Prediabetes: Symptoms, Causes & How to Reverse It – Kassa

An estimated 1.4 million adults in the Netherlands live with prediabetes, a condition where blood sugar levels are elevated but not high enough to be classified as type 2 diabetes. This silent health risk significantly increases the likelihood of developing type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. Many individuals remain unaware of their condition due to the often subtle or absent symptoms.

Prediabetes serves as a precursor to type 2 diabetes. In type 2 diabetes, the body either doesn’t produce enough insulin or can’t effectively use the insulin it makes, leading to elevated blood sugar. With prediabetes, blood sugar is mildly elevated, but not yet at the diagnostic threshold for diabetes. Internist-endocrinologist Martijn Brouwers describes it as a “red flag” for health.

A formal diagnosis requires a blood sugar test. A simpler initial assessment can be done with a fasting blood sugar test at a doctor’s office. Yet, the Diabetes Fonds offers a Diabetes Risk Test to help individuals gauge their risk level.

Overweight and obesity are major contributing factors. When the body carries excess weight, the pancreas works harder to regulate blood sugar. Over time, this can lead to pancreatic exhaustion and insufficient insulin production.

Yes, often without medication. A healthier lifestyle is key, encompassing:

• Weight loss
• Increased physical activity
• Mindful eating

Government initiatives, such as a proposed sugar tax and restrictions on marketing unhealthy foods to children, aim to address the broader societal factors contributing to prediabetes and diabetes. Supermarkets also have a role to play in promoting healthier choices.