New research is showing that diet and exercise may prevent individuals from developing diabetes.
A study found in The Lancet discovered that by adding an exercise regimen and developing a healthy eating lifestyle could cut the risk of diabetes by more than one-third for susceptible people.
Usnews.com reports that such as dieting and exercising are also more effective than pharmaceutical drugs.
The study took 3,234 individuals with a high blood sugar and split them into three groups, those who made lifestyle changes, those who were given metformin to control their blood sugar, and those who were given a placebo.
It was found that after 10 years, 34 percent of those who made the lifestyle change reduced their risk of developing the disease as opposed to the placebo. These findings also nearly doubled the 18 percent who reduced their risk by taking metformin.
“Lifestyle intervention, even when provided later, also seemed to lower diabetes incidence rate,” said author Dr. William Knowler.
Diet and exercise may also be beneficial for other health concerns, and may even improve ones overall wellbeing.