Approximately 96 million adult Americans have prediabetesaccording to the Centers for Disease Control (CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION). That’s more than 1 in 3 adults. Of those who have prediabetes, more than 80% don’t even know they have it! Having prediabetes can increase your risk of developing type 2 diabetes, heart disease and stroke. Read on to find out what prediabetes is and a supplement that can help in several ways.
Related: The best eating habits to reverse prediabetes, dietitians say.
What is prediabetes?
Prediabetes is a health condition in which blood glucose levels are higher than normal; however, they are not high enough to diagnose type 2 diabetes.
Typically, when you eat food, your body breaks it down into glucose and it is absorbed into your bloodstream. A hormone produced by the pancreas called insulin allows sugar from the blood to enter cells to be used for energy. If you have prediabetes, your body’s cells don’t respond normally to insulin. Your pancreas makes more insulin to try to get your cells to respond. Eventually, the pancreas can’t keep up and its blood sugar levels rise which is what causes prediabetes and eventually type 2 diabetes if your prediabetes is not treated.
A simple blood test can detect prediabetes. Talk to your doctor if you are concerned.
The #1 best supplement for prediabetes is an omega-3 supplement.
when taking supplementsNeither is a magic cure for prediabetes. However, a Omega 3 supplement with EPA and DHA is a supplement that tends to be recommended for people with prediabetes.
This is because one of the main health concerns when you have prediabetes is heart health. The omega-3s EPA and DHA, as part of an overall healthy diet and lifestyle, can help your heart in a number of ways.
Low levels of omega-3 in the body are associated with a increased risk of heart-related health problems. In addition, omega-3s have also been shown to help maintain healthy blood pressure and healthy triglyceride levels. These are all concerns when you have prediabetes.
How much do you need?
You can get EPA and DHA Omega 3 by eating fatty fish like tuna, mackerel, herring, and salmon, but research shows that only one-third of Americans meet their omega-3 EPA and DHA needs through food. As such, a supplement may be a good idea.
The recommendation for omega-3s EPA and DHA is 250 to 1,000 milligrams per day, and emerging research suggests 1,000 milligrams per day is a good target amount.
You can select EPA and DHA omega-3 supplements made from vegetarian krill, fish, or seaweed.
Look for smaller sized tablets if you want the pill to be easier to swallow, and enteric-coated supplements are made to reduce “fish burps.”
Always consult your doctor before taking any new supplement and choose the one that is right for you.
Read more: The #1 best omega-3 supplement to take, says a dietitian
Little changes
Having prediabetes doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll get type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and stroke.
In addition to taking a supplement, there are lifestyle factors that can be followed to help minimize your risk. Some of these lifestyle factors include losing a small amount of weight, getting at least 30 minutes of physical activity five days a week, and eat healthy (such as getting the recommended daily amount of vegetables and fiber).
Making small changes to a healthier lifestyle has been shown to help lower your risk of type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and stroke if you stick with them over time.
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