Diabetes Prevention: Prevent Type 2 Diabetes

	Tweet

Biologically speaking, one of the reasons we eat is to get glucose. Cells use the hormone insulin to convert glucose into the energy we need to live.

In some cases, cells in the muscles, liver, and fat don’t use insulin correctly. As a result, the pancreas can’t produce enough insulin. The amount of glucose in the blood skyrockets, while the cells are starved of energy. When this happens, a person can be diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. Also called adult-onset and non-insulin dependent diabetes, type 2 diabetes is the most common form of the condition.

You’re more at risk of type 2 diabetes if you’re overweight and inactive, or if you have a family history of the disease. If you’re over 60, the risk increases. Higher than normal blood glucose levels can lead to heart disease, stroke, blindness and kidney disease, but you can do a lot to lower your risk.

1. Include more walking and moderate exercise in your routine. Losing weight will help reduce your risk of type 2 diabetes. When you are overweight your body doesn’t make and use insulin properly.

2. Make wise food choices to keep your calorie intake at a reasonable level. Don’t be tempted to ‘crash diet’ to lose the pounds. Instead, limit your portion size and your fat intake and choose from healthy foods.

3. Control your blood pressure and cholesterol. Lowering the levels of salt in your diet will help you do this, as will decreasing your alcohol intake.

---
ThirdAge Media
www.thirdage.com

RELATED STORIES:
Phone contact with nurses linked with better outcomes for women with gestational diabetes   Death rate drops among Americans with diabetes -CDC   Correct treatment of common diabetic foot infections can reduce amputations   “Pre-diabetes,” diabetes rising among U.S. teens   Experimental bariatric surgery controls blood sugar in rats with diabetes   53 millions Americans might develop diabetes by 2025   New inflammation hormone link may pave way to study new drugs for type 2 diabetes   Diabetic retinopathy research could reduce screening costs   Liver fat gets a wake-up call that maintains blood sugar levels   Low testosterone levels could raise diabetes risk for men   Prosthetic lets diabetic get a foot up on life   Dealing with Diabetes, One Patient at a Time

Comments

[ + Post Your Own ]

Now you're in the public comment zone. What follows is not Armenian Medical Network's stuff; it comes from other people and we don't vouch for it. A reminder: By using this Web site you agree to accept our Terms of Service. Click here to read the Rules of Engagement.

There are no comments for this entry yet. [ + Comment here + ]