Human evolution, type 2 diabetes mellitus and exercise

Type 2 diabetes is a disease where high concentrations of blood glucose occur due to the combination of insulin resistance and E-cell dysfunction. In this chapter, we will first explain type 2 diabetes and then discuss how environmental factors, genetic predisposition and possibly epigenetic mechanisms lead to the development of type 2 diabetes. After introducing the disease we will review human evolution and argue that there is a now a divergence between our ancient genomes that have been selected for high physical activity and feast famine cycles and our current lifestyles, which are marked by low physical activity and high food intake. e consequences are chronic diseases such as type 2 diabetes mellitus, which we discuss in this chapter. Finally, we will review the mechanisms by which exercise increases glucose uptake acutely and increases insulinstimulated glucose uptake in the days after exercise.