There are two forms of Diabetes, Type 1 and Type 2. Type 1 Diabetes is an autoimmune disorder, which means that the body starts to attack itself and destroys the tissue that secretes the hormone insulin. Insulin is key in distributing the energy from the food we eat to all the cells in our bodies, so if left untreated, Diabetes can be life-threatening. There are no known clearly predictive risk factors and therefore Type 1 Diabetes cannot be prevented, but thankfully the condition can be treated.

With Type 2 Diabetes, insulin is still produced but a number of factors may be present which can prevent it from being used properly in the body. This is commonly termed insulin resistance, and can lead to pre-Diabetes and Diabetes.

There are a number of known risk factors for Type 2 Diabetes. Fortunately, you can control many of them in order to reduce your risk of developing Diabetes.

Pregnancy

Pregnant women can sometimes develop Diabetes during their pregnancy, usually around the 24th week. This is called Gestational Diabetes. If a woman develops Gestational Diabetes while pregnant, she is two to three times more likely to develop it in subsequent pregnancies. The symptoms will usually go away after the baby is born, but studies have shown that women who have Gestational Diabetes are more likely to develop Type 2 Diabetes as they age.

Genetics

Diabetes can run in family or there might be an issue with your DNA that affects how your body produces insulin. There is little you can do about genetics, but a lot you can do in terms of healthy lifestyle measures, particularly in relation to the food you choose to eat and how much you weigh.

Eating Too Many Carbohydrates

Carbohydrates are sugary or starchy foods that can give you a rush of energy, but they also impact your blood sugar strongly. If you have ever had a sugar rush after eating a candy bar you will get an idea of what happens to your body with a sudden sugar overdose and the work insulin has to do in order to keep your blood glucose steady. A good dietary rule of thumb is to avoid too much consumption of “white foods” such as sugar, potatoes, white rice, white bread and pasta. Instead, aim for whole grains and foods like brown rice.

Being Overweight or Obese

Being overweight can trigger insulin resistance, especially if you carry your extra pounds around the middle. This is commonly referred as a “spare tire.” Doctors call it “waist roundness” and it is a known warning sign of the threat of developing Type 2 Diabetes. Losing weight can help get your Diabetes under control, or even reverse it, and watching your diet can curb carbs and help you meet your weight loss goals.

Metabolic Syndrome

People with insulin resistance often have a group of related health conditions which is called Metabolic Syndrome. The conditions are:

* High blood glucose (High blood sugar)
* Hypertension (High blood pressure)
* High cholesterol, in particular, high triglycerides
* And often, extra fat around the waist

Metabolic syndrome is an indicator of insulin resistance, which can lead to pre-Diabetes and Diabetes. All of these factors can be reduced through diet, weight loss and exercise.

Pre-Diabetes

Pre-Diabetes is a term that medical experts use to indicate that the body is developing insulin resistance, which can develop into full Diabetes if lifestyle factors are not changed.

There are other Diabetes risk factors, but these are the main ones that you can do something about to prevent Diabetes and maintain optimal health well into your senior years.