New Research Highlights the Critical Role of Early Intervention in Preventing Long-Term Health Complications
You’ve heard the old adage, what a difference a day makes. According to new research published online in July 2024 in the journal PLOS Medicine, four years can make a big difference for someone on the path to developing Type 2 diabetes. Read on to find out why!
There are more than 37.5 million individuals in the United States currently living with diabetes, and the overwhelming majority of them are managing Type 2 diabetes. Science has long established that Type 2 diabetes is associated with related comorbidities, such as cardiovascular disease, kidney disease, and diabetic neuropathy or nerve damage.
Unfortunately, cases of diabetes continue to rise, with the National Institutes of Health predicting nearly 55 million Americans will be diagnosed with the disease by 2030, which is right around the corner. Additionally, deaths attributed to diabetes will increase by 38% to hit more than 385,000 people in the nation.
There’s no question that diabetes, particularly the Type 2 form, is becoming a national crisis. This growth is spurred by the fact that nearly 100 million Americans have what’s called Impaired Glucose Tolerance, more commonly known as prediabetes – and most of them have no idea they are headed down a dangerous path that could lead to a Type 2 diabetes diagnosis unless dietary and lifestyle changes are implemented.
What is Prediabetes?
Prediabetes is a condition in which blood glucose levels are above the safe or normal range but have not elevated enough to warrant a Type 2 diabetes diagnosis. Because there are no telltale symptoms associated with prediabetes, most people living with it are unaware they have a blood sugar problem. The catch is when left unchecked, prediabetes almost always turns into Type 2 diabetes. But what if the onset of Type 2 diabetes could be prevented or even delayed? What would the impact be on an individual’s health prospects?
Study Finds 4 Years Might Be The Magic Number
We know that Type 2 diabetes is directly associated with severe health complications. A new study conducted in China using participants all recently diagnosed with clear prediabetes reveals some promising insights for long-term health.
The study began way back in 1986 and followed participants with prediabetes for an incredible 30 years. Participants were separated into control groups based on three lifestyle interventions. One group focused on healthy eating, another focused on physical activity, and a third did both.
Some participants were able to maintain a non-diabetes status throughout the study, while others eventually found themselves facing a Type 2 diabetes diagnosis. Participants were evaluated at various points (2, 4, and 6 years) to assess their long-term risk of cardiovascular events and other health complications. Even the long-term risk of death was measured.
The research data showed that individuals who were able to stave off a diabetes diagnosis through lifestyle improvements for at least four years after being identified as prediabetic had a significantly lower risk of dying and a reduced risk of developing cardiovascular disease and other diabetes-related complications.
“These results suggest that in high-risk diabetic populations, a 4-year threshold existed in the duration of maintaining a non-diabetes status, and exceeding this threshold may reduce the risk of death and vascular complications,” wrote the authors of the study.
They added that implementing effective interventions targeting individuals with Impaired Glucose Tolerance should be considered more prominently as part of diabetes prevention efforts and the prevention of related diabetes complications, such as cardiovascular disease.
That’s Great News, But I Already Have Type 2 Diabetes
If you’ve already been diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes, you might think a study revolving around those with prediabetes doesn’t shed any new light on your life. But that’s not entirely accurate. This study confirms that a diabetes-healthy diet can not only delay the onset of Type 2 diabetes but can also have dramatic long-term health benefits by reducing the risk of related complications.
Connect the dots. Even if you have diabetes, making the right lifestyle choices can dramatically reduce the risk of developing conditions such as cardiovascular disease, kidney disease, and nerve damage. When you can keep weight manageable and make smart dietary choices, you reduce your risk of diabetes-related problems and improve your long-term health outlook. It's as simple as that.
FAQs
Is prediabetes a danger?
Yes! Prediabetes usually shows no symptoms, and people do not know that their blood sugar is elevated. In America, approximately one out of every three adults is believed to be prediabetic, and the number is increasing. If left unchecked, prediabetes almost invariably develops into Type 2 diabetes, which requires daily management medications and can lead to long-term complications, such as cardiovascular disease.
Am I prediabetic?
If you are, you probably wouldn’t know it, as prediabetes usually doesn’t present any telltale symptoms. However, if you are overweight or obese, have a family history of diabetes, or do not eat right or exercise, you may want to ask your physician about a blood sugar screening. The sooner you know you are prediabetic, the sooner you can take steps to delay or prevent the development of diabetes.
What are diabetes-related health complications?
These are serious medical conditions that are directly related to the onset of diabetes. In other words, if you’re living with diabetes, your chances of developing these conditions become greater. They include cardiovascular disease, kidney disease, neuropathy, retinopathy, and high blood pressure.
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