What causes diabetes type 2 is still open for debate. While type 1 is known to be caused by an autoimmune response in which antibodies attack the body's producer of insulin, the pancreas, the exact cause of diabetes type 2 is not universally agreed upon as of yet. Although it is known to be characterized by insulin resistance, what leads our body to this inability to process this insulin is still being discovered. However, as many doctors and patients have come to realize that diet and exercise tends to play a large part in managing, or even eradicating, the symptoms of the disease, it can be speculated that engaging in an unhealthy lifestyle could be at the root of this condition.

Since insulin resistance is the foundation for diabetes type 2, many people are looking at what affects our ability to process the substance. By discovering what sorts of things both negatively and positively impact our body's sensitivity to insulin, many think that this will lead us to uncover what causes diabetes. As an added benefit, in doing so, we can also learn how to best treat, manage, as well as prevent, this condition.

In studying the effects of various risk factors on our body's sensitivity to insulin, researchers have noticed a strong correlation between leading a healthy lifestyle and one's ability to process insulin. Therefore, these same characteristics may, indeed, provide a key as to what causes diabetes. The lifestyle choices that are currently thought to play the biggest role in diabetes type 2 are also those that are typically associated with people that are overweight. Therefore, people are still not sure if being overweight, in and of itself, is a major cause, or if the poor choices that usually go along with are the real culprit.

Of these lifestyle choices, what seem to be most significant are diet, activity level, and stress management. Eating foods that are high in fat, sugars and carbohydrates, and in large quantities, makes it nearly impossible for one to maintain a steady blood sugar level. Maintaining an even blood sugar level is key when it comes to managing diabetes type 2. Also, although it is not yet fully understood why, engaging in more physical activity and making it a point to lower your stress levels can also impact your body's sensitivity to insulin. Although what causes diabetes is still not completely understood, research into the reasons for its onset have led us to learn many ways that we can help prevent and control it.



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