Diabetes mellitus: Everything about the disease

Diabetes as a widespread disease - we spoke with an expert and summarized her tips on diabetes and nutrition for you.

6 Min

Last updated on 29.12.2025

from Paulina

Contents

The bold headline on the cover of the latest medical journal announces: In Germany alone, more than seven million people were diagnosed with diabetes mellitus in 2020 – approximately 90 percent of those affected suffer from so-called type 2 diabetes. Every day, doctors issue around 1,500 new diagnoses of pathologically altered blood sugar levels. And the trend is rising. In addition, there are the undiagnosed cases, as an estimated two million people are developing increasingly clear early signs and symptoms but are still unaware of their condition. Diabetes is one of the most common diseases and a growing problem, not only in Germany but worldwide. Do you want to know exactly what the term diabetes means, what the causes of this modern-day disease are, and what happens after an official diagnosis? Then you've come to the right place!

Diabetes mellitus: Your overview of the disease

In people with diabetes, blood sugar levels are constantly elevated (hyperglycemia) and sugar metabolism is impaired . There are two main types of diabetes mellitus:

Type 1 : The cause of type 1 diabetes is a lack of insulin.
Type 2 : Type 2 is an insulin resistance.

Insulin is a hormone produced in the pancreas that is essential for proper glucose metabolism. It is the only hormone that lowers blood sugar levels by facilitating the uptake of glucose from the blood into the body's cells . Without insulin, glucose cannot be transported from the blood into the cells.

Glucose metabolism

To better understand this, let's take a look at glucose metabolism. In a healthy person, this is always the same.

1

A carbohydrate-rich meal, consisting of glucose chains, passes from the mouth through the esophagus and stomach into the intestines.

2

Once in the intestine, the sugars are broken down into simple sugars.

3

The simple sugars enter the bloodstream, and the blood sugar level rises.

4

In response to the increased blood sugar level, the messenger substance insulin is released from the pancreas into the bloodstream.

5

Insulin binds to special receptors and thereby sends information to the body's cells, which then absorb simple sugars from the blood into the cells.

Causes: What lies behind diabetes

What we already know: Doctors distinguish between two types of diabetes mellitus: Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease in which the beta cells of the islets of Langerhans in the pancreas produce no or insufficient amounts of insulin .

Type 2 diabetes, on the other hand, usually develops gradually and arises, among other things, from a reduced sensitivity of the body's cells to insulin , a condition known as insulin resistance. Years of overproduction of insulin lead to the "exhaustion" of the beta cells. This overproduction is largely due to an unhealthy lifestyle, primarily an inadequate diet high in fat. Obesity significantly increases the risk of diabetes, as do smoking and lack of exercise.

Diabetes in children

Most children with diabetes suffer from type 1 diabetes, an autoimmune disease – and this often begins at a young age. Type 2 diabetes is usually more common in older people, but an increasing number of children also have risk factors such as being overweight, lack of exercise, and an unhealthy diet and are developing the disease.

Gestational diabetes

Gestational diabetes is a form of diabetes, also known as type 4 diabetes mellitus . Some women temporarily develop gestational diabetes during pregnancy. This is due to the typical increased hormone levels during this time, but being overweight and having genetic factors also play a role. In most cases, the condition disappears after pregnancy.

Diabetes: Symptoms

Despite their different causes, the symptoms of the two diseases are similar:

persistent fatigue
physical weakness
constant thirst
Increased urge to urinate (The body tries to get rid of excess sugar through urine and frequent urination.)
dry skin
itching

Diagnosis: Recognizing diabetes

Type 2 diabetes often develops gradually and is not always immediately noticeable. Therefore, it is advisable, especially for those at increased risk of developing diabetes, to undergo regular checkups. During these checkups, the doctor measures blood sugar levels . These blood sugar tests are repeated several times to ensure accuracy and reliability.

Important

If diabetes is not detected in time, it can lead to tragic secondary diseases – these include damage to the retina in the eyes, kidney disease or diabetic foot.

Treatment of diabetes mellitus

Treatment also differs between the two main types: Type 1 diabetes, an autoimmune disease, is currently incurable and requires lifelong medical management. From the day of diagnosis, the insulin deficiency must be compensated for with insulin therapy . The goal of treatment is to precisely adjust the timing and amount of externally administered insulin (e.g., via injections) to meet the patient's needs, enabling them to lead a nearly normal life. A balanced diet with foods that lower blood sugar facilitates treatment and is highly beneficial.

The main cause of developing insulin resistance is obesity resulting from an unhealthy diet. Based on this knowledge, the treatment of type 2 diabetes focuses on dietary changes towards a balanced diet and regular exercise . These changes aim to achieve a healthy body weight and reverse insulin resistance. Patients for whom dietary changes alone are insufficient are treated with blood sugar-lowering medication .

Consequences, disease progression and prognosis

The course of the disease and life expectancy can be positively influenced with appropriate diabetes therapy . Regular check-ups with a doctor minimize the risk of accompanying and secondary diseases. A complete cure is usually not possible, but the disease can be significantly alleviated through these measures.

Living with diabetes: Diabetes and SHEKO – is that possible?

A question we frequently receive from the SHEKO community: Can people with diabetes, in good conscience, press the order button for a SHEKO package and drink their favorite shake ?

To answer this question, we consulted diabetes assistant Anja Schwinger . She has been conducting consultations and structured, certified training courses for people with type 2 diabetes for many years – and gives her patients SHEKO sample sachets to take with them.

In our interview about nutrition for people with diabetes, Anja Schwinger emphasizes the importance of dietary changes and achieving a healthy weight . Over 90% of her training participants are overweight on the day of their diagnosis. The goal of the therapy sessions is to learn a balanced diet that can be integrated into everyday life in the long term.

Anja

"The consumption of processed foods, whose ingredients many people don't even know, is one of the biggest problems. Products from the freezer or snack aisle are often high in fat, sugar, and therefore high in calories, and should be the first thing to be crossed off the shopping list. Of course, life isn't all about deprivation, but preparing meals from scratch is important in the fight against diabetes."

The diabetes assistant has found that formula diets can serve as a "kickstart" to a healthier life. She recommends that all patients who want to drink shakes long-term incorporate them into their meal plans as meal replacements or as a reward after exercise. Depending on the progression of the disease and the individual's cognitive abilities, Anja initially suggests that her patients replace their evening meal with a shake .

Anja Schwinger is a strong advocate against crash diets and in favor of a varied and healthy diet . The focus is primarily on the composition of foods and how much of each food the body actually needs to be properly nourished.

Anja

"I've tried SHEKO products myself and I think they're great. I've brought them to training sessions and had patients test them. Compared to the well-known brands, the enthusiasm was huge!"

Anja is convinced that meal replacement products like the Balance Shakes can make it easier to achieve a healthy weight and positively influence the course of type 2 diabetes. With its perfectly balanced ingredients, every SHEKO Shake meets all the criteria of a healthy meal replacement .

Please note

Because the treatment of diabetics is very individual, we always recommend a consultation with a diabetologist to clarify whether SHEKO fits into your diet.

Preventing risk factors: Tips for a low risk of diabetes

A healthy lifestyle can reduce your risk of developing type 2 diabetes. How exactly? These tips and measures will help you:

Healthy body weight

Make sure your body weight is within a healthy range . Our calorie calculator can help you calculate your daily calorie needs. This way, you'll know exactly how much you can eat.

Move your body

The best approach is to combine a sport that raises your heart rate (running, HIIT) with a sport that includes strengthening elements (weight training, Pilates).

Take the stairs sometimes.

Escalator or elevator? Not a chance. Climbing stairs keeps you fit and is good for your health.

Eat fruit and vegetables

Fill your plates with plenty of fruit and vegetables. The German Nutrition Society recommends five portions a day . How about a protein-rich smoothie bowl, combining plenty of protein with fresh berries?

Berry Protein Smoothie Bowl

8 Min.

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Eat a high-fiber diet

Eat plenty of fiber-rich foods. These include not only fruits and vegetables, but also grain products such as whole-wheat bread and whole-wheat pasta.

Fat in moderation

When preparing your meals, use fat sparingly. Steaming, braising, and baking fresh foods usually require no additional fat.

Beware of sugary drinks

Strolling past the supermarket shelf full of sugary drinks, you'll be amazed. These cloyingly sweet sodas are high in calories and cause blood sugar levels to spike.

Avoid processed foods

The convenience food aisle is tempting, but high sugar consumption is harmful . Before you reach for pre-packaged snacks, grab your shaker and drink your favorite Balance Shake !

Diabetes: The most important information at a glance

Insulin is produced in the pancreas. It is the only hormone that regulates blood sugar levels. Type 1 diabetes is caused by an insulin deficiency, while type 2 diabetes is caused by insulin resistance. Therefore, diabetics suffer from elevated blood sugar levels. Insulin deficiency can be treated with insulin therapy. For insulin resistance, a healthy lifestyle is the focus of treatment. Our SHEKO shake can support you in making healthy dietary changes. You will quickly discover that a healthy lifestyle brings many other benefits.

FAQ about diabetes

The most frequently asked questions about diabetes mellitus are summarized here.

How does one develop diabetes?

Type 1 diabetes is a congenital chronic disease. Type 2 diabetes develops with age due to an unhealthy diet.

What are the symptoms of diabetes?

Common symptoms of diabetes include persistent fatigue and physical weakness. These are accompanied by excessive thirst and increased urination, dry skin, and itching.

Is it better for diabetics to consume sweetener instead of sugar?

Sugar is not strictly forbidden for diabetics, but it must be consumed in moderation. The same applies to sweeteners, which are used in many diet products. While sweeteners do not affect insulin levels, excessive consumption can lead to bloating and diarrhea.

Is it easier to develop diabetes if you don't eat breakfast regularly?

Skipping breakfast does not increase the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Rather, it's the choice of foods that matters. Sugary foods, which lead to an overproduction of insulin over time, are the cause of diabetes.

How quickly can diabetes mellitus develop?

The development of type 2 diabetes is a gradual process that varies from person to person. While it was referred to as "adult-onset diabetes" until a few years ago, it is now increasingly affecting young, unhealthy people.

Is it safe for diabetics to drink alcohol?

Yes, even people with impaired glucose metabolism can drink alcohol. It's important to avoid hypoglycemia by always combining alcohol with a carbohydrate-rich meal. Even diabetics should not exceed the generally recommended maximum alcohol intake.

Are diabetics allowed to do sports?

Generally speaking, people with diabetes can exercise – provided they know their bodies and their needs. For patients with type 2 diabetes, exercise is even an important component of their treatment.

^1. To lose weight, you need to replace two daily meals with SHEKO shakes as part of a calorie-reduced, varied, and balanced diet with sufficient fluid intake. Replacing one of your daily meals with our meal replacement as part of a calorie-reduced, varied, and balanced diet with sufficient fluid intake will help you maintain your weight after weight loss.