INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
The global burden of diabetes is approximately 422 million with the worldwide number of prediabetes growing substantially
The recently released ICMR study estimates that in India alone, 136 million people, which is more than the population of Maharashtra or
15.3% of the entire population of the country, are likely to be pre-diabetic! A prediabetic is said to be at a high risk of developing
Ashok Kumar Jhingan, Senior Director - Centre For Diabetes, Thyroid, Obesity - Endocrinology, BLK-Max Super Speciality Hospital further
Also known as impaired fasting glucose or glucose intolerance, prediabetes occurs when your blood sugar levels are higher than normal, but
prone to it? Dr Mahesh Chavan, MD (Med), DNB (Endocrinology), Senior Consultant Endocrinologist, Apollo Hospitals, Navi Mumbai and The
combined with urbanization and lifestyle changes that cause insulin resistance
(excess), sugar, smoking, spirits and alcohol
All this has led to a drastic change in our lifestyle
The spike in cases is also due to a combination of factors, including lack of physical activity, mental stress, COVID-19 illness and
of processed foods, sugary beverages, and high-calorie snacks have all contributed to overall weight gain, which is often related to an
increased risk of developing pre-diabetes
The resulting obesity with excess body weight, especially around the abdomen, increases the risk of insulin resistance and impaired glucose
metabolism, adds Katerine
Is a carb-heavy Indian diet also to be blamed?It is true that carbohydrate intake plays a significant role in blood sugar regulation, but it
is not the sole culprit in the development of pre-diabetes or diabetes
Refined carbohydrates, such as white rice, white bread, and processed foods, have a higher glycaemic index, meaning they can cause a rapid
increase in blood sugar levels
It is true that traditional Indian cuisine often includes a variety of carbohydrates, such as rice, roti (bread), and lentils and all of
these can have an adverse impact on blood sugar levels
However, these must be seen in context of the overall dietary pattern, portion sizes, and cooking methods which also play a role in
can cause higher spikes in blood sugar
During the prediabetes phase, your pancreas still produces enough insulin in response to ingested carbohydrates
But the insulin is less effective at removing the sugar from the bloodstream, so your blood sugar remains high.When you eat more carbs than
your body needs, the excess calories get stored as fat
This can cause you to gain weight
Body fat, especially around the belly, is linked to insulin resistance
urinationIncreased hungerFatigueBlurred visionNumbness or tingling in the feet or handsFrequent infectionsSlow-healing soresUnintended
years without developing any symptoms
Technically this means that unless you are not aware that you are pre diabetic, you will not know till a serious health problem arises
Improving your lifestyle habits and regular monitoring of your sugar levels will ensure that you are able to identify pre-diabetes at an
to developing diabetes and must keep a close check on their blood sugar level through regular self-monitoring of blood glucose
This helps pre-diabetic individuals become more aware of their blood glucose levels and understand how their lifestyle choices impact those
levels.People should start screening themselves if they are overweight or have a family history of diabetes, or have PCOS
