The prevalence of type 2 diabetes has increased in the pat years in the USA. The CDC estimated in 2014 that there are currently 29.1 million people living with diabetes, and roughly 27% are undiagnosed. The number of people with prediabetes is even higher, with an excess of 86 million, nearly one third of the total population. The conversion from prediabetes to type 2 diabetes is 7% to 10%. The main risk factor for developing type 2 diabetes is obesity, as 90% of people with type 2 diabetes are obese. Obesity is also a risk factor for cardiovascular disease and other metabolic diseases.
With these alarming numbers, something has to change. Why not start with yourself?
Diet and exercise reduce the risk of diabetes by 58%, and most people with prediabetes can prevent the evolution to diabetes just by changing their diet.
The Diet
A study had the objective compare the effect of a high protein and a high carbohydrate on remission of prediabetes. Twenty four subjects were under intervention for 6 months and meals were provided with menus either high in protein or high in carbohydrates.
The results showed that after 6 months on the high protein diet, 100% of the subjects reverted their prediabetes to normal glucose tolerance, effectively stopping the progression to diabetes. In contrast, only 33% of the patients on a high carbohydrate diet had remission of their prediabetes.
More benefits were observed. Compared to the patients on high carbohydrate diet, those on high protein diet showed improvement in:
- cardiovascular risk factor
- insulin tolerance
- increased lean body mass
- inflammatory cytokines
If you are prediabetic, consider making changes in your lifestyle. Visit your doctor and ask what you can do to reverse the progression to type 2 diabetes and restore normal glucose tolerance. I will safe your life and dramatically improve your quality of life.
[expand title = References]
Diabetes Control. Remission of prediabetes to normal glucose tolerance in obese adults. Accessed February 3, 2017.[/expand]
