When the body cannot produce or properly use insulin, it cannot adequately metabolize sugar. This condition is the disease we call diabetes. When the body cannot adequately metabolize sugar, this sugar then accumulates in excess quantities in the blood. This causes a host of problems, such as vascular damage and damage to the heart, kidneys, eyes, and other organs.

Diabetics must pay particular attention to their feet, as that is where the first signs of advanced vascular damage appear. And that's why you hear so much about diabetics and amputations of toes, feet, legs, fingers, and so on.

Obviously, diabetes is not a great disease to have.

Risk factors

The primary risk factor is excess body fat. This fat in itself doesn't cause the diabetes. It's a marker. The same behavior that makes you fat increases the likelihood of diabetes.

Note that being fat and having diabetes don't always coincide. In fact, diabetes can cause rapid weight loss. Any time you experience a rapid weight loss, see your physician immediately.

Smoking is a secondary risk factor for diabetes. As always, it is a very stupid thing to do. The vascular damage from smoking will also exacerbate damage from diabetes.

Genetics also plays a role. But, you can get adult onset diabetes regardless of your genetics. Of course, many people become diabetics through no fault of their own or are born with diabetes. Everyone else should manage the risk factors to reduce the likelihood of getting diabetes to begin with.

Make no assumptions, regarding these risk factors. Nothing is guaranteed.

Causes

If you look at the statistics for sugar consumption in the USA and the percentage of the population with Type II (Adult Onset) diabetes, you'll see they track pretty much one-for-one. A friend of mine has "the other kind" of diabetes--the kind you get through no fault of your own. He is amazed that non-diabetic people live a lifestyle that puts them at such high risk for a disease that complicates his life so much.

Type II (Adult Onset) diabetes is a sugar disease. You can control it, even prevent it. The keys are these:

• Managing your insulin (controlling sugar sources)

• Eating small portions instead of "filling up" at meals

• Keeping your bodyfat percentage down (obesity is a high risk factor)

Let's take a closer look at what you can do about diabetes.

Diet

Except for Eskimos and a few other highly specialized ethnic groups, all diets must adhere to the same few macronutrient rules. For example:

• Eliminate as many processed carbohydrates as possible.

• Don't eat carbohydrates 2 hours before bedtime.

•  Balance your fat/carbos/protein in a roughly 30/40/30 ratio (this is a guideline, not a hard and fast rule--it doesn't work for everyone).

• Eat at least 5 or 6 small meals a day.

• Always eat a high-protein breakfast.

• Cut saturated fats, but eat unsaturated fats. Good sources are walnuts, cashews, peanuts, and any oils that are liquid at room temperature (don't go overboard).

Did you know that the peanuts offered on airlines are LESS fattening than the fat-free pretzels? It's true. Stay away from fat-free foods--they make your insulin levels do a yo-yo, and that makes you put on fat. Yuck. Worse, it sets the stage for adult-onset diabetes.