What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic and sometimes fatal disease, in which your body cannot produce insulin or cannot properly use the insulin it has. There are THREE different types of diabetes:
- Type 1 diabetes – generally develops during childhood and is treated with insulin.
- Gestational diabetes – a temporary condition that can occur during pregnancy.
- Type 2 diabetes – the most common type of diabetes and typically develops during adulthood.
Type 2 diabetes is a chronic disease where your body has high blood sugar levels (blood glucose). In type 2 diabetes your body cannot use the insulin it has produced or is unable to produce enough insulin to regulate the amount of sugar in your blood. Too much sugar in your blood can damage the blood vessels which in turn can damage vital organs.
What is Prediabetes?
Prediabetes is a condition where your body has higher than usual blood sugar levels but not high enough to be diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. Prediabetes is classified when your fasting blood glucose levels are elevated but slightly lower than 7 mmol/L.
You may be at risk for prediabetes if any of the following apply to you:
- You have excess fat around your waist
- You have high cholesterol
- You have high blood pressure
- You are largely sedentary (you sit for most of your day)
- You do not exercise regularly
- You have a family member with type 2 diabetes
- You are over 40 years old
Are you over 40 years old? The Canadian Diabetes Association suggests that you test your blood sugar every 3 years.
The good news…
If you have prediabetes or you are at risk for prediabetes, you can lower your risk of developing type 2 diabetes by making changes to your lifestyle. Making positive changes that include a healthy diet, physical activity (exercise), not smoking, and moderate alcohol intake can all reduce your risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
Want to know more? Read the articles below if you want to learn more about the science behind prediabetes and its risk factors.
American diabetes Association’s Position Statement on Diabetes Care
American College of Sports Medicine Position Stand on Diabetes and Physical Activity