Diabetes is a chronic disease which affects a growing population. There are two types of diabetes mellitus—Type I, or insulin-dependent (caused by the inability of the body to make insulin), and Type II, also known as non-insulin-dependent or adult-onset diabetes. The second type of diabetes is associated with the inability of the body to deal with sugar (insulin resistance). It is usually seen in older-age people and obese people. The problem is that diabetes can impair many of the functions of the body. It can damage heart blood vessels, vision, kidneys, and most every function of the body. Oxidation or free-radical formation occurs more rapidly with elevated blood sugars. Elevated blood sugars and elevated insulin levels can damage the body’s ability to function and can cause other diseases. Micro blood vessel damage is caused by sugar (an oxidant) linking with blood vessel proteins (collagen), causing scarring and blood vessel blockage. This damage is what causes neuropathy (pain in the nerves) and edema (water in the tissues) in extremities, which can lead to ulcerations and amputations. It also causes kidney damage (nephropathy) and even blindness (retinopathy).
