Type 2 Diabetes
The Diabetes Prevention Program
Diabetes Prevention Program
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) established the Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP) as a way to research methods to prevent type 2 diabetes in overweight adults. The DPP found that losing 5 to 7% of total body weight can help delay or even prevent type 2 diabetes. This can be achieved by performing exercises of moderate intensity for as little as 150 minutes weekly. Going for a brisk walk or lifting some weights can help. At the Oklahoma Men’s Clinic, we have designed type 2 diabetes weight loss treatments specializing in working with the needs of our diabetic and prediabetic clients. These treatments are proven effective and have had success with hundreds of our previous clients.
WHAT IS TYPE 2 DIABETES?
If you have type 2 diabetes, your blood sugar levels are above what is considered normal. Your insulin, which is a protein that helps process blood sugar, doesn’t work as effectively, so your blood sugar remains higher than it should. High blood sugar levels can lead to major health issues like kidney disease, heart disease, stroke, blindness, and amputations. In 2009, type 2 diabetes was the seventh leading cause of death in the United States.
Since type 2 diabetes is the most common type of diabetes, there are many factors that contribute to the disease. Family history and genetics play major roles, as well as lack of exercise, being overweight, and having a poor diet. This disease affects hundreds of thousands of people in the U.S.
HOW IS TYPE 2 DIABETES LINKED TO OVERWEIGHT?
Research shows that about 80% of people with type 2 diabetes are overweight, but the reason behind this isn’t clear. A theory is that being overweight shifts the cells in your body to become resistant to insulin, the hormone that carries sugar to blood cells to make energy. High blood sugar occurs when cells become insulin resistant and can’t take up blood sugar. Once your body is insulin resistant, it will continue to produce insulin in an attempt to keep blood sugar to a normal level. This can cause cells to gradually fail, leading to type 2 diabetes.
HOW CAN WEIGHT LOSS HELP?
Research shows that weight loss is significant in helping prevent or delay the onset of type 2 diabetes. Enrolling in a weight loss program can help you become more physically fit, preventing a type 2 diabetes diagnosis, and feeling and looking healthy.
If you are at risk of developing type 2 diabetes or have been diagnosed with the disease, call the Oklahoma Men’s Clinic to get started on a type 2 diabetes weight-loss treatment program and get on the road to recovery.