Women who maintain a healthy lifestyle can significantly reduce their risk of developing type 2 diabetes, even if they’re genetically susceptible to the disease. Recent research has shown that diet, physical activity, and weight control can all play a role in preventing diabetes, even among those with a family history of the condition. By taking simple steps to stay healthy, women can lower their risk of developing this serious health problem.
A new study published in The BMJ found that pregnant women with a history of diabetes can still reduce their risk of type 2 diabetes by adopting a healthy lifestyle. Five key lifestyle factors were shown to help reduce the risk, including maintaining a healthy weight, eating a high-quality diet, getting regular physical activity, limiting alcohol consumption, and not smoking.
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It is widely known that keeping a healthy lifestyle can help to lower the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. However, less is known about the effect these lifestyle factors have on high-risk women with a history of diabetes in pregnancy (gestational diabetes) or if obesity status or genetic risk of type 2 diabetes influences this association.
To fill in the research gaps, this study aimed to evaluate the associations of the five risk factors to the risk of diabetes. Researchers also assessed whether these relationships changed according to obesity status or genetic susceptibility to type 2 diabetes.
Researchers found that participants who had optimal levels of all five modifiable factors had more than a 90% lower risk for developing type 2 diabetes than those who did not. Each additional modifiable factor was associated with an
incrementally lower risk of type 2 diabetes. For example, women with one, two, three, four, and five optimal levels of modifiable factors compared with none had a 6%, 39%, 68%, 85%, and 92% lower risk. These associations were seen even among women who were overweight or obese or had a higher genetic risk of type 2 diabetes.
As this study shows, the risk of type 2 diabetes can be reduced through diet, exercise and other lifestyle factors. As more research becomes available, doctors will be better equipped to help their patients who are more at risk for diabetes to lower their risk.
Maintaining Healthy Blood Sugar
Healthy Blood Sugar Support is an excellent addition to lifestyle factors that can help to reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes. This unique formula helps to maintain healthy blood sugar levels using a number of ingredients that have been shown in clinical studies.
The health benefits of this unique formula include supporting blood sugar metabolism and promoting healthy cholesterol and glucose levels already within the normal range. Healthy Blood Sugar Support can also help to reduce excessive hunger or increased appetite, fatigue, and blood glucose spikes after meals.
Sarah began her interest in nutritional healing at an early age. After going through health problems and becoming frustrated with the conventional ways doctors wanted to treat her illness (which were not working), she took it upon herself to find alternative treatments. This led her to revolutionize her own diet to help her get healthier and tackle her health problems. She began treating her illness by living a more balanced lifestyle through healthy food choices, exercise and other alternative medicine such as meditation. This total positive lifestyle change led her to earn a diploma in Nutritional Therapy from Health Sciences Academy in London, England. Today, Sarah enjoys helping others by teaching healthy lifestyle changes through her personal consultations and with her regular contributions to the Doctors Health Press. Also, passionate about following her dreams in life, Sarah moved to France and lived in Paris for over 5 years where she earned a certification in beadwork and embroidery from Lesage (an atelier owned by Chanel). She then went on to be a familiar face sitting front row and reporting from Paris Fashion Week. Sarah continues to practice some of the cultural ways of life she learned while in Europe. They enjoy their food, and take the time to relax and enjoy many of life’s little moments. These are life lessons she is glad to have brought back home with her.
