This is a great feat! Although I should place a caveat that TWICE as effective as this medicine for preventing diabetes is lifestyle modification with diet and exercise (see below for specifics).
Metformin is a medicine that reduces the risk of developing diabetes in “at-risk” adults when compared to taking placebo pills. This effect is likely effective for up to 10 years.
Who is “at-risk”? Those with…
- Elevated fasting glucose (more than 100 on a fasting lab test),
- Hemoglobin A1c test result 5.7-6.4,
- History of gestation diabetes with a pregnancy,
- Obesity (BMI of more than 25),
- Polycystic ovary syndrome,
- Family history of diabetes,
- Hypertension,
- Peripheral Vascular Disease,
- High cholesterol.
Lifestyle modification is harder than taking a pill every day, but may also positively affect many other areas of your life. This study showed that a modest weight loss of 7% body weight and exercising 150 minutes per week was greatly effective in decreasing the risk of converting to overt diabetes.
Why not take out your walking shoes today?
You must be logged in to post a comment.