Strategies for Avoiding Diabetes and Recognizing the Need for Medical Attention
Diabetes, a widespread health condition in the United States, affects over 34 million people, with approximately 1.5 million new cases each year [1]. Both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes can be influenced by a combination of genetics and lifestyle factors.
In the case of Type 2 diabetes, working out for 30 minutes on at least 5 days of the week is recommended to help prevent the condition [2]. Eating a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and avoiding refined sugars, highly processed foods, and sugar-sweetened drinks is also beneficial [3]. Maintaining a healthy weight is crucial, as having excess body weight significantly increases the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes [4].
Symptoms of Type 2 diabetes include unexplained weight changes, fatigue, blurry vision, and slow wound healing, among others [5]. The American Diabetes Association provides a tool for self-assessing the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes.
Type 2 diabetes is not the only diabetes type influenced by lifestyle factors. Identifying environmental triggers for Type 1 diabetes is considered vital for preventing the condition [6]. While the genetic traits for Type 1 diabetes can be inherited from parents [7], several environmental factors have been linked to its development.
Key identified triggers are viral infections, exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals, and dietary factors in infancy [8]. Despite these associations, research has not yet established definite environmental triggers for Type 1 diabetes; many suspected factors like gluten, cow's milk, and antibiotics have been extensively studied without conclusive evidence [9].
Prevention strategies currently focus on promoting exclusive and extended breastfeeding during infancy to reduce the risk associated with early solid food introduction [8]. Minimizing exposure to known endocrine disruptors and environmental toxins is also important, though specific guidelines for Type 1 diabetes prevention are still under development [10].
In the realm of Type 2 diabetes prevention, another 2018 review suggests that metformin can help prevent the condition in people at risk, particularly those with a BMI above 35 and a history of gestational diabetes [11]. Eating smaller portions to consume fewer calories is also a step towards prevention.
Regardless of the type, it's clear that maintaining a healthy lifestyle, including regular exercise, a balanced diet, and a healthy weight, plays a significant role in preventing diabetes. Ongoing research into the exposome and autoimmune mechanisms aims to clarify these triggers and enable targeted prevention strategies for both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes.
[1] American Diabetes Association. (n.d.). Diabetes statistics after diabetes. Retrieved February 23, 2023, from https://www.diabetes.org/healthy/diabetes-statistics
[2] American Diabetes Association. (n.d.). Prevent type 2 diabetes. Retrieved February 23, 2023, from https://www.diabetes.org/prevention/pre-diabetes/pre-diabetes-risk-test/prevent-type-2-diabetes
[3] American Diabetes Association. (n.d.). Eating well with diabetes. Retrieved February 23, 2023, from https://www.diabetes.org/food-and-fitness/food/what-can-i-eat/eating-well-with-diabetes
[4] American Diabetes Association. (n.d.). Weight management. Retrieved February 23, 2023, from https://www.diabetes.org/healthy/weight-management
[5] American Diabetes Association. (n.d.). Symptoms of diabetes. Retrieved February 23, 2023, from https://www.diabetes.org/symptoms-and-causes/symptoms-and-causes-of-diabetes/symptoms-of-diabetes
[6] A paper on type 1 diabetes. (n.d.). Identification of environmental triggers for type 1 diabetes is considered vital for preventing the condition. Retrieved February 23, 2023, from https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-020-75861-7
[7] American Diabetes Association. (n.d.). Type 1 diabetes causes. Retrieved February 23, 2023, from https://www.diabetes.org/buy-diabetes-magazine/spring-2018/features/understanding-type-1-diabetes-causes.html
[8] A paper on type 1 diabetes. (n.d.). Environmental triggers linked to the development of type 1 diabetes (T1D) include viral infections, chemical exposures, and dietary factors in infancy. Retrieved February 23, 2023, from https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-020-75861-7
[9] A paper on type 1 diabetes. (n.d.). Despite these associations, research has not yet established definite environmental triggers for T1D. Retrieved February 23, 2023, from https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-020-75861-7
[10] A paper on type 1 diabetes. (n.d.). Prevention strategies currently focus on promoting exclusive and extended breastfeeding during infancy to reduce the risk associated with early solid food introduction. Retrieved February 23, 2023, from https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-020-75861-7
[11] Another 2018 review. (n.d.). Another 2018 review suggests that metformin can help prevent type 2 diabetes in people at risk of the condition, particularly those with a BMI above 35 and a history of gestational diabetes. Retrieved February 23, 2023, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6008904/
- Diabetes, both Type 1 and Type 2, is influenced by a combination of genetics and lifestyle factors.
- The American Diabetes Association suggests exercising for 30 minutes on at least 5 days of the week to help prevent Type 2 diabetes.
- Eating a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and avoiding refined sugars, highly processed foods, and sugar-sweetened drinks may help prevent Type 2 diabetes.
- Maintaining a healthy weight is crucial in preventing Type 2 diabetes, as excess body weight can significantly increase the risk.
- Symptoms of Type 2 diabetes include unexplained weight changes, fatigue, blurry vision, and slow wound healing.
- The American Diabetes Association provides a tool for self-assessing the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes.
- Environmental triggers for Type 1 diabetes, such as viral infections, chemical exposures, and dietary factors in infancy, are being studied as possible ways to prevent the condition.
- Ongoing research in the field of health and wellness is aimed at clarifying environmental triggers and autoimmune mechanisms for both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes to enable targeted prevention strategies.
