Training & Nutrition - Why Do We Really Get Diabetes as Cyclist?

A lot is written about treating diabetes but nothing is spoken about it's true cause. I came from a family tree riddled with diabetes and being a lifetime cyclist who has racked up over 750,000 miles so far in my life I've studied diabetes and other symptoms for decades.

What I've come to learn is that in cultures where athletisism and eating close to nature and eating a variety of foods that are high in micro and macro nutrients there is little if any diabetes.

I myself began to show signs of heading towards the pathology of diabetes when at one time I began to not ride as much as was peak for me in my 20's only to find my narrow dietary patterns hid and addiction piling on long hours in the saddle in an attempt not notice the huge nutrient deficit I lived with.

As I realized that my diet was truly deficient I set out on a search for clues as to what was actually missing and how to fill in the defeciancies without becoming obsessed with food and supplementation.

I can confidently say that not only have I eliminated all traced of being pre diabetic but have helped a ton of others identify their own defeciency patterns and find readily available solutions to balance their health enough to in most cases eliminate artificial insulin use.

For more dialogue about this feel free to contact me at NextLevelMentor at aol dot com

I beleive you can definitly put off type 2 diabetes by eating right and keeping fit. Most of the type 2 diabetics and I did say most, are overweight and their diet is horrible at best. They do not take care of themselves nor do they care. I was hit with type 1 at the age of 11. I had no family history what so ever. Could I have prevented this, I doubt it. From what I read I would have to have a so called defective gene and a virus tripped it off and wiped out the cells that produce insulin. I did not have much of a choice. I was very active as a kid and was never over weight and ate very well. So yes I think you can prevent most type 2 diabetes but type 1 is a different story.

Right, Gordonm.

By and large once it is in your family there tends to be a disposition to acquire both forms.

Type 1 Diabetes is either inherited or acquired through genetic "accident" (I am intentionally being vague on this last point). Both my younger brother and I became Type 1 at age 12. This is ironic because in normal patterns of diabetes distribution it is extremely rare for two members in the same generation to acquire it. In fact, it usually skips a generation. I have heard--rumor mind you!--that there have been elevated rates of type 1 diabetes in the children of Vietnam vets. My youger brother and I, for example. Some believe that these cases may be the result of traces of Agent Orange or other dioxins. There have been studies done regarding Type 2 Diabetes and Agent Orange ( see this article (http://www.diabetes.org/type-2-diabetes/agent-orange.jsp)) but a great deal more is simply unknown. As a case in point, just compare the treatment now with 10 or 20 years ago!

Keep up the good work with the mentoring and educating!

racked up over 750,000 miles

That's 30 mile a day, EVERY SINGLE DAY, for 70 years.

Type1 Diabetes = an autoimmune disorder

Type 2 = is beleived to be inhereted. You cannot "catch" diabetes.

Try training and racing at over 500 miles a week for over 23 yrs + being a Century Monster since the age of 12 yrs old! Not 70..... I'm 49 heading for 50.... and still dropping 20 somethings who know no humility....

Have any of you with type 1 looked into the latest research whereby they have successfully used stem cells to create the pancreatic cells that produce insulin and injected it successfully into trial subjects with productive results? Try googling this area... I hope this comes available for folks like you... That would be a huge blessing and restore your lives to full capacity...

A lot is written about treating diabetes but nothing is spoken about it's true cause.

Uh, not true. Diabetes is well understood. I work in biotech, and we can make a mouse diabetic by just putting them on a diet consisting of 60% calories from fat. In 16 weeks 100% of the mice are obese and 80% are diabetic(fasting glucose of >120). Not all strains of mice will become diabetic with this diet, but the C57Bl/6 strain is predisposed to diet induced diabetes. Most people become diabetic by this same mechanism. Genetic predisposition + obesity = diabetes.

If these mice are returned to regular chow the diabetes is reversed. The same can be true of people. Fat, especially visceral fat, is not benign. It is in many ways an organ. Fat in excess creates hormones such as estrogen, adiponectin, resitin, etc... It is these hormones unbalanced or in excess that cause the destruction of beta islet cells in the pancreas as well as insulin resistance.

Type1 Diabetes = an autoimmune disorder

Type 2 = is beleived to be inhereted. You cannot "catch" diabetes.

Boy, with that expertise you should quit your day job. We have an opening in our metabolics research group...wanna apply?

Try training and racing at over 500 miles a week for over 23 yrs + being a Century Monster since the age of 12 yrs old! Not 70..... I'm 49 heading for 50.... and still dropping 20 somethings who know no humility.... You gotta like that-hats off to ya, at 55 I love dropping the young ones(even if they are 45).:)

Uh, not true. Diabetes is well understood. I work in biotech, and we can make a mouse diabetic by just putting them on a diet consisting of 60% calories from fat. In 16 weeks 100% of the mice are obese and 80% are diabetic(fasting glucose of >120). Not all strains of mice will become diabetic with this diet, but the C57Bl/6 strain is predisposed to diet induced diabetes. Most people become diabetic by this same mechanism. Genetic predisposition + obesity = diabetes.

If these mice are returned to regular chow the diabetes is reversed. The same can be true of people. Fat, especially visceral fat, is not benign. It is in many ways an organ. Fat in excess creates hormones such as estrogen, adiponectin, resitin, etc... It is these hormones unbalanced or in excess that cause the destruction of beta islet cells in the pancreas as well as insulin resistance.

I agree with you 100% for a type 2 diabetic. This is not true for a type 1. Being a type 1 I always get asked you are not overweight why do you have diabetes. I hate being grouped together with type 2. The 2 are toatlly different.

There's about 15-20% of us type 2's that are not obese. I've never been obese, I have been over weight with a BMI as high as 28.5, but never obese. My diet has always been reasonably healthy and well balanced. Lack of exercise has never been an issue. Type 2 runs in my family, with myself and both sisters having it. My father has type 2 as well, and my mother suffers from hypoglycemia (blood glucose that runs too low). Obviously, genetics plays a major role in both forms of this disease, and its not all about high fat diets or being overweight.
And we don't know as much about this disease as some would like everyone to think. There are a lot of questions still remaining resolved.

Right, Gordonm.

By and large once it is in your family there tends to be a disposition to acquire both forms.

Type 1 Diabetes is either inherited or acquired through genetic "accident" (I am intentionally being vague on this last point). Both my younger brother and I became Type 1 at age 12. This is ironic because in normal patterns of diabetes distribution it is extremely rare for two members in the same generation to acquire it. In fact, it usually skips a generation. I have heard--rumor mind you!--that there have been elevated rates of type 1 diabetes in the children of Vietnam vets. My youger brother and I, for example. Some believe that these cases may be the result of traces of Agent Orange or other dioxins. There have been studies done regarding Type 2 Diabetes and Agent Orange ( see this article (http://www.diabetes.org/type-2-diabetes/agent-orange.jsp)) but a great deal more is simply unknown. As a case in point, just compare the treatment now with 10 or 20 years ago!

Keep up the good work with the mentoring and educating!


this is true. If you or your brother were in vietnam I would go to the VA and have a scheduled AO exam. If it was your father or possibly your mother who came into contact with herbicides/pesticides while in the military I would get their military records to show when they were in- country, to show linkage of diabetes or other smilar health problems. You can also get much needed information from Vietnam Veterans of America, {VVA**

There's about 15-20% of us type 2's that are not obese. I've never been obese, I have been over weight with a BMI as high as 28.5, but never obese. My diet has always been reasonably healthy and well balanced. Lack of exercise has never been an issue. Type 2 runs in my family, with myself and both sisters having it. My father has type 2 as well, and my mother suffers from hypoglycemia (blood glucose that runs too low). Obviously, genetics plays a major role in both forms of this disease, and its not all about high fat diets or being overweight.
And we don't know as much about this disease as some would like everyone to think. There are a lot of questions still remaining resolved.
+1. I know several people who became diabetic after 40 or 50 years of age, but were not very fat or out of shape. Though apparently the symptoms (and effectively, the disease) can be kept in check with a controlled diet and exercise.

The 2 are toatlly different.

Well sort of. Many people with Type 2 are in fact insulin resistant. And yes unfortunately there are those people that have a genetic component that causes them to have diabetes (either 1 or 2 or both) that has nothing to do with diet.

+1. I know several people who became diabetic after 40 or 50 years of age, but were not very fat or out of shape. Though apparently the symptoms (and effectively, the disease) can be kept in check with a controlled diet and exercise.

I think our perception of what constitutes "not very fat" has become skewed over the last 20 years or so. With the increasing incidence of obesity in the US, it's really easy to deceive ourselves into thinking we're "not very fat", because nearly everybody we see is carrying around a spare tire (or two).

The medical consequences of this self-deception and/or ignorance is obvious in the skyrocketing rates of diabetes and other fat-related disorders.

I think our perception of what constitutes "not very fat" has become skewed over the last 20 years or so. With the increasing incidence of obesity in the US, it's really easy to deceive ourselves into thinking we're "not very fat", because nearly everybody we see is carrying around a spare tire (or two).

The medical consequences of this self-deception and/or ignorance is obvious in the skyrocketing rates of diabetes and other fat-related disorders.
Are you suggesting that skinny adults cannot become diabetic?

Are you suggesting that skinny adults cannot become diabetic?

No. AFAIK, type 1 is not related to obesity, and some small percentage of type 2's is also unrelated.

But the evidence is clear that excess body fat, especially visceral fat, is the primary cause for much of the increase in the rate of type 2 diabetes.

Have any of you with type 1 looked into the latest research whereby they have successfully used stem cells to create the pancreatic cells that produce insulin and injected it successfully into trial subjects with productive results? Try googling this area... I hope this comes available for folks like you... That would be a huge blessing and restore your lives to full capacity...

I knew a girl once (or twice) at one of the labs at the University of Chicago and when human testing came up she called me. The condition as she explained it was that I must then take protease inhibitors and I thought I remember her mentioning an immune suppressent to be taken for the remainder of my days. Diabetes ain't so bad...you know?

ALL stem cell research is greatly inhibited by federal funding policy (see this article (http://www.jdrf.org/index.cfm?page_id=101199)), and there is not much stem cell debate these days in the polls from what I hear...if it comes up they might try to propose a constitutional amendment to prevent gay people from forming civil unions with parrots as well as protect the traditional and sacred right to build a 4000 mile wall in the desert to prevent terrrorists from forcing our gay parrots to not sing so loud--in public anyway--with the ulitimate goal to mobilize vast yet untapped power of the American-American vote;)

Seriously, I've heard the labs in Korea and China are moving ahead as fast as possible...

My father developed type 2 in his 60s and he was skinny his whole life. I'm like him, so i worry a bit about developing it too. Autoimmune diseases seem to be in my family. My mother has a thyroid condition and I've inherited that. I wonder what other goodies await me....

Type II diabetes is known to be associated with several different things. Genetics does play a role but the fact remains that the VAST majority of Type II diabetics are overweight. Overweight meaning BMI over 24. Genetics does play a role... but it is unlikely that you're gene's caused you to develope Type II diabetes. If you are thin... BMI <24 then your risk of developing diabetes is very low. There are, however... several medications that can cause diabetes II to develope. Namely steroids. And not just the illegal kind. Prednisone, cortazone, asthma medications... ect...

Type II diabetes is known to be associated with several different things. Genetics does play a role but the fact remains that the VAST majority of Type II diabetics are overweight. Overweight meaning BMI over 24. Genetics does play a role... but it is unlikely that you're gene's caused you to develope Type II diabetes. If you are thin... BMI <24 then your risk of developing diabetes is very low. There are, however... several medications that can cause diabetes II to develope. Namely steroids. And not just the illegal kind. Prednisone, cortazone, asthma medications... ect...

Are you aware that some scientist are pursuing a theory that DM type 2 is what may actually be making some people overweight? That the DM in its earliest stages causes the pancreas to produce excessive levels of insulin, thus driving blood sugars low which results in increased hunger. This increased hunger results in overeating resulting in weight gain which causes worsening DM symptoms.
I'm not saying that is the reason for all type 2's. Just a counterpoint to your post. The fact remains that no one knows what exactly causes type 2 DM. If it was just weight, then a lot more people would suffer this illness than actually do.

Personally I think weight contributes to DM, not DM causes the weight gain, but scientist are pursuing both paths.

Are you aware that some scientist are pursuing a theory that DM type 2 is what may actually be making some people overweight? That the DM in its earliest stages causes the pancreas to produce excessive levels of insulin, thus driving blood sugars low which results in increased hunger. This increased hunger results in overeating resulting in weight gain which causes worsening DM symptoms.
I'm not saying that is the reason for all type 2's. Just a counterpoint to your post. The fact remains that no one knows what exactly causes type 2 DM. If it was just weight, then a lot more people would suffer this illness than actually do.

Personally I think weight contributes to DM, not DM causes the weight gain, but scientist are pursuing both paths.

Well it is actually more complicated than that, but your point is correct. The catch 22 of Type II is that obesity causes it, and it causes obesity.

And we can clearly see that the egg come before the chicken so to speak. Basically the obesity comes first to some degree and then once Type II sets in somewhat, it further perpetuates the obesity by the destruction of the beta islet cells that produce glucagon like peptide 1, insulin, resistin, leptin and so on. These proteins/hormones are what help to regulate body weight, gastric emptying, satiety, and blood sugar.

note: I am not saying that obesity causes ALL cases of type II just about 80%. Just generalizing for sake of simplicity.

Just generalizing for sake of simplicity.


I understand the desire, perhaps need in some cases :D , but generalizations and simplifications lead to a great deal of misunderstanding amongs those with little to no science in their backgrounds. Case in point, I refer to the LC diet thread that won't die. :rolleyes:

Have you guys seen Team Type 1's (http://teamtype1.org/) website. These guys compete in the RAAM race and all team members have Type 1 Diabetes. They took 2nd overall in last year's RAAM.

Have you guys seen Team Type 1's (http://teamtype1.org/) website. These guys compete in the RAAM race and all team members have Type 1 Diabetes. They took 2nd overall in last year's RAAM.

Yeah, I have caught onto them a bit late (after last years RAAM was over!) after my diabetes educator told me about them. They did a great job...and still are, both in cycling and diabetes awareness. Cycling has helped me lower my A1c to 6.2--best it has ever been.

I'd strongly encourage anyone to contect them with questions or comments. Phil Southerland is very amicable, a real down to earth guy. I emailed him with a question or two and have been in fairly regular contact with him since. In fact, he even mentions how much he actually appreciatetes and enjoys replying to comments and questions from plebians like me.

The real reason I contacted him was because I wanted to make a donation and buy a Team Type 1 jersey.:D Wrist bands are ok...but by offering T-shirts and jerseys you can raise public awareness and cash in larger proportions than the wrist bands and flat cash donatinos--the RED movement is a great example of marketing like this. anyway, I should get it in a few days.

Thats one jersey I'm proud to sport...

They have lots of Items like shirts and jersey's on Ebay now to help the fund raising for there 2007 RAAM race. Hers is a link (http://search.ebay.com/_W0QQsassZteamtype1). I ride with Joe Eldridge from there team on a regular basis and without a doubt, he is the strongest guy I have ever ridden with.....Diabetes or not.




Phil Southerland is very amicable, a real down to earth guy. I emailed him with a question or two and have been in fairly regular contact with him since. In fact, he even mentions how much he actually appreciatetes and enjoys replying to comments and questions from plebians like me.

The real reason I contacted him was because I wanted to make a donation and buy a Team Type 1 jersey.:D Wrist bands are ok...but by offering T-shirts and jerseys you can raise public awareness and cash in larger proportions than the wrist bands and flat cash donatinos--the RED movement is a great example of marketing like this. anyway, I should get it in a few days.

Thats one jersey I'm proud to sport...

Ha ving grown up in a family with a diabetic mother(type 2), I have seen through the years how her problems grow as she has done many a failed attempt at taking care of her self. My sister is on the same course. While none of my observations are scientific I do believe my moms enabling statements and insecurities taught my sister how to live unhealthy. By telling her she has genetics against her my sister has just set herself up for failure. While she may have the cards stacked against her dwelling on it surely will be detrimental. We put more into science than I think we should sometimes, in an effort to hide from ourselves. Scientist have given some of the strongest excuses yet.

No. AFAIK, type 1 is not related to obesity, and some small percentage of type 2's is also unrelated.

But the evidence is clear that excess body fat, especially visceral fat, is the primary cause for much of the increase in the rate of type 2 diabetes.

I have recently be seeing articles suggesting that the fat may an effect, not a cause. If I understood it, one theory went something like the inability to properly metabolize blood sugar puts the body into starvation mode even when there is an abundance of calories.

I have recently be seeing articles suggesting that the fat may an effect, not a cause. If I understood it, one theory went something like the inability to properly metabolize blood sugar puts the body into starvation mode even when there is an abundance of calories.


DM2 can have many causes that hinder the uptake of glucose into the cell. In some cases there is excess insulin, and in order for the cell to keep itself from absorbing too much glucose it presents fewer insulin receptors on it's surface. This is contrary to DM1 in which, the cell becomes hyper sensitive to insulin by producing many insulin receptor sites, and this may be why DM1 can result in hypoglycaemia when insulin treatment is started. As well, in DM2 there can be post receptor defects, where the pathway in the cell is halted or diverted in a different direction and the glucose cannot be properly utilised. In other cases, the enzymes that converts preproinsulin to pro insulin, or pro insulin to insulin can be defective and insulin is not present in its unable form, thus glucose uptake cannot occur

In the case of decreased receptors, the obese individual can decrease the effects of DM2 by losing weight and eating better, in effect this increases the amount of insulin receptors on the cell membrane and increases glucose sensitivity, thus lowering blood glucose. Exercise induces hormone responses that enhance glucose uptake and use of glucose by the cell.

So if DM2 causes obesity but reducing weight can reduce the effects of DM2 in many cases; how is it that DM2 causes obesity? And, if the cell has a reduced capacity for glucose uptake there is less of a chance of glucose being converted to fat.

So I am wondering how decreased glucose uptake will cause one to become obese, since the storage mechanism for glucose is impaired?

Try training and racing at over 500 miles a week for over 23 yrs + being a Century Monster since the age of 12 yrs old! Not 70..... I'm 49 heading for 50.... and still dropping 20 somethings who know no humility....


You know unless you're training for RAAM, or at least the TDF, you could be faster if you cut that back to say 300 miles a week. Even Cat 1's in this country don't routinely race over 60 miles. And doing a lot of extra miles has to limit intensity.

DM2 can have many causes that hinder the uptake of glucose into the cell. In some cases there is excess insulin, and in order for the cell to keep itself from absorbing too much glucose it presents fewer insulin receptors on it's surface. This is contrary to DM1 in which, the cell becomes hyper sensitive to insulin by producing many insulin receptor sites, and this may be why DM1 can result in hypoglycaemia when insulin treatment is started. As well, in DM2 there can be post receptor defects, where the pathway in the cell is halted or diverted in a different direction and the glucose cannot be properly utilised. In other cases, the enzymes that converts preproinsulin to pro insulin, or pro insulin to insulin can be defective and insulin is not present in its unable form, thus glucose uptake cannot occur

In the case of decreased receptors, the obese individual can decrease the effects of DM2 by losing weight and eating better, in effect this increases the amount of insulin receptors on the cell membrane and increases glucose sensitivity, thus lowering blood glucose. Exercise induces hormone responses that enhance glucose uptake and use of glucose by the cell.

So if DM2 causes obesity but reducing weight can reduce the effects of DM2 in many cases; how is it that DM2 causes obesity? And, if the cell has a reduced capacity for glucose uptake there is less of a chance of glucose being converted to fat.

So I am wondering how decreased glucose uptake will cause one to become obese, since the storage mechanism for glucose is impaired?

I could be wrong on this, and I have no links or references to give you, but I believe the theory is that the excess glucose will get shuttled to the adipose tissue and be stored there as body fat. Since the muscles are unable to get/use glucose they revert to fatty acid metabolism and ketone metabolism to survive. This metabolic change allows more glucose to be converted and stored as fat while the fat and keytone metabolism is supported primarily by food intake.

I could be wrong on this, and I have no links or references to give you, but I believe the theory is that the excess glucose will get shuttled to the adipose tissue and be stored there as body fat. Since the muscles are unable to get/use glucose they revert to fatty acid metabolism and ketone metabolism to survive. This metabolic change allows more glucose to be converted and stored as fat while the fat and keytone metabolism is supported primarily by food intake.

Ok I think I understand you. In DM2 there is insulin so there is still a capacity to store glucose as fat, but a reduced capability to use the glucose directly for energy. But if glucose levels are elevated in the blood would this not show that glucose is not being used at all? It would make sense though since insulin is still present

I think there is a peice of key information that I am not seeing. Tommorow I think, since that is when I have to review DM 1 & 2.

Once the liver recieves the signal that the cells are starving, gluconeogenisis kicks in. In type 2's the liver does not know when to stop the glucose production.

Once the liver recieves the signal that the cells are starving, gluconeogenisis kicks in. In type 2's the liver does not know when to stop the glucose production.

Yes I understand that, because the cells are not absorbing glucose so the liver is signalled to increase glucose production, the same thing happen in DM1 as well. The body thinks it is starving so it asks for more energy.

The concept I am having trouble with understanding is DM2 causing obesity, I do not doubt the people that say this is so, but there is something in my own personal bias that is not letting be accept this. Of course there is more than one condition that can cause DM2, and I think this is where I need to look in order to better understand this.

Ok.
Let me see if I can help a little more. I am certainly not an expert, and everything I am typing is just the summation of years of reading various materials.

DM2 begins as the cells start downregulating the insuliin receptors. At this pointone may be considered to have impaired glucose tolerance. Chances are the person has more than adequate insulin production and probably is hyperinsulinemic. At this point in time, the person will be experiencing no fat loss or muscle loss as the insulin is still capable of pvercoming said insulin resistance. However, the person may experience an increased craving for carbohydrates as some cells may be signalling that they are not getting enough glucose. This would cause weight gain.

As further downregulation occurs, the cells begin to starve and convert ketones and FA metabolism to survive. The liver gets the message that starvation is in process and goes into gluconeogenisis. Now we have a condition where appetite can be suppressed due to ketone buildup and yet the glucose in the blood continues to rise thanks to a liver that no longer "listens" for insulin.

At this point, rapid weightloss may occur. This is a similar metabolic condition to a type 1. I personaly lost 14 lbs in 3 weeks at this point. I had a CDE arguing with me and my doctor that I had to be a type 1 since I was so skinny. People at work actually asked me if I had cancer.

Ok.
Let me see if I can help a little more. I am certainly not an expert, and everything I am typing is just the summation of years of reading various materials.

DM2 begins as the cells start downregulating the insuliin receptors. At this pointone may be considered to have impaired glucose tolerance. Chances are the person has more than adequate insulin production and probably is hyperinsulinemic. At this point in time, the person will be experiencing no fat loss or muscle loss as the insulin is still capable of pvercoming said insulin resistance. However, the person may experience an increased craving for carbohydrates as some cells may be signalling that they are not getting enough glucose. This would cause weight gain.

As further downregulation occurs, the cells begin to starve and convert ketones and FA metabolism to survive. The liver gets the message that starvation is in process and goes into gluconeogenisis. Now we have a condition where appetite can be suppressed due to ketone buildup and yet the glucose in the blood continues to rise thanks to a liver that no longer "listens" for insulin.

At this point, rapid weightloss may occur. This is a similar metabolic condition to a type 1. I personaly lost 14 lbs in 3 weeks at this point. I had a CDE arguing with me and my doctor that I had to be a type 1 since I was so skinny. People at work actually asked me if I had cancer.


You know I understand perfectly what you are saying, but in my moment of ignorance I completely ignored the livers role in making one fat, and its production of fat. Your symptoms appeared to be the classic DM1 type because of the rapid onset, but A blood test for C-peptide or insulin would show that it was not DM1.

I know obesity is one of the main factors for DM2, but it is not the only factor. I have also learned that people with DM2 can have many micro/macro vascular complications due to the slow onset of DM2 that allows damage to occur slowly over the years before the Dx of DM2 is discovered.

Do you know how long you had DM2 before the Dx, and do you suffer from many of the complications associated with DM2 being diagnosed many years after the fact?

What I want to know, is how many people have ridden over 500,000 miles? At 750,000 next-level-mentor is clearly well beyond any mileage accumulation of known "public" riders.

Who the heck is next-level-mentor, when does the book tour start?

You know I understand perfectly what you are saying, but in my moment of ignorance I completely ignored the livers role in making one fat, and its production of fat. Your symptoms appeared to be the classic DM1 type because of the rapid onset, but A blood test for C-peptide or insulin would show that it was not DM1.

I know obesity is one of the main factors for DM2, but it is not the only factor. I have also learned that people with DM2 can have many micro/macro vascular complications due to the slow onset of DM2 that allows damage to occur slowly over the years before the Dx of DM2 is discovered.

Do you know how long you had DM2 before the Dx, and do you suffer from many of the complications associated with DM2 being diagnosed many years after the fact?


No, I have no complications. I was Dx'd in Sept of 2000, but I pretty well suspected it in August of that year. In fact, I had a big discussion with a friend of mine whose wife was diagnosed T1 later in life, and it sounded very similar to what I was experiencing. That's what made me call the doctor to get a confirmation of my self diagnoses.

I had a C-peptide done, and my numbers were on the low side of "normal". If I remember correctly, the range the lab used was 1 to 7 being normal, and my c-peptide came back at 1.2 or 1.3. That was 6 years ago and I have not been retested since, but may ask for it since my fasting #'s are starting to climb into the 140-150 mg/dl range on a consistent basis despite all my best efforts and tons of exercise.

My doctor and I joke that I'm a Type 3 Diabetic. I'm both insulin dependent (generally type I) and insulin resistant (generally type II).

However, since I've lost over 100 pounds and taken up distance cycling, my insulin resistance has diminished dramatically. My insulin consumption has decreased by almost 60% and my A1C measurements (general indicator of high glucose levels over a ~3month period) is ALMOST back within normal range for a non-diabetic.

I also eat within the guidelines of the Sugar Busters diet (reduced carbs, whole foods and low glycemic index foods) and that seems to really help with glucose control.

But some of my cycling friends eat Twinkies for breakfast, BigMacs for lunch and Fried Chicken for supper and have no issues, so whether or not you develop diabetes is obviously about your genetic predisposition (especially Type II) as well as how you treat your body.

I'm oversimplifying here, but this has been my experience.