PREVENT DIABETES IN NOVEMBER!

Do you know someone with Type 2 Diabetes? Unfortunately, many of our lives are touched by this condition. That is because almost 26 million people in the U.S. have diabetes. Type 2 diabetes used to be called “late onset diabetes” because it happened mostly to older folks. It now affects all age groups and the amount of cases is growing. The main reason for this is less activity, poor food choices, and weight gain.

Type 2 diabetes happens when the body does not make enough insulin or the cells don’t use it effectively. Insulin, a hormone, is important because it moves sugar from your blood to your cells so you can use it as energy. When you eat food, your body turns some of it into sugar, which is fuel for your cells. When your body can’t make enough insulin or it does not use insulin well, the glucose can’t go into the cells and builds up in the blood. This causes high blood sugar and can lead to diabetes type 2.

Type 1 diabetes happens when the body does not make insulin. It usually happens in children and young adults and requires insulin therapy.

November is the National month to be aware of diabetes and decrease your risk. Research has found that moderate weight loss (achieving a healthy weight) and physical activity can prevent or delay type 2 diabetes. You can lose weight by having a healthy diet (lean meat/protein, low in fat, high in fruits and vegetables, and low in white carbohydrates and starches). Choose whole fresh fruit instead of fruit juice, dried fruit, or fruit snacks, which have a lot of sugar. Regular physical activity is important for weight loss and a healthy blood sugar. Taking a brisk walk for 20-30 minutes most days of the week is a great place to start and can help to regulate blood sugar. Being overweight or obese can prevent your body from making and using insulin properly.

Another important way to lower your risk for and prevent diabetes is to have your blood sugar checked by your family doctor. It is recommended that if you are 45 years or older, and especially if you are overweight, that you be tested for diabetes. If you are younger than 45, are overweight, and have at least one other risk factor (see list below), consider being tested. After fasting for 12 hours, your blood sugar should be less than 100. It is also a good idea to discuss your family history with your doctor. Your risk for diabetes may increase if any family members have diabetes.

Risk Factors

·     Being overweight or obese

·     Family history – having a parent or sibling with diabetes

·     Personal history of gestational diabetes or birth of at least one baby weighing more than 9 lbs

·     Having a low HDL (good cholesterol) of 35 or less, or triglyceride level of 250 or higher

·     Physical inactivity – exercising fewer than 3x/week

Having diabetes can increase your risk for other serious health conditions, such as heart disease, stroke, kidney failure, high blood pressure, and blindness.

If a blood sugar test result is higher than normal, but not high enough to be diabetes, it is called prediabetes. One in 3 American adults is at high risk for diabetes, or 79 million people. Prediabetes might be reversed if the correct steps are taken, such as weight loss, dietary improvements, and exercise.

The good news is that you can reduce your risk for diabetes by living a healthy lifestyle! Even if you have already been diagnosed with diabetes, you can better manage your disease by doing the following:

1.   Lose weight (achieve and maintain a healthy weight)

2.   Increase your physical activity

3.   Work closely with your family doctor to manage your condition

For more information on how to have a healthy diet and become active, visit: Be Active and Eat Right

Take strides this month to reduce your risk for diabetes!