Lifestyle Approaches and Glucose Intolerance

Abstract

Glucose intolerance is a global health concern that encompasses glucose metabolism abnormalities such as impaired fasting glucose (IFG), impaired glucose tolerance (IGT), and type 2 diabetes (T2D). There is an urgent need to focus on the prediabetes (ie, IGT and IFG) stage before the disease actually occurs. The progression from IGT to T2D can be prevented or delayed by modifying the lifestyles in high-risk individuals, and these health benefits are well documented in various ethnicities with prediabetes across the world. Specifically, consuming a healthy diet (high in polyunsaturated fatty acids, monounsaturated fatty acids, fiber, and whole grains), losing weight, quitting smoking, consuming alcohol in moderation, and increasing physical activity can improve glucose tolerance and reduce the risk of T2D. Also, pharmacological agents and botanicals can be used to manage glucose intolerance if the implementation of lifestyle changes is challenging. Pharmacological treatments have been successful in managing glucose intolerance; however, they have adverse effects. Also, more research on botanicals is warranted before a definitive recommendation can be made for their use in managing glucose intolerance. To make progress on this worldwide problem, efforts are needed to improve the awareness of prediabetes, increase promotion of healthy behaviors, and improve the availability of evidence-based lifestyle intervention programs to the community.