Disarming Prediabetes…Naturally!

Did you know that 38% of people living in the U.S. have prediabetes? Of these, only 19% have received a diagnosis from a healthcare provider. That means that half of Americans living with prediabetes are unaware they have it. The reason is that prediabetes usually does not have any signs or symptoms. This is dangerous because if it’s not caught early, it can lead to Type 2 diabetes.

Prediabetes is when your blood sugar levels are higher than normal, but not quite high enough for a diagnosis of diabetes. A person whose fasting blood sugar level is between 100 and 125 mg/dL would be diagnosed with prediabetes. The CDC recommends all adults over the age of 35, and adults under 35 with certain risk factors, be screened regularly by their doctor.

Medically speaking, prediabetes is caused by insulin resistance. This means that a person’s cells are not responsive to insulin, which normally helps cells process sugars. When the cells cannot process sugar properly, blood sugar spikes. If allowed to progress, a person’s blood sugar levels will eventually be high enough to qualify as diabetes.

Risk Factors

Not everyone is at equal risk of developing prediabetes. People over age 45, those with a family history of prediabetes or diabetes, those who have had gestational diabetes, and members of racial minorities are at a higher risk. However, these factors alone do not cause prediabetes. Lifestyle has a major impact on risk, too. Lifestyle habits can be learned from your family, social environment, and through your culture. They can also be learned intentionally by speaking with healthcare professionals and doing research from reputable sources. To prevent or reverse prediabetes, it’s important to make healthy lifestyle choices, particularly about diet and exercise.

Prevention, Treatment, and Reversal

Luckily, prediabetes is preventable, and if you are diagnosed with it, reversible in many cases. Focusing on a balanced, varied diet has a big impact on your metabolic health. Aim for at least 80% of your nutritional intake to come from whole, unprocessed plant foods. Try adding more fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, and seeds to your diet.

Get at least 2.5 hours of moderate to strenuous exercise per week. Being overweight can lead to insulin resistance, prediabetes, and diabetes. Exercise will help you lose weight and improve your metabolic health. Swimming, biking, running, and brisk walking are all great forms of exercise.

Antioxidants and Omega-3 fats are associated with lower and more stable blood sugar levels. Many foods contain these nutrients, and they can also be found in supplements. They can both be purchased at our online store.

Learn More

Dr. Opoku’s most recent video on his YouTube channel, Genesis Protocols, is all about prediabetes – what it is, how to prevent it, and how to reverse it. Watch it below.

If you’re curious about other ways you can promote your wellness, give us a call at (860) 829-0707, or drop by our office at1263 Berlin Turnpike Unit B Berlin, Connecticut.

Sources: CDC, Mayo Clinic