Diabetes and Ways to Avoid It

Diabetes is a serious medical condition affecting blood sugar. To lower your risk, consume nutritious food and increase physical activity; diets rich in saturated and trans fats, refined carbohydrates and fried foods increase risk significantly.

Other risk factors for obesity may include genetics, eating less nutritiously and living an inactive lifestyle. Making healthier changes easier when the whole family makes them together is much simpler.

Diet

Diabetes is a progressive chronic disease that impairs the body’s ability to convert glucose (sugar) into energy. While various risk factors increase your chances of diabetes, such as being obese, one such factor that can mitigate their risks includes weight loss by improving insulin sensitivity and regulating blood sugar. Waist size also plays an important role; people with a pear-shaped waist profile tend to have less of an increased risk for this disorder compared with those who are apple-shaped.

Eating healthily can help prevent or delay diabetes. A diet low in fat should include lean meats, fish, eggs, beans, soy products and whole grains; sweetened beverages like soda and fruit juice should be avoided in favor of water or non-caloric drinks like coffee and tea which do not contribute to weight gain.

Talk with your physician about getting regular blood tests. If you have pre-diabetes, make sure that treatment is taken to reduce its risk and maintain regular physical activity while visiting a health care professional for an annual check-up.

Exercise

Exercise can play an essential part in warding off type 2 diabetes. Studies show that people who engage in regular physical activity – especially those that break long periods of sitting or inactivity – are less likely to develop the condition than their sedentary counterparts.

Experts advise getting at least 30 minutes of moderate to vigorous aerobic activity every day, such as walking, hiking, swimming or playing team sports. Walking, hiking and playing team sports are great examples. If you want to try something more daring like rock climbing or scuba diving, consult with your physician first so they can advise any adjustments to be made for meals, insulin dose or diabetic medicine in order to prevent low blood sugars.

Resistance exercises and interval training – which consists of short bursts of high-intensity aerobic exercise interspersed with shorter bouts of lower intensity activity – are both helpful. People living with diabetes should always check their BGLs prior to, during, and after exercise; injectable insulin or certain glucose-lowering medicines (such as sulphonylureas) can lower BGLs; therefore it’s advisable to carry fast-acting carbohydrates like sugar tablets or sports gel in case hypoglycaemia strikes.

Weight loss

Studies show that being overweight increases a person’s risk for diabetes. Obesity causes insulin resistance and makes blood sugar regulation harder on the body, increasing risk. Studies indicate that by losing weight and eating fewer calories as well as getting adequate rest each night they may lower their risk. Stress has been known to elevate blood sugar.

Diets that focus on providing fruits, vegetables and whole grains as opposed to processed meats, sugary drinks and saturated fats may help prevent diabetes. Fad diets like Atkins’ Glycemic Index Diet or Paleo Diet may also aid weight loss but should only be followed for short periods.

Common symptoms of diabetes can include excessively frequent urination, unquenchable thirst and blurred vision due to changes in fluid levels. Other indicators may include fatigue and irritability; unexplained weight loss; slow healing sores or cuts and fatigue and irritability. If high blood sugar (hyperglycemia) symptoms appear they should be addressed immediately – check your glucose regularly with healthcare professional for best results.

Medication

People can help prevent diabetes by limiting their intake of beverages and foods with added sugars or refined carbohydrates such as soda, candy and dessert. Furthermore, they should increase their consumption of non-starchy vegetables, whole grains and lean proteins while trying to complete 150 minutes of moderate aerobic exercise every week such as taking brisk daily walks.

Overweight or obese individuals are at greater risk for diabetes due to both genetics and lifestyle choices like eating unhealthy diets or being inactive, such as being sedentary. Pregnancy may trigger type 1 diabetes as well, with children suffering from it suffering an autoimmune response against their own insulin producing cells causing symptoms that resemble those seen with Type 1.

Diuretics used to treat hypertension and certain statins are among the many medications that can influence blood sugar levels, as are certain SGLT2 inhibitors such as Brenzavvy, Canagliflozin (Invokana), Dapagliflozin (Farxiga), and Empagliflozin (Jardiance). Such medicines can help lower both blood sugar and weight, as well as improve heart disease risks associated with type 2 diabetes.