You probably know someone with diabetes or with prediabetes, also known as metabolic syndrome. Maybe it’s your mother or father or, as we get older, your best friend or brother. The rise in type 2 diabetes which is largely preventable is astronomical. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the number of new cases rose to nearly 26 million last year from 23.6 million in 2008! Diabetes is a major cause of heart disease and stroke, a leading cause of kidney failure and blindness, and is the 7th leading cause of death in the United States. The total cost of diabetes, 
both diagnosed and undiagnosed was $218 billion in 2007 and continues to grow.
The American Diabetes Association (ADA) states that being obese or overweight is a leading cause of the disease. Studies have shown that people with prediabetes who lost weight and increased their physical activity can prevent or delay type 2 diabetes and in some cases return their blood glucose levels to normal. During the ADA’s Diabetes Prevention Program study, losing weight and increasing physical activity reduced the development of type 2 diabetes by 58%. The number was even greater among adults 60 and older at 71%. Although there is a medication that can reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes, research shows that lifestyle changes are more cost-effective than medications.
In an attempt to control the obesity and overweight epidemic, the Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have updated their Nutritional Guidelines for Americans. For the first time, in addition to suggesting what we need to be eating, the guidelines also recommend what not to eat and to balance food intake with activity levels. For many Americans, this balancing act doesn’t come easy! 34% of adult Americans are obese and 68% are overweight. Our inability to control our voracious appetites is costing us, both with more disease and higher medical costs.
With millions of people heading towards a lifetime of medication, greater risks for stroke and heart disease, kidney problems, potential limb amputations or blindness, what can we do to halt this progression? It’s time for us to be more proactive with our health, and specifically with our weight. It’s easy to say, “Eat less”, but how do you get started? Establishing a habit of eating better has been shown to be the best, most long-lasting course of action. Choosing a lifestyle change in diet that transfers easily to long term habits is an excellent place to start. Adding physical activity into your life is another critical piece of the prevention puzzle. Start by walking a bit further each day. Do you walk your dog for a quick 10 minutes? Make it 15.
The only person who can take the first step is you . ANY LAB TEST NOW® offers tests that look at diabetes indicators. Are you already at risk for diabetes? Changing your attitude toward your daily choices will save you money, prevent long term disabilities and serious health problems. Is that extra piece of cake really worth it? Do something different today, contact ANY LAB TEST NOW® to see how we can help.
Written by www.anylabtestblog.com
