Avoidable Diabetes Risk Factors
October 9, 2009
Often our diet and unhealthy lifestyle make us vulnerable to diabetes. Knowing the risk factors associated with diabetes could help us prevent occurrence of this condition.
By maintaining a healthy lifestyle and staying away from food and activities that increase the risk of diabetes, we can easily prevent this condition.
Diabetes risk factors
Obesity is one of the leading causes of type 2 diabetes. Obesity leads to insulin resistance. Studies have shown that increase in abdominal fat is primarily associated with insulin resistance. By shedding the excess fat from the body, obese and overweight individuals could normalize their blood sugar levels.
To prevent diabetes, your body mass index should be below 25. People with body mass index between 25 and 29.9 are considered overweight. The body mass index of obese individuals is 30 or greater than 30.
Sugary diet
Excess sugar and refined carbohydrates in your diet could increase the risk of diabetes. Even a lean person hooked to sugar and refined carbohydrate laden diet for a prolonged period could develop diabetes. Insulin secreted by the pancreas helps the body to absorb glucose. When we eat excess sugar or carbohydrates, the pancreas needs to produce excess insulin to absorb the excess glucose.
However, if we continue to consume excess carbohydrates and sugar, more than the normal amount needed by the body, the pancreas will be forced to overwork. Eventually the overworked pancreas might fail to perform its normal function, leading to diabetes. To allow your pancreas to function effectively, restrict intake of refined carbohydrates and additive sugar.
Studies have found that there is a close association between stress and rise in blood glucose level. Prolonged stress and emotional distress could cause insulin resistance. Since stress has become a part of modern life, to reduce diabetes, you should learn stress management techniques.
Sleep
Poor sleeping habits could increase the risk of diabetes. If you are depriving yourself of a sound night’s sleep, you are increasing your chance of getting type 2 diabetes. Researchers have found that sleeping difficulties tend to increase the blood sugar level. It makes the body less sensitive to insulin, causing insulin resistance.
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