In fact, health experts at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently found 90 percent of all diabetes cases are patients with type 2 diabetes. To learn more about current medical research studies on diabetes read medical magazines like Bottom Line/Health, Consumer Reports on Health and Family and Community Health.
Type 2 diabetes used to be known as adult-onset or non-insulin-dependent diabetes. It is a chronic condition that affects the body’s metabolization of sugar (glucose), which is the body’s main source of fuel. Often type 2 diabetes is preventable.
Type 2 diabetes makes the body resistant to the effects of insulin, a hormone that regulates sugar absorption in the cells and maintains sugar levels. Some patients with type 2 diabetes produce insulin but not an adequate amount.
While diabetes occurs in all ages and races, some groups have a higher risk for developing type 2 diabetes than others. The disease is more common in African Americans, Latinos, Native Americans, and Asian Americans/Pacific Islanders, as well as the aged population. According to the American Diabetes Association diabetes affects more than 21 million Americans. Of those, more than 6 million are unaware they have diabetes. Additionally the ADA reports that 54 million Americans have pre-diabetes, which puts them at the greatest risk for developing type 2 diabetes.
The widespread potential, especially of minorities, of people with the disease and the presence of so many people unaware of their pre-disease potential are also reasons diabetes could be AIDS-like epidemic. Also like AIDS, at this time there is no cure for diabetes, only ways to treat complications and manage the disease.
Ways to prevent type 2 diabetes include eating health foods, exercising or incorporating physical activity daily to maintain a healthy weight. If you are overweight, losing just 10 pounds will reduce your risks. Committing to a routine of healthy eating and exercising is essential to reducing risk and preventing type 2 diabetes. For ideas on how to incorporate exercise read fitness magazines like Shape, Muscle & Fitness and Fitness. Also, fitness magazines like Women’s Health, Men’s Health and Health often feature diabetes news and tips.
If your doctor has already diagnosed you with type 2 diabetes managing this serious disease is crucial. Neglected type 2 diabetes will put you at risk for serious life-threatening complications. Magazines like Diabetic Living, Diabetic Cooking and Diabetes Forecast will help keep you abreast of the latest diabetes news, healthy recipes and ways to stay motivated.
For more articles on diabetes prevention, visit www.magazines.com/ncom/mag?view=0&btn=D&l=20&search=health
Jessica Vandelay is a free-lance writer in New York City.
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