Page 28 - new-2018-11

Diabetes prevention
===========================================
BY BRENDA JOHNSON
Type 2 diabetes, once called adult-onset diabetes, is affecting an ever-growing number of adults. More than 29 million Ameri- cans have diabetes; of those, about 6 million don’t know they have the disease. If the spread of Type 2 diabetes continues at its present rate, the number of individuals diagnosed with diabetes in the United States will increase from about 16 million in 2005 to 48 million in 2050.
WHAT IS DIABETES?
Our cells depend on glucose (a simple sugar) for most of their energy needs. Normally the food we eat is converted into glucose and absorbed into the bloodstream causing a rise in blood sugar. This rise in blood sugar signals the pancreas to make and release insulin. Insulin gives a command to cells to take up glucose from our bloodstream. Without insulin, glucose floats around the bloodstream unable to be utilized by our cells for their energy needs.
Diabetes occurs when the body can’t make enough insulin or prop- erly use the insulin it makes. Without insulin our body is unable to use glucose. There are two forms of diabetes:
• Type 1 diabetes. Once called juvenile-onset, or insulin-depen- dent, diabetes. Occurs when the immune system attacks and permanently disables the insulin-making cells in the pancreas.
• Type 2 diabetes. Once called adult-onset diabetes. Type 2 diabetes progresses over time. It begins when our cells stop responding to insulin’s signal to take up glucose. Our body responds by making more and more insulin, essentially trying to push glucose into our cells. As a result, glucose builds up in our blood, never fulfilling its role as the body’s main source of fuel.
Before an individual develops Type 2 diabetes, they usually have prediabetes. In 2012, 86 million Americans age 20 and older had prediabetes; this is up from 79 million in 2010. There are no clear symptoms of prediabetes so people may have it and not know. Indi- viduals usually find out they have prediabetes when being tested for diabetes. People with blood glucose levels that are higher than normal but not yet in the diabetic range have prediabetes. Results indicating prediabetes are:
• An A1C of 5.7 percent – 6.4 percent
• Fasting blood glucose of 100 – 125 mg/dl
If you have prediabetes, you have a higher risk of developing Type 2 diabetes.
28 Nature’s Pathways® | November 2018
"Think of prediabetes like the ‘check engine’ light in your car. It signals there is a problem, but if you take action, you can prevent further damage."
PREVENTING DIABETES THROUGH
LIFESTYLE CHANGES
The good news is that you can prevent the onset of Type 2 diabetes. If you have been diagnosed with prediabetes, that doesn’t mean you will automatically develop Type 2 diabetes. The most important thing you can do is take immediate action once you receive a diagnosis. Iden- tification and awareness of prediabetes is an important initial step.
Think of prediabetes like the “check engine” light in your car. It signals there is a problem, but if you take action, you can prevent further damage. Research shows that you can lower your risk of developing Type 2 diabetes by 58 percent by:
• Losing 7 percent of your body weight (about 15 pounds if you weigh 200 pounds).
• Exercising moderately (such as brisk walking) 30 minutes a day, five days a week.
Change can be hard and doesn’t happen overnight. Results from the changes we make happen gradually. Start by making one small change in your nutrition and activity level each day. Replace one sweetened beverage with water. Take the steps instead of the elevator. These small changes can add up to positive results and have a lasting impact on your overall health and well-being.
Brenda Johnson is the Executive Director of the Heart of the Valley YMCA. She holds a B.S. in Exercise Science & Fitness Management and has worked in the health and wellness industry for over 22 years. As part of her role with the YMCA of the Fox Cities she helps lead initiatives around chronic disease prevention and management.
References: “National diabetes statistics report: estimates of diabetes and its burden in the United States, 2014.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Department of Health and Human Services. 2014.
“Diagnosing Diabetes and Learning About Prediabetes.” American Diabetes Asso- ciation. http://www.diabetes.org/diabetes-basics/diagnosis. 2016.
“Questions & Answers about the Diabetes Prevention Program Outcomes Study.” National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. https://www.niddk. nih.gov/news/for-reporters/diabetes-prevention-program-outcomes-study. 2008.
www.naturespathways.com