Weight Loss Pills for Prediabetes

Type 2, or adult-onset, diabetes affects up to 21 million Americans, as of 2010. Both juvenile and adult onset diabetes have been termed "The Stealth Epidemic" and are the most worrying health problems of the 21st century. Ironically, Type 2 diabetes is preventable to a certain extent, but only if the approximately 41 million prediabetic Americans manage their condition before it develops into "full-blown" diabetes.

Prediabetes Definition

• Prediabetes used to be known as impaired fasting glucose. It is diagnosed when fasting plasma glucose is 100-125 mg/dL (milligrams per deciliter) and oral glucose tolerance is 140-199 mg/dL.

  These levels mean that glucose and insulin levels are higher than average, although lower than that recorded in Type 2 diabetes. This is an indication that insulin-impaired or insensitive cells are unable to bind insulin to metabolize blood glucose as efficiently as they used to, leading to higher levels of both elements in the bloodstream.

Causes of Prediabetes

• Prediabetes and diabetes are symptoms of a largely sedentary, high-stress lifestyle coupled with rich food that exceeds a person's energy requirements. There are also people who are genetically predisposed to developing insulin resistance. In time, such factors result in insulin resistance and precipitate the condition.

  The majority of prediabetic individuals may display no symptoms of the condition, but others may suffer from a frequent need to urinate, unusual thirst, blurred vision or feel extremely fatigued.

Risk Factors

• In addition to a poorly managed lifestyle, individuals who risk developing prediabetes are those with a family history of adult-onset diabetes or heart disease, are overweight/obese, are aged 45 years and above or suffer from high blood pressure. Prediabetes is likely to develop in "apple" shaped people, or women who suffered gestational diabetes and/or birthed a baby weighing more than 9 lbs.

  Ethnicity also plays a role, with those of African, Asian, Hispanic or Pacific Islander descent more at risk. Metabolic syndrome/syndrome X and polycystic ovarian syndrome are also risk factors for prediabetes.

Managing Prediabetes with Weight Loss Pills

• Weight loss pills increase the metabolic rate and lead to higher metabolism of calories. Fat binders restrict the amount of fat that a body can metabolize, and appetite suppressants depress the appetite, thereby reducing the amount of food consumed.

  These pills facilitate weight loss in overweight people diagnosed with prediabetes, aiding in management of the condition. However, they have no actual effect on insulin resistance, meaning a person who loses weight with such pills will still have high levels of blood glucose and insulin.

Safe Management of Prediabetes

• Most health care providers advocate a change in lifestyle aimed at gradual, not drastic, weight reduction and more exercise. A study conducted by the Diabetes Prevention Program found that one-half hour's worth of exercise at least five times weekly, coupled with weight loss amounting to 5 percent to 7 percent of the individual's weight, reduced the risk of developing diabetes by almost 60 percent. More tellingly, the effect of adopting a healthier lifestyle and eating habits was doubly effective compared to that of consuming weight loss pills.