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The bad news is that diabetes is deadly and that it is increasing rapidly around the world. Among the many unpleasant things that it can lead to are heart disease, blindness, impotence, amputations and kidney failure. The good news is that it is largely avoidable. There are several very simple and inexpensive things that anyone can do to greatly diminish their chances of acquiring type II diabetes, which is by far the most common: 1. Avoid becoming overweight. If already overweight, lose weight, particularly around the stomach. 2. Eat plenty of vegetables and fruits as well as whole grains. Avoid so-called "fast food," which may be fast but is not real food. Vegetables, fruits and whole grains provide good nutrition and help prevent obesity. 3. Avoid a sedentary lifestyle and get a lot of exercise. It is not necessary to spend money for an expensive exercise program. Even 20 minutes of brisk walking a day can be a big help. The most effective technique in the long run is to develop a lifestyle that involves frequent exercise, such as walking to the grocery store on a regular basis, walking to work and school, and meeting friends to go on walks together. It is a myth that sugar causes diabetes. Sugars are natural components of food, and there is nothing wrong with sugar in moderate amounts. The real culprits are eating lots of fat and lack of exercise.
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Created September 30, 2006. |