“How can I prevent diabetes?”
I have a family history of diabetes. I want to know if there is any way to prevent diabetes? A lot of people in my dad's side have diabetes.
4 Answers
If you are younger than 30, you may develop type 1 diabetes. There are some tests that can be done to see if you are at risk. If you are older than 30 and overweight, check the Hba1c to see if you fall in the pre-diabetes range. Weight gain and a BMI > 25 can put you at risk for developing diabetes type 2 with a positive family history. Exercise and avoid gaining weight.
By eating less and exercising more. Type 1 diabetes cannot be prevented yet.
Type 2 diabetes is the form of diabetes that is usually seen in families. Prevention (or delaying its appearance) is possible if individuals remain physically active with regular exercise and avoid becoming overweight. The American Diabetes Association suggests 150 minutes of exercise a week should be a goal. I recommend that breakfast be your largest meal with lunch midday a close second. Dinner (formerly known as supper) should be very light (salad, soup with crackers) . This will make it much easier to lose weight and shrink girth , which is a major risk factor for diabetes. See my article on CHRONONUTRITION in the November 2018 issue of Diabetes Spectrum.
Well you can't change your inheritance or a new family but there are environmental factors you can control. Eat right, exercise & keep your Wt. down to normal for your Ht. This may not prevent it (or it may) but at least following the guidelines can make the genes work better & the diabetes easier to control. Good Luck!
