Are you at risk of prediabetes?

Diabetes is also responsible for the largest rise in male deaths among the top 1en, with an 80 per cent increase since 2000.

Health experts across the globe are working on preventing the spread of this disease.

A new term has emerged to raise awareness and concern in populations at risk of developing diabetes: prediabetes. Do you know what it means and its symptoms?

Atlantia Clinical Trials, an Irish company headquartered in Blackpool, explain the basics of this medical term. They are experts in conducting clinical studies with functional foods, beverage, supplements, probiotics and natural extracts.

What is prediabetes?

Prediabetes means you have higher than normal blood glucose levels (or blood sugar) but not enough to be diagnosed with diabetes. Prediabetes often occurs in people who already have some level of insulin resistance or when the pancreas isn’t making enough insulin. Without lifestyle changes, people with prediabetes have an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

Some known symptoms include: blurred vision, fatigue, increased thirst and frequent urination. Research has showed some common characteristics of a prediabetic patients: overweight or obese, aged 45 and older, sedentary lifestyle, history of heart disease or stroke, family history (risk of diabetes increases if you have a parent or sibling with diabetes).

Evidence suggests that prediabetes is a highly reversible condition - according to the HSE weight loss and increased levels of physical activity, as well as moving towards a healthier diet.

A study conducted by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) found that individuals with a high risk of developing diabetes significantly reduced their chance of developing the disease by losing five-seven per cent of their weight.

Clinical trials are research studies that explore whether a natural treatment is effective or if the health claims associated with the product are accurate.

The only way that this can be tested for effectiveness and tolerance is with the help of volunteers. Atlantia Clinical Trials recruit study participants to take part in many exciting studies in multiple health areas and reimburses them for their time. Check their website to gather further information on current recruiting studies at atlantia.ie.