Diabetes is increasing across the world, but especially in the United States. The CDC says 1 in 10 people in the US have diabetes with another 90 million people at risk for developing diabetes in the next 5 years. With higher occurrences in southern states, we want to help get the word out in diabetes treatment and prevention strategies.
FACTORS WE CAN’T CONTROL
GENETICS - If type 2 runs in your family, you are more at risk of developing diabetes later in life.
RACE - If you are African American, Hispanic, Asian, Native American, or a Pacific Islander, you are more at risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
AGE- If you are over the age of 45, you are also more at risk.
FACTORS WE CAN CONTROL
SMOKING - If you needed another reason to quit smoking, here it is! Smoking increases your risk for developing type 2 diabetes because it decreases your body’s ability to respond to insulin. Insulin maintains the right amount of glucose (sugar) in your blood.
BLOOD PRESSURE - High blood pressure increases the risk of heart and kidney disease, which are complicated by type 2 diabetes. Minimizing stress and reducing salt in your diet are easy-to-remember solutions to lower and control your blood pressure.
BODY WEIGHT - If you are overweight, losing just 5-7% of your body weight can make a significant difference in preventing type 2 diabetes! That’s only 10-14 lbs for someone who is 200 lbs., or just 15-21 lbs for someone who is 300 lbs.
CHOLESTEROL - Elevated triglyceride levels may indicate pre-diabetes, and high LDL (“bad cholesterol”) levels increase the risk of diabetes-related heart disease. One way to lower your cholesterol is to limit saturated fats and avoid trans fats in your diet.
EXERCISE - This one is the magic pill! Exercise can lower blood sugar, blood pressure, cholesterol and help lower/maintain your weight and elevate your mood! Find something active you enjoy and try to add it into your day for even 15 minutes.
SO WHAT NOW?
Curious if you’re at risk for type 2 diabetes? Use this resource from the American Diabetes Association and in 1 minute, you can find out!
http://www.diabetes.org/are-you-at-risk/diabetes-risk-test
Mississippi:
6856 Cobblestone Blvd | Southaven, MS, 38672
P: 888.416.0008 | F: 888.416.0009
Alabama:
220 W. Tennessee St, Suite 101 | Florence, AL, 35630
P: 256.203.5058 | F: 888.416.0009