What it is: Diabetes is a chronic, incurable disease that occurs when the body produces little or no insulin—a hormone manufactured by the pancreas. This leads to an excess of sugar in the blood, and not enough in the cells. Since the cells need sugar to function properly, diabetes must be controlled for the person to survive. There are two primary types of diabetes: type 1—juvenile diabetes, which requires the use of insulin, and type 2—adult onset diabetes, which may require injected insulin, or may be managed through medications and/or diet and exercise.
Inherited risk factors: The genetic link for type 2 diabetes is stronger than the genetic link for type 1. Having a blood relative with type 2 diabetes increases the risk. If that person is a first-degree relative (a parent, sibling or child), the risk is greater. Being of Aboriginal, African, Latin American or Asian ethnic ancestry increases the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Risk levels for these groups are between two and six times higher than for Canadians of Caucasian origin. Ageing also increases the risk for type 2 diabetes.
Lifestyle factors: Living a healthy lifestyle will help reduce the likelihood of type 2 adult onset diabetes. Risk factors associated with lifestyle include:
• Being overweight or obese—particularly if your excess weight is carried about the abdomen and not the hips. • Physical inactivity/sedentary lifestyle. • History of diabetes in pregnancy (close to 40 percent of women who experience this go on to develop type 2 diabetes later in life). • Elevated blood pressure (up to 60 percent of people with undiagnosed diabetes have high blood pressure).
Preventive measures: Studies have suggested that physical activity can reduce the risk of type 2 (adult onset) diabetes by over 50 percent. A sedentary lifestyle, and associated obesity, are by far the biggest contributors to the development of this condition.
• To reduce your risk for type 2 diabetes, make sure your daily physical activity builds up to a collective 60 minutes, or a minimum 30 minutes if you are able to exercise more efficiently (running, brisk walking, dancing, etc.) • Achieve and maintain a healthy weight. Eating healthily and building physical activity into your life go hand in hand when it comes to reducing the risk of diabetes. • Consider the use of health supplements such as Webber Naturals™ Cinnamon and Diabetex™ multivitamins and minerals, which have been specially formulated to promote glucose balance.