What is Diabetes?

The body is formed by millions of cells which need energy to function. They obtain this energy from the sugar, also known as glucose, circulating in our blood. Two conditions must be met in order for glucose to enter into the cells: the cells must have sufficient receptors and there must be a sufficient amount of insulin so that it can bind to the receptors and facilitate glucose transfer. 

When these two conditions are fulfilled cells can produce energy as per usual by using, or metabolising, glucose. Insulin is a hormone produced in the pancreas, specifically by the beta-cells of islets of Langerhans. The insulin levels in a person without diabetes vary according to the amount of glucose in their blood. We all continuously require, whether diabetic or not, varying amounts of insulin throughout the 24 hours in a day. When we eat, we need more insulin and when we take part in physical activity, we need less.

In people with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1D) the glucose cannot enter the cells because they do not have any insulin to bind to the receptors. Therefore the glucose is not metabolised and their blood sugar level increases. In the case of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D), the number of receptors decreases during the initial phase and despite patients having the correct amount of insulin it cannot be used effectively. The cell receives less glucose and therefore the patient’s blood sugar level increases.