What Seniors can Do to Reduce their Risk of Diabetes

Diabetes is a chronic disease that affects millions of people in the world. Because diabetes is incurable, it is best to be proactive in reducing your risk of this disease. Seniors, in particular, are at risk of diabetes because of many reasons that include their sedentary lifestyle. Fortunately, our risk of diabetes can be reduced through lifestyle changes such as the following:

Stay Physically Active

Getting enough amount of exercise every day is essential to reduce your risk of diabetes and maintain your overall health. Studies show that aerobic exercises and resistance training are the best physical activities to take part in to minimize your risk of diabetes.

Eat a Well-Balanced Diet

Eating healthy is not only about consuming healthier food but also ingesting healthier portion sizes. Eating your food in smaller portions will help you in losing weight by decreasing the number of calories you consume. Limit your intake of fatty foods and sweets. Also, drink lots of water instead of sugary beverages. Ensure you also consume lots of fiber through fruits and veggies as well as nuts and whole grains. If you are a senior, choosing and preparing your food may no longer be an easy task. However, hiring an in home senior care provider can ensure somebody is there to prepare nutritious and healthy meals for you on a daily basis.

Limit Alcohol Intake

Consuming too much alcohol can result in weight gain and increase your blood pressure. Sure, you can have alcohol in moderation but keep in mind that excessive drinking can result in an increased risk of type 2 diabetes.  This type of diabetes is characterized by high blood sugar, frequent urination and unexplained weight loss.

Quit Smoking

The majority of people know the link of smoking to cancer; however, they may not understand its association with diabetes. Did you know that smoking can increase blood pressure levels which can lead to diabetes?

Be Checked Regularly

Usually, physicians can diagnose prediabetes which is the path to type 2 diabetes. And before you reach this stage, regular checkups will provide warning signs of heart disease and high blood pressure which let you know it is time to begin considering lifestyle changes.

Sometimes, physicians tell their patients things that are not pleasant to hear. However, being aware of your risk of developing diabetes in advance is better than finding out when you already have it. Visit your doctor and get some advice. While it is not easy to make lifestyle changes, living with a preventable disease is tougher.