Diabetes Taking Away the Good Years Yet Many Don't Know It

Diabetes Taking Away the Good Years Yet Many Don't Know It

New research indicates that adults with diabetes have a lower life expectancy at every age compared to those that do not have diabetes. The research, from the University of Michigan, shows that at age 50 for example the difference in life expectancy is 8.5 years at age 60 the difference is an average of 5.4 years.

The research comes from data provided by more than 20,000 male and female Americans over the age of 50 years old as part of a large survey titled the "Health and Retirement Study." According to lead researcher Dr. Gregory O'Neil, these results depict a very stark reality of what life is like with diabetes in America. Especially as the baby boom generation is quickly entering this age range of 50 plus, we are alarmed that so many of them are developing type 2 diabetes. By 2025, more than half of people with diabetes will be 65 and older, and if this trend continues, it will become primarily a geriatric disease. In 2000, people 65 and older accounted for 40% of U.S. diabetes cases.

This research comes on the heels of earlier studies showing that as many as 1 in 4 individuals with diabetes or about to develop diabetes do not know it. For example, researchers note that in 1998 only 11% of the population had diabetes or was close to developing it. In 2008, that number is as high as 32% for some populations. With diabetes and its related health problems costing Americans an estimated $116 billion per year, controlling diabetes is becoming more and more important in the United States.

Thankfully along with the research documenting the rampant rise in rates of diabetes in America, researchers have found that changing lifestyle habits for individuals with type 2 diabetes, losing weight, and exercising more often can greatly reduce not only the risk of diabetes, but with many individuals that already have diabetes these changes can reverse the process.

According to Dr. O'Neil, a simple 5% weight loss can greatly improve a persons metabolic profile with diabetes. And by being physically active for an average of 60 minutes per day 5 days per week, most individuals who have just developed diabetes can actually reverse it.

For those that are on medications they are often able to reduce the medication load, or even stop taking their medications through lifestyle change.

To learn more about subjects like this and to start changing your body, please visit us atNew Lifestyle Diet.

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