Best insomnia treatment ? Diabetes is a long-term illness that affects the way your body converts food into energy. The majority of the food you eat is converted to sugar (also known as glucose) and absorbed into your bloodstream. When your blood sugar levels rise, your pancreas is prompted to release insulin. Insulin functions as a key, allowing blood sugar to enter your body's cells and be used as energy. If you have diabetes, your body either does not produce enough insulin or does not uti...