If you’re overweight or obese and have type 2 diabetes, a new study reveals how to make lifestyle changes that will help you safely gain control of your disease and still protect your heart.
Researchers published a study in Diabetes Care that took a second — and more in-depth — look at data from the NIH’s Look AHEAD study. They found that for 85% of people in that study, lifestyle interventions that triggered weight loss and increased physical activity reduced potential cardiovascular problems. Such lifestyle interventions also help reduce the risks for diabetes, dementia, and some cancers and strengthen the immune system.
But… and there’s always a but… for folks in that study who had poor blood sugar control, the lifestyle interventions were actually risky! It turns out that upgrading your lifestyle without first gaining control of blood sugar levels makes it 85% more likely you’ll have a cardiac event.
So if you’re ready to conquer your type 2 diabetes, talk to your doctor about first making sure your blood sugar is well controlled through medication and diet. Once that is established, then you’re ready to start a weight-loss and exercise program that will help you make a dramatic shift in your life trajectory.
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