June 3, 2020

I’m back with more Wellness Wednesday tips. If you have immediate family members with diabetes and are concerned you might develop it, then this information is for you! Preventing prediabetes is as simple as adopting a healthier lifestyle.

About 84 million adults in the U.S., more than 1 out of 3, have prediabetes. Ninety percent of people with prediabetes don’t know they have it. If left untreated, prediabetes can lead to type 2 diabetes. Put simply: it’s smart to take precautionary steps to avoid prediabetes and type 2 diabetes.

Being diagnosed with prediabetes means your blood glucose levels are above normal, but not quite high enough to be considered diabetic. There are several risk factors associated with prediabetes and type 2 diabetes, which include: being overweight, living a sedentary lifestyle, having a family history of diabetes or heart disease, battling high blood pressure or cholesterol and being older than 45.

There are several simple changes you can adopt to prevent prediabetes:

LOSE WEIGHT: Even a loss of 5–7% of body weight can make a drastic impact on your risk of developing prediabetes and type 2 diabetes.
EXERCISE: Participate in regular physical activity to lower risks for prediabetes.
EAT HEALTHY: Cut out sodium-heavy restaurant and processed foods, and replace with fresh produce and lean proteins.
QUIT SMOKING: People who smoke have a 30 – 40 percent higher risk of diabetes than non-smokers. Smoking is known to increase inflammation and oxidative stress in the body, both of which damages cells and interferes with proper cell function (which can contribute to developing diabetes).

Being consistent with lifestyle changes is a gift to your health. Make proactive choices that will help you stay motivated and be sure to actively solve any problems that interfere with your goals.