By the time people are diagnosed with diabetes, they may have been living with pre diabetes for years without knowing the signs.
Over time our body can slowly lose the ability to effectively metabolise and utilise glucose, this leads to chronic ‘high normal’ levels of blood glucose, eventually leading to high blood glucose levels and the diagnosis of diabetes.
The Aim here then is to be proactive toward your health and reduce your risk and be aware of the warning signs.
Risk factors and warning signs
· A family history of diabetes
· Being overweight especially around our mid-section
· Feeling sleepy after eating
· Fatigued and changes in mood for no apparent reason
· Living a sedentary lifestyle, with minimal exercise
· Consuming a diet high in proceed foods including, breads, pastas, rice, snack foods, alcohol, soft drinks and a diet lacking in an abundance of fresh foods.
The best news is you can do something about it!
What can be done
Know your numbers – Regular appointments with your health care professional to get the relevant testing needed. Insist that everything is being done including, fasting blood glucose, HbA1c, glucose tolerance test.
A functional test that we personally recommend it called HOMA-IR, which is an accurate earlier indicator of how well the body can utilise insulin therefore stabilising our blood sugar levels.
Diet – Diets low in carbohydrates with ample amounts of healthy fats are backed with clinical research to effectively manage type 1 and type 2 diabetes, by improving glucose control, decreasing need for medication and reduce risk for diabetic complications.
Move- Exercise, especially weight bearing types help our body utilise glucose effectivity and make our body’s more sensitive to insulin. Relax- stress has a huge impact of blood sugar regulation, we need to have strategies for our body to effectively cope with these stressors.
Get the advice you deserve, if you are not feeling the way you should there may be an underlying cause. Listen to your body and take the steps needed to live an optimal life.
