4 Diabetes Risk-Reduction Tips

Name: Comfort Keepers Home Care
Address: 3707 E Market St, Logansport, Indiana, 46947
Telephone: (574) 626-4336

Diabetes is a serious disease that can impact people of all ages. The effects of diabetes can be especially dangerous for seniors. If you want to limit your risk of diabetes, here are 4 tips that can help reduce your risk.

According to the American Diabetes Association (ADA), 34.2 million Americans, or 10.5% of the population, have been diagnosed with diabetes, a disease the impacts people of all ages. Diabetes is a disease that occurs when blood glucose is too high and can cause a plethora of symptoms including increased thirst, frequent urination, blurred vision, hunger, weight loss, and more. According to the Mayo Clinic, diabetes can increase the risk of cardiovascular problems, including coronary artery disease, angina, stroke, and heart attack. Luckily, there are several preventative actions that you can take to lower your risk of diabetes, and the earlier you implement them the better. Here are 4 tips for lowering your risk of diabetes.

Eat Healthy

Eating healthy is not just an important step you can take for overall health, but, can also reduce your risk of diabetes. A study, performed by Harvard University, found that swapping out red meat and/or processed meat for a healthier protein source lowers the risk of diabetes by as much as 35%. To reduce the risk of diabetes, you should include whole grains and healthy fats in your diet, and reduce processed carbohydrates, processed meats, and sugary drinks.

Exercise

Another step you can take to reduce your risk of diabetes is regular exercise. In fact, The National Institutes of Health conducted a study and found that a half-hour of low-intensity exercise, combined with a low-fat diet, reduces the risk of type 2 diabetes by 58%. If you are new to exercise, remember to start slow, create workout goals, and stick to a regular schedule.

Quit Smoking

Smoking can negatively impact your health in a variety of ways, including increasing the risk of type 2 diabetes. According to the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA), smokers are 30-40% more likely to develop diabetes than nonsmokers. If you are struggling with quitting smoking, the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) offers some great tips and tricks to combat the habit here.

Drink Water Regularly

Even though there are only a few studies that claim that water reduces the risk of diabetes directly, drinking regular water does help you avoid sugary drink alternatives. According to Harvard University, people who consume 1-2 cans or more of sugary drinks have a 26% greater chance of diabetes. Water, on the other hand, doesn't increase your risk of diabetes and provides many additional health benefits including increased energy, reduction of fatigue, cardiovascular health, and more.

Comfort Keepers Helps Clients with Nutrition and Regular Activity

At Comfort Keepers, we help seniors remain independent in the comfort of their own homes. As part of our care plan, we help clients cook nutritious meals and engage in regular activities. To learn more about our services, call (574) 626-4336.