How does smoking impact the risk and complications of Type 2 diabetes?
Smoking is a harmful habit that can increase the risk and complications of type 2 diabetes. According to the research results, smoking can affect type 2 diabetes in several ways:
• Smoking can cause damage to the cells of the body and interfere with their normal function. This can lead to inflammation and oxidative stress, which can reduce the effectiveness of insulin, the hormone that regulates blood sugar levels.
• Smoking can increase the amount of belly fat, which is a risk factor for type 2 diabetes even if a person is not overweight. Belly fat can cause insulin resistance, which means the body does not respond well to insulin and needs more of it to keep blood sugar levels normal.
• Smoking can make it harder to manage type 2 diabetes and prevent or delay its complications. People with diabetes who smoke may need larger doses of insulin to control their blood sugar levels. Smoking can also worsen the health problems caused by diabetes, such as heart disease, kidney failure, blindness, and nerve damage.
Therefore, quitting smoking is one of the best things a person can do to prevent or manage type 2 diabetes and improve their overall health. Quitting smoking can help lower blood sugar levels, improve blood circulation and lung function, and reduce the risk of heart disease and other complications.