The Power Of Prevention
The high prevalence of adult obesity in America, which is now around 35%, is largely to blame for the prediabetes epidemic, says Dr. Ganda. But if your blood sugar is on the high side, you don’t need to make drastic changes to see improvements. The Diabetes Prevention Program, a landmark study published 15 years ago, showed that cutting out 150 calories per day and walking briskly for 30 minutes, five days a week, cut the risk of developing diabetes by more than half . You should also avoid refined carbohydrates, such as white rice, foods made with white flour, and sugary treats like desserts and sodas. Losing weight is ideal but not absolutely mandatory.
“I tell my patients, don’t be disheartened if you don’t lose weight,” says Dr. Ganda. If you keep exercising regularly, even if your weight doesn’t change, your body composition will change. Losing fat and gaining muscle will improve your response to insulin, as will the exercise itself. “Think of doing exercise as having a little bit of extra insulin on board,” he says.
Is 101 Blood Sugar Considered Pre
In general, a blood sugar level between 70 and 100 mg/dL is considered normal, while a level below 70 mg/dL is considered low and a level above 100 mg/dL is considered slightly elevated.
It is important to keep in mind that a single blood sugar reading is not necessarily indicative of a person’s overall blood sugar control. To get a better understanding of a person’s blood sugar control, it is generally recommended to measure blood sugar levels over time using a continuous glucose monitor or by performing multiple blood sugar tests throughout the day.
In general, a blood sugar level of 101 mg/dL after a 9-hour fast is borderline. Pre-diabetes is generally defined as a blood sugar level that is higher than normal but not high enough to be classified as diabetes. The American Diabetes Association defines pre-diabetes as a fasting blood sugar level between 100 and 125 mg/dL, or a blood sugar level of 140-199 mg/dL two hours after a glucose tolerance test. If a person’s blood sugar levels are consistently in this range, they may be at an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
A blood sugar level of 101 mg/dL is considered slightly higher than a level of 100 mg/dL, and this small difference could potentially have an impact on a person’s risk of developing complications related to diabetes or other health conditions. At this point it’s most important to monitor it and make lifestyle modifications like diet and exercise to be sure you maintain optimal health
Why Do People Develop Prediabetes
Prediabetes develops through a combination of factors that are still being investigated. Lifestyle factors, such as food, exercise, stress, and sleep play a role, as do aging, family history and even genetics. Prediabetes is not simply the result of high body weight though obesity is one underlying cause of insulin resistance. Many individuals with excess weight may never develop prediabetes or type 2 diabetes, while some people with prediabetes never have excess weight.
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Living With Type 1 Diabetes:
Life with type 1 diabetes poses lifelong challenges for every member of the family.
People with type 1 diabetes should:
- Test blood glucose levels three or more times per day and adjust their insulin through injections or an insulin pump.
- Ensure insulin doses are balanced with food intake and level of daily activity. People with type 1 diabetes may experience low and high blood sugar levels, which should be carefully monitored and managed.
While living with type 1 diabetes requires a certain amount of daily structure, newer pumps and insulin products have provided more flexibility in the management of this condition.
A healthcare provider can provide advice to help properly manage blood glucose levels.
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Ive Been Diagnosed With Prediabetes What Does That Mean
If you’ve been diagnosed with prediabetes, it means your blood sugar levels are not high enough to be classified as Type 2 diabetes, but are high enough to indicate a need for change.
A normal fasting blood sugar level is below 100 whereas, the level of a person with prediabetes is between 100 and 126. Once levels have surpassed 126, it’s classified as Type 2 diabetes. This indicates that the body resists insulin or doesn’t produce enough of it to maintain normal blood sugar levels. Other names used for prediabetes are impaired fasting glucose, glucose tolerance, impaired glucose tolerance and borderline diabetes.
Foods high in carbohydrates raise blood sugar more than other foods. During digestion, the pancreas produces insulin, which then binds the sugar in the blood and takes it into cells as a source of energy. If you have prediabetes, sugar begins to build up in the bloodstream rather than fuel the cells. This is when insulin resistance occurs, which is believed to be the No. 1 cause of prediabetes.
A healthy weight allows insulin to work more efficiently and can help to keep blood sugars within a normal range. A healthy diet and regular exercise are the best ways to help bring your blood sugar levels back to a healthy range.
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How Does It Function
Blood Sugar Blaster contains vitamins, minerals, and herbal extracts that help diabetics and pre-diabetics maintain appropriate blood sugar levels. According to Vitality Nutrition, their solution especially addresses three enemies of diabetes. Diabetes or pre-diabetes may cause a fatty liver, poor beta cell synthesis, and hyperactive lipids, among other problems.
Overactive Lipids: According to Vitality Nutrition, diabetics have hyperactive lipids that hijack the pancreas. This may raise ones cholesterol and impair insulin synthesis in the pancreas. It becomes more difficult for the organs to function as one acquires weight. Whereas the overactive lipids exacerbate the situation.
Fatty Liver: Overactive lipids may have an impact on more than just the pancreas. They may also have an impact on ones liver. If a person has a fatty liver, fat has accumulated inside the liver, making it harder for it to function properly. Many diabetics have non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, which may impair the organs performance. The liver is required to filter pollutants and plays an important function in health and fitness.
Low Beta Cell Production: Studies suggest that having high blood sugar levels all the time may lead to poor beta cell function, also known as beta-cell turnover or beta turnout. Because insulin is produced by beta cells in the pancreas, low beta cell production may exacerbate diabetic symptoms. Diabetics may produce fewer beta cells than non-diabetics.
Causes Of Low Blood Sugar
There are many reasons why you may have low blood sugar, including:
- Taking too much insulin.
- Not eating enough carbs for how much insulin you take.
- Timing of when you take your insulin.
- The amount and timing of physical activity.
- Drinking alcohol.
- How much fat, protein, and fiber are in your meal.
- Hot and humid weather.
- Unexpected changes in your schedule.
- Spending time at a high altitude.
- Going through puberty.
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Sugar Plum Fairies Or Blood Sugar Scaries How To Stay Balanced During The Holidays
Parties, cookie swaps, walks in the park sipping hot cocoa, champagne toasts, hosting family from out of town and cooking special meals for a hungry crowd Yes, its that time of year! No matter what you choose to celebrate during the holiday season, you likely encounter at least one of these scenarios from November to January. It is a wonderful, emotional, chaotic time all rolled into one.
With all that activity and buzz in the air, its easy to prioritize everything BUT our own health. Well, Im here to tell you that this is exactly the time of year when we all need to prioritize health the most! Not least of all because our immune systems are being tested everyday by stress, indulgent treats and circulating viruses. Luckily, its possible to accomplish all you want to do, enjoy the season to the fullest AND stay healthy. I know this because there was a time in my life when a little holiday indulgence could have been a life or death choice I was diagnosed with pre-diabetes at age 40.
Disclaimer: I am not a doctor and the following is not professional medical advice. I am speaking from my personal experience as a plant-based food expert and former pre-diabetic. The choices I have made wont have the same results for other people.
Read on to learn about some of the habits I incorporate into my life during the festive season to keep my blood sugar balanced and my body feeling great!
What Are Clinical Trials And Are They Right For You
Clinical trials are part of clinical research and at the heart of all medical advances. Clinical trials look at new ways to prevent, detect, or treat disease. Researchers also use clinical trials to look at other aspects of care, such as improving the quality of life for people with chronic illnesses. Find out if clinical trials are right for you.
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What Is Prediabetes
Prediabetes is when your blood sugar level is higher than it should be but not high enough for your doctor to diagnose diabetes. They might call it impaired fasting glucose or impaired glucose tolerance.
People with type 2 diabetes almost always had prediabetes first. But it doesnât usually cause symptoms. About 84 million people over age 20 in the U.S. have prediabetes, but 90% donât know that they have it.
Prediabetes treatment can prevent more serious health problems, including type 2 diabetes and problems with your heart, blood vessels, eyes, and kidneys.
Is It An Emergency
If you or someone in your care has chest pains, difficulty breathing, or severe bleeding, it could be a life-threatening emergency. Call 9-1-1 or the local emergency number immediately.
If you are concerned about a possible poisoning or exposure to a toxic substance, call Poison Control now at 1-800-567-8911.
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Does Coffee Raise Blood Sugar
Coffee by itself does not generally raise blood sugar levels. However, the added ingredients used in coffee can. Common additions like sugar, cream, flavored syrups, and some artificial sweeteners can all raise blood sugar levels if consumed in excessive amounts.
So if you add a lot of sugar or creamer to your coffee, you may experience a rise in your blood sugar. Also, some individuals may be sensitive to the natural properties of coffee which can cause a slight rise in blood sugar levels as well.
Ultimately, depending on what additions you make to your coffee and your individual sensitivity to caffeine or other compounds in coffee, you may experience a rise in your blood sugar.
Choose The Healthiest Forms Of Protein
What is considered good quality protein? This can be confusing at times, but source and quality are crucial if you choose to increase your protein intake, especially with animal protein!
As mentioned above, sources of high-quality protein in your diet should include:
- Grass-fed beef in your area that can provide good quality, local meat options)
- Nuts and seeds.
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How Can I Prevent Or Reverse Insulin Resistance And Prediabetes
Physical activity and losing weight if you need to may help your body respond better to insulin. Taking small steps, such as eating healthier foods and moving more to lose weight, can help reverse insulin resistance and prevent or delay type 2 diabetes in people with prediabetes.
The National Institutes of Health-funded research study, the Diabetes Prevention Program , showed that for people at high risk of developing diabetes, losing 5 to 7 percent of their starting weight helped reduce their chance of developing the disease.3 Thats 10 to 14 pounds for someone who weighs 200 pounds. People in the study lost weight by changing their diet and being more physically active.
The DPP also showed that taking metformin, a medicine used to treat diabetes, could delay diabetes. Metformin worked best for women with a history of gestational diabetes, younger adults, and people with obesity. Ask your doctor if metformin might be right for you.
Making a plan, tracking your progress, and getting support from your health care professional, family, and friends can help you make lifestyle changes that may prevent or reverse insulin resistance and prediabetes. You may be able to take part in a lifestyle change program as part of the National Diabetes Prevention Program.
What Are Normal Blood Sugar Levels
Physicians focus so much ondisease that we sometimes lose sight of whats healthy and normal. For instance, the American Diabetes Association defines tight control of diabetes to include sugar levels as high as 179 mg/dl when measured two hours after a meal. In contrast, young adults without diabetes two hours after a meal are usually in the range of 90 to 110 mg/dl . What are Normal Blood Sugar Levels? The following numbers refer to average blood sugar levels in venous plasma, as measured in a lab. Portable home glucose meters measure sugar in capillary whole blood. Many, but not all, meters in 2010 are calibrated to compare directly to venous plasma levels. Fasting blood sugar after a night of sleep and before breakfast: 85 mg/dl One hour after a meal: 110 mg/dl Two hours after a meal: 95 mg/dl Five hours after a meal: 85 mg/dl Ranges of blood sugar for healthy non-diabetic adults: Fasting blood sugar: 7090 mg/dl One hour after a typical meal: 90125 mg/dl Two hours after a typical meal: 90110 mg/dl Five hours after a typical meal: 7090 mg/dl * Blood sugars tend to be a bit lower in pregnant women. What Level of Blood Sugar Defines Diabetes and Prediabetes? According to the 2007 guidelines issued by the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists: Pre-diabetes: : fasting blood sugar 100125 mg/dl Pre-diabetes: : blood sugar 140199 mg/dl two hours after ingesting 75 grams of glucoseContinue reading > >
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What To Know About Diabetic Macular Edema
Fiber plays a preventative role, too. Studies have found that high-fiber diets can reduce the incidence of type 2 diabetes by 15 to 19 percent compared to low-fiber diets, according to a March 2018 study published in the Journal of Chiropractic Medicine.
Youll find fiber in plant foods such as raspberries, peas, and whole grains, according to the Mayo Clinic. Beans are another good source of fiber. People with type 2 diabetes who ate at least a cup of legumes daily for three months had lower blood glucose levels as measured by the A1C test, according to a study published in the Archives of Internal Medicine. Beans also are an excellent source of folate, which is linked to a lower risk of cardiovascular disease, a common diabetes complication, according to the National Institutes of Health.
Men should aim for 30 to 38 g of fiber per day, and women should eat 21 to 25 g per day, according to the Mayo Clinic.
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What Foods Should Pre Diabetics Stay Away From
Pre-diabetics should avoid foods and drinks that are high in sugar and are processed, as well as foods and drinks that are high in saturated and trans fats. To improve their overall health and try to prevent diabetes, pre-diabetics should focus on eating primarily fresh produce, lean proteins and whole grains.
Eating mostly plant-based foods and limiting processed and packaged foods is a good way to ensure that the diet is balanced, nutritious and beneficial for diabetes-prevention.
Foods to avoid for pre-diabetics include: sodas and other sweetened beverages, white bread and other refined grains, fried and processed snack foods, high-fat meat products, cakes and other baked goods, candy and ice cream, as well as full-fat cheese and yogurt.
Eating whole grains instead of refined grains, limiting red and processed meat, incorporating healthy fats like olive oil, fish and avocados, and avoiding sugar-sweetened beverages are all great ways to help pre-diabetics manage their blood sugar levels and reduce their risk of developing diabetes.
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Why Might Blood Sugar Rise And Cause Prediabetes
Many factors can contribute to insulin resistance and an eventual increase in blood sugar levels and prediabetes. Some factors are genetic and you cannot change them. They include:
- Being over age 45 years.
- Being of certain ethnic backgrounds, such as African American, Latino, Native American, or certain Asian American groups.
- Having a family history of type 2 diabetes.
- Having heart disease or a history of stroke.
Other factors are related to lifestyle, and you can modify them. They include:
- Being overweight or obese.
- Not getting enough exercise or physical activity.
- Not getting enough sleep.
Who Is At Risk For Prediabetes
About 1 out of every 3 adults has prediabetes. It is more common in people who:
- Are overweight or have obesity
- Are age 45 or older
- Have a parent, brother, or sister with diabetes
- Are African American, Alaska Native, American Indian, Asian American, Hispanic/Latino, Native Hawaiian, or Pacific Islander American
- Are not physically active
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How To Lower Blood Sugar In Prediabetes
Now what? What should you do if you have prediabetes or risk factors for it? After getting tested, you have the choice. You can choose to take action and delay or prevent type 2 diabetes, or you can choose not to take action, and almost certainly get type 2 diabetes within years.
The great news is that “taking action” is not so hard! Most people with prediabetes can lower their blood sugar levels without taking medications. You can lower your risk for diabetes by over 50% with modest weight loss and regular moderate-intensity physical activity, such as brisk walking most days of the week.
Do you need help losing weight and getting active? Would you like motivation, tips for healthy eating and healthy behavior change, and personal coaching? Lark digital Diabetes Prevention Program offers 24/7 customized coaching via your smartphone, and it may be available to you for free through your health insurance plan.