Five Steps You Can Take to Prevent Type 2 Diabetes

More than 84 million people in the United States are at risk of developing type 2 diabetes. If you are overweight, have high blood pressure, are not active, or have diabetes in your family, you are more likely to get this condition. You can take preventative measures to avoid developing diabetes if your doctor has advised you to do so. Find out how you can lower your risk right now.

Schedule regular blood sugar screening

Make regular blood sugar screenings a part of your arsenal to reduce your risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Request a hemoglobin A1C test from your doctor. It measures the average level of your blood sugar over the past three months. You can take steps to bring your average level back within a healthy range if it is higher than the recommended level.

The fasting blood sugar test should be added to your usual screening. Between meals, it monitors your blood sugar levels. When you don’t eat, your blood sugar drops and should stay below 100 milligrams per deciliter. Your body is having trouble controlling the amount of sugar in your blood if your levels are higher.

An important part of preventing Type 2 diabetes before it starts is getting regular blood sugar tests.

Reduce your intake of foods high in processed sugar

While having a candy bar or pastry every now and then won’t cause major problems, regularly consuming foods high in processed sugar puts you at risk for Type 2 diabetes.

Sugary cereals, soda, and candy all contain refined sugar, which raises blood sugar quickly and sharply. The body loses its ability to regulate blood sugar levels over time.

Additionally, ketchup, granola bars, yogurt, smoothies, and salad dressing contain a lot of sugar, so you might not be aware of how much you’re eating. Consuming more whole, fresh foods and fewer packaged ones is the most effective strategy for reducing processed sugar intake.

Eat plenty of fiber

Consume a lot of fiber to maintain a healthy digestive system. It slows the rate at which sugar enters the bloodstream, making it essential for controlling blood glucose levels.

The majority of Americans aren’t getting enough fiber, and this is hurting their health a lot. Low-fiber diets raise your risk of developing type 2 diabetes. To increase diabetes protection, consume a lot of whole grains like oats, brown rice, whole wheat, millet, and quinoa.

Maintain a healthy weight

Obesity is a major risk factor for developing type 2 diabetes. Overweight is a problem for nearly ninety percent of diabetics. Your body’s requirement for insulin, the hormone that regulates your blood glucose level, is increased by carrying extra baggage. The burden eventually becomes too much, and the body loses the ability to control blood glucose levels. One of the best ways to lower your risk of Type 2 diabetes is to lose weight if you are overweight.

Get moving! 

Getting a lot of exercise lowers your risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Regular exercise helps keep blood sugar in check by making your cells more sensitive to insulin.

Sensitivity to insulin is essential for avoiding Type 2 diabetes. However, you don’t need to turn into a jock to receive the rewards of activity. Simply pick something you enjoy doing. Start by walking if you’re having trouble getting going. Going for a 30-minute stroll every day brings down your diabetes risk.

Today, take charge of your health. You control the resources. If you come to Danvers Family Doctors, P.C., they will assist you in developing a solid strategy for the prevention of type 2 diabetes so that you can maintain your vitality and health for many years to come.