How does diabetes affect metabolism of food?
A. Diabetes is a chronic disease in which the body’s glucose (sugar) levels are abnormally high. Diabetes occurs when your pancreas stops making enough insulin, which is necessary for the proper metabolism of digested foods. Diabetes doesn’t interfere with digestion, but it does prevent the body from using an important product of digestion: glucose for energy. When we eat, foods containing proteins, fats, and carbohydrates are broken down into simpler, easily absorbed chemicals. One of these is a form of simple sugar called glucose. Glucose circulates in the blood stream where it is available for body cells to use as “fuel”. In a non-diabetic person, the blood carries the glucose or sugar throughout the body, causing blood glucose levels to rise. In response, a large gland called the pancreas (found just behind the stomach) makes insulin and releases it into the bloodstream. Insulin signals the body tissues to metabolize or burn the glucose for fuel, causing blood glucose levels to ret
