| Type 2 diabetes accounts for roughly 90% of all | | | | diabetes can predispose you to type 2 later in life |
| people with diabetes. Since this particular diabetes | | | | There are several factors that contribute to your risk |
| usually does not develop until after age forty-five: | | | | profile... changing them will move you from being at a |
| - it has been called adult-onset diabetes and many | | | | high risk to a low risk. |
| people still refer to it this way | | | | What Risk Factors Can You Change? |
| - whilst it has now developed into a global epidemic it | | | | Thirty-two percent of people with diabetes have at |
| is not contagious... affecting billions of people | | | | least three of the risk factors that can double their |
| worldwide, and | | | | chances of developing type 2 diabetes, while 89% |
| - although you may find this hard to believe, there | | | | have at least one factor they can modify. What |
| are millions more walking around without a clue they | | | | does that mean? It means you can change your |
| will develop this condition. | | | | lifestyle and your diet. |
| There are many, many reasons besides genetics for | | | | Unfortunately you cannot change your genes or your |
| this massive number and it must be recognized, | | | | age but here are factors you can change: |
| included in the cause is the popularity of fast food | | | | - obesity: this is the most important modifiable risk |
| restaurants and processed foods. | | | | factor |
| When you are diagnosed, it is a shock. It's natural to | | | | - high cholesterol: since people with diabetes are four |
| grieve because your life will change... after a while | | | | times more likely to develop heart disease and five |
| you will concede it changed for the better. After all, | | | | times more likely to suffer a stroke, lowering your |
| this condition is serious and you do need to change | | | | cholesterol is a really good idea |
| your lifestyle but mostly how you think... it has now | | | | - high blood pressure: normal readings are 120/80. |
| affected you, not your friend, you! Remember... type | | | | Readings of 140/90 or higher are considered |
| 2 diabetes cannot be cured but it can be reversed. | | | | borderline. The same factors that put you at risk for |
| The first step is to educate yourself; the second | | | | type 2, such as obesity, can also put you at risk for |
| step is to apply what you have learned. | | | | hypertension. Hypertension is also exacerbated by |
| Firstly, you need to understand this condition is | | | | tobacco, alcohol consumption, and too much sodium |
| characterized by having high blood sugar levels due to | | | | or salt in your diet. And if high blood pressure runs in |
| your normal metabolism being thrown off. Secondly, | | | | your family, you are at greater risk for developing |
| there are many associated risk factors. Thirdly, it | | | | hypertension |
| strikes any person, man or woman and now, | | | | - sedentary lifestyle: what does this mean? Not |
| unfortunately, many young children. | | | | moving! If you lead a sedentary lifestyle and are |
| So Who Is At Risk? | | | | obese, you are at significant risk of developing type |
| If you consume a diet higher in fat than | | | | 2 |
| carbohydrates and low in fiber, your risk of | | | | - smoking combined with diabetes is toxic. Smoking |
| developing type 2 diabetes (if you are genetically | | | | leads to heart attacks... being diabetic you are already |
| predisposed) is increased. If you weigh at least 20% | | | | four times more likely to have a heart attack than a |
| more than you should for your height and age, are | | | | non-diabetic. So combining smoking and diabetes is |
| sedentary, and are aged over 45, you are considered | | | | deadly |
| to be at a high risk. Your risk increases further if you: | | | | - sleep deprivation...some studies link obesity and |
| - have a family history of type 2 diabetes | | | | diabetes to lack of sleep, snoring and a range of |
| - are of Asian, African, Hispanic, Native or Aboriginal | | | | other sleep disorders |
| descent | | | | - vitamin deficiency... blood tests often reveal |
| - are obese | | | | diabetics are antioxidant deficient. Antioxidants are |
| - are pregnant (one in 20 women will develop | | | | vitamins found in many fruits and vegetables. |
| gestational diabetes by their third trimester). This | | | | You can control and reverse type 2 diabetes. |
| number does increase with age and gestational | | | | |