According to the American Diabetes Association, diabetes occurs when our bodies either do not produce enough insulin or do not use it properly. There are three major types of diabetes:

Type 1
Usually diagnosed during childhood, this type of diabetes stems from a lack of insulin production.

Type 2
The most common type of diabetes, this type is a product of insulin resistance combined with a lack of proper insulin production. This type of diabetes used to occur only in adults, but today adolescents and young adults are developing type 2 diabetes

Gestational
Occurs in 4% of pregnant women, generally late in pregnancy. Usually there is a family history of diabetes and the disease disappears after the baby is born. However, those who have had gestational diabetes are more likely to develop type 2 diabetes later in life. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle is important in decreasing the likelihood of this happening.

The American Diabetes Association indicates that people who are diabetic should also closely control their blood pressure and cholesterol levels. Eating a diet containing mostly unsaturated fats, which includes vegetable oils such as corn oil and canola oil, as well as other plant-based fats, may help control cholesterol levels. Diets that are low in salt/sodium and high in potassium may help reduce the risk of high blood pressure. For more information, go to Know Your Fats.