Nip Diabetes in the Bud
"Intellectuals solve problems,
Geniuses prevent them."
- Albert Einstein
How do you solve a problem like diabetes? You lick it before it starts.
Prediabetes is a condition wherein blood sugar levels are higher than normal but not high enough to be labeled diabetic. In 2003, about 314 million adults worldwide had impaired glucose tolerance (IGT), a form of prediabetes characterized by high blood sugar after a glucose load. This number is expected to skyrocket to 472 million by 2025.
Up to 50 percent of people with IGT will develop type 2 diabetes within 10 years. The risk for heart desease and stroke are 2 to 4 times higher in individuals with diabetes. These complications develop way before diabetes is diagnosed, thus making early and aggressive intervention imperative.
The following serve as fertile ground for diabetes-
- age over 35 years (for Europids, 45 years)
- having relatives with diabetes
- having prediabetes
- high blood pressure
- abnormal cholesterol levels
- gestational diabetes (diabetes diagnosed during pregnancy)
or having delivered large babies (over 8 lbs.)
- taking diabetes-causing medications
- being overweight and physically inactive
- having too much belly fat
(waist circumference of 31 inches and
over for South Asian women, 35 inches for men).
Water this with a diet lacking in fiber but loaded with calories, saturated fat, and simple sugar, and you have a garden full of diabetes weeds.
Prediabetes need not progress to type 2 diabetes. You CAN take steps so diabetes does not take root.
The International Diabetes Federation, American Diabetes Association and American Association of Clinical Endrocrinologists all recommended lifestyle modification as initial strategies in the prevention of type 2 diabetes. All are encouraged to:
- Be physically active at least 30 minutes a day
- Maintain a healthy weight (5-10 percent weight loss if overweight)
- Eat a healthy balanced diet
You don't need Einstein's IQ to help prevent diabetes. See your physician to assess your diabetes risk and have yourself tested. Promote diabetes prevention in your family, school, community and workplace and perhaps the tiny seed of knowledge may just grow and save someone from suffering diabetes.
-DiabetEASE Magazine
