DavidWolfe.comWhen your blood glucose levels are above normal but below the defined diabetes threshold, doctors call that prediabetes. Unfortunately, if prediabetes symptoms aren’t treated, then you can develop full-blown diabetes. On the other hand, natural prediabetes treatment methods can help patients normalize blood glucose levels through a healthy diet, exercise, and helpful supplements. (1)
Prediabetes Causes and Risk Factors
So you may wonder if you’re at risk of developing prediabetes. Take a look at the following list of possible causes and risk factors. Another condition, known as metabolic syndrome, may also show high blood sugar levels, so take note of your risk factors and how you feel. (2)
- Being over the age of 45
- Having low HDL cholesterol levels
- Being overweight or obese
- Living a sedentary lifestyle
- Having a family history of diabetes
- Suffering from polycystic ovarian syndrome
- Having a history of gestational diabetes
- Suffering from sleep apnea
Prediabetes Symptoms
Yes, some of these symptoms look familiar, and you may even have a few of them from time to time. But that’s the problem! Often, people with prediabetes don’t realize they have it, because they don’t experience clear-cut symptoms. So if you experience a few or more together, or consistently over time, then you should try to find out more. (3, 4)
- Fatigue
- Increased thirst
- Frequent urination
- Blurred vision
- Dizziness
- Sweating
- Feeling shaky or jittery
- Acanthosis nigricans, a skin condition that causes the skin to darken and thicken (5)
Prediabetes Treatment
1. Lose Excess Weight
Since prediabetes causes and risk factors include being overweight or obese, then losing weight should be high on the list of steps to take in response. In fact, studies have shown that lifestyle interventions can help prevent diabetes by 40-70% in adults with prediabetes. If needed, focus on a healthy weight loss plan and make the dietary changes necessary to reduce your risk of developing diabetes. (6)
2. Follow a Prediabetes Diet
A diabetic diet plan is also an important part of prediabetes treatment. If your current diet has helped lead to prediabetes, then it may lead you down that path too far. So choose foods that help balance blood sugar levels, including protein, fiber and healthy fats. For example, try berries, figs, acorn squash, flaxseeds, quinoa, coconut oil, and avocados to help support healthy blood sugar levels. Also avoid foods filled with processed sugar, such as soda, fruit juice and candy. Refined sugar spikes blood glucose levels. (7)
3. Take Chromium
The body needs chromium to reduce carbohydrate cravings and prevent insulin resistance. A chromium deficiency can increase your risk of glucose intolerance and insulin resistance, which can lead to obesity and type 2 diabetes. Therefore, taking a chromium supplement may help reduce your risk of developing prediabetes and help you maintain healthy blood glucose levels. (8)
4. Increase Your Magnesium Intake
Magnesium is so important that a magnesium deficiency can lead to other nutrient deficiencies and hypertension, both of which are risk factors for prediabetes. Studies have shown that supplementing with magnesium can help offset the risk of developing diabetes. You can also get more magnesium in your diet from magnesium-rich foods including green leafy vegetables, avocados, nuts, seeds and legumes. (9)
5. Try Cinnamon
Cinnamon can be used as a prediabetes treatment thanks to its powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. In one 2011 study, researchers found that taking cinnamon or cinnamon extract resulted in a significantly lower fasting blood glucose level. This is a tasty way to improve your blood sugar. (10)
6. Supplement with Coenzyme Q10
The antioxidant CoQ10 helps treat inflammatory health conditions, including diabetes. Inflammation and oxidative stress play a key role in the development of diabetes. Supplementing with CoQ10 may help keep prediabetes symptoms at bay. (11)
7. Use Ginseng
Ginseng acts as a natural appetite suppressant while boosting your metabolism and helping you burn fat at a faster rate. Studies have shown that ginseng berry extract has anti-diabetic and anti-obesity effects that can help lower fasting blood glucose levels as well as body weight. (12)