Show 1036: How to Prevent Diabetes by Changing Your Life

An increasing proportion of Americans are at risk for type 2 diabetes. In 2012, 86 million adults had prediabetes, which is elevated blood sugar that doesn't quite reach the cut-off for a diabetes diagnosis. Frequently, people with prediabetes go on to develop diabetes, but they don't have to.

The CDC has approved an evidence-based approach to diabetes prevention that works through changes in lifestyle: exercise, diet, stress reduction and group support. That sounds like a good idea, but it also sounds daunting.

How to Change Your Life:

How would you go about making those changes? Are there programs around the country?

YMCA:

Learn about the YMCA's successful diabetes prevention program designed for people with prediabetes. We also discuss how health coaching can help people make changes in their lives so that they can reduce their risks of diabetes, heart disease and other health problems.

Botanical Medicines:

Are you interested in non-drug approaches to lower blood sugar? Dr. Tieraona Low Dog describes a number of botanical medicines that can be useful for this purpose.

This Week's Guests:

Matthew Longjohn, MD, MPH, is the national health officer of the YMCA of the USA. He oversees programs and practices to advance the Y's Healthy Living goals, including the YMCA's Diabetes Prevention Program. Dr. Longjohn is also an Assistant Adjunct Professor in the Departments of Pediatrics and Preventive Medicine at Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine.

Karen Lawson, MD, ABIHM, is an assistant professor of Family Medicine and Community Health at the University of Minnesota. She is Director of Integrative Health Coaching at the Center for Spirituality and Healing (www.csh.umn.edu). In addition, Dr. Lawson is a co-founder and executive leader of the National Team for Standards, Certification, & Research for Professional Health & Wellness Coaches (www.ncchwc.org )

Tieraona Low Dog, MD, is Fellowship Director of the Interprofessional Fellowship in Integrative Health & Medicine with the Academy of Integrative Health & Medicine. She is an internationally recognized expert in the fields of integrative medicine, dietary supplements, herbal medicine and women’s health.

She is a founding member of the American Board of Physician Specialties, American Board of Integrative Medicine and the Academy of Women’s Health. She has served as Chair of the US Pharmacopeia Dietary Supplements/Botanicals Expert Committee.

Her books include: Women’s Health in Complementary and Integrative Medicine; Life Is Your Best Medicine; and Healthy at Home. Her latest is Fortify Your Life: Your Guide to Vitamins, Minerals and More. For more information, see her website: drlowdog.com