Halebee can help you can lower your blood sugar naturally.
Lowering your blood sugar level is key to reducing your risk of type 2 diabetes (T2DM). Did you know that small behavior changes can make a big impact on your HbA1c and result in lifelong health benefits? It is possible to reverse your prediabetes through small daily steps that increase your knowledge of T2DM, physical activity level, and confidence in making healthy dietary choices. Let the following suggestions unlock your future good health and wellness.
What is Prediabetes?
Prediabetes is a serious health condition where blood sugar levels are higher than normal, but not high enough yet to be diagnosed as T2DM. Approximately 96 million American adults—more than 1 in 3—have prediabetes. There may be no symptoms to prediabetes, and more than 80% don’t know they have it! Prediabetes is typically associated with the beginning of insulin resistance in cells of the body. Being prediabetic puts you at increased risk of developing T2DM, heart disease, and stroke. Both prediabetes and T2DM are also a huge risk factors for COVID-19 serious illness.
Prediabetes is diagnosed by the HbA1c blood test. A result within the range of 5.7 and 6.4 is considered prediabetes.
| HbA1c | Result |
|---|---|
| 5.6 or less | Normal |
| 5.7 – 6.4 | Prediabetes |
| 6.5 or greater | Diabetes |
Is Prediabetes reversible?!?
Small changes to your diet and physical activity routine can decrease insulin resistance and lower your risk for developing T2DM. Losing a small amount of weight (10%) of your total body weight can significantly lower your HbA1c and move you back into the non-diabetic category, especially if you are over age 60.
The cost of T2DM
Living with a chronic illness is physically, emotionally, and mentally draining. It also costs a lot of money! It can require many more doctor visits than you may be used to completing in a single year. Life with T2DM may require quarterly blood tests, until your blood sugar is at a reduced, stationary level. In addition to your primary care provider, you may also have visits with a diabetes specialist such as an endocrinologist. You can also expect to have a yearly eye exam that includes a diabetes screening. All of these doctor visits and lab tests cost money as well as time away from work. It may also require daily medication which may or may not be fully covered by insurance.
The American Diabetes Association estimates that T2DM costs patients an additional $9601 per year in expenses1. The largest components of medical expenditures are:
- Hospital inpatient care (30% of the total medical cost)
- Prescription medications to treat complications of diabetes (30%)
- Anti-diabetic agents and diabetes supplies (15%)
- Physician office visits (13%)
Lifetime estimated costs of T2DM and complications2
| Age (years) | Cost($) | |
|---|---|---|
| Men | Women | |
| 23-44 | $127,000 | $130,800 |
| 45-54 | $106,200 | $110,400 |
| 55-64 | $84,000 | $85,500 |
| ≥ 65 | $54,700 | $56,600 |
Basic steps to reversing prediabetes and lowering your blood sugar level
- More physical activity! The American Diabetes Association says that action is your best medicine. Check out Halebee’s physical activity page for more fun ideas on how to add more movement to your routine.
- Improve your diet. This is no easy task, but Halebee’s nutrition blog will give you some ideas on ways to begin.
- Lower your HbA1c. Talk to your doctor about lowering your blood sugar naturally using herbs, exercise, and mind-body techniques to reduce stress, inflammation, and support your immune system. Today is the day you can take charge of your health.
Prediabetes resources to help you get started.
- Talk to a certified diabetes counselor. Learn how to naturally lower your risk of prediabetes using complementary and alternative techniques.
- A CDC-led National Diabetes Prevention Program can help you make lifestyle changes to prevent or delay type 2 diabetes and other serious health problems.
- Visit our diabetes library to learn more about prediabetes and T2DM.
- Johns Hopkins prediabetes program is dedicated to helping prevent T2DM
References:
- The Cost of Diabetes
- Zhuo X, Zhang P, Hoerger TJ. Lifetime direct medical costs of treating type 2 diabetes and diabetic complications. Am J Prev Med. 2013 Sep;45(3):253-61. doi: 10.1016/j.amepre.2013.04.017.PMID: 23953350.