When it comes to type 2 diabetes — the
most common type of diabetes — prevention is a big deal. It's especially
important to make diabetes prevention a priority if you're at increased risk of
diabetes, for example, if you're overweight or have a family history of the
disease.
Diabetes prevention is as basic as
eating more healthfully, becoming more physically active and losing a few extra
pounds — and it's never too late to start. Making a few simple changes in your
lifestyle now may help you avoid the serious health complications of diabetes
down the road, such as nerve, kidney and heart damage. Consider the latest
diabetes prevention tips from the American Diabetes Association.
Tip
1: Get more physical activity
There are many benefits to regular
physical activity. Exercise can help you:
- Lose weight
- Lower your blood sugar
- Boost your sensitivity to insulin — which helps keep
your blood sugar within a normal range
Research shows that both aerobic
exercise and resistance training can help control diabetes, but the greater
benefit comes from a fitness program that includes both.
Tip
2: Get plenty of fiber
It's rough, it's tough — and it may
help you:
- Reduce your risk of diabetes by improving your blood
sugar control
- Lower your risk of heart disease
- Promote weight loss by helping you feel full
Foods high in fiber include fruits,
vegetables, beans, whole grains, nuts and seeds.
Tip
3: Go for whole grains
Although it's not clear why, whole
grains may reduce your risk of diabetes and help maintain blood sugar levels.
Try to make at least half your grains whole grains. Many foods made from whole
grains come ready to eat, including various breads, pasta products and many
cereals. Look for the word "whole" on the package and among the first
few items in the ingredient list
Tip
4: Lose extra weight
If you're overweight, diabetes
prevention may hinge on weight loss. Every pound you lose can improve your
health, and you may be surprised by how much. Participants in one large study
who lost a modest amount of weight — around 7 percent of initial body weight —
and exercised regularly reduced the risk of developing diabetes by almost 60
percent.
Tip
5: Skip fad diets and just make healthier choices
Low-carb diets, the glycemic index
diet or other fad diets may help you lose weight at first, but their
effectiveness at preventing diabetes isn't known nor are their long-term
effects. And by excluding or strictly limiting a particular food group, you may
be giving up essential nutrients. Instead, think variety and portion control as
part of an overall healthy-eating plan.
When
to see your doctor
If you're older than age 45 and your
weight is normal, ask your doctor if diabetes testing is appropriate for you.
The American Diabetes Association recommends blood glucose screening if:
- You're age 45 or older and overweight
- You're younger than age 45 and overweight with one or
more additional risk factors for type 2 diabetes — such as a sedentary
lifestyle or a family history of diabetes
Share your concerns about diabetes
prevention with your doctor. He or she will applaud your efforts to keep
diabetes at bay, and perhaps offer additional suggestions based on your medical
history or other factors.