Diabetes is a disease in which blood glucose levels are above normal level. Those with diabetes have improper energy metabolism - the process of converting food into energy. Food we ingest is broken down into glucose and is carried by the blood to cells throughout the body. This glucose in blood is processed by the hormone insulin, made in the pancreas, to convert blood glucose into energy.

In case of diabetics the cells in various organs like muscles, liver, fat tissues etc. do not process insulin in proper way. This may be because there is insufficient amount of insulin secreted by the pancreas or resistance to insulin. As a result, the amount of glucose in the blood increases and the cells are deprived of energy. Over a period of time high blood glucose damages nerves and blood vessels. This can lead to complications like heart disease, stroke, retinopathy, kidney disease, nerve problems, gum infections and amputation.

Diabetes is indeed a silent killer disease that is spreading in epidemic proportions. In America alone more than 30 million are diabetic and 2 million join the ranks every year. While diabetes can strike at anyone certain ethic groups like African Americans, Hispanics and Asians are at an increasing risk of developing diabetes.