what causes diabetes???

This depends on the type of diabetes. Type 1 diabetes - the cells in the pancreas that produce insulin are destroyed usually by the body attacking itself(an auto immune reaction). This causes a severe lack of insulin. Why this happens is unknown but is thought to be: 1. a virus or bacteria infection 2. exposure to chemical toxins in food 3. exposure to cow's milk which for some unknown reason activates the auto-immune response (this is in infants only) These are not proven...just thought to be the causes of Type 1. Type 2 diabetes - develops. The causes are: 1. body cells receptors fail to be stimulated by the action of insulinit (known as insulin resistance). So more insulin may be produced and the over-production exhausts the insulin-manufacturing cells in the pancreas 2. there is simply insufficient insulin available 3. the insulin available may be abnormal and doesn't work properly Rarer causes: 1. certain medicines 2. pregnancy (gestational diabetes) 3. an illness or disease that damages the pancreas affecting its ability to produce insulin (such as pancreatitis) Risk factors: advancing age obesity sedentary lifestyle I'm an R.N.