Vegetarian options such as meatless chicken, beef, etc are also recommended as a protein source. Melissa Rifkin is a Connecticut-based registered dietitian with over 15 years of experience working in the clinical setting. ‘[There’s] been over 40 genes, gene mutations identified, which can put you at risk of type 2 diabetes. And although that each individual effect is relatively subtle, when you combine them all together, it can lead to a cumulative effect,’ he said.
Clinical trials’and other types of clinical studies’are part of medical research and involve people like you. When you volunteer to take part in a clinical study, you help health care professionals and researchers learn more about disease and improve health care for people in the future. If you have type 2 diabetes, your health care professional may recommend diabetes medicines that may help you lose weight.
Prediabetes is a condition where blood sugar levels are higher than normal but not high enough to be diagnosed as diabetes. It is considered a warning sign that you could develop type 2 diabetes if you do not make lifestyle changes. The good news is that prediabetes can be reversed, and blood sugar levels can return to normal.
Ask your health care team if you should eat before, during, or after physical activity. Some diabetes medicines, such as sulfonylureas or insulin, may make your blood glucose level drop too low during exercise or if you skip or delay a meal. A prediabetes diagnosis can be scary until you remember that healthy lifestyle changes can help to manage and even reverse this condition. A balanced diet made up of complex carbohydrates, proteins, low-sugar vitamins and can greatly help with reigning pre-diabetes in. Because protein is absorbed less efficiently than carbohydrates, you will typically be left feeling more full for a longer period of time, reducing your chances of snacking, especially on unhealthy options.
According to the CDC, losing only between 5-7% of your body weight can prevent the onset of type 2 diabetes. Researchers analyzed data from more than 2 million adults between January 2010 and December 2018. In a study that began in 1986 and ended in 1992, participants were placed in lifestyle intervention groups that covered diet and exercise. A follow-up with the subjects 14 years after the study ended revealed that group-based lifestyle interventions can prevent or delay diabetes for up to 14 years after active intervention.
How to Reverse Prediabetes
The first step in reversing prediabetes is making healthy lifestyle choices, such as eating a balanced diet, exercising regularly, and maintaining a healthy weight. A combination of these factors can help improve insulin sensitivity and lower blood sugar levels. It is important to work with a healthcare provider to create a personalized plan that fits your needs.
Those elevated levels can lead to serious health issues if they are not managed properly. Check your blood glucose level before, during, and right after physical activity. Physical activity often lowers the level of glucose in your blood. Low blood glucose levels may last for hours or days after physical activity. You are most likely to have low blood glucose if you take insulin or some other diabetes medicines, such as sulfonylureas. ‘[I]t’s entirely predictable that with improved lifestyle, weight loss, and reversing prediabetes, that you would find that glucose levels become more stable.
Prediabetes puts you at increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and stroke. If you take insulin or certain diabetes medicines, drinking alcohol can make your blood glucose level drop too low, which is called hypoglycemia. If you do drink alcohol, be sure to eat food when you drink and remember to check your blood glucose level after drinking.
Monitoring Blood Sugar Levels
It is essential to regularly monitor your blood sugar levels if you have prediabetes. This can help track progress and determine if the changes you are making are effective. By keeping a close eye on your blood sugar levels, you can make adjustments to your lifestyle as needed to continue moving towards normal levels.
In conclusion, prediabetes is a reversible condition that can go away with the right lifestyle changes. By making healthy choices and monitoring your blood sugar levels, you can improve insulin sensitivity and lower the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Remember to consult with a healthcare provider for guidance and support throughout this process.
