Diabetes is a metabolic disorder characterized by persistent thirst, excessive urination, weight loss and too much sugar in the blood and urine. Women are more likely to get the disease after 40, especially if they are overweight. But diabetes can strike anyone - young and old alike - as long as the conditions are right.

The Greeks observed that its victims urinated more often than normal people do, and gave the disease its name which means "to run through." In the 17th century, the word mellitus (sweet) was added to distinguish the disorder from diabetes insipidus which is associated with the malfunctioning of the pituitary gland.

There are two types of diabetes mellitus: the insulin-dependent or type I diabetes and non-insulin-dependent or type II. The first one is caused by lack of insulin which is produced in the pancreas. Normally, food-sugars and starches (carbohydrates) are changed into the sugar glucose, the body's prime source of energy which is carried by the blood throughout the body. This is stored in the form of glycogen in the liver and muscles for later use.

For the storage and recoversion of glucose, insulin is needed. This regulates the amount of sugar in the blood. If the body produces too little insulin, sugar accumulates in the bloodstream, leading to diabetes.

Because the patient can't make use of previously stored glycogen unless he or she has insulin, the diabetic uses stored body fat. This explains why diabetics lose weight even though they eat a lot.

Type I diabetes can occur at any age but usually begins at childhood - the reason why it's called juvenile diabetes. This accounts for about 10 percent of cases, according to Kurt Butler and Dr. Lynn Rayner of the John A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawaii in "The Best Medicine."

Type II diabetes is the scourge of overweight people over 35. Millions of people have it but aren't aware of it since it begins slowly and there may be no symptoms. Others may experience the following: thirst, frequent urination, decreased libido, blurred vision, headache, itching, loose teeth, infection, abscessed gums, weakness and fatigue.

Unlike type I diabetes which is caused by the severe lack of insulin, the person with type II diabetes may have enough insulin but this is not used properly by the body.

"The basic problem is insufficient insulin and relative sensitivity to it. There is a risk of severe visual, circulatory, and nerve complications, though not as great as in type I," Butler and Rayner added.

For type I diabetes, Butler and Rayner said the replacement of insulin is often necessary while type II can be controlled by diet and exercise alone. Since many obese diabetics have more insulin than non-diabetics, the trick is to lose fat so their bodies can use insulin. One good way to prevent diabetes is to say in shape. To keep fit, take Phenocal - a safe, natural, and effective weight loss supplement that boosts your metabolism, suppresses your appetite, reduces food cravings, and increases energy levels to give you the body you want. Visit for details.