Being told you have prediabetes means that you are likely to have type 2 diabetes, but not certain of the disease. There are many things you can do to try to prevent type 2 diabetes from developing.
Focus on the things you can change, such as your diet and level of activity. Don’t keep thinking about things you can’t do anything about, such as age or family history.
Physicians know what’s going on and what patients can do to turn things around.
First line of defense: weight, diet, and exercise
Losing excess weight, adopting a healthier diet and being physically active are the most important steps that can be taken.
Some people with type 2 diabetes aren’t overweight. However, the added weight does put patients at risk.
In one study, being overweight or obese was the single most important predictor of who would get diabetes. The results of that study showed that regular exercise (at least 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week) and a low-fat, high-fiber diet helped prevent the onset of diabetes for more than 16 years.
Do I need medication?
If the risk of developing diabetes is high, your doctor may recommend medications to stop it from happening. Several studies have shown that the use of various types of diabetes medications combined with a healthy lifestyle can lower the chance of developing diabetes.
One study showed that people who were most likely to develop diabetes could reduce their chances by 31% by taking the prescription drug metformin and making lifestyle and dietary changes.
But this study also suggests that dramatic lifestyle improvements are the best way to avoid developing diabetes. A meal plan needs to be developed with a nutritionist and advice from a trainer on how to get more exercise.