Prediabetes (borderline Diabetes)
Tweet Prediabetes, also commonly referred to as borderline diabetes, is a metabolic condition and growing global problem that is closely tied to obesity. If undiagnosed or untreated, prediabetes can develop into type 2 diabetes; which whilst treatable is currently not fully reversible. What is prediabetes? Prediabetes is characterised by the presence of blood glucose levels that are higher than normal but not yet high enough to be classed as diabetes. For this reason, prediabetes is often described as the “gray area” between normal blood sugar and diabetic levels. In the UK, around 7 million people are estimated to have prediabetes and thus have a high risk for developing type 2 diabetes. [17] Prediabetes may be referred to as impaired fasting glucose (IFT), if you have higher than normal sugar levels after a period of fasting, or as impaired glucose tolerance (IGT), if you have higher than normal sugar levels following eating. The increasing number of new cases of prediabetes presents a global concern as it carries large scale implications towards the future burden on healthcare. Between 2003 and 2011, the prevalence of prediabetes in England alone more than tripled, with 35.3% of the adult population, or 1 in every 3 people having prediabetes. [106] Learn more about prediabetes Prediabetes is a critical stage in the development of diabetes, for it is at this point that lifestyle choices can be made to turn it around. Early, decisive action can slow down or even halt the development of type 2 diabetes. What are the symptoms of prediabetes? Many people have prediabetes but are completely unaware of it. This is because the condition often develops gradually without any warning signs or symptoms. In many cases, the sufferer only learns of their borderline diabetic sta Continue reading >>
A Low-carbohydrate, Whole-foods Approach To Managing Diabetes And Prediabetes
Diabetes is a systemic disease that has reached epidemic proportions worldwide during the past 30 years,1 and this trend shows no sign of slowing down. In the United States alone, it is estimated that almost 26 million people have diabetes, including 7 million not yet diagnosed.2 The statistics are even worse for prediabetes (impaired fasting glucose or impaired glucose tolerance), which is believed to affect 79 million Americans > 20 years of age.2 Risk factors for type 2 diabetes include, but are not limited to, family history, ethnicity, and obesity, whereas people with certain autoimmune conditions, pancreatic disease, and genetic predisposition are at increased risk for type 1 diabetes.3 Regardless of the type, individuals with diabetes experience abnormal carbohydrate metabolism because of a variety of factors, including impaired insulin secretion and insulin resistance. After carbohydrates were recognized as the macronutrient primarily responsible for increasing blood glucose, severe restriction was used to manage hyperglycemia before the discovery of insulin in 1922.4 Until the early 1970s, a lower-carbohydrate, higher-fat diet was considered appropriate for nutritional management of diabetes.5 In 1980, the first set of Dietary Guidelines for Americans included recommendations to adopt an eating pattern lower in fat to prevent chronic health conditions such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease (CVD), and hypertension.6 Although these guidelines state that they “do not apply to people who need special diets because of diseases or conditions,” many clinicians began recommending lower-fat eating patterns, and people with diabetes began adopting them. Although the American Diabetes Association (ADA) has recommended for more than 15 years that macronutrient compos Continue reading >>
Diet, Inflammation And Prediabetes-impact Of Quality Of Diet.
Abstract Low grade inflammation has been linked to risk of type 2 diabetes and atherosclerotic vascular diseases. Obesity and, in particular, abdominal obesity increase the risk of diabetes and atherosclerotic vascular diseases. One of the mechanisms could be low grade inflammation and vascular endothelial dysfunction. Permanent weight reduction is the first line of treatment both for obese individuals at increased risk of diabetes and for newly onset type 2 diabetes. Weight reduction lowers the level of several inflammatory factors in the body while increasing the level of adiponectin. Besides weight reduction the quality of diet and physical activity also modifies low grade inflammation. Based on the literature survey and our own studies in humans, it is possible to have dietary patterns that reduce inflammatory stress in the body and improves vascular endothelial dysfunction. There is strong evidence to suggest that IL-1 Ra is a very sensitive marker of low grade inflammation in obesity and related phenotypes; however, its level is markedly lowered by weight reduction and by choosing foods that have been shown to reduce inflammatory stress in the body. KEYWORDS: IL-1Ra; diabetes; diabète; diet; inflammation; prediabetes; prevention; prédiabète; prévention; régime Continue reading >>
Paleo And Prediabetes
Paleo and diabetes is a popular topic, but it’s much harder to find information about prediabetes, which actually isn’t the same problem! And the distinction is definitely worth making: prediabetes doesn’t inevitably lead to the real thing. You can be diagnosed with prediabetes, but never progress to outright diabetes, and even reverse the process to get back to a healthy metabolism – here’s a look at what prediabetes is, and what kinds of diet and lifestyle interventions have been studied for it. What Is Prediabetes (and How is it Different from Diabetes)? To define a specific disease, doctors have to establish some kind of number-based criteria for judging who has it and who doesn’t. Either you’re sick or you’re healthy, and the question is just about the cutoff point between “normal” and “disease”? For diabetes, there are a couple different cutoff points, where you’re officially “non-diabetic” on one side of the line, and officially “diabetic” on the other side of the line. HbA1C: this is a measure of long-term blood sugar control. Blood sugar test: this is a measure of how high your blood sugar is right now. Oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT): this is how well your body can respond to drinking a lot of sugar. But human bodies don’t always work like that. You don’t jump from 0 to diabetic overnight; it’s a slow process of getting steadily sicker and sicker. For example, the cutoff for “diabetes” as measured by HbA1C is 6.5. But people with an HbA1C of 6.49 aren’t doing just fine because they’re technically on the non-diabetic side of the line! And it certainly doesn’t make sense to delay treatment and tell them they’re doing just fine until bam, suddenly, diabetes out of nowhere. That’s where prediabetes comes in. Continue reading >>
Foods A Borderline Diabetic Should Avoid
With borderline diabetes, or prediabetes, blood sugar levels are higher than normal but not as high as with type 2 diabetes (T2DM). Underlying prediabetes is a condition called insulin resistance. With this condition, the body stops responding normally to insulin, the hormone that enables cells to absorb and use blood sugar, or glucose. Prediabetes occurs when muscle, fat and liver cells have become so resistant to insulin that glucose builds up in the blood. The good news for people with prediabetes is that changes in diet, along with exercise and weight loss, can delay or prevent progression to T2DM. Knowing what foods to avoid helps you create a healthy diet for borderline diabetes. Video of the Day Carbohydrates include sugars, starch and fiber. While fiber passes through the digestive system largely unchanged, sugars are quickly digested and absorbed into the bloodstream. This leads to a rise in blood sugar level, which varies depending on the food source. Fruits, vegetables, dairy products and whole-grain foods are healthful sources of carbohydrates for people with prediabetes because they provide needed fuel for the body along with various other beneficial nutrients. But sugary foods like desserts, candy and sugar-sweetened beverages are high in calories and aren't very nutritious. The American Diabetes Association (ADA) recommends avoiding sugar-sweetened beverages, such as full-calorie sodas, sweet tea, and fruit, energy and coffee drinks. A wide-ranging July 2015 "BMJ" review of 17 studies representing 189.1 million U.S. adults found that regularly drinking sugar-sweetened beverages increases the risk for T2DM by 13 percent for each daily serving. The original risk estimates were higher but were revised to exclude obesity as a contributing factor, as it may ha Continue reading >>
Prediabetes
Prediabetes is a serious health condition where blood sugar levels are higher than normal, but not high enough yet to be diagnosed as type 2 diabetes. Approximately 84 million American adults—more than 1 out of 3—have prediabetes. Of those with prediabetes, 90% don’t know they have it. Prediabetes puts you at increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and stroke. The good news is that if you have prediabetes, the CDC-led National Diabetes Prevention Program can help you make lifestyle changes to prevent or delay type 2 diabetes and other serious health problems. Causes Insulin is a hormone made by your pancreas that acts like a key to let blood sugar into cells for use as energy. If you have prediabetes, the cells in your body don’t respond normally to insulin. Your pancreas makes more insulin to try to get cells to respond. Eventually your pancreas can’t keep up, and your blood sugar rises, setting the stage for prediabetes—and type 2 diabetes down the road. Symptoms & Risk Factors You can have prediabetes for years but have no clear symptoms, so it often goes undetected until serious health problems such as type 2 diabetes show up. It’s important to talk to your doctor about getting your blood sugar tested if you have any of the risk factors for prediabetes, which include: Being overweight Being 45 years or older Having a parent, brother, or sister with type 2 diabetes Being physically active less than 3 times a week Ever having gestational diabetes (diabetes during pregnancy) or giving birth to a baby who weighed more than 9 pounds Race and ethnicity are also a factor: African Americans, Hispanic/Latino Americans, American Indians, Pacific Islanders, and some Asian Americans are at higher risk. Getting Tested You can get a simple blood Continue reading >>
Diabetes Diet: Create Your Healthy-eating Plan
Your diabetes diet is simply a healthy-eating plan that will help you control your blood sugar. Here's help getting started, from meal planning to exchange lists and counting carbohydrates. Definition A diabetes diet simply means eating the healthiest foods in moderate amounts and sticking to regular mealtimes. A diabetes diet is a healthy-eating plan that's naturally rich in nutrients and low in fat and calories. Key elements are fruits, vegetables and whole grains. In fact, a diabetes diet is the best eating plan for most everyone. Purpose If you have diabetes or prediabetes, your doctor will likely recommend that you see a dietitian to help you develop a healthy eating plan. The plan helps you control your blood sugar (glucose), manage your weight and control risk factors for heart disease, such as high blood pressure and high blood fats. When you eat excess calories and fat, your body responds by creating an undesirable rise in blood glucose. If blood glucose isn't kept in check, it can lead to serious problems, such as a dangerously high blood glucose level (hyperglycemia) and long-term complications, such as nerve, kidney and heart damage. You can help keep your blood glucose level in a safe range by making healthy food choices and tracking your eating habits. For most people with type 2 diabetes, weight loss also can make it easier to control blood glucose and offers a host of other health benefits. If you need to lose weight, a diabetes diet provides a well-organized, nutritious way to reach your goal safely. Diet details A diabetes diet is based on eating three meals a day at regular times. This helps your body better use the insulin it produces or gets through a medication. A registered dietitian can help you put together a diet based on your health goals, tas Continue reading >>
The Best Diet For Prediabetes
Overweight people with prediabetes are likely to lose more weight on a lower-carb or low-glycemic-load diet than on a higher-carb, low-fat diet, while the reverse may be true for those with normal blood sugar levels, suggests a study in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition in 2017. Prediabetes is characterized by moderately elevated blood sugar levels, a condition that affects an estimated 86 million Americans. Researchers analyzed data from three European clinical trials that evaluated diets with different proportions of carbs, fat, and protein. They found that while the diets performed similarly overall, when participants were grouped by their fasting blood sugar levels, those with prediabetes lost significantly more weight and kept more off when they followed a diet that was lower in carbs or high in fiber and whole grains (thus generally lower in glycemic load ). Its well known that people respond differently to various weight-loss diets, and the researchers hypothesized that initial fasting blood sugar levels might help predict which type of diet is likely to be more successful. Continue reading >>
Is Your “healthy” Diet Silently Causing Pre-diabetes?
Did you know at least one-third of Americans are at imminent risk of becoming diabetic? Relephant: 12 Tips to Becoming A Weekday Vegetarian. If you experience food cravings, mood swings, anxiety and depression, irritability and/or fatigue, you might unknowingly be at risk. The scary truth is, even a “healthy” diet can put you in the danger zone. You may have heard that diabetes is climbing at an alarming rate. But staying out of the diabetic range is not enough—high blood sugar, even within the so-called “normal range,” has been shown to increase the risk of dying of a heart attack or stroke by 40%, as well as chronic diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular disease, Alzheimer’s, kidney disease, and neuropathy (2). In this first installment of our series on pre-diabetes, join me as I delve into why and how this silent killer develops, and why most people that already have it, don’t know it. Most importantly, I will offer the real-life strategies that have helped stave off and even reverse pre-diabetes for my patients. In coming weeks, look for articles about pre-diabetes home screening, so-called “natural” sweeteners, dark chocolate, and more. Blood Sugar 101 It’s important to understand why and how blood sugar rises, and how common, even “healthy” diets, can prompt the progression of pre-diabetes: As sugars—even “natural sugars”—and simple carbohydrates are digested, they force the pancreas to produce excess insulin, which is needed to escort the sugars out of the bloodstream and into the cells. Over time, when the insulin levels are driven up again and again several times a day, the pancreas becomes worn out and the cells can become resistant to taking in any more sugar. Excess sugar in the blood, unable to be absorbed by the cells, keep Continue reading >>
Should You Follow A Prediabetes Diet Plan?
Before I offer answers to the questions about what to eat if you have pre diabetes and whether you should follow a pre diabetes diet plan, let’s get clear on what pre diabetes is, who’s at risk and actions to take that can help prevent type 2 diabetes. What is Pre Diabetes? Pre diabetes occurs when blood glucose levels are higher than normal but not high enough to be diagnosed as diabetes.1 (Pre diabetes refers to the condition that typically occurs before one develops type 2 diabetes.) The number of people estimated to have pre diabetes is simply staggering. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) puts the estimate at 84 million Americans. That’s one out of three adults at risk for diabetes! Most people don’t know they have pre diabetes because often there are no symptoms, nor have they been tested for it or told they have it.1 November is American Diabetes Month®. The American Diabetes Association (ADA) now recommends that all adults over 45 years of age be screened for pre diabetes.2 Other risk factors for pre diabetes or type 2 diabetes include being overweight or obese, having one or more parents or siblings who have or had type 2 diabetes or women who have had gestational diabetes (diabetes during pregnancy).2 Pre Diabetes Tests According to the ADA, any of the following lab tests with the corresponding results can be used to diagnose pre diabetes:2 Fasting Blood Glucose: 100-125 mg/dL 2 hours after the start of an oral glucose tolerance test: 140-199 mg/dL A1c test (A1c approximates an average of all the ups and downs of blood glucose over the previous two to three months): 5.7 to 6.4 percent People can develop pre diabetes and have it for several years or more before blood glucose levels rise high enough to be diagnosed as type 2 diabetes. Continue reading >>
The Weight Watchers Program*
Recognized as a National Diabetes Prevention Program by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).** Positive lifestyle changes, such as losing weight and being more physically active, not only lower your risk of developing type 2 diabetes, but also improve your overall well-being and the well-being of your family.*** Numerous expert panels recommend lifestyle changes as a key strategy for weight loss, and highlight that group support and trained Leaders are critical keys to success.‡ Weight Watchers has been tested in those with prediabetes and the results show significant weight loss and improvements in blood sugar control in 6 months, and most importantly, sustained those improvements over 12 months.† PROVEN PROGRAM You'll make healthier food choices and discover fun ways to move more each day to help you lose weight. SUPPORT Real-world weight-loss strategies from a trained Leader and members just like you. FLEXIBILITY You can start the program at any time. The DPP curriculum is incorporated in the standard Weight Watchers program, which is repeated frequently through the year. There numerous times and locations so you can find the meeting that fits your life. * The Weight Watchers program and guidance is not intended as a substitute for medical diagnosis or treatment; you should always consult your physician or health care provider about any health care issues. ** Weight Watchers has received pending recognition from the CDC as a provider of diabetes prevention services as of August 2015. ***CDC Website. “About Prediabetes & Type 2 Diabetes.” † Marrero et al. Comparison of commercial and self-initiated weight loss programs in people with prediabetes: a randomized controlled trial. Am J Public Health 2016;106(5):949-956. ‡ Jensen MD et al. 2013 Continue reading >>
How One Woman With Prediabetes Uses Diet And Exercise To Prevent Diabetes
Kathy Lawrence lost 15 pounds when she started exercising 45 minutes a day.(KATHY LAWRENCE)If you have prediabetes, two of the most important things you can do to avoid diabetes are change your diet and increase your exercise. In a study published in 2002 by the Diabetes Prevention Program Research Group, people with prediabetes slashed their risk of diabetes by more than half if they lowered the fat and calories in their diet, boosted exercise, and lost weight. Kathy Lawrence, who is 61 and lives in Austin, developed some worrying symptoms in her late 50s. She had cat scratches on her feet that refused to heal. Slow-healing wounds are a sign of diabetes, so she visited her doctor and had her blood sugar tested. Lawrence had a fasting blood glucose of 119 mg/dL, just short of the level that signifies diabetes (over 126 mg/dL). Although she technically had prediabetes, not diabetes, her doctor told her: "We're going to count you as having it." More about diabetes Alter your diet She started by making some changes in her diet. "You ate your way into this disease, and you can eat your way out of it," her gynecologist once told her. That's not entirely true; she had some type 2 diabetes risk factors she couldn't changeher age, a family history of the disease and gestational diabetes during pregnancy. However, she did have some risk factors she could change, including her weight (she knew she could lose a few pounds in her midsection) and her activity level. She first looked at the types of carbohydrates she was eating. Carbohydrates are a key part of the human diet, but some raise blood sugar more than others. Next Page: Sticking with the diet [ pagebreak ]She focused on getting carbohydrates from fruits, vegetables, and whole-grain foods, which are rich in nutrients and fi Continue reading >>
15+ Best And Worst Foods For Your Prediabetes Diet Plan
Worst breakfast: bagels, breakfast cereals, or bacon Highly refined grains like bagels made from white flour and cereals are bad breakfast choices because they lack the fiber that blunts your blood sugar response. (Besides, some cereals are packed with sugar; you have to look at the nutrition label carefully.) You can still eat these on occasion, but you should aim to limit these in your diet, says Jill Weisenberger, RD, author of Diabetes Weight Loss Week By Week. Bacon also shouldn't be an "everyday food," she says. "People think, 'oh, it doesn't have carbs,' but there are so many things about it that are not a good idea for prediabetics," she says. For one, it's linked to colon cancer, something people with type 2 diabetes are already at an increased risk of. Best breakfast: eggs and avocado Eggs are one food that Weisenberger likes to recommend to clients, mainly because there are so many ways to cook them. Besides being fast and easy to prepare, they're also a good source of protein for people with prediabetes. And while you may be nervous about the cholesterol, research shows that in the context of a healthy diet, eating eggs doesn't have a negative effect on your heart health. Avocado also tops this list because it's rich in monounsaturated fatty acids, heart healthy fats that have been shown to improve fasting blood glucose levels. Worst lunch: a deli sandwich Veering away from processed meats, including deli meat, is a good idea. In one 2010 Harvard review of the research, people who ate about 2 ounces of processed meats per day had 19 percent higher odds of type 2 diabetes, and 42 percent higher risk of cardiovascular disease. (Unprocessed meats didn't up likelihood of either disease, the researchers discovered.) Sodium and nitrates in processed meats may impa Continue reading >>
Q&a: I Have Prediabetes. What Should I Eat?
(Bigstock) QWhat should I eat if I’ve been told by my health-care provider that I have prediabetes? I’m confused by the conflicting messages I hear and read. ANovember is an apt month to answer this increasingly common question. It’s American Diabetes Month. You didn’t detail the conflicting messages you’ve gotten, but as a dietitian and diabetes educator, I hear and read many. Let me take a guess. Your health-care provider, to offer simple advice, might have said “don’t eat anything white” or “lose weight.” If you scoured the Internet, you probably spotted promises of reversal or a cure if you “eat only low-glycemic-index foods” or “eat low-carb.” Or you might hear pleas to become vegan. “Many people think their number-one priority is to no longer let sugary foods and sweets pass their lips. That’s in part because diabetes has been synonymous with sugar through the ages,” says dietitian and diabetes educator Tami Ross, the 2013 president of the American Association of Diabetes Educators and co-author of “What Do I Eat Now? A Step-by-Step Guide to Eating Right With Type 2 Diabetes.” Yes, the nutrition advice you’ll hear for prediabetes can be contradictory, oversimplified and impractical for the long haul. Yet research has revealed plenty about how a person with prediabetes should eat to remain diabetes-free as long as possible. The central goal? Reverse insulin resistance. Insulin resistance is the body’s inability to effectively use the insulin it makes. To keep glucose in control, the pancreas goes into overdrive to produce an increasing supply of insulin. At the same time, the body’s insulin supply is slowly dwindling. At the point when there isn’t enough insulin to control glucose levels, glucose rises higher than norma Continue reading >>
Prediabetes
What Is Prediabetes? Prediabetes is a “pre-diagnosis” of diabetes—you can think of it as a warning sign. It’s when your blood glucose level (blood sugar level) is higher than normal, but it’s not high enough to be considered diabetes. Prediabetes is an indication that you could develop type 2 diabetes if you don’t make some lifestyle changes. But here's the good news: . Eating healthy food, losing weight and staying at a healthy weight, and being physically active can help you bring your blood glucose level back into the normal range. Diabetes develops very gradually, so when you’re in the prediabetes stage—when your blood glucose level is higher than it should be—you may not have any symptoms at all. You may, however, notice that: you’re hungrier than normal you’re losing weight, despite eating more you’re thirstier than normal you have to go to the bathroom more frequently you’re more tired than usual All of those are typical symptoms associated with diabetes, so if you’re in the early stages of diabetes, you may notice them. Prediabetes develops when your body begins to have trouble using the hormone insulin. Insulin is necessary to transport glucose—what your body uses for energy—into the cells via the bloodstream. In pre-diabetes, your body either doesn’t make enough insulin or it doesn’t use it well (that’s called insulin resistance). If you don’t have enough insulin or if you’re insulin resistant, you can build up too much glucose in your blood, leading to a higher-than-normal blood glucose level and perhaps prediabetes. Researchers aren’t sure what exactly causes the insulin process to go awry in some people. There are several risk factors, though, that make it more likely that you’ll develop pre-diabetes. These are Continue reading >>
