Diabetes Prevention
Type 1 diabetes cannot be prevented, but for many people, type 2 diabetes can be stopped before it happens. There are things you can do to keep yourself healthy and possibly prevent the disease. These things include:
* Losing weight if needed
* Eating a healthy diet
* Controlling certain medical conditions
* And exercising.
Being overweight can keep your body from making and using insulin properly. So, if you are overweight, it's important to lose weight until you are at a good weight for your height.
Another thing that you can do to help prevent diabetes is to eat a healthy diet. This includes eating about 5 servings of fruits and vegetables every day and avoiding foods that are high in salt and fat. A healthy diet may also help you reduce your blood pressure and cholesterol levels. Having high blood pressure and high cholesterol increase your risk for developing type 2 diabetes.
To help prevent diabetes, you can also try exercising. Exercise can help you get to the right weight and also lower your blood pressure. Both of these things are important in reducing your risk of developing diabetes.
Getting proper exercise doesn't require a gym membership or fancy equipment. It can be as simple as taking a brisk walk for 30 minutes three days a week. Finding ways to add more physical activity to your daily routine can also be helpful. A few ideas include:
* Taking the stairs instead of the elevator
* Or playing with your children or other family members.
Keep in mind that you don't have to change your entire way of eating and exercising all at once. Try one new activity or food a week and you'll be on your way to better managing your diabetes, or preventing it altogether.
