Introduction
Diabetes is a serious health condition that affects millions of people around the world. It is a chronic disease that can lead to serious complications if not managed properly. While there are many factors that can contribute to the development of diabetes, research has shown that diet is one of the most important. Eating the right foods and avoiding the wrong ones can help to reduce the risk of developing diabetes. In this article, we will discuss the #1 cause of diabetes, according to science, and provide tips on what to eat and what to avoid in order to reduce your risk.
The #1 Cause of Diabetes, Says Science — Eat This Not That
Diabetes is a serious health condition that affects millions of people around the world. While there are many factors that can contribute to the development of diabetes, recent research has identified one particular cause that is particularly concerning. According to science, the number one cause of diabetes is poor diet.
A recent study published in the journal Diabetes Care found that people who ate a diet high in processed foods, sugar, and unhealthy fats were more likely to develop diabetes than those who ate a healthier diet. The study also found that people who ate a diet high in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains were less likely to develop diabetes.
The findings of this study are particularly concerning, as many people are unaware of the potential health risks associated with eating an unhealthy diet. Eating a diet high in processed foods, sugar, and unhealthy fats can lead to a number of health problems, including diabetes. Therefore, it is important to be mindful of what you are eating and to make sure that you are getting the nutrients your body needs.
If you are looking to reduce your risk of developing diabetes, the best thing you can do is to eat a healthy diet. This means eating plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, as well as limiting your intake of processed foods, sugar, and unhealthy fats. Additionally, it is important to stay active and to maintain a healthy weight, as this can also help reduce your risk of developing diabetes.
By making small changes to your diet and lifestyle, you can significantly reduce your risk of developing diabetes. Eating a healthy diet and staying active are two of the best ways to keep your body healthy and to reduce your risk of developing diabetes.
Diabetes is the seventh leading cause of death in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “37.3 million US adults have diabetes, and 1 in 5 of them don’t know they have it, ” the CDC states and in addition, “In the last 20 years, the number of adults diagnosed with diabetes has more than doubled.” There’s three main types of diabetes, type 1, type 2, and gestational diabetes and there’s no cure, but there are lifestyle choices that help prevent type 2, which is the most common. Read on—and to ensure your health and the health of others, don’t miss these Sure Signs You’ve Already Had COVID.
The CDC says, “Diabetes is a chronic (long-lasting) health condition that affects how your body turns food into energy. Most of the food you eat is broken down into sugar (also called glucose) and released into your bloodstream. When your blood sugar goes up, it signals your pancreas to release insulin. Insulin acts like a key to let the blood sugar into your body’s cells for use as energy.”
The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases shares, “Symptoms of diabetes include”
–Increased thirst and urination
–Increased hunger
–Fatigue
–Blurred vision
–Numbness or tingling in the feet or hands
–Sores that do not heal
–Unexplained weight loss
Symptoms of type 1 diabetes can start quickly, in a matter of weeks. Symptoms of type 2 diabetes often develop slowly—over the course of several years—and can be so mild that you might not even notice them. Many people with type 2 diabetes have no symptoms. Some people do not find out they have the disease until they have diabetes-related health problems, such as blurred vision or heart trouble.”
According to the NIDDK, “Type 1 diabetes occurs when your immune system, the body’s system for fighting infection, attacks and destroys the insulin-producing beta cells of the pancreas. Scientists think type 1 diabetes is caused by genes and environmental factors, such as viruses, that might trigger the disease. Studies such as TrialNet External link are working to pinpoint causes of type 1 diabetes and possible ways to prevent or slow the disease.”
The NIDDK explains, “Type 2 diabetes—the most common form of diabetes—is caused by several factors, including lifestyle factors and genes.
Overweight, obesity, and physical inactivity
You are more likely to develop type 2 diabetes if you are not physically active and are overweight or obese. Extra weight sometimes causes insulin resistance and is common in people with type 2 diabetes. The location of body fat also makes a difference. Extra belly fat is linked to insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes, and heart and blood vessel disease. To see if your weight puts you at risk for type 2 diabetes, check out these Body Mass Index (BMI) charts.
Insulin resistance
Type 2 diabetes usually begins with insulin resistance, a condition in which muscle, liver, and fat cells do not use insulin well. As a result, your body needs more insulin to help glucose enter cells. At first, the pancreas makes more insulin to keep up with the added demand. Over time, the pancreas can’t make enough insulin, and blood glucose levels rise.
Genes and family history
As in type 1 diabetes, certain genes may make you more likely to develop type 2 diabetes. The disease tends to run in families and occurs more often in these racial/ethnic groups:
African Americans
Alaska Natives
American Indians
Asian Americans
Hispanics/Latinos
Native Hawaiians
Pacific Islanders
Genes also can increase the risk of type 2 diabetes by increasing a person’s tendency to become overweight or obese.”
The CDC says, “Gestational diabetes develops in pregnant women who have never had diabetes. If you have gestational diabetes, your baby could be at higher risk for health problems. Gestational diabetes usually goes away after your baby is born but increases your risk for type 2 diabetes later in life. Your baby is more likely to have obesity as a child or teen, and more likely to develop type 2 diabetes later in life too.”
The CDC reports, “In the United States, 96 million adults—more than 1 in 3—have prediabetes. What’s more, more than 8 in 10 of them don’t know they have it. With prediabetes, blood sugar levels are higher than normal, but not high enough yet to be diagnosed as type 2 diabetes. Prediabetes raises your risk for type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and stroke. The good news is if you have prediabetes, a CDC-recognized lifestyle change program can help you take healthy steps to reverse it.”
Heather Newgen