In most cases, it is possible to treat the condition without the use of medicines
THE pre-diabetes It is a red warning of the body. This is an image in which blood glucose levels are above normal, but still do not reach the level of diabetes Type 2. It requires cure, but most of the time it is not necessary to use medicines.
“Pre-diabetes treatment is a diet balanced, focusing on foods rich in fiber, lean proteins and healthy fats, as well as the regular practice of exercise and management of stress“, says nutritionist Marice Marques, Department of Nutrition Coordinator of the Brazilian Society of Diabetes (SBD).
“Another natural medicine, let’s say, is drinking more water, water with lemon, tea or Coffee – Always without sugar – instead of drinks containing sugars, “says Fernando Valente, director of the Department of Diabetes Mellito of the Brazilian company of Endocrinology and metabology (Sbem). Subsequently, understand better how to adopt these practices to treat pre-diabetes and avoid type 2 diabetes.
Do supplements work?
Second American Diabetes Association (AdaIn the acronym), there is no evidence that supplements are an effective option to reduce blood sugar (blood sugar). However, for people with iron, vitamins D and B12, magnesium or calcium, for example, A multivitamin may be necessary.
However, Ada stresses that the best way to obtain vitamins and minerals is for food. “It is not clear whether the nutrients have the same effect on the body if taken in the form of a supplement,” says the entity.
On the other hand, the use of nutritional supplements, such as smoothies, as substitutes for partial meals can be considered as an additional strategy for weight loss. In this case, they are useful because reducing measures in people with pre-diabetes or type 2 diabetes helps in the prognosis.
“These supplements are designed to provide a balanced combination of proteins, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins and minerals,” explains Marice. But he makes warnings: “The composition of some specialized supplements causes prolonged satiety, therefore they should be used by main meals”. In addition, the decision to include them in the diet should be taken with a specialized or professional nutritionist.
Other studies suggest that probiotics can offer some benefits. A revision of the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (Ufrgs) stressed that the use of probiotics, prebiotics or symbiotics has the potential to help in the control of diabetes by improving metabolic parameters, but modest effects. “There is even more solid information about how this use interferes with pre-diabetes progression,” says Valente.
Foods indicated for those who have pre-diabetes
The endocrinologist Luciano Giaciaglia, coordinator of the SBD department of type 2 and pre-diabetes, underlines the importance of the diet with the main macro and micronutrients such as fibers, vitamins and minerals.
In particular, soluble fibers reduce the speed of digestion and absorption of food, making glucose slower in the body. Consequently, in addition to collaborating with the control of blood sugar levels, they also extend satiety, reducing appetite.
According to the SBD guidelines, for people with pre-diabetes, 25-30 grams of these nutrients per day are recommended. Therefore, the advice is to replace simple carbohydrates, such as those found in foods made with white flour with complex carbohydrates that better retain their fibers. They are more present in Whole Foods, for example.
Others Fiber sources include fruit such as papaia and plum, cereals such as oats, barley and All-BranVegetables such as carrots and legumes such as beans and lentils.
Good fat should enter the list
“Another natural treatment is to consume unsaturated fats, which are good and avoid trans fats and saturated fats,” says Valente.
The unsaturated fat group (or fatty acids) is divided into two types: monounsaturated fats help to reduce bad cholesterol, harmful to the heart and the polyunsaturated ones include Omega 3Essential for the development of the brain and eyes and Omega 6, important for metabolism and immunity.
These molecules are found in foods such as olive oil, avocado, Catanhas nuts and almonds.
What should be avoided
A study published in the magazine Nature showed that up to 70% of Cases of type 2 diabetes They are linked to a poor diet. Therefore, according to Marlice, the main recommendation is to cut the consumption of ultra -elaborate foods and sugary drinks, an orientation valid for the entire population.
Ultra -elaborate
Ultra -elaborate foods are hyper -protected food products such as stuffed biscuits, sausages, sausages, ham and instant noodles. They usually contain high levels of sodium, saturated fats and preservatives.
A study conducted at the request of the ACT health promotion last year has shown that the The consumption of this type of product causes 57 thousand deaths And it costs over $ 10 billion per year in Brazil, due to the chronic diseases to which they are associated, including diabetes.
Sugary drinks
A survey published this year in the magazine Nature He has shown that about one in ten new cases of type 2 diabetes is related to the consumption of sugary drinks, such as drinks, box juices and energy.
Simple carbohydrates
Simple carbohydrates, such as those found in white flour bread, refined pasta and cakes, quickly transform into glucose into the body. Although they are not sweet like sugar, they have a similar effect on blood glucose, rapidly increasing blood glucose levels.
Red meat
According to Giaciaglia, it is also recommended to reduce (it is not necessary to eliminate) the intake of red and fat meat.
The guide is supported by a study published in the magazine The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology Last year. In the analysis, which has accompanied millions of people for over 20 countries in 10 years, the daily consumption of 100 g of red meat, equivalent to an average steak, has been associated with a 10% increase in the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
In the case of transformed meats, such as bacon, ham and sausage, only 50 g per day (about two slices of bacon or a sausage) for the risk of increasing 15%.
How can exercises help?
According to the SBD guidelines, aerobic physical activity helps to reduce the risk of progression of the card and the aerobic exercise and resisted combined contributes to reducing the levels of glycated hemoglobin and is also recommended for people who already live with type 2 diabetes.
The recommendation includes:
- Aerobic exercises: at least 150 minutes per week of activity with moderate intensity or equivalent in high intensity practices. Walking, running, swimming and cycling are good options and the ideal is to avoid more than two consecutive days without activity.
- Resistance exercises: at least 1 cycle from 10 to 15 repetitions of five or more exercises, two to three times a week, in non -courses. This may include bodybuilding, elastic exercises or the weight of the body itself.
In addition, it is recommended that in particular the elderly include activities that favor balance, like Tai Chi e yogaTwo or three times a week.
Who has pre-diabetes must take medicines?
Usually not. The remedies are indicated when the change of lifestyle and the maintenance of weight loss are not possible for the patient.
They are also recommended for people with greater risk of progression towards diabetes, such as individuals with clinical obesity, history of gestational diabetes and the elderly.
The most designed drug for this purpose is metformin, but other drugs can be used to help in weight loss.
“It is important to remember that the treatment should always be individualized and oriented by a health professional,” says Tarissa Petry, an endocrinologist of the center specialized in obesity and diabetes of Oswaldo Cruz German Hospital.
Do pre-diabetes take care?
“Pre-diabetes can be reversible, especially when diagnosed in advance,” says Tarissa. Investing in healthy diet, regular physical activity and weight loss can normalize glucose levels and prevent diabetes progression.
Studies show that from 5% to 10% of body weight can already significantly reduce the risk of evolution for the disease.
However, Giaciaglia underlines that when it comes to pre-diabetes and diabetes, the most appropriate term is the “remission” and never “healing”.
He explains that despite the control of blood glucose levels, when a person develops pre-diabetes, it is clear that they have already lost a percentage of pancreas and beta pancreatic cells, responsible for the production of insulin.
Some of these cells can work again, but very much is not regenerated. “Therefore, it is not possible to recover the function as before. It is precisely for this reason that prevention and early diagnosis are fundamental,” he warns.
Source: Terra
Ben Stock is a lifestyle journalist and author at Gossipify. He writes about topics such as health, wellness, travel, food and home decor. He provides practical advice and inspiration to improve well-being, keeps readers up to date with latest lifestyle news and trends, known for his engaging writing style, in-depth analysis and unique perspectives.
