One of the most puzzling things about diabetes is the fact that there is still a lot of confusion about what causes it. Of course, heredity, food habits and lifestyle factors play an important role. But, there are still gaps in our understanding.

According to studies conducted recently, carbohydrate intolerance could be one of the factors that cause diabetes. It certainly contributes to obesity so by natural progression, it must also contribute to diabetes. The ACCP (American College of Chest Physicians) published a new study in their journal that shows how in some people, the inability to absorb and break down carbohydrates leads to the build up of fat. Such people become obese when they are unable to digest or process carbohydrates. When this intolerance is not diagnosed, it leads to metabolic disorders in the long run. Researchers also made another interesting discovery: carbohydrate intolerance leads to metabolic syndrome, which is nothing but a collective name for medical conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure and hypertension.

Proper carbohydrate intake is an important part of type2 diabetes treatment. This is because people who suffer from carbohydrate intolerance cannot tolerate any of the simple sugars that their food provides. In such people, there is a lack of digestive enzymes. This makes it impossible to digest and absorb carbohydrates. Since the body is not getting its fair share of carbs, it goes into a starvation mode. It stores more fat. At the same time, it stimulates hunger, thereby encouraging the person to eat more. This is the reason why untreated food intolerance directly leads to diabetes and cardiovascular diseases.

It is not just type2 diabetes, even type1 diabetes may be caused by the body’s adverse reaction to food. Evidence has been collected to show how the condition shows great genetic similarity to celiac disease which is caused by gluten intolerance.

As sufferers know, there is no cure for diabetes. The most vital part of diabetes treatment is the proper management of blood sugar levels. Patients are advised to eat food in moderation, exercise and follow a healthy lifestyle so that their blood sugar levels remain stable. Food items that are rich in fiber while lean on carbs is the recommended diet since these items release sugar at a steady pace, unlike simple carbohydrates which inundate the bloodstream with high doses of sugar. Even in spite of following these regulations, carbohydrate intolerance can lead to associated problems. Therefore, such people may need to take in enzymes that help break down carbohydrates.

According to surveys and reports, more than 72% of all Americans suffer from one or another kind of food intolerance. Unfortunately, most of us are not aware of food sensitivities because the symptoms are quite subtle. The only way you can spot food sensitivity is through blood tests that confirm the same. Considering the needless suffering that people with food sensitivities undergo day after day and year after year, a simple blood test seems like a more attractive alternative.