Clinical Nutrition

Lesson 23: Diabetes Mellitus- Role of hormones, classification

Introduction

Diabetes Mellitus is a metabolic disorder which has become very common in the present times. Because of its high prevalence, India has been described as the ‘Diabetic Capital’. Its occurrence is closely linked to lifestyle and it is not as benign as people imagine it to be.

Under the normal circumstances, food is consumed and digested to give glucose amino acids and fatty acids which enter the blood stream. Glucose is carried to the target cells and enters the cell with the help of insulin. The glucose is then utilized by the cell to give it energy thus the levels of glucose in blood decrease.

Diabetes mellitus is a disorder in which blood sugar (glucose) levels are abnormally high because the body does not produce enough insulin to meet its needs.