How to Avoid Diabetes

Avoiding diabetes can sometimes be difficult, especially if you have a family history of the disease. Here are a few ways to help cut your risk of developing this often deadly disorder.

Stop smoking- Smoking causes your risk to skyrocket by 64%. The chemicals in cigarette smoke cause damaging inflammation in your insulin-producing cells of your pancreas.

Cut back on carbs- If you find it difficult to cut back try using a teaspoon of cinnamon daily to steady the rate that food passes from the stomach to the small intestine where most sugar is absorbed.

Take a daily multivitamin- Studies show that getting enough vitamin E and magnesium keep the pancreas in good working order and can cut your risk of diabetes by about half.

Avoid high-fat fast food- A diet high in saturated fat can alter how fat cells respond to insulin causing insulin resistance and leading to diabetes.

Use turmeric- It helps to ease inflammation in liver tissue.

Go sugar free- If you just can't seem to give up soda opt for the diet or sugar free version instead. Drinking just one sugary soda a day can raise your risk for diabetes by 85%.

Take it easy on the iron- Too much iron will settle in your liver and pancreas, stalling insulin production and hindering the body's ability to use blood sugar properly.