Prediabetes is highly prevalent in India, with millions of people suffering from the problem. With over 65 million people in India already suffering from diabetes, it is clearly evident that the numbers will only rise at time passes. It is expected that over 100 million people in India will have diabetes by the year 2030.
This condition is often misunderstood and is not taken too seriously by the Indian population. Many people with prediabetes fail to realise that it can cause problems.
So, in order to clear up some misconceptions, here are some facts about it that you should know.
1. Prediabetes has the same risk as diabetes when it comes to developing complications. Kidney disease, tingling in the hands and feet, eye problems, heart problems and other complications are similar to those with diabetes.
2. If your blood sugar levels are mildly elevated, there is a 60% chance you will develop diabetes in the near future. This may be within the first year of diagnosis or later on.
3. In prediabetes, the fasting blood sugar levels lie between 100 – 126 mg/dL. The average blood glucose levels i.e. HbA1c lie between 5.7 – 6.4%.
4. Taking probiotic agents can help reduce the conversion of prediabetes to diabetes. Similarly, taking high quantities of soluble fiber can reduce the quantity of glucose absorbed from the gut into the blood stream. This reduces the chance of prediabetes turning into diabetes.
5. If you have even slightly elevated blood sugars, you will have to follow the same diet as you would do if you had diabetes. This includes stopping sweets, rice and rice related products and other sugary foods.
6. Low vitamin D levels have been linked to prediabetes. Get your levels checked, and if they are found to be low, ask your doctor for a suitable supplement. Just spending time under the sun may not be sufficient.
7. Losing 5 – 7% of your body weight can reduce your risk of prediabetes getting converted to diabetes. Similarly, exercising 150 minutes or more a week can have a beneficial effect in preventing the progression of prediabetes to diabetes.
Don’t ignore prediabetes. Take the right steps to ensure you delay it from getting converted to diabetes.
This condition is often misunderstood and is not taken too seriously by the Indian population. Many people with prediabetes fail to realise that it can cause problems.
So, in order to clear up some misconceptions, here are some facts about it that you should know.
1. Prediabetes has the same risk as diabetes when it comes to developing complications. Kidney disease, tingling in the hands and feet, eye problems, heart problems and other complications are similar to those with diabetes.
2. If your blood sugar levels are mildly elevated, there is a 60% chance you will develop diabetes in the near future. This may be within the first year of diagnosis or later on.
3. In prediabetes, the fasting blood sugar levels lie between 100 – 126 mg/dL. The average blood glucose levels i.e. HbA1c lie between 5.7 – 6.4%.
4. Taking probiotic agents can help reduce the conversion of prediabetes to diabetes. Similarly, taking high quantities of soluble fiber can reduce the quantity of glucose absorbed from the gut into the blood stream. This reduces the chance of prediabetes turning into diabetes.
5. If you have even slightly elevated blood sugars, you will have to follow the same diet as you would do if you had diabetes. This includes stopping sweets, rice and rice related products and other sugary foods.
6. Low vitamin D levels have been linked to prediabetes. Get your levels checked, and if they are found to be low, ask your doctor for a suitable supplement. Just spending time under the sun may not be sufficient.
7. Losing 5 – 7% of your body weight can reduce your risk of prediabetes getting converted to diabetes. Similarly, exercising 150 minutes or more a week can have a beneficial effect in preventing the progression of prediabetes to diabetes.
Don’t ignore prediabetes. Take the right steps to ensure you delay it from getting converted to diabetes.
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