Sugar is bad for health!
From Prediabetes to prodiabetes
Prediabetes is when blood sugar levels are higher than average but not high enough to be considered diabetes. It’s also known as prediabetes because it’s a precursor to full-blown type 2 diabetes. If you’re overweight, then you’re at risk of developing prediabetes. The good news is that there are ways to prevent it. In this article, I’ll explain how to avoid prediabetes and give you some tips on managing it if you already have it.
What is prediabetes?
Prediabetes occurs when your body produces too much insulin or has an inadequate insulin response. Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas that helps control blood sugar levels.
What causes prediabetes?
The leading cause for the development of prediabetes is overweight or obesity. Other factors include family history, age, race, ethnicity, gender, physical activity, diet, stress, sleep habits, smoking, alcohol consumption, medications, and certain medical conditions like polycystic ovary syndrome.
How can people tell whether they have prediabetes?
You may notice symptoms before you develop prediabetes.
You might feel tired all day long, especially during periods of low energy. Your appetite could change from time to time. You may experience frequent urination. These changes could indicate that you have prediabetes. Your doctor will perform several tests to determine whether you have prediabetes or not. They will measure your blood pressure, cholesterol, triglycerides, hemoglobin A1c, liver enzymes, vitamin D, thyroid function, and urine albumin.
Can anyone get prediabetes?
Yes! Prediabetes affects about 30% of adults over 40 years old—however, only 5%-10% of those affected progress to having diabetes within five years.
Are prediabetics at a higher risk?
Prediabetes is when blood sugar levels are higher than average but not high enough to be diagnosed as diabetes. It’s also known as impaired glucose tolerance.
If you have prediabetes, you’re at risk of developing type 2 diabetes. If you already have type 2 diabetes, you’re at an even greater risk of complications such as heart disease, stroke, kidney failure, blindness, and amputation.
There are two types of prediabetes:
1. Impaired fasting glucose (IFG): A fasting blood glucose level between 100 mg/dl and 125 mg/dl.
2. Impaired glucose tolerance: An oral glucose tolerance test with a reading above 140 mg/dl after 75 grams of carbohydrates.
What can the prediabetic patient eat?
Prediabetics should limit their intake of simple sugars to reduce weight gain and improve overall health. They should try to consume less refined grains and more whole grain foods instead. Prediabetics who want to lose weight should focus on eating fewer calories while increasing exercise.
What is a good breakfast for prediabetes?
A typical American eats three meals per day. Breakfast is usually eaten first thing in the morning. It consists mainly of cereal, milk, fruit juice, toast, eggs, etc. Lunch and dinner consist primarily of bread, pasta, rice, potatoes, meat, vegetables, salad, fruits, desserts, etc.
How long does it take for prediabetes to turn into diabetes?
The exact timing varies depending on each person’s unique situation. Some people develop type 2 diabetes after ten years; others develop it after 20 years. Most experts agree that there is no single cause for developing prediabetes. Instead, multiple factors contribute to its development. Some of these include:
- Age – As we age, our metabolism slows down. Our cells become resistant to insulin, causing us to produce higher amounts of insulin than needed.
- Genetics – If one parent has diabetes, then children are much more likely to inherit the condition.
- Weight Gain – Excess body fat increases insulin resistance, leading to high blood glucose levels.
- Inactivity – Lack of physical activity leads to obesity, which further contributes to insulin resistance.
- Family History – Having an immediate family member diagnosed with diabetes also puts you at greater risk.
Why does prediabetes cause weight gain?
When someone develops prediabetes, their pancreas produces too much insulin. Insulin helps control how much sugar enters the bloodstream from foods consumed during meal times. However, when excess insulin is made, this causes the liver to store extra fats to keep blood sugar levels stable. These triglyceride-rich fatty deposits accumulate around organs such as the kidneys, eyes, nerves, muscles, and brain.
How can a prediabetic lose weight?
Losing weight requires eating fewer calories than what you burn daily. You may be able to reduce your calorie intake by cutting back on portions sizes, reducing portion size when dining out, choosing leaner cuts of meats, limiting sweets, drinking water instead of sugary beverages, and increasing exercise.
Conclusion: Can prediabetes go away permanently?
Yes, if you make lifestyle modifications. The good news is that most cases of prediabetes resolve themselves without any treatment. Many people don’t need medication because their bodies naturally return to normal once they start making healthier food choices and exercising regularly. However, some people do require additional help to reverse their prediabetic state. This includes taking prescription drugs called hypoglycemic agents, which lower blood sugar levels.
