What is diabetes? Diabetes is a disease in which the body does not produce or properly use insulin. Insulin, a hormone made in the pancreas, assists the body in converting food into energy to be used by cells. Ultimately diabetes means that your blood sugar, or glucose is too high. In a person with diabetes, due to the complications with insulin, glucose builds up in the blood and can’t get into the cells. Over time these high levels of sugar can damage the blood vessels, nerves and other organs of the body, leading to health complications. The major cause of diabetes is still relatively unknown but both genetics and environmental factors such as obesity and inactivity are known contributors. The World Health Organization recognizes three types of diabetes (this website will focus on Type 2): Type 1 Diabetes -people develop type 1 diabetes when their bodies no longer make any insulin. In order to compensate for this lack of insulin, a person who has type 1 diabetes must take insulin daily. Type 2 Diabetes -the most common form of diabetes is diagnosed when the pancreas may or may not produce enough insulin, but for unknown reasons the body cannot use the insulin effectively, a condition called insulin resistance. (More on Type 2 Diabetes) Gestational diabetes- is diagnosed during pregnancy when the body doesn’t use insulin properly. Although it may go away after pregnancy, a woman who had it is more likely to develop type 2 diabetes. What is Prediabetes? Prediabetes is a condition that increases the risk of developing type 2 diabetes and heart disease. Those with prediabetes have a blood glucose level that is higher than normal but lower than what would be classified as diabetes. Having prediabetes doesn’t necessarily mean it will progress to diabetes. Actually modest weight loss and moderate physical activity have been shown to reduce or delay the progression. These lifestyle changes may also increase the likelihood of having normal blood glucose levels. It is recommended to follow-up with your physician to monitor your blood glucose levels if you have prediabetes. Read more on diabetes