Prediabetes occurs when blood sugar levels are elevated, but not high enough to be diagnosed as diabetes. It serves as a warning sign that you may develop type 2 diabetes if lifestyle modifications aren’t made.
Overview of Blood Sugar Levels:
- Normal fasting blood sugar: Below 100 mg/dL
- Pre-diabetes fasting blood sugar: Between 100 and 125 mg/dL
- Diabetes: 126 mg/dL or higher
Another important test is the Hemoglobin A1C/ HbA1C, which provides an average of your blood sugar levels over the past 3 months:
- Normal: Under 5.7%
- Prediabetes: Between 5.7% and 6.4%
- Diabetes: 6.5% or above
Causes of Prediabetes:
Pre-diabetes is often the result of insulin resistance, where the body’s cells don’t respond properly to insulin, leading to higher blood sugar levels. Factors that contribute to this include:
- Being overweight or obese
- Lack of physical activity
- An unhealthy diet (high in processed or sugary foods)
- Family history of diabetes
- Age (increased risk after 45)
- Conditions like polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
Symptoms of Prediabetes
Most people with pre-diabetes do not have noticeable symptoms, though some may experience:
- Increased thirst (Polydipsia)
- Frequent urination (Polyuria)
- Increased appetite (Polyphagia)
- Fatigue
- Blurred vision
Naturopathy Management :
- Healthy eating: Focus on whole grains, vegetables, fruits, lean proteins, and healthy fats.
- Regular physical activity: Aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate exercise per day, such as yoga, walking or swimming.
- Weight loss: Losing 5-10% of your body weight can greatly reduce your risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
- Monitoring blood sugar levels: Regular health check-ups are important to track progress.
- Lifestyle and Dietary modifications with improved physical activity work wonderfully in the prevention and management of pre-diabetes.
