I is for...

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Insulin!


Before we dive into insulin, you have to understand glucose. Glucose is a sugar found in many carbohydrates. When you eat something, your body breaks it down and changes it to glucose. Once the glucose is in your blood stream, insulin (created in the pancreas) comes through and allows the sugar to be absorbed as energy.
Insulin helps balance your blood glucose levels. When there is excess glucose in your bloodstream, insulin signals the body to store it in the liver. The liver storage is used when your blood glucose drops (this could happen between meals). Diabetes occurs when your body doesn't use insulin properly or doesn't make enough insulin.
Diabetes is much more complex topic. There are 2 types: type 1 and type 2. Type 1 is an autoimmune disease; in many cases it is developed when a person is young. Type 2 is when your body has become resistant to insulins effects. This is typically due to poor lifestyle choices over an extended period of time. Maintaining a healthy diet and exercising regularly can help with avoiding or managing diabetes.

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