoking and alcohol
: Regarding smoking, it truly is "all harm and no benefit," and reducing the number of cigarettes smoked will not significantly lower the risk of diabetes. Aim to quit smoking with the support of those around you, such as by visiting a smoking cessation clinic.
As for alcohol, moderate consumption does not directly lead to diabetes. However, since it is high in calories and can easily cause obesity, we recommend drinking in moderation.
- regular
lifestyle. The next important step is to improve the quality of your sleep. This includes going to bed between 10 PM and 1 AM, getting at least 7 hours of sleep, avoiding blue light before bed, and not drinking alcohol before bed.
- that minimizes stress
will make you more resilient to it. Also, identify 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 concerned, but I can't decide if I really need preventative measures right now." "I haven't decided whether to get treatment, but I'd like to hear more first." Even in such cases, there's absolutely no problem. You may be at risk of a life-threatening condition without even realizing it, soplease feel free to contact us.
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