Did you know that 25.8 million Americans (children and adults) have diabetes? There are also 79 million people who have prediabetes, which puts you at a higher risk for developing type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. However, there are ways to lower your risk and prevent diabetes, and all types of diabetes are treatable and controllable. Let’s break down the who, what, and why about diabetes in the United States.
Type 1 Diabetes – According to the American Diabetes Association, Type 1 diabetes is usually diagnosed in children and young adults, and was previously known as juvenile diabetes. In type 1 diabetes, the body does not produce insulin. Type 1 is less common, and only affects about 10% of the US population. Patients with type 1 are treated with regular insulin injections, as well as a special diet and exercise.
Type 2 Diabetes – Insulin resistance is when your body does not use insulin properly, and this causes type 2 diabetes. In the beginning, your pancreas will make extra insulin, but after a while will not be able to to keep your blood glucose levels normal. Patients with Type 2 diabetes are usually treated with tablets, exercise and a special diet, but sometimes insulin injections are also required.
Here is a list of risk factors for developing Type 2 Diabetes:
– Having prediabetes, which may be called impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) and/or impaired fasting glucose (IFG)
– Being 45 or older
– Having a family history of diabetes
– Being overweight
– Not exercising regularly
– Having high blood pressure
– Having low HDL, also known as “good” cholesterol and/or high levels of triglycerides
– Certain racial and ethnic groups (e.g., Non-Hispanic Blacks, Hispanic/Latino Americans, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, and American Indians and Alaska Natives)
– Women who had gestational diabetes, or who have had a baby weighing 9 pounds or more at birth
According to a new study released on August 15th 2013, eating a Mediterranean-style diet and low-carb diet can help you reduce your risk. Over an 11 year period, researchers followed 22,000 people in Greece, and only 2,300 of them developed diabetes, making them 12% less likely to develop diabetes. Mediterranean-style diets consist of eating a lot of fish, fruit & vegetables, and healthy fats from olive oil. The study also found that people who consumed a large amount of carbohydrates had a 21% higher risk of developing diabetes.
If you are interested in learning more about lowering your risk for diabetes and various treatment options, contact our office to schedule an appointment. Our team provides preventative care and lifestyle medical services for patients, as well as test results and education material specific to your health needs.
Contact us today – visit out website www.privatemds.com or call us 949.566.8179!