Although your primary-care physician may have been the one to
order blood-glucose testing, you need a team of professionals to guide you
through all of diabetes' medical details. Ideally your team will include your
primary-care physician, an endocrinologist (a hormone specialist who
understands the intricacies of insulin), a registered dietitian to help you
fine-tune your eating plan, an ophthalmologist (an eye specialist who can look
for diabetes-related signs Better off Healthy of damage to the retina), a podiatrist (a foot-care
specialist who can help prevent complications from diabetes-related nerve
damage and skin sores), and a dentist to keep periodontal disease and other
infections under control. Better off Healthy
Although it's not clear why, whole grains may reduce your
risk of diabetes and help maintain blood sugar levels. Try to make at least
half your grains whole grains. Many foods made from whole grains come ready to
eat, including various breads, pasta products and many cereals. Look for the word
"whole" on the package and among the first few items in the
ingredient list. Better off Healthy
When it comes to
type 2 diabetes — the most common type of diabetes — prevention is a big deal.
It's especially important to make diabetes prevention a priority if you're at increased
risk of diabetes, for example, if you're overweight or have a family history of
the disease. Better off Healthy
Diabetes
prevention is as basic as eating more healthfully, becoming more physically
active and losing a few extra pounds — and it's never too late to start. Making
a few simple changes in your lifestyle now may help you avoid the serious
health complications of diabetes down the Better off Healthy road, such as nerve, kidney and heart
damage. Consider the latest diabetes prevention tips from the American Diabetes
Association.
You can help reduce your risk of type 2 diabetes
by understanding your risk and making changes to your lifestyle. Common risk
factors include increased weight, blood pressure, cholesterol and triglyceride
(blood fat) levels. Better off Healthy