The term ‘diabetes’ covers a range of conditions where the glucose (sugar) in the blood becomes higher than normal. Insulin is a hormone that acts like a key to open cells and let glucose enter from the blood. The glucose comes from the food we eat and gives us energy. When you have diabetes, the body either can’t make enough insulin or the insulin that is being made does not work properly. This causes your blood glucose level to become too high. High blood glucose levels can affect both your short and long term health.
There are two main types of diabetes – type 1 and type 2. At this stage there is no known cure for either type of diabetes, although evidence shows that diabetes can be well managed with a healthy lifestyle in addition to other therapies.
Type 1 diabetes usually develops in children and young adults, but can occur at any age. Only 10 to 15 out of 100 people with diabetes have type 1 diabetes. Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition. This means the body’s own immune system destroys the cells that make insulin.
Type 2 diabetes is more common in adults and accounts for around 90% of all diabetes cases. Type 2 diabetes is a condition where the beta cells in the pancreas still make insulin, but it may not make enough, or the insulin that is being made does not do its job properly. As a result, the gates of the cells cannot open to let the glucose in. This is called insulin resistance. If glucose cannot enter the cells, it builds up in the blood stream and causes blood glucose levels to rise.
There is a 3rd kind of diabetes which is called Gestational diabetes (GDM). GDM is diabetes that is first picked up in pregnancy and generally goes away after a baby is born. In some women, the diabetes may not disappear after birth. Pregnancy brings changes within the mother’s body to ensure the normal growth and development of the baby.
AB Health and Fitness is pleased to offer the Life! program, a FREE preventative health initiative that helps you reduce your risk of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. This program gives you the motivation and support needed to make and maintain positive changes and to adopt healthy behaviours and a more active lifestyle and in addition to this every eligible participant is given a 5 month membership to AB Health and Fitness.
To see if you are eligible take the eligibility test below or send us an email info@ab-life.com.au
