Being "Given" Diabetes
Being diagnosed with a manageable yet troubling disease can be heartbreaking for some people, especially those that lead a healthy lifestyle. However genetics tends to play a role in what diseases we are more susceptible in contracting. Those diseases can also be hereditary, or passed down in family generations. Is this the case with diabetes? This article will explore if diabetes is a hereditary disease.
Is it Inherited?
Diabetes is a disease that has to do with the processing of certain chemicals in your body for use. Insulin is the chemical required by your cells to convert starches, sugars and carbohydrates into glucose which is used by your body for energy. If you have Type 1 diabetes, your body doesn't produce enough insulin. Type 2 happens when your body's cells reject insulin. Most people are diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes. Is it hereditary?
The answer is yes and no. Yes, there are genes in the family chain that are associated with diabetes. Statistics show that if your mother has Type 1 Diabetes, you are less likely to inherit it than if it was your father. There is also the inherited love of certain foods that can contribute to diabetes. It also appears that 10 percent of people who have Type 1 also have a relative with diabetes, but that doesn't mean you have a 10 percent chance of getting it. Families have been known to seemingly "pass down" the diabetes gene. However, the inheritance seems minimal compared to the major contributors: obesity and lack of exercise.
Managing Diabetes
Whether diabetes is inherited or not, there are still measure you can take to either reduce the risk of diabetes or manage it better. Controlling your diet is one of the most important actions. You must carefully read labels of all the foods you eat to ensure you aren't taking in too much or too little of glucose-producing elements like sugars and starches. Some foods may even claim to be healthy in one aspect but can cause diabetic's insulin levels to go bonkers. Also, steady exercise and activity will also reduce the risk.
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