While the causes of diabetes differ from body to body, some of the most common factors that can lead to diabetes are obesity, unhealthy diet, alcohol consumption, and an inactive lifestyle. Age plays a crucial role too, more often than not. Diabetes can also be inherited genetically.
The number of people with diabetes rose from 108 million in 1980 to 422 million in 2014. Prevalence has been rising more rapidly in low- and middle-income countries than in high-income countries. Diabetes is a major cause of blindness, kidney failure, heart attacks, stroke and lower limb amputation. Between 2000 and 2016, there was a 5% increase in premature mortality from diabetes. In 2019, diabetes was the ninth leading cause of death with an estimated 1.5 million deaths directly caused by diabetes. A healthy diet, regular physical activity, maintaining a normal body weight and avoiding tobacco use are ways to prevent or delay the onset of type 2 diabetes. Diabetes can be treated and its consequences avoided or delayed with diet, physical activity, medication and regular screening and treatment for complications. Diabetes is a chronic disease that occurs either when the pancreas does not produce enough insulin or when the body cannot effectively use the insulin it produces. Insulin is a hormone that regulates blood sugar. Hyperglycaemia, or raised blood sugar, is a common effect of uncontrolled diabetes and over time leads to serious damage to many of the body's systems, especially the nerves and blood vessels. In 2014, 8.5% of adults aged 18 years and older had diabetes. In 2019, diabetes was the direct cause of 1.5 million deaths and 48% of all deaths due to diabetes occurred before the age of 70 years. Between 2000 and 2016, there was a 5% increase in premature mortality rates (i.e. before the age of 70) from diabetes. In high-income countries the premature mortality rate due to diabetes decreased from 2000 to 2010 but then increased in 2010-2016. In lower-middle-income countries, the premature mortality rate due to diabetes increased across both periods. By contrast, the probability of dying from any one of the four main noncommunicable diseases (cardiovascular diseases, cancer, chronic respiratory diseases or diabetes) between the ages of 30 and 70 decreased by 18% globally between 2000 and 2016. Type 2 diabetes Type 2 diabetes (formerly called non-insulin-dependent, or adult-onset) results from the body’s ineffective use of insulin. More than 95% of people with diabetes have type 2 diabetes. This type of diabetes is largely the result of excess body weight and physical inactivity. Symptoms may be similar to those of type 1 diabetes but are often less marked. As a result, the disease may be diagnosed several years after onset, after complications have already arisen.Until recently, this type of diabetes was seen only in adults but it is now also occurring increasingly frequently in children. Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes (previously known as insulin-dependent, juvenile or childhood-onset) is characterized by deficient insulin production and requires daily administration of insulin. In 2017 there were 9 million people with type 1 diabetes; the majority of them live in high-income countries. Neither its cause nor the means to prevent it are known.
Symptoms include excessive excretion of urine (polyuria), thirst (polydipsia), constant hunger, weight loss, vision changes, and fatigue. These symptoms may occur suddenly.
Gestational diabetes
Gestational diabetes is hyperglycaemia with blood glucose values above normal but below those diagnostic of diabetes. Gestational diabetes occurs during pregnancy Women with gestational diabetes are at an increased risk of complications during pregnancy and at delivery. These women and possibly their children are also at increased risk of type 2 diabetes in the future.Gestational diabetes is diagnosed through prenatal screening, rather than through reported symptoms. Impaired glucose tolerance and impaired fasting glycaemia Impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) and impaired fasting glycaemia (IFG) are intermediate conditions in the transition between normality and diabetes. People with IGT or IFG are at high risk of progressing to type 2 diabetes, although this is not inevitable. Health impact :Over time, diabetes can damage the heart, blood vessels, eyes, kidneys, and nerves. Adults with diabetes have a two- to three-fold increased risk of heart attacks and strokes(1).
Combined with reduced blood flow, neuropathy (nerve damage) in the feet increases the chance of foot ulcers, infection and eventual need for limb amputation. Diabetic retinopathy is an important cause of blindness, and occurs as a result of long-term accumulated damage to the small blood vessels in the retina. Close to 1 million people are blind due to diabetes(2). Diabetes is among the leading causes of kidney failure(3).
Prevention Simple lifestyle measures have been shown to be effective in preventing or delaying the onset of type 2 diabetes. To help prevent type 2 diabetes and its complications, people should: achieve and maintain a healthy body weight; be physically active – doing at least 30 minutes of regular, moderate-intensity activity on most days. More activity is required for weight control; eat a healthy diet, avoiding sugar and saturated fats; and avoid tobacco use – smoking increases the risk of diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Diagnosis and treatment Early diagnosis can be accomplished through relatively inexpensive testing of blood sugar. Treatment of diabetes involves diet and physical activity along with lowering of blood glucose and the levels of other known risk factors that damage blood vessels. Tobacco use cessation is also important to avoid complications.
Interventions that are both cost-saving and feasible in low- and middle-income countries include:
blood glucose control, particularly in type 1 diabetes. People with type 1 diabetes require insulin, people with type 2 diabetes can be treated with oral medication, but may also require insulin;
blood pressure control; and
foot care (patient self-care by maintaining foot hygiene; wearing appropriate footwear; seeking professional care for ulcer management; and regular examination of feet by health professionals).
Other cost saving interventions include:
screening and treatment for retinopathy (which causes blindness);
blood lipid control (to regulate cholesterol levels);
screening for early signs of diabetes-related kidney disease and treatment.
Type 2 diabetes is an incurable disease that's mostly preventable, yet the number of people getting it is on the rise. More than 1 in 10, or 34.2 million, Americans have diabetes, of which type 2 diabetes makes up approximately 90-95% of diabetes cases.
Currently, 1 in 3, or 88 million American adults, have prediabetes — and many of them, 4 in 5, don't know they have it. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, if we don't reverse this trend, 1 in 5 Americans will have diabetes by 2025.
Two of the most common contributors to the rise in type 2 diabetes are being overweight and inactive. As of 2017-2018, 42.4% of U.S. adults were obese.
Does type 2 diabetes require lifestyle changes?
It should be no surprise that lifestyle changes are one of the most important ways to improve your health and to prevent or delay the development of diabetic complications. Doctors often recommend that diabetic patients change their diets and encourage them to get enough exercise as well as monitor their blood sugar and take their medications.
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Your inner cynic may tell you to ignore this advice. Don't let it. This is too important. You may be dealing with symptoms like frequent urination, being thirsty and nerve pain, but these symptoms are just the tip of the iceberg — especially since the effects of diabetes become more pronounced the longer you have it.
Type 2 diabetes — a vicious cycle
As the disease progresses, your cells become more resistant to the insulin your pancreas tries desperately to continue producing. As the pancreas cranks out more insulin, which helps the cells access the sugar in the bloodstream, those cells are becoming more and more insulin resistant, so sugar levels become higher and higher. Without medical intervention, the pancreas eventually gets tired and begins making less insulin before practically stopping completely.
"When people get type 2 diabetes, initially, they have insulin resistance, plus their pancreas is probably only making 50-70% of insulin that a normal pancreas would make," says Dr. Vidhya Subramanian, an endocrinologist with Houston Methodist Endocrinology Associates at Sugar Land.
"Unfortunately, it's how the disease develops. It continues to get worse because the insulin supply keeps diminishing as insulin resistance increases," Dr. Subramanan explains. "Often people take two to four medications and then eventually they have to start taking insulin."
Tackling diabetes head-on
There's no point in sugar-coating it. Diabetes, as it advances, become even more difficult to manage. Whether you have prediabetes, have just been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes or if your diabetes has been out of control for a long time, it's never too late to stop diabetes in its tracks.
"A primary care physician can diagnose and manage diabetes. But when patients' blood sugars still aren't under control, even if they are taking three or four medications, and their A1C remains above 8, it's time to see an endocrinologist," says Dr. Subramanian.
An endocrinologist is a specialist in treating endocrine disorders, such as diabetes and hormone issues. This specialist can reassess your current medications, as well as take into account any additional conditions and complications that need to be factored into your treatment plan.
"When treating diabetes, some of the more common complications are kidney disease, cardiovascular disease and wound issues. Diabetes can become more difficult to treat when patients have multiple complications, such as kidney issues, because you cannot prescribe certain medications and the amount of medicine the patient can take probably is also restricted," says Dr. Subramanian.
Fortunately, there are medications to address some of these multiple complications. "There are oral medications that can reduce heart failure risk or offer kidney protection, or injectables that can also help with weight loss while bringing bring down the blood glucose," adds Dr. Subramanian.
"Along with newer medications, now continuous glucose monitoring devices are available that continuously monitor your glucose and alert you if the glucose level is high or low, which helps you monitor your glucose closely and adjust your diet and medications to achieve better control of diabetes while avoiding hypoglycemia (low blood sugar)."
7 major diabetes complications
Diabetes complications are mainly caused by excess sugar in your bloodstream, which can damage your body. Dr. Subramanian recommends that diabetic patients regularly monitor their blood sugar and blood pressure, take medications as prescribed, control their diet, lose weight, exercise, and have regular follow-ups with their doctor — all of which are essential for stopping or delaying the damage caused by diabetes.
Here are some other things you can do to regain control:
1. Cardiovascular disease
The problem: According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), diabetes doubles your risk of heart disease and stroke by damaging blood vessels and nerves that control the heart, which increases blood pressure. It also lowers your good cholesterol (HDL) and raises the bad cholesterol (LDL) and triglycerides (fat in the bloodstream). It also increases your risk for congestive heart failure, in which the heart is unable to pump enough blood. The risk of stroke increases 1.5 times for diabetics. This disease also affects blood circulation with patients suffering from poor circulation, particularly in the legs and feet, potentially resulting in gangrene and amputation. What you can do about it: On top of controlling your blood sugar, watch your weight and see your primary care physician to monitor your blood pressure, cholesterol and triglycerides. If any of these are elevated, your doctor may recommend changes in diet and exercise, and prescribe medication.
2. Foot problems and amputation
The problem: Diabetic neuropathy results from nerve damage caused by diabetes. It causes pain, numbness and tingling, especially in the legs and feet. Also, because diabetes damages blood vessels, it can cause reduced blood flow to the legs and feet. The resulting loss of feeling from nerve damage can be dangerous for diabetics because they are also more susceptible to infections, nonhealing wounds, sores and ulcers. Without "feeling" the warning from pain, these conditions and accidental cuts can go unnoticed and worsen. This can lead to tissue damage or tissue death, resulting in the need for amputation. Diabetes increases a person's risk of amputation by 30 times.
What you can do about it: Check and wash your feet daily. Be careful when cutting your toenails, which should be cut straight across. Also, protect your feet from injury by wearing shoes and socks. If you notice any sores, wounds or infections that aren't healing properly, contact your doctor immediately.
3. Hearing loss
The problem: According to the CDC, hearing loss can be caused over time by high blood sugar, which can damage the nerves in the inner ear, while low blood sugar can damage how the nerve signal travels to the brain.
What you can do about it: According to the American Diabetes Association, diabetics experience hearing loss at double the rate of their healthy counterparts. Talk to your doctor about getting your hearing checked if you have trouble understanding conversations or if your loved ones have commented on your hearing.
4. Kidney disease
The problem: Diabetes commonly affects the kidneys, with 1 in 3 adult diabetics having chronic kidney disease (CKD). According to the National Kidney Foundation, up to 40% of patients with type 2 diabetes will experience kidney failure. Late-stage kidney failure may necessitate dialysis or kidney transplant. The kidneys filter the blood to remove waste. Dialysis will clean the blood by removing waste, excess fluid and salt, and control blood pressure.
What you can do about it: Control your blood pressure as well as your blood sugar. High blood pressure damages your blood vessels, including the ones in the kidneys, which can lead to the kidney not removing waste properly. Also, look for signs of kidney disease, which includes frequent urination, leg and ankle swelling, itching, and needing less diabetes medicine to control your blood sugar. Go to your regular doctor visits so that your doctor can monitor your levels of blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine in the blood.
5. Nerve damage
The problem: Diabetic neuropathy (nerve damage from high blood sugar) commonly affects diabetics by causing painful numbness and tingling, notably in areas such as the legs and feet, known as peripheral neuropathy. This affects between one-third to one-half of diabetics. Diabetes also causes damage to the other nerves throughout the body, such as internal organs (autonomic neuropathy), which cause problems ranging from heart arrhythmia to sexual dysfunction.
What you can do about it: Talk to your doctor about treatment options for your nerve pain or other symptoms caused by diabetic neuropathy. Also, check your feet regularly, because peripheral neuropathy increases the risk for foot issues and infection from slow or nonhealing sores, cuts, blisters, etc.
6. Vision loss
The problem: Diabetes can lead to vision loss. It is the leading cause of blindness in working-age adults, according to the CDC. High blood sugar causes scarring in the blood vessels in the retina of the eyes (diabetic retinopathy), which can lead to permanent vision loss, including blindness. Diabetes also significantly increases the risk of developing cataracts and glaucoma.
What you can do about it: See your eye doctor regularly for a comprehensive diabetic eye exam. This should include getting your eyes dilated to look for early signs of diabetic retinopathy before symptoms occur to prevent or delay vision loss.
7. Wounds
The problem: Nonhealing and slow-healing wounds are a common challenge for people with diabetes, especially those experiencing peripheral neuropathy and poor blood circulation. Open wounds can lead to infection and gangrene. They also increase the risk of amputation.
What you can do about it: If you suffer from neuropathy that has affected your ability to feel sores and cuts, you must protect your feet and check them daily. Contact your doctor immediately if you notice signs of skin infection or if a wound is taking a long time to heal.
There's no cure yet, but our scientists are working on a ground-breaking weight management study, to help people put their type 2 diabetes into remission. Remission is when blood glucose (or blood sugar) levels are in a normal range again. This doesn't mean diabetes has gone for good.Over the past four decades, the number of people with Type 1 diabetes (T1D) has increased by 4% per year, making it an important public health challenge. Currently, no curative therapy exists for T1D and the only available treatment is insulin replacement, which, though life saving, is often associated with fatal high or low glucose levels.Type 2 diabetes is one of the fastest growing health problem in the most nations. It is a result of insulin resistance and loss of insulin secreting beta-cells. The goal of this research is to identify low-cost, natural compounds to prevent and treat T2D. Dr. Liu discovered for the first time that hispidulin, a compound isolated from the herb Salvia plebaia, which is also abundant in oregano, acts in the gut to promote beta-cell function and ameliorates T2D, while sulforaphane, a small molecule derived from cruciferous vegetables, is a potent insulin sensitizer in the body of T2D mice. In this project Dr. Liu will investigate whether a combination treatment with hispidulin and sulforaphane is more effective in preventing T2D development by simultaneously improving insulin sensitivity and preserving functional beta-cell mass in T2D mice. The results from this grant could lead to developing strategy for using these natural products as an alternative or complementary therapy for T2D. The aim of this research project is to treat or prevent autoimmunity in T1D by blocking antigen presentation using novel D-peptides, specifically by blocking the HLA-DQ8 peptide binding pocket from presenting diabetogenic peptides to auto reactive T-cells. Our hypothesis is that D-peptides are specific to the cause of T1D, and should not cause general immunosuppression, reducing or eliminating the need for insulin replacement therapy. The novel D-peptide approach can be easily expanded to patients with other autoimmune diseases carrying HLA-DQ8 or other HLA class II alleles, therefore, representing a new strategy to treat autoimmunity in general. The etiology of Type 1 Diabetes (T1D) has both genetic and environmental components, but their underlying mechanisms are largely unknown. A better understanding of these mechanisms will help the development of innovative therapies to improve beta-cell function. A T1D candidate gene, CTSH, encodes the Cathepsin H enzyme (CatH) in beta-cells. CTSH is associated with early diabetes onset and rapid loss of first-phase insulin response. Dr. Ye’s previously work suggest that CTSH may need to be expressed at an optimal level, both low and high CatH could lead to beta-cell damage. CTSH can be suppressed by inflammatory cytokines, which subsequently promote beta-cell death. However, high CTSH was found in individuals carrying the T1D susceptible variant. A 2019 research review in the journal Nutrients found that intermittent fasting promotes weight loss, increases insulin sensitivity, and reduces insulin levels in the blood. All of this is helpful for people with Type 2 diabetes. In the present study, Dr. Ye will investigate whether high CatH renders beta-cells a greater immunogenicity, triggering T1D. The results of this work could lead to the development of CatH blockers to prevent / delay diabetes.
If type 2 diabetes was an infectious disease, passed from one person to another, public health officials would say we're in the midst of an epidemic. This difficult disease, once called adult-onset diabetes, is striking an ever-growing number of adults. Even more alarming, it's now beginning to show up in teenagers and children.
The problems behind the numbers are even more alarming. Diabetes is the leading cause of blindness and kidney failure among adults. It causes mild to severe nerve damage that, coupled with diabetes-related circulation problems, often leads to the loss of a leg or foot. Diabetes significantly increases the risk of heart disease, and it's the seventh leading cause of death in SD. (Source: https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/pressroom/states/southdakota/sd.htm)
The good news is that type 2 diabetes is largely preventable. About 9 cases in 10 could be avoided by taking several simple steps: keeping weight under control, exercising more, eating a healthy diet, and not smoking. We now know that smoking causes type 2 diabetes. In fact, smokers are 30-40% more likely to develop type 2 diabetes than nonsmokers. (Source: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (USDHHS). Let’s Make the Next Generation Tobacco-Free: Your Guide to the 50th Anniversary Surgeon General’s Report on Smoking and Health (Consumer Booklet). Atlanta, GA: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Office on Smoking and Health; 2014.)
Investing in local resources to support and build a healthy community where people live, learn, work and play is integral to long term health promotion and prevention of all chronic diseases, not just diabetes. Chronic diseases and associated risk factors continue to be the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in South Dakota and the United States. While chronic diseases are largely attributable to individual health behaviors, there is a growing body of evidence that recognizes that multiple factors shape health.
Prediabetes is a warning sign! Type 2 diabetes cannot be cured, but it can be prevented. Ignoring this warning sign may result in type 2 diabetes within five years. Prediabetes means your blood glucose (sugar) is higher than normal, but not high enough to be diagnosed with diabetes. One in three American adults has prediabetes, and most do not even know they have it.
The good news! Losing 5 to 7 percent of a person's weight and increasing their physical activity can reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes by a whopping 58 percent! Diabetes is a serious disease that can cause heart attack, stroke, blindness, kidney failure, or loss of feet or legs.
You are at an increased risk for developing prediabetes and type 2 diabetes if you:
are 45 years of age or older;
are overweight;
have a family history of type 2 diabetes;
are physically active fewer than three times per week; or
ever had diabetes while pregnant which disappeared after the delivery (gestational diabetes) or gave birth to a baby that weighed more than 9 pounds.
Type 2 diabetes can be delayed or prevented in people with prediabetes through effective lifestyle change including:
eating healthy
being more active
losing weight
stop smoking
For help making these lifestyle changes enroll in a National Diabetes Prevention Program.
The National Diabetes Prevention Program (National DPP) is a CDC-recognized and evidence-based lifestyle change program – in person or online – developed specifically to prevent type 2 diabetes. It is designed for people who have prediabetes or are at risk for type 2 diabetes, but who do not already have diabetes.
A trained lifestyle coach leads the program to help you change certain aspects of your lifestyle, like eating healthier, reducing stress, and getting more physical activity. The program also includes group support from others who share your goals and struggles.
This lifestyle change program is not a fad diet or an exercise class. And it’s not a quick fix. It’s a year-long program focused on long-term changes and lasting results.
A year might sound like a long commitment, but learning new habits, gaining new skills, and building confidence takes time. As you begin to eat better and become more active, you’ll notice changes in how you feel, and maybe even in how you look.
To learn more about what it’s like to be in a lifestyle change program, visit The Lifestyle Change Program Details. Or watch "A Change for Life" video describing the program.
Low Income/Medicaid
Diabetes may be up to two times more prevalent in low income populations compared to wealthy populations. Families of low income are more likely to experience food insecurity, the state of being without reliable access to sufficient quality of affordable, nutritious food. Food insecurity is a risk factor for type 2 diabetes, and household food insecurity is more prevalent when a household member has diabetes.The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) defines food insecurity as a lack of consistent access to enough food for an active, healthy life.
American Indians
American Indians and Alaska Natives are more likely to have type 2 diabetes than any other US racial group. The Native Diabetes Wellness Program honors a balance between cultural practices and western science in Indian Country to promote health and help prevent type 2 diabetes among American Indians and Alaska Natives who are at risk. The program supports wellness and diabetes awareness by collecting and retelling stories about tribal efforts to reclaim traditional foods; developing a series of colorful books for children to promote healthy eating and physical activity; and providing access to other helpful resources, all free to order or download.
The prevalence of diagnosed diabetes in American Indians is 16%, compared to 8% of whites in South Dakota. American Indians with diabetes have a greater rate of years of potential life lost (YPLL) before the age of 75 than whites, 1,110 years and 115 years YPLL, respectively. (Source: 2018 SD BRFSS)
Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders (AANHPI)
Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders (AANHPI) have higher rates of diabetes than non-Hispanic white Americans. Diabetes is the 5th leading cause of death for these populations. Statistics from 2010-2012 show that nationally 16.5 percent of Asian American adults had diabetes, compared to 9.5 percent of non-Hispanic whites. (Source: https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/library/spotlights/diabetes-asian-americans.html)
The National Diabetes Education Program has designed diabetes prevention and management resources specifically for AANHPI communities. These resources can be used by community health workers, diabetes educators, and health care providers to meet the needs of these groups.
Among some non-Hispanic Asians, the age-sex-adjusted percentage of adults living with both diagnosed and undiagnosed diabetes were:
23% for South Asians
22% for Southeast Asians
14% for East Asians
African Americans and People of African Ancestry
Diabetes is one of the most serious health problems that the African American community faces today. Compared to the general population, African Americans are disproportionately affected by diabetes.
To address this growing epidemic, the American Diabetes Association created program and materials to increase awareness of the seriousness of diabetes and its complications among African Americans.
African American adults are 60 percent more likely than non-Hispanic white adults to have been diagnosed with diabetes by a physician. (Source: https://minorityhealth.hhs.gov/omh/browse.aspx?lvl=4&lvlid=18)
Hispanic/Latino Americans:
Hispanic/Latino American adults are more than 50% likely to develop diabetes at a younger age. Diabetes complications also hit harder: Hispanics/Latinos have higher rates of kidney failure caused by diabetes as well as diabetes-related vision loss and blindness. (Source: https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/library/features/hispanic-diabetes.html)
Why the greater risk for type 2 diabetes and its complications? These factors can play a part:
Genetics: Hispanics/Latinos have genes that increase their chance of developing type 2 diabetes. Diabetes is very complicated, though, and the connection isn’t completely clear.
Food: In some Hispanic/Latino cultures, foods can be high in fat and calories. Also, family celebrations may involve social pressure to overeat, and turning down food could be seen as impolite.
Weight/activity: Hispanics/Latinos have higher rates of obesity and tend to be less physically active than non-Hispanic whites. And some see overweight as a sign of good health instead of as a health problem.
It’s important to keep in mind that these risk factors are general and may not apply to individual Hispanic/Latino people or specific Hispanic/Latino groups. Among some Hispanics, the age-sex-adjusted percentage of adults living with both diagnosed and undiagnosed diabetes were:
Preventing Type 2 Diabetes
Perhaps you have learned that you have a high chance of developing type 2 diabetes, the most common type of diabetes. You might be overweight or have a parent, brother, or sister with type 2 diabetes. Maybe you had gestational diabetes, which is diabetes that develops during pregnancy. These are just a few examples of factors that can raise your chances of developing type 2 diabetes.
Diabetes can cause serious health problems, such as heart disease, stroke, and eye and foot problems. Prediabetes also can cause health problems. The good news is that type 2 diabetes can be delayed or even prevented. The longer you have diabetes, the more likely you are to develop health problems, so delaying diabetes by even a few years will benefit your health. You can help prevent or delay type 2 diabetes by losing a modest amount of weight by following a reduced-calorie eating plan and being physically active most days of the week. Ask your doctor if you should take the diabetes drug metformin NIH external link to help prevent or delay type 2 diabetes.1
How can I lower my chances of developing type 2 diabetes?
Research such as the Diabetes Prevention Program External link shows that you can do a lot to reduce your chances of developing type 2 diabetes. Here are some things you can change to lower your risk:
Lose weight and keep it off. You may be able to prevent or delay diabetes by losing 5 to 7 percent of your starting weight.1 For instance, if you weigh 200 pounds, your goal would be to lose about 10 to 14 pounds.
Move more. Get at least 30 minutes of physical activity 5 days a week. If you have not been active, talk with your health care professional about which activities are best. Start slowly to build up to your goal.
Eat healthy foods most of the time. Eat smaller portions to reduce the amount of calories you eat each day and help you lose weight. Choosing foods with less fat is another way to reduce calories. Drink water instead of sweetened beverages.
Ask your health care professional about what other changes you can make to prevent or delay type 2 diabetes.
Most often, your best chance for preventing type 2 diabetes is to make lifestyle changes that work for you long term. Get started with Your Game Plan to Prevent Type 2 Diabetes.
Yoga can do more than just relax your body in mind — especially if you’re living with diabetes. Certain poses may help lower blood pressure and blood sugar levels while also improving circulation, leading many experts to recommend yoga for diabetes management. Regular practice may even help reduce your risk for other complications of diabetes, such as heart disease.Keep reading to learn how these simple moves can improve your overall quality of life and lead to significant transformations. Health Benefits of Yoga,People have practiced yoga for hundreds of years. Research shows that yoga can help improve your overall quality of life as well as help manage symptoms specific to diabetes. Yoga is both a physical activity and a mental one. The word comes from the Sanskrit word for yoking, or to join or unite. It mixes specific postures, breathing techniques, and meditation. It may help you: Get stronger Improve your balance and lessen chances of a fall, even if you have nerve damage Better control blood sugar levels
Be more flexible
Build more muscle
Lower stress
Be more mindful
Be more accepting of your body
Improve your nerve function
Lower your blood pressure
7 Yoga Asanas That Will Help With Diabetes
1 Sun Salutations (Surya Namaskar)
2 Lying Down Body Twist (Folded leg Lumbar stretch)
3 Bow Pose (Dhanurasana)
4 Seated-forward Bend (Paschimottanasana)
5 Legs up the wall (Viparita Karani)
6 Bhujangasana (Upward Facing Dog Pose)
7 Corpse Pose (Shavasana)
The beneficial effect of the dietary pattern on diabetes mellitus and glucose metabolism in general and traditional food pattern was associated with a significant reduction in the risk of developing type-2 diabetes. The dietary pattern emphasizes a consumption of fat primarily from foods high in unsaturated fatty acids, and encourages daily consumption of fruits, vegetables, low fat dairy products and whole grains, low consumption of fish, poultry, tree nuts, legumes, very less consumption of red meat. The composition of diet is one of the best known dietary patterns for its beneficial effects on human health that may act beneficially against the development of type-2 diabetes, including reduced oxidative stress and insulin resistance. High consumption of vegetables, fruits, legumes, nuts, fish, cereals and oil leads to a high ratio of monounsaturated fatty acids to saturated fatty acids, a low intake of trans fatty acids, and high ingestion of dietary fiber, antioxidants, polyphenols. The diets are characterized by a low degree of energy density overall; such diet prevent weight gain and exert a protective effect on the development of type-2 diabetes, a condition that is partially mediated through weight maintenance. Greater adherence to the diet in combination with light physical activity was associated with lower odds of having diabetes after adjustment for various factors.On the other hand, a paleolithic diet (i.e., a diet consisting of lean meat, fish, shellfish, fruits and vegetables, roots, eggs and nuts, but not grains, dairy products, salt or refined fats, and sugar) was associated with marked improvement of glucose tolerance while control subjects who were advised to follow a diet did not significantly improve their glucose tolerance despite decreases in weight and waist circumference. People most likely to get diabetes are: People who are overweight, upper-body obesity, have a family history of diabetes, age 40 or older, and women (50% more often than men).
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There is an increased utilization of wholegrain cereals in food formulations considering their richness in essential nutritional and biological properties. In this study, each component (amaranth, acha and pearl millet) of the multigrain blend was individually pre-fermented. Thereafter, the pre-fermented grain flours were optimized to obtain two unique blends (90:5:5 and 47.98: 26.68:25.34) containing high protein content (~23% and 17%) and low glycemic index (~43). The optimum blends were processed into instant porridges (PR1, PR2) and analyzed for its nutritional composition, blood glucose lowering ability, antioxidant enzyme and tissue/serum biochemical makers modulatory ability in obese-diabetic animals. The porridge showed significant nutritional profile, consumption of formulated multigrain porridge reduced blood glucose level (by 62% and 66%), upregulated the antioxidant defense system to near normal levels likewise, significantly reduced serum biochemical parameters. Thus, suggests that the multigrain blends/porridge is nutrient-dense possessing beneficial effect to maintain antioxidant levels in the diabetic condition with potential to attenuate oxidative damage.
Practical applications : Prolonged feeding with high-fat diet induces hypercholesterolemia in experimental animals. Further interperitoneal injection of streptozotocin induces experimental diabetes with a cascade of oxidative stress related complications in serum and tissue parameters. Porridge is a traditional meal while multigrain porridge is a nutrient dense meal which may exert curative effect. In this work, it was shown that dietary intervention with multigrain porridge product promoted positive weight control, portrayed hepatoprotective effect as shown by the elevated levels of biomarker (ALT, AST, ALP) and antioxidant enzymes (CAT, SOD, GPx) as well as modulation of serum lipid profile (total cholesterol, triglycerides, high density lipoprotein-cholesterol). Thus, the multigrain porridge may be a functional food product to combat hypercholesterolemia and hyperglycemia especially PR1 which appeared to be more efficient than PR2 in modulating oxidative stress, conferring hypoglycemic effect and lowering lipid levels in obese-diabetic rats model studied.
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In many parts of the Asia–Pacific region, diabetes prevalence is increasing and seems destined to become a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease. The phenomenon seems predicated on insulin resistance (IR), partly attributable to an early impact of abdominal (visceral) adiposity than in Caucasian populations. Food intake along with physical activity and emotional stress are all determinants of glycaemic status. The glycaemic index (GI) of foods indicates that a number of food factors other than glucose content are important for good glycaemic response to foods and meals. These include (i) low GI foods could also be ones low in fat, (ii) foods that have the lowest GI which include lentils, pasta, noodles, multigrain breads and some fruits (e.g. grapefruit, plums) and (iii) fruits are to be preferred to their juices. The nutritional management of diabetes is best served by counselling changes in a sociocultural context and step-wise fashion by negotiation rather than prescription. It needs to be accompanied by advice to engage in regular physical activity, both aerobic and strength training. The same concept applies to the prevention of abdominal adiposity and diabetes mellitus type II in the Asia–Pacific region, but with particular reference to protective regional food.
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Diabetes is a disease characterized by a malfunction in glucose metabolism, a process which is strongly impacted by diet. Therefore controlling the diets of diabetic patients will help to achieve a good prognosis. Many diabetic patients follow the recommended basic dietary principles. However, a large portion of diabetic patients tend to seek alternatives such as Health Function Foods or wholesome foods, many of which contain polyphenols that have been shown to have anti-diabetic and anti-oxidative effects. There are many desirable nutritional substances for diabetes that can be gained through the ingestion of the proper foods, such as inulin in yacon, fructose in Helianthus tuberosus, catechn in green tea, rutin and γ-aminobutyrc acid (GABA) in mulberry leaves and mulberry fruits, saponin in ginseng, flavonoid in glasswort, and curcumin in tumaric. The best way to obtain the appropriate anti-diabetic/anti-oxidant nutrients is to add them to the recommended meal plan and consume them regularly; for example, eating multigrain rice to obtain fiber and minerals to help reduce serum glucose. However, foods containing desirable diabetic substances may also have other nutrients that may actually increase the serum glucose level. Therefore, it is important that all of the nutrients in a product are properly analyzed. In particular, check thoroughly for ingredients that may increase the glucose level. These reasons support research for the analysis of functioning ingredients and nutrients in products which are known to have anti-diabetic effects.
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Glycemic Index of Multigrain Atta
Glycemic index (GI) is a method to determine how a food item can raise blood sugar levels. Foods with a high GI are harmful to individuals with diabetes because they can spike blood sugar levels, which can lead to dangerous complications. Foods with a low GI are better for individuals with diabetes because they do not spike blood sugar levels. The GI of multigrain atta is low because it is made with complex carbohydrates and whole grains. This means that it does not spike blood sugar levels and is safe for individuals with diabetes. If you are living with diabetes, you are aware that the disease can be controlled by maintaining an appropriate balance between your diet and lifestyle. In this article, we will discuss the nutrition, benefits, and glycemic index of multigrain atta, and the best multigrain atta for diabetes.
Benefits Of Multigrain Atta
Multigrain atta is an excellent source of dietary fibre, complex carbohydrates and vitamins. Dietary fibre helps to regulate blood sugar levels by slowing down the digestion process and preventing spikes in blood sugar levels. Complex carbohydrates are broken down into glucose slowly, which results in a steadier release of energy throughout the day.
The benefits of multigrain atta are as follows:
Regulation of blood sugar levels.
Prevention of spikes in blood sugar levels.
Improved cardiovascular health.
Reduced risk of developing chronic diseases such as heart disease, stroke and cancer.
The high fibre content of multigrain flour or atta also aids digestion. Because digestion is responsible for the absorption of nutrients in the body, it is important for maintaining general health.
While diabetics must limit their carbohydrate intake, they must also incorporate some complex carbohydrates into their diet to ensure that they have enough energy to go through the day.
Without risking blood sugar spikes, multigrain atta provides the proper amount of complex carbohydrates that work as fuel in the body.
Soy, chickpeas, and other protein-rich ingredients are found in multigrain flour. Protein aids in the repair and construction of tissues, ensuring that the body is strong.
Benefits of Multigrain Atta for Diabetes
According to Harvard Chan School research study, replacing refined grains with whole grains and consuming at least 2 servings of whole grains day may help to minimize the risk of type 2 diabetes.
**Multigrain atta for diabetes, as pointed out by research, is the best flour for managing diabetes and weight loss. Unlike wheat flour, multigrain flour is low in carbs and has an extremely low glycaemic index, due to which it reduces the sugar level in the blood, ultimately leading to weight loss**
Atta cooked with multigrain flour and two or more grains is more healthy than a single grain like wheat.
Gluten-free multigrain atta produced with low-GI components such as ragi and jowar helps reduce diabetes and obesity.
According to research, the antioxidants in besan help to protect against free radicals and acrylamide detrimental effects.
Researchers discovered that chickpea flour reduced ghrelin, the hunger hormone, promoting a sensation of fullness.
According to a study published in the Journal of Food Science, besan-based foods have a GI of 28-35, which aids with blood sugar control.
It contains a high amount of protein and fibre, which aids in weight loss and control. Whole grain multigrain atta provides better satiety levels due to the inclusion of a healthy number of dietary fibres, which aids in weight loss and control. Multigrain atta is flour prepared by milling various grains such as wheat, bajra, etc. This atta contains a rich amount of protein that helps in digestion and good cardiac health. However, the question is, is multigrain atta good for diabetics? And, what are the health benefits of multigrain atta for people with high blood sugars? A very famous five-flour multigrain roti contains ragi, bajra, and jowar. All three are found to aid in maintaining blood glucose levels in the blood. While jowar and bajra contain complex carbs that take a long time to get digested and liberate sugar in the blood slowly. Ragi is constituted of dietary fibers and its GI value is low. Also, this multigrain atta utilizes whole wheat and a small amount of besan flour for diabetics.
People can make their multigrain atta gluten-free and allergy-friendly by omitting whole wheat flour and replacing it with ragi and other millets.
While individuals with diabetes must limit their carbohydrate intake, they must also incorporate some complex carbohydrates into their diet to ensure that they have enough energy to go through the day. Without risking blood sugar spikes, multigrain flour provides the proper amount of complex carbohydrates that work as fuel in the body. Physical activity is a big part of staying healthy with diabetes. And regular exercise is one of the best types of physical movement. Yoga can be a good choice if you’re looking for something that’s gentler on your joints and won’t leave you huffing and puffing. Most types of yoga aren’t aerobic, which is when your heart beats faster and your body uses more oxygen. But if you do it at high-enough speed, you can make yoga into a cardio workout.
Nutritional Value of Multigrain Atta
Multigrain atta is a healthier, low-calorie choice than refined flour atta. It contains 18.7% dietary fiber i.e., 4.7% more than the recommended intake. Further, it provides complex carbohydrates and dietary fiber, which the body takes longer to absorb, thus stabilizing blood glucose levels. Multigrain atta also provides magnesium, copper, manganese, thiamine, and zinc. Copper, magnesium, and manganese help regulate blood glucose levels. It is a good source of iron, calcium, phosphorus, and vitamin B6.
100 grams of multigrain atta contains the following nutrients:
Energy: 339.0 Kcal
Thiamine: 68.7 g
Protein: 2.7 g
Magnesium: 140.2 mg
Calcium: 15.4 mg
Iron: 3.5 mg
Zinc: 1.7 mg
Iron: 0.9 mg
Riboflavin: 0.3 mg
Folic acid: 0.1 mg
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The glycemic index of multigrain atta is low. Hence, it permits a more sustained release of sugar and improved diabetes control. Lowers the risks of blood glucose spikes. Avoids the occurrence of diabetes-associated complications like hypertension, weight gain, and insulin resistance
Good heart health. Acts as an effective digestive aid and lowers inflammation in the body (barley atta). Contains a rich amount of protein. Multigrain atta is a blend of all vital vitamins, minerals, and lipids present in each of the ingredient flours. Also, barley atta contains a rich fiber content. Fiber prevents too much fat from accumulating in a person’s body. Thus, it helps to keep cholesterol levels within the normal range. Also, fiber content aids in maintaining and protecting heart health. in every 6 people in India is diabetic. As a result, it is a must to know what diabetics can consume to improve their health and live a healthy lifestyle. Sugar patients must prioritize managing their blood sugars and their regular monitoring. Diabetic patients should add foods that do not considerably augment their glucose levels. This implies that food products having a low GI value are ideal for diabetics. Low GI food is considered to be 55 and lower. It involves food products such as fruits, veggies, low-fat dairy items, and minimally processed grains. Multigrain Atta is just ideal for sugar patients for this reason. In contrast to regular Atta, Multigrain Atta comprises fewer carbohydrates and a low GI score. Multigrain Atta comprises wheat in combination with some more grains for diabetes. It is generally minimally processed and comprises whole grains. This signifies that it consists of the natural nutritional value of the complete grain kernels such as that of the germ, bran, and endosperm.
constitute As follows As body Suit and slowly Adaption
whole barley 20%
Shorgum 30%
Maize 30%
Pearl Millets 20%
Desi Gram 5%
Moong Beans 3%
Moth Beans 2%
Thanks to the latest craze of multigrain, everybody wants to buy them to become fit and healthier. The biggest grain of truth lies in the fact that combination of grains helps in accelerating the amino acids content of what you eat, thus, helping you dial up the nutritive value of complementary proteins. Amrita Parab, Nutritionist at Digestive Health Institute by Dr.Muffisuggests why grains should be mixed together and which of the grains work best when mixed.
But first, let us understand why whole grains are 100% better than refined grains:
In all aspects, whole grains supersede their refined counterpart. If we were to analyse the basic nutritional aspects then the fibre content of the whole grains gives good satiety value, slows the rise in blood sugar levels post consumption, improves the gut health. The health benefits of whole grains are attributed in part to their unique phytochemical composition. This may partly explain the use of grain consumption in the prevention of colon cancer, other digestive cancers, breast cancer, and prostate cancer, which is supported by epidemiological studies.The antioxidant content of whole grains explains the studies indicating an association between whole grain intake and lower CVD. Read here Wheat chapatis or bajra roti, oats or ragi, quinoa or brown rice? what s better for weight loss
Importance of mixing together grains and flours for optimum health: The concept of multigrain has caught the attention of diet watchers. Multigrain provides a compact dose of the essential nutrients. Mixing of cereals and grains improves the quality of protein and apes the protein quality of non-vegetarian sources. Mixing of cereal and pulses lowers the glycaemic index (the capacity of food to increase the blood sugar level after consumption). Read here how to know if your atta or wheat flour is pure
At-home method of mixing grains together: We can start by mixing any cereal and any pulse for a usual preparation.
no confilict of Intrest. Care and Contact with Doctor, Always Passive with life, Joy with Mood.
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For the last 20 years, I am trying to cure 100% of the major diseases like thyroid, diabetic, heart related diseases, liver etc. It is, and I have done 100% successful experiment in thousands of people and in every age group, the minimum expenditure - usually the expenditure we spend on sattvik the whole grain 8-9 type coarse gains- the veg food is the same as it should be done in our daily habits to fight disease and get cured. The effort exists. That only by making major changes in the diet, diseases can be fought and diseases can be overcome.
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