Health
Warning sign of type 2 diabetes: 7 ways to reverse prediabetes
Approximately 38.4 million Americans had been diagnosed with diabetes as of 2021 — but about three times that many are in danger of developing the disease, even if they don’t know it.
Nearly 98 million U.S. adults had prediabetes as of 2021, according to the American Diabetes Association (ADA).
Prediabetes is almost always a precursor to type 2 diabetes, which is the most common type — but that outcome isn’t inevitable, experts say. If you’ve been diagnosed with prediabetes, there are steps you can take to get back on a healthy track.
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What is prediabetes?
Prediabetes is a condition that occurs when blood sugar levels are above normal but not quite yet a diagnosable disease, according to Marjorie Nolan Cohn, a registered dietitian and clinical director of Berry Street, a nutrition therapy provider in New York City.
Approximately 38.4 million Americans had been diagnosed with diabetes as of 2021, and nearly 98 million had prediabetes. (iStock)
“Think of prediabetes as your major warning sign that a formal diabetes diagnosis is down the pike,” she told Fox News Digital.
“Taking action immediately is necessary for prevention and can literally prolong your life.”
What causes prediabetes?
There are several factors that can nudge someone more toward the prediabetes range, according to Dr. Akhil Shenoy, a Texas endocrinologist and medical advisor at Aeroflow Diabetes, a provider of diabetes management supplies.
Some of those include a family history of type 2 diabetes and a personal history of gestational diabetes, Shenoy told Fox News Digital.
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People with excess body weight, sedentary lifestyles, a smoking habit and poor sleep are also at a higher risk.
Eating a diet high in red or processed meats, low vegetables and high sugars also contributes to prediabetes and diabetes, Shenoy said.
Nearly 98 million U.S. adults had prediabetes as of 2021, according to the American Diabetes Association.
“Even skipping a meal contributes to the development of prediabetes, especially in those with multiple risk factors, because of imbalanced blood sugar and insulin levels,” Cohn added.
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Certain ethnicities tend to be more susceptible, with Asian, Hispanic and Black American adults more likely to have prediabetes compared to White Americans, the experts noted.
How is prediabetes diagnosed?
Prediabetes is diagnosed by a blood test that measures blood sugar levels over time, according to Cohn.
“Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) is a marker that assesses average blood sugar levels for the past two to three months,” she told Fox News Digital.
Prediabetes is diagnosed by a blood test that measures blood sugar levels over time. (iStock)
“This gives a broad view into your blood sugar.”
Additional lab testing includes a fasting blood sugar test, Cohn noted, which provides a snapshot of your blood sugar at a certain date and time.
“In this fasting test, you have not eaten or drank since the night before,” she said.
“With both a hemoglobin A1c and fasting blood sugar test, your doctor can diagnose you with prediabetes.”
7 ways to reverse prediabetes
While a diagnosis of prediabetes can be scary, Cohn emphasized that it doesn’t always have to lead to type 2 diabetes.
“By taking action now, you can prevent diabetes from developing,” she said.
Some people may require medications to keep blood sugar at a healthy level. (iStock)
Cohn and Chenoy recommended several ways to reverse prediabetes.
1. Take walks after meals and snacks
2. Engage in at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise per week
3. Drink water instead of soda
4. Eat healthy meals that contain a balance of lean proteins, healthy fats and complex carbohydrates, limiting saturated fats
5. If overweight or obese, produce a calorie deficit to lose at least 5% of body weight
6. If you smoke, quit
7. See a doctor or specialist as needed
Engaging in at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise per week is one of the ways to reverse prediabetes. (iStock)
“If, despite these measures, blood sugar levels remain elevated, medications may be prescribed to further reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes,” Chenoy advised.
Cohn also recommends seeing a registered dietitian who can help with establishing habits to support healthy blood sugar levels.
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“At this stage, lifestyle and dietary changes are shown to be most effective for the majority of individuals with prediabetes,” she added.
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Health
Parasitic infection causing ‘explosive’ stomach illness exceeds 1,000 cases in northern state
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Cases of cyclosporiasis infections are rising across America, with more than 1,000 people diagnosed in Michigan and more than 500 in Ohio.
This is the largest outbreak of its kind in Michigan’s history and one of the country’s largest in years, according to the Associated Press.
The parasitic infection can cause weeks of watery diarrhea. The source of the infections has not been identified and no deaths have been reported.
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Michigan officials announced the outbreak last week following the identification of more than 170 cases since June 22 in the southeastern part of the state. Typically, only about 50 cases are identified in Michigan each year, according to AP.
A cyclospora infection often causes watery, “explosive” diarrhea that can last for weeks or even months if left untreated, the CDC says. (iStock)
Similar illnesses have been reported in 28 other states, including neighboring Ohio, where diagnoses have popped up across the Michigan border.
Cases have been climbing since the CDC identified an uptick in infections in mid-June, with illnesses now reported in dozens of states.
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Michigan has now reported more than 1,200 cases and at least 40 hospitalizations. In Ohio, northwest counties have identified more than 500 cases, including at least 306 in Lucas County, according to the latest available local figures.
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Texas has reported at least 48 cases, and illnesses have been identified in numerous other states as health officials investigate the source.
The hallmark symptom of a cyclospora infection is watery, often “explosive” diarrhea that can last for weeks or even months if left untreated, the CDC says.
Other symptoms of cyclosporiasis include severe abdominal cramping, bloating, nausea, fatigue and significant weight loss. (iStock)
Other symptoms include severe abdominal cramping, bloating, nausea, fatigue and significant weight loss.
The official outbreak season for the parasite runs from May 1 through Aug. 31, a window where warmer temperatures historically coincide with a spike in infections, according to the CDC.
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While the infection can sometimes clear up on its own, it frequently requires antibiotics. The CDC advises anyone experiencing symptoms of cyclosporiasis to contact a healthcare provider for testing and treatment.
The CDC, alongside the Food and Drug Administration and state health officials, is actively investigating several multistate clusters, but they have yet to find a cause behind the spread.
Fresh produce should be washed thoroughly before eating, although this may not eliminate the risk of infection, the AP noted. (iStock)
Past infections have reportedly been linked to consuming contamined fruits or vegetables, or being exposed to contaminated irrigation water.
Fresh produce should be washed thoroughly before being eaten, although this may not eliminate the risk of infection, the AP noted.
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Michigan officials recommend purchasing salad mixes or whole heads of lettuce instead of pre-washed, bagged lettuce. Remove two to three leaves from the outer layer of the lettuce head before washing and cook vegetables when possible.
Fox News Digital’s Khloe Quill contributed to this report.
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Washington, DC – GLP-1 weight-loss drugs have become a prevalent part of American healthcare, and the current administration is getting behind the movement.
In an exclusive interview with Fox News Digital at the Great American State Fair in the nation’s capital on July 6, CMS Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz voiced his support for the use of GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) medications, such as Ozempic, for appropriate uses.
“I’m a fan of GLP-1 drugs when used correctly,” he said. “They do help people who are overweight lose weight quite effectively. They’re not a replacement for diet and exercise, but they might jumpstart the system so it’s easier for you to use healthier tactics.”
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This is especially helpful for those who may have trouble moving due to joint pain or are experiencing internal dysfunction, Oz said.
Certain GLP-1 drugs are covered by Medicare for overweight candidates with certain conditions, such as high blood pressure and diabetes, and Oz projected the benefits will continue to benefit taxpayers.
Dr. Mehmet Oz is pictured in Washington, D.C., at the Great American State Fair, where he spoke about federal health policy. (Angelica Stabile/Fox News Digital)
“We believe these are so effective in reducing conditions like high blood pressure and diabetes that they’ll actually save money for the federal taxpayer, because [they’re] going to make you healthy enough that you don’t have to consume health services,” Oz said.
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“We think about 70% of all the money we spend on healthcare is caused by chronic conditions, and obesity is the No. 1 driver of all that, so it’s a smart decision.”
Oz recently announced the launch of the Medicare GLP-1 Bridge program, which will allow more seniors to access GLP-1 drugs for only $50 a month if they meet qualifying health criteria and receive prior authorization from a doctor.
The doctor expressed support for broadening affordable access to GLP-1 medications for Americans. (iStock)
“There are a lot of overweight people who don’t have high blood pressure, diabetes or other conditions, so they don’t get access to the drug normally,” he said. “We want them to have the ability to use it as well.”
Although these access shifts could boost Americans’ overall health — and in some cases could be lifesaving — Oz noted that there is “no silver bullet” when it comes to these medications.
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“I love the fact that the innovation that’s coming out of pharmaceutical companies is allowing us to save lives and make lives better,” he said. “But the real secret to longevity is eating right, exercising, sleeping, dealing with the stress of your life, finding some purpose in your existence [and] realizing you have agency over the future.”
“These are things that your mom would have told you [and that] you don’t need a doctor to be emphasizing.”
Medicating appropriately, combined with eating right, exercising and staying connected with others, can help make health goals attainable, the doctor said. (iStock)
While GLP-1s may not be a fix-all, combining these medications with foundational health practices “makes a lot of sense,” Oz said.
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“I don’t want people being fat-shamed … I don’t want you feeling guilty that you’re gaining weight even though everyone else around you seems to have figured it out,” he said. “It’s not that simple — our set points for hunger are different. We have different things going on in our lives.”
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“But if you realize how precious you are — the temple of the soul is so valuable. It’s the greatest gift your parents ever gave you, and you take advantage of every tool out there to make it work … which includes using medications when appropriate. That, to me, is MAHA.”
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