Diabetes Series: What do I need to know about Prediabetes?

Did you know that prediabetes is a condition characterised by elevated blood glucose levels that are not high enough to be classified as Type 2 diabetes? It usually occurs in individuals with insulin resistance or those not producing enough insulin. According to the South African Demographic and Health Survey, 64% of women and 66% of men fall into the prediabetes range. 

In this episode podcast host, Dr Darren Green is joined by Dr Lior Sareli, a specialist in diabetes and cardiovascular work. Listen to this fascinating discussion on pre-diabetes, particularly in South Africa and learn how to incorporate lifestyle changes, including a healthy diet, regular exercise, and weight loss which are crucial for managing pre-diabetes and preventing its progression to Type 2 diabetes. In a world where so many of us have a sedentary lifestyle, this is an opportunity to understand what action you can take now to improve health and quality of life.

Some notable moments: 

[00:06:23] Advice for prediabetics

[00:07:51] Early, middle and late signs of pre-diabetes

[00:09:29] Immediate changes to reduce insulin resistance

[00:10:54] Medications for pre-diabetes 

[00:14:20] Nutritional advice to assist in pre-diabetes

[00:16:00] Healthy lifestyle and habits

[00:18:30] How a dietician could help manage prediabetes 

Links you should know about: 

1. Mediclinic webpage – searching under Health Library https://www.mediclinic.co.za/en/corporate/health-knowledge-library.html https://www.mediclinicinfohub.co.za/  (user can enter Diabetes or Type 1 search option to obtain more articles on the section of Diabetes)
2. To make a doctor’s appointment with a Mediclinic doctor follow this link https://www.mediclinic.co.za/en/corporate/find-a-doctor/doctor-appointments.html 
3. Diabetes Support at Mediclinic Hospitals (clinics and support groups, please visit Mediclinic webpage and search for Diabetes Support – www.mediclinic.co.za
4. Insulin Resistance & Prediabetes - NIDDK 
5. The latest prediabetes stats in South Africa - South Africans with Diabetes 
6. South Africa Demographic and Health Survey 2016_Stats SAS, SAMRC & ICF_Final Report.pdf
7. Free Healthy Food Guide: how to eat healthy with diabetes or to lose weight  
8. Let's talk about diabetes and food - South Africans with Diabetes

Transcript.pdf