Diabetes: A Growing Epidemic in the United States

October 18th, 2009 | by admin | Tags: Diabetes, Diabetes Cases, diet, diet plan, Epidemic Proportions, exercise, fitness, Nutrition Experts, obesity, Population, Pre Diabetes, Prevention, Risk, United States, weight loss, weight loss product reviews

Aside from obesity, another disease that is beginning to afflict the United States as a nation is diabetes. Cases of diabetes have shot up radically and the numbers show no sign of slowing down. The U.S. Government recently reported that 24 million Americans or a full 8 percent of the country’s population is suffering from this complicated disease. Clearly in this country, diabetes has grown to epidemic proportions.

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention said in a published report that those numbers show an increase of 3 million being afflicted in a period of just two years. As if that wasn’t depressing enough, there are approximately 57 million Americans who are currently suffering from pre-diabetes.

According to nutrition experts, those people who are almost but not quite diabetic should make changes and do them immediately. The same experts say that it is possible to lower one’s risk for diabetes and it starts with being proactive. They point out that it is extremely important to know if you are at risk for it or not.

Probably the most ideal way to decrease your risk for diabetes is to start exercising. Almost every other health problem is a result of a lack of exercise and the one of the most important component of the treatments for these same problems is also exercise. If there is something nearest to what can be called a cure-all, then exercise is it. Regular exercise can help control your blood glucose, lower your blood pressure and improve your blood cholesterol level. By doing cardiovascular conditioning workouts you can reduce your risk for heart disease and stroke. For diabetics, the benefits of engaging in regular physical activity include increased flexibility, improved blood circulation and more efficient use of insulin. According to recent research, just about any form of exercise is able to improve blood glucose control.

Nutrition experts say that people who are aware that they are at risk for developing diabetes should begin to make changes in not only the way they eat but also in how much exercise they get (that is if they do any exercise at all).

According to the American Diabetes Association, diabetics can already experience health benefits with even just a little reduction in weight such as lowered insulin resistance and blood glucose levels. Aside from exercise, sufferers may also experience improved health by following a healthy meal plan especially designed for people living with the diabetes.

The kind of diet nutrition experts recommend for diabetics and those at risk for it is one that includes lean meats, fish, whole grains, fruits, and vegetables. With a healthy balance of all these foods as well as regular moderate intensity exercise, one may be able to lose weight and at the same time reduce one’s risk for diabetes.

Charles Volcolatte is a health and fitness researcher and full time staff writer with www.skinnyasap.com. He enjoys teaching others about Healthy Weight Loss.