June 13, 2013 in Features, Health  Doctor K: Prediabetes a wake-
up call for change  Anthony L. Komaroff Universal Uclick    Type
2 diabetes is a chronic disease marked by high levels of sugar
in the blood. During digestion, carbohydrates are broken down
into simple sugars, primarily glucose. Glucose is an important
source of energy for the body’s cells. But to provide energy to
the cells, glucose needs to leave the blood and get inside
the cells.  Insulin, a hormone produced by the pancreas, signals
the cells to extract glucose from the blood. When levels of
glucose in the blood rise (for example, after a meal), the
pancreas produces more insulin. That drives more glucose into
the cells.  Type 2 diabetes occurs when your body’s cells do not
react efficiently to insulin. As a result, not as much glucose
is driven into the cells, and more stays in the blood. As
glucose starts to build up in the blood, the pancreas makes
extra insulin to maintain a normal blood sugar. The cycle
escalates. Finally, the pancreas c