According to the British Medical Journal, lifestyle changes appear to be as effective as medication in delaying or preventing type 2 diabetes among adults with impaired glucose tolerance.

The decrease in physical activity and increase in obesity of western societies are strongly linked with the increase in the prevalence and incidence in type 2 diabetes. People with impaired glucose tolerance have an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Various treatment methods have been utilized in research. This research includes medications, lifestyle and herbal remedies.

The British Medical Journal published a recent meta-analysis. They consolidated the evidence from 17 clinical trails. The clinical trails studied the effects of lifestyle, drugs and other medications on both men and women with impaired glucose tolerance. The results showed that lifestyle change intervention can be as effective as drug therapy in reducing the risk of type 2 diabetes in high risk individuals. Individuals who received standard advice only, showed effects on lifestyle changes. This advice resulted in a 49 percent reduction in the risk of developing diabetes. Exercise alone or in combination with a healthier diet was more effective than diet alone. Oral diabetic medications were also effective in delaying or preventing diabetes, but were not as effective as lifestyle changes. Orlistat, which is an anti-obesity drug, was effective in reducing risk when compared to control groups.

Although both medications and lifestyle changes were effective in reducing the risk of diabetes, diet and exercise were associated with considerably fewer adverse effects than those caused by medication. The adverse effects were typically gastroentestinal and reduced liver function. Since this is fundamentally a lifestyle issue, compliance is generally the key with lifestyle interventions.

Healthy Recipe--Black Bean With Rice--Ingredients, *1 pounds black beans, *7 cups water, *1 medium green pepper, *1 1/2 cup onion, *tablespoon vegetable oil, *2 bay leaf, *1clove garlic, *1/2 teaspoon salt, *1 tablespoon vinegar, *6 cups rice, *4 ounces pimento, *1 lemon. Preparation--1. Pick through beans to remove bad ones. Soak beans overnight in cold water. Drain and rinse. 2. In large soup pot or Dutch oven, stir together beans, water, green pepper, onion, oil, bay leaves, garlic, and salt. Cover and boil for one hour. 3. Reduce heat and simmer, covered, for three to four hours or until beans and very tender. Stir occasionally and add water if needed.

Are you concerned about the health and well being of a loved one? Or are you looking to jump start your health and reverse the damaging effects of aging, stress and lifestyle in a toxic environment? On May 27, 2007 at 8:00PM CST via teleseminar, Miguel Lanzagorta, M.D., Director of Outreach Services for Sanoviv Medical Institute, provides groundbreaking information on a successful new alternative approach to healing and health.