|
|
(HealthNewsDigest.com) – Approximately 60 million Americans are prediabetic, yet few know they are at risk of developing type 2 diabetes in the next decade. A recent study published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine showed a simple blood test, hemoglobin A1c, (also known as HbA1c) could screen for prediabetes.
A1c measures average blood glucose level over the past 8 to 12 weeks. It is routinely used to monitor diabetes. But, it can also be used to identify prediabetes which could prevent the progression to type 2 diabetes by allowing the person the opportunity to initiate weight loss, exercise and simple diet changes. The Diabetes Prevention Program has shown that for a person with prediabetes, diet and exercise can markedly lower their risk for developing type 2 diabetes.
It is estimated that only 7% of adults with prediabetes have been screened. More comprehensive screening could prevent millions of cases of type 2 diabetes and save billions in health care dollars needed to treat it.
Coffee, your morning pick-me-up, may also be protective against type 2 diabetes. A protein called sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) regulates the body’s sex hormones (testosterone and estrogen) which have long been suspected of playing a role in the development of type 2 diabetes. It turns out, drinking coffee increases blood levels of SHBG. People with low levels of SHBG are at greater risk of developing diabetes.
In a study published in the journal Diabetes, women who drank 4 cups of regular coffee each day had higher levels of SHGB and were 56% less like to develop type 2 diabetes than non-coffee drinkers. Earlier studies consistently showed a link between coffee drinkers and a lower risk for type 2 diabetes, but until now the reason for this connection was unknown.
Bad news for decafe lovers – decaffeinated coffee does not raise SHBG levels and does not lower diabetes risk.
Walking 10,000 steps a day can reduce your risk for diabetes. An Australian study of close to 600 middle-aged adults, who walked 10,000 steps a day had lower body weights, smaller waists, and better insulin sensitivity. This shows that walking daily can both lower your risk for diabetes and help manage the condition once diagnosed.
In the study participants were monitored over 5 years and compared against another group of people who were told to walk 3,000 steps 5 days a week. The risk for type 2 diabetes appeared to be largely due to the reduction in fat tissue over the timeframe of the study. The researchers showed you could take relatively sedentary people and encourage them to change their behavior over a long period of time with positive risk reduction benefits.
Bottom line: At your next physical ask your doctor to order an A1c test. Enjoy your morning coffee and take a long walk every day.
For more information about managing diabetes, take a look at one of our latest books: The Diabetes Counter, 4th ed., Pocket Books.
© NRH Nutrition Consultants, Inc.
Jo-Ann Heslin, MA, RD, CDN is a registered dietitian and the author of the nutrition counter series for Pocket Books with 12 current titles and sales of more than 8.5 million books. The books are widely available at your local or on-line bookseller.
Current titles include:
The Diabetes Counter, 4th Ed., 2011
The Protein Counter, 3rd Ed., 2011
The Calorie Counter, 5th Ed., 2010
The Ultimate Carbohydrate Counter, 3rd Ed., 2010
The Complete Food Counter, 3rd ed., 2009
The Fat Counter, 7th ed., 2009
The Healthy Wholefoods Counter, 2008
The Cholesterol Counter, 7th Ed., 2008
For more information on Jo-Ann and her books, go to TheNutritionExperts
Subscribe to our FREE Ezine and receive current Health News, be eligible for discounted products/services and coupons related to your Health. We publish 24/7.
HealthNewsDigest.com
For advertising/promotion, email: [email protected] Or call toll free: 877- 634-9180