Risk reduction | Dietary rules | Useful rules | Diabetes Prevention
As with any other disease, it’s better to prevent diabetes than to treat it. In this article you will find some tips on how to prevent the development of the disease, even if you are at risk.
Treatment for diabetes is a long and ongoing process. A diabetic should control the level of glucose in the blood, as well as constantly monitor their diet.
Diabetes risk reduction
It must be remembered that diabetes is an incurable disease and the only treatment available is insulin injections (type 1 diabetes) or a very strict diet for a diabetic (type 2 diabetes). And this must be followed throughout life.
Therefore, it is important to minimize the risk of developing diabetes.
Dietary rules for diabetes
- A healthy diet is essential to reduce the risk of diabetes. A balanced diet should, first of all, contain a minimum of fats and sugars.
- Most patients with diabetes also suffer from obesity. If you maintain weight appropriate for age and height, this will significantly reduce the risk of illness.
- Increase the amount of fruits and vegetables in the diet. They contain vitamins and minerals, as well as the so-called flavonoids (dyes and antioxidants). Flavonoids are considered stimulants of insulin production. In addition, they block the process of glucose “sticking” to proteins (glycation). In diabetes mellitus, this process intensifies and leads to cell aging.
Fruits and vegetables contain flavonoids which stimulate the insulin production.
- Tobacco smoking is one of the significant factors increasing the likelihood of cardiovascular disease. In this regard, it is recommended to stop smoking tobacco products in order to prevent diabetes.
- When buying foods without sugar, carefully read the information on the packaging. Instead of sugar, they may contain sweeteners that are not very good for your health. One of them is sorbitol, which in too large quantities can settle in the tissues and destroy them. This is manifested by diseases such as: diabetic retinopathy (damage to the retina), cataracts, sensory neuropathy (inflammation of the peripheral nerves).
Other useful rules for diabetes
- Study your family history of diabetes. If one or more relatives are sick in your family, your risk of developing diabetes is significantly increased.
- Of great importance is physical activity. Regular walks will not let you gain too much weight. Regular exercise improves blood circulation and oxygen saturation, which has a positive effect on health. This step is especially important if you have a genetic predisposition to diabetes.
- After 45 years of age, it is necessary to regularly check blood glucose levels. If you are at risk, such checks should begin earlier.
- Diabetes mellitus often affects people with hypertension. Therefore, regularly measure your blood pressure.
Diabetes Prevention
One of the factors causing the development of diabetes is an unbalanced diet. Eating foods that slowly increase blood sugar can lead to the fact that we can protect our body from this formidable disease.
In this regard, it is best to choose special products for diabetics, these should be products with a low glycemic index, and, therefore, with the gradual release of sugar, which will satisfy your appetite for a long time.
A relatively quick diagnosis of the disease and the selection of appropriate treatment are also important. Thanks to this action, we can take control of the disease.
The first symptoms of diabetes should not be neglected!
Therefore, the first symptoms of diabetes should not be neglected, which include recurrent infections, fatigue, drowsiness, constipation, increased appetite, weight loss or problems with concentration. In case of their occurrence, a visit to the doctor and laboratory studies are required. After a diagnosis of diabetes is established, it is also necessary to follow the doctor’s recommendations, which relate not only to a diet for diabetics, but also to increase physical activity and self-monitoring.