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Although the cause of diabetes continues to be a mystery, genetics and lifestyle choices appear to play large roles. Diabetes is a disease in which the body does not produce or properly use insulin. Insulin is a hormone that your body uses to convert sugars into fuel,
Pre-diabetes occurs when a person's blood glucose levels are higher than normal but not high enough for a diagnosis of type 2 diabetes. There are 57 million Americans who have pre-diabetes, in addition to the 23.6 million with diabetes.
Here are a few simple lifestyle changes you can make to help prevent diabetes:
- Eat healthier: Eat more fruits and vegetables and choose foods that are low in fat and calories and high in fiber.
- Get moving: Try to get 30 minutes of moderate physical activity each day. This helps to take off the pounds and whittle the middle as well as strengthen your heart and lungs.
- Manage stress: The hormones that your body releases due to prolonged stress may prevent your body from using insulin properly. Learn to manage stress with techniques like mindfulness meditation, yoga or qigong.
These three factors, diet, exercise and stress management, are not unique to diabetes prevention. By implementing these easy lifestyles changes you will experience better overall health and happiness. As Alison Rose Levy said in "An Ancient Cure for Modern Life," Yoga Journal, Jan/Feb 2002, “In minds crammed with thoughts, organs clogged with toxins, and bodies stiffened with neglect, there is just no space for anything else“.
Photo: Microsoft ClipArt
For more info: www.mayoclinic.com
www.diabetes.org
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