Prediabetes is a condition when blood glucose levels are higher than normal but
below diabetic thresholds. Individual with prediabetes is at risk of Cardiovascular disease. Lifestyle change is important for the prevention and treatment strategies.
Prediabetes is a condition in which blood glucose dysregulation has initiated, putting a person at an increased risk of diabetes and its comorbidities if left untreated. Lifestyle change e.g. healthy diet, increase exercise, losing weight may help you to reverse prediabetes.
Diet
The overall amount of carbohydrate intake should be reduced. The quantity of carbohydrate at every meal is essential in reducing postprandial glucose. The healthful carbohydrates desired selections, including foods such as fruits, legumes, whole grains, and dairy, Overall carbohydrate reduction, with a focus on high fiber intake and tighter glycemic control, is therefore recommended. A variety of foods at each meal is important, with protein should being a part of the healthy meal. Typical, diets heavy in saturated fats and trans fats increase the risk of insulin resistance. Decreasing saturated fat intake in favor of mono- and polyunsaturated fats appears to improve insulin sensitivity.
Dietary Patterns
A variety of healthful choices is importance to improve glycemic control. Study shows Mediterranean diet can help prevent #diabetes, reduce CVD risk and improve glycemic control. The diet encourage increased consumption of plant-based foods, healthy fat(nut and olive oil), lean meat (fish), and whole grain carbohydrate. While, low intake of sugar and processed foods. DASH(Dietary approach to stop hypertension) diet use to combat hypertension also support blood glucose improvement and diabetes prevention. So both diet can be a part of dietary pattern to treat prediabetes.
Learn more about Mediterranean diet and DASH diet here.
Weight Loss
Individual who are overweight and obese are at higher risk of elevated blood glucose. Weight reduction, therefore, is a component of lifestyle interventions for improved glycemic control and is one of the most major factors in reversing prediabetes and preventing the progression to diabetes. Numerous studies have shown that even modest weight loss improves blood glucose regulation, especially in the early phases of disease progression. Study found that a loss of 5% of body weight can decreased overall diabetes risk.
Exercise
Exercise is a critical component of an effective lifestyle changes for prediabetes, as it helps reduce body weight and improves glycemic control as well. WHO has recommended of 150 minutes exercise per week. Adults aged 18 to 64 should engage in at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity or 75 minutes of vigorous aerobic activity per week with the addition of strength training at least two days per week.
Medications
In some cases, medications are used to help treat patients with prediabetes. While not always a first-line treatment, they can be helpful when individuals have trouble maintaining lifestyle changes or when such changes don’t shows improvement in blood glucose control. Usually, metformin is the most common choice and is well studied. It works by reducing the rate of hepatic glucose production and by improving insulin sensitivity in the skeletal muscle.
Supplements
There are numerous vitamins, herbs, and other supplements commonly used to help regulate blood glucose. Their efficacy remains unknown, but there’s some evidence of benefit. More research is needed, especially in terms of appropriate dosing and how to safely use them with other treatment options. Cinnamon, Omega 3 fatty acid and Alpha-lipoic acid are example of supplement that may improve glycemic control.
Source: Today's Dietitian Magazine January 2019