Diabetes—Can You Reduce Your Risk?
THE incidence of
diabetes mellitus is increasing so quickly that it has become a global
epidemic. There are two major types of diabetes. Type 1 starts mainly in
childhood, and presently doctors do not know how to prevent it. This article is
about type 2, which accounts for about 90 percent of all diabetes.
While in the past
it was seen as exclusive to adults, more recently type 2 diabetes has also been
affecting children. Experts claim, however, that the risk of type 2 diabetes
can be reduced. A little knowledge of this insidious disease may prove helpful
to you.
What Is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a
condition that causes a person to have an excessive level of blood sugar. The
disease upsets the normal process of transferring sugar from the bloodstream
into cells that need it for energy. The result is damage to vital organs and
impairment of blood circulation, sometimes leading to toe or foot amputation,
blindness, and kidney disease. A large proportion of diabetes patients die of
heart attacks or stroke.
Excess body fat
can be a major factor in type 2 diabetes. Experts believe that fat accumulated
in the belly and waist may indicate a higher risk for diabetes. More
specifically, fat in the pancreas and the liver appear to disrupt the body’s
regulation of blood sugar. What can you do to reduce your risk?
Three Steps That May Reduce the Risk of Diabetes:
1. Have your
level of blood sugar tested if you are in a high-risk group. A medical disorder
known as prediabetes—a condition in which blood sugar is moderately higher than
normal—often precedes type 2 diabetes. Both conditions are unhealthy, but there
is a difference: Although diabetes can be controlled, it cannot yet be cured.
On the other hand, some prediabetics have been able to bring their blood sugar
back to normal levels. Prediabetes may have no obvious symptoms. Hence, this
condition may go unnoticed. According to reports, about 316 million people
around the world have prediabetes; yet, many of them do not realize it. For
instance, in the United States alone, some 90 percent of prediabetes sufferers
are unaware of their condition.
Prediabetes is
not harmless, however. Besides being a precursor to type 2 diabetes, it has
recently been linked to an increased risk of dementia. If you are overweight,
not physically active, or have a family history of diabetes, you might already
have prediabetes. A blood test can tell you if you do.
2. Choose
healthful food. You might benefit from doing the following whenever it is
possible and practical: Eat smaller portions than usual. Instead of sugary
fruit juice and carbonated beverages, drink water, tea, or coffee. Eat
whole-grain bread, rice, and pasta—in moderation—rather than refined foods. Eat
leaner meats, fish, nuts, and beans.
3. Stay
physically active. Exercise can lower your blood sugar and help you maintain a
healthy weight. Swap some TV time for exercise time, recommends one expert.
You cannot change
your genes, but you can change your lifestyle. Doing what we can to improve our
health is worth the effort.
Source:jw.org
No comments