Glucose (=dextrose) is found in the blood when carbohydrates, fats or proteins are digested. The amount of glucose is noted in milligrams in a deciliter, or mg/dL. Glucose is the major source of energy for living cells and is carried to each cell through the bloodstream. However, glucose canot enter the cells without the help of insulin.

BMI is a measure of body fat based on height and weight that applies to both adult men and women. It is used to find out if a person is underweight, normal weight, overweight, or obese. If your BMI is 26 or more, that's not good.

see: Type 2 diabetes

The pH of the blood is abnormally low, there is too much acid in the body. For a person with diabetes, this can lead to diabetic ketoacidosis, lung disease, and severe kidney disease.

The body's immune system mistakenly attacks and destroys body tissue that it mistakes to be foreign. Insulin-dependent diabetes is an autoimmune disease because the immune system attacks and destroys the insulin-producing beta cells.

Within the pancreas, the beta cells are located in areas called the islets of Langerhans. Beta cells make and release insulin, a hormone that controls the level of glucose (sugar) in the blood. Degeneration of the beta cells is the main cause of type I (insulin-dependent) diabetes mellitus.

Labile or unstable diabetes. A term used when a person's blood glucose (sugar) level often swings from high to low and from low to high too quickly.

A substance similar to fat produced by the liver and found in the blood muscles, liver, brain, and other body tissues. The body makes and needs some cholesterol. Cholesterol is also present in some foods.

Like alpha and beta cells to be found in in the pancreas in areas called the islets of Langerhans. It is believed that delta cells have influence on the production and release of insulin by beta cells and glucagon by alpha cells.

Also called glucose. See: Blood glucose.

A normal level of glucose (dextrose, sugar) in the blood.

A hormone produced by the alpha cells in the pancreas when the body needs to put more sugar into the blood. The hormone signals the liver to convert amino acids and glycogen to glucose, which is then released into the bloodstream.

A complex carbohydrate that is stored in the liver and muscles. Glucose is released from it into the bloodstream when the body cells needed it to generate energy.

A chemical released by special cells in one part of the body and released into the blood to trigger or regulate particular functions of the body. Insuline is an example polypeptide hormone that tells body cells to take up glucose from the bloodstream.

Moving the beta cells from the islets of Langerhans of a donor pancreas into a person whose pancreas does not produce insulin. The procedure is still in the research stage.

Belongs to a class of drugs called biguanides, that is used as a treatment for type 2 diabetes.

A condition more severe than overweight. A person with a body mass index (BMI) greater than 30 is considered obese.

A fish-shaped spongy grayish-pink organ behind the lower part of the stomach that is about the size of a hand. One side of the pancreas is on the right side of the abdomen and is connected to the first section of the small intestine, the duodenum. There it releases enzymes to help the digestion of foods. Spread all over the pancreas are areas called the islets of Langerhans. see: Islets of Langerhans.

Table sugar or white sugar - a di-saccharide which is a combination of the single sugars glucose and fructose. It is found naturally in sugar cane and in beets.

Disease affecting the heart and blood vessels (arteries, veins, and capillaries). Coronary heart disease, stroke, and peripheral arterial disease are the most common types of cardiovascular disease.

Severe, out-of-control diabetes (usually type 1) that results from a nearly complete lack of insulin and needs emergency treatment. When the body is forced to use fatty acids as energy, a buildup of ketone bodies raises the acidity of the blood to dangerous levels. Ketoacidosis causes nausea and vomiting, stomach pain, rapid and weak pulse, low blood pressure and deep and rapid breathing. If the person is not given fluids and insulin right away, ketoacidosis can lead to coma and even death.

A simple sugar (monosaccharide, also known as dextrose) that circulates in the blood and provides energy to the body. Glucose is created from the enzymatic breakdown of carbohydrates, fats and proteins.

The tendency of several adverse conditions to occur together, including obesity, insulin resistance, (pre-)diabetes, hypertension, high triglycerides and low HDL cholesterol. The condition is often the result of an unhealthy lifestyle and is associated with an increased risk of diabetes, heart attack, and stroke.

A condition in which blood glucose levels are higher than normal (100 - 125 mg/dL) but are not high enough for a diagnosis of diabetes. People with pre-diabetes are at increased risk for developing type 2 diabetes. Other names are: impaired glucose tolerance and impaired fasting glucose.

A condition in which the body cells have become insensitive to insuline and cannot take up sufficient glucose, leading to raised glucose levels in the bloodstream. The pancreas does not produce enough insulin (anymore) to overcome this problem. Generally type 2 occurs in people who are over age 40 and are overweight. Type 2 diabetes used to be called adult-onset diabetes, maturity-onset diabetes, noninsulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, ketosis-resistant diabetes, or stable diabetes.

Former term for type 2 diabetes, another former term: noninsulin-dependent diabetes mellitus.

Advanced Glycosylation Endproducts. AGEs are produced in the body when glucose chemically couples with protein. The compounds damage blood vessels, which can lead to diabetes complications.

Atherosclerosis or Arteriosclerotic Vascular Disease (ASVD) is the condition in which an artery wall hardens and blood vessels narrow as the result of a build-up of deposits of fat and fibrous tissue, called plaques. Atherosclerosis can lead to stroke, heart attack, eye problems, and kidney problems.

A small, portable machine used by people with diabetes that helps to test how much glucose (sugar) is in the blood. Monitoring with a blood glucose meter (or a test strip that change color in the presence of glucose) is needed to keep steady blood glucose levels.

A former term for type 2 diabetes or impaired glucose tolerance.

Specialized cells grouped in a gland that release hormones into the bloodstream. An example are the islets of Langerhans in the pancreas, which secrete insulin so body cells can use glucose.

A type of diabetes mellitus that can occur during the second half of the pregnancy. In about 95 percent of all cases the condition disappears following delivery. Women who develop gestational diabetes are more at risk for developing type 2 diabetes in the future.

Too low blood sugar. This may occur when a person with diabetes has injected too much insulin or has taken too little food, also called an insulin reaction. If left untreated, hypoglycemia may lead to unconsciousness. Can be reversed by eating a fast-acting carbohydrate, such as a glucose tablet or juice, or by injecting glucagon if the person is unconscious or unable to swallow.

Prediabetes: blood glucose levels higher than normal but not high enough to be called diabetes. Most people with pre-diabetes are at increased risk for developing type 2 diabetes. Weight loss and exercise may help people with IGT return their glucose levels to normal. Former names for IGT are borderline, subclinical, chemical, or latent diabetes.

A hormone, produced by beta cells (in areas called the islets of Langerhans) of the pancreas, that helps the body use glucose for energy. When the body cannot make enough insulin, insulin is taken by injection or through use of an insulin pump. Insulin can be made from other sources, i.e., human insulin (recombinant DNA origin), or human insulin (semisynthetic).

The diminished ability of cells to respond to the action of insulin in importing glucose (sugar) from the bloodstream. Many people with type 2 diabetes produce enough insulin, but their bodies do not respond to the action of insulin. Insulin resistance may be linked to obesity, hypertension, and high levels of fat in the blood.

Special groups of cells located in the pancreas that contain insulin- and glucagon-secreting cells. Named after Paul Langerhans, the German scientist who discovered them in 1869. There are five types of cells in an islet: 1) beta cells, which make insulin 2) alpha cells, which make glucagon 3) delta cells, which make somatostaton and 4,5) PP cells and D1 cells, about which little is known.

Former term for insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus or type 1 diabetes.

Break down product of fat that accumulates in the blood when cells use fat instead of glucose for energy source. Acetone is one of the ketones produced and causes a fruity odor when exhausted via the lungs. When ketones build up in the body for a long time, serious illness or coma can result.

A ketone buildup in in body tissues and fluids that may lead to diabetic ketoacidosis. Signs of ketosis are nausea, vomiting, and stomach pain.

A surgical procedure to take a healthy whole or partial pancreas from a donor and place it into a patient. Pancreas transplants are usually performed in persons with insulin-dependent diabetes who have severe complications since the patient must take immunosuppressive drugs that may cause other complications.

A type of diabetes caused 1) by another disease or 2) because of taking certain drugs or 3) because of being exposed to certain chemicals.

One of the three main classes of foods and a source of energy. Carbohydrates are mainly sugars and starches that the body breaks down into glucose. Carbohydrates consist of the elments carbon, hydrogen and oxygen.

A persistent inflammation of the pancreas.

A chronic disease associated with abnormally high levels of the sugar glucose in the blood. This is caused by the fact that body cells do not use the glucose that needs to be taken up with the help of the hormone insulin. Diabetes is due to one of two mechanisms: (1) Inadequate production of insulin or (2) Inadequate sensitivity of cells to the action of insulin.

A special type of protein-based molecule that catalyses (speeds up) a chemical reaction. There are many different enzymes in the cells of living organisms that are specific for usually one chemical reaction, converting a specific set of reactants (called substrates) into specific products. The protein amylase for instance helps to break down large starch molecules into its building blocks: glucose.

After the person has not eaten for 8 to 12 hours (usually overnight), the normal, nondiabetic range for blood glucose is from 70 to 110 mg/dl. If a person's blood glucose test shows raised levels, it could mean the person has diabetes.

A blood test to see if a person has diabetes mellitus by analysing how well the body deals with the glucose in the blood over time. The test is done before and after a person drinks a liquid that has glucose (sugar) in it.

Too high blood sugar. An exessive level glucose in the blood, a condition that occurs in people with diabetes out of control and glucose cannot be taken up by body cells. Signs and symptoms of hyperglycemia are a great thirst, a dry mouth, and a need to urinate often.

The whole range of biochemical processes that occur in living organisms. Metabolism consists of anabolism (the buildup of substances) and catabolism (the breakdown of substances). It is therefore the term for the way cells chemically change food so that it can be used to store or use energy and make the building blocks like proteins, fats, and sugars needed by the body.

The walls of the finer blood vessels in the body - including the capillaries such as those found in the eyes, nerves, and kidneys - become abnormally thick but weak. Then they bleed, leak protein, and slow the flow of blood through the tissues, causing damage. The microvascular complications of diabetes, such as neuropathy, can also lead to loss of sensation and the development of foot ulcers.

see: Type 1 diabetes

Inflammation of the pancreas. Of the many diverse causes of pancreatitis, the most common are alcohol, disease in the gallbladder, or a virus infection.

A (protein) structure on the surface of a cell (in- or outside) that selectively binds a specific substance. Insulin receptors signal most body cells to import glucose.

A chronic condition in which the pancreas makes little or no insulin because the beta cells have been destroyed. The result is a high blood glucose levels since insulin is needed to allow glucose to enter the body cells to provide energy. The signs and symptoms are an increased thirst, hunger, a need to urinate often, and loss of weight. Type 1 usually occurs in children and adults who are under age 30. Persons with type 1 diabetes must take insulin injections. This type of diabetes used to be known as juvenile diabetes, juvenile-onset diabetes, Insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, or ketosis-prone diabetes.

The outer covering of cells, consisting mostly of lipids, proteins and sometimes polysaccharides. It controls the passage of various (bio)molecules, such as for instance glucose for energy generation.

The ComScience project is a Cooperation Action (#230470) funded by the European Commission under the Seventh Framework Programme: FP7 - Capacities - Science in Society ComScience © 2009-12

May 18, 2012. NEWS Pollination with precision: How flowers do it Next Mother's Day, say it with an evolved model of logistical efficiency — a ... New technique reveals unseen information in DNA code This image shows the differences in chemical structure of the 5-methylcytosi (5mC) base (left) from ... Ancient giant turtle fossil revealed This is a reconstruction of Carbonemys preying upon a small crocodylomorph. Picture a turtle ... Abundance of rare DNA changes following population explosion may hold clues to common diseases One-letter switches in the DNA code occur much more frequently in human genomes than ... Unhurtful Thoughts: A Preoccupied Brain Produces Pain-Killing Compounds   ... Apple to Use Only Green Power for Main Data Center By Poornima Gupta(Reuters) - Apple Inc plans to power its main U.S. ... Job Killer? Try Bottom Line Booster: Workplace Safety Inspections Save Money, Jobs, Limbs Image courtesy of iStockphoto/lisafx Costly safety upgrades, nitpicky government inspection and resulting fines are ... Most Users Are App Freeloaders When's the last time you treated yourself to a new mobile app? Okay, when's ... Buried microbes exist at limit between life and death Sediment 30 metres below the Pacific seafloor is so nutrient-poor that microbes barely fuel ... Plutonium signature captured after 50 years of trying The complex properties of radioactive plutonium-239 made its structure hard to analyse – until ...     > More News ..