A new study published in PLOS Medicine has shown that using diet and exercise to delay the onset of type 2 diabetes after being diagnosed with prediabetes increases longevity and results in better long-term health.
The post-hoc analysis included 540 participants who had been diagnosed with impaired glucose tolerance, also called prediabetes. Participants in the study were randomized to a control group or a group that completed a six-year lifestyle intervention, including changes in diet and exercise. Then, participants were followed for more than 30 years and monitored for health issues including cardiovascular disease and death. This study further analyzed risk and outcomes for participants who developed diabetes two, four, or six years after they had been diagnosed with prediabetes. The goal of the study was to examine the relationship between delaying the onset of diabetes and the risk of cardiovascular disease and death.
The results showed that individuals who delayed the onset of diabetes for at least four years by changing their diet and exercise habits had a significantly lower risk of cardiovascular disease and death compared to participants who developed diabetes sooner. Additionally, the more years a prediabetic participant delayed the onset of diabetes, the better their long-term health outcomes tended to be.
The authors stated that in prediabetic patients, every additional year of delaying the onset of diabetes appears to be beneficial for long-term health. This information is important for anyone with prediabetes or insulin resistance, since implementing a new diet and exercise regimen could have a major impact on their health and longevity. While this study was focused on diabetes and prediabetes, dietary and exercise changes are a well-known way to improve cardiovascular health and prevent heart attacks and strokes. Other effective strategies for improving health and longevity include getting enough sleep and maintaining a healthy weight.
Sources: PLOS Medicine, Science Daily