What Causes Type 2 Diabetes

The pancreas creates a hormone, known as insulin, that helps to sugar to be able to enter your cells to be used for energy. When your pancreas doesn't make enough of this insulin or your cells are insulin resistant and can't use it correctly, this is known as type 2 diabetes. Wondering what causes type 2 diabetes to occur? Well, while there is no one thing that causes this disease to occur, there are a variety of different factors that can increase your risk for the problem. Here is a look at some of the things that can cause this problem to occur.

The Primary Causes
First of all, let's take a look at some of the primary causes of type 2 diabetes. Those who are overweight are definitely at a huge risk for this problem. Excess fat can cause problems with the way that your body responds when insulin is released. Abdominal fat especially can cause this to occur. Insulin resistance, which occurs because of excess fat, doesn't always result in diabetes, but it definitely does increase the risk of this problem occurring.

Your Eating Habits
Your eating habits can be a cause of type 2 diabetes. When you eat the wrong foods that are unhealthy for your body, it can increase the risk of developing this disease. Those who eat diets that include refined foods, calorie dense foods, and a diet that doesn't include enough fruits and veggies are at higher risk for type 2 diabetes. Studies have proven to be the case, so the way you eat can have a big impact on whether or not you develop this disease.

The Inactivity Problem
Another big problem is inactivity, which can also lead to diabetes in some people. Those who have lean muscle mass are less likely to become insulin resistant. Even those who are already overweight have been able to start getting active and reduce their insulin resistance problem.

Bad Sleeping Habits
Even bad sleeping habits seem to have a relation to those who at risk for type 2 diabetes. When your sleep is disturbed, the balance of blood sugar and insulin can be disrupted. It makes the pancreas have to work harder which can eventually cause type 2 diabetes to occur. Those who sleep five hours or less each night are more likely to end up with this disease, according to studies that have been done.

It's in Your Genes
For some people the predisposition to develop type 2 diabetes may be in their genes. There are various genetic variations that have been linked to type 2 diabetes. Of course it is not just the genes alone that cause the problem. Even if you have type 2 diabetes in the family, if you exercise and eat a healthy diet, often you can prevent this disease from occurring to you.