5 Natural Ways People With Prediabetes Can Lower Their Blood Sugar
Prediabetes occurs when your blood sugar levels are above normal but not elevated enough to be considered diabetes. People diagnosed with prediabetes are at increased risk of developing diabetes in the future, which is all the more reason to be as healthy as you can. Here are five natural ways to improve your blood sugar levels, and possibly lower your risk of developing full-blown diabetes: 1. Try Apple Cider Vinegar Apple cider vinegar has been shown to decrease fasting and post-meal blood sugar levels. It can be too bitter or potent alone, however, and some people report esophageal irritation when swallowing it. To make it more palatable, mix 2 teaspoons in 8 ounces of water and drink or use as a salad dressing. 2. Eat More High-Fiber Foods Foods that are high in fiber help keep blood sugar levels steady and eliminate big spikes and drops. Fiber also helps reduce insulin resistance and can decrease your risk of developing diabetes. Aim to get at least 25 to 30 grams of fiber per day from fresh, unprocessed, and seasonal foods. 3. Get More Sleep Inadequate or poor sleep makes the body less effective at using insulin. Aim to get at least seven to nine hours per night. If a good night's sleep is not possible during the week, make sure you are catching up over the weekend. A chronic lack of sleep can lead you to maek poor food choices and cause you to have imbalanced energy levels. 4. Take a Cinnamon Extract Supplement Cinnamon extract has also been shown to improve fasting blood sugars in those with both prediabetes and diabetes. But watch how you take the extract. Cinnamon-sugar cupcakes don’t count! A supplement is the best way to get pure cinnamon extract. 5. Eat Chromium-Rich Foods Chromium is essential to healthy cellular function and helps insulin function as it Continue reading >>
Pre Diabetes Symptoms
Here's a fact: Most people diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes had pre diabetes symptoms that if known, could have alerted them to make diet and lifestyle changes before their diagnosis. Most physicians only pay attention to fasting blood sugar when watching for diabetes. For instance, if a patient's blood sugar is between 110-125, mg/dL, it indicates prediabetes. But blood sugar results can test in normal ranges even as diabetes is developing. If people with a type 2 diabetes diagnosis knew ALL of the pre diabetic symptoms for which to watch, it could help them avoid being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. Prediabetes is defined medically as the state in which fasting blood sugar levels are higher than normal but not high enough to be classified as type 2 diabetes. Blood sugars in the prediabetic range (between 100 - 126 mg/dl) indicate insulin resistance is developing, and a metabolic syndrome diagnosis is more likely in the future. Insulin resistance (IR) is a condition in which chronically elevated blood sugar and insulin levels have resulted in an inability of body cells to respond to them normally. IR is the driving factor as insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome, prediabetes and diabetes are all linked together on a continuum. Pre Diabetes Symptoms: It's Not Just About Blood Sugar Medical information about pre diabetes comes from medical associations such as the American Diabetes Association. The ADA guidelines say that prediabetes is a function of a fasting blood sugar is between 100-125 mg/dl. However, I am convinced that signs of prediabetes can be spotted even when blood tests indicated blood sugars below 100 mg/dl. I saw this in my own life. Eight years ago, I had many of the pre diabetic symptoms listed below, but my fasting blood sugar was still classified as "n Continue reading >>
6 Foods To Eat When You Have Prediabetes
If you have prediabetes, you might be one step away from type-2 diabetes… What is prediabetes? It is a health condition where the blood sugar levels are constantly higher than normal, but not high enough to be classified as type-2 diabetes. If not treated, this can happen in less than 5 years. Prediabetes severely increases your risk of developing further health problems like heart disease and stroke. Luckily with the right lifestyle changes, dietary choices, weight loss, and a good physical exercise routine you can get your blood sugar levels back to normal. So how do I manage prediabetes..? Follow a good exercise routine You should be getting at least 30 minutes of exercise, 3 times a week. This does not mean you have to get an expensive gym membership; you can even just start off by walking. A good power-walk around the neighbourhood or along the beach is a great way to get your blood pumping and calories burning. Start slowly and work yourself up to where you are doing more intense exercise. You should also try to incorporate some weight-training into your workout routine. If you don’t want to go to the gym or even buy dumbbells to use at home, you can fill up some bottles to use as weights. You can use two 500ml bottles as weights when walking to exercise your arms at the same time or go up to bigger 5L bottles to use as a heavier weight. Follow a good diet The first place to start is to get to a healthy weight. You should treat prediabetes in the same way that you would treat type-2 diabetes. Following a diet that is low in carbohydrates and sugar is key. You want to maintain a balance of protein, fruits, and vegetables. Break up your meals into 6 or 7 smaller, balanced meals that you have every few hours so that you don’t get hungry between meals. This can Continue reading >>
20 Ways To Halt Pre-diabetes In Its Tracks
Learn how small changes in your daily routine may help ward off type 2 diabetes. Type 2 diabetes is a dangerous disease, and one that can be a challenge to manage. It can lead to heart and kidney disease, blindness and many other health conditions. Until a cure is found, people with the disease have to watch what they eat, measure their blood sugar and take medication each day. Am I at-risk? 86 million people in the U.S. have pre-diabetes, and even more are at-risk. Pre-diabetes is when blood glucose levels are above normal, but not high enough to be in the diabetic range. But, people with pre-diabetes are already at a higher risk for heart disease and other complications. You are at an increased risk for type 2 diabetes if you: Are overweight Exercise fewer than three times each week Have a family history of diabetes Are African-American, Hispanic, American-Indian or Pacific Islander Are older than 45 Had gestational diabetes (diabetes during pregnancy) Have high blood pressure or cholesterol Have a history of heart disease Small changes, big rewards Pre-diabetes and type 2 diabetes can often be prevented. And it does not require a complete overhaul of your lifestyle. Research shows that reducing your body weight by 5 percent to 10 percent – 10 to 20 pounds for someone who weighs 200 pounds – can cut your diabetes risk in half. Weight loss can also delay the onset of diabetes. Reduce your risk The key to stopping type 2 diabetes is to reach a healthy weight. And the trick to long-lasting weight loss is a healthy diet and regular exercise. Exercise Work up to 30 to 60 minutes of exercise most days of the week. Always check with your doctor before you start an exercise program. Consider these exercise tips to get started: Exercise does not have to happen all at once. Continue reading >>
22 Things Every Pre-diabetic Should Do To Avoid Diabetes
Are you dreaming off what should a pre-diabetic do to avoid diabetes, You should improve your body's resistance to insulin by adopting a insulin resistance diet, Most of us do not know diabetes is not a disease - it is a metabolic disorder, you can keep your body's metabolism in order by doing few things like loosing excess body weight & fat, keeping stress away and Eat healthy. I know What are you thinking now !! Every one say life style changes and diet are very important in managing or preventing diabetes,,, but no one says how to do it in simple steps Dont get upset in this article I will brief you what should a pre-diabetic do to avoid diabetes in 10 simple steps. If you are determined to keep diabetes far away from your life - Follow these steps, And if you are not motivated enough you should read this article How to Motivate yourself to fight against Diabetes just like Kamal Hassan, Halle Berry & Sonam Kapoor I think you are motivated enough now So let us See the - 22 things Every prediabetic should do Daily What should a prediabetic do to avoid Diabetes 1. Start your day with psyllium husk : This Word Psyllium Husk may sound new to you, But it is proven to fight constipation very well and also has blood sugar regulating properties and works well in lowering cholesterol levels. This psyllium husk is available in medical stores and also online. In India it is mostly available in the name of Isabgol . You can soak 4-5 grams of psyllium husk in 300 ml of water overnight and drink it in the morning. You can also take it with water. You need to understand one thing while you drink it in the morning it is in semi solid state so be careful it does not choke you. To avoid choking you should ensure water and psyllium husk ratio is appropriate as recommended. psyllium husk Continue reading >>
Water And Diabetes
Tweet As water contains no carbohydrate or calories, it is the perfect drink for people with diabetes. Studies have also shown that drinking water could help control blood glucose levels. Lowering blood glucose levels The bodies of people with diabetes require more fluid when blood glucose levels are high. This can lead to the kidneys attempting to excrete excess sugar through urine. Water will not raise blood glucose levels, which is why it is so beneficial to drink when people with diabetes have high blood sugar, as it enables more glucose to be flushed out of the blood. Dehydration and diabetes Having high blood glucose levels can also increase the risk of dehydration, which is a risk for people with diabetes mellitus. People with diabetes insipidus also have a heightened dehydration risk, but this is not linked to high blood glucose levels. Diabetes mellitus Drinking water helps to rehydrate the blood when the body tries to remove excess glucose through urine. Otherwise, the body may draw on other sources of available water, such as saliva and tears. If water access is limited, glucose may not be passed out of the urine, leading to further dehydration. Diabetes insipidus Diabetes inspidus is not associated with high blood glucose levels, but leads to the body producing a large amount of urine. This can leave people regularly feeling thirsty, and at a higher risk of dehydration. Increasing how much water you drink can ease these symptoms, and you may be advised to drink a specific amount of water a day by your doctor. Read more on dehydration and diabetes How much water should we drink? The European Food Safety Authority advises that we take in the following quantities of water on average each day: Women: 1.6 litres - around eight 200ml glasses per day Men: 2 litres Continue reading >>
Drinking More Water May Prevent Prediabetes
You’re hot and sweaty. What do you drink to quench your thirst? 1. Gatorade, 2. Soda, 3. Iced tea, 4. Beer, or 5. Water If you answered water, you chose the healthiest beverage. No-calorie water keeps you hydrated, cushions your joints, flushes out toxins and waste, and regulates your body temperature. But, the amount of water you drink may also help you keep your blood sugar in the normal range. The preliminary results of a nine-year French study involving 3,615 men and women with normal blood sugar levels showed that drinking at least 34 ounces of water a day cut the risk of developing high blood sugar by 21% compared to drinking just 16 ounces or less daily. The analysis took into account other risk factors for high blood sugar, including sex, age, weight, and physical activity, as well as drinking beer, sugary drinks, and wine. The French researchers investigated the link between the hormone vasopressin, which regulates water in the body, and the risk of developing prediabetes or type 2 diabetes after earlier research showed an association between them. The results of the new study confirmed an association between drinking more water and normal blood sugar. Participants in the new study were given health exams every three years, and completed a questionnaire asking how much water, wine, beer, cider, and sweet drinks they drank daily. Blood sugar levels were measured at the start of the study and about nine years later. Over the course of the study, 565 people developed prediabetes or type 2 diabetes. According to French researcher and professor Ronan Roussel, MD, PhD, the next step should be a study of individuals who say they don’t drink a lot of water with half agreeing to increase their water intake over a certain period. That would help confirm that drinking Continue reading >>
Preventing Pre-diabetes
Pre-diabetes is a serious medical condition that puts you at a higher risk for developing type 2 diabetes. Pre-diabetes is also very treatable, and if you have it, there is a good chance you can prevent or delay type 2 diabetes by making changes in your diet and increasing your level of physical activity. Type 2 Diabetes Type 2 diabetes occurs when your body does not produce or use enough insulin to be able to turn glucose into energy. Glucose is the sugar and starch that comes from the food you eat, which fuels your body. Insulin is a hormone that carries glucose from your blood into your cells. Without enough insulin, sugar builds up in your blood and can cause serious health problems. Pre-Diabetes Pre-diabetes is when your fasting blood glucose (blood sugar) level is above normal. To test for pre-diabetes, your doctor will take a sample of your blood after you have fasted overnight: Normal fasting glucose: 60 to 99 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dl) Pre-diabetes (impaired fasting glucose): 100 to 125 mg/dl Diabetes: 126 mg/dl or higher on 2 occasions Healthy Tips for Preventing Type 2 Diabetes If you have pre-diabetes, you should talk to your doctor about developing a lifestyle plan to reduce your risk of type 2 diabetes. The American Diabetes Association recommends increased physical activity and, if you are overweight, losing 5-10 percent of your body weight. Your doctor may also want you to take medication if you have a family history of diabetes, you are obese, or have other cardiovascular risk factors (high blood pressure, high cholesterol levels, or a history of heart disease). Below are tips to help you keep pre-diabetes from progressing to Type 2 diabetes: Exercise Every Day Since muscles use glucose for energy, activities like walking, bicycling, and gardening Continue reading >>
Drinking Water May Cut Risk Of High Blood Sugar
June 30, 2011 (San Diego) -- Drinking about four or more 8-ounce glasses of water a day may protect against the development of high blood sugar (hyperglycemia), French researchers report. In a study of 3,615 men and women with normal blood sugar levels at the start of the study, those who reported that they drank more than 34 ounces of water a day were 21% less likely to develop hyperglycemia over the next nine years than those who said they drank 16 ounces or less daily. The analysis took into account other factors that can affect the risk of high blood sugar, including sex, age, weight, and physical activity, as well as consumption of beer, sugary drinks, and wine. Still, the study doesn't prove cause and effect. People who drink more water could share some unmeasured factor that accounts for the association between drinking more water and lower risk of high blood sugar, says researcher Ronan Roussel, MD, PhD, professor of medicine at the Hospital Bichat in Paris. "But if confirmed, this is another good reason to drink plenty of water," he tells WebMD. The findings were presented here at the annual meeting of the American Diabetes Association. About 79 million Americans have prediabetes, a condition in which blood sugar levels are higher than normal but not high enough to result in a diagnosis of diabetes, according to the CDC. It raises the risk of developing type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and stroke. An additional 26 million have diabetes, the CDC says. Roussel notes that recent research indicates an association between the hormone vasopressin, which regulates water in the body, and diabetes. Despite the known influence of water intake on vasopressin secretion, no study has investigated a possible association between drinking water and risk of high blood sugar, he Continue reading >>
Symptoms, Diagnosis And Monitoring Of Pre-diabetes
How do I find out if I have pre-diabetes (or diabetes)? Understanding symptoms related to high blood sugar In addition to these tests, there are a number of symptoms that may be used to help diagnose diabetes, and people with pre-diabetes may already have one or more of these symptoms. However, many people with untreated pre-diabetes or diabetes have not yet had any of these symptoms. The tests mentioned above are the only way to know for sure. Symptoms can include: Unusually frequent urination Feeling very thirsty - even though you are getting plenty of water Feeling very hungry - even though you are eating Extreme fatigue Blurry vision Cuts/bruises that are slow to heal Tingling, pain, or numbness in the hands/feet If you are at risk, your healthcare provider will need to perform one of the following tests to determine whether you have pre-diabetes or diabetes. Blood Sugar Testing The ranges and targets given may be considered in combination or your healthcare provider may initially rely on a single method and may repeat the test to verify it. A1C (pronounced A-One-C) This test measures the average blood sugar over the past 2-3 months. A result over 5.7 indicates pre-diabetes, and a result over 6.5 indicates diabetes. Fasting Plasma Glucose (FPG) This test measures blood sugar after you've gone at least 8 hours without eating or drinking anything other than water. A result over 100 indicates pre-diabetes, and a result over 126 indicates diabetes. Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT) OGTT requires drinking a special sweet drink and comparing the blood sugar readings right before drinking and then again two hours after drinking it. A result over 140 indicates pre-diabetes, and a result over 200 indicates diabetes. How often should I be checked for improvement or decline? Continue reading >>
10 Warning Signs Of Pre-diabetes
Living a life free from disease and poor health can be a great thing, but when disease is around, it is easy to have bad thoughts towards the condition. Diabetes is a lifestyle disease of the metabolic profile in the body. It is characterized by the body’s inability to regulate sugar in the blood, which can cause energy issues and other problems. Pre-diabetes is a condition in which the name describes itself; it is not a disease, but it is a problem when blood sugar is borderline-high and almost to the point of being diagnosed as diabetes. The problem with pre-diabetes as a condition is that it is not very obvious and does not give off many signs or symptoms to suggest that something is not right in the body. With that said, listed below are 10 common signs and symptoms of pre-diabetes that you should pay attention to if you are at risk. The following warning signs might be something to follow and track to help improve your healthy lifestyle. 1. Increased Thirst Throughout the Day One of the most common symptoms of pre-diabetes is an increased desire to drink water during the day. Increased thirst is something that can easily be followed, tracked, and monitored. Be mindful that if you are more physically active and are drinking more water that this is common. Generally if you are not very active and are drinking near three liters per day, you might have high blood sugar. 2. Increased and Frequent Urination During the Day Some substances make our bodies void at a higher frequency, such as caffeine. However, if you have not had much caffeine and are still using the bathroom very frequently, there is a chance you are pre-diabetic. Frequent urination goes hand-in-hand with increased thirst and when there is more sugar in the blood, the body revs up its elimination process Continue reading >>
Shunning Water Linked To High Blood Sugar
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - People who drink less than a couple of glasses of water each day may be more likely to develop abnormally high blood sugar, a new study suggests. When someone's blood sugar levels are high, but not high enough to fit the definition of diabetes, doctors often consider that person to have "pre-diabetes" -- which puts them at risk of developing the disease itself. In the new study, adults who drank only half a liter of water -- about two glasses -- or less each day were more likely to develop blood sugar levels in the pre-diabetes range, versus people who drank more water. But whether simply drinking water will cut your risk of blood sugar problems is still up in the air. The findings show a correlation between water intake and blood sugar, but do not prove cause-and-effect, said senior researcher Lise Bankir, of the French national research institute INSERM. Still, it is plausible based on biology, Bankir told Reuters Health in an email. A hormone called vasopressin is the potential missing link, according to the researchers. Vasopressin -- also known as antidiuretic hormone -- helps regulate the body's water retention. When we are dehydrated, vasopressin levels go up, causing the kidneys to conserve water. But research suggests that higher vasopressin levels may also elevate blood sugar. There are vasopressin receptors in the liver, the organ responsible for producing glucose (sugar) in the body, Bankir explained. And one study found that injecting healthy people with vasopressin caused a temporary spike in blood sugar. "There are good arguments to suggest that there could be a real cause-and-effect relationship in the association we have found," Bankir said, "but this is not a proof." The findings are based on 3,615 French adults who were bet Continue reading >>
The Right Diet For Prediabetes
A prediabetes diagnosis can be alarming. This condition is marked by abnormally high blood sugar (glucose) most often due to insulin resistance. This is a condition in which the body doesn’t use insulin properly. It’s often a precursor to type 2 diabetes. According to the Mayo Clinic, people with prediabetes are more likely to develop type 2 diabetes within 10 years. With prediabetes, you may also be at risk of developing cardiovascular disease. However, a prediabetes diagnosis doesn’t mean you will definitely get type 2 diabetes. The key is early intervention; to get your blood sugar out of the prediabetes range. Your diet is important, and you need to know the right kind of foods to eat. How diet relates to prediabetes There are many factors that increase your risk for prediabetes. Genetics can play a role, especially if diabetes runs in your family. Excess body fat and a sedentary lifestyle are other potential risk factors. In prediabetes, sugar from food begins to build up in your bloodstream because insulin can’t easily move it into your cells. Eating carbohydrates doesn’t cause prediabetes. But a diet filled with carbohydrates that digest quickly can lead to blood sugar spikes. For most people with prediabetes, your body has a difficult time lowering blood sugar levels after meals. Avoiding blood sugar spikes can help. When you eat more calories than your body needs, they get stored as fat. This can cause you to gain weight. Body fat, especially around the belly, is linked to insulin resistance. This explains why many people with prediabetes are also overweight. You can’t control all risk factors for prediabetes, but some can be mitigated. Lifestyle changes can help you maintain balanced blood sugar levels as well as a healthy weight. Watch carbs with Continue reading >>
What Everyone Needs To Know About Prediabetes
By Leda Espinoza and Alexander Wolf Twitter summary: Prediabetes affects millions of Americans, costs billions of dollars, and increases risk of developing #t2 #diabetes. What to do about it? Many people have heard about type 2 diabetes, but its common precursor, prediabetes, doesn’t get as much attention. Prediabetes is estimated by CDC to affect 86 million Americans (51% of whom are 65 years and older), and an estimated 90% of people with prediabetes don’t even know it. According to the CDC, 15-30% of these individuals will develop type 2 diabetes within five years. In other words, as many as 26 million people that currently have prediabetes could develop type 2 diabetes by 2020, effectively doubling the number of people with type 2 diabetes in the US. Prediabetes is also expensive. A 2014 Diabetes Care study estimated that prediabetes costs $44 billion annually, a 74% increase over a five-year period. This learning curve provides an overview of prediabetes, outlining what it is, how it is diagnosed, how it is treated, and more. Prediabetes is an issue that affects our entire society and one that more and more people should be focused on. Table of Contents What are the symptoms of prediabetes? How is prediabetes diagnosed? What can people with prediabetes do to avoid the progression from prediabetes to type 2 diabetes? What is prediabetes? Prediabetes is a condition where blood sugar levels are higher than normal, but not high enough to be diagnosed as type 2 diabetes. This occurs when the body has problems in processing glucose properly, and sugar starts to build up in the bloodstream instead of fueling cells in muscles and tissues. Insulin is the hormone that tells cells to take up glucose, and in prediabetes, people typically initially develop insulin resistanc Continue reading >>
12 Simple Ways To Fight Prediabetes
At 28, Jennyvi Dizon wasn't expecting to be turned down for health insurance. "I thought I was fairly healthy," she says. The company disapproved her because she weighed 188 pounds and was 5 feet 3 inches tall. They wanted her to weigh 155 pounds or less. When she reapplied one month later, the insurer requested blood tests. This time, the news was even more startling: her blood glucose (blood sugar) level was above normal and her cholesterol was high. Jennyvi's mother has diabetes, so the elevated blood glucose reading was especially worrisome. Online, Jennyvi learned that her test level meant she had prediabetes—a condition that can lead to type 2 diabetes and also increases the risk of cardiovascular disease. "I had been in a little bit of denial because, really, I was overweight and unhealthy, but I didn't realize it," says Jennyvi, a bridal and evening gown designer from Phoenix. "I knew that if I get to the diabetes level, it'll cause me problems later." The hidden condition As many as 60 million people in the United States have prediabetes, yet more than 90 percent of them don’t know it. People with prediabetes usually have no symptoms, and many who learn about their prediabetes think it’s no big deal. "People do not take this as seriously as they need to," says Ann Albright, PhD, RD, director of the Division of Diabetes Translation at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta. "The good news is there is something you can do about it," Dr. Albright adds. The best way to fight prediabetes and get your blood sugar back in the normal range is with a coordinated plan of healthy nutrition, increased physical activity and lifestyle coping strategies that support modest weight loss if you are overweight. (Modest weight loss is defined as losing 5 t Continue reading >>
