Monday, November 23, 2009

Preventing Diabetes

By Crystal Wells

Diabetes is a disease that affects 24 million people in the US. Not everyone who has Diabetes realizes that they do, actually about a quarter of those who have the disease do not know it. The bodies of people who have Diabetes do not properly use or produce insulin. Insulin is a hormone that helps your body by telling the cells to absorb glucose in bloodstream. Glucose is the form of energy that the body can absorb after foods have been digested. Without insulin to prompt the cells to absorb glucose the body is unable to use the energy that it needs to function properly. This results in a sugar surplus in the bloodstream. There are a few different types of Diabetes.

Type 1 Diabetes

People who have Type 1 Diabetes do not produce their own insulin. They must take shots of insulin to enable their bodies to absorb glucose. Only 5-10% of individuals who have Diabetes have Type 1 Diabetes.

Type 2 Diabetes

People who have Type 2 Diabetes do not produce enough insulin or their bodies do not use the insulin produced correctly. Most people who have Diabetes have Type 2 Diabetes, although many who have the disease do not know it.

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

About 57 million people have pre-diabetes. This is a condition where a person's blood sugar level is higher than what would be "normal" for that person. Although the sugar levels are higher it is not quite high enough for the individual to be diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes.

Not all types of Diabetes can be prevented. Although the type of Diabetes that most people have can be, which is Type 2 Diabetes. To lower your risks you should focus on eating a healthy diet as well as increasing physical exercise.

Losing weight and having a healthy balanced diet are two areas to focus to prevent Type 2 Diabetes. By losing 5-7% of your current body weight you will greatly be reducing your level of risk of becoming Type 2 Diabetic. Concentrate your diet on whole grains, fruits, vegetables and healthy fats. Also, you should reduce intake of refined carbohydrates, sugars and sugary drinks. Quit smoking if you currently smoke.

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.

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