If you have been diagnosed with pre-diabetes part of your diagnosis may have been based upon your blood sugar fasting levels. Getting control of your fasting sugar can go a long way towards preventing diabetes. Controlling your fasting levels is important not only to help prevent diabetes, but for other important health reasons.
What are Normal Fasting Levels?
Over the last few years, the accepted normal ranges for fasting levels have changed. Many researchers believe the best level is still not clear. A portion of the belief comes from the fact that it has been verified that even a slightly higher level of blood glucose is connected to eye damage and cardiovascular diseases.
Current accepted levels are anything lower than 100 milligrams per deciliter (100 mg/dl) for fasting. Fasting means you have not had anything to eat or drink during the previous eight hours before the blood test. Test results of 100-126 mg/dl often called impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) are the levels at which pre diabetes is diagnosed.
If you have a slight increase of sugar level, you are most likely in the "pre-diabetic" period. Pre diabetes does not mean you will get diabetes. In many cases, you can prevent the diabetes and return to normal fasting levels by making a few simple changes in your lifestyle.
Eliminate Pre-Diabetes and Diabetes with Lifestyle Changes
To monitor your progress as you make the changes below you must get and use a glucometer to check your sugar levels. Testing your blood glucose will show you the progress you are making as you attempt to bring your blood sugar fasting levels back to normal. Regularly checking your sugar will also help you doctor make informed decisions about whether other treatments may be necessary to bring your blood sugars under control.
Two Important Steps to Lower Blood Glucose Fasting Levels
That's right. There are only two important steps to getting your blood sugar under control. First you'll need to modify your diet. Eliminate foods high in sugar and fats. Reduce the number of carbohydrates you consume on a daily basis. Reduce or eliminate over processed simple carbohydrates such soft drinks, fast food items, cakes, cookies, ice cream and other highly processed food. Replace with fresh fruits and vegetables.
The second step is to add more activity into your life. You don't have to become an exercise fanatic, but do get some form of daily activity. Even a gentle stroll after dinner can go a long way to helping you reduce your fasting sugar levels..
Changing your diet and increasing your activity can go a long way towards reversing the diagnosis of pre diabetes and preventing diabetes. Remember, you only have one life and one body. Take responsibility and make the changes for a healthier and happier you.
