4 Tips to Reduce Your Risk of Developing Type 2 Diabetes

Type 2 diabetes affects more than 30 million US adults. This statistic is startling in itself but its rapid inflation with each passing year is a real cause for concern. However, the good news is that a few simple preventive steps can help you be diabetes-free for life.

Even though it is not a contagious disease, it is safe to say that we are currently facing an epidemic of sorts when it comes to type 2 diabetes. The first step towards fighting diabetes is to understand what it is and how it sets in. In simple terms, when the body is unable to create sufficient insulin or becomes unresponsive to it, the cells in your body are unable to soak up glucose from the bloodstream. As a result, the level of unused glucose slowly rises and eventually has the potential to harm your kidneys, eyes, nervous system, and other organs.

If you already have diabetes, you will require medication and precaution throughout your life to keep the glucose level in your body at an acceptable level. If you haven’t yet been diagnosed with the disease, here are a few measures that you can take to enjoy a diabetes-free life:

1. Get Moving – When you workout regularly, your muscles are more adept at utilizing insulin to reduce the glucose. This does not necessarily mean that you need to indulge in an intense, sweaty, and bothersome exercise regimen every day. A 30-minute brisk walk around the block or in your neighborhood park is enough to reap the benefits of exercise. Excess weight and obesity have also been linked to diabetes.
2. Switch Off the Devices – Technology has indeed made our lives easier by bringing the world to our fingertips, but it has also reduced activity for most of us. Time spent on equipment like smartphones, tablets, laptops, and the television considerably increases your chances of getting diabetes by reducing your activity levels. Try spending a little more time outdoors instead of on electronic devices.
3. Monitor What You Eat – Dietary modifications that include swapping processed carbs with whole grains, avoiding sugar-laden beverages and trans fats, and reducing your red meat consumption are beneficial in lowering your diabetes risk.
4. Kick the Habit – Did you know that if you are a smoker, your chances of getting diabetes are 50% higher than someone who does not smoke? Aside from reducing your chances of contracting diabetes, a smoke-free life can also help you improve your overall health.