Prediabetes Explained: How to Reverse It Before It’s Too Late

💊 What is Prediabetes?

Prediabetes is a condition characterized by higher-than-normal blood sugar levels that are not yet high enough to be classified as type 2 diabetes.

Pathophysiology of Prediabetes:

The pathophysiology of prediabetes involves insulin resistance and to an extent, impaired insulin secretion. In insulin resistance, the body’s cells, particularly muscle, fat, and liver cells, fail to respond effectively to insulin, leading to reduced glucose uptake and therefore higher blood sugar levels.

Once this occurs, the pancreas tries to compensates by producing even more insulin to overcome the resistance, leading tissues to become further desinsitized to insulin, and in turn the pancreas to respond with even more insulin production. Its like a viscious cycle.

Over time, this increased insulin production demand exhausts the pancreatic beta cells, leading to inadequate insulin production. Blood sugar levels in prediabetes typically range from 100 to 125 mg/dL when fasting, and an A1c (average blood sugar over 2-3 months) between 5.7% and 6.4%.

This metabolic state is often associated with abdominal obesity, elevated blood pressure, and dyslipidemia, which together constitute metabolic syndrome, further increasing the risk of cardiovascular diseases.

🤔 Why you need to know:

The reason prediabetes is so important is because at this critical stage, intervention can easily prevent progression to diabetes without the need for medication. Without intervention, many people with prediabetes develop type 2 diabetes within five years. Here are some practical steps to manage and reverse prediabetes:

• Healthy Diet: Focus on a balanced diet rich in whole grains, vegetables, lean proteins, and healthy fats. Reduce the intake of sugary drinks and processed foods.
• Regular Exercise: Engage in at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise, like brisk walking, each week to improve insulin sensitivity and help maintain a healthy weight.
• Weight Management: Losing even a small amount of weight (5-7% of body weight) can significantly improve blood sugar levels and reduce the risk of progressing to type 2 diabetes.
• Monitor Blood Sugar Levels: Regularly checking your blood sugar can help you track progress and make necessary adjustments to your lifestyle.

🧠 Trivia:

Over 84 million adults in the United States have prediabetes, and 90% of them don’t know they have it.