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Did you know that 1 in 3 Canadians has diabetes or pre-diabetes? Around 90% of those with pre-diabetes don’t actually know it yet.
It is estimated that 90% of those with pre-diabetes don’t actually know it yet. However, if you pick up on it early and make changes to your diet and lifestyle, you can actually reverse it.
Did you know that 1 in 3 Canadians has diabetes or pre-diabetes? It is estimated that 90% of those with pre-diabetes don’t actually know it yet. The warning signs are so subtle that they often go unnoticed. Most people with pre-diabetes will go on to develop diabetes. But it need not be that way.
We probably all have friends and family who have been recently diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and are having to deal with it. What many people don’t realize is that if you pick up on it early and make changes to your diet and lifestyle, you can actually reverse it.
If the warning signs of pre-diabetes are so subtle, how can you pick up on it early? There are some signs you can look out for, but testing is key for early detection.
It’s also good to know your personal risk factors for pre-diabetes.
People often think of diabetes in terms of glucose testing, insulin injections and diet management. But diabetes can have a devastating impact on people’s lives. Diabetes reduces lifespan by between 5 and 15 years. Diabetics are 3 times more likely to be hospitalized with cardiovascular disease, and 20 times more likely to have lower limbs amputated. It is a leading cause of blindness and often leads to depression and foot ulceration. There’s even a financial impact - most Canadians with diabetes spend over $1,500 a year on medications, devices and supplies - out of their own pockets.
Most Canadians with diabetes spend over $1,500 a year on medications, devices and supplies - out of their own pockets.
Your body wants to maintain a stable blood sugar level. A spike in blood sugar will cause your pancreas to start pumping insulin into your system to compensate. After eating too many carbs, there’s a huge spike in blood glucose levels, so the pancreas starts secreting insulin as quick as it can to try to catch up. But, it tends to overestimate the amount of insulin it needs, and too much glucose is removed from your blood. This spike and dip in blood sugar is often referred to as the ‘blood sugar rollercoaster’. People who are at risk of type 2 diabetes can still make insulin, but their cells have some insulin resistance, meaning that they have less ability to act as a sponge to soak up excess sugar (glucose) in the blood.
The medical system is making a concerted effort to slow the rate of growth of diabetes - but budgetary constraints mean that testing tends to focus on those who have already developed type 2 diabetes.
If you do notice symptoms and go to your GP for testing, the standard tests are fasting blood glucose, insulin and HgA1c. However, there are many other factors associated with early insulin resistance and diabetes that can flag your risk for pre-diabetes earlier.
Molecular You health assessments look at dynamic biomarkers in your blood to check for signs of early insulin resistance, including:
Don’t let diabetes sneak up on you. Find out if you are on a path towards pre-diabetes and make some simple diet and lifestyle changes to change direction. Getting an early warning can make all the difference.
Molecular You picks up the early warning signs of pre-diabetes and helps you take preventive action. We design a personal nutrition, exercise and supplements plan to help you change your habits and avoid getting type 2 diabetes. Learn more about our packages.
