DIABETES : PREVENT DIABETES, lose weight before DIABETES

Diabetes : Prevent Diabetes, lose weight

Diabetes: what is diabetes, who has diabetes, how to prevent diabetes. Prevent diabetes with a diabetic prevention diet. Loose weight. Free Diabetes Meter, diabetic supplies.

Diabetes : Prevent Diabetes, lose weight

Diabetes: what is diabetes, who has diabetes, how to prevent diabetes. Prevent diabetes with a diabetic prevention diet. Loose weight. Free Diabetes Meter, diabetic supplies.

Check out this diabetes page and learn more about diabetes:

Diabetes defined

4 types of diabetes

How to live with diabetes?

How to prevent Diabetes?

Roughly 18.2 million people in the United States have diabetes – 6.3% of the population. Of that number, nearly one-third (5.2 million people) are unaware they have the disease. Diabetes often goes undiagnosed because the symptoms seem relatively harmless – frequent urination, excessive thirst, unusual weight loss or increased fatigue. But diabetes is a serious disease. The good news is that early detection and treatment will decrease your chances of developing complications.

Diabetes defined

When the body digests food, it converts that food to blood sugar or glucose. As levels of glucose rise, this signals the pancreas to release the hormone insulin. Insulin “unlocks” the body’s cells, allowing glucose to enter and be converted to energy. Diabetes is a disease in which the body either does not produce insulin or does not use it properly. When glucose builds up in the blood instead of going into cells, it can starve cells for energy. Over time, high glucose levels may damage organs and body systems, including the eyes, kidneys, nerves and heart.

4 types of diabetes :

Type 1 Diabetes
Type 2 Diabetes
Gestational Diabetes
Pre-Diabetes

Type 1 Diabetes

In type 1 diabetes, formerly known as juvenile-onset diabetes, the body's immune system destroys the cells that make insulin. Type 1 diabetes primarily strikes children and young adults, accounting for 5 to 10% of all diagnosed cases.

Type 2 Diabetes

In type 2 diabetes, formerly known as adult-onset diabetes, the body fails to use insulin properly because cells are resistant. Type 2 diabetes accounts for 90 to 95% of all diagnosed cases of diabetes.

Gestational Diabetes

Pregnant women who have never had diabetes before but who have high blood sugar (glucose) levels during pregnancy are said to have gestational diabetes. This type affects about 4% of all pregnant women in the United States every year -- approximately 135,000 cases. Women who have had gestational diabetes have up to a 60% chance of developing permanent diabetes later in life.

Pre-Diabetes

Previously known as impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) or impaired fasting glucose (IFG), pre-diabetes occurs when a person's blood glucose levels are higher than normal but not high enough to merit a type 2 diabetes diagnosis. Roughly 47 million Americans age 40 to 74 fall into this category. With these kinds of numbers, pre-diabetes is getting more attention from the medical community; it deserves your attention, as well.

How to live with diabetes?

If you already have diabetes, you can live a full, healthy life by actively managing it. This means monitoring blood sugar levels, planning balanced meals, exercising, getting regular check-ups, working with a team of diabetes professionals and possibly taking medication. Yes, it’ll change your lifestyle.

Eat various foods at various times

Good nutrition and maintaining a healthy weight are dependent on more than just the right number of calories and your physical activity levels. It's also about eating a variety of foods. And that’s especially true if you are a person with diabetes.

For a balanced diet, make sure to include choices from all food groups for a wide range of nutrients. To help fuel your body evenly throughout the day and achieve an optimal weight, eat regular meals and occasional snacks every day. This will help you avoid excessive hunger that can lead to overeating.

Diabetes-friendly ways to eat right

•Try for three to five servings of vegetables and two to four servings of fruits from several colors each day. This is also a good way to make sure you get a variety of nutrients.

•Serve everyone in your household the same meals. It helps the person with diabetes maintain control and saves work for the meal preparer. Everyone eats healthier.

•When eating out, be mindful of how many exchanges (“units” of food) from each food group you normally eat at mealtime. Plan to share. Restaurant portions are much larger than normal portions.

•Don’t skip meals to make up for a night out. Plan ahead so you’ll eat at your normally scheduled time. Make reservations, if necessary.

•If it looks like you’ll have a longer wait at the restaurant, order an appetizer. This should include one protein exchange, one carbohydrate exchange and some vegetables to keep blood glucose levels even. Examples: an antipasto platter, or a small salad with low-fat cheese and slice of bread.

How to prevent Diabetes?

If you're overweight or obese, you are at risk. The good news is that losing a relatively small amount of weight can make a real improvement in reducing a person's risk for type 2 diabetes and other serious conditions.

Don’t wait to lose weight

Did you know that nearly 9 out of 10 people with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes are overweight? If you or a loved one is overweight, shedding some pounds through diet and regular exercise can prevent or delay the onset of type 2 diabetes – and will even help control the blood sugars of those individuals who have already been diagnosed.

Put the proffesionals on your side

Losing weight and keeping it off is a real challenge. That's why it's important to begin a weight loss program with the help of your health care team, including, if possible, a dietitian. The medical professionals can help you find ways to decrease calories but still consume the foods you enjoy.

Even trimming 5 to 7% will help

Losing 5 to 7% of your body weight and increasing physical activity, such as brisk walking for 30 minutes a day, five days a week, can cut the risk of developing type 2 diabetes in a person with pre-diabetes by more than half*. You may even be able to decrease your insulin or oral diabetes medications.

How to loose weight? Check out our lose weight page