Diabetes Research

Diabetes research shows that the rate of new cases of type 2 diabetes in the U.S. is increasing at an alarming rate. According to the 2011 National Diabetes Fact Sheet, 25.8 million children and adults in the United States, over 8 percent of the population, have diabetes. More troubling is that 7 million people do not know they have the disease. This puts their health at serious risk.

Diabetes poses serious risks if left untreated

There are many serious complications associated with untreated diabetes. High blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, kidney failure, neuropathy, blindness and amputation are common results of unmanaged diabetes. Sadly, more than 70,000 people lose their life annually to the disease. It is the seventh most common cause of death in the United States.

Steps to prevent type 2 diabetes

Several steps can be taken to prevent the development of diabetes. Exercise is one of the most beneficial activities you can work into your routine. When exercise levels are increased, the body uses insulin more efficiently. Combined with a weight loss program, the healthy impact is substantially multiplied. A pack-a-day smoker is three times more likely to develop diabetes than a non-smoker. Smokers can immediately reduce their health risks by quitting. Even simple things like eating nuts, high-fiber foods and whole grains show a preventative effect against contracting diabetes.

As Americans battle their ever-expanding waistlines, the rise in type 2 diabetes continues to have a negative effect on the nation’s health. With the complications associated with diabetes, there is an increase in hospital visits, the length of stays and even in deaths. Simple, but important, lifestyle changes can prevent diabetes from ever developing and save many lives.