Diabetes is becoming more common in our society. We have overweight adults and children that eat too much and sit too much. Our computerized, fast paced society has many stressors that leads to the lifestyle that promotes weight gain and much sitting. All of this sitting grows our abdomens and thighs sideways leading to the unhealthy body. There are ways to prevent diabetes type 2.

Diabetes type 2 is also known as adult onset diabetes. The term adult onset is rarely used anymore because of the large amount of children that are now being diagnosed with diabetes type 2. Of the types of diabetes, type 2 is the lesser of the evils because it generally does not require shots to control and is easier to combat. Diabetes type 2 doesn’t necessarily depend on genetics as the exact cause still eludes scientists.

Symptoms of diabetes type 2 include many of the same symptoms of diabetes type 1; however, the symptoms tend to be a bit less severe. The symptoms include: weight loss, increased appetite, increased thirst, increased urination, fatigue, blurred vision, and slow healing wounds or frequent infections. Usually at least three to four of the symptoms are present, but less can be present also. Normally we associate overweight with diabetes type 2, the weight loss is unintended.

Treatment of diabetes type 2 can include medication along with lifestyle changes. If the medication includes insulin injections, the diabetic may find it more difficult to lose weight. Most common medications for diabetes type 2 either bind with substances in the body called bile acids or make the liver decrease the production of glucose or sugars.

Lifestyle changes to prevent diabetes type 2 are:

Keep weight down – The ideal body weight is sometimes difficult to achieve; however, the Body Mass Index lets you know exactly how much room you have to gain and lose as the lifestyle is changing. A good Body Mass Index (BMI) number to try to get to is 25. A BMI of 25 or lower, not too low will help prevent diabetes type 2.

Exercise – There is a very old saying, “Exercise is Insulin”. Exercise helps to burn off those sugars that are floating around so that less insulin is needed from your body to maintain a healthy blood sugar. Even walking is a good exercise.

Eat Healthy – This is perhaps the most difficult item because of all of the fast foods and sugary temptations. Allow yourself the temptations once in awhile and enjoy them in moderation, then get right back on track. Want to reduce the desire, eat healthy for a few days and believe it or not the desire is lessened as your body feels better. Eat lean meats, dairy, vegetables and limit starches.

Skip sodas or use artificially sweetened ones – Despite the recent study that says diet soda drinkers weigh more, there are additional studies that put that idea to rest. Drink diet soda that is caffeine free. Caffeine stimulates the pancreas to produce more insulin driving down your blood sugar making you hungry. Then you have the caffeine let down on top of it. Reduce caffeine at least.

Drink water – Water is good for our bodies and it helps our bodies excrete toxins in our urine. Water is good and like everything else, it can be overdone. The old six to eight glasses a day is good. Keep cholesterol down – A surprising risk for diabetes type 2 is the elevated cholesterol. Some cholesterol problems are inherited, some are lifestyle. Check with your physician to see how you stack up on cholesterol. Exercise tends to help lower the bad cholesterol also.

Aside from genetics, diabetes type 2 is largely preventable with a few lifestyle changes. Lifestyle changes can be difficult to implement at first, stick it through and good health should follow. It takes months of these changes to have an effect on cholesterol specifically; however, your body will feel better in just a few days of the changes.