Preventing Diabetes

By Crystal Wells

There are 24 million people in the US who have Diabetes. Individuals who have Diabetes have bodies that do not produce a hormone called insulin or their bodies do not use insulin the right way. Insulin tells your cells to absorb glucose which is found in your bloodstream. Glucose is the form of energy your body produces from the foods you consume. Without insulin to tell your body to absorb glucose you will not be able to get the energy your body needs to function appropriately. Also, without insulin there is an increase of glucose or sugar levels in your bloodstream. Diabetes has a few different variations, some of which are more serious than others.

Diabetes Type 1

About 5-10% of people have Type 1 Diabetes, which is when the body does not produce insulin. To address this type of Diabetes the individual must take shots of insulin to help their bodies be able to convert starches, sugars and other foods into energy in the form the body needs it to be.

Diabetes Type 2

The majority of those who have Diabetes have Type 2 Diabetes. Interestingly, many of the people who have Type 2 Diabetes do not know it. With this type of Diabetes an individual's body does not create enough insulin or use the insulin created appropriately. These people must be cognizant of their sugar levels and focus on keeping them level through exercise and diet. There are also some medications that can assist.

Gestational Diabetes

Some women might experience Gestational Diabetes which is Diabetes during their pregnancy. Many women will not have Diabetes after their pregnancy, although about 5-10% will have Type 2 Diabetes. During a pregnancy where the mother has Gestational Diabetes the baby will gain weight quickly.

Pre-Diabetes

Approximately 57 million people in the US who have high blood sugar levels, however they are not high enough to be considered Type 2 Diabetes. We call this state Pre-Diabetes, if nothing is done to address these higher sugar levels the result will most likely be Type 2 Diabetes.

It is possible to prevent Type 2 Diabetes. This is good since most people who have Diabetes fall into this type. To reduce risks of Type 2 Diabetes you should focus on becoming more physically active as well as eating a balanced diet.

Regarding your diet, it is important to watch the amounts of sugars and carbohydrates you consume throughout the day and look for ways to reduce this sugar consumption. Try to incorporate whole grains, fruits and vegetables into your diet. Also, eating smaller meals about 5-6 times during the day will help to keep blood sugar levels consistent during the day. It is also imperative that you lose weight if you are currently overweight.

Begin exercising 30 minutes per day can help with losing weight as well as controlling blood sugar levels. By using your muscles more you will help them use insulin more effectively to absorb glucose in your bloodstream to keep blood sugar moderate and not too high.

Although Diabetes is a serious disease it is one that you have the ability to prevent by focusing on habits that will help your overall health. Some of these habits are eating a healthy balanced diet and participating in 30 minutes or more of exercise per day. By taking better care of yourself in these ways it will immensely increase your success in preventing Diabetes. - 29887

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