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With all of the focus on the epidemic of diabetes and the sheer
numbers of people being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, it is
important to look at how to prevent diabetes. One category of people
who have a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes is that of
people with immediate family members who are currently dealing with
the condition. This group sees first hand the struggles a person
with diabetes goes through and they want to know if there is
anything they can do prevent diabetes.
First, let’s look at the groups with a greater risk of
contracting the disease. These risk factors include genetics, ethnic
background and body weight & shape. If you find yourself in a
high-risk group, you should be getting your blood levels tested
regularly. If there are any warning signs, it is time to try the
preventive measures suggested by doctors and researchers.
If you are diagnosed with diabetes the first thing you are told
is to go to a diabetes specialist or dietician and develop a new,
healthier way of eating. It follows, then, that in order to prevent
diabetes, diet and exercise have been shown to have the most impact
on avoiding the development of the disease. And although dietary
changes are important; adding exercise to your daily routine is the
most valuable weapon in your arsenal to combat diabetes.
One of the causes of diabetes is insulin resistance. In a healthy
body, the cells use insulin to process the sugar in the blood for
energy and growth. With insulin resistance, the cells no longer
absorb the sugar because they aren’t using the insulin. The blood
sugar builds up and causes damage to the organs. Exercise allows the
body to use insulin more effectively.
Exercise and diet combined can also help with the reduction of
body weight and shape. Eating healthier foods in reduced portions
and adding exercise to your daily regimen at least 5 days a week can
help eliminate body fat as fat also inhibits the cells’ ability to
use insulin. There have also been studies that show that adding nuts
to your diet decrease your chances of developing diabetes.
If you smoke, stop. Cigarette smoking dramatically increases your
chance of contracting diabetes.
Studies have shown that you can delay the onset of diabetes and,
in some cases, actually prevent diabetes. Doing so requires your
active participation, but if you have lived with someone who has
diabetes, you know it is worth the effort.
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