ABSTRACT
Diabetes mellitus (DM), usually called “diabetes,” is a chronic, progressive metabolic disease dened by the presence of hyperglycemia. Under this circumstance, a high level of glucose remains circulating in the blood, which leads to damage to body tissue over time. Glucose comes from the food that we eat. It is the fuel for our bodies. Diabetes occurs when the body cannot produce enough insulin or cannot respond to insulin properly (Figure 5.1). Insulin is a peptide hormone that is produced by beta cells of the pancreas. It helps glucose to be transported to skeletal muscles and fat tissue. Insulin also inhibits the liver from producing glucose. Figure 5.1 depicts the mechanism for the development of diabetes.
