LC-DiabetesArticle

New York Times Diabetes Article: What are the key players in Diabetes? Why? The key players in diabetes are the pancreas, the liver, the muscle, and the fat; these parts are involved in the process of maintaining a normal level of glucose in the body. What are the unexpected key players in Diabetes? Why? The unexpected players in diabetes include the skeleton, the brain, and free fatty acids. These parts are involved in the signals produced and sent to and from the brain through out the body to process and regulate levels of glucose. Explain the connection between bones and fat? Leptin, a hormone made from fat has an impact on bone metabolism. Therefore, the bone metabolism has impact on fat cells through out the body. Explain the connection between bones and the pancreas? Bones produce a hormone, osteocalcin, that also sends signals to the brain as well as the pancreas to regulate blood sugar and store it as energy. Explain the connection between the brain and diabetes. The brain is a factor in all bodily processes, but it is major in diabetes. Messages are sent from the pancreas, fat cells, bones, etc. to the brain to the hypothalamus telling it to control body sugar. Explain the connection between the immune system and diabetes? The immune system is fueled by energy and when the body resists storing energy, it can crash intensifying the effects of diabetes. Now summarize the article in a paragraph. The article on diabetes discusses the factors that are rarely considered in the causes and factors in diabetes. Some of these hidden factors are the brain, the immune system, the brain, and the bones. The entire body is included in the regulation of bodily glucose levels. The brain sends signals to the fat cells and the organs to regulate lipids and glucose storage therefore regulating weight. If the organs do not secrete the specific needed hormones, the glucose can be ignored (Type 2 diabetes; insulin resistance) or the glucose can be completely out of control (Type 1 diabetes; lack of insulin). Scientists are just now discovering all of these "unexpected players". The conclusion of this article states that diabetes is a very complex disease; its origins and factors are endless and patient specific.