Preventing Diabetes — Are You At Risk For Type 2 Diabetes?
by Pam MarshallIf you are like most people, you have a friend or loved one who has diabetes. Perhaps you know exactly how debilitating this lifelong, serious disease can be because you’ve watched someone you care for struggle to manage their condition. So it’s only natural that you may wonder, “Am I at risk for developing type 2 diabetes?”
The next question you may have is…
What exactly is type 2 diabetes?
People with diabetes are suffering from a disease in which blood glucose levels are higher than normal. They’re unable to properly convert the foods they eat into energy. After eating, food is broken down into glucose, which is carried by the blood to all the cells in the body. Once the glucose reaches the cells the hormone insulin, which is made in the pancreas, helps process blood glucose into energy.
Type 2 diabetes develops when the cells in the muscles, liver, and fats are unable to use this insulin properly. After a while, the pancreas fails to make enough insulin for the body’s needs. For this reason, blood glucose increases yet the cells are starved of energy. This is extremely dangerous because a high blood glucose level damages nerves and blood vessels which leads to heart disease, stroke, blindness, kidney disease, nerve problems, gum infections, and sometimes amputation.
Is it possible to prevent type 2 diabetes?
Fortunately, yes. Research shows that people who are at risk for type 2 diabetes can indeed prevent or delay developing type 2 diabetes simply by losing a little weight and increasing physical activity. The results of the Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP) proved this to be true.
Family history and being overweight are strong risk factors for type 2 diabetes. Participants in the Diabetes Prevention Program were overweight and also had increased blood glucose levels, or pre-diabetes. Both pre-diabetes and obesity are strong risk factors for type 2 diabetes. These participants also included minority groups, as well as women with a history of gestational diabetes, and people who were 60 years of age or older.
The DPP tested two approaches to preventing diabetes: lifestyle change — a program of healthy eating and physical activity — and the diabetes drug Metformin. Participants in the lifestyle change group exercised about 30 minutes a day five days a week, usually by walking, and decreased the amount of fat and calories in their diet. Those who took Metformin received information on physical activity and diet. A third group only received information on physical activity and diet.
The results showed that people in the lifestyle change group reduced their risk of getting type 2 diabetes by 58%. In the first year of the study, people lost an average of 15 pounds. Lifestyle change was even more effective in those aged 60 and older. They reduced their risk by 71%. People receiving Metformin reduced their risk by 31%.
However, Metformin has been shown to have serious side effects – a condition called lactic acidosis is one of the most dangerous. In this condition, lactic acid builds up in the blood, which can cause serious damage.
Other factors that increase risk for type 2 diabetes
In addition to being older and overweight, there are other factors that can increase your risk for type 2 diabetes. They include:
1. A parent, brother, or sister with diabetes.
2. A family background that is Alaska natives, American Indian, African American, Hispanic/Latino, Asian-American, or Pacific Islander.
3. A history of gestational diabetes, or giving birth to at least one baby weighing more than 9 pounds.
4. A blood pressure equal to or higher than 140/90 mm Hg or above.
5. A HDL cholesterol below 35 mg/dL, or a triglyceride level above 250 mg/dL.
6. Inactivity — exercising fewer than three times a week.
7. For women only — polycystic ovary syndrome.
Pre-diabetes
Pre-diabetes means your blood glucose is higher than normal but lower than the diabetes range. Having this predisease means you are at risk of getting type 2 diabetes and heart disease. If you are told you have pre-diabetes, have your blood glucose checked according to your doctor’s recommendations.
Take an all-natural supplement specifically designed to control blood sugar
Pre-Crea™ is an all-natural herbal supplement specifically developed for people with pre-diabetes or a higher than normal blood sugar levels. PreCrea™ is only available by doctor recommendation. If you take this powerful supplement two times a day, follow all of the strategies discussed above, plus your doctor’s recommendations on diet and exercise, you can substantially lower your risk of developing diabetes.
Pre-diabetes most always precedes the development of full-blown diabetes. A fasting blood sugar level between 99 — 126 mg/dl means you are in the pre-diabetes range. That’s why it’s so important to get a tight reign on your blood sugar levels now. Pre-Crea™ has been shown to lower blood glucose 20-30 points.
Preemptive Meds is a strong believer in treating the predisease state. Their supplements such as PreCrea™ are designed to attack predisease before more serious problems can develop. If you would like to find out more about PreCrea™ or any other of the Preemptive Meds’ natural supplements, you can find insightful information this website.
