Diabetes is more than just a term bandied about in medical discourse; it’s a critical condition that potentially affects every tenth person in America. It is also common in the?bodybuilding?and?fitness?community. To many, the complications of diabetes sound like distant threats; however, as Peter Attia, a 50-year-old longevity expert and Canadian physician, recently shared, it’s more dangerous than many may think.

One standout from his podcast, a clip of which The Unshackled Mindset shared on Instagram last month, reveals the crucial role that muscles play in glucose regulation?a knowledge that is essential to comprehending diabetes and its prevention. Attia highlighted,??Muscles are where you dispose of glucose, so glucose regulation is one of the most important metabolic functions of the body.??This might seem like a simple statement, but its implications are profound.

The central role of muscles in glucose regulation

Glucose regulation keeps our body’s energy conversion mechanism moving, turning food into energy efficiently. When this mechanism goes awry, conditions like Type 2 diabetes manifest.?”The difference between you and someone with type 2 diabetes so bad that they’re going to get their digits amputated is an extra 1 teaspoon of glucose in the bloodstream,”?Attia said in the video clip.?To put it in perspective, the distinction between a healthy individual and one having serious diabetes problems can be caused by just a little extra sugar in the blood, which also affects our fitness.

In our body, glucose reserves are primarily in the liver and muscles, with muscles accounting for a staggering 80% of the storage, per Attia. The crux of preventing high blood sugar levels and, consequently, diabetes lies in maintaining robust, insulin-sensitive muscles. Muscles play the essential role of absorbing glucose and responding efficiently to insulin signals.

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2021 marked a significant milestone?the 100th anniversary of the discovery of insulin. Before this groundbreaking discovery, diabetes was a death sentence. Today, while we have made commendable progress in managing the condition, its prevalence is higher than ever. Alarmingly, younger individuals are being diagnosed at an unprecedented rate.

The staggering statistics and implications of diabetes

Diabetes, a chronic condition, impedes the body’s ability to convert food into energy. In Type 1 diabetes, the body fails to produce insulin, making daily insulin intake essential. On the other hand, Type 2 diabetes manifests when the body either doesn’t produce sufficient insulin or doesn’t use it efficiently. The silver lining? Type 2 diabetes is preventable and manageable through healthy lifestyle changes. Moreover, for those in the prediabetic phase, awareness and intervention can prevent the progression to full-blown Type 2 diabetes.

Recent reports are showing a concerning trend. A staggering 37.3 million Americans, or roughly 1 in 10, suffer from diabetes. Alarmingly, about 20% of these individuals remain unaware of their condition. Even more unsettling is the prevalence of prediabetes, a precursor to type 2 diabetes. Over 96 million American adults, approximately 1 in 3, have prediabetes. And a vast majority of them, over 8 in 10, are clueless about it.

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The repercussions of diabetes aren’t merely limited to health. With a staggering cost of $327 billion, covering medical expenses and lost wages, the economic ramifications are severe. Muscles are not just about strength; they’re key to glucose regulation as well. As the longevity expert highlights, prioritizing muscle health can be a significant step in combating the diabetes epidemic affecting millions in the U.S. Stay informed and proactive for a healthier future.