What Is Diabetes Mellitus?
8. Prevention
For T1DM, there is no known preventive measure. However, for T2DM, which accounts for 85% to 90% of all cases, the disease can be prevented or delayed by maintaining a normal body weight, having a healthy diet, and having a regular exercise routine. The American Diabetes Association recommends sedentary activities last no more than 90 minutes at a time.
Dietary changes such as having a diet rich in fiber, whole grains, good fats, and limiting the consumption of sugary beverages and red meat can also be beneficial. The use of tobacco has also been found to increase the risk of diabetes. Some studies have also shown the use of medications such as valsartan, metformin, and rosiglitazone may help delay progression to diabetes. However, lifestyle interventions are generally more effective than medications.
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