Steps to Prevent Type 2 Diabetes
What Is Type 2 Diabetes?
There are two types of diabetes--Type 1 and Type 2. Type 1 is the version people develop very early in life and are on a strict treatment program all their lives.
Most Type 1 sufferers take insulin, religiously monitor their blood sugar, eat snacks throughout the day as opposed to large meals.It's a very serious disease. Type 2 diabetes is just as serious but usually develops in adults in middle age or later, although in recent years, primarily attributable to obesity among younger children,it's becoming more common to see teenagers and young adults with the disease.
Are You Pre-Disposed to Type-2 Diabetes?
If you think you might be pre-disposed to this disease, you should see your doctor and check your blood sugar levels. If you have elevated blood sugar, you should develop a Type 2 diabetes prevention program to work for you now.
Type 2 diabetes is rampant in the U.S., which used to be referred to as 'adult onset' diabetes. It's known that certain ethnic groups, such as Native Americans and African Americans have statistically higher rates than other ethnic groups. .
It Tends To Run In Families
If you have a family history of diabetes or are genetically vulnerable, you'd be smart to put a type 2 diabetes prevention program in place now. Doctors say that the cause of this condition is unknown. However, so many studies show that the majority of people who develop type 2 diabetes, eat a diet which is filled with sugar, along with an excess of the wrong kinds of carbs. This would seem to point the finger at diet and sugar, in particular, as likely culprits.
It's interesting to note that sugar was almost unknown in the traditional Native American and African diets. In fact, people who emigrate to the U.S. from any region where sugar is little used (type 2 diabetes is relatively non-existent among these people), and adapt to the Western diet, quite often develop type 2 diabetes.
A Pre-Emptive Step
Such a program could be considered a preemptive step. After all, once you're diagnosed, your doctor will put you on a restricted diet, just to try to keep pace with with the natural production of insulin in your body and prevent your body from generating an insulin imbalance. You'll be counting carbs every time you sit down to eat. So, working towards a type 2 diabetes prevention diet style is probably a good idea. You may never get a diagnosis of type 2, as a direct result.
Eating three large meals a day is far more taxing on your pancreas than five or six small meals. The pancreas helps your body metabolize food and regulate insulin, so it stands to reason that your pancreatic function will be healthier if you give it a break.
Kidney disease and deterioration go hand in hand with diabetes. This makes drinking plenty of water on a daily basis a good practice in your type 2 diabetes prevention program. Water flushes your kidneys of toxins, so keep them healthy.
Most people who develop type 2 diabetes are sugar fans. Soda pop is one of the most popular beverages, with sweets such as candy not far behind. If you can make the switch to diet sift drinks, do it. Try to cut back your sugar intake. Any food or beverage with refined sugar is bad for you! Try to replace a piece of cake with a piece of fruit or yogurt. Gradually, reduce your sugars. Your body will adjust to, the new scheme of things, to the betterment of your health.
Bad Carbs Are Bad!
Another big contributor to diabetes are carbohydrates, particularly the "bad" kind. Carbohydrates convert into sugar in your body. Basically, these "bad" carbohydrates include any white types of bread, pasta,rice,and potatoes. If you can do it, substitute "brown" for "white." Brownr rice, brown bread (whole wheat, rye, whole grain) sweet potatoes instead of white potatoes, and whole wheat pasta instead of white pasta, contain "good"carbohydrates and don't affect you adversely regarding insulin balance.
The fiber contained in fruits and vegetables helps keep your digestive system in good health. The antioxidant vitamins and minerals are valuable in cancer prevention too. The fiber also flushes toxins from your body. As you improve your overall health, with such type 2 diabetes prevention strategies, all of your metabolic functions improve.
Exercise Regularly
Doctors stress the importance of exercise to diabetic patients. Poor circulation is a signature of diabetes and can exacerbate some of the complications of type 2 diabetes, such as nerve damage. So, begin a regular program of exercise now, rather than later.
Don't wait until you get a type 2 diagnosis. Use these guidelines to formulate a sensible type 2 diabetes prevention regimen. You'll definitely be healthier and you may never develop this difficult and life threatening condition.
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Tags: Bad Carbs, Good Carbs, Manage Insulin, Prevent Diabetes, Reduce Sugar, Type 2 Diabetes
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