This article is from the WebMD News Archive
Diabetes Prevention: 6 New Guidelines
List Includes Moderate Weight Loss, Healthy Diet, and 2.5 Weekly Hours of Physical Activity
Aug. 25, 2006 -- Tweaking your lifestyle could be a big step towards diabetes prevention.
The American Diabetes Association has published new diabetes prevention guidelines for people at high risk of type 2 diabetes, the most common type of diabetes.
The guidelines appear in September's edition of Diabetes Care. They're accompanied by recommendations for people who already know they have type 2 diabetes.
The bottom line: Your daily habits can tilt you towards or away from developing diabetes, and it's never too late to make a positive change.
Nearly 21 million people in the U.S. have diabetes. That includes about 6 million people who haven't been diagnosed, according to the CDC.
6 Tips for Diabetes Prevention
If you're at high risk for diabetes, here's your to-do list from the new guidelines:
- Lose extra weight. Moderate weight loss -- 7% of your weight -- may cut diabetes risk.
- Cut fat and calories from your diet. That should help with weight loss.
- Skip low-carb or high-protein diets. They may not work out in the long run.
- Get plenty of fiber. Get 14 grams of dietary fiber for every 1,000 calories you eat.
- Go for whole grains. Make at least half your grains whole grains.
- Get regular physical activity. Go for 2.5 hours per week (check with your doctor first).
The guidelines don't recommend drinking alcohol for diabetes prevention.
Observational studies have tied moderate drinking to lower diabetes risk. But there's not enough data to recommend alcohol for diabetes prevention, according to the American Diabetes Association.
5 Tips for Diabetes Patients
Have you already been diagnosed with diabetes? There are new guidelines for you, too.
The dietary recommendations for people at high risk for diabetes generally apply to diabetes patients. Additional tips for people with diabetes include:
- Eat healthy carbohydrates. Try fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, and low-fat dairy products.
- Limit saturated fats. Get less than 7% of your total fat intake from saturated fats.
- Minimize trans fats. Check nutrition labels on packaged foods for trans fat.
- Curb dietary cholesterol. Get less than 200 milligrams of cholesterol in your daily diet.
- Eat fish at least twice weekly. Fried fish, however, isn't recommended.
Knowing about glycemic load and glycemic index, which rate carbohydrates' effects on blood sugar, may also be helpful to people with diabetes, according to the American Diabetes Association.
Diabetes Symptoms
Diabetes doesn't always have obvious signs. But possible symptoms include:
- Increased thirst
- Increased hunger
- Fatigue
- Increased urination, especially at night
- Weight loss
- Blurred vision
- Sores that don't heal
The earlier diabetes is diagnosed, the better. Check with your doctor to screen for diabetes. If you already have diabetes, make sure you keep up with recommended tests and checkups.
© 2006 WebMD, Inc. All rights reserved.
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Is This Normal?
Get the Facts Fast!Answer:
Your level is currently NormalHigh (hyperglycemia).Low (hypoglycemia). |
If the level is below 70 and you are experiencing symptoms such as shaking, sweating or difficulty thinking, you will need to raise the number immediately. A quick solution is to eat a few pieces of hard candy or 1 tablespoon of sugar or honey. Recheck your numbers again in 15 minutes to see if the number has gone up. If not, repeat the steps above or call your doctor.
People who experience hypoglycemia several times in a week should call their health care provider. It's important to monitor your levels each day so you can make sure your numbers are within the range. If you are pregnant always consult with your health care provider.
If the level is below 70 and you are experiencing symptoms such as shaking, sweating or difficulty thinking, you will need to raise the number immediately. A quick solution is to eat a few pieces of hard candy or 1 tablespoon of sugar or honey. Recheck your numbers again in 15 minutes to see if the number has gone up. If not, repeat the steps above or call your doctor.
People who experience hypoglycemia several times in a week should call their health care provider. It's important to monitor your levels each day so you can make sure your numbers are within the range. If you are pregnant always consult with your health care provider.
Your blood sugar level is slightly high. You should call your health care provider and ask if laboratory tests to check for diabetes are needed. If you are pregnant always consult with your health care provider.
Congratulations on taking steps to manage your health.
However, it's important to continue to track your numbers so that you can make lifestyle changes if needed. If you are pregnant always consult with your physician.
Your level is currently normal. However, if you are concerned about diabetes speak with your physician. There may be other risk factors that increase your risk for diabetes.
Your level is high if this reading was taken before eating. Aim for 70-130 before meals and less than 180 two hours after meals.
Even if your number is high, it's not too late for you to take control of your health and lower your blood sugar.
One of the first steps is to monitor your levels each day. If you are pregnant always consult with your physician.
Your blood sugar level may be high, depending on when you last ate. If you have not eaten for at least 8 hours, your blood sugar should be less than 100. If you've eaten within the last 2 hours, your blood sugar should be less than 140. You should call your health care provider and ask if you need laboratory tests to check for diabetes. If you are pregnant always consult with your health care provider.
Blood sugars consistently above 180 warrant prompt medical attention.
Even if your number is high, it's not too late for you to take control of your health and lower your blood sugar.
One of the first steps is to monitor your levels each day. If you are pregnant always consult with your physician.
Your blood sugar level is high. You should call your health care provider and ask if laboratory tests to check for diabetes are needed. If you are pregnant always consult with your health care provider.
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