Prediabetes

and why you must act now!

I am witnessing an alarming trend. A lot of the people in my life are struggling with being overweight and with obesity as they age. And many of them are Prediabetic. And even more alarming is the fact that they casually dismiss it as background noise and not particularly relevant at this point in their lives.

I see this as a very loud warning sign. Your body is telling you that something is wrong, and you need to course correct immediately before things get worse.

How do I get people to take Prediabetes seriously? Knowledge is power. At least when applied. 

I decided to arm myself with the knowledge and information so that I could help others take charge of their own health.

What is Prediabetes? 

Prediabetes is a serious health condition that indicates your blood sugar levels are higher than normal, but not high enough yet to be classified as Type 2 Diabetes. It's essentially a warning sign that you're at an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes in the future if you don't take steps to manage your blood sugar.

What are the types of Diabetes? 

There are two types: Type 1 Diabetes, which is an autoimmune disease that affects a very small portion of the population, and then there’s Type 2 Diabetes, which affects a very large portion of our population. In this article, we shall focus on the highly prevalent and highly dangerous Type 2 Diabetes which for the sake of brevity, shall simply refer to as Diabetes. 

What is Diabetes? 

Diabetes is a chronic condition that affects how your body regulates blood sugar (glucose). Glucose is the primary energy source for your cells, and insulin, a hormone produced by your pancreas, is the key that unlocks the door for glucose to enter your cells. The problem with diabetes is that:

1. When there’s too much glucose in our bloodstream, our body's cells become resistant to the effects of insulin;

2. Therefore, the cell doors don’t open and don’t allow the glucose in, which is insulin resistance; and

3. In some cases, your pancreas may not produce enough insulin to open the cell doors and this is insulin deficiency.

These factors lead to high blood sugar levels, which can have serious consequences for your health if left unmanaged.

High Blood Sugar Levels (Hyperglycemia) 

The body really does not like glucose lingering in the bloodstream because:

1. When glucose stays high in the bloodstream instead of entering the cells, those cells become starved for energy.

2. Glucose in the bloodstream can react with proteins and fats in a process called glycation which can damage cells throughout the body, including those in your eyes, nerves, kidneys, and heart.

Increased Risk of Chronic Diseases 

The thing is that there are typically no specific symptoms associated with prediabetes which makes it all the more dangerous. While prediabetes itself isn't life-threatening, it's a wake-up call.

Most chronic diseases are downstream from diabetes. 

• Firstly, there's Chronic Hyperglycemia or High Blood Sugar, this is the hallmark of diabetes!

• Then there are heart and kidney diseases!

• Then there's damage to your blood vessels and nerves throughout the body;

• There's increased inflammation and autoimmune diseases;

• And even Alzheimer's Disease, insulin resistance of the brain, which is now being referred to as Type 3 Diabetes;

What are the risk factors for Prediabetes?

• Being overweight or obese is a major risk factor;

• Having a parent or sibling with type 2 diabetes increases your risk;

• The risk increases as you age, especially after 40 years;

• A sedentary lifestyle increases your risk;

• Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) in women: This hormonal imbalance increases the risk;

Diagnosing Prediabetes 

You can diagnose prediabetes using simple blood tests such as:

Fasting Blood Sugar: This test measures your blood sugar level after not eating for a certain amount of time. Reference range:

• Normal: Less than 99 mg/dL

• Prediabetes: 100 to 125 mg/dL

• Diabetes: 126 mg/dL or higher on two separate tests

Random Blood Sugar: This test measures your blood sugar level at any given time. This test is convenient but less precise than HbA1c. Reference range:

• Normal: Less than 140 mg/dL

• Prediabetes: 140 to 200 mg/dL

• Diabetes: 200 mg/dL or higher on two separate tests

Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c): This test reflects your average blood sugar control over the past 2-3 months and is a key diagnostic tool for prediabetes. Reference range:

• Normal: Below 5.7%

• Prediabetes: Between 5.7% and 6.4%

• Diabetes: 6.5% or higher

A simple blood test could give you peace of mind, or it could be the nudge you need to make some positive lifestyle changes. Regardless, it’s imperative that you act now! As they say, prevention is always better than cure!

Preventing Prediabetes from Progressing 

Here’s the thing, Prediabetes is entirely reversible with some changes to your lifestyle. Having tried out many tactics to get healthy, this is what I’d recommend for you:

Eat: More fruits, vegetables, lentils and beans;

Don’t eat: Added sugars, sugary beverages, refined grains and desserts;

Get moving: Cardio, strength training, and yoga are all great options, but you can even just start by simply going for a walk!

And: Stay hydrated, prioritize sleep, limit alcohol, and quit smoking!

Most importantly, if you are at risk for Prediabetes, please talk to your doctor and create a personalized action plan for you!

According to the International Diabetes Federation, 537 million adults are living with diabetes. Metabolic diseases have become very prevalent in our society, and I sincerely hope that this information will shine some light on the dangers of Diabetes. Please use this information to take proactive action in your life and the lives of your loved ones!