Avoiding Diabetes
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.
Type 1 Diabetes
Out of all those who have Diabetes only 5-10% of individuals who have Diabetes have Type 1 Diabetes. In this type of Diabetes the individual's body does not produce insulin. They will need to take shots of insulin everyday to ensure that their bodies can absorb glucose.
Diabetes Type 2
Most people who are diagnosed with Diabetes fall into this type of Diabetes, although about 1/3 of the people who have Type 2 Diabetes do not know they have it. Type 2 Diabetes occurs when the body has an insulin resistance, generally not using the insulin correctly. Also, there is usually a deficiency of insulin as well.
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.
While some types of Diabetes cannot be avoided it is possible to prevent Type 2 Diabetes. This is done through taking care of your body through appropriate management of diet and physical exercise. Changing lifestyle behaviors to prevent Diabetes will also help you to avoid other life threatening diseases such as heart attacks, strokes and high blood pressure.
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.
Diabetes is a disease that you have an element of control in preventing. By improving your daily habits such as your diet and exercising you can greatly decrease your risk of Type 2 Diabetes. 9 out of 10 Type 2 Diabetes cases could have been prevented.
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