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.
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.