From Your Health Journal…..”A great article recently in the Indo American News by Dr. Mandeep Bajaj about the rise of diabetes in Asian Indians in the United States. The American Diabetes Association states that approximately 25.8 million people in the United States, or 8.3 percent of the population, have diabetes. But, the estimated prevalence of type 2 (adult-onset) diabetes in Asian Indians in the United States is higher with estimates between 17% to 29% The cause is unknown, but still, very interesting. We know that obesity is a major cause of type 2 diabetes. It will very interesting to read more in the future about this specific population. Please visit the Indo American News web page to read the complete article (link provided below).”

From the article…..

The American Diabetes Association reports that almost 25.8 million people in the United States, or 8.3 percent of the population, have diabetes. However, the estimated prevalence of type 2 (adult-onset) diabetes in Asian Indians in the United States is higher with estimates between 17% to 29% depending on the age group studied as the prevalence increases with age. While its cause is still unknown, researchers have found that genetics and environmental factors such as sedentary lifestyles play significant roles. Diabetes is a disease in which the body does not produce or properly use insulin, a hormone needed to convert sugar, starches and other food into energy. Obesity reduces the body’s ability to respond to insulin. When yoaur body makes insulin but can’t use it properly, the sugar level in your blood rises above the normal healthy range, resulting in diabetes. High blood sugar levels can cause serious damage to the heart, kidneys, eyes and nerves and increase the risk of a stroke.

In addition to its strong link with type 2 or adult-onset diabetes, obesity itself is associated with a higher risk of high blood pressure, heart disease and cholesterol abnormalities as well as fatty liver disease. These conditions are widely prevalent in Asian Indians in the United States with a recent study showing this population to be specially susceptible to fatty liver disease. Knowing your risk of diabetes can help you prevent or delay onset of the disease.

To read the full article…..Click here