PreDiabetes is the first topic zoomed in by Dr. EE for the year 2024.
It is good to know more about this topic because Singapore has the second highest proportion of Diabetics in developed nations, after the U.S.A 🙁
Prediabetes damages the heart, blood vessels, eyes and kidneys. The disease lowers our immunity and increases the risk of Type 2 Diabetes.
Prediabetes can be asymptomatic as mentioned in her webinar, so it is good to know what may contribute to a higher risk of the disease. She cited a few, including being overweight, obesity, and a family history of diabetes. The good news is, prediabetes is reversible! However, if this period is not addressed and the condition prolongs, one risks getting Type 2 Diabetes – a disease that no one will want to have a fling with in their life.
Life quality will be affected. You can get tired easily as the body has issues converting the glucose to energy; one can succumb to diseases such as kidney failure, blindness, depression, blood vessel damage, and nerve damage that can lead to amputation.
Prevention is always better than cure. There is no magical pill by the doctors for the cure. We have to depend on ourselves. The following tips are by Dr EE on reversing prediabetes. A reversal can take from weeks to months, depending on one’s determination!
Lifestyle Changes That Can Reverse Prediabetes:
- Exercise Regularly.
Exercise increases insulin sensitivity and helps muscles to use blood sugar for movement, which leads to lower blood sugar levels. - Consume Plain Green Tea.
Chronic inflammation can lead to diabetes. For instance, inflammation can impair the functions of beta cells that produce insulin; inflammation can also disrupt the cells’ signal pathways and promote insulin resistance, plaque formation in the arteries.
Green tea contains catechins which can reduce inflammation. - Eat Breakfast before 8.30am.
Blood sugar is naturally higher in the mornings to provide us the fuel and get us moving! Eating breakfast stimulates insulin production, allowing our body cells to take up the glucose in the bloodstream. Eating early in the day reduces insulin resistance and lowers blood sugar levels. - Stay Hydrated.
Water helps the kidneys flush out excess sugar through the urine. Studies show people who drank more water had a lower risk of developing high blood sugar levels. If you are not drinking enough water, the body’s natural response is to hold the water, including holding on to the sugar. - Eat More Fiber
Fiber slows down the digestion of carbohydrates and delays its absorption into the blood. Fiber promotes a more gradual rise in blood sugar levels. - Get Enough Sleep
Lack of sleep affects glucose metabolism which can lead to insulin resistance. - Eat Healthy Snacks More Frequently
Eating smaller portions makes it easier for the body to manage, leading to a more stable blood sugar level. It provides the body with a consistent energy supply. - Maintain A Healthy Weight
Excess fats in the body cause inflammation, especially abdominal fats, and fats around the organs. These can affect many functions in the body. For example, fat accumulation around the pancreas can impair pancreatic function and affect insulin production and regulation. Once these fats (weight) are reduced, insulin sensitivity will be improved!
I am happy that E.Excel Triflora Tea has been my staple drink. With Triflora, I can ensure I have ample fluid intake. Somehow with just plain water, my fluid intake tends to be low :_) With its natural ability to reduce inflammation and high antioxidant levels, this is the tea which I definitely will not want to miss.