1 out of every 3 American adults has prediabetes. And of those 84 million adults with prediabetes, 90% don't even know they have it. Prediabetes is a growing epidemic and often goes unnoticed.
What is prediabetes?
Prediabetes is a condition where blood sugar levels are higher than normal but not high enough to warrant a Type 2 Diabetes diagnosis. Prediabetes is caused by long term elevated levels of blood glucose aka blood sugar. A study in the European Journal of Nutrition demonstrated that a diet consisting of junk food like processed food, soda, chips, fries and candy can increase your risk of developing prediabetes and subsequently type 2 diabetes by 70%.
Why does it matter?
Without significant diet and lifestyle changes, prediabetes is likely to develop into Type 2 Diabetes. Diabetes is a chronic disease which can bring about a host of serious health problems including blindness, kidney failure and limb amputations. A prediabetes diagnosis may also put you at increased risk for strokes and heart disease.
What can you do if you are diagnosed?
This is your wake up call. You now have an incredible opportunity to stop the disease before it causes more harm. Here are three of the best prevention strategies:
- Maintain a healthy weight
- Consume a diet rich in whole grains, fruits and vegetables and low in animal fats, refined carbohydrates and simple sugars (Hello fiber and nutrient dense foods!)
- Stay active through regular physical activity
How can Plantable help?
Here is a case study to illustrate how we've helped our clients. In June 2017, a new client “Anne” started the Plantable ReBoot. Anne had Type II Diabetes and was a self-proclaimed “dessert queen.” She also confessed to being addicted to sugar. After a few weeks of the Plantable ReBoot program, Anne’s blood glucose levels dropped 32 points, her triglyceride levels dropped 298 points and her total cholesterol levels dropped 80 points. After 3 months, Anne’s hemoglobin A1c (a marker of long-term blood glucose levels and a diagnostic criteria for diabetes) dropped from 8.9 to 5.8, and this enabled her to stop taking insulin at the direction of her endocrinologist.
The best part? Anne is not an anomaly - Plantable has helped several clients to reverse a prediabetes diagnosis while also helping clients already diagnosed with diabetes to successfully manage their disease and insulin needs (again, always at the direction of each client's endocrinologist). Plantable is here to help our clients make a lasting lifestyle change in an easy, delicious and most importantly, effective manner. If you are interested in learning more, do not hesitate to reach out to us!
MEDICAL DISCLAIMER: PLANTABLE DOES NOT REPLACE YOUR DOCTOR
Plantable is not intended to replace medical advice. If you are under the care of a physician and/or take medications or supplements, consult with your health care provider prior to beginning this program. Implementing this dietary program may require altering your medication needs and must be done by or under the direction of your physician.
