Trying Diabetes-Friendly Recipes
Our second blog post is in video format! Check it out on Instagram to see Alex and Shriya try two healthy meals. Use this link or the QR code below.
Introduction to Diabetes
Hello everyone! This is Alex and Shriya, coming to you with advice about preventing type 2 diabetes.
Let’s start off by discussing how you can help someone you know with diabetes or prediabetes.
Diagnosing Diabetes
If this person doesn’t know whether they have diabetes but suspects they do, talk to them about getting one of the following blood tests to find out.
A1C Test: Measures average blood sugar levels for the past few months; 6.5 or greater indicates diabetes, and 5.7 or greater indicates prediabetes. This test does not require fasting.
Fasting Plasma Glucose (FPG) Test: Measures plasma glucose levels after fasting for 8 hours; 126 mg/dL or greater indicates diabetes, and 100 mg/dL or greater indicates prediabetes. This test does require fasting and is done in the morning.
Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT): Measures blood sugar before and two hours after drinking a certain beverage containing glucose; 200 mg/dL or greater indicates diabetes, and 140 mg/dL or greater indicates prediabetes. This test may require fasting.
Random/Casual Plasma Glucose Test: Done when symptoms of severe diabetes are present; 200 mg/dL and above indicates diabetes. This test does not require fasting.
Doing blood tests is important because diabetes may not have symptoms at first. Visit this link for more information.
Type 1 or Type 2?
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition, while type 2 is a hormonal condition. Both involve insulin, but in different ways. In type 1 diabetes, the body does not produce insulin because the immune system attacks cells in the pancreas that would normally produce insulin. In type 2 diabetes, the body cannot use the insulin it produces properly because cells stop responding to it, which is known an insulin resistance. This can eventually make the pancreas stop producing insulin at all.
Diagnosing type 1 requires blood tests that check for the presence of autoantibodies common to the condition. Urine analysis may also be useful, as it can show evidence of the breakdown of fat occurring, indicating type 1 instead of type 2. Mayo Clinic has more on this.
If you have type 1 diabetes, you must take insulin medication your whole life. This can be done through injections, an insulin pump, or insulin inhalation, and some people with type 2 diabetes also use these methods to take insulin. There are other medications available for people with type 2 as well, and not everyone with this condition needs medication or insulin — lifestyle changes can sometimes be enough to manage type 2.
Visit this link to learn more about type 1 versus type 2 or this link to learn more about medication.
What Now?
Consult your physician to discuss the best management or treatment plan for diabetes. In addition to any medication or insulin you may be suggested to take, they will likely recommend the same lifestyle tips that would also be useful to prevent type 2 diabetes.
Prevention and Management Advice
Avoid smoking. If you do smoke, Mayo Clinic has advice on how to quit.
Get at least 150 minutes of physical activity. Running, biking, swimming, and weightlifting are great examples.
Choose water over sweetened drinks
Eat more fruits and vegetables
Consider losing weight if you are prediabetic. About 5-7% of body weight is ideal to lose, which can be calculated here.
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