Reduce Your Diabetes Riskby Aimee Amodio | More from this Blogger 24 Apr 2007 01:32 PM There are two BIG things you can do to reduce your risk of developing diabetes: eat right and exercise regularly. But helping your body resist diabetes goes beyond just food and exercise.
- Belly fat can raise your risk of diabetes by more than three hundred percent! The fat in your abdomen may be producing compounds that make your cells resistant to insulin. The American Heart Association says that even at a normal weight for your height, extra belly fat can be a problem. Make sure your routine includes three to five sessions of cardiovascular exercise a week.
- Stress can raise your risk of diabetes by nearly two hundred percent! The more stress you're under, the harder it is for your body to make insulin and process glucose. A study from Duke University found that breathing exercises and conscious muscle relaxation can lower your blood sugar levels. That's pretty amazing! Make sure you get some stress-busting time in every day -- whether you slip off for a hot bath, go for a walk and talk with a friend, or just close your eyes and do some deep breathing.
- Filling up on fast food can raise your risk of diabetes by a hundred percent if you're dining at the drive through more than twice a week. So much fast food can accelerate weight gain and make you much more likely to become insulin resistant. If you're crunched for time, choose carefully at the drive through: pick grilled chicken and salads with light dressing over burgers with mayo and fries.
- Waking up at night can raise your risk of diabetes by nearly one hundred percent. If you can't stay asleep, you can be prone to developing insulin resistance. If you're having trouble sleeping, you may need to cut back on caffeine or change your TV-watching habits. Exercising during the day may help you rest better at night.
diabetes, diabetes risk, diabetes risk factors
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