What are the risk factors that may indicate a high probability of developing Type 2 diabetes?
• Abdominal fat: a waistline greater than 40 inches (for a man), or 35 inches for a woman; Body Mass Index (BMI) greater than 25 • Poor nutrition: too many processed foods; and, not enough fiber, water, plant oils, and nutrients from vegetables and fruits • Sedentary lifestyle: very little physical activity or exercise • Age: 45 years or older • High blood pressure (130/80 or higher) • High triglycerides (over 150), Low HDL cholesterol (under 40 for men, 50 for women) • High C-reactive protein, high homocysteine and/or small, dense LDL particles, indicators of high levels of internal inflammation • Non-Caucasian ethnicity: Hispanic American, African American, Native American, Asian American (partially due to societal “isms”) • A family history of Type 2 diabetes or cardiovascular disease • A history of gestational diabetes during pregnancy • Tobacco/alcohol consumption 4. How can I prevent myself from becoming a Type 2 diabetic? By avoiding the processed foods, fast foods, excess anima
