Prevent Diabetes

Here are some useful sights for additional information on preventing diabetes.

Tips

Recipes

Diabetes is a serious disease that leads to potentially life-threatening complications such as heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, blindness, and amputation. According to the American Diabetes Association (ADA), nearly 8 percent of the US population has diabetes and 57 million Americans are pre-diabetic.

Diabetes is characterized by high levels of blood glucose, or sugar; there are three main types of diabetes. In type 1 diabetes, the body does not produce insulin. Insulin is a hormone that is needed to convert sugar, starches and other food into energy needed for daily life. Type 1 diabetes usually occurs in children and young adults and accounts for 5 to 10 percent of cases.

In type 2 diabetes, the most common form, either the body does not produce enough insulin or the cells ignore the insulin. This may result in fatigue, thirst, weight loss, blurred vision and frequent urination, but some people have no symptoms. Type 2 diabetes has a stronger genetic basis than type 1, yet it also depends more on environmental factors such as poor diet and physical inactivity. Type 2 diabetes is increasingly being diagnosed in children and adolescents.

Gestational diabetes affects about 4 percent of pregnant women and requires treatment to normalize maternal blood glucose levels to avoid complications in both the mother and the baby. After pregnancy, gestational diabetes usually goes away, but, it may return in future pregnancies. The ADA reports that many women who have had gestational diabetes go on to develop type 2 diabetes years later.

People with diabetes must closely manage blood glucose levels in order to control the disease. With regular checkups, also including eyes, mouth/teeth and feet, you can manage the risk of complications. Also talk to your doctor about getting a seasonal and H1N1 flu shot, as well as a pneumonia shot.

Research suggests that most cases of diabetes are caused by lifestyle factors. You may prevent or delay the onset of type 2 diabetes through a healthy lifestyle, including:

  • Maintain a healthy weight. People at risk for type 2 diabetes can prevent or delay the onset of the disease by losing 5 to 7 percent of their body weight, if they are overweight.
  • Eat 20-35 grams of fiber every day to help control blood sugar levels. Soluble fiber, found in foods such as beans, apples and oats, appears to lower blood sugar levels.
  • Spice up your meal. Herbs and spices, such as cinnamon, garlic, cloves and cumin and fenugreek, encourage blood sugar balance. Antioxidants found in cinnamon may help to manage blood sugar and inflammation.
  • Exercise for at least 30 minutes on 5 or more days of the week. Physical activity can help you control your blood glucose, weight, and blood pressure, as well as raise your ?good? cholesterol (HDL) and lower your ?bad? cholesterol (LDL). Some examples of moderate-intensity physical activity are walking briskly, dancing, swimming, or bicycling.
  • If you smoke or use other types of tobacco, ask your doctor to help you quit. Smoking increases your risk of various diabetes complications.
  • Schedule a yearly physical and participate in wellness screenings at work or in your community. Identifying the signs of a health problem early can help to reduce your risk.

The CDC projects that the prevalence of diagnosed diabetes in the US will increase 165 percent by 2050. One out of every three children born today will face a future with diabetes if current trends continue. Take time to learn more about how to prevent and manage this disease.