How My Exocrine Glands Forced Me to Develop Type 2 Diabetes?

Want to learn how my exocrine glands forced me to develop Type 2 diabetes?

Well, this is an interesting yet quite common root cause behind most people developing diabetes. I was just one of those unfortunate individuals.

While diabetes is a disease that is slowly but steadily spreading its menacing tentacles across the globe, it needs to be seen whether we can really do something to control its phenomenal growth.

With almost 540 million adults being diagnosed with diabetes, the danger is real indeed.

As per the research conducted by BestDietarySupplementforDiabetics, this number is all set to get closer to the 800 million mark by the year 2045.

This is shocking indeed.

It is therefore important to learn as much as you possibly can about this “sugary” disease. So, let me get on with my write-up:

Article Contents:

1) What are Exocrine Glands?

2) What are the Functions of My Exocrine Glands?

3) How are My Exocrine Glands Linked with My Type 2 Diabetes?

4) How can I Restore My Pancreatic Enzyme Production Capability?

5) FAQs on Exocrine Glands Type 2 Diabetes

6) Takeaway

What are Exocrine Glands?

The exocrine gland is a duct in the human body. The main responsibility of this gland is to secrete liquid substances produced by other organs of the body.

For example, saliva is produced by the salivary glands. It is via the aid of the special duct (exocrine gland) that you are able to secrete saliva out of the gland and onto the body’s outer surface (the skin).

Some other organs that produce hormones, milk, juices to assist in digestion, tears and even sweat, have a single point of outlet – the exocrine glands.

It is with the help of these glands that the by-products of these organs is secreted outside of the body via a special duct/ducts– such as sweat being excreted via the skin’s surface.

Basically, exocrine glands consists of a network of cells that indulge in both secretion and creation of hormones, tears, sweat, milk, digestive juices etc.

What are the Main Functions of My Exocrine Glands?

As exocrine glands are associated with a specific organ present in your body, their functionality is also different.

When we talk about the main function of this gland then, it is all linked with either the creation or release of the created substance outside of the body.

Here is what these glands really do:

@ They assist in secreting dirt from within the body. This is in the form of tears as well as sweat.

@ The exocrine glands are also involved in maintaining the temperature of your body. This is via the aid of sweat.

@ The digestive process is assisted to a great extent via the aid of exocrine glands. This is via the release of digestive juices into the digestive tract in the “right amount” and at the “right time”.

@ They maintain the natural shine and oiliness within my hair. This is via nourishing my scalp in the most appropriate manner.

@ The exocrine glands are also responsible for allowing my body to absorb just the right amount of nutrients from the food I eat.

@ Finally, the inner linings of my organs are provided with the right amount of protection (that they need to survive and thrive) with the help of exocrine glands.

How are My Exocrine Glands Linked with My Type 2 Diabetes?

The link between my Type 2 diabetes and the Exocrine glands is with special regards to the pancreas not being able to produce the right amount of pancreatic enzymes.

In my case, my pancreas were producing way less amount of pancreatic enzymes that were actually needed to digest my food.

So, the carbohydrates that I consumed during the day were not being digested optimally, simply because the amount of pancreatic enzymes needed for the digestion process were way less that necessary.

As my pancreas were unable to produce the enzymes required for digestion, I could not absorb nutrients from the food I consumed. This in turn led to nutrient deficiency.

I personally believe that diet impacts type 2 diabetes the most and it needs to be chosen carefully.

The enzymes that my pancreas failed to produce in ample quantities included lipase, amylase and proteases. As a result, I experienced gas, bloating, indigestion, stomach aches and much more.

Link between My Type 2 Diabetes & Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency:

@ First and foremost, insulin production is compromised. In my case, the natural role of insulin in my body was compromised because my pancreas were unable to produce ample pancreatic juice.

@ As I have Type 2 Diabetes, my pancreas had unusual fat deposits. This hampered insulin production.

@ I was also diagnosed with scarring in my pancreas. This again compromised the natural role of insulin in my body.

@ Both my exocrine as well as endocrine areas of the pancreas were starting to malfunction owing to diabetes.

Please Note:

My body did produce insulin but its natural role to push glucose into my cells was compromised because my pancreas were unable to produce the right amount of pancreatic juice.

How can I Restore My Pancreatic Enzyme Production Capability?

I had a couple of options to help my body recover the lost enzymes in my pancreas.

Here are some of these options:

The Tablet Option:

In the first option, I was suggested to consume a special tablet that mimicked the role of pancreatic enzymes. I was supposed to consume it with each meal and produce the required pancreatic enzymes needed for optimizing my digestive process.

So, if I had opted for this process then, I was merely replacing the pancreatic enzymes via an external mechanism. It was more like replacing the pancreatic enzymes as my pancreas was unable to do so.

The drawback with these supplements (that I later realized) was their effectiveness. If I were to produce ample pancreatic enzymes for digesting the food I ate then, I had to watch the portion size.

Basically, for the medicine to work, my portion size had to be always small and NOT high in fat or carbohydrate content.

Slight Change in Diet:

While I do agree that healthy fats are important for diabetics, I still had to watch out on the amount of fat I consumed. This is because a diet with high amounts of healthy fats restricts the production of pancreatic enzymes.

So, I started to consume less fats per meal and adopted a gluten free diet. I also shunned refined oils and pasteurized butter/cheese. Instead, I opted for ghee, olive oil, added chromium supplementation nuts and farm raised eggs.

I also included food good for diabetics such as bitter melon.

Doing so helped my pancreas to produce more amounts of pancreatic enzymes.

Best Supplements to Lower Blood Sugar

Last but not the least, I opted for supplements that were completely natural and those that helped me reduce my insulin spikes naturally. I have left a link to one such blood sugar support formula at the end of the article.

So these supplements not only help reduce my insulin spike (especially after a hearty meal), they also help supplement my diet with the essential vitamins and minerals that my body is missing out on.

When my blood sugar levels reduce, my pancreas are automatically directed to produce pancreatic enzymes in a more optimal manner.

So luckily, I did not have to undergo pancreatic transplant to fix my blood sugar spike issues.

FAQs on Exocrine Glands Type 2 Diabetes

This FAQ highlights the critical but often overlooked role of exocrine pancreatic health in the development and progression of type 2 diabetes, supported by clinical data and real-world observations:

Q-1: How do you think exocrine pancreatic insufficiency can cause the type 2 diabetes condition in an adult?

A-1: Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency occurs when the pancreas struggles to produce enzymes that help in the digestion process. Studies indicate that there exists a high prevalence, ranging from 16.8% to 49.2%, of exocrine pancreatic insufficiency among diabetic patients in the United States. The malfunction of the pancreas can lead to impaired glucose metabolism and, eventually, diabetes.

Q-2: How is exocrine pancreas dysfunction related to the insulin resistance?

A-2: The exocrine and endocrine functions of the pancreas are closely linked. Therefore, impairment of the exocrine can easily lead to dysfunction of the endocrine. Studies show that 30% to 50% of type 2 diabetes mellitus cases present with exocrine issues that cause elevated blood sugar levels.

Q-3: Can pancreatic enzyme depletion lead to type 2 diabetes symptoms?

A-3: Pancreatic enzyme depletion can contribute to the development of type 2 diabetes. Some of the manifestations of this disease include extreme tiredness, unintended weight loss, and abnormal blood sugar levels. In the United States, about 28% of the people diagnosed with type 2 diabetes exhibit signs of enzyme deficiency.

Q-4: What are the first signs of exocrine pancreatic insufficiency that can be noticed before the development of diabetes?

A-4: Some of the initial symptoms of exocrine pancreatic insufficiency include bloating, fatty stools, unexpected weight loss, and deficiencies of certain nutrients. These signs usually appear long before the manifestation of any disorder related to blood sugar.

Based on the research conducted in the United States, it has been observed that most of the patients diagnosed with type 2 diabetes present with these symptoms before being aware of their condition.

Q-5: How can the digestion enzyme malfunction contribute to the development of abnormal blood sugar levels in the U.S.?

A-5: Malfunction of the digestion enzymes can lead to impaired digestion of nutrients such as carbohydrates, fats, and proteins, resulting in irregular blood sugar levels. In the United States, it has been noted that people struggling with this condition have a high chance of developing diabetes. This is because they often present with elevated HbA1c levels compared to those whose digestion enzymes are normal.

Q-6: Do you think that chronic pancreatitis is associated with the development of type 2 diabetes?

A-6: Yes, the risk of developing type 2 diabetes is high in people suffering from chronic pancreatitis. This is because the condition can lead to damage to both the endocrine and exocrine functions of the pancreas. For instance, in the United States, approximately 30% to 40% of the people diagnosed with chronic pancreatitis develop diabetes mellitus.

Q-7: How is the malfunction of exocrine pancreas glands related to insulin production?

A-7: Malfunction of exocrine pancreas glands can lead to inflammation that affects the insulin-producing organs in the body, leading to impeded insulin production. For instance, a study shows that damage to the pancreas increases the risk of developing impaired glucose tolerance, which increases the risk of diabetes mellitus.

Q-8: What percentage of type 2 diabetes patients exhibit exocrine pancreatic insufficiency?

A-8: From the study conducted, we found out that approximately 28% of the people diagnosed with type 2 diabetes exhibit exocrine pancreatic insufficiency. On the other hand, there are records that indicate that from 16.8% to almost 50% of the people who suffer from exocrine pancreatic insufficiency present with type 2 diabetes.

Q-9: Does the treatment for exocrine pancreatic insufficiency have an effect on diabetes?

A-9: Yes, the treatment involves enzyme replacement, which facilitates proper digestion of food. This, therefore, improves nutrient absorption, which can have a significant effect on diabetes mellitus. Patients who undergo this treatment in most of the U.S. treatment centers show that there is a decrease in glucose levels and improved control of the condition.

Q-10: How does the interaction between the gut microbiome and exocrine pancreas contribute to the development of diabetes?

A-10: The gut microbiome and exocrine pancreas play a crucial role in the proper digestion of food and nutrient absorption in the body. The impaired functioning of these organs causes irregularities in the body’s metabolic processes.

For instance, the research conducted shows that in more than 60% of the cases, dysbiosis of the gut microbiota takes part in the development of impaired glucose tolerance and type 2 diabetes.

Takeaway

While my pancreatic enzymes may not be directly linked with my elevated blood sugar levels, they do play a major role in determining my insulin spikes.

This is especially true with regards to my blood sugar readings post a major meal.

Nonetheless, with a controlled diet and blood sugar support supplement, re-instating the necessary enzymes for digesting complex carbohydrates can be achieved.