Wednesday, November 23, 2011

Pre-diabetes --do you have it?

Has your doctor said you are borderline diabetes (also called pre-diabetes)?  57 million adults age 20 and older are pre-diabetics.  (When you consider the numbers:  57 million Americans are pre-diabetics and 23 million have diabetes, that’s a lot of Americans dealing with this illness).  

What do you know about pre-diabetes?  It’s borderline high blood sugar.  It means your blood sugar level is high but not high enough to be diagnosed with diabetes.  It means you are at increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes and its complications.  

Did you know that some lifestyle changes may help you avoid that diagnosis and the dangers of diabetes?  The experts at the National Diabetes Education Program use the word “prevent”.  They give three steps:  move more, choose healthy foods and begin a healthy lifestyle.  

  • Move more.  The recommended exercise is 30 minutes per day 5 days per week.  For those who haven’t been exercising, begin slowly and work with your doctor to incorporate exercise into your life style.
  • Healthy food means colorful fruits and vegetables, whole grains, lean meat and protein sources.
  • Make changes in your lifestyle which contribute to a healthier you.  Make new healthy habits. Work with your doctor to improve your health. 
More from the National Diabetes Education Program at http://www.ndep.nih.gov/publications/PublicationDetail.aspx?PubId=76

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