The Importance of Identifying and Managing Pre-Diabetes
Pre-diabetes is a condition where blood sugar levels are higher than normal but not high enough to be classified as diabetes. It affects around 84 million people in the United States, yet many are unaware they have it. If left untreated, pre-diabetes can lead to type 2 diabetes which can cause serious health problems such as heart disease, stroke, and kidney failure.
Identifying Pre-Diabetes
It’s important for individuals to know if they have pre-diabetes so that they can take steps towards preventing or delaying the onset of type 2 diabetes. The American Diabetes Association recommends that adults over the age of 45 should get tested every three years for pre-diabetes. However, those who are overweight or obese with a family history of diabetes should get tested earlier and more frequently.
The most common test used to identify pre-diabetes is the A1C test which measures average blood sugar levels over the past two to three months. An A1C level between 5.7% and 6.4% indicates pre-diabetes while an A1C level above 6.5% indicates diabetes.
Managing Pre-Diabetes
Once diagnosed with pre-diabetes, individuals can take action to manage their condition through lifestyle changes such as losing weight, exercising regularly, and eating a healthy diet low in processed foods and added sugars.
Research has shown that even modest weight loss (around five percent) can significantly reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes by up to fifty-eight percent [1]. Exercise also plays an important role in managing pre-diabetes by improving insulin sensitivity which helps regulate blood sugar levels [2].
A healthy diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins such as fish or chicken breast without skin along with plant-based protein sources like beans and lentils help maintain stable blood glucose levels [3]. Limiting intake of sugary drinks and processed foods can also help prevent pre-diabetes from progressing to type 2 diabetes.
Future Advances
Research into new treatments for pre-diabetes is ongoing. One promising avenue is the use of medications such as metformin which has been shown to reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes by up to thirty-one percent [4]. However, medication should not be seen as a substitute for lifestyle changes but rather an addition in some cases.
Another area of research is the development of personalized nutrition plans that take into account an individual’s unique genetic makeup and other factors such as gut microbiome composition [5]. This could potentially lead to more effective dietary interventions tailored specifically for each person with pre-diabetes.
In conclusion, identifying and managing pre-diabetes is crucial in preventing or delaying the onset of type 2 diabetes. By making simple lifestyle changes such as losing weight, exercising regularly, and eating a healthy diet low in processed foods and added sugars, individuals can significantly reduce their risk. Ongoing research into new treatments offers hope for even more effective ways to manage this condition in the future.
References:
[1] Diabetes Prevention Program Research Group. Reduction in the incidence of Type 2 Diabetes with Lifestyle Intervention or Metformin. N Engl J Med (2002) vol.346 (6) pp.393-403.
[2] Colberg SR et al., Physical Activity/Exercise and Diabetes: A Position Statement From the American Diabetes Association.Diabetes Care2016;39:2065–2079
[3] Franz MJ et al., Evidence-Based Nutrition Principles and Recommendations for the Treatment and PreventionofDiabetesandRelatedComplications.DiabCare2003;26(Suppl1):S51–S61
[4] Knowler WC et al., Reduction intheIncidenceofType2DiabetesthroughLifestyleModificationorMetforminUseinthediabetespreventionprogram.NEnglJMed2002;346:393–403
[5] Nielsen, Jørgen & Ritz, Christian & Holst, Jens & Astrup, Arne. (2014). Effect of Antimicrobial Agents on the Gut Microbiota and How to Use Them in Practice. International Journal of Obesity Supplements. 4(S1). S8-S13. 10.1038/ijosup.2014.3
*Note: this site does not provide medical opinions or diagnosis and should not be relied upon instead of receiving medical attention from a licensed medical professional.
