{"id":74171,"date":"2024-11-18T14:16:17","date_gmt":"2024-11-18T08:46:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.adityabirlacapital.com\/healthinsurance\/active-together\/?p=74171"},"modified":"2025-07-24T17:21:17","modified_gmt":"2025-07-24T11:51:17","slug":"diabetes-and-inflammation","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.adityabirlacapital.com\/healthinsurance\/active-together\/2024\/11\/18\/diabetes-and-inflammation\/","title":{"rendered":"Diabetes And Inflammation: Everything You Need To Know"},"content":{"rendered":"

Have you ever wondered if a link exists between diabetes and inflammation? Diabetes, particularly type 2 diabetes, is closely linked to chronic inflammation, which plays a key role in the development and progression of this condition.<\/p>\n

The link between diabetes and inflammation<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Inactivity and obesity increase the risk of diabetes, but the causes are unclear. Recent research suggests<\/b><\/a>\u00a0that inflammation inside your body plays a role in the development of type 2 diabetes. An anti-inflammatory diet and exercise can help prevent and treat type 2 diabetes<\/strong><\/a>. Inflammation is a part of the body’s response to an injury or infection in the form of swelling in the affected area, such as in the case of an ankle sprain or a skin infection. With type 2 diabetes, inflammation is internal.<\/p>\n

How inflammation develops<\/strong><\/h2>\n

\"infla<\/p>\n

People with type 2 diabetes do not produce enough insulin, or their bodies can’t use insulin, a hormone made by cells in the pancreas, adequately. It controls the amount of sugar in the blood and may also impact body tissues. Factors like obesity<\/strong><\/a> and fat accumulation around the belly and on major organs in the abdomen influence its effects on tissues. The fat cells can produce chemicals that lead to inflammation. Scientists are only beginning to understand how this form of internal inflammation may play a role in the development of chronic diseases like diabetes.<\/p>\n

The role of inflammation in diabetes<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Researchers have identified higher levels of inflammation<\/strong><\/a> in the bodies of people with type 2 diabetes. The levels of certain inflammatory chemicals called cytokines are often higher in people with type 2 diabetes compared to people without diabetes. Obesity and inactivity have long been known to be the most important risk factors that drive its development. Researchers discovered that cytokine levels are elevated inside fat tissue in such people. Excess body fat, especially in the abdomen, causes continuous low levels of abnormal inflammation that alters insulin’s action and contributes to the disease.<\/p>\n

The impact of inflammation on diabetes<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Does inflammation cause diabetes? It is not as simple as that. However, researchers know for sure that inflammation is somehow involved in the development of type 2 diabetes.
\nAs type 2 diabetes develops, the body becomes less sensitive to insulin, and the resulting insulin resistance also leads to inflammation. A vicious cycle can result, with more inflammation causing more insulin resistance and vice versa. Blood sugar levels creep higher and higher, eventually resulting in type 2 diabetes. Emotional stress can also increase levels of inflammation chemicals. It is not known whether stress by itself can contribute to the development of diabetes, though. When people are overweight or obese, their fat cells, especially those located around the abdomen, become enlarged and stressed. This leads to the activation of the immune system within the fat tissue, which promotes local inflammation. In particular, visceral fat (fat surrounding internal organs) is strongly associated with it.<\/p>\n

Reducing inflammation<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Though there is a strong correlation between diabetes and inflammation, you can follow the strategies illustrated below to mitigate both:<\/p>\n

Anti-inflammatory foods and supplements<\/h3>\n

\"infla<\/p>\n

Diet can contribute to chronic inflammation, and some foods have anti-inflammatory properties. An anti-inflammatory diet by itself is not effective at preventing diabetes; however, unless it leads to weight loss, which can have strong anti-inflammatory effects, it is important for reducing the risk of type 2 diabetes. Foods with natural anti-inflammatory properties include:<\/p>\n