The World Health Day, an initiative of the World Health Organisation (WHO), is celebrated annually on April 7 across the universe.
The theme this year is Beat Diabetes.
Diabetes is a condition where the amount of glucose in the blood is too high because the body cannot use it properly.
Below are five ways to prevent this disease which is caused mainly from unhealthy eating habits, stress and lack of physical activity.
- Lose weight
If you are overweight then please try to lose weight so as to reduce your risk of developing diabetes. Weight loss will help you improve insulin resistance and health thereby reducing the risk of diabetes.
- Eat breakfast
Some of us are so busy with work we forget one of the most essential things that will benefit our health. Eating breakfast within two or three hours after waking up every day will reduce the risk of developing diabetes. Many who were too busy to eat breakfast now have all the time in the world to do so after they were diagnosed with diabetes.
- Eat fibre
Increasing the intake of foods high in fibre like fruits, vegetables, beans, whole grains, nuts and seeds in our daily diet is a perfect way to prevent diabetes as it slows the absorption of sugar from foods which reduces the post-meal rise in blood glucose levels.
- Be physically active
Regular exercise aids weight loss which reduces the risk of getting diabetes. Exercise will not only reduce the weight, it will also increase our body’s ability to use insulin properly, which will in turn protect against developing diabetes.
- Quit Smoking
Fewer things are as life threatening as smoking. One of the reasons smokers are liable to die young is because it increases the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Quitting smoking will not only help prevent diabetes but also reduce the risk of other associated health complications.
Stay healthy. Stay Alive!
