Type II Diabetes cases in the United States are skyrocketing. Already, Type II diabetes (or adult onset diabetes) ranks as either the fourth or fifth highest killer of people in the country, and it’s quickly making its way even closer to the top.

From 1997-2002, the direct costs of treating diabetes doubled. That’s right, just five years for the direct costs to double in the U.S. And the number of Americans who are on the verge of getting diabetes is also growing at an alarming rate, with over 40 million American adults currently classified as pre-diabetic. Most of those will soon present with full-blown Type II Diabetes if nothing is done to treat their problem.

Diabetes is associated with a number of debilitating conditions. Diabetic retinopathy can cause blindness. Diabetic neuropathy (nerve damage from diabetes) leads to pain in the extremities. The nerve damage also makes it difficult for the body to heal from wounds. Diabetic ulcers don't heal, and amputation is often necessary. Kidney failure, according to the World Health Organization, kills 10-20% of diabetics.

A full 50% of diabetics will die from a heart attack, which is why scientists are paying so much attention to a collection of metabolic malfunctions. Grouped together, they are known as metabolic syndrome, or simply Syndrome X. Metabolic syndrome will be discussed later.

For Type II Diabetes, though, the most important indicator is insulin resistance, which we delve into immediately on the next page.