Diabetes is a chronic condition for which there is no cure, but many of the 57 million people in the United States who have prediabetes, as reported by the American Diabetes Association, could prevent that condition from developing into type 2 diabetes by following simple guidelines to improve their health.
Background
Diabetes 2, or type 2 diabetes, is a disease in which the levels of blood glucose--blood sugar--are chronically higher than normal. Mayoclinic.com reports that diabetes 2 is the most common form of diabetes in the United States and may often be prevented by changing lifestyle habits and maintaining your weight at recommended levels.
Definition
The National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse defines prediabetes as a condition in which a person has elevated blood glucose levels, but not so elevated as to be diagnosed as diabetes.
Prevention
If you are diagnosed as a person with prediabetes, or are overweight or have a family history of diabetes, the National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse explains that it is not inevitable that you will develop diabetes. The clearinghouse states that many prediabetics can avert diabetes by making lifestyle changes in diet and increasing physical activity levels.
People at risk for developing diabetes--those who are overweight or with a family history of the disease--can also reduce their risk by making lifestyle changes. Consult your health care practitioner if you have a family history of diabetes or are overweight. The practitioner may wish to screen your blood for determination of your exact risk.
Considerations
MayoClinic.com advises that you avoid fad diets to lose weight. Often, these types of diets encourage avoiding certain food groups, meaning that you may lose out on important nutrients. The clinic also points out that such diets have no proven success in preventing diabetes, nor are their long-term effects known. Instead, choose an eating plan that is balanced and control your portions.
Benefits
By making the choice to eat healthier, arrive at and maintain a healthy weight, and increase your physical activity level to at least 30 minutes of moderate physical activity at least five days each week, you may avoid not only diabetes but also the many complications of this chronic disease--and all without medication.
Expert Insight
The Feb. 7, 2002 edition of "The New England Journal of Medicine" published the results of a study titled "Reduction in the Incidence of Type 2 Diabetes with Lifestyle Intervention or Metformin." Study participants were from 27 various clinics throughout the United States. Each study participant was overweight and diagnosed with prediabetes. The conclusions reached from this study was that people who make lifestyle changes such as lowering calorie intake and getting at least 150 minutes of physical activity per week were even more likely than those prediabetics taking metformin to get their blood glucose levels back within normal limits.
References
- American Diabetes Association: Diabetes Basics
- MayoClinic.com: Diabetes Prevention -- 5 Tips for Taking Control
- National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse: National Diabetes Statistics, 2007
- "The New England Journal of Medicine"; Reduction in the Incidence of Type 2 Diabetes with Lifestyle Intervention or Metformin; Diabetes Prevention Program Research Group; Feb. 7, 2002
