Insulin resistance
Who is at risk for type 2 diabetes?
We each have a unique family history and background. Though some of us may get away scot-free with poor lifestyle habits and high-sugar diets, others may not be so lucky. It’s never a good idea to base a prediction on just one thing — such as whether you love to eat sweets or have a parent or sibling with diabetes. Your own chances of developing diabetes boil down to a combination of your particular eating habits, your metabolic type, your activity level, and your genetics. We feel it’s more helpful for you to look at your overall risk profile and proceed from there about choices that are right for you.
With type 2 diabetes on the rise and all the unfortunate complications that go along with it, it’s wise to look at your risks early — the earlier the better. From our point of view, if you have insulin resistance, then you’re already on the road to metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes. Determining where you are today on the risk continuum is a great way to keep yourself from joining the ranks of this growing epidemic. But whether you are at higher risk of developing diabetes or already have it today, we want you to understand that type 2 diabetes can be prevented, treated and even reversed by making healthy changes in your diet and lifestyle.
Here are some of the most common risk factors associated with insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes:
- Being 45 years old or older
- Being overweight/having a BMI greater than 24 (note that this is a lower cut-off point than for men)
- Having a first-degree relative with diabetes
- Being of African-American, Hispanic/Latino, American Indian, Asian American, or Pacific Islander descent
- Developing gestational diabetes during pregnancy
- Giving birth to a baby weighing greater than nine pounds
- Having blood glucose levels greater than 99 mg/dL
- Having blood pressure readings commonly 140/90 or higher
- Having lipid profiles that show high LDL “bad” or unbalanced cholesterol (your HDL is less than 35 mg/dL or your triglyceride level is over 250 mg/dL)
- Leading an inactive lifestyle
- Having darkening skin around the neck or armpits (acanthosis nigricans)
- Having blood vessel problems that affect the heart, brain or legs
Many of the common risk factors for diabetes listed above overlap and interact. In other words, if you’re overweight you’re more likely to have high blood pressure, unbalanced cholesterol levels, blood vessel problems, and so on. So the more factors you check off on the above list, the greater your overall risk. And those of us who follow the modern “Western diet” of over-processed foods, refined sugar products, preservatives, and low fiber are immediately at a greater risk for developing diabetes than those who eat diets rich in fresh whole foods.
Take stock early and determine your risk of developing type 2 diabetes. The good news is, no matter how bad your risk may appear, there are always ways to prevent this disease or lessen its impact. You are in the driver’s seat when it comes to a healthy outcome. And if you pay attention and make some healthy changes in your life, it’s never too late to change your risk profile!
Our Personal Program is a great place to start
The Personal Program promotes natural hormonal balance with nutritional supplements, our exclusive endocrine support formula, dietary and lifestyle guidance, and optional phone consultations with our Nurse–Educators. It is a convenient, at-home version of what we recommend to all our patients at the clinic.
If you have questions, don't hesitate to call us toll-free at 1-800-798-7902. We're here to listen and help.
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Related to this article:
References & further reading on risk factors for diabetes
Original Publication Date: 04/19/2007
Last Modified: 08/17/2009
Principal Author: Amy Amoroso