One of the many conditions associated with ageing is type 2 diabetes mellitus, the prevalence of which increases from 20-30 years of age onwards. In many cases, type 2 diabetes mellitus is caused by the combination of insulin resistance and poor insulin secretion. Insulin resistance is also a risk factor associated with other disorders, in particular cardiovascular disease. Physiological changes associated with ageing, such as changes in body composition, decreased physical fitness, changes in hormones, and the secondary effects of high levels of free fatty acids and glucose, may also contribute to the impairment of insulin secretion and action. In this review, the effects of ageing on the secretion and action of insulin will be highlighted.
Copyright 2003 S. Karger AG, Basel