Approximately 10% of people have diabetes, creating excess blood sugar and health complications. It is easier to prevent it than to live with it.
What Is Diabetes?
Whenever you eat sugar your body produces a substance called insulin. This substance allows the conversion of the sugar you eat into glucose, which is essential for powering your body. It also ensures the glucose can enter your cells.
When insulin production goes wrong the insulin can no longer help glucose move into cells, allowing your blood sugar levels to build up. If this issue is not treated the high levels of sugar will damage the blood vessels inside your body, leading to a decrease in blood supply to your essential organs.
This can lead to an array of further complications:
- Heart disease
- Stroke
- Kidney failure
- Problems with vision
- Alzheimer’s
- Nerve damage
- Skin complaint
- Depression
Common Symptoms
There are several key symptoms that suggest you have diabetes. If you start experiencing any of these it is worth getting yourself checked by a medical professional. The earlier diabetes is diagnosed the easier it is to deal with and the lower the risk of complications.
Common symptoms include:
- Tiredness –despite having plenty of sugar in your bloodstream
- Weight loss
- Excessive hunger and thirst
- Need to urinate often
- Vision goes blurry
- Regular skin infections
Preventing Diabetes From Occurring
You should note there are two types of diabetes, type 1 is the result of your genes and possibly the environment. You have little control over whether you will contract type 1 diabetes.
Type 2 is caused by your body becoming resistant to insulin. Initially, you will produce more insulin to overcome the issue. But, over time this will cease to be effective. Scientists believe genes play a part in type 2 diabetes but there is a strong link to weight.
In short, the more overweight you are the more likely it is that you will get type 2 diabetes.
That’s why you need to take steps today to prevent diabetes from developing.
Take A Test
It is possible to take a blood test at your doctor’s or to purchase your own test to be used at home. If you are already overweight or concerned about diabetes it is worth getting a tester and monitoring your blood sugar levels.
If your blood sugar levels are constantly high you will want to book an appointment with your doctor.
Review Your Diet
Perhaps the most important step in preventing diabetes is simply changing your diet. The modern western diet revolves around processed foods. Quick meals are available in supermarkets, there are takeaway establishments on every corner, and an array of fast-food restaurants.
Unfortunately, all these processed foods are high in sugar and salts, which are not good for your health. In short, they will increase your likelihood of contracting type 2 diabetes.
The good news is that you can prevent this by changing what you eat. Reduce your takeaway food and eating out experiences to once a week. Alongside this skip the processed foods and start preparing your own meals.
You should focus on whole foods, including plenty of fruit and vegetables, lean meat, ad low-fat dairy. It is also important to avoid overeating.
Increase Your Exercise levels
While the food you eat is the essential element to reducing the risk of diabetes, increasing your exercise levels will help. Exercise is anything that elevates your heart rate and gets you breathing fast. You should aim for at least 150 minutes per week of exercise.
It won’t just reduce your risk of diabetes, it will leave you feeling healthier and more energetic.
Final Thoughts
Diabetes affects millions of people and yet it can be easily prevented. All you have to do is think about what you are eating and exercise a little more. It is surprising how quickly this will make a difference.
Team
