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Diabetes prevention: 5 tips for taking control
Changing your lifestyle could be a big step toward diabetes prevention — and it's never too late to start. Consider these tips.
By Mayo Clinic staffWhen it comes to type 2 diabetes — the most common type of diabetes — prevention is a big deal. It's especially important to make diabetes prevention a priority if you're at increased risk of diabetes, for example, if you're overweight or have a family history of the disease.
Diabetes prevention is as basic as eating more healthfully, becoming more physically active and losing a few extra pounds — and it's never too late to start. Making a few simple changes in your lifestyle now may help you avoid the serious health complications of diabetes down the road, such as nerve, kidney and heart damage. Consider the latest diabetes prevention tips from the American Diabetes Association.
Tip 1: Get more physical activity
There are many benefits to regular physical activity. Exercise can help you:
- Lose weight
- Lower your blood sugar
- Boosts your sensitivity to insulin — which helps keep your blood sugar within a normal range
Research shows that both aerobic exercise and resistance training can help control diabetes, but the greatest benefit comes from a fitness program that includes both.
Tip 2: Get plenty of fiber
It's rough, it's tough — and it may help you:
- Reduce your risk of diabetes by improving your blood sugar control
- Lower your risk of heart disease
- Promote weight loss by helping you feel full
Foods high in fiber include fruits, vegetables, beans, whole grains, nuts and seeds.
Tip 3: Go for whole grains
Although it's not clear why, whole grains may reduce your risk of diabetes and help maintain blood sugar levels. Try to make at least half your grains whole grains. Many foods made from whole grains come ready to eat, including various breads, pasta products and many cereals. Look for the word "whole" on the package and among the first few items in the ingredient list.
Next page(1 of 2)
- Diabetes statistics. American Diabetes Association. http://www.diabetes.org/diabetes-basics/diabetes-statistics/. Accessed July 26, 2010.
- What I need to know about physical activity and diabetes. National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse. http://diabetes.niddk.nih.gov/dm/pubs/physical_ez/. Accessed July 26, 2010.
- Whole grains and fiber. American Heart Association. http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=4574. Accessed July 26, 2010.
- American Diabetes Association. Nutrition recommendations and interventions for diabetes: A position statement of the American Diabetes Association. Diabetes Care. 2008;31(suppl):S61.
- Horton ES. Effects of lifestyle changes to reduce risks of diabetes and associated cardiovascular risks: Results from large scale efficacy trials. Obesity. 2009;17(suppl):S43.
- Healthy weight loss. American Diabetes Association. http://www.diabetes.org/food-and-fitness/fitness/weight-loss/healthy-weight-loss.html. Accessed July 26, 2010.
- How to prevent pre-diabetes. American Diabetes Association. http://www.diabetes.org/diabetes-basics/prevention/pre-diabetes/how-to-prevent-pre-diabetes.html. Accessed July 26, 2010.
- Frequently asked questions about pre-diabetes. American Diabetes Association. http://www.diabetes.org/pre-diabetes/faq.jsp. Accessed July 26, 2010.
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