The symptoms of prediabetes

The symptoms of prediabetes may include a slipping memory and more embarrassingly impotence.

According to the Mayo Clinic^[1] prediabetes does not usually have any signs or symptoms. It's a silent disease that is stalking its victims; you and me.

Raised serum sugar levels affects the lining of the blood vessels, hardening them and making them stiff; and with lesions that can break off forming a clot. Thus it affects every organ and tissue in the body.

That excess glucose also attaches to haemoglobin in the blood forming what are known as AGEs; they are highly inflammatory and associating with premature aging, atherosclerosis and especially kidney disease.

Silently diabetic retinopathy and blindness are likely beginning; so is loss of the blood supply to the toes and feet. Organs like the kidneys which are rich in capillaries are commonly affected. The risk of dementia rises; one in ten people eating mainly typical grocery store food by the age of 65 are already showing signs of Alzheimer's Disease^[2].

The good news is that prediabetes can be completely reversed

The good news is that prediabetes can be completely reversed simply by making emphatic changes of lifestyle; and without the use of any medication. There is absolutely no reason for it to progress to frank disease; but if we refuse to take it seriously, it's a killer.

The two important steps

The first step to recognise that highly glycaemic foods are what upset the applecart. Our recommendation is to take them one at a time and exclude them permanently from your diet; except on "high and holy days" when you can let your hair down just a little.

Only when you've successfully completely dumped say white rice for ever, then move on to the next ultra-refined carb that is silently playing mayhem with your body. Almost 50% of frank diabetics have no idea that the Sword of Damocles is hanging over the heads. Start with those that you would find easier. Eventually even sugar needs to be reduced to six or less teaspoons per day, that recommended by the Heart Association.

• White rice
• Instant pasta
• Cold storage potatoes and probably apples too
• Super refined maize meal
• Commercial bread
• Cake flour
• Sugar
  

The second is to start taking short walks following any starchy meals; especially after supper to reduce the early morning "dawn effect." Absolutely do not go straight to the car, computer or couch.

• Take a walk after supper
  

Memory and raised blood glucose

Despite the fact that Mayo Clinic declares that prediabetes has no signs or symptoms, I realise that not being able to remember my own cellphone number was the first indication that all was not normal in the state of Denmark.

Impotence

Doctors learn very quickly when they themselves become sick; and I am certainly no exception. I have long warned the obese and those suffering from insulin-resistance of the dangers of impotence; one of the many horrible symptoms of prediabetes.

The second indication that Denmark normality was slipping, was that I was becoming impotent. Prediabetes is all about blood flow.

The dangers associated with sildenafil

The escape clause of most is that there are drugs that give men an erection; it's not something we should worry about. For me that was never an option, being arrogant and proud of the fact that at the upper end of my seventies I still take no medication.

Sildenafil for example increases the blood flow to the penis when stimulated, enabling a man to get and keep an erection long enough for intercourse. But it comes with an awful side-effect; blindness.

The use of what are called PDE inhibitors leads to visual impairment ranging from subtle changes to irreversible vision loss in about 10% of those taking the medication.

Prediabetes and impotence medication is potentially a disaster.

How to test for prediabetes

The simple fasting blood glucose test is not reliable at all; nor is the HbA1c though it is better.

To be sure one needs to measure the glucose levels in the serum half an hour after a large shot of sugar; an unpleasant and it could even be said unhealthy test but it is reliable. Read more on the subject at the following link.

• How to test for prediabetes

A healthy diet for prediabetes

After  studying much of the scientific literature I decided personally to take the plunge to see if I could overcome not just the symptoms of prediabetes but the whole condition itself.

Having made the decision it was easier than I expected. Within a few months my HbA1_c was a healthy 5.4.

Within 6 mos I found to my surprise that I could again after ten years remember my cellphone number without difficulty and it came as total astonishment after a year I was no longer impotent; that I had assumed was forever.

• A healthy diet for prediabetes
  

The symptoms of prediabetes

The symptoms of prediabetes are supposedly zero; but are they really? With hindsight there were often unrecognised warning signs that there was trouble coming.

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