resisting insulin’s message to store. This
creates ongoing hyperglycemia—chronically
elevated levels of blood sugar. Which, as you
recall, is very damaging—specifically to
pancreatic beta cells, where insulin is
produced.
Chronic hyperglycemia first causes beta
cell adaptation, to allow the pancreas to
produce progressively more insulin to manage
the excess blood sugar. The pancreas can’t
adapt forever, however. Eventually, damaged
by ongoing hyperglycemia, pancreatic beta
cells start to disintegrate. Yes, they actually
die from toxic levels of blood sugar and the
resulting oxidative stress.
At this point, you lose the ability to
produce enough insulin to manage blood sugar
—which is how toxic levels of blood sugar
and insulin resistance can lead to type 2
diabetes.
However, there are consequences to your