Diabetes in a very simplified explanation is when your blood glucose (also called blood sugar), is too elevated. This blood glucose comes from the food we eat and is the primary source of energy.  The pancreas creates a hormone called insulin which helps facilitate the process of getting glucose from food into your cells to then be utilised for fuel. Unfortunately for some people their insulin isn’t created adequately and may have issues with glucose overstaying their time in blood and not being transported to cells for energy, this can create health issues over time.

There are different types of diabetes from gestational diabetes which is diagnosed during pregnancy, type 1 and type 2 which may be diagnosed at different stages in life and require ongoing management. Type 1 diabetes is more likely to be diagnosed in early life, whereas type 2 diabetes can develop throughout life and commonly can be associated with lifestyle and dietary choices.

Diabetes is considered a chronic disease that can have a systemic effect on the body, as there is no cure for diabetes it requires daily management including changes to diet, lifestyle, and may include medicating to effectively manage symptoms.