Tuesday 12 January 2010

Here are some risk factors of diabetes

By Antoinette R. Wallace

Diabetes is one problem that can occur to anyone irrespcetive of their age or gender. However, There are some factors that can put you at a larger likelihood of developing the issue. Let us know these risk factors and how they can contribute to the development of diabetes.

One of the most prominent risk factors for type 2 diabetes is obesity. If you are fat then you are at a larger likelihood of developing diabetes. This is because fat meddles with the production of insulin in the body.Increased weight increases the insulin resistance and therefore walks the sugar levels in the body. So , it becomes critical that you take steps to keep your weight to an optimal level. Eat a well balanced diet and indulge in at least 30 mins of moderate physical activity everyday.

If you are leading a sedentary lifestyle; you are at higher chance of diabetes. If you are not physically active; your sugar levels of the blood go on a hike. If you are active then the case is opposite. Also it's been observed that the muscle cells are more receptive to insulin compared to the fat cells. Exercise helps to decrease the insulin resistance of the body. This thus helps to control the sugar levels of the blood and hence bring it to a stabilized level. A sedentary lifestyle is also a is also a significant factor for the rising trend of obesity. Obesity further increases the chances of diabetes manifolds.

Unhealthy diet habits is the biggest reason when it comes to reasons for diabetes. Anyone that eats in an unsuitable manner is more prone to diabetes than an individual who is more disciplined in dieting habits. One bad habit is to eat too much sugar and carbohydrates. Your blood sugar goes up because these products can be digested easily. A standard example is junk food which has to be replaced with a more fibrous diet.

Family history and genetics also play an important role in causing diabetes. If either of the elders or somebody in the family is diabetic then the chances are strong that you too could be a victim of the problem. African Americans, Hispanic-Americans and indigenous Americans all have a higher than ordinary rate of type 2 diabetes due to heriditary factors.

There are one or two other factors as well that increase the possibilities of diabetes. Some of these factors include high cholesterol levels, history of gestational diabetes, age and the like. While some of these risk factors like family history and genetics are certain, there are others that you have control over like your diet and weight. It is in your best interest to control the risk factors you can and avoid the occurrence of diabetes in the first place. Of course, prevention is better than cure.

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