How HGH May Affect Diabetes

Article by Lisa Wells, RN

What is Diabetes?

Diabetes Mellitus, (sugar diabetes) is a disorder in which the body is unable to process carbohydrates (sugars and starches) properly.

Usually digestion causes these carbohydrates to release glucose into the bloodstream. As the blood glucose level rises, the pancreas is stimulated to secrete insulin. Insulin acts to reduce the sugar content in the blood by transporting the glucose from the bloodstream to the body's cells where it is used as fuel, or to the liver where it is stored until it is again needed as fuel.

When the pancreas does not produce enough insulin or if the body cannot use the insulin that is produced, diabetes is the result. Sugar concentrations build up in the blood as the glucose circulates through the body without being absorbed.

The Types of Diabetes

Type 1 Diabetes (Insulin Dependent)

Type 1 diabetes is brought about as a result of the pancreas not producing enough insulin. Children with diabetes usually have type 1 diabetes.

Type 2 Diabetes

With type 2 diabetes the pancreas functions properly. The pancreas produces and releases an adequate amount of insulin into the bloodstream, but the body does not utilize the insulin as it should and so the cells are not able to process the blood sugar efficiently. Obesity can contribute to this problem because the numerous fat cells displace the insulin-receptor cells.

Insulin Resistance Increases With Aging

Aging causes the cells of the body to begin to lose their ability to properly utilize the insulin that the pancreas produces. This process usually makes itself known in those over 35 years of age.

As aging progresses the less efficient the cells become at utilizing the insulin in the blood and so the result is a bloodstream that contains high levels of both glucose and insulin. High levels of glucose or insulin can affect your metabolism, as well as your heart and arteries.

Researchers of HGH (human growth hormone) believe that proper HGH therapy may improve diabetes.

Continue to page 2: HGH and Diabetes