What is Type 2 Diabetes?
Type 2 diabetes is a condition where cells of the body are resistant to the action of insulin and the pancreas is unable to produce enough insulin to overcome this resistance. Because of this, nutrients cannot be properly metabolised and there are increases in levels of sugar and fat in the blood, which together with muscle breakdown can lead to serious health problems.
Are you at risk?
The main risk factors for type 2 diabetes are:
- being older (over 45 years of age)
- being overweight / carrying extra weight around your waist
- family history of diabetes
- having high triglycerides (a type of blood fat)
- high blood pressure
- smoking
- lack of physical activity
It is important to note that these factors can pre-dispose you to developing type 2 diabetes but you can still get diabetes even if you do not have all (or any) of these risk factors.
Can you prevent diabetes?
For many people type 2 diabetes is preventable. Here are some simple steps you can take to reduce your risk:
- Control your weight
Excess weight is the single most important cause of type 2 diabetes. Losing 7 to 10 percent of your current weight can cut your chances of developing type 2 diabetes in half. - Get moving
If you add physical activity to your daily life you will reduce your risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Aerobic exercise and resistance training can both help.
Can the T4DM study help you?
If you are a man aged 50-74 then our T4DM diabetes prevention study could help you prevent diabetes. We are enrolling men who are at high risk of developing diabetes. Men who enrol will receive treatment with testosterone or placebo plus 2 years of regular health checks and access to Weight Watchers.
