Type 2 diabetes has reached epidemic proportion among Americans making up about 90% of all diabetes cases. While genetics has some effect, Type 2 diabetes, which occurs when the body becomes resistant to insulin and raises blood sugar levels, is primarily linked to family history, obesity and lack of exercise. Insulin is produced in the pancreas and used by cells to process glucose into energy, therefore when a person becomes insulin resistant they are unable to efficiently convert food to energy and the pancreas cannot keep up with production. The health risks associated with Type 2 diabetes, most common in adults over forty, are heart disease, heart attacks, stroke, poor circulation, kidney failure, poor foot condition and blindness. Diabetes is determined by measuring blood glucose levels for higher than normal amounts which can be labeled pre-diabetes or diabetes depending on just how high the levels are.
The good news is that if a person is found to be pre-diabetic, they can prevent the full onset by losing just five to seven percent of their weight through an exercise regimen of at least 30 minutes a day combined with a low-calorie low-fat diet. A federally funded study shows that medication can be avoided or reduced in most cases when a healthier lifestyle is adopted. Recent studies are being conducted to determine if caffeine can also aid in the prevention of Type 2 diabetes. It is important to watch for signs of Type 2 diabetes such as increased thirst, hunger, and urination especially at night, fatigue, weight loss, blurred vision, and sores that do not heal. It is suggested that adults over forty five be tested especially if they are overweight and a thorough history should be taken by a doctor to determine level of predisposition for Type 2 diabetes.
A Tip from The Bootcamp Express.
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