According to recent statistics, almost 10% of Americans (approx. 30 million individuals) have diabetes, and 12.2% of New Yorkers are diagnosed with either Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes. Diabetes is a condition in which a person’s insulin response to the metabolism of carbohydrates is impaired, which leads to increased amounts of glucose in the blood and urine. Insulin resistance characterizes Type 2, which is the most common form, and those with Type 2 may not require insulin injections. Those with Type 1 diabetes, also known as ‘insulin-dependent’ diabetes, require insulin to be given via an injection to regulate their blood sugar. Type 1 diabetics are usually diagnosed as children, and make up a much smaller percentage of the total number of those diagnosed with diabetes. Continue reading “Diabetes: A Primer (Part 1)” →