Diabetes is a condition where your body is unable to automatically regulate its blood glucose levels, resulting in too much glucose in your blood.

Glucose comes from foods containing carbohydrates (starches and sugars) e.g. breads, biscuits, cakes, cereals, dairy foods, fruits and some vegetables. It travels in the blood stream to your muscles and other organs where it is used as fuel. Any excess glucose goes to your liver where it is stored for future use. Glucose is your body’s preferred source of energy and your body needs it to work efficiently.

There are 3 types of Diabetes:

• Type 1(juvenile onset diabetes),
• Type 2 (mature onset diabetes)
• Gestational Diabetes (occurring during pregnancy)

The most common form of diabetes is Type 2 diabetes. 
It usually occurs in people over 30 years of age but it may occur in overweight teenagers and children with a family history of diabetes. Diabetes can be hereditary and is triggered by aspects of lifestyle such as being overweight and being sedentary.

People with Type 2 diabetes are more likely to carry excess weight, especially around the middle and have high blood pressure.  They are also more likely to have both high cholesterol levels and heart disease. This is called the “metabolic syndrome”

Unless blood glucose levels are very high, symptoms may not occur, so many people with Type 2 diabetes may not be aware they have diabetes.      
It is important to know if you have Type 2 diabetes.