Your doctor may order tests to measure your blood sugar (glucose) level. Blood tests can be performed in a variety of ways, but they are all looking for higher levels than normal.
Diabetes is a condition that occurs when your blood sugar level is too high. You and your doctor can develop a plan of action to help control blood sugar levels.
Prediabetes is diagnosed when blood sugar levels are higher than normal but not high enough to diagnose diabetes.
What is Prediabetes?
A prediabetes diagnosis means that your blood sugar level is higher than it should be, even if they’re not high enough to qualify as diabetes.
Prediabetes can be viewed as an early warning sign for diabetes. Your doctor will tell you that the blood sugar levels in your body are beginning to be a problem and that you should take action to reduce them.
Your prediabetes may develop into diabetes type 2 and all of the complications that go with it.
Your prediabetes may also be viewed as an opportunity. You may be able, by making some changes in your diet and exercising more, to lower your blood glucose levels to the point that diabetes is prevented.
What causes prediabetes?
Insulin resistance HTML4_
Insulin is produced by the pancreas. Insulin’s main job is to transport blood sugar from the bloodstream into cells where it can be converted to energy.
This is sometimes referred to as a lock and key system. Insulin opens the cell door so sugar can enter.
Insulin resistance is a metaphor for a clogged insulin receptor site. The “keys” are the insulin molecules, but they can’t get through the locked cell door. Because glucose (blood sugar), which can’t enter the cells, stays in the bloodstream where it can cause problems for your nerves and tissue.
Improve Insulin Sensitivity
Improving insulin sensitivity is the first step in preventing diabetes. Diet and exercise are the two main methods to improve insulin sensitivity.
Weight loss is one of the most effective ways to improve insulin sensitivity. Type 2 diabetes can be directly linked to obesity or overweight. A small weight loss can be a big help.
Saturated fat is a major contributor to insulin resistance. Saturated Fat is solid at room temperatures (for instance, butter is saturated, while olive is unsaturated). This material can cause insulin resistance by clogging up insulin receptors.
Your insulin resistance is likely to worsen if you continue to consume a lot of saturated fats, which are found in meat and dairy. If you substitute some saturated fats with unsaturated ones (found in nuts, seeds, fish and other foods), you will improve your insulin resistance.
Limit your carbohydrate consumption. You should limit your carbohydrate intake.
- bread
- pasta
- rice
- cereal
- potatoes
- Snacks and Sweets
- pastries
Because these foods break down into glucose when eaten, they will raise your blood sugar levels.
Regular exercise can also improve insulin sensitivity. At least 150 minutes of exercise per week is ideal, but more would be better. You can combine different activities such as walking or jogging with other ones like swimming, cycling, lifting weights or sports.
You can also improve your insulin sensitivity by engaging in these activities. They will help you to burn more calories.
