Reduce your risk of developing diabetes
The number of people living with diabetes is growing very fast. In Bangladesh, more 8 percent people are diabetic and a significant number has been suffering from catastrophic complications of diabetes like visual impairment, amputation, kidney failure, heart attack, stroke etc. Preventing or delaying the development of diabetes can be the best strategy reducing the burden of the disease — both physically and economically. Changing our lifestyle could be a big step toward diabetes prevention. Prevention of diabetes generally means preventing type 2 diabetes — the most common type that develop in adulthood. In the majority of cases, type 2 diabetes is brought on by lifestyle factors including overweight, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, physical inactivity which can often be prevented. By changing our diet, increasing our level of physical activity, maintaining a healthy weight are the most important positive steps that are in the mainstay for healthier life and reduce our risk of diabetes. Diet
Diet is a key lifestyle change. One of the key messages is that saturated (animal) fat, simple carbohydrates (such as white bread, white flour, pastries), sugars and salt — all help to contribute to diabetes if taken in excess. On the other hand, eating whole grain, vegetables containing fibre and omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acid (fat found in fish) can help reduce risk of developing diabetes. Exercise
Exercise can help to prevent diabetes in a number of ways. The energy needed for exercise can help people losing weight which helps to take some of the risk related to central obesity. Exercise is known to increase insulin sensitivity which is essentially helps to tackle the root cause of type 2 diabetes. Also, regular exercise can also help to reduce cholesterol levels and help people to reduce high blood pressure. Even a little extra activity each day can help. Some basic steps can really help to make a difference if they become a regular habit, such as walking to the shops rather using the car or getting off the bus a stop early. Medication
Some medication, such as Metformin, has been shown to lower the risk of type 2 diabetes amongst particularly high-risk cases where lifestyles interventions alone may not be enough.
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