People with blood glucose levels that are higher than normal but
not yet in the diabetic range have "Pre-Diabetes". Doctors
sometimes call this condition impaired fasting glucose (IFG) or
impaired glucose tolerance (IGT), depending on the test used to
diagnose it.
The underlying cause of PCOS (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome, also know as
polycystic ovaries) is
Insulin Resistance, a condition that increases the chances of
developing Pre-Diabetes, Diabetes and cardiovascular heart
disease (CHD), so understanding the interaction of Insulin
Resistance, PCOS and Pre-Diabetes is critical to making
lifestyle changes that will help you avoid Diabetes and many
other health problems.
Food is broken down in the body into glucose, the simple sugar
that is the main source of energy. It is digested into many
different macromolecules -- protein, fat and carbohydrates.
Then, carbohydrates are broken down further into glucose
which is the simple energy used by cells for fuel.
Insulin allows this glucose to leave the blood stream and
enter the cell where it can fuel the activities of that cell.
Your pancreas makes and secretes insulin but if your pancreas
doesn't manufacture enough insulin or your cells are unable to
process the insulin that is present, glucose can't enter the
cells. As a result, glucose levels become elevated in the
blood stream, setting the stage for Pre-Diabetes and Diabetes.
 When you are Insulin Resistant, your muscle, fat, and liver
cells do not use insulin properly. The pancreas tries to keep up
with the demand for insulin by producing more. Eventually, the
pancreas cannot keep up with the body's need for insulin, and
excess glucose builds up in the blood stream. Many people with
Insulin Resistance have high levels of both blood glucose and
insulin circulating in their blood at the same time.
You have Pre-Diabetes when those blood glucose levels are higher
than normal, but not yet at the level to be classified as
Diabetic. Pre-Diabetes means you have a higher risk of
developing Type 2 Diabetes, formerly called adult-onset diabetes
or non-insulin-dependent diabetes. Studies have shown that most
people with Pre-Diabetes go on to develop Type 2
Diabetes within 10 years unless they make changes to their
weight, their diet and their levels of physical activity.
People with Pre-Diabetes are at higher risk of Cardiovascular
Disease such as heart disease or stroke. For example, people
with Pre-Diabetes have a 1.5 times increased risk of
Cardiovascular Disease compared to people with normal blood
glucose. This is because abnormalities in the arteries, lipids
profile and blood pressure problems start before the diagnosis
of Diabetes, but the damage is begun in the Pre-Diabetes stage.
"Your recent article about using
cinnamon as an active agent for reducing blood problems seemed
to be aimed at Type 2 Diabetes. I am recently on insulin and,
with the additional drug coumadin, it has thrown all my
medications off-kilter. I can’t take any statin drugs to improve
my blood circulation. But I was impressed with the idea of
adding cinnamon to take over for the statin drugs.
“As a new insulin guy who has gone through the nightmare of
adjusting doses and known Insulin Resistance as a horrible lack
of knowledge on the subject, you gave me some hope for the
future. Thanks."
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K.A. |
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North Olmsted, OH |
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Studies are currently under way using diabetic medicines and
some types of blood pressure drugs to help control Pre-Diabetes
and Insulin Resistance, but no pharmaceutical has yet been
approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) specifically
for these conditions.
In 2001, the National Institutes of Health completed the
Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP), a clinical trial designed to
find the most effective ways of preventing Type 2 Diabetes in
overweight people with Pre-Diabetes. The researchers found that
lifestyle changes reduced the risk of Diabetes by 58 percent,
and many people with Pre-Diabetes returned to normal blood
glucose levels. However, a multi-faceted approach is required to
address the symptoms of these conditions.
A complete system, including nutraceuticals (vitamins, herbs
and minerals that are disease specific), a realistic exercise
program, nutritional guidance and a support system that will
help you change unhealthy lifestyle choices, is required to
address the issues presented by these syndromes.
Click here to read
about PCOS and
Emotional/Mental Disorders
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